Living, Loving, Learning

Besides the standard cupcakes, handmade cards and books for the kids (my go-to gift for all holidays!) I managed to put together some other Valentine's fun! I made this heart wreath for my front door from this tutorial . It says to use 3/4 yards of fabric but I used a whole yard and it is still empty on the back. I looooove the way it looks! I made these hearts from this tutorial . I hung them with all different types of ribbon from already existing nails on the fireplace. I think they are sooo cute, even though Bruce had to ask me what they were when he saw them. All the women who have come into my house recently have remarked on the hearts, so that makes me feel better about them! Hope you have a wonderful day filled with loving those around you.

This is Lucy's new napmat. We are going to have occasions...like this weekend, where she will need a place to sleep, so it was time. She is just too darn big for the pack n' play now. I gave her about 6 choices in the fabric store and this is what she chose. It is hard to see but it has white outlined dragonflies all over it. All h er choices were yellow, she is yellow CRAZY !! Since this was my second one, it only took me about 4 hours on Sunday afternoon to whip this baby out...BOOYAAAHHHH!

For my birthday, Alexis sent me some gorgeous fabrics from IKEA.  The great thing about receiving fabric as a gift is that is takes me out of my comfort zone.  It is a different weight than I usually buy and definitely different colors that I usually go for but I LOVE it.  I was able to get really creative, knowing I wanted to use at least some of it for something I would keep.  I have been meaning to make a cover for this ugly ironing board and  taaaadaaa.... Isn't it gorgeous?!?  I really love it.  And as those who sew know, on some projects you may spend as much or more time at your ironing board as at your sewing machine.    And then I was thinking my sewing machine was looking so neglected...well, I just couldn't help myself. Summer is on it's way, so now the dust won't collect on the sewing machine while I'm playing outside.   Now, there is some orange fabric that is screaming to be made into pillows....

I made this ?thing? for my dear friend's birthday.  She is so brave, embracing change in herself and her relationships, I really wanted to represent, honor and recognize that awakening through my art.  This is what came to me.  The sun, to me, represents good energy, healing light, deep connection to your Spirit, good juju.  I think she liked it, no , I KNOW she liked it.  ;)  I really enjoyed embroidering the seedling.  I had to add roots. I am more and more aware of  how what is going on under the surface is as, and sometimes more, important than what is happening on the surface or what is immediately obvious.  OK, so I have ideas for like 50 more of these, some for specific people, some I may put up for sale, and I am wondering if you would all add your two cents.  Here is my question for you: What do I call these?  Some suggestions I've already gotten are quiltoramas (from diorama not bowl-a-rama), tapestry, art quil...

So for awhile now, I have really been feeling the pull...you know, my inner voice telling me I was ready to take my passion for sewing to a new level. I wasn't quite sure where exactly I needed to go with it, but I was feeling open. One day I was dusting the bookshelves and this book, Magical Fabric Art by Sandra McCraw Scarpa , caught my eye. The Marinos, I believe, had given it to me years ago. At the time I had skimmed it, thought it had great stuff in it, and put it away for another day when I would have more time to look at it. Well, you know how that story always ends...it sat on the shelf for years. This time though, I read it cover to cover in a couple of weeks. It was the catalyst I needed to get my artistic energy harnessed. The ideas the book contained planted a seed in me that has grown and Grown and GROWN. I really feel now that I have been able to leave "hobby quilter" behind and truly see myself as a "fabric artist". Although, the structure of q...

I finished another quilt! I am so happy with it. Some of the squares may be familiar to you, they are the squares I received for my first year in the block swap, '08 travel theme. The brown squares that are all similar are the ones I made. The whole thing is hand quilted by me, and bound in a dark brown solid fabric. I made a pieced back to add extra interest. The last 2 weeks, Griffin has told me "I sure wish I had my new quilt to cuddle with" before going to bed. Man, that kid is good, he knows the quickest way to my heart! So Thursday when he came home from school, I surprised him with it. He was soooooo happy. In the last photo he was trying to help me get a photo of it. I decided I needed someone a little taller to hold it, but I still think it's such a cute photo!

So, I am working on a pretty big project right now that is going to be pushing my skills to the next level. Yeah, I love a challenge. I have never done any machine quilting so I decided I needed to practice on something. I found this quilt square that I had made last year but had turned out to small to use for that particular need. I found some decently coordinated fabric in my stash to back it with and went about learning to machine quilt. I actually really enjoyed it, alot more than I thought I would! It is far from perfect, but I don't think it's a terrible first piece. Back to the stash to find some fabric to brush up on my binding skills and Voila, we have a .......well, what is it exactly? I was thinking it could be a hot pad but the kids got a hold of it first and now it's a teddy bear's blankie. That works too, I guess!

These 3 bags were made as Christmas presents, but I didn't want to post photos until the last one had been opened. Now, I know it has, Voila.... They are kind of an all purpose bag, good for shopping, the library or just hauling around your stuff. I LOVE patchwork, so I was really happy to make these bags, and customize them for each person. The strap is adjustable, another nice touch to make it super usable. I plan to make up some to sell at my next sales opportunity! Anyone have any color combos they are loving right now? I always like to hear what people are really into each season.

I saw the directions to make this wreath a few months back, but just now got to make one. It was soooo easy and fun. For a fabric lover like myself, an ideal project. My only comment about this project is that it took me a lot longer than I thought it would. I think it took me about 6 hours all together. Cutting the fabric took a little while, but making a pattern with it really took some time. This one is, of course, for fall. I found the fabric on sale and loved it so now I will have to put it away for a while. It think it looks a little more "country" then I usually decorate but I am hoping it will still look pretty on my front door, come September. Now, I may just have to go out and get myself another "honey bun" in spring colors! :)

We spent today decorating the house for the holidays. The Christmas tree fits best in my craft corner so I had to move out. I decided to rearrange the kids toys a bit and take over half of their play room. They have HUGE bedrooms, so this was no big deal for them. I haven't actually gotten a chance to create in this space yet, but I think I am going to like my new digs. Now if Santa brings me that new crafting lamp I may never move back! P.S. I was in the process of decorating this room with the kids' artwork - hence the half covered wall. Just need a few more projects to come home from school!

So, this is my newest creation. I saw a friend's child with one and thought it was a brilliant idea. It's great to throw in your purse, diaper bag or seat pockets for entertainment in a pinch! You can spread them on your child's lap and then the crayons are not rolling onto the floor or across the table! I have not set a price on them yet, but let me know if you want one, we can figure something out. They come with 16 crayolas and (with a little time) the fabric can be customized to fit your child's interests or personality. A great stocking stuffer! I still make bibs, burp clothes, drawstring bags and wallets if you are looking for a special gift. I am now also willing to make baby quilts (machine pieced, hand quilted) for custom orders. This blog is not going to become a vehicle for me to sell stuff, so I will not mention it often, but if you ever see something on here that I've made, it (or something like it) is probably for sale. Take care, y'all....

WOOOOOHOOOOT!!!! I finished my FIRST quilt. I am so excited, so proud, so happy about it! This quilt was almost (except the binding fabric) entirely made of scrap 1930's reproduction fabrics. They are all leftovers from the quilt top that I have pieced for Lucy's big girl bed. I thought this crib size quilt would be a good one to hand quilt first. A manageable size with clear quilting lines. I thought I "invented" this pattern, but the owner of our local quilt shop told me it is a very old pattern called "Chinese Coins". HA, great minds think alike. So, it is entirely machine pieced and hand quilted (and I have the calluses to prove it!) Here it is, fresh out of the drier, all cuddly and fluffy. I like the back almost as much as the front. You can really see the quilting pattern this way! I even had personalized labels made, so many years from now, the current owner may think of me from time to time. Not sure who I am going to give it too. ...

So, here is my little table at a show I participated in last night. Only about 50 people or so walked through, so percentage wise, I think I did pretty well. I really had a great time! It was kind of nerve wracking to have my goods out there for all to judge in such a blatant way, but I got a ton of great feedback. I want to publicly thank my friend Mandy...not only did she get me the contact for this event but she also went with me for moral support. She even drove!!! And, it was way out in the boonies on a dark curvy deer filled country road - so nice to just be able to sit back and relax! I have to say my favorite part was hanging out, having dinner with Mandy afterward - girl time is so important and I just don't have enough of it in my life right now!! My friend Katie, was also so amazing yesterday (I am sure she is amazing everyday, I just got to witness it yesterday!). She had stopped by the house with her very cool "day spouse" (work partner) to drop by ...

So...I haven't done a crafty post in awhile. I have been sewing a ton, in fact I have finished 3 quilt tops this summer! Now the only problem is not being sure what to do next. I don't want to show you the tops yet, I'd rather wait till I can show you the finished product. So, while I am trying to secure some lessons on hand quilting to finish the tops up, I have, of course, started a new quilt. I previewed the first block on facebook, but I wanted to share it here too. This is going to be a queen sized quilt for Bruce (our bed actually, it is so hard to come up with ideas for projects for him!!) I am using a wide assortment of colorful batiks all with the same midnight blue background. I am really happy with how the blocks are turning out. There are many different size blocks in the quilt, 20" all the way to 2", which I think will add even more pzazz! Here are 2 that I did yesterday. This project is turning out to be SO MUCH FUN! Hope you spend a few ...

Gorgeous colors, for a future project.

Here is another fun project I was able to make based on an online tutorial. We received Griffin's list of needed school supplies and one item was a nap mat. I had never heard of such a thing but after a quick google search, I found it is just a 1" to 2" thick mat covered in a simple vinyl. They run anywhere from $8 to $25. No problem, except they are UGLY and not cozy in the least. My friend Chris (THANK YOU for thinking of me!!!) had just given me LOTS of yardage of dino fabric that I was dying to use for something so after finding the free tutorial I thought I might as well try it. It turned out pretty cute I think. I changed a few things from the directions. Originally I had button closures on it but it was hard for Griff to open and close quickly and within a few tries one button already was ripped off. I quickly decided Velcro would be a better option - after all, I did not want this to be a hassle for the teacher. The mat also has Velcro running down one...