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Back At It

November 29, 2010 by 8 Comments

Hello!  Sorry I’ve been AWOL for the last week.  We have family in town for the Thanksgiving holiday.  There has been a lot of eating, a lot of driving to see the sights and all of the usual stops for coffee and a chance to put your feet up.  We visited the Hotel del Coronado yesterday.  The view across the water to Cabrillo was crystal clear and stunning.  Blue sky, blue water. 

Reminds me of Sis Boom Queen Street fabric.  And just look how it comes together for Christmas in a yo yo/jingle bell ornament.  These would also be great as decoration on a boxed gift.  Much more festive than a plain bow.

All you need are three sizes of yo yos–jumbo, extra large and large if you use the Clover Yo Yo Maker–a large jingle bell, a decorative button, tapestry needle and 1/8 inch grosgrain ribbon.

Stack the yo yos with the largest on the bottom and the smallest on top.  Join them together by threading the needle from the top through all the layers and the bell, bringing the ribbon back up through the yo yos.  Thread each side of the ribbon through the button and tie off using a granny knot.  Tie another granny knot approximately three inches from the ornament.  Trim the ribbon ends.

And that’s all there is to it.  A quick and simple handmade touch for your holiday gift giving or your tree. 

Stay tuned for more simple holiday projects.  The ideas are swirling here and I intend to share as many as possible while there’s still time.  Have a creative week!

Filed Under: crafts, sis boom

New Addiction

November 22, 2010 by 5 Comments

It was bath day for the cat.  Always traumatic.  For both of us.  I tend to have a reward in mind for myself before beginning the dangerous feline ablutions.  Today, the reward was time on the new sewing computer with a quilt sandwich in Anna Maria Horner’s Innocent Crush.  (Same one the cat tried to sabotage the other day.  See last post.)

This is my very first foray into free motion quilting.  And there may be a problem.  I think this could be addictive.  Seriously addictive.  Of course, there is a learning curve.  And it can be frustrating at first.  But the meandering lines were simple enough.  It’s all a matter of getting the speed of your hands and the speed of your machine in sync.  I found that it works best if you keep yourself on the verge of losing control.  Too slow and it becomes stilted.  Too fast and you’ll have a lot to grumble about.  But if you get the rhythm of it right…things happen.  The kind of things you want to have happening again and again.

Filed Under: Anna Maria Horner, quilts, sewing

Cat in the Batt

November 21, 2010 by 1 Comment

Compromise is often a good solution.  Sometimes compromise takes unusual forms.  Like when you think you can sneak in a quick basting of a throw size quilt while the cat naps.  The problem is cats seem to have a seventh or seventeenth sense about quilts and sewing and all the things that go into them.  Just as soon as I had the batting laid down over the backing, someone was up and eager to enjoy the new floor covering/cat bed/quilt.  No amount of cajoling or treats or new cardboard boxes could keep him away.

There was only one thing to do.  Give him the rest of the unused batting.  Of course, you first have to pretend you really want to work with that piece and not what is already laid out on the floor.  If you aren’t interested, neither is the cat.  Felines are hard to fool.  Once he was convinced, he curled up in his cotton batting nest and I was able to finish pinning.  Oh the things we do for our furry family.

Speaking of families, we have some coming into town for Thanksgiving.  Lots of cleaning, organizing, straightening, etc. going on here.  The creative front is too quiet for me but it is only temporary.  A little hot chocolate and a book may get me through.

I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing weekend and are looking forward to the coming week.

Filed Under: cats, quilts

Make Mine Mod Podge

November 16, 2010 by 6 Comments

The Mod Podge gremlin has been at it again.  Jennifer Paganelli’s Queen Street collection, specifically Madeline Maeve in blue, was used to beautify this wooden box.  This is actually a wooden tissue box cover from Michael’s.  Boring, boring, boring.  Not for long though.  Since we’re never out of Mod Podge around here, boredom is fleeting. 

Does it look more familiar now?  It works fine in its intended capacity.  But I’m using mine for something else.  If you remove the top of the tissue box and all the tissues inside it, you can place the decorative cover over the newly emptied cardboard box.  Keep it by your sewing machine and use it for all the tiny scraps and stray threads.  When the box is full, remove the decorative top and empty into the trash bin. 

I don’t know about you, but I think the Mod Podge gremlin deserves a treat for this one.  Caffeine seems appropriate somehow.  And dark chocolate.  Gremlins can’t resist coffee and dark chocolate.  Apparently, they can’t resist Mod Podge either.

Filed Under: crafts, mod podge, sis boom

Pinks in the Park

November 15, 2010 by 3 Comments

I love the Park.  It’s all about bromeliads in the Botanical Garden at the moment. 

The pinks and the spiny parts are visually arresting.

So many varieties of the unusual.

Some even seem to have a sprinkling of pixie dust.

Others have a faint fairy glow about them.

All of them are marvelous.

Filed Under: plants

Handmade for the Holidays

November 13, 2010 by 7 Comments

Christmas is only six weeks away!  The Thief of Time has been hard at work.  There’s no other way to explain what happened to all the time.  Six weeks is time enough for a couple of holiday projects.  And this one is easy, fun and versatile.

List of supplies:

  1. Wooden Spools (I found mine at Michael’s in the wood craft section.  They come in different sizes.  I used the smaller two sizes for my garland but you can use whatever sizes or combination of sizes suits your fancy.)
  2. Mod Podge (I used Matte Mod Podge but Satin or Gloss will work.  You can use Sparkle or Shimmer for finishing coats to add a little extra drama.)
  3. Applicator for Mod Podge (foam brush or craft paint brush)
  4. Spool of ribbon or cording
  5. Decorative beads
  6. Fabric scraps
Measure the width of the spool between the edges.  Also measure the length around this section.  Cut your scraps of fabric to fit these measurements.  Slight overlap on the length is okay but try to keep it as close to exact as is possible.  This will provide a more seamless look.
Using the applicator, carefully apply the fabric strips to the spools using Mod Podge.  Allow to dry.  Apply at least one coat of Mod Podge to the entire spool–over the fabric and over the wood that is exposed.  If you wish to add Sparkle or Shimmer, now is the time.
When all the spools are dry, start threading your ribbon or cording through the spools and beads.  Alternate styles and colors of both beads and spools as you work.  When your garland has reached the desired length,  knot the ribbon or cording large enough to keep the beads and spools from slipping off.  If the ends will be seen, weave the end back through the last few beads or spools to hide it.
Your garland is ready to decorate your tree or mantle.  You can wrap it in greenery up stair railing.  Or put it in a wreath.  The applications are numerous.  And depending on your choice of fabrics, is not limited to the holidays.  I have used scraps of Sis Boom fabrics that will work through the holidays and beyond.  This is great party decor too, nestled amidst the table runner and centerpiece.  
Go grab some supplies and use the moments in front of the TV in the evening to make some handmade holiday happiness.  And send me pictures when you do.  I’d love to see them!
Filed Under: crafts, mod podge, sis boom

Seriously

November 12, 2010 by 3 Comments

Out of all the choices for a nap, he had to make his bed in the recycle bin.  Apparently, it needed some rearranging.  You would think opposable thumbs would be required to make a mess like this.

Have a Happy Friday!

Filed Under: cats

The Last Minute Market Dash

November 10, 2010 by 2 Comments

While we’re still on the subject of things that traveled to Texas to attend Market, here’s a picture of the quilt that was made in the nick of time.  Jay McCarroll is the mastermind behind these wide ranging prints.  This collection, called Habitat, is a departure from his previous whimsical collections.

Some of these fabrics would make excellent decor statements as pillows while others would shine as framed wall pieces.  There are also great possibilities for clothing and accessories.  I believe the collection will be in stores in January.  So plenty of time to get the wheels turning. 

The free pattern for this quilt will be available through Free Spirit’s website. 

Filed Under: quilts, sewing

The Goods in Delilah

November 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Remember Tanya Whelan’s Delilah collection?  Posted here.  Here are pictures of what went came out of my little sewing “studio” and traveled to Market to hang in Free Spirit’s booth.  The table runner mixes pretty and proper with a dose of the unexpected.  I added doilies along the edges and corners to give it another layer of texture. 

The quilt is the same wonky style backed with the gorgeous green paisley print.  FreeSpirit will be posting the free pattern on their website in the coming weeks.  Instructions for both will be included.

The reds and greens in this collection are perfect for Christmas.  But more on that in an upcoming post.  Let me know what your plans are for this fabric collection.  I know at least a few of you will be adding Delilah to your stash.

Filed Under: fabric, quilts

Ah, the Memories

November 9, 2010 by 6 Comments
Image obtained from The Graphics Fairy at graphicsfairy.blogspot.com
Today is my eldest niece’s birthday.  She’s ten months older than I am so she will always be blazing the path ahead.  Naturally, we share a lot of memories.  I am often the keeper of these joint memories; however, last night she reminded me of something we did seven years ago this month.  I had forgotten all about November and Nanowrimo.  I’m glad she didn’t.
Nanowrimo stands for National Novel Writing Month.  During the month of November you commit to writing 50,000 words of a novel.  The experience is not about quality but about quantity.  About sitting yourself down every day and producing.  You turn the internal editor off and you write what’s there.  That’s the only way you can get to 50,000 words in 30 days.  If you can get in the habit of showing up to write, you have a better chance of producing writing.  As opposed to keeping a running list of bright ideas.  Ideas are fine, but the hard work is done when you sit down and start spilling words.  Nanowrimo gives you a taste of what it takes to make something big happen.
And you learn a lot along the way.  Not just about writing–about how hard it is to sit in front of the screen with your mind frozen and your internal editor screaming at you that you’re belittling the profession and who do you think you are.  Not just about how you need to do as Amy Tan has suggested and write all the pond scum so you can get to what is worthwhile.  You actually learn about yourself.  You learn that you really can do something so outrageous as 50,000 words in one month.  And that’s a scary thought.  
It’s easier to think we do not produce creatively because we can’t.  We like to tell ourselves that we lack skills or we don’t have the talent.  (Let’s not even get into the excuses of time and money.)  We say things like “It’s impossible.”  We prefer to deflect and reject.  Unfortunately, being dishonest with ourselves can be dangerous.  We ignore the messages and stomp on our own dreams because we don’t own up to who we are.  It requires courage to accept that we have a responsibility and a great deal of grit to carry it through.
The essentials are the same regardless of your craft.  Showing up and putting out are absolutely necessary to your creative life.  You may be at the beginning of a creative journey making small seemingly insignificant things on occasion.  You may be looking to expand your creative life beyond the craft you have mastered.  Whoever you are and whatever situation you are in, you are capable of far more than you currently believe. 
Thank you, Manda, for reminding me about what I can do when I put my stubborn mind to something.  For reminding me of how it feels to accomplish something outrageous. 
Filed Under: family, writing
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