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Happy Friday!

September 30, 2011 by 4 Comments

September seemed to slip by without slowing down at all.  I’m trying to think about what I accomplished and I’m not really sure.  I have to use my photo files to remind myself of all the things that went on around here.  It appears I really was keeping busy.  Go figure.  And this week has been on exception.

The Market sewing is fast and furious.  A bit more furious at times, particularly after the coffee breaks.  But for the most part, things are coming together.  Tomorrow will be a day of pinning and quilting.  I’m desperately hoping not to have any tiny furry visitors inspecting my work.  Pin basting quilts takes place on the wood floor in the living room and I do not want to see any whisker cleaning while I’m crawling around on my hands and knees.

I hope you’ve had a great week and are looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

Filed Under: plants, quilting, quilts, sewing

Eeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!!!!

September 26, 2011 by 6 Comments

Things were going along smoothly.  I got a box shipped, obtained a new chair for sewing (more on that later) and made progress on the sewing I was planning for the day.  I even spent some time outdoors with Stinka and Pete enjoying the sunshine, something that has been missing for days.

And then……..I was sitting in my new chair, talking on the telephone to Mr. P about dinner plans and grocery shopping, feeling relaxed and happy about the new chair, when all of the sudden I saw a gray mouse disappear behind the bookcase.  And I screamed. It was more of an “Ackkkkkkkk!!!”  than an “Eeeekkkk!!” and was quickly followed by “There’s a mouse in the house!!!!”  As Mr. P did the whole “It’s just a mouse” thing, the mouse came out from under the TV stand and washed his whiskers…right in plain sight! So, naturally, I screamed again.  About that time, Mr. P decided he had another call to take and promptly got off the phone.

After I gave the mouse a lecture, he scurried over to the fireplace and went into hiding. He hasn’t been seen since.  And I’m hoping we never see him again.  We have traps set and sonic devices emitting anti-rodent frequencies.  If I find this mouse has been in the fabric, it’s going to be war.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Please, Take Advantage!

September 24, 2011 by 3 Comments


1. Fridge Magnets, 2. Christmas Ornament, 3. Garland in Sis Boom, 4. Spring Frog, 5. Kindle Case , 6. Owl Softies , 7. Movin’ and Grovin” Bag, 8. Mosaic in Sis Boom Blue, 9. Kitten KaPoodle

All the love and appreciation that Jennifer has been sharing lately has me blushing. Her latest post got me motivated to share a little collage with you.  If you’ve been around here very long, you know I’m all about getting inspired and doing.  So if you’ve come for ideas, here are just a few simple things to get you started creating.

And don’t forget to take a peek at the list of my tutorials and free patterns.  The links on the left will take you there.

Thank you, Jennifer!  You light up my world with your creative soul and generous heart.  Keep that bright star shining!

Filed Under: crafts, creativity, fabrics, Flickr, pattern, sis boom, tutorials

Happy Friday!

September 23, 2011 by 4 Comments

See that box?  You wouldn’t know to look at it, but Quilt Market Madness is in there.  My sewing assignments have arrived and it is time to get busy.  Because that’s only one of the boxes.  So if you don’t hear from me quite as often over the next couple of weeks, you’ll know I’m sitting at the sewing machine, nose to the grindstone.

I bought a new ironing board cover in anticipation.  Do you see this?  Apparently, ironing board covers are not intended for the kind of use seamstresses and quilters put them through.  Six to twelve times a month?!  Seriously?  Even Mr. P would qualify for a Superior Ironing Board Cover.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Filed Under: fabrics, house and home, sewing

Oh Scrap!

September 20, 2011 by 7 Comments
Summer is on the way out.  The Autumnal Equinox arrives on Friday, at least for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.  However, this does not mean the end of playful, colorful fabric combinations.  Thank goodness!  The scrap piles have been getting some attention lately.  Sis Boom scraps give this pillow cover a feeling of light, airy happiness. (Click on the pictures for a better view.)

Change the scraps and change the feel.  A stack of Sassaman scraps provides an entirely different look.

Still happy but the colors and patterns have a wilder feel.  A bit less structured, a lot more organic.

I love them both.  They currently reside in the same chair where I can look at them and scheme up other scrappy projects.

What have you done with your scraps lately?  I’d love to hear about it.

Filed Under: color, fabric, fabrics, house and home, quilting, sassaman, scraps, sewing, sis boom

Green Drama

September 18, 2011 by 4 Comments

Summer will be over soon.  An entire array of plants will take center stage.  Angel’s Trumpets don’t seem to notice the subtle change of seasons of our climate and bloom off and on all year round.  This yellow single flowered Brugmansia is putting on quite the show at Balboa Park.  Tucked behind the International Houses, it provides a visually arresting display.

I don’t know what plant this is but I love the structure of it.  The waxy little flower whose petals seem imprinted and the thick oval leaves prove that simplicity is beautiful.

There is plenty to do to tend the plants here at Casa P.  And there is just enough time to consider what new beauty can be added to our constantly-in-transition backyard. Another Brug would be fine with me.  Perhaps a pink one.

For now, it’s the vegetable garden that needs the most work.  At the moment there are two eager helpers waiting at the back door for me to get to work.  The four footed don’t make for the best helpers.  But they are certainly the best kind of gardening company.

Filed Under: animals, cats, color, house and home, park, plants

Thread Therapy

September 15, 2011 by 5 Comments

I’m sure you recall my ravings over Anna’s threads.  (In case you missed it, you can find it here.) This pillow cover was such a delight to make.  Every stitch was a joy. Now do you see why I’m so in love with them?  They are gorgeous!

Under the influence of Kazak embroidery, I drew this multi-layered blossom on a piece of white medium weight cotton fabric.  Some time with the hoop, needle and threads followed.  This is all handwork.  No machine stitching in this embroidery work.  I say that only because it has been mistaken for machine work and I don’t want you to think you can’t do this.  You can!  No fancy machine or software is required.  Just you and your hands.

I used basic stitches to create this design.  Satin stitching, chain stitching, french knots and star stitches.  After the embroidery was complete, I created the pillow front using reverse applique.  With Anna’s fabulous perle cotton threads I hand quilted the pillow front and added the stitching around the circle.

Now I do realize that most of you may not be feeling this ambitious.  An heirloom piece may not be on your agenda right now.  And that is perfectly alright.  Start with a small design.  As the holidays approach, I hope to have several gift ideas for you that incorporate simple handwork.  Because nothing shows handmade love like embroidery.

Filed Under: Anna Maria Horner, embroidery

Tweet?

September 15, 2011 by 3 Comments

It may be a sign I’ve well and truly lost my mind.  In order to participate in Pinterest, I am now on Twitter.  If you’re already on both or either of these sites, please give me some time to get myself together.  Or at least some time to waste getting to know the platforms.

You can find me on Twitter as @100billionstars.  On Pinterest it’s 100billionstars.  There will be icons in the sidebar later today if all goes well.  It’s certainly not the time of year to be engaging in more madness but when you’re mind has gone wandering, things happen.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Filed Under: miscellany, technology

Bat Makeover — Unexpected Halloween Decor

September 13, 2011 by 6 Comments

There’s no better time for a little crafty subversion than Halloween.   These bats are dressed to the nines.  Whether you make your own Bat Mobile or string them on a garland, these creatures of the night are sure to capture the imaginations of young and old alike.

Gather your supplies:

  1. Bat paper shapes  (I used a Creatology pack of 12 from Michael’s.)
  2. Mod Podge — Fabric and Matte
  3. Applicators
  4. Fabric scraps
  5. Scissors
  6. Glitter glue

To make the bats, follow these steps:

  1. Prepare fabric scraps by applying a coat of Fabric Mod Podge to the right side of the fabric.  Allow to dry thoroughly.
  2. Apply Matte Mod Podge to one side of paper bat.  Fix to the wrong side of fabric scrap.  Get out all air bubbles.  A brayer works great but you can also use a credit card or even the back side of a butter knife.  Let dry.
  3. Trim the fabric around the edges of the paper bat shape.
  4. Apply Matte Mod Podge to remaining side of bat.  Fix to the wrong side of fabric scrap.  Again, get out all air bubbles and let dry.
  5. Trim the fabric around the edges.  
  6. Punch a hole in the top center of the bat’s head.  A sturdy paper hole punch will work.
  7. Decorate each bat using glitter glue.  If you have Sparkle Mod Podge, you can add a sparkly layer now.
  8. String ribbon through each bat.  Attach to a mobile or string them together for a garland.

And that’s all there is to it!  Easy, fun and completely unexpected Halloween decor.

Filed Under: crafts, creativity, embellishments, fabric, holidays, house and home, mod podge, sis boom

Two Bags Later

September 11, 2011 by 6 Comments

Some of my sewing time lately has been wrapped up in this pattern.  I love it! The pattern is by Anna Maria Horner.  The first bag, seen below in Anna Maria’s Loulouthi fabrics, took a bit longer than I expected.  You really need to have all your brain cells functioning when you read and execute this one the first time.  Residual migraine dullness is not helpful.  Just a tip.

But once you get it finished, it’s all worth it.  Every rip and every resewn seam quickly fades from memory.  This bag holds a lot of stuff.  I particularly like that my phone, my sunglasses, my keys and a bottle of water will all fit in the outside pockets.

Yesterday, I made a second bag.  This one will be a gift filled with goodies.  I used a heavyweight denim without any interfacing for the bag’s exterior–very durable and easy to spot clean on the go.  For the remaining pieces I used Heather Bailey‘s Nicey Jane. The bright yellows really pop next to the dark denim.

If you haven’t given this pattern a try, you should.  I’ll definitely be making myself another one.  But first, back to the Mod Podge.  Halloween goodies coming up soon.

Filed Under: Uncategorized
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