Coiled Fabric basket

Ok, so this started last December back when my family gathered one Saturday afternoon for a Christmas brunch at my sister Cindy's house. She and her husband have a cute little house with a nice size yard for their 3 dogs to run in. Inside, her style is ceiling to floor, she likes simple antiques and a slightly rustic look. This even carried over into a little basket placed on the floor in the living room near the entrance for her puppies toys. Perfectly matching the colors in her home...sort of rusty reds with golds & forest greens. Very cozy. Of course, when I asked about it, she had found it at one of those stores that gets random others stores leftovers...read: unlikely to find again. Not to mention, her color scheme its very different from my own. But, it was SO cute & my own puppies need one.

Fast forward to Easter time. I was checking out my daily blog reads & Sew Mama Sew had Spring Sewing ~ Easter Tutorials links which contained a link to a Fabric Easter Basket at Moda Bakeshop. Cute right? So, of course, I had an ah ha moment, and I was off to buy supplies.

Oddly enough, not long after that I was checking out the latest "recent with pictures" crafts on Craftster and came across this post stared by someone named Jenicat with a similar but different take on the coiled fabric...um...vesel.

Anyhow, on to my version...

I'm pleased with how it turned out, a bit more scrappy than Jenicat & a bit less scrappy than Moda. From the looks of it will need to make a variation for a kitty bed.

and more still

more...

...friendly birds.

friendly bird friends

latest

from Posie Gets Cozy...a kit to make her friendly birds.

slacker or busy bee?

Maybe a bit of both. Work has been insane. So no time to write. ( I know, I know. I shouldn't be writing at work anyhow) I have been doing bits of crafting here and there. Nothing very exciting. I took a "Beginning Wheel" class. You know...pottery. I really like it & am taking the next one in line. "Beginning Wheel II"

A sample of my work (HA!)

Oh and I threw together this little plastic lined wristlet from some old pillow shams I had, to carry my pottery tools in. But I'm finding that I am quickly out growing my little bag and may need to modify the shape a bit so I guess this becomes a make-up bag maybe?

a few things

I have actually been s l o w l y working on a few things. Inspired by Erin of House on Hill Road I am attempting little embellished tees for my nieces & nephews. I need to finish them off. I'm a horrible artist but I did draw them free hand. The froggie was patterned after the Purl froggie at The Purl Bee. The fishie is just a fishie.

I'm flip flopping between a couple of designs for this fabric.

So, not unlike many of my favorite bloggers out there I LOVE fabric however my sewing skills leave something to be desired. Needing easy project to use my favorite prints on... Projects for me that is. There is the obvious quilt, although you need large quantities for that and I am currently on a bit of a budget. I've done the fabric swatch portrait project from the Purl Bee. Pictures forthcoming. In what easy ways can I wear the fabrics I love? I love this idea at Wise Craft, but have no idea how to do it. I really hope she makes a kit, so I can do it with MY favorites... How about a pendent?!

Yes.

Now I need to decide what I think looks best to hang them from.

Happy Friday!

another

Another reminder post. I love this idea! The patches are just the cherry on top. I want to do it. If I have nothing in my closet...I will search far & wide to find a sweater to do this to. Makes me curse myself for all the sweaters I've gotten rid of or cut up to make other things...Lets hope they wouldn't work for this. I don't know why adding a zipper never occurred to me? I have, in fact, cut straight up the middle of a sweater before. A turtle neck. Never wore it though. I'll bet I would have if it had a zip.

Bugger.

excuses. excuses.

How do all you craft goddesses do it? I assume some of you have day time, 9 to 5 type jobs, no? Where on Earth do you find the time to make things? Do you have maids? Cooks? I just can't figure it out. All I want to do is make things, and dang it, life gets right in my way. Poo.

reminder

I just had to pop in and remind myself of the great post at Posy Gets Cozy.

I had never really considered making my own dishtowels before, because I have SO many.

But... after this...I may just change my mind.

the worse blogger EVER

I suck I know. Quick update...
The "craft show" went better than I expected. In spite of the fact that it did turn out to be only family. My cousin’s wife, Maggie, helped me price things. I am SO bad at that. I can tell you what materials cost but I am completely unable to put a monetary value on my time, or determine how much time a project takes. Assuming it's a bigger project that is. Some things were priced higher then I would have ever assumed appropriate... but sold, so that was encouraging. Hopefully I'll get to participate again & more people will show.
On the selling note, I went to a new hair place recently & discovered that they have little crafters displays around their shop. I chatted with the receptionist about it & she suggested that I bring my stuff in for the owner to have a look. I'm nervous...we'll see.

my first time

This weekend, for the fist time EVER, my handmade items will be on display for others (by others I mean non family & friends) to see. I have an Aunt & a cousin...in-law who both bead and in the past they have put on a little mini show at my Aunts home. WELL, this time they invited me to come and play along.

I am totally excited & nervous at the same time. You see...it could go either way for a couple of reasons.

1. I don't really bead. I mean I have made a few sets of super simple earrings, but nothing quite as elaborate as what they make. So any beading I have is very different from what they do.

2. The majority of my stuff in general is very different they anything they might create. Our styles & likes are just very different.

The thing is, is that I think I can safely assume that the majority of people that will stop by this little...gathering of crafts will be people that THEY know. So the question is if these people are fond of their work will they hate mine? OR will they be interested in the small selection of different items?

We'll know come Sunday. Wish me luck!

on the hook. off the hook?

I finally decided to attempt the Turkish slippers form Simple Crochet by Erika Knight. I rarely attempt to follow patterns only because I usually have to re-read the same information several times while flipping back to the section that tells you which stitch the abbreviation stands for ...THEN I have to flip to the stitch section of the book to remind myself how to do that particular stitch. But to my surprise I managed to work them up fairly quickly, making adaptations for how I wanted them to fit my feet along the way. Now to finish them off.

recent purchase/creation & 11.15.07

I bought the components at a flea market I visited recently.

It hangs in our tiny entry. I love it. More of what I bought once I tidy up a bit. Ugh, so much to do. How the heck can I finish projects when I have to clean??? Unfortunately my "studio" is also the computer room & guest room, so part of the cleaning IS the numerous projects I have in various stages of completion strewn about the living room. I know...I need a bigger house. Wish me luck.

Oh! As if everyone doesn't know already, 2 people who's talent & creativity I envy are on National television TOGETHER today. Anna Maria Horner & Martha! Alas, I'll have to catch it in reruns...work and all. Phooey. Don't tell me what happens, I want to be surprised.

wip

Actually, I have several things going on at the same time. This is only one...

Sweater stockings, pre embellishment. The solid blue, green, ivory & darker pink one are cashmere. Mmmmmm sssoooo soft.

boo

Sparkly

the latest

I've finished another clutch from Bend-the Rules similar to the last one except this one is bigger still and I included an additional embroidered circle on the back. I don't know what I'm making these for. I mean I think they are adorable & I love them but what the heck am I going to do with all of them? I wonder if I could sell them? Who do I know that would buy one?

(back)

Oh, reminder to self...my husband sold ALL of my remaining (after my stashed was raided)tissue holders to Falcons Landing for "give-aways" at a Tea Party. How cool is that? Such a good idea.
Annnnnd, here is the current state of my ripples. Less then 10 color/rows to go. Lord help me.

julia

My niece Julia will be 14 on Monday. My sister Charlotte has a family party for her kids birthdays every year. Usually she makes all the food too, from appetizers to cake & other desserts. She has been known to do themes. We've done a Greek theme, with Pastitsio, Dolmades, Spanakopita & Baklava. Food heaven. And I can say we because I helped. All...ALL from scratch. And yes, we are Greek (part Greek) We had a Papou on our Moms side. We also did a Hanukkah theme one year simply because my nephews birthday happened to fall on the first night of Hanukkah. It's fun & delicious & I enjoy it every time.

Anyhow, I usually give them cash these day because that's what they ask for. But this year I made Jules a little wristlet. I hope she likes it.

(bad pics)

She had mentioned to my sister that she wanted a Sock Monkey a while back, so I thought the fabric would be appropriate. Again this pattern is from Amy Karol's book. Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I plan on attempting quite a few of the others shes come up with. Although I admit didn't quite follow it exactly only because I got confused on a few things. For instance...I used this tutorial for the zipper...well I thought the tutorial came from here , but I don't see anything of the sort. Hmmm, maybe I've lost my mind. Sorry, and thank you to whoevers instructions I used. It's not the best work I've ever done, but Charlotte sprung the party on me kindof last minute, so I was a bit rushed. I hope she likes it anyway. 14 year old girls like this sort of thing right?

P.S. My fondest memory of Julia is when I held her in the hospital for the first time I couldn't stop petting her head. Her hair was the softest thing I had EVER felt. I think my sister was afraid I was going to run off with her. I love you Hoopa-loo!

bend the rules

I made a couple clutches from Amy Karol's fabulous book Bend-The Rules Sewing. I'm trying to work up the nerve (and find the resources) to try other thing.

This one is exactly the size the pattern dictates. Both fabrics for the bag I bought at Michael's & I had the button fabric in my stash from the tissue holders

This one is clearly a bit larger. The outer fabric came from a table cloth my sister Charlotte was selling at a yard sale. The inner. polka dot fabric was a napkin, on clearance, at Target. Vintage button & hand embroidery. I like it.

just stuff

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Mine was good, thanks. A little shopping, a little doing. I went by The Cottage on Friday. Picked up a yellow window pane & a birdy stake. Hard to photograph but trust me he's cute. I should name him. What should I name him...? He's that blue I love right now. I also got to talk to Amy from InspireCo while I was there. I had met her briefly at the Paris Flea Market but she was SO busy that day. It was nice to chat with her. I also went over to the outlet mall to hop into Old Navy. I got some good stuff for summer. A lot of my stuff is a bit too baggy for my liking anymore. Yes, this is a good thing. But I really don't have a bunch of money to be spending on clothes.

Saturday I picked up work on the top to my china cabinet again. I can't wait to finish. I hope it looks as good in my dining room as it does in my mind. Did some cleaning around the house.

Sunday I want to a little festival thing in my home town. Viva Vienna! We were only there for a short while (too hot) but I got to see my mom & one of my sisters as well as an Aunt & 2 um...second cousins(?) that I wasn't planning on seeing. Which was nice. My cousin (their mom) is having a birthday party for the little one on Saturday but Charlotte & I have tickets to the Vintage Virginia Wine Festival! I am SO very excited. Yummy. My friend Mary is coming up from Woodstock to come too. So much fun.

Monday, I almost finished off the cabinet. It still need a coat of tung oil, but then it can take its rightful place on top. Maybe Mom will give me her china now :o)

Oh, I also made some coaster sets from the pattern at The Purl Bee

P.S. I think I'll name him Rudy ;o)

some necklaces

Things embedded in resin hung on either leather or cotton cording.

sorry for the glare.

There is a felt heart, a vintage 4 leaf clover button, a circle of fabric & a twig.

A simple bead pairing.