Hello, again

I know, finally another post. Just checking in to show off a few things that I'm working on or have finished. Actually, I haven't finished anything, so many things happening at home that it just stops me from ever finishing anything. Lately it's been hard for me to sleep at night, because I think of my crafts and what I want to do or just trying to visualize what it will look like when I'm done. Very frustrating . . . .

Here I made patchwork string from fabric scraps. I found the tutorial via Scrap Busters Month at Sew, Mama, Sew blog. The tutorial is from Mairuru. Easy to make and a good way to use up scraps. I want to use the string to wrap small packages for that added touch, or maybe use it as a drawstring for a pouch. I didn't hand sew like she did, otherwise I would have never finish. She does such beautiful work, you really should visit her blog and see all the handwork she does.

Here is a table runner I started from Moda Bake Shop made from charm squares. I finished sewing the squares together on Sunday afternoon, didn't take me long at all. I don't know why I was procrastinating on this one, now to sew the block strips. I love the colors and coffee patterns.

Now for my favorite project. I'm so happy to have have found a way to combine my love of vintage family photos and sewing. Here is a mini-quilt that I've been playing around with, still a work in progress. I may have alot of fabric stash and scraps, but I don't know where all my trims and lace have gone! So anyway, it's a the beginning of a fun way to sew with vintage photos. This is a photo of my Aunt Lucy and Uncle Art's wedding back in the 50's, not sure of the date. It's my first time printing a photo on to fabric, so the color wasn't right. It's suppose to be black & white, but doesn't look right. I blame it on my printer. Since then I've learn to print photos in Sepia as another option. I've also printed some color ones, but love the vintage look so much more. This is one of my favorite photos, as well as many others, and lucky enough to get copies from my cousin. My uncle passed away earlier this year, and missed by family and friends. He was a great person and fun to be around. When I'm finished I'm going to give this mini-quilt to my cousin. I hope she likes it.

Okay, back to sewing. Have a great week!

Finished!

Actually, I finished the cross-stitching weeks ago and just added the border over the weekend. It's suitable for hanging now. I thought I could iron that crease out in the middle, but it's still there, ugh. Next time I plan a project, I'll make sure there are no creases, and store my cloths flat!

I apologize for the lack of postings, but I have been slowly getting back to my "works-in-progress" and trying not to start anything new. Plus I've been in my sewing room putting it back into shape, cleaning and tossing, moving furniture around. Then looking at my scrap bin and wondering if it's time to toss them out, but then I come across Sew, Mama, Sew! and I have second thoughts. There are alot of great ideas and tutorials on what to do with your scraps during this month's Scrap Buster Contest. I've started one of the projects, which I'll share in a day or two, when I take photos. There are a few others I want to make, but I really should finish what I have started; quilt, table runner, wall-hangings, etc. Oh, and I have another really cool project that I've starting that involves fabric and photos! Wow, so much fun, wish I could do this full-time!

Studio cleaning

It's been another whirlwind week. I did finish my "autumn cross-stitch", but still needs some finishing touches, so I'll post that soon and get it hung up before it's winter. I've also been cleaning my craft studio, I just need to dismantle the day bed and get rid of it. Thinking about Craigslist, but I don't know, I feel like calling up the Goodwill to come pick it up. Once that is gone I can set up another table so that my daughter has a crafting area she can call her own and also a spot for my Cricut (which I haven't bought yet, but as soon as there is a dedicated spot I'm going to get it!). These are a few random books on my bookshelf.


Oh, and I'm so exicted! I have an "art table"! Well, technically, it's a laptop desk, but it was being miss-used as a "catch-all table", so I cleared it off and rolled it over to my side of the bedroom and now I use it for my embroidery/cross-stitch table. I usually get up around 6 am and use to watch the news and drink coffee. Now, I can watch the news, drink coffee and be ready to stitch. I could put my laptop there, but I'll never get anything done if I do that! We've had this table for years, I don't know why it took me this long to put it to good use. This table is really nice, because I can tilt part of it and use it to look at my chart. The other side can be tilted, too, but I keep it level for other items. I can also sit at it as a desk, but I just keep it at the side of the bed for now. I bought this from Frontgate, oh look it's on sale! Actually, I saw a cheaper one at IKEA which looks a little different, but would serve the same purpose.

Potholder parade

A few months back I was on a potholder-making spree after having bought the book Pretty Little Potholders last year.

My daughter embroidered the rocket (Sublime Stitching pattern, I think). I found it in my sewing room and became a pretty little potholder.

I love this one, I embroidered the kitty from Sublime Stitching patterns.

An applique heart, which was an afterthought to turn it into a potholder. I have no idea what I was going to make out of this square, I think I was practicing my applique technique.

Another stitching of my daughter's, she enjoys all kinds of crafting (like me), but some never are finished into a completed product. Maybe she's bored with it, I don't know. So I turn it into something pretty.

More later. Thanks for stopping by.

Autumn already!

Time just flies around here, first day of autumn, but you wouldn't know it around here. Today it was in the 80's and I would have much rather spend the day in the pool than having to go to work. I thought I would be finished with my cross-stitch by now, but not quite. I already have in my head how I want to finish it and hang it proudly, but unfortunately there are not enough hours in a day. So here is another pic of my progress

and here's where I do my stitching . . .

Like I said, I much rather be swimming, but life goes on. Hey, but the lighting is great!

Stitching update

Just a quick post before I run off to work. I'm coming along on my cross-stitch that I posted about a few days ago. As promised here is the link that inspired me to take up this craft again, Les Fils d'Helene. She provides the free graph which I'm stitching. Thank you, Helene! Only takes a few colors and looks like I should finish in no time, that's if I stay on task, ha ha! I have some ideas in mind as to how I'm going to showcase it. I don't think I want to frame it, I was thinking of a mini-quilt or tea towel (to show off, not use). First time I'm not using a hoop, don't know why I started out that way, but this aida is very stiff and doesn't seem to be a problem.

Have a great day and stay tuned for more of my crafty adventures. I'm slowly getting back into a routine and blogging again . . . . just need to tackle that sewing room, grrr.

Papercrafting: envelopes

Hello again. I wanted to share something that I don't know why I never thought of before. I feel sort of dumb, but the other day I was paying bills. Well, some I pay online and some I do the old way -- write a check and mail payment. One statement I received didn't include a envelope for me to send my check to. That was annoying because I had no envelopes, I do have some with my stationaries, but I didn't want to part with them just to mail a check. Besides they were pretty. So I dug around and found some "thank you" cards and I took one of the envelopes to send the bill. But then this morning I was reading my blog subscriptions and came across angry chicken's blog about making your own envelopes! Why didn't I think of that! I even have a envelope template to cut your own. Of course, I have a bunch of scrapbooking papers that I no longer care about and lots of plain white paper . . . I should just make some envelopes for those times I don't have an envelope, which is once in a blue moon. I know, I can just buy a box of envelopes and be done with it, but since I have all this paper lying around, why don't I just use it for pretty envelopes? Even if I'm just paying a bill.

Some envelopes I made with the pattern on the inside, some I made with the pattern on the outside. Actually, these were quite fun to make and only took minutes, I feel like I should make fancy stationary now!