Emergency tab blankie

Anthropologie inspired dishcloth

Christmas is around the corner... Tryin to get a good chunk of projects done now.
These will be Anthropologie inspired dishcloths... Here is the Anthropologie link
Matrioshka nesting dolls made with special fabric from Aunt Beckie's St. Theresa's Textile Trove They still need faces and some other finishing touches. I am enjoying the machine appliquing. I really like the results. (why did I start doing appliqueing by hand for the baby's quilt? what am I crazy?)
Thinking of listing these on etsy when I'm done... What do you guys think?

St. Theresa's Textile Trove and other inspiration

St. Theresa's Textile Trove , one of Cincinnati's landmarks, is closing its doors.
STTT holds a special place in my heart. My favorite quilt (made from STTT fabrics) holds many memories on top of, underneath and within. Here's its story....

The summer before freshman year of college, I finally received the roommate assignment I had so anxiously awaited. I hesitantly called Emily, from Kentucky. We talked for a long time. As I hung up the phone, I knew we would be great friends. Then the phone rang again - it was Emily. She needed a ride from the airport to school. Her Auntie and her mom had made her call back and ask. Since we only lived 20 minutes away from the airport, my family and I happily accepted the first chance to help her out.
Every college-aged girl to step off the plane, I asked myself, "Is it her?". Nope "Is she the one?" No. ? No.
And then, I knew it was her - she was a brilliant shining smile.
We have been friends ever since. I have never met anyone more caring, sincere, and wonderful than her.
The last day of school freshman year, we embarked on the 16 hour drive to her home in northern Kentucky. We hiked. I had the opportunity to meet her home friends. We also visited her Auntie Becky's quilt shop, St. Theresa's in downtown Cincinnati. (she got fabric too, but I still don't think her quilt is done, but that's just Em...) Em's Aunt Terrie another Aunt Terrie link
The quilt came back to school with me every year.

When I lived on Nantucket, I brought it out for the 4th of July celebration. We went out to 40th pole to see the fireworks. During all the festivities and drinking, I decided to put it in my friend's car for safe keeping. We all separated to go out. The next morning, I checked with my friend to retrieve the quilt - and he didn't have it. My heart broke a little bit, but stayed hopeful. I made a few more phone calls, but it still didn't turn up anywhere. My heart broke a little bit more everyday while the summer stretched on.
I decided to go to college late senior year because I was having way too much fun on Nantucket. At this point, I had given up on my quilt. I said goodbye.
The very next night, as friends and I found a quiet beach to hang out late night... One of them went back to the car to get a blanket. She pulled out my quilt. I couldn't believe it! They didn't realize that the quilt was mine, and I was just happy that it was taken care of! She came back.

Em and I have been together through a lot... I thank the universe every day for our connection. Her honesty, friendship, and love have given me a lot of strength - especially recently. I love how she and her family has embraced me as the quilt has been a comfort around my shoulders.
I am truly blessed.

Side note: Becky's Box of Bodacious stuff, is truly an inspiration. I've got a whole bunch of stuff planned for it...
- a bird door hanging with bells
- a touch and feel book - African Safari
- a Haiwaiian wall hanging
ooo! soo exciting!
...
In other crafting inspiration, Gail had her book launch
Can't wait till spring to do some more dyeing outside. BTW... According to our babysitter, Delaney thanks god for dyeing yarn with Mada and Mommy every night.

I feel all of my potential crafting welling up inside me ready to explode into some amazing art.........
Yay!

Library card pocket

We just whipped this up.
Misplaced that little library card minutes after getting it. We sewed this little pocket right to the back of her favorite book bag - the Cat in the Hat is on it. She is so excited to have her very OWN library card!

Prayer flags our way

I am not sure about the technical way to make prayer flags... but here is ours....

Materials:
-various squares/rectangles of fabric ~4"x6" (ours are not all the same size, because I am more of a whatever works/freeform kind of "artist")
-sharpie
- serger (not necessary - you can use a regular sewing machine and sew the flags to a ribbon or bias tape or whatever.
-thread
-rotary cutter and mat (can also use scissors)

Delaney and I layed out the order of the flags after I cut them all out.
I held down the pedal of the serger for a 10 count to make the "string" to tie it.
Delaney brought me each square and we ran it through the serger. When we were at the end, I held down the pedal for another 10 count for the other side of the "string" to attach it.

Then we both talked about what we wanted to pray for. Delaney prayed for heaven, church, and people that died. (gees, she is really asking for spirituality! how cool!) I prayed for much needed patience, compassion, understanding, love, peace, our family, my daughters, and good dreams for delaney, and some other stuff. We kept 2 flags blank for other things that we couldn't think of now, but left space for when we thought whatever it might be.
We drew our prayers on the flags with sharpies.

Then, off to hang them up on our tree!
Now for the wind to do its job carrying our prayers upon it!

Home Warming

Scores at Brimfield

Tuesday, Mom and I went antiquing at Brimfield. It was a rare chance for us to get together without kids, without schedules.
Mom and I not only enjoyed our leisure, but the sausage and peppers, lemonade, and a rootbeer float for dessert.
But, I did score some really cool stuff.
Lots of vintage linens and embroidered tablecloths.


This is what I did with one already...

MIL's Christmas present = DONE! Her kitchen window looks out under a wisteria pergola thing. Chopped a tablerunner in half and put already-in-stash matching ribbon.


I was thinking that this could be transformed into a Barbie fairy dress...

A dress for Delaney out of this...


Something for Einin from this... but, what? Any ideas anyone? It is about the size of a computer monitor.

And I got this for $1. Perfect to put my coffee in the fridge for an afternoon iced coffee.
It is so inspiring to walk around all of the Brimfield stuff. I love thinking of unconventional uses for everyday items.

Tinks (not the knitting kind)

Made one for a coworker's daughter. After asking 80 times if Delaney wanted one, and her refusing, she finally came around...

[behind the scenes note]: as I was backing up to take this photo, I stepped on a dead mouse that Kitty so graciously brought us. It was disgusting, the insides came out. YUCK!
These are Uncle B's birthday presents. When questioned, "What are they?"
The response was, "They kinda remind me of pimples."
Happy Birthday B! Hope you like your gift. he he.

Peeps

I wanted to make a mobile for the baby... I started roughing out some 3D stuffed birds, and one became a flock. Delaney has named them all... Mr. Peepers, Polly, Molly, Curious George, the Momma, Daddy, the baby,and Kitey.

Here's my other bird project...

Wedding in Colorado

Ah to be with friends in a beautiful place, celebrating wonderful people.


And OMG the NATURE!





Been doing lots of hand sewing for thank you gifts. Projects from Omiyage. I fell in love with this book again.



I finally picked up my knitting again!

What the heck have we been doing?

I think that I have gone into survival mode. Just getting through everything to make it work. I am pretty sure I have been enjoying myself at the same time.
What we have been doing...
Growing

Spinning

Sewing

Knitting


Farmer's Marketing



Getting inspired
I think I will do this kind of green bag next

A few Delaneyisms

"Mens don't carry purses." It's so you can still be tough and carry your stuff. (thank you Madagascar 2)

"Why is there a guy on the potty?" As we walked by a handicapped parking sign.

Delaney's preschool teacher mentioned that she was referring to Ameran as "my Beast." I suggested that Daddy probably wouldn't like to be called a beast. "I'm going to make him a gentleman," was her reply.

I worked on D's kitty quilt today. All I want to do is sew, but we can't be inside in such beautiful weather. I have to make the quilt longer by about 15 inches. I'll post pics soon. We enjoyed our early morning hours outside today. D drove her imaginary guinea pig in her mini coupe around. I just nursed, held the baby, and sipped my coffee enjoying the sun's rays and bird songs.

Do you guys send your quilts out to get quilted? Part of me feels like this is cheating since I am not doing all the hand made part. On the other hand, I am sure it will look WAY more professional.

I am formulating Einin's birdie quilt in my head with much inspiration from Ashley's blog. I think that I will do a log cabinish design. Exploring birdie fabric has been fun. Many of the ones I am attracted to are out of print. I have found a few online stores that look pretty cool. Does anyone have a favorite bird fabric?

Today

Made a little quilt for Fifi.

Then we headed outdoors to start a bit more clean-up for our garden. Still have a long way to go, but little by little it will get done. We hung out with a neighbor and Baxter got to play with his friend too.

I am finishing up the last minute things for our hospital's Earth Day celebration. We will have a display for our employees about little things they can do to make a big impact on the environment, what our hospital currently does green. We also compiled "green bios" of members of our committee so our staff can see what its peers are doing. And…. The most exciting part is that we will be having a tree planting! Yay!

Outside Today

Thought I'd share the pics of the girls with my man. :o)

It was nice to get outside today.
While Am took the girls to gymnastics, I cleared out more space where I hope to make my garden. I enjoy gardening because it helps me clear my head. I was feeling rejuvinated until my child decided to write/scratch on all sides of my new car with a rock. I really want to rip my hair out.

Made this cute little summer dress for Delaney. Got this fabric from http://www.purlsoho.com/purl. Did all the smocking with the help of http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/

Come Together.

Does anyone else's brain function in song? I hear a constant soundtrack to my life.
Coming together 1.Am's sweater. After 4 years and one month. I just have to sew the sleeves on. (Pic coming soon) Ahhh. The relief.

Coming together 2.The Kitty Quilt

I can't wait for this. I have done a bit more since this picture. It is so bright and happy. And the back will be just as spunky.

New baby smiles!


Honey, Can you please come home now?

Busy Bees

We've been quite busy. ..

Am celebrated his 36^th birthday. I thought he was turning 35 (again, I guess). We went to the local brewery and I even enjoyed (if you could say that) a gluten-free Red Bridge. They had brewed my favorite –SWAK, aka sealed with a kiss. They infuse it with vanilla bean and some other magical ingredients. It is like dessert. I was thinking of cheating on the gluten-free, but thought better of it.

On Friday, we took an impromptu journey up to Vermont to visit a dear college friend's mom. She wanted to meet Einin, so off we went. We shared a lovely Thai lunch and walked around in Brattleboro. A nice adventure.

Delaney and I have also been doing a lot of sewing. This quilt is for another college friend who is expecting in May. She isn't finding out what sex the baby is, so yellow and green with hints of brown and blue. I am in love with all of Amy Butler's fabrics, so it was an easy decision where to look in the store. I was going to make the pattern more complicated, but with the shower around the corner, why make my life crazy?

Delaney and I have also been working on her kitty quilt. It has been a work in progress for a while; we are getting closer to the final product. As I was in the basement doing laundry, I stumbled over the fleeces from the in-laws. We will be sending them away to a wool mill in Minnesota to have them magically turned into a queen size quilt batt. (it is almost time for the spring sheering) I can just imagine the sweet dreams D will have sleeping under a quilt that she has helped me with and the fleece from her grandparents.

Some dear friends visited yesterday. After they got their serious baby fix, we topped off the day with a walk around the block and a Mexican dinner down the street. Ahh. I think I may turn into a nacho chip.

More walking and bike riding today for Delaney. We let our man, Baxter, run in a muddy field. Delaney also enjoyed the mud. I literally had to pour the water out of her froggy boots when we got home. We reconnected with some neighbors we hadn't seen since winter set in. After a good nap, she is recharged and raring to go. I think that we will be making glitter butterflies. We will see what the evening brings.