Presents for Peanut

I've recently become obsessed with making my little niece ,a cooler hipper, little chick, and the sewing room has been busy because of it. She's such an easy going girl. She never asks for anything (at least of me, except when it comes to Halloween costumes), and is always happy to receive a one of a kind piece of clothing, hat or handbag. She always let's me experiment on her.

Here's some pictures of a few new tops for her. They are from a Project Runway pattern, and get easier and easier to put together (with the help of my mothers serger anyway!)

Enjoy Mandy...the second one is on it's way.

Eye Candy

Last Friday I did a show at Woodcliff Lodge in Fairport. Here are a few of the things I took along with me. The first one is one of my fav's. Those who know me will know why!

I could survive for 1 minute, 9 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Linus Blankets

I just want to take a minute to say how enjoyable it is to do a charitable thing for another person. In this craziness right now with the economy and the constant barage of bad or negative news we keep getting bombarded with everyday, it's a comfort to know that simple human kindness is still alive and well. This past weekend, while at the post office we ran into a woman who's car had died. The weather was cold, AAA was called but 45 minutes lat, she was in a horrible spot to be stranded, and the poor woman was just pacing. My mother asked her if she needed help, to which the woman explained what happened, and my mother said, do you need anything, a phone?, something? The poor woman, all she wanted was a warm cup of coffee. No in Irondequoit the post office is right around the corner from dunkin donuts, so we drove over, picked up a cup and took it back to her. She was very surprised, and it was a great feeling to know that just possibly we had made her day a little bit brighter and she may just pass it on. It was also nice to see that AAA pulled in just as we were leaving, so we knew she was going to be ok.

In the vain of charitable giving I'm still going strong with the Linus Project blankets. Combined we have 9 completed, and I started another one this weekend. They are simple, quick little things, but how nice it is to know some little one will have something to cuddle and comfort him when he needs it most. Here are some pics.

Blue and Green Baby Blanket(thanks to Lauren at work and her incredible garbage bag of free yarn)

The Crazy Granny that I started when my back went out this past fall. It was all I could do, since I couldn't walk, stand or lay down. It's made from all the little ends of the yarn from other projects, and could have seriously kept going.

Toys Toys Toys

As I mentioned in my last post I've been intriqued by the Toy Society blog so off I went to start making some toys that will (when the weather is nicer) find a sunny place where someone will find them and love them. The little darling above was my first attempt, and her name is Marigold. I fell instantly in love with the little dear and set about to make another one for the store. I'll introduce her in a bit.

I should interject here to say that the whole sewing spurt was brought on by my two new mechanical toys shown here...

I've been in need sometime now of a new machine, and at Christmas I was given a very generous gift card which allowed me to shop for a new machine. I bought the first Brother machine because I was desperate for a machine of my own that didn't have a slipped belt, or only do straight and zig-zag. Well and then the second one I found was buried in the stores website under "closeouts". That was actually it's item description "Closeout Sewing Machine". I used the remainder of the gift card, and a little money of my own, and bought it right away. It has 60 AWESOME stitches, a detachable quilt bed, and can even do freestyle stitching. Who knew all it would take to send me over the moon was a machine that could do a few extra stitches? Anyway, so there you have it! Off I went!

So basically after that it was off to the races, although who I'm racing I don't know (except maybe time, which there is never enough of as far as I'm concerned). I then finished up a little dinosaur I started 100+ years ago. How cute is he!

Then is was on to a happy little stuffy names petunia. Who can resist that bright happy smile?

And last, but certainly not least, MEET AGNES, I didn't name her, my mom did. She comes complete with stripped leggings, black pantaloons, red hair ribbons, and pom pom decorations, all centered around a black and white checker board & heart dress! I will be putting her for sale on Etsy.

But for those of you who know me, you know I am far from done... almost my entire world revolves around being crafty, and I will steal any moment to whip out a chrochet needle or work on a quilt, whatever, so I'm showing off some of the other projects that have been in the works, and will be completed soon....

Crochet Hat and Scarf combo

Unfinished Quilt

The Toy Society

I discovered a really great site today while skipping through blogs. It's called the Toy Society.
The premise is to make a hand made stuffie toy and leave it in a public place for someone to find. I think I might try it! Sounds like fun, and with Valentines Day coming I can't imagine a better way to send a little love out into the world.

How is this fair! CRAFTZINE Your Killing me!!!

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/01/plush_k9.html

What's up with all the Dr. Who craft going on!

My heart can't take it!

I'm embarresed by my own GEEKINESS!!

Ok, does anyone know how to knit?

http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/index.php

I am such a GEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Craftzine what are you doing to a poor Whovian like me?!!!!

So much better than SUPERMAN!! ( sign!)

Overdue & Possible Spoiler Alert!

Back in 2004 I made this book above for my sister as a Christmas present. Basically I traced each of her children's hands and made a puzzle book. It was to be a little momento of them for her that year. The back even had a page called "our handy work" where they each signed their name. Josh, the youngest couldn't write yet, so his was a cute little scribble.

Well five years later, this past Thanksgiving, I gather them all together and traced their hands again. Josh, in his usual cute, but cocky way said to me "Are you making ANOTHER one of those books?!" Even if I was, man was he vocal about it...I just chuckled. So you can imagine how I felt obligated to come up with another idea. A few weeks ago I saw an article on the craftzine blog where someone did an embroidered family portrait with their hands...and BAM...there was my idea. I took the biggest embroidery hoop I had (I buy everyone I can find at the thrift stores), arranged their hands on paper, traced it onto white muslin, and away I went. The result was great! Jo's into Holly Hobby so the color is themed to match. I painted the hoop in robins egg blue, put a piece of actual Holly Hobby fabric in the back to cover my stiching, glued the edges of the muslin down, and tied it with a cute little matching bow. Low and behold instant birthday present! I love the result.



I also decided over the holiday break that this would be the year I finally, finally, finally make some blankets for Project Linus. The didn't seem fazed by the new rules about lead. They are just in need, so I joined the Rochester chapter, inquired as to what they need and away I went. Here is my first one. It's almost done, just have to put on the binding. I already have three more ideas in my head. If only the universe could supply some more time. Oh well, I'll just make due. If anyone is interested Project Linus really needs blankets for little boys. They can be knit, crochet, or quilted.

Be still my beating heart!

I'm in love! I'm in love! I'm in love! Anyone who knows me knows I'm a Doctor Who Geek. One of the NewWho Followers. I just found this on the Craftzine Blog which forwarded me to Craft:G33K (the Diary of Geeky Craft) Be still my beating heart. It's a Tardis Tissue Box Cozy!

The Christmas Holiday is fast approaching, and I can't believe that I've managed to keep my head above water so far. I realize I've been extrememly neglecting my poor little blog here, due, I'm afraid, to an increased obsession with my new facebook page. As of today there are only eight more days until Christmas, and I must say I got a very late start with everything this year. I have however managed to get through it, and have only a few slight things left (thank heavens). I have Christmas Cards, a cookie swap, and the co-workers gifts left to finish up. Yay!

On the topic of facebook, can I just say here, that I don't know why I didn't check it out sooner. I found an old high school friend I haven't seen if 15 years! It was an incredible high!

Well everyone, have a great holiday. I hope to write more over the break (which I will not lie, I'm in dire need of!)

In Wonder(land)

It's a wonder it all came together but when it did, Halloween at work, was a wonderful success!

Here's some pics....

"Off with Her Head!!"

This Friday is Halloween and although I feel ahead of the game as far as the costumes and activities go, I still have a lot to do. My back has made me move just a bit slower, so sitting at a sewing machine has been an on again, off again process. However I did finish my costume this weekend and only have one and a half to go. I am the Ace of Spades and it came out really great. Now if I could just find a black turtle neck shirt I'd be all set. Why doesn't anyone have one? I've been to any number of stores, even the mens department!!! Ugh! Anyway, minor problem.

I have a million and one things that I want to finish up, like my room which has been on hold forever. The weekend I planned to finish is was the weekend the back spasms came on. It's just one wall too, which couldn't be more frustrating. Perhaps by Thanksgiving? Well, maybe I'll just take one holiday at a time, first things first!

:)

Hi everyone! Sorry to not update in a while. September was an interesting month to say the least, but I think the worst is just about over. I started the month with another sinus infection and just as soon as I finished a ten day round of antibiotics, my back muscle decided it was going to start spasming. Seven prescriptions, 2 Primary care visits, and x-ray and Physical therapy later the diagnosis is Arthritis.

So anyway I can now walk again, and all those other good things you can do when your able to bend, so I have some super updating to catch up on. I decided since I couldn't do much else but sit for days at a time I would crochet a blanket out of all the stray balls of yarn I had left from other projects to donate or give away to someone who needed a blanket, and I'm happy to say it's almost done, mostly because I have only 7 small balls of yarn left to finish it, so I'll be sure and put a picture up of it soon.

For now it's off to start the process of catching everything up.

Special thanks to Karla who sent me this really cool necklace she made. It cheered me up more than she knows. I'll post that picture soon too.

More soon!!!

Readymade Magazine

I have recently been introduced to Readymade Magazine, by a friend of mine here at work by the name of Angie. For those of you who have the thrifty, craft, recycling bug like I do, and hate the idea of things going into the landfill that shouldn't, this magazine might be just what your looking for. I know I plan on subscribing.

Anyway, the video above was linked to their blog. It's just fun to watch. Enjoy, and don't forget to check out the magazine. I've linked it above and to the right of the page.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! I'm off to PA...and I can't wait!

Serendipity Susan...OCC Enabler :)

Last Monday, my friend Susan, and a new crafty friend from work, Jill, came over for a playday. The only thing missing was Donna, and she was very much on the minds of Susan and myself while we chattered away over the sewing machines. Susan brought, and subsiquently left, a box of 2.5" fabric squares that we just sat and put together in random order. They are called "Serendipity Quilts". What Susan doesn't know is that she left the box behind with an OCC, or Obsessive Compulsive Crafter, who is now compelled to keep putting the squares together. I drew the line however at the bag of strips that were in the box too, and you can see below what I did with just some of them. I love the tree, and the more it evolves the more I think I'm going to add a small bird in it's nest (pattern pinned to tree). This most likely will be the front of a small tote bag.

As promised, here is a picture of my first two attempts at screen printing. Neither of them are finished yet, but for a first attempt I'm pretty happy. The flowers are done with a paper stencil, and the octopus is done by reduction method. He will eventually be a lovely purple gray, and using the photo method, I'll add detail in black to both him and the waves he's floating in. I can't get over how messy screen printing is, but once you get the groove it can go very quickly, actually the printing is the fastest part of the whole art form. I have been trying to get in touch with my inner kindergartner again, but as you can see in the case of the octopus, I never do anything simple right off the bat.

Two silk screen classes down and I still have yet to make a print, but I already know that I am going to enjoy this very much. I would have been much farther ahead, if it had not been for the fact that I put way to much block out on my screen for the first time and it took forever to dry, actually almost the entire class, until I borrowed someones hairdryer so I could take it home. It did however give me some time to work out a stencil design, and I'm hoping that by Friday I'll have some finished prints to post for you.

Silk Screen Class Tonight

Silk Screen Class starts tonight.Yes, I did double check the date (for those of you who have been following the story I went to class a month too early). I'm looking forward to perhaps combining this with fabric I have printed at spoonflower. There's no shortage of inspiration running around my head right now.

I'm going to.....

...FALLINGWATER...finally! I've always wanted to go see this masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright, so I've done the research, made the hotel reservation, and now only 23 days to go and I'm road tripping to PA.