Hard Work Recognized

Do you shop at thrift stores? 

I don't have many thrift stores near me. We have just 1 locally. A few others if I want to drive 20 min or so. Very disappointing. 

Anyway, my kids love to shop there. I'm not really sure why... But it's a treat when I tell them we are stopping. 

So yesterday after grocery shopping, my youngest and I stopped in for a quick look. They had so many hot finds. An awesome wooden chair with a padded seat that was screaming "BUY ME... REDO ME". It was only $15. I regret ignoring it's pleas. It was a perfect redo item! 

One thing that always breaks my heart is when I see homemade items for sale. Like baby blankets etc. Someone put a lot of work into them and I just shake my head at how under appreciated the item must have been. I have rescued a few quilts over the years. 

Well yesterday in the craft yarn bin, I found a bag of crocheted granny squares and hexagons. 

And even though they aren't necessarily my colors.. I had to scoop them up. Look at all that hard work someone did! 

I'm not quite sure what I will turn them into yet.. Maybe a tote?

I just knew I couldn't leave them buried in a scrap yarn bin. 

Any ideas? 

Put A Name On It

I saw this idea at a quilt store that I visited while out of town last Fall. And since I don't have any girls in my house, I decided to make them for 2 of my favorite girls. 

I used a charm pack from Kate Spain called Terrain that I had in my stash. 

I had to make the pillows inside as well. I couldn't find a pillow insert that fit the size and shape I wanted. 

But... I used a different batting to stuff them and I'm not super happy with the result. I bought something different and it came in a giant box. It says it's "premium" batting. It's horrible. It's lumpy and the more I tried to fluff it, the lumpier (?) it got. So frustrating. But i had a deadline. I was traveling to see the girls this past weekend so lumpy was my only option.

I may redo the inserts and bring them the next time I see them. 

The Kick I Needed

This past Fall I received an email. It was about a meeting with local quilters to discuss forming a local Modern Quilt Guild. 

I decided to go. Just to check it out... hear what they had to say... see what the group looked like.

 

Well, as you can imagine. It was a great group and I was pumped and inspired. So much so that on that very first night, I had become the Vice President of Programs for the Lake Superior Modern Quilt Guild. Yes... you read that right. 

 

We have had a great start. I've met some amazing new friends. And it has helped me cope with all the stress around me. I've been inspired to sew and start looking at fabric again. I can't tell you what a difference it has made. 

We have even schedule our first outside speaker. We will be hosting Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts for a weekend in April. She will be doing a trunk show for the public and an awesome class for our guild. So exciting. 

How about you? Do you belong to a quilting guild? Does it inspire you?

Run for Your Lives!!!

So about a year ago I decided to teach myself to crochet. Actually, I wanted to knit. But quickly gave up. So I gave crocheting a try and fell in love. 

I've made a bazillion hats.. And although I might be exaggerating on that part, it's pretty close. 

Anyway, in the beginning, I found www.ravelry.com. If you crochet or knit and don't know about Ravelry... Slide that rock off the hole you are living in and check it out! The inspiration and ideas are endless. 

Then this past Saturday, my 9yr old asked me for a zombie. I guess I should be honored that he has so much confidence in me. I found a pattern on Ravelry and went to work.

While making his zombie I learned that my son could easily run a sweatshop during the process. He was relentless. "Is it don't yet?"  "Will it be done tomorrow?" "Why are you taking a break?" "Do you want a bandage for those raw fingertips?"  

So, after 2 evenings of working away, here is his new zombie...

Ain't he "cute"? 

Is that a Mustache or are you just happy to see me?

As I'm sure you are aware, mustaches are the cool thing lately. 

So for Christmas, I decided to make some mustache pillows for my boys. I could see the idea in my head. I had a plan. 

When I went to the quilt store to buy the brown minky for the front, I think she was a little shocked at how much I was buying. She must have thought I meant a square pillow. But nooooo.... This is what I was making. 

They were difficult to wrap and put under the tree. But my boys absolutely love them!! 

Here is the backing fabric. I really wanted to use a fabric with actual mustaches... but I had to settle for foxes with mustaches, bow ties and sweaters. I'm glad I did because as you all know.. Foxes are pretty cool right now too. 

I drew half the 'stash on tissue paper and then cut it on the fold so each side would be even. This is one of those rare moments when it actually turned out better than it looked in my mind. Usually it's just the opposite. 

How about you? What kind of homemade gifts did you make this year?

Back in the Saddle

I have been sewing again... It feels so good to let the creative stuff out! 

My life is still upside down and sideways.. But I wanted to let you know that I'm ok and I'm sewing again. I have made some fun stuff that I will be sharing very soon. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! This is going to be a good year... I can feel it.