New Supply Shop Added

Hello all! I just added a new shop to the list of 'Places we like to buy are stuff'. It's called Pink Chalk Fabrics. They have all the cool designers, and do something I REALLY LOVE, which is sorting by color! You can go on and see everything that is orange, or whatever your favorite color is. It's a nice tool for matching up fabrics for projects, especially quilts. Enjoy!

Pillow Case Project Day 1

I recently bought a great memory foam body pillow and decided this would be the perfect opportunity for a small quilting project. The pillow measures 50 inches long by 19 inches wide by 11 inches deep.
I am using a quilt from the Denyse Schmidt Quilts book called Flock of Triangles. Mine will be a different size, but the design will be the same. I have picked out at least 4 fabrics that I will use for sure, and two more that I may throw in. Three of the fabrics I already have on hand, as you can see in the pictures; a cream colored Kona Cotton, and two awesome prints by Kaffe Fassett. I ordered two more colors of Kona Cotton from Reprodepot, along with a print that I ADORE and I hope will match the color scheme. When they arrive, I will take more pictures!
I used my rotary tool to make quick work of the triangles. I cut 10 inch squares, cut those into 4 smaller squares, and cut those squares in half. That's it!
Tune in for updates :o)

Another Treasury!

Sorry about the cropped picture. They sure don't make it easy to snapshop these treasuries. But lookie! There I am, tiny lavender post earrings. It makes me so happy!

Artists that I am loving

I thought I would share some artists that I have lately been drooling over. Etsy is a great place to find amazing art from people who aren’t quite discovered, and so have reasonable prices. A print for $20? I’ll take it!

The reason I like this artist is the same reason I like Marimekko: black lines and bright colors. To me it feels clean and brilliant. This print is called The Water Village and sells for $27.

I actually love this print so much that I bought it! It currently sits on my fireplace mantle, waiting for me to find the perfect frame. I love its absurdity and its refusal to explain (in a good way!). This print is called The Bird Bus and sells for $20.

This is quite different than any other art that I usually like. I find it disturbing in such a delightful way. This is a real painting, not a print! Alas, I cannot afford it in all its glory, at $750, but I’m sure it will find a good home. This painting is called Edward and Lola at Night.

Again, crisp black lines, clear colors. This artist uses a screen-printing technique. The style reminds me of old children’s books that used only a couple of colors, like this. This print is called Monster Attack and sells for $18.

This girl is incredible and the reason I love her stuff so much is because it reminds me of Edward Gorey. Lots of black, and lots of the ‘etched’ look (although not in this exact print). It’s a technique that not a lot of artists are using these days that I happen to miss. It definitely gives the pictures a darker feel to them. This print is called Mohair Horse and Rider and sells for $25.

I have to mention this person, even though she is not on Etsy. Her name is Lart Cognac Berliner (coolest name ever!). I don’t remember how I found her, but once I did I immediately bought a bunch of her stuff, including an amazing day planner, and this limited edition print that you see here. The detail is almost ridiculous. This print is called Cosmic Forest and sells for $18.

THANK YOU to all the artists for letting me mention you, use your pictures, and link to your shops. I love you all!

Quickest. Project. Ever.

So, I was browsing on the internet looking for a heating pad and all of a sudden I thought, 'I wonder if there is a hippy homemade way to make my own heating pad?'

THERE WAS!

I introduce to you the RICE BAG.

It's just what it sounds like, a bag of rice. Seriously, that's it.

If you go on Etsy you will find a lot of people selling these in different sizes; some good for necks, eyes, wrist pads (like when using a mouse), tummys, and even booboo sized! You can make small square ones and put them in the freezer, and put them on booboos later. This would be an awesome (and super cheap) alternative for kids who hate ice packs.

For me, I like them warm. Pop it into the microwave for about one minute at a time. Each microwave is different, and the size of the bag and the amount of rice will also have an affect. For my bag, 2 minutes is pretty good.

What kind of rice do you use? Any kind! Brown, white, whatever. Some people use flaxseeds in there too, or a combination of both. And if you want, throw in some dried lavender or other scents you like!

How much rice do you use? I was using a pitcher when I poured mine in, so I only know the amount in fluid ounces, which turned out to be 55 fluid ounces. You don't want it to be too full...make it floppy so it can mold to your body.

What kind of fabric do you use? I would suggest 100% cotton, because it will be unaffected in the microwave. You could make the rice bag with muslin, and make a cover with another fabric, if you want the option of washing it.

How long will it last? You will notice, surprise surprise, that it smells like rice. If you use it a lot of have it for a while, it will eventually have a cooked rice smell. At this point you might want to open it up and switch it out for new rice.

This took me about five minutes from beginning to end!!!

P.S. I used Kaffe Fassett fabric :o)

Something to be proud of

I made it to the front page on Etsy! There I am, bottom left hand corner!

The Debutante

This is him. I made him for Nick's 25th birthday. My little one calls him "the sea turtle". The pattern is from Softies: Simple Instructions for 25 Plush Pals. If you haven't already, check that book out! The creatures are beyond adorable and there are patterns for all skill levels. The pattern called for a larger eye, but this one was the largest available at Joann.

Since I was making him for a grown man, I chose olive green and white fur rather than the suggested black-and-white-tipped green and turquoise furs. I thought an orange tutu would be about as manly as a tutu could be.

I think Nick likes him. He stuffed him in his shirt immediately after opening the gift. That's a positive reaction, right? =] He also said the the Debutante looked pretty manly and that he wears the tutu because he likes it and is comfortable enough in his manhood to not care what others might think about it.

Success.

What's it going to be then, eh?

So, I finally made something but I can't post it yet because it's a gift. The items in this picture are clues. I have a few other projects lined up and I have my sewing machine out so I may have a burst a posts in the coming weeks. Yay!!