Crochet Flower Pins

The art show started at work this week and as per tradition, I made a lapel flower for all of the art committee gals to wear. 

This year I decided to use a crochet flower pattern put together by Lucy of Attic 24.

The pattern is fantastic to follow and makes the darn cutest flowers!!  Plus, you may be able to tell, that I had a lot of fun with all the different colors of yarn!

As they each picked their flowers it was often tough for them to decide what there favorite was.  I don't blame them.  I wanted to keep them all!

Art show week is a ton of work, but oh so worth it.  To see people I work with mingling, smiling, and enjoying each other's work really warms my heart! 

Here are a few posts I did about the previous year's work art shows: the scrappy flower pins I made last year, ArtFest 2011, ArtFest 2010.

And I am also giving a confetti quilting demo over a few lunches this week.  I hauled my sewing machine in with me and it should be interesting to sew in front of other people; not something I have ever done before.  I also have to laugh at the thought of using the sewing machine with pumps on.  I may have to kick my shoes off to be able to feel the pedal.

Wish me luck!

Spring is Springing!

The weather is warm, the trees are budding and growing leaves, the grass in greening, and flowers are popping!  I'm enjoying slowly getting back to my gardens and watching the show unfold!

Ten Snaps: A Little of This, and a Little of That

My focus lately has been all over the place.  A little of this and a little of that with a bunch of sewing mixed in.  So, with that in mind I thought it would be fun to dump ten snaps from my camera to see what I've been doing. 

A little puppy watching.  She did have her eyes closed... but somehow she always knows when I'm stalking her with the camera.

I have to laugh at my clean desk photo because it sure doesn't look like this today.

We have been soaking in as much outdoor time and sunshine as possible.  And Sammy is still trying to eat every stick in the yard.

On a walk I saw this little bit of moss and rocks and it makes me think this is the perfect quilt background for the mushroom scene I have brewing in my head.

Walks and hikes with the dogs have just been glorious!

The lake melts all my stresses away.  And it's so funny to see it this time of year with no ice. 

We woke up last week to this... winter appearing from no where.  And honestly... we loved it! 

Snow isn't always fun to drive in, but it sure makes for a pretty drive... doesn't it?

Spring fever is nibbling at me in a serious way.  With the warmer than normal weather I am just dying to get my hands in some dirt.  Little plants and flowers are doing their best to do to hold me over a bit longer as I just have to remember that gardening is just around the corner!

And this is Sammy again.  Looking at all these photos I remember that she really has been the primary focus of my attention of late.  You see, she is in the rebellious phase of things which is fine, but I forgot how much work it is. 

And yes there are days where I feel like a broken record... no bite, give me that shoe, no jumping, leave it, slow down, stop barking, don't pull on Katie's collar, enough water, you have to pee... again?  My little white squishy dog.  She is really shaping up to be a fantastic pup, but she is sure testing me along the way!

Hope you are off to a brilliant start to the week!

Here's What's Going On...

Has anyone else (like me) just blinked and realized that it's nearly mid-December already?  My brain is still telling me that it should be Halloween time.  Heck, we just broke open the last of our pumpkins in the woods yesterday.  I guess it was getting funny to see pumpkins on the stoop with a backdrop of Christmas lights.

> We woke to a tiny coating of snow last week which is serving as a reminder of the month we are in.  So pretty as it coated all the tree limbs and wood pile!

> I have been sewing like frantic to finish off some cool gifts and am making a lot of progress.  I am also giving a demo at tomorrows art quilt guild meeting.  I'm so excited, but need to finish my demo piece tonight. 

> I am spending most of my down time outdoors with the mister and pups trying to soak in any available sunlight... or just plain day light for that matter.  It's helping beat back the winter blahs.  It's been fun to take my camera with me too!

> I love the frost crystals on the moss. 

> I am amazed at how green the moss looks.  Makes me wonder if it's always this green, or if I am just noticing now because everything else is so gray?

> I got a henna tattoo last week.  You know the kind of temporary tattoos that originated in India?  It was my first one... and it's been so much fun to have! 

> Having a henna is making me want to pick up the dye paste and try it again on myself.  The designs are limitless and it was so darn quick/easy.

> I am amazed at the crispy-frosty edges on the leaves and how they all get so much texture when they are coated like this.

> I am head-over-heels in love with this girl.  She's a silly as she is beautiful and I wouldn't mind spending every minute hanging out with her.

> Meanwhile, this one is reminding me what it is like to be puppy to the max.  Everything is being hunted, tissues and shoes aren't safe, and running circles through the house is great entertainment.  For every moment I am cross with her, there are fifteen that I want to cuddle and adore her.  She's not quite ready for prime time yet, but we made it through puppy school and I can tell she is a great dog in progress!

> And as if the season and time of year aren't confused enough... I walked through my garden to find these flowers in bloom... despite the snow fallen around them.  I also saw other plants and bulbs like the crocus budding and thinking of blooming too. 

Sorry to be quiet for so long, but hoping to get back into the routine this week with blogging and show you some of the things I am working on... even if some have to be kept secret. 

Cheers to a great start to the week!

Hand Sewing Saves Sanity (WIP)

--IN PROGRESS--

Crewel Spring Flowers

I have found this project very handy while I was cooing a sick and then recovery puppy. 

Sammy (the five month old golden retriever) spent the better part of the last seven days sleeping in my arms -- and I am happy I could be there for her and that she is nearly feeling 100% better. 



That said, I am on the last flower! 

The last part will be to outline the borders in brown and then make it up into a pillow. 

Can't wait!!!

Confetti: Dog Path in the Woods
I did a very small amount of work on this one since you have last seen it.  I think I am going to finish it and then show you have it looks in the end.  Sneaky... but will be well worth that wait!

 

--ON PAUSE--

 

Big Blue

I have my sights set on this one... would be so easy to finish up this weekend :)

 

 

 

 

 

Star Struck
Star quilt-a-long by Melissa at Happy Quilting.  I am still standing at one block.

 

{Insert Name Here}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

I am looking froward to getting back to this one, and almost picked it back up yesterday, but need to be disciplined and finish up some of the other things I have oh so close to done. 

 

You Can Sew-a-thon!!

You haven't heard of it??... check it out here or read about our first project (Strawberry Pincushion).

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 6
New Projects: 0 (nadda, well sorta, but let's say nadda)

Finished Projects: 0 (not yet)
Total WiP's: 6 (same as last week)

Koala and Wombat Zippy Clutch

I know.  I never thought I would be making a zippy clutch featuring these two animals together, but it was perfect my secret partner in the Seaweed and Raine Sunshine Mail swap who is from Australia and has a blog titled Wombat's Picnic!

I started by cutting out the Koala's from a piece of fabric in my stash... it's the same as the one I used to back my Happy Garden quilt, but in black and white instead of yellow and red.

Then I picked a few fabrics to coordinate and decided on green and brown as per one of my partner's likes.

I used the same pattern for the Gathered Clutch from Noodlehead as I did making my Groovy Clutch only I made the front band a bit wider to accommodate wombats.  Here's a bit on wombats if you are curious.

The wombats were created by fusing fabric to interfacing, drawing and cutting out the shape, hand sewing them to the band, and them making them pretty with the seed beading. 

I love the affect!!  And those wee ears!!

Where were we?  Ahh yes, moving on to the clutch lining.

I picked out more green for the lining and used the pink flowers as the credit card holder slots. 

And here is the front of the clutch all finished up.  You can see I added a few lines of quilting too.

And that Koala mom and babe on the back.

And those pretty flowers on the inside.

And there you have it... Koala's and Wombats co-existing happily. 

I must say that greens and browns with a pop of brilliant color like fuchsia really gets me thinking about the start of fall.  The summer green begins to give way to the show that is coming...and I'm excited to have a front row seat!! 

I'll be adding this clutch as an entry to wearables category in the Celebration of Color being hosted by the talented Stitched in Color from September through November.  So many inspirations to take in.  And of course colors... oh and check out the prizes offered for this month as well... it's not too late to join in!