Scrappy

There's "some" sewing going on here at the homefront. I love how this scrappy quilt turned out - 4 1/2 inch squares randomly selected. Ikea is now selling some of its fabric in pre-packaged amounts. I got a child's print - perhaps I will donate this one to the next school aution. Pink really stands out in this quilt - apparently, I use a lot of pink; I never knew. Much is happening on the side thought - a graduation quilt and a baby quilt are both under construction. Pictures will follow shortly.

Loving this fabric!

I am so in love with this fabric, it has little, itsy-bitsy mice and cheeses ... adorable! The fabric - Minny Muu is by Lecien Fabrics of Japan. Here's a link to some etsy shops that carry it.

The Mary Poppins of Photography

I am just fascinated by this story of Vivian Maier - by day, a gold coast nanny in Chicago; by night (and days off) an avid photographer. Her photographs are captivating - children, socialites, and Chicago scenery - just beatifully captured images. For the story, click here from WTTW.

For a sweet baby....

My office mate asked me to make her granddaughter a sweater - specifically, a cardigan for her little Lucy. Well, my office mate is so wonderful - she listens to me, advises me, laughs with me, (cries with me), and well, really, she's the best ever. How could I decline?

She, with great giddiness, hopped, no leaped into the process and picked out a pattern that she liked. Even though it was with size 3 needles, I said yes. Even though I didn't get gauge, I kept a'truckin.

Good thing too, because, well, its just scrumptious. Here's little Lucy's sweater - no daylight to be had, only cloudy days, so the pictures are a little dark.

The buttons came from Wal-mart about a gazillion years ago - I bought a bunch for my baby (now 10) and have been waiting for that certain item, and this one, they fit just perfect.

Pattern: Cardigan, Baby - Ravelry link

Yarn: Debbie Bliss, Baby Cashmerino in yellow and lilac

A note about this yarn - I LOVE Debbie Bliss, don't get me wrong. But this yarn, is a little limp. I think its perfect for this project but if you want more stability, I might try something else.

The Powder Room

I've begun thinking about the powder room project and, since I'm a librarian, the most obvious thing for me to do is start researching. So, the first think I did was check out this book from the library - Domino: The Book of Decorating. I really miss this magazine, just as I discovered it, it became defunct just like those television series, you just begin to care about the characters and the series isn't renewed. One of my favorites was this show, Valentine.

I really like the book quite a bit, it talks about incorporating a focus, color interaction, all the things to be considered just like a good HGTV show. I also like how the designers incorporate rooms of their own homes to illustrate points.

As a matter of daily life on the web, I've also been stalking a number of design blogs - Desire to Inspire, the Fat Hydrangea and decor8 to name just a few.

This is what I'm starting with -

(Apologies for the poor lighting, I need to read my camera manual for this one.) Since this is a low budget project, I am keeping: the sink, oak panelling and floor, the mirror, antique lights and the mantle. This is an exterior wall, so the mantle needs to stay as insulation for the sink pipes.

As powder rooms go, I want to have an element of surprise, maybe elegance but certainly different-ness from the rest of the house which I would describe as shabby country since almost all of my (our) furniture is repurposed.

Here's my design board, courtesy of glogster.

I LOVE the fabric sample, above from Schumacher. However, it is fabric, not wallpaper. Yesterday as I was out and about, I stopped at a few paint store who carried wallpaper once upon a time, but alas, no more. So, it looks like I'm going to need to broaden my travels.

Now, if I could wave my magic wand, I would go back about 30 years when a dear librarian I used to work with, wallpapered her shabby cabin bathroom with Alphonse Mucha wallpaper in the most warm shade of brown complete with Mucha's ethereal women. I would love to have some of this wallpaper but I've been up and down the internet and cannot locate anything like it.

So, there you have it. I'm at a standstill until I can get to the wallpaper store. I need to mention, I'm not wholly committed to wallpaper at this point, paint or even stenciling is quite doable as well. Any ideas?

Must-have purchase

I just came across this fabulous blog post by Heather Ross. Do you know Heather? Well, she creates some of the most charming fabric, I mean, I just drool and salivate whenever I come across it - equal only to my passion for Amy Butler and Anna Marie Horner of course.

Heather Ross has designed themes around brides, VW buses, princesses and gnomes, but, with rapidly beating heart, she's going to come out with a line of little girls and their plastic horses this spring.

Oh, my stars! I had my own herd of plastic horses lovingly cared for by my gaggle of Barbies (who were only around because they were the right size.)

I'm going to start stalking, yep, right now. I must have some of this. And, what might I be doing with some fabric? Well, maybe I'll make something for my adorable nieces, but you see, I really do need to keep some for myself. Don't you agree?

Catching up

I've been crazy busy these past two weeks as I'm sure you have been too! Let's see what's we've been up to.


My brother, his wife and lovely daughter were in town and Tuesday, we went sledding at the neighborhood hill. Wonderfully, we had the place to ourselves and had such a fabulous time. Then, we went home to soup, cookies, and more laughter.


Frantically, on Christmas Eve (eve), I was still making my annual pairs of PJs for the boys. Luckily, it was bottoms only and I'm happy to say, I met the deadline.


I had such an itch to make the trees below, they would make wonderful craft projects for school. I think I saw them originally in Better Homes & Gardens magazine but have not been able to find them online.



Today, as part of our New Year's ritual, we took down our Christmas tree. I loved the one we got this year, tall and stately; simply put, it was beautiful.

My husband and I are beginning, tomorrow, our quest for healthier habits - eating and exercising. It seems like a good time with a family reunion and other things on the summer horizon not to mention, we really need to do this. We really aren't ones for making resolutions, you know, its just stressful for the both of us. So, I hope to use this blog as a means to keep myself motivated.


On the home front, I want to redecorate my home mostly through paint; painting the living room, kitchen, entrance hall and powder room - most of the first floor of our home. I plan on blogging about this too. (My office mate will be very grateful as she's been a part of the continued brainstorming this event is having in my life.)


So, onward we go into the adventure of 2011 - wishing your health and happiness in this brand new year!

Decorated Table

My friend Jo has been teaching some of her pals to knit and she surprised then with a luncheon to celebrate the holidays and their progress. Her is her yarn inspired tablescape. I love how festive the balls of yarn look alongside the mercury glass and china. Everyone had a marvelous time. Thanks for sharing Jo!

This moment -

Happy Christmas to you and yours and wishing you a very Merry and Safe New Year!

The Mermaidens

I've been in love with the book Wee Wonderfuls since I spotted it in several blog tours. A few weeks ago, one of the patterns was offered as a freebie on STC's blog so I decided to try my hand at making the mermaid. This is my first attempt and it was great fun. The pattern is quite clever in how the pieces go together as well as the sewing. The mermaid's body fits into the hair and fin, clever, huh? I've got two wee babes who'll be getting these as small tokens of my affection.

What's doin?

It's been a very busy few weeks since the excitement of the glitter houses. At school, we celebrated Christmas Around the World - J's focus? Brazil!



Then, we moved on to making Grandpa gifts. This was actually really fun although finding pinecones was a little tricky. Next year, I will plan ahead. It was also mess-ier than I remember but we did the craft before I cleaned the house. Yep, that's me, smart planning ahead.




We picked up our tree at Richardson's Tree farm, a lovely 8 footer... And, yes, we let J drag the tree out all by himself

I cured my curse of making toffee - 2 successful batches...

My mom and I took a class at Entwined in Grayslake with some of my quilt group; we made boxwood trees. Good times! More pictures here.

Glitter Houses

Somehow, I underestimated the amount of time that this project would take and, as a result, house construction took over the dining room table for over a week. Luckily, we weren't hosting Thanksgiving so the Village was able to stay a "work in progress." Directions can be found here.

For other crafting moms, my son enjoyed the following elements of this project (not necessarily in this order): ability to use exacto knife, the glue gun, and to my surprise, the actual decorating of the houses (with the glue gun.) In the photo below, we've emptied the cereal boxes (the small ones) and carefully opened them.

Applying the gesso.

Overall, we did one layer of gesso and two layers of paint.

The houses - under construction.

I bought various picks and other items at Michaels which we cut down to miniature to fit the houses. I can tell you, my favorite part was the actual house construction. It's pretty addictive.

We placed SnoTex on the roofs and around the homes and used decoupage to adhere the glitter - two kinds of Martha Stewart, the fine and the larger crystals.

Free Patterns!

In case your Christmas list has grown or, you still have an itch to make something for a special someone, check out the free patterns over at the STC Craft/Melanie Falick blog! I absolutely adore the Material Obsession 2 quilt - oh, its literally screaming my name. Maybe, that's what I will work on for the Baraboo quilt retreat.... hmmmm. I also love the Mermaiden and the Mulberry Hat - so many projects, so little time - ah, did someone say immortal?

Quilt Weekend - A Success!

This past weekend, my sister, mom and I hit the road. Destination - Quilt Weekend. My mom belongs to a quilt group in Antioch, Illinois ~ I belonged, once upon a time, before my life got out of control. Anyhoo, we met the quilt group (along with Aunt Sue) at a Girl Scout Camp in East Troy, WI. It was a little rustic but the accommodations were clean, spirits were high, and the food was delicious.

Turns out, I bought so much Ghastlie fabric that I was able to make one lap quilt, and the beginnings of two more! Whew! Our little group was juiced let me tell you - on Saturday, we sewed from 7:30 in the morning til 11:30 that night - with one small break to get coffee from the local McD's! Yes, we were focused - driven! Here's the first quilt ...

And, the second ...

Do you see what happened? I ran out of the gray! Argh. Lucky me, I managed to find some more fabric at Cia's Palette in Minnesota. It really took me some seriously intent searching to find the Manor fabric. The pattern that I used was Nan's Harvest from Thimbleberries. I love the pink flat piping and it wasn't hard to do at all.

Glitter

Using Martha Stewart's glitter directions, my friend Jo took glitter one step further with glittered corn and gourds! The detail is a little hard to see in the first picture so be sure to click on it to see the details.

Jo is entertaining her ladies' literary society (yes, a bookgroup) - I'm sure the decos will put the group in the appropriate mindset. I should have asked her what they were reading....

Jo also shared this link with me - Inspired Ideas: The Christmas issue - I have to tell you, it is delightful, extraordinary, fun and flirty - one of the best ezines I've seen yet! I love the Village house craft - made with lots of glitter and small cereal boxes. I think this might be the craft for the Grandmas for Christmas. In fact, I've already started collecting cereal boxes and making my list of appropriate items for my neighborhood.... What do you think about tiny pearl clusters as snow covered bushes.

Got inspiration?

During the shopping travels of this weekend, my sister took me to visit Sew and Save in Racine, WI.

First, if you have a Viking sewing machine, they have the most attachments and tools for Vikings that I've ever seen in my life. Second, they are extremely nice about answering how-to questions - which in my book goes a long way. Here's some shots of what I found especially fascinating...

My sister loves this Christmas quilt, everyone should have a Christmas quilt but alas, my logic did not work on her and she didn't buy the kit. Hmmm, maybe an elf will make a whispered suggestion to Santa.

And, drum roll please, I bought some more Alexander Henry fabric for the quilting weekend, next weekend, yikes! (You would think that I had enough by now.) But, I have a plan - yes, I do. See that pattern below? Well, the fabric ladies were telling me that they had made a sample using my Halloween fabric with it. I have direction now folks. I can't tell you how happy that makes me especially since the quilt weekend is this weekend! Did I mention that already? I'll need to make the quilt a little longer and wider (for a lap quilt) but I don't think that will be much of a problem, I'll have to play around with it...

More shopping?

Seems I've been shopping more than crafting lately! Friday went off with my sister - we hit Toys 'r Us and did some crafting shopping and antiquing. Then, off again to foil a friend and keep her out of her house while her hubby got ready for her surprise party. And, what a surprise it was! For your viewing enjoyment, some eye candy from two wonderful and very different stores.

Romancing the Home, Deerfield, IL

Much of what is in this store is pricey, but the decorating, ideas, found objects, and new bling is so artfully displayed that its just fun to wonder around and look at everything. I loved these pumpkins!

In the opposite direction, is Embellished Heart in Kenosha, WI.

This place offered antiques outfitted in whimsical ways. Tucked in a smaller shop near the Kenosha News building, the proprietor was engaging, with a quick smile, and the items for sale - oh boy! There were two that I just wanted to scoop up - first, this divine buffet, so 20's! The second, a mirrored side table, under the smartypants tea kettle.

Trolling around, I found another blogger who discovered it - you might want to hop over to Kelle Dame and check her post out as well!

Road Trip

Saturday was errand day and since we were in the vicinity, the boys "allowed" me to go to a new knitting store - Fiddlehead Yarns in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

I absolutely fell in love with this print! The next time I go there, I must ask where they got this!

The classroom is just down these stairs, comfortable area, just right for sitting down and knitting for a spell.

This is one of the main areas of the store, chock full of goodies.

This kit was adorable but I'll have to wait for someone to have a baby ...

Blogger's Quilt Festival

The festival begins on October 29th over at Amy's Creative Side. Here's your chance to take part in the online quilt community! Below, is my favorite summer quilt, well, actually my only summer quilt that I finished this summer. This is my new summer quilt on my newly installed clothesline which if you notice, is not really a traditional clothesline but rather a wanna-be variety - we wanted to see if the neighbors would complain. (They didn't, hurray!)

My quilt looked wonderful hanging out int he sunshine awaiting its photographic record. Then, BLAM! A not so innocent bird flew by, and you guessed it, did the nasty on my quilt! Disgusting to say the least.

Now, my quilt is broken in. This is my freshly laundered quilt, yep, I had to try again.