« January 2008 | Main | March 2008 »
I love this book! It's called, Sew Pretty Homestyle by Tone Finnanger. Besides the colorful eye-candy on every page, the projects are adorable. Grace used the pattern from the book to make some strawberries--adding a pinch of potpourri to each one. A nice rainy day project while waiting for spring.
And berry season. Which can't come too soon . . .
| |
I spent a good part of last week downloading lots of great dance music thanks to your suggestions. So much good stuff! It's been fun discovering new artists and getting reacquainted with older songs that I'd forgotten about. Dancing does seem to help lift the February funk that looms large this time of year, so I'm turning up the volume and cutting loose. Or "cutting the rug" as Mom used to say. (She did a fierce foxtrot in her day!) We went to a dessert party on Saturday for a fellow homeschooler who turned 18. No rock-and-roll, but there was a little folk music, performed by a couple of the guests who played guitar and sang. All very lovely and sweet while we sampled an assortment of cakes, cookies, pies, and ice-cream that everyone made and brought. An all-out sugar fest. It hasn't been all fun and games here though. There was some serious housekeeping that needed to get done. Nothing like a little sunshine to illuminate all the cobwebs and dust bunnies. So while managing that, and a lot more, my blog's been gathering a little cyberdust. It's a balancing act sometimes, I tell ya. No happy medium. I could use a little fairy with a magic wand to wave around whenever I need a little order in my life. (Fairies can be found here, if you need one too.)
| |
Happy Monday!
To everyone who stopped by and left a comment and a song, Thank You!
It made my day.
I recognized most of the songs mentioned, others I can't wait to check out.
Most of my morning has been spent in the comments, following links to your blogs where I totally lost all track of time with your stories, pictures, crafts, cooking, decorating projects, sewing, gardening and other fun amazing stuff.
There's so much crafty goodness out there, it makes my head spin.
Speaking of spinning, the Super Shuffler Spinning Bonnet (our very own personal random numbers generator), has just selected a winner for the pink bunny doll quilt.
The winner is . . . {drumroll please} . . . Tinker!
Congratulations!
But wait, there's more . . .
Behold, another dish towel!
I love this design, it reminds me of an old fashioned Valentine. Also works for all-around everday kitchen cuteness. This very lovely birdie motif is included in the PatternBee Bonus set for March.
I'm also happy to announce that the very first set of twelve Bonus patterns for 2007 are now available. I plan to add each successive year to the web site as time goes by. That way, if you miss any you can still get them.
And check out the FREE kitchen towel embroidery designs here.
| |
And surprise, surprise. Here we have . . . yet another bonnet!
Can you tell I'm having fun with these?
Made this one from 6 jelly-roll strips sewn to a cotton-batting foundation in strip-piece fashion. Here's how the back looks. After the strips are sewn, they're trimmed even with the foundation piece and then it's ready to assemble.
The lining is double-sided flannel. I basted a strip of crochet lace to the brim before sewing the top and lining together. (The basic bonnet pattern with directions is in both my books.)
Such a cozy little topper, like a quilt for the noggin.
And speaking of quilts . . . Miss Thumbelina is quite toasty under this little doll quilt which just happens to be today's surprise give-away. Just leave a comment and/or share your favorite dance song and I'll toss your name in our spinning bonnet number generator thingy. Will announce the winner on Monday. Good Luck!
| |
I made these little hearts last year around Valentine's Day and forgot to share them here on the blog . . . so here they are at last!
These are my calorie-free version of the traditional candy hearts. Each one has a pinch of my homemade rose lavender potpourri inside and smell wonderful.
I think they look adorable placed in a small basket or heaped on a doll's lap like this. They can be tucked into lunch boxes and pockets too.
Update 2010: Patterns and directions for Conversation Hearts are in my book Embroidery Craft (page 50).
Recipe for my homemade Rose Petal Potpourri is in Blanket Statement (page 58).
| |
I finished another bonnet!
This one is for baby granddaughter #2, due this spring. I will be making a few more too. I've had requests for the bonnets and the pattern--so I'm thinking on that.
I love this double-sided cotton flannel. It's so soft and a little heavier than the usual stuff making it really nice to work with.
The embroidery design is actually this vintage pillowcase pattern from the 1900's. I was thrilled to discover that it fit perfectly. Any linear design will work it seems.
Lining fabric is Flower Sugar by Lecien (may not be available anymore).
All in all, a sweet little bonnet.
Updated 2010: Pattern and directions for the above Spring Bloom Baby Bonnet are in my book Embroidery Craft (page74).
And earlier version from 2008, Winter Baby Bonnet (made from the wool blanket), is included in my book Blanket Statement (page 70).
| |
We made it through January!
A long month in some ways. Some of us have cabin fever. I've got a houseful of giggly young ladies working on their current home movie, the title of which escapes me, but it involves more doll foolery, fake pizza, and a man-doll named "Gary". You should hear them trying to be serious.
Another storm is on the way that convinced us to stay home this weekend. It's a mess out there with snow advisories, avalanches and mud slides. I've got some old movies and fun sewing lined up. Not so bad. And pencil pal snowman to keep me company.
Using every scrap from the wool blanket!
| |
