turkey feathers

And I have the papercuts to prove it...

Whew! The first shipment of autographed books has just taken flight and are on their way.  I'm expecting one more delivery.  I'll do my best to be speedy. I appreciate everyone who has patiently been waiting. 

Are you finding it hard to believe it's the last week of November already?  There's a young lady here who is having a birthday in two days.  My baby is turning eleven! 

Look - a finished project!  Grace's inspiration board...we actually started on this during summer, but kept getting side-tracked.  Finally just covered it with fabric we already had with the help of a hot-glue gun.  Now it's hanging in her room being adorned with lots of pretties and inspiring tidbits, and my work table is mine once more.  I love the sight of a clean work table and thinking about the next project.  All the possibilities.

But first it's good to tie up loose ends.

Books Have Arrived!

I'm hearing from folks that books are showing up in mailboxes already!  I'm so happy to hear that, because the lead time on POD (print-on-demand) orders can vary;  how nice that it was sooner and not later.  More good news: Just got my first shipment too (yippeee!), and will soon be invoicing those who emailed me for signed copies.  I want to tell you all how much I appreciate your patience (and unbridled enthusiasm!) for blanket statement, and as a little reward I'm sending them Priority with free S/H.  The sad news is, there aren't enough books to go around.  (whaaaa!)  Some will have to wait for the next shipment - which is already on its way I'm told - so it's not all that bad, really.  You will hear from me soon.  I actually ordered extras the second time, just in case, and at this point they've all been allocated.   I just could not have anticipated the response.  I'm thrilled, of course, and so very thankful, and truly hope my humble book-making effort meets your expectations in every way.  Books are also available online through Amazon, Target, or my Create Space e-shop, and if you purchase it, and for those who have already ( *thank you*),  I'm more than happy to send you a pretty personalized book label.  Please contact me for details if you want one.  Oh--and don't forget to join the blanket statement project journal to showcase your felt creations.  Can't wait to see what things you're all making from the book.

 

Tourniquet Patch

A fashion statement for the new economy.

Damage Control

This is the sight that greeted me when I stepped into my sewing room.  I'm always pleased when there's a thought process before something gets discarded.  Questioning whether it can be repaired, recycled, or reused in some way before adding it to the landfill.    However, it's always a little sad when someone's favorite jeans end up on the chopping block.  These belong to "Sarah".  I suppose she meant for me to save them in some way, with my trusty scissors and thread.  We could afford a new pair, but she loves these.

And I suppose she could wear them 'as is'.  After all, torn ragged jeans are considered fashion-savvy in some circles.  (Would you look at this price tag!)  Maybe.  In the right setting.  Amongst others who get that.  For kids living in a rural environment though, it can look downright pitiful. Like you just tumbled off that proverbial turnip wagon.   That may not be the case at all, but it's the image often perceived.  Especially if there's a great big goofy patch on them - so sensing my cue here, I shall proceed with caution and try and do what I can to salvage these.  Maybe fetch me some PR innovation.  Then, to be continued . . .

Blanket Statement update:  *Thank You* all again for your excited correspondence (in all forms!) I'm thrilled with the response.  I've got a load of books ordered and on the way for those requesting signed copies.  At the request of Calamity Kim this morning, I've already started a flickr group here, to share your finished projects.   Maybe a little soon, since many are still waiting for books to arrive, but it's there when you need it.  Join up anytime.  And, my book is now available on Amazon and also, I just noticed, online at Target.  (I'm so proud.) 

Have a great weekend!

Around the House

Remember this corner?  I've made a few changes in here since the last time I shared it.   I'm always moving things around until I get the right mix.  I can't help it.  This cozy nook seems especially inviting now with the cold drizzle outside the door.  In case you're wondering...the slip-covered chaise that used to be here, was moved upstairs to our bedroom and has become the perfect landing spot for all the pillows that come off the bed at night.   Children can sleep on it in a pinch when the house is full of company now too.  It was replaced last year, by this compact slip-covered loveseat that I found online [here] that just happened to fit between the bookcases perfectly.   I was so pleased.  After months of searching for something similar locally and coming up empty-handed, I took a chance doing it online and I must say, our experience with that particular furniture company was excellent.  The comfort and quality was better than expected, the personal service was incredible with fabric samples and actual phone conversations with a live person, topped off by a stellar white-glove delivery.  So no regrets.  The Mister built the floor-to-ceiling bookcases shortly after we moved in about 5 years ago.  We've actually built bookcase walls of some sort, in every house we've ever lived in;  we always seem to need them, and its always hard to leave them behind.  This one wraps around the room flanking windows on one one side and a corner fireplace on the other.  The room was originally a long narrow and somewhat awkward "formal" living room.  By dividing it in half, we now have a well-proportioned library and a quiet study (behind the curtain) for the man of the house.  His desk and computer and music equipment are all tucked away neatly back there.  The cute vintage coffee table was a $30 find at a flea market last year. It has a removable glass top, and one of these days I'm going to display some old photographs or something interesting under it.   The old swing-arm wood-spindle floor lamp was also a bargain from a tag sale a few years ago.  It was recently moved into this room (from another) and transformed with a new ticking stripe shade from one of the Pottery Barn catalogs--forget which one.  Fresh flowers, compliments of my Prince in Shining Armor, who is constantly coming to my rescue.  He came around the backdoor with these on Sunday, in celebration of the completion of that afore-mentioned book project.  He looked so cute standing there.  He cooked many a meal during that time, without complaint and even rescued a few (including the eggs this morning when I forgot to check them).  Poor guy.  I think he's ready to hang up the apron for awhile!  My turn to take him out to dinner.  We're still working on the girl's bathroom and the den.  I've been visiting websites and blogs for inspiration.  The serene design aesthetic here appeals to me.  The fabrics are quiet and easy to live with.  And I absolutely love Posy; I've been following Jane's decorating escapades for awhile and adore her style and ingenuity.   Especially that darling kitchen.  (Scroll down to the bottom of the post.)  I ask you, have you ever seen one cuter than this?

Gravy!

All I can tell you is, when this finally arrived yesterday, I was excited and anxious at the same time.  I nervously handed it over to my "trusty assistant" to proof read, so she could break any 'bad news' to me gently.  (I'd mentioned the problem I'd been having with it here. ) She eagerly sat down and started going through it page by page.  I stood there a few seconds trying to read her expression, listened to the wall clock tick too loudly, and tried to catch my breath.  I dashed to the kitchen for emergency chocolate, to calm my nerves, and found (to my surprise) that these wonderful daughters of mine had baked a gigantic tray of triple chocolate brownies while I was busy working at the other end of the house.  Oh my--they were good!   What perfect timing.  Yum.  I was in the middle of my second mouthful, when Grace came running down the hallway waving the book in the air with a huge smile on her face, and shouting "third time's the charm!"  We jumped up and down like we were on pogo stix and hugged ourselves and got brownie crumbs all over.  It was a sweet moment.  And a huge, huge relief.  I did it!  I feel a sense of accomplishment having done a self-imposed crash course on desk-top publishing.  At times, pregnancy and birth (having lasted just as long), seemed easy compared to some of this.  I honestly couldn't tell you which was more painful.  Though worth all the effort in the long run.  I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve that I'm already working on now. 

Ok, so about the book...in case you don't know, Blanket Statement is 100 pages of mostly felt crafts made from a thrifted wool blanket.  I'd been sharing these creations on my blog for a couple of years and as I was nearing the end of the project, with nothing but scraps left of the blanket, I decided to put everything into a book.  For fun mostly, and for prosperity sake, as blogs will come and go.  It's only inevitible.  There are pictures and patterns and projects that hopefully will inspire you and will live on, having made the leap from cyberspace to CreateSpace.  I hope you like it.So, without further ado, Blanket Statement is currently available for purchase from my e-shop.  I'm told that, eventually the cover picture will be added--this is out of my hands.  The fabulous news is, the book gets printed on demand.  Which is so brilliant, because there's no inventory gathering dust or any pressure to sell it.  Delivery only takes about a week.  For those already asking for autographed copies, they 'll be available in a few weeks, shipped from *yours truly*.  I'm making a list so I know how many to order.  If you want one personalized for you or someone else, just email me or leave a comment so I can contact you, and I'll send you a Paypal invoice or something when I get them in.   

 

A Little Inspiration

Although I'm not exactly sure where the Kreativ Blogger award originated (my sincere apologies to whoever thought this one up), thank you to Green Bee for choosing me as a recipient!  The rules are simple.  No truth or dare.  No do or die.  Just name six things that you love, and pass it on to six others.   Easy enough.  I think I can do that.  And a nice way to pay it forward.  My six things today:

I'm continually inspired by Mimi Kirchner's work, but especially crushing over these little numbers.

1. autumn girl with cashmere hair
2. girl with skinned knees  (I see myself at ten)
3. tattoo men--brilliant use of toile!

4.  Japanese cuteness of a different kind : kitty in a box.

5.  More of the usual kind:  hedgehogs (thank you Mrs. Pilkington!) 

6.  Very excited about more green choices for the home, especially the tankless water heater.  More here.   I have so many questions about these.  Anyone have one?

Next...calling on six inspiring blogs to share the love:

1. happy zombie (good clean zombie fun)
2. bitter betty (always delightful craft)
3. apron thrift girl (she's having a give-away!)
4. fresh vintage (ideas galore from vintage finds)
5. domesticali (fresh daily musings)
6. little cotton rabbits (knit & a darling calender)

And, thank you Crafty Crow for sharing my acorn cookie recipe, several peeps have emailed to say that they liked them!  And yes, the recipe is correct, no eggs, no oil. 

 

*Cute images from Tartan.  What's inspiring you today?

November Storms In

We got about an inch of rain yesterday and more is on the way.  I'm looking out the windows and admiring the colors of the fall foliage.  All this damp and drizzle makes it so much more vibrant.  When the sun breaks through the cloudy mist, everything positively glows.  Now that the weather has turned cold outside, I'm in the mood to start making things again.  Oh. That reminds me...

I've got my fingers crossed and hoping that the "third time's the charm" on the latest book submission.  I'm self-publishing blanket statement thru CreateSpace, an Amazon affiliate, and have been experiencing technical difficulties integrating text overlays created in Illustrator CS3.  There seems to be incompatibility issues between programs and things aren't formatting correctly when it goes to print.  My inquiry about it to "customer service" got a canned response that basically said, go back and read your program manual.  Um.  Not exactly helpful.  Obviously, I'd done that already.  Numerous times, and that particular problem was never addressed.  Most likely because the problem exists on their end with using outdated software or something.  So, it's been frustrating.  I'm finding hope and help elsewhere though.  And I remind myself that, this is after all, just another *learning opportunity*.   I'll work through it eventually.  For the most part I'm really proud of what I've accomplished so far.  And even though I'm not exactly sure when the book will be available, I wanted to let everyone know that I am still working on it here behind the scenes and will sing from the roof top and bang on pots and pans when I finally make gravy!   

In the meantime...the lovely rain continues here and I have new projects in the works.  I want to show you, but I want it to be a surprise.  So I can't.  Not yet.  Thanks for stopping by and making me laugh with your comments and spider stories.  I do read each and every one and try and respond when I have a few minutes.  I'm thrilled so many of you are utilizing the free embroidery patterns too.  There's something so homey and personal about a decorated dish towel, don't ya think?  I also think dish towels are perfect for beginners; if you mess it up, all is forgiven because, after all it's only a dish towel.  So thread a needle and go for it!

In case you're wondering, and didn't see my note in response to questions in the comments section...I used 3 strands of floss for the bird and 4 strands for the flourish.  And there are tracing directions here if you need help with that too.   Happy stitching! 

Kitchen Goodness

Well, 500 posts is an accomplishment!  (You have no idea.) Grace made me this giant "commemorative peanut butter cup" to celebrate.  She's totally got my number.  It's the size of a cupcake!  And not a miniature doll house sized one either.  I nearly died laughing when I saw it.  I haven't eaten it yet, I don't think I can !  Not alone anyway.  That might be tragic.

Here's just one of the half-a-dozen things I've been doing lately.  Did we really need another dishtowel?  Not really.  Did we need some fun stitching.  Why yes,  we did.  This folksy redwork pheasant is just one of the free-with-purchase bonus designs for November.  And surprise!  Blog pals can download it for FREE and print it out. You'll need to trace it of course.  Or you can get it as an iron-on transfer with any printed-pattern purchase from the PatternBee website this month. 

I used almost a full skein of DMC #3801, a bright rosy red.  For some reason, I'm sometimes asked to show the backside of my embroidered work.  So here you have it.  I'm also frequently asked about cotton dish towels.  Found this one at a department store in our area.  It came in a four-pack of different colors for about $5.  The fabric border is a jelly-roll strip (I forget from what collection now) .  If you've been reading this blog a while you already know my penchant for jelly-roll strips.  I find them handy for all sorts of things, such as dressing up plain towels like this, for instance.  There wasn't a hem, just the selvage end, so it served another purpose besides looking cute.  Applying them is simple.  Cut strip a few inches longer than the width of your towel, and fold in the ends so they are even with the sides.  Pin strip right-side down to the wrong side of the towel.  Stitch strip to towel with a 1/2" seam allowance.

Open it and press seam allowance toward strip.  Fold the raw edge of the strip over about 1/4-inch and press.  Fold strip over again onto the right-side of the towel,  with the seam along the bottom edge.

Press it flat, pin, and top-stitch along the folded edge.

The back should look neat and tidy like this.

See?  That wasn't so hard.