Ignore the Dust...

In my effort to procrastinate doing the laundry, I am fiddling with my blog. Playing with graphics, adjusting widths.... Irritating I know, but I realllly don't want to do the laundry. Or do the dishes. Or scoop the cat litter.

So be prepared for a prettier blog, coming soon to a computer near you :)

Apronology

So I am pretty sure that aprons are the funnest thing ever! My inner "English teacher" cringes, but the sentiment is true. I have been sewing up a storm, which is funny because when I initially purchased my sewing machine, it was to stitch on paper, not fabric. Now I find myself making hems, adding ruffles, and making linings! Who knew?


I think my latest apron looks kind of "scrapbooky" even though I am working with fabric, and not paper. Piecing fabric is a lot like paper piecing. I love digging through my stash to find bits of green toile for trees, sprigged ivy fabric for rolling hills... Of course, this now means I will go broke buying not only scrapbook paper but fabric too :( New obsessions can get pricey... I also like to check out the antique shops and estate sales to find lovely bits of embroidery, handmade lace - now that Spring is here, I can't wait for auction season! Yay!

I have a few pretties listed on Etsy, and have had some nice emails suggesting I submit some of my aprons to Apronology. Have you seen this fabulous publication? Somerset has a magazine for just about every creative obsession out there :)

Me? A maniac?

I must be, because I decided to, once again, reorganize my entire craft room. And I couldn't just do that, mind you. I decided to not only reorganize it, but also move it back to the second floor from the basement. You may recall that just last August, I moved my space from the second floor guest room to the basement. I had this notion that if I worked in the basement, my children would happily play in the "family" area. I had dreams of my serenely scrapping at my table, the boys happily playing with their toys. I could cut and paint, chit chat with them while they put together puzzles, played dinosaur, sang nursery rhymes and practiced their ABC's...

What really happens is that the plastic dinosaurs liked to knock down my stacked bottles of paint, the only ABC's I saw were my chipboard letters scattered all over the floor, and the only puzzle was why on earth did I think I could leave all of my supplies out on shelves and my two darling terrors would leave them alone?

Silly woman.

So the daunting task began. I decided to revert the basement to a family room, completely kid-friendly. I realized that it was unreasonable for me to get mad at them for touching my pretty things when my pretty things were out, about, and soooo attractive to curious hands. And let's be honest - I wanted to be able to say, "Go play in the basement" and feel safe to let them do so. I wanted them to be able to go play in their area, alone if even for three minutes, without hearing a crash, or worse, hearing nothing in those three minutes, and investigating to see that they were dancing on my craft table and covered in ink.

So. I moved every single bookcase, shelf, table, container back upstairs. Again. More details, and maybe some photos, to come soon. I have about 15 minutes until my Lil Stinkers get off the bus, and I want to get some organizing done...

Once Upon an Apron... and Banana Bread

In my latest obsession with apron making, I combined my love for old quilts, vintage finds, and paper piecing...

When I scrapbook, I adore making little vignettes; houses on rolling hills, elaborate trees on lush landscapes... you get the idea. I also love the look of primitive samplers and quilts. I had made this sampler a few months ago


(and sold it to a dear and darling customer!) and have been itching to make another. Until then, however, I decided to try to make a little landscape art. But this time, I used all fabric, and instead of paper, my canvas was an apron.


I used some fabulous fabric I got at an estate sale. I think it is floursacking - it is so thick and supple! A combination of new fabrics and vintage lace were the rest of my materials, and a tiny little old button was the perfect doorknob :) After much deliberation, I decided to list it on Etsy. I thought about keeping it, but now that it is up for sale, it gives me an excuse to make another!

As for the banana bread...

This weekend, I had the grand idea to make some banana bread. The recipe is my Great Grandma Tessie's recipe, for "Fruit Loaf", and whenever I make it, I usually double it. Well, I had quite a few bananas, and whenever I do make this yummy bread, my dear friend Kelly begs for some - with chocolate chips, of course :) So what do I do? In my ambition, I multiplied the recipe by six. Twelve cups of flour, six cups of bananas, a dozen eggs...

My mixing bowl overfloweth....

It all turned out in the end (my arms got quite the workout. Mixing that much batter is way more taxing than a rowing machine, my friend) and I even had enough for six loaves and six muffins :)

Kelly will be happy :)

Springing Forward...

I feel as if I have been in hibernation - and in some regards, I have. I have missed Blogland! My plate seemed to get so full that I had to crawl into my cave and catch up. Nothing horrible or earth shattering - just one little thing piled up upon another little thing, until my plate became a heaping platter and I had to take a break. Of course, now that I feel like I have caught my breath, I lose an hour to daylight savings time. Blasted Spring Forward, anyway. I miss that hour! I feel like I am cheated of that sixty minutes not just today, but for at least two weeks... my body and soul fight this change like no other...

But I am back! During my hiatus, I fixed my wonky stove, discovered how fun cooking can actually be, and have been teaching myself to sew with fabric and not just stitch on paper! I also painted my kitchen.

I have been a busy girl.

It is funny how one thing leads to another. I ordered the part to fix my stove, and when it came, I wanted it fixed right then and there. Instead of waiting for the hub to get home, I pulled the stove out (how does it get so dirty back there? And that plug? HUGE!), found some tools, and fixed it myself. After cleaning behind the stove, I realized how much I hated the white walls in my kitchen, and how dingy they looked. So I loaded the twins in the van, went to the hardware store, and bought pretty robin's-egg-faded-blue paint and brushes.

I painted until 1am.

Now that I had a nice clean kitchen and a functional stove, I looked around and decided I hated how grubby my kitchen chairs looked...

The next thing I know, I am hauling out the sewing machine and stitching chair covers. I had these really cool old coin bags, and I thought they would make nifty "shabby chic" covers if I split the seams, stitched on some ties... and then decided a tablecloth would be nice. Something with a bit of blue...

Because my kitchen was now so pretty, I decided I should spend more time there, so I started digging out my old recipe collections. Nerd that I am, I have been collecting recipes since I was about twelve years old. Notice I said collected them. Never really used them until now.

I have been cooking up a storm!

And when I was cooking, I found myself wiping my hands on my shirt (I can never find a towel when I need it) and pretty much destroying my clothes. What I needed, I said to myself, was an apron.

I didn't own an apron.So I decided to make one. And have found a new passion that has now consumed me. Apron making! I have so many fabulous fabrics and vintage linens, I have been making aprons all week! I have a few listed on Etsy, and have a few started that I hope to finish this week... Ah, the joy of a new obsession... and it all started because of my wonky stove.

Catching Up... and a wonky stove

Where does time go? I know it flies when you are having fun, but I think it goes at warp speed when you are behind in tasks...

Getting ready for Christmas, making teacher gifts, celebrating the holiday, last minute orders to complete, having the kids and a husband home for two weeks... Now I am ready for a vacation!

I promise to have some pretties to show soon :) I made some cutie holiday gifts for Christmas, and they were so well received that I am thinking of making some Valentine inspired versions soon... so keep an eye out :)

At the Pixie Cottage, the current contest has been extended, so you have an extra week to make a "Button It" creation! If I ever get my blasted camera working properly, I will show you what I came up with. It is still acting wonky (my new favorite word) so I may just have to break down and get a new one. Of course, my stove is also acting wonky. I was attempting to make dinner yesterday, and when pre-heating the oven, I thought I accidentally turned on the interior light. I flipped the switch. Light still on, and growing brighter.

Hmmmm...

Opening the oven door, I see there is a spark of light, growing into a bright flame, traveling down the coily thing in the bottom of the stove. Sparking and red hot, it looked like a movie version of the dynamite stick where the fuse is about to blow.

"A shooting star! Look, Mama! There is a shooting star in the oven!" a little voice yells behind me.

"Get back Johnny!"

I grabbed a cup of water and tossed it onto the flame, which only seemed to incense it. I slammed the door shut, pushed Johnny behind me while I watched in horror as the red hot flame grew in intensity, sparked and finally fizzled.

And snapped the coily thing.

So I think the oven is broken.

Hey, does this mean I don't have to cook anymore?

And the stockings were hung...

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is so close! Wasn't I just handing out candy to trick-or-treaters? Didn't I just make pumpkin pies and roast a turkey? Time, like snow, is flying too fast!



I have had some camera issues - as in, the children had decided it would be fun to play photographers on Safari with Mama's camera - and as a result, there was one time-out, a bit of yelling, and one broken camera. If I hold the lens on just so, I can get a halfway decent photo... but if I lean over too much, the lens falls out and then there is more yelling...

I was able to take this picture of a layout I made for Etsy. The stockings were pretty fun to make - I don't know if you can see it or not, but the red one on the left has a real jingle bell on the curly toe :) I had to get creative with my layering to fit the word "stockings" on the one 12x12 page, but was able to manage it. And let me tell you - so glad that I got back into stamping, because my ink in my printer is out, and I wanted to print "hanging the" on some cardstock... but luckily I have my little set of letter stamps, and stamped them out instead!

Speaking of stamping... If I can get my lens back on my camera today, I will take a picture of my card for the "Once Upon a Wednesday" challenge at Pixie Cottage! I created the sketch for this challenge, and it is simple and sweet :) While I am fiddling with my camera, head over to the Pixie Cottage Blog to see the other DT member's take on this sketch. You have lots of time - until December 20 to enter this every-other-week challenge, so get your sketch on!

It's a cupcake kind of day...

So after three days of no solid food, I have been in Thanksgiving leftover heaven. Yay real food! My hubby's procedure went great, and all is good. My need for something other than broth and Jello manifested in dozens and dozens of paper cupcakes.

That's right - paper cupcakes. With some fabric and buttons too! I have made these little cupcakes for scrapbook pages and cards, and thought I would put some on Etsy and see if other people might like them too! There are two varieties, and lots of flavors :) Do you know what one of my favorite things about selling crafty goods is? Making up the names. I love making up names for my creations. Like these cupcakes, for example. In my shop you will find Aunt Greta's Cupcakes, and Cousin Nellie's cupcakes, Winterberry and Polkaberry... I don't really have a cousin Nellie, but I do have an Aunt Greta, and the pretty checkered red fabric made me think of her. Nelli's cupcakes are inspired by Little House on the Prairie, and Nellie's surprising success at the culinary arts...

While listing these little cuties, I have been entertaining myself by playing "Farmville", a game on Facebook. Hello new addiction!

Well, I have another batch of cupcakes coming out of the oven - I mean, the studio - so I need to quit chatting and get those sweeties on the shelf while they are still warm!

Have a great day,

Big Sales, a treasury, and don't forget to Play with the Pixies!

I love the holidays, and I love my family, but let me tell you... I am glad for things to get back to "normal." Everyone goes back to work and school tomorrow, and the schedule-lover within can't wait for the routine to resume. Of course, now that I am updating this post, I have two little boys home with coughs camped out on the couch watching cartoons and drinking apple juice...

My mom and dad assured me the turkey was fabulous, and they agreed that the pecan pie was the best they had ever had. I love my folks! I was sooo nervous hosting my first Thanksgiving, but it went pretty darn smoothly! I made all my pies the day before, and prepped my casseroles the night before. I even watched an episode of the Martha Stewart show about preparing a turkey... I didn't use a cheesecloth or brine ole Tom in white wine, but I did slather on the butter like she instructed :)

So now I have a refrigerator full of yummy leftovers. My husband has to have a simple procedure done on Monday, and has been on a liquid diet. Nothing solid since Saturday morning - and fabulous wife that I am, I said I would do it too. Misery loves company and all that. Plus I would feel bad loading up my plate with turkey and stuffing while he sadly sips bland broth... I'm trying to remember if he gave up coffee with me when I was pregnant...

I didn't brave the crowds this weekend, opting instead to stay in my jammies, eat broth and put up the Christmas tree. I have a big sale in my Etsy shop, though - still doing the *Buy Three, get one FREE* card sale, and am also offering free shipping on all goodies! I also plan to list some seriously sweet paper cupcakes today. I think all this broth and liquid nonsense is manifesting itself into my crafts - all I want to do is piece together cupcakes...

Oh, and I am also featured in a treasury! As many of you know, I am obsessed with treasuries! Nightlady made a super pretty treasury of Blue Christmas, and my paper flowers are among some really pretty blues...


Don't forget that the latest challenge at Pixie Cottage is "Getting Stitchy!" I am having camera issues, and hope to get that resolved asap - I want to share my stitching on my card for the challenge! But have no fear - the fabulous design team has lots of pretty cards for you to look at on the Pixie blog. You have until Sunday, December 6th to enter, so lots of time yet!

I hope you have a great day. I can't wait to raid the refrigerator tonight...

Gobble Gobble, I hope my pies don't wobble...

Happy Pre-Turkey Day! I have been baking all morning, and have three pies done, and one more in the oven. Pie, that is :) Two pumpkin, one pecan, and one chocolate-creamcheese-pecan yummy pie... The turkey is cooling his heels in the refrigerator, and I have all my ingredients ready for the side dishes. Luckily, Mom is bringing sweet potatoes, apple dumplings, and pistachio salad. And folding chairs.

I still need to go out tonight and get rolls, and I might need another thing of whipped cream... I made a lot of pies...

I wish I had a picture to share of a card or something, but my darling Mikey was apparently snacking on my USB cord. He likes to chew metal. Seriously, he does. So I need to find a plan B, because I made some seriously cute paper flowers, and I have a few cards I want to share too....

Ok, well, I need to check on the kiddos and the pie. I ran out of the dratted tin foil, so the edges of my pecan creations are overdone :( Oh, well. It's called, "Eat around it, people!"

If I don't have a chance to pop in tomorrow, I hope your turkeys are juicy, your pies unburned, and your families safe and healthy :)

Happy Holidays!

Let It Snow!

I am super excited about a new project - Self Standing Scrapbook pages! I have had such fun with the easel cards, so I decided to do some experimenting and paper engineering... and made some scrapbook pages that are display pages! I am making some for my Etsy store, some for Christmas gifts, and some for me!

Here is a snowy themed one. It has a little paper pieced boy on it. He reminds me of Randy from "A Christmas Story". You know, the little brother that "can't put my arms down!" There is a photomat, a journaling pocket with tag, and I even made a protective case/envelope for when it isn't on display :)

Last post today, I swear....

I have been so busy creating the last few days, I hadn't had the time to post what I have been making! And since I have about 19.5 minutes until the bus delivers the munchkins, I figured I better seize the moment (especially since these two challenges are due asap!)

This first card is my entry to my first ever to the Just Magnolia challenge blog :) The challenge was distressing (not to me, to the card, silly!) and I had a lot of fun aging the edges, teastaining the fabric...

This is the only magnolia stamp I have, and after using her, now I know why so many of you love your magnolias! She was really fun to color :)

Ingredients
Papers:MyMindsEye
Image:Magnolia
Embellishments: fabric, buttons

My other card is a little more seasonal. Drawing inspiration from Our Creative Corner, I went autumnal and thankful for this easel card. Loving the easel cards! I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday, and used Kraft paper as requested by Daring Card Makers :)

This stamp was toooo fun to color, and I really had a blast finding just the right papers for her :)


Ingredients
Papers:Graphic45, Creative Imaginations, brown Kraft Paper
Image:Greeting Farm Anya
Embellishments: fabric, buttons, punch

Chilly Willy....

I mentioned the other day how I made my first ever easel card, and I can safely say I am addicted to this style. Thanks to Crazy for Challenges for challenging me to do this, as well as providing a fabulous link to a great tutorial! I made this little card with the super cute sketch at Sunday Sketch and Stamp, and Cupcake Craft wanted to see something that was "Snow much fun!" This card is pretty little - it is only 4" square, but perfect for this stamp I won from Peachy Keen Stamps a while ago. Finally, using the recipe from Stamp Something, I limited myself to 1 ribbon, 2 papers, and 3 embellies... For such a little card, it sure holds a lot of challenges!

Ingredients
Papers: Basic Grey, MyMindsEye
Image: Peachy keen
Embellishment: sparkly brads from stash, vintage ribbon

GLEEful to be Home for the Holidays...

So who watched "Glee" last night? Such a good show! It just gets better and better :) I swear, I have a "new" favorite character each time I watch... and just when you think you have a someone "figured out," they surprise you...

And as for Home for the Holidays... I am hosting my first ever Thanksgiving dinner this year! I am sure I'll burn the turkey and forget the potatoes, but I am going to give it my best. I made this card with the theme of old fashioned goodness, and have entered it into the Mojo Monday challenge. I love silhouettes, and when I found this set of rub ons in my stash, I had to use it!

Ingredients
Papers: Basic Grey
Images: Rubons from Marah Johnson
embellishments: sparkly brads, and fabric from stash

Glee photo from imusicdaily.com

I am super excited and I'll tell you why - Because it is "Once Upon a Wednesday..."

Every other Wednesday we will host a challenge, and we want you to play. Prizes and fun and inspiration abound, and because you have a week and a half to get your entry in, there is plenty of time to find your creative magic...

Head over to the Pixie Cottage blog to find out the rest of the details. There are some super cute stamps you could win, as well as a chance to become a guest DT :)

I created the sketch for this challenge, and would love to see what you come up with:

Here is my take on this sketch.


Head over to Pixie Cottage to see the rest of the Design Team's work - you won't be disappointed :)

Ingredients
Papers: MME, Graphic45, PaperPizazz
Image: Candy Cane Wishes from the Pixie Cottage
Embellishments: fabric, brad
Colored pencils, copic marker, Zig marker