Fun Project Videos

I ran across a long list of just wonderful video links while visiting Yona Couture today. I've posted a couple of examples but you really should pop in and take a look at some of them.

Oh What a Doll
Wine Glass Coaster

I had to remove the actual videos. They were causing problems on my blog. Sorry!!!!

Goodies in the Mail

Just a quick post to say THANK YOU to a few very kind and thoughtful ladies who brightened my day when I checked my mail yesterday.

1. Maureen C: for the wonderful Arty MeMe Challenge gift. This is my first fabric postcard and I just love it! In fact, until I held this one, I had never even seen on in person. A first for me---YIPPEE. The photo really does not do it justice. There is soooo much detail that I just could not capture. It's very dimensional, and colorful. It has a netting sort of cover over the top of the CQ , and then it is quilted and framed with rick-rack.

I was actually sort of surprised that it was able to be sent through the mail. And that it got here in excellent condition. WOW...shocker!!!!





2. Elizabet (and Judyth) for the baggie of fabrics, laces, buttons, beads, charms, and threads. This little surprise is a 'reward' for taking part in the Halloween Art Doll Contest that Elizabet hosted in October.

3. Ati for this sweet little heart with the fairy and butterfly on it. This was part of a swap on our Chains of Hearts (COH) group. I still owe a butterfly heart to Ati, which I hope to be mailing this weekend.

How To......

START THAT BUSINESS

Okay, I've gotten the fabric monster sorted out. I've even got a number of pieces cut. I'm in the process of putting together five 1/2 yard bundles. Like the photos below. I'm not sure of the arrangement yet but at least it's a start.

I've chosen to use 1/2 yard cuts because I really don't care for fat quarters. They always seem to leave me just a little bit short of what I need. I like to use a number of different colors and patterns together because I like to hand piece. Which adds up to a lot of cutting and altering anyway.

With 2 and 1/2 yards of fabric you can make a nice little quilt, wall hanging or other assorted project. And I'm not looking to include enough fabric for the backing piece. My back pieces seldom match the front. Coordinate, yes. But match....seldom.

Now, the scary part. I need to write up my template for ebay. At least I assume it will be ebay. I've looked around quite a bit at other sellers stores, listing, etc., and have tried to 'model' after that. Remembering not to leave out the important stuff, or the fine print. LOL. But what I've come up with is sort of "FLAT." I'll keep working on that too, I guess. Pricing is also a mystery for me. I always look for a bargain but I'm willing to pay a fair price. If it's something I REALLY WANT, I'm also apt to pay too much.

If any of you out there have experienced this same dilemma, I would really appreciate any suggestions that you might be willing to offer. This has always been a hobby for me. Turning it into a business (of sorts) is a very different experience. Well, back to the 'cutting' table. :-)

Cleaning Up 'The Studio'

My DH is away on a business trip for a few days and I decided to take advantage of that time to do some cleaning up. My studio is beyond a disaster. It's no wonder I don't have any motivation to work in there. I spend a lot of time at the computer with my back to most of it. And I actually avoid opening closet doors lately.

It's really pathetic when you has SO MUCH that you can't find anything to use. Odd as that sounds, I bet a lot of you know exactly what I'm talking about. You either can't remember what you did with it, you have too much to go through to even bother looking for it, or you simply cannot remember where the heck you put it.

Well, I've had enough of it the way it is. I'm going to get this mess straightened up so that I can get back to stitching. I'm falling terribly behind on my commitments. I have several group swap projects which are either coming due or are already due. And I hate being behind. I'm just not a 'late' person. Also, I would really like to be an active participant in Sharon's TSTC. The only way I see being able to do that is to have a work area that I can actually work in!

For your astonishment, I have posted the following photos of my 1st day of organizing. And also the 'mess' as it now stands. There are very few totes that I haven't emptied. And I'm just working with cottons. The fancies, flannels, etc., will come later on.

I joke about having 'tons' of fabric but I don't think the word 'stash' means the same thing to me as it does to some others. Addiction comes to mind, doesn't it? Go ahead and gasp, shake your heads, giggle under your breath. I live with it and I've been there.










This mess below is what equipment I currently have in my studio. It's wall to wall! Good thing I'm working in a 13 x 15 room with a deluxe walk-in closet. I don't have a lot of opions on rearranging the 'furniture' but I can certainly sort it, straighten it, and maybe even scale down. I have some really nice things to put up on the walls but I don't want to start putting holes in them until I'm sure, or fairly sure, that it's going to stay that way.

I would also like to get my 'stuff' all together in one area. Right now I have 2 other closets and one 'under the bed' storage places with craft supplies and STUFF taking up space.

OMG, what have I started????

Having My 15 Minutes of Fame!

I was so tickled this morning when I received an email from Linda at I Love Crafts & Craft Blogs, informing me that she had written an article about my blog. She was very complimentary. If you're interested, you can find the article HERE. (Just scroll down to the first article.)

I received an invitation to join/participate in the Top 100 Blogs By Crafters in early November. My blog is currently 'ranked' at #8. It's nice to have the exposure that comes with these types of postings/links to your blog. Especially, since I'm hoping to get a small business up and running this year.

However, I'm fairly certain that I'm just not as motivated as Linda is. The following is a list of her blogs and sites. When venturing 'there', I suggest that you begin at "Linda's Blog." From there you will also find links to her "Dear Linda" and "Tips From The Blogging Queen" Columns.

Linda's Blog
Linda Walsh Originals
Linda Walsh Original E-Patterns
Linda Walsh Originals Dolls
DOLLS Blog
Instant Download E-Patterns Blog
Top Blogs By Crafters Toplist
The Dollie & Crafts Plugboard
Crafting For All Plugboard
About Linda Walsh Originals
I Love Crafts & Crafts Blogs
Tips For Crafters On The Web
Twelve Months of Sewing Club
Testing The Blogs Series and Helpful Blog Tips
The Best FREE Craft Articles

And as you move down the sidebar, you'll be fascinated with the information, graphics, links, and other fun stuff. I just love sidebar content. Anyone taking a gander at my blog knows that. I don't know how she stays on top of them. I find it difficult just to keep up on what she does post. Is it any wonder that she has been dubbed, "The Blogging Queen?"

Kudos to you, Linda for your motivation and organizational skills! And Thanks SO MUCH for the write-up.

A Wonderful Surprise

A Gift From A Dear Friend

I received this little darling the other day from Susan. I must admit that it came as a total surprise. It was made and sent as a 'thank you' gift. Susan took a reservation for my timeshare in Lake Havasu off of my hands over Christmas. And she sends me a THANK YOU! Wow, I like how this worked out. LOL!!!!!! Would anyone else like to do me a favor?

I must also point out that the snowman is Susan's own design. And it's difficult to see but the little heart reads, "a friend listens with the heart."

Thank you very much, Susan

Enjoy your time on the OPEN ROAD.

Barefoot Wine

Flip-Flops for Wine Glasses!!!!

Only if you're drinking BAREFOOT wine. LOL. I just had to post these photos. I got this wine and flip-flops from a neighbor for Christmas. I'm going to have to find out where they got them. I mean, who doesn't need a flip-flop for their wine glass?!?!!?

Heart #6 Finished

One down, working on another! This heart was made for, and is available for swapping with the Chains of Hearts (COH) group. I haven't been very active there lately. I'm hoping to be able to get at least 2-3 hearts per month posted and swapped. Fingers Crossed :-

Upcoming Fairy Tale RR

- Blocks Pieced


These are my blocks. I made two different blocks for the same fairy tale.



One for the 'Good' and one for the 'Evil' side of the story. That is after all the 'classic' fairy tale!

I made the siggies using June Tailor Colorfast Sew-in Inkjet Fabric Sheets. They are super easy to use, and inexpensive to buy. I just love to use them. I copied the graphics stored on my computer (who can remember where they came from?) and printed them out. The Medusa isn't exactly what I needed but she will work well enough for a starting point on the block. I just couldn't find a graphic with a toad coming out of a woman's mouth (you'll understand in a minute). In retrospect, I guess I'm glad about that. LOL.

I wanted to stay with a "Victorian" type style, so I chose not to use caricatures or clip art for the siggies on the blocks. But I did use clip art for the 'booklet' that will travel with the blocks during the RR. I wanted to put something together that would be my 'memento' when finished. So, this is what I came up with.

These would be the front and back covers. I'm using card stock and trying to keep it from getting 'heavy' so that postage doesn't become an issue. The story I printed out of regular paper, cut to size and glued onto card stock. I also included room on a couple of pages to put the names and addresses of the ladies who will be working on these blocks. Next I put some scrolling on the covers and pages, just to gussy it up a bit. To give them that 'Brother's Grimm' look that all fairy tale books have.





I plan to make a wall hanging for my studio with these blocks, so I have also made these two other siggies with the story and RR information. These blocks I will embellish myself and assemble them all together in the end. The book will simply hang from the wall hanging.



This is my first RR and even though I'm not really sure how it works, I am very excited to get started.

Now, onto the 'fairy tale.' (I know it appears to be 'long' but it really reads fast.) I chose a tale originally published in 1889, called "Diamonds and Toads," by Charles Perrault. I found it in annotated form on SurLaLune. This is a very cool site and makes for interesting reading. Anyway, this is the tale....

THERE was once upon a time a widow who had two daughters. The eldest was so much like her in the face and humor that whoever looked upon the daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and so proud that there was no living with them.

The youngest, who was the very picture of her father for courtesy and sweetness of temper, was withal one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people naturally love their own likeness, this mother even doted on her eldest daughter and at the same time had a horrible aversion for the youngest--she made her eat in the kitchen and work continually. Among other things, this poor child was forced twice a day to draw water above a mile and a-half off the house, and bring home a pitcher full of it.

One day, as she was at this fountain, there came to her a poor woman, who begged of her to let her drink."Oh! ay, with all my heart, Goody," said this pretty little girl; and rinsing immediately the pitcher, she took up some water from the clearest place of the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the pitcher all the while, that she might drink the easier.
The good woman, having drunk, said to her: "You are so very pretty, my dear, so good and so mannerly, that I cannot help giving you a gift." For this was a fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of this pretty girl would go. "I will give you for a gift," continued the Fairy, "that, at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel.

"When this pretty girl came home her mother scolded her for staying so long at the fountain. "I beg your pardon, mamma," said the poor girl, "for not making more haste." And in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses, two pearls, and two diamonds.

"What is it I see there?" said the mother, quite astonished. "I think I see pearls and diamonds come out of the girl's mouth! How happens this, child?" This was the first time she had ever called her child. The poor creature told her frankly all the matter, not without dropping out infinite numbers of diamonds.

"In good faith," cried the mother, "I must send my child thither. Come hither, Fanny; look what comes out of thy sister's mouth when she speaks. Wouldst not thou be glad, my dear, to have the same gift given thee? Thou hast nothing else to do but go and draw water out of the fountain, and when a certain poor woman asks you to let her drink, to give it to her very civilly."
"It would be a very fine sight indeed," said this ill-bred minx, "to see me go draw water."

"You shall go, hussy!" said the mother; "and this minute."So away she went, but grumbling all the way, taking with her the best silver tankard in the house. She was no sooner at the fountain than she saw coming out of the wood a lady most gloriously dressed, who came up to her, and asked to drink.

This was, you must know, the very fairy who appeared to her sister, but now had taken the air and dress of a princess, to see how far this girl's rudeness would go."Am I come hither," said the proud, saucy one, "to serve you with water, pray? I suppose the silver tankard was brought purely for your ladyship, was it? However, you may drink out of it, if you have a fancy."
"You are not over and above mannerly," answered the Fairy, without putting herself in a passion. "Well, then, since you have so little breeding, and are so disobliging, I give you for a gift that at every word you speak there shall come out of your mouth a snake or a toad."

So soon as her mother saw her coming she cried out:" Well, daughter?"

"Well, mother?" answered the pert hussy, throwing out of her mouth two vipers and two toads. "Oh! mercy," cried the mother; "what is it I see? Oh! it is that wretch her sister who has occasioned all this; but she shall pay for it"; and immediately she ran to beat her.

The poor child fled away from her, and went to hide herself in the forest, not far from thence. The King's son, then on his return from hunting, met her, and seeing her so very pretty, asked her what she did there alone and why she cried. "Alas! sir, my mamma has turned me out of doors."

The King's son, who saw five or six pearls and as many diamonds come out of her mouth, desired her to tell him how that happened. She thereupon told him the whole story; and so the King's son fell in love with her, and, considering himself that such a gift was worth more than any marriage portion, conducted her to the palace of the King his father and there married her.

As for the sister, she made herself so much hated that her own mother turned her off; and the miserable wretch, having wandered about a good while without finding anybody to take her in, went to a corner of the wood, and there died.

Well, better get back to work!

DO YOU HAVE 'THAT' FEELING?

DECORATING'S DONE, SHOPPING'S DONE...NOW WHAT?
It can't possibly be time to relax, can it? Somehow that seems like a really strange
concept for me. Especially since up until Tuesday of this week I was running around like a crazy person wondering if I could get 'IT' all done. Now I certain that I've forgotten something really important. I just can't for the life of me think of what it might be. I had the windows replaced around the sides and above my front door. Then got that decorated.

I got Fritz's & Bella's stocking finished and hung with ours on the mantle. Although I'm missing a Nutcracker and I cannot imagine what could have happened to it. The box is there but it's empty.
So, where the hell is it? I've looked everywhere that I might have 'stuffed' it and it's not there. So, next thought, who would steal a Nutcracker? And why?

Oh well, the tree went up without a hitch this year. No problems with the lights, no surprise broken bulbs, etc. We do have a new addition on it this year, though. It's a darling little schnauzer ornament that Renea sent. (look to the left side, just below center)

Until we moved to Texas I had never even considered a 'fake' tree. Although I will admit that almost every year before we moved to Texas I cussed the 'real' ones. What a mess. And expensive, too. We stretched out and bought a nice, quality tree. One we felt we could 'live' with. So far it's been a good choice.

All and all I just don't miss trying to water it. Cleaning up sap. Watching the needles litter my floor as it slowly goes bare and dry, and dies. I don't miss what's left of the needles catapulting themselves everywhere when I try to get it out the door and to the curb. And I really LOVE the fact that I don't run quite as much of risk from fire. That really puts a damper on Christmas!

Finally, photos of two of my favorite things:

1st is the Village. DS and I have spend years collecting pieces and building it up to what it is today. We decided that we wanted to maintain that 'small town' feel, so no new pieces this year. The Village is complete!

2nd is 'MY PURPLE ROOM.' That's what it's always been called. I love this room. All of it, from the wild firework like explosions on the love seats to the 1920's Art Deco reproduction rug. and the fact that there is NO WOOD in the room, and I love the Asian feel and decor.

I even have special purple(ish) Christmas decorations for it. A stocking on the lamp, 2 Santas on the table, beads, and ornaments.

I guess all that's left to do is to say,

THANK YOU FOR VISITING, THANK YOU FOR COMMENTING, THANK YOU FOR THE TUTORIALS, AND THE HELPFUL LINKS. FOR SHARING PHOTOS, IDEAS, AND BITS AND PIECES OF YOUR LIVES WITH ME.


MERRY CHRISTMAS,HAPPY HOLIDAYS,HAPPY KWANZAA,HAPPY HANUKKAH,AND SEASON'S GREETINGSTO THOSE WHOM I MIGHT HAVE MISSED!