frozen fog

The last few weeks we have had the most unusual fog.  On the 29th, the combination of the fog, cold temperatures and wind created some really beautiful images.   The wind made the snow/ice look like it is moving.  Beautiful enough to take lots of pictures.  

happy birthday, mom

Happy Birthday, Mom!!! I hope you like the present. I love how the pearls and the lampwork go together. I don't know what the little rings are called but I love how they make the bracelet even MORE cool! Can't wait to give it to you.

busy "bead"

Among other things going on around here...I have made some beads for the holidays....
I whish I could lock myself in my torch room....but unfortunately that won't happen until next week.
My goal for next year is to make enough beads to pay for a cleaning company to come clean my house. I hate to clean.
I have too many other things I would rather do than clean.
So many projects....so little time. Hopefully, next week I will catch up on all my quilt square for the quilt-a-long!!!

Oh my, triangles! I really like how this latest block turned out! I'm not sure how much I like the background fabric. It has been fun checking out everyone's blocks....my goodness they can look so different with fabric choice!

quilt-a-long

Here are the first and second week's quilt blocks for Crazy Mom Quilts~quilt-a-long. I have had some Bohemian~by Anna Maria Horner in my cabinet for about a year....it was just waiting for the perfect project! I am ready for week three!!! (I added a link to her blog over there on the right.)

You might have noticed....that is snow on my deck! The flakes are fat and still coming. It was 70 degrees here on Monday.....can't tell you how much I dislike cold weather.

so much to do!

Been busy making beads and sewing, lots of pictures to take! Some really cute caterpillar pendants for some special "Nutcracking" caterpillars. Time to overhaul the sidebar and add some new links and favorites.

I believe this speaks for itself...

As I was driving yesterday, I saw this truck. Scary thing is, my husband knows the guy who owns, "GoodFellas!"

prayer

This little guys pre-school teacher is mourning the loss of her only son. She is one amazing lady. Always cheerful & ready to teach little friends about amazing things. My heart aches for her and for her family. May God take her in His amazing arms and give her a place to rest and find comfort. May He hold her there until she is ready to spread her wings again and join the friends. May He help her know she raised an amazing young man who gave back more than he took. Amen.

the moment you've all been waiting for!

The first attempt at taking a picture......the wind was blowing a little hard, the quilt was like a heavy sail. "Hurry up, and take the picture!"
Second try, laying on the floor, standing on the top of the couch...couldn't get my balance....can't quite see the whole thing, but here it is!!!
The quilting is amazing! She put a heart above their picture.
It was definately a labour of love, hopefully cherished for many years.

beautiful morning

It wa a beautiful morning on the lake. I went with my sweetheart to take some pictures of him skiing. There is nothing like the water when it is calm and there is a little mist hovering over from the cool night temperatures. I love seeing my sweetheart so happy. He is in heaven out there!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

what will it take?

What's it going to take to get a comment? Please tell me who you are!
The birthday boy offering cupcakes to the baseball team. He had to run the bases and slide into homeplate...on his stomach before he was done!!!

quote & end quote

This weekend we had dinner with a fun bunch...there were many "air" quotes,
there was much libation....ending with a priestly Lemoncello....oh my!!

pretty long bead

I have been meaning to post about this bead for a while. I had seen these long beads at Main Street Beads and loved them. Not sure who the bead artist is, but the detail inside the bead reminds me of chemistry. The silk ribbon is so fun, too. really brings out the colors in the bead.
The dangle detail is nice. It adds a little movement. Might need another one!

three sisters

When we were at the Botanical gardens, the orchid area was amazing. It is so interesting how many different varieties. The light that morning was perfect.

This stem of pink orchids, reminded me of my sisters. Sometimes, three girls can be very challenging. But having two sisters is just as amazing as all the different varieties of orchids.

D.C.

Over a month ago, we were in Washington, D.C. for a little vacation. While we were waiting to go into the apitol...we had some time to waste. We decided to go to the Botanical Gardens. I was quite sure my husband was not going to like it, and went along just to be a sweet guy.
Much to our surprise, the Garden proved to be one of our favorite spots. The yellow finger-like plant above is used for mentally ill patients....where can I get some?
Two days later, I had to go back and take my big camera so I could take some pictures of the amazing orchids, and alot of other beautiful plants. All these were taken with my Cybershot....stay tuned for more "big" camera pictures.

peace & serenity

I took this picture a month ago, it was so peaceful....I need to remind myself of that today...

I *heart* shutterfly

I really love shutterfly studio. Besides manipulating my pictures before I upload them...they have two buttons I love! Oil painting & Graphic poster!!! Super cool. This one is the oil painting button.

special delivery

Getting back in the swing of things...two special order lampwork bracelets for a new graduate. Doing lampwork can be very relaxing, controlling the glass is challenging, it can control you. It is hard to consciously stay calm. Lately, I've been so inspired to make beads....all sewing has taken a back seat.

glorious spring

Lots of sewing...no pictures because it takes blogger forever to down load. I am so happy to be back at the machine.

So much spring time activity, it's so good to have some warm weather. Good mood medicine!

it came and went...

I can't believe the 1 year anniversary of my blog was a week ago! Ooops.

Most of my creativity is being used at school these days, helping bring some art into the classrooms. I don't have much free time to blog, hoping to have more time to make stuff soon..I am in withdraw....

bye bye scarves...

I am very sad to see scarf season end. It was the year of the scarf for me, sewn or knitted. This one has a pocket in it...just big enough for a cell phone, keys, some cash and an i.d. It is made out of a pair of corderoys and Amy Butler scraps. I love the sweet little ruffle on the bottom.

For now, maybe a scarf made with some light weight cotton for a cool spring day.

yummy...

Aren't these cute? I made them a few weeks ago during a very long snow storm. They are so much fun, cute, easy and quick!!! That instant gratification just makes me giddy. I found the pattern on Martha's website, it is Betz White's pattern. I watched when they ran the episode and that long snowy day was the perfect time to start up a little felted bakery!!! They look good enough to eat and share!

Our little trip to Taliesin has given me new energy to organize and purge...yes, it's a little difficult to believe but I am throwing & giving things away. The feeling of peace, due to lack of stuff, at Taliesin was something I craved after we left. I still have a long way to go....there are many dark little corners in my house. But slowly, I am going to get to all of them, then ask myself if I reaaalllyy need that cute little cupcake!!!

So off I go to clean a little more...stay tuned, I'll be back with some supercutestuff.

Oh, Taliesin...

This incredible image is from Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin in Scottsdale, AZ. We just got back from spending a long weekend there. I have always watched "Great American Castle's" on A&E, when Frank Lloyd Wright has been featured, I am in awe. We went on a 90 minute tour of Taliesin and were able to take photographs. I loved being there. I am ready to de-clutter my life...live simply. I wonder if he was still alive if he could live as simply as he did 50 years ago. It's a good thing Spring is here...so I can start cleaning things out! The image above is by Heloise Christa, I'm not sure of the title of this piece. I am thoroughly enamored with all of her work.
"The reality of the building does not consist in roof and walls but in the space within to be lived in." -Laotse This was on the back wall of the Cabaret at Taliesin. FLW was a true visionary...he has inspired me, all these years later.

mom where are you...

It's well know to my boys, when they yell, "mom where are you", I will answer, "in the computer room." Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to "finish" what I'm doing to help them with the t.v. channel, or whatever....the other day, my youngest came in with his airball gun and said, "I will not ask you again, get up now and come with me, now."

a couple from the ufo pile

I have wanted to buy this Vogue pattern for a long time...so Hancock's had 75% off Vogue patterns...I can't decide if I like it or not. The zipper is a little flimsy for the size of the bag. The school secretary said it would make a great diaper bag if it were a little wider and deeper....I'm not getting pregnant to test out her theory!!!
I love the detail on this bag. I think I found this pattern on the Robert Kaufman website. I had lofty aspirations to make the quilt, too. I couldn't find the RK line at any of the LQS so I substituted a different b/w pattern. The size of this is perfect for carrying books and magazines. I can only carry this bag when cars are clean...otherwise the white stripes are grey. We are SOOO enjoying the warmer temps...all the snow is just about melted....ready for the next installment of winter.

tutorial, pt. 2

Using a sewing machine stitch around each shape following the line. The double straight stitch or "stretch" stitch, is just a little more sturdy.
After you have sewn each shape, cut off your little threads. Remove the freezer paper. The stitch line creates a perforated edge, carefully fold it and gently tear. This is when the double/stretch stitch is crucial. Otherwise, the stitching could rip out.
Pinch and separate the t-shirt from the fabric and clip a little slit. Carefully cut around the stitched edge leaving an 1/8 inch of t-shirt next to the stitching.
easy peasy lemon squeezy! Supercutestuff!!!

freezer paper t-shirt reverse applique, pt. 1

1. Gather your supplies, you will need freezer paper, scissors, fabric, t-shirt, and a pen or pencil
2. Choose your word or design for your shirt. (On this shirt I used the same heart, repeating it three times) Cut your fabric about 1/2" inch larger than the image or letter. Repeat for each letter or shape.
3. Cut a piece of freezer paper the entire width of your t-shirt, and long enough to extend past your fabric pieces.
4. Lay your pieces of fabric right side facing you on the shiny side of the freezer paper. Gently "tack" them down by using the tip of the iron. (Don't lay the iron directly on the shiny side of the freezer paper.) Make sure you have shiny surface at least 1-2 inches around the outside edges of your design to stablize the t-shirt.
5. Turn your freezer paper and fabric over and position it on the front inside of the t-shirt. Make sure it is centered. Iron the entire piece.
6. Trace around your shapes and letters this will be your stitching guide...remember you will need to reverse your letters if you are using a word. Hold the shirt up to the light or window to check the position of the fabric.