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.
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.
I took this picture a month ago, it was so peaceful....I need to remind myself of that today...
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. 
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.
Lots of sewing...no pictures because it takes blogger forever to down load. I am so happy to be back at the machine.
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.
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!
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.
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."
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
We are still trying to find the kitchen table...in the meantime here are a few projects from the weekend. The pink quilt is already in use, even though it's not "finished." The safety pins don't seem to be a problem when you are laying on the couch. The consensus is it's "really warm, and perfect for laying on the couch." Hopefully, it will warm up soon so I can finish, hurry up Spring!
I am totally in 'love' with these t-shirts. I saw something similar and decided to try to make my own. (I just can't stomach paying $65 for a t-shirt) I used some of my "Bohemian" fabric and printed out the words, used some freezer paper and the stretch stitch...supercute!!! I can see many more of these in the future.
A couple of the finished classroom projects. Most of them turned out better than expected. The Kindergarten quilt I made is not what I had envisioned....oh well...still pretty cute! (no picture)We have a very small 8th grade class, only 11 kids. The collage above is a great representation of them. Hopefully, one of their parents will want this REALLY bad!!!
We did this project last year, I modified it since we had to make three of them!!! The wooden frame was spray painted (my new favorite thing!) then we used decoupaged the pics on, the cool thing is that the chalkboard paint and decoupage glue made a really cool texture. The white description is temporary...it's a picture frame. The auction is a week from tomorrow, a few stray projects to complete...so hard to depend on other people when you're a control freak! I need to figure out what I'm wearing....decisions, decisions...
I think all my life, up until recently, I thought I was weird because I wasn't like "eveybody else." Only lately have I really embraced my unique creative expression. I wear clothes because they make me happy. I used to think people would think I was weird...now if they think I'm weird...it's fine with me. 
Minnie Mouse. You can't say we don't have fun around here!! Oh, yes this is a real mouse, not a computer mouse! Minnie will be running a maze to find cheese and peanut butter...hopefully, she can run quickly. She will be timed to see how long it takes to get there! Any guesses? Oldest has predicted 25 seconds. At a $1.99, I think she can be replaced if her life expectancy proves to be short...
On to more exciting things, I am almost finished with the little scrappy pink quilt top I started on Friday. I love pink fabric! The pinks have been accumulating, I decided to try a new technique and cut really long strips, then sewed them together lengthwise. At some point during my sewing/cutting, the lines became a little crooked...rats! I did my best to just go with it...we'll see in a few days when it's all sewn together. It is busy...needs a little solid to unify it. Hopefully, no one in my house will want to use this blanket, considering when a Princess commercial comes on, the youngest says, "I do not want that!"
If you love Def Leppard as much as I do, you will totally want this tank top! My sweet husband got this for me for my birthday. When I mentioned at the concert, that I wanted one, he listened!!! I think this might have been the last tank top in their store...which explains why it is a small, and I am definately not a small...hence...the reason I have a long sleeve shirt on under it!!! My sisters knew he was getting this, the only clue I got was, "think alterations." I am not sure just what I will do with this "little" gem, but I know one thing...I have to put my thinking cap on!!! Any ideas?
