Lucky Girl

Thank you all so much for your kind emails and comments about Egypt, he really was a gent. He will be greatly missed. Happier news for today!

Not long ago, Sean and I got all gussied up and went to the prom (look, there's proof, I'm an actual girl! A girl who wears dresses even!). Wait, I know what you're thinking, you're a bit old to be going to the prom aren't you, Lisa? Yes, ahem, yes I am. This particular prom was at our local Moose Lodge, and to be honest, I had WAY more fun at this prom with my hubby than I did way back in 1992 at the tender age of 17. That whole night was kind of a drag, this one was much better and we danced our butts off. Youth is wasted on the young, but I digress...

At this prom there was a positive smorgasbord of  raffle prizes and among them I did spy with my little eye some embroidered treasures. You can bet this girl sashayed over and dumped all her tickets into the two baskets with hand embroidered items... naturally, right? Well guess what! I got luckier on this prom night than that disaster long ago (shazam!) and I won the item I really, really wanted! Let's look!

This is a hand embroidered lap quilt/wall hanging, and it's the prettiest thing.

So much work and detail in this beautiful quilt.

Added bonus, Sean and I were seated at the same table for dinner as the woman who stitched this, her name was Phyllis, and let me tell you what, she was a firecracker! I'm guessing she was in her late 70's or early 80's and she was an absolute hoot! Dirty jokes and gossip the whole evening, I loved it! 

She was really excited when I told her I'd hoped to win the embroidered quilt, she stood right up and said "oh yeah? well I made that! It took me a long time, I kept falling asleep." Her husband corroborated this story with by imitating his wife stitching and nodding off, head lolling to the side. HA!

I told her that I also loved all kinds of embroidery and we talked about it for a while. Said she's always afraid she's going to get jabbed because she keeps sticking her needles in the arm of her couch. Me too! If she hasn't broken that habit, I don't hold out much hope for myself.

When they pulled the ticket and called my number and Sean ran up to claim my prize she was very pleased, and boy howdy, so was I! It meant a lot to her that someone who appreciates how much work and time went into making this got to take it home and love it. We know that feeling, don't we?

♥

Gorgeous, right? I am so lucky.

I need to add some loops to the back so I can hang it on a dowel, should be pretty simple.

I practically *never* win anything, I was so happy to win the very thing I wanted, so awesome.

What have you been up to friends, keeping cool in this hot weather? I have a feeling this summer's going to be a scorcher!

Happy Hump Day!

oxo,

Lisa

Appliqued Heart Table Runner

Greetings!

Fussy cutting. You guys know what that is, right? It's when you cut pieces of fabric so that a particular part of the printed design is centered or featured.

The weekend leading up to Valentine's Day I got a wild hair and started fussy cutting hearts out of some hot pink flannel fabric that I've had in my stash for a long time (and which I used in small doses for this project a couple of years ago). Mainly I was just playing with my new scalloped scissors and getting the feel of them, but the more I cut, the more I realized how much I liked those printed hearts. The fabric on the whole is just too bright for my tastes (and that's really saying something, because you know I love bright colors) but all those darling hearts! So what to do with them?

I know, I'll make a table runner!

I cut a long, wide strip of canvas and without any plan whatsoever, just started spreading out the hearts across the fabric in all directions. I stepped back and squinted a couple of times just to make sure the color was evenly distributed (very scientific, aye?) and when it was, I pinned them down and started stitching.

Here's a picture I posted on Instagram just as I was getting started. I never thought I would like it as much as I do, but I'm really starting to love Instagram for quick little WIP pictures.

Once I started I was a stitching machine. I queued up a book on Audibles (kind of "meh" as far as books go, but an easy listen, and one of my book club picks so I had to get through it anyway)

Somewhere along the way I fell in love with the stitching on the back and decided that I wasn't going to back or quilt this piece, I was just going to add binding and call it a day.

I mean really, look at that! It's kind of accidentally pretty isn't it? I'm not fussed about the knots, it's a table runner, not a hard wearing pair of jeans...

Speaking of binding, Instagram is also great for quick opinions. Like choosing which binding to go with, hot pink or aqua gingham?

Gingham for the win! I loved the pink, but there was a lot of pink in those hearts already, and I thought the aqua was a good balance, and besides... gingham!!

I'm pretty much in love with this runner now, it's one of my all-time favorites out of ALL the things I've ever made and that just tickles me because I really didn't put any thought into this. No planning, no worrying, I just cut a bunch of hearts out of some too-pink fabric and stitched those babies down. Talk about pretty accidents.

Valentine's Day has come and gone, but the runner remains out on the coffee table in the family room. It's just too pretty to put away.

Finally this fabric which has been sitting on a shelf for years met it's best potential (or at least the best I could give it) and has struck the right balance of bright & pretty and just a little bit tame. I love it!

Happy Monday everyone! 

oxo,

Lisa

Reflecting On 2013

Howdy!
So yeah, I've never done one of these look back mosaics of all the things I've made in the previous year, but this year I thought I would, I think it might help light my fire a bit and help me accept that I'm not quite the lazy chump I sometimes feel like, I've been struggling with that lately.

Less than some years, and more than others. I've only got two hands and I work full time so I can't (and not sure I'd want to) pump out the number of projects a lot of folks can, but then again this has never been a competition. I make things that interest me in the moment, for fun swaps, and gifts for my family & friends - because it makes me happy. Making makes me happy and like the hokey pokey, that's what it's all about.

  I don't really plan ahead very much either. If you'd asked me what kinds of things I was going to make in  2013 at about this time last year, I wouldn't have guessed any of these things. Whimsy & inspiration are powerful joy rides!

I've found it's been fun to take this look back, some of these things (like the Valentine's Day makes) have been packed away for almost a year already, seeing them again has given me some neat "oh yeah! I made that!" moments. Let's peruse, shall we?

These things are more or less in about the order I made them, it made putting these mosaics together a heck of a lot easier, links to details about each photo are listed below.

1. Crazy Quilt Heart 2. Valentines Door Wreath 3. String of Hearts 4. Pennie Pockets 5. Scrunchies! 6. Just A Dash Quilted Table Runner 7. Organic Tea Towel 8. Celtic Knot Pillow 9. Hexie Hand Towel 10. Fabric Covered Binders 11. Super Butch 12. Dear Deer 13. Felt Flower Pincushion 14. Homemade Laundry Soap 15. Sashiko Rainbow 16. Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

1. Felt Circle Bunting 2. Burlap Bunting 3. Paulette's Pincushion 4. PAM 5. Hockey Hexies 6. Dez's Tiny Cake 7. Embroidered Birdie Bunting 8. In A War 9. Striped Pants 10. Summer Stitching Club 11. Impromptu Quilting 12. Double Hourglass 13. Pumpkin Pincushion & Fimo Pins 14. Vintage Inspired Halloween Box 15. Halloween Kitty 16. Vintage Trick or Treat Bag

1. Boo Bunting & Pipe Cleaner Cats 2. Coffin Curio 3. Halloween Poppers 4. Embroidered & Beaded Halloween Pin 5. Halloween Door Wreath 6. Lighted Halloween Garland 7. Fancy Witch Hat 8. Fimo Pumpkins 9. Miniature Fireplace 10. Dia De Los Muertos Skull 11. Hexie Mug Rug 12. The boot!

13. Painted Sunflower 14. A Little Blackwork (and scissor obsession) 15. Mermaid WIP 16. Embroidered Candy Cottage

1. Pipe Cleaner Snowman 2. Lil Cow Poke Pillowcases 3. The Big Tote 4. Embroidered Felt Christmas Stocking 5. Batik Dream Pillowcases 6. Sparkly Forrest 7. Whimsy Christmas Pillowcases 8. Vintage Inspired Christmas Ornament

Not too shabby, eh? I've enjoyed seeing these things again, a lot of them have been sent all over the world and live with other people now. That makes me feel a bit warm & fuzzy.

I cooked a few extremely good (read picture worthy) things too!

1. Ham, Potato & Corn Chowder 2. Cinnamon Muffins 3. Salsa 4. Greek Cous Cous Salad 5. Ricotta, Baby Zucchini & Penne 6. Birthday Margaritas! 7. Minestrone 8. Zuppa Toscana 9. Mexican Pizza

(These are all here)

Food is goooood.

 And then there's these guys...

Oh yes, these babies o' mine. They do consume me. I'd bet that dollars to donuts every stitch I've stitched, is equal to one or more kisses on their furry little heads. I love them ever so...

I guess I wasn't as lazy as I thought I was this year... That chunk at the last part of the summer was a real bummer, I don't recommend fracturing any part of your body, friends. Its a drag and that walking boot was no joke. Also, it takes forever to heal. I'm still having problems with my ankle, in fact I'm going back into treatment for it shortly, it's not acting right and I have a lot of years ahead of me, so it needs to get with the program.

I'm looking forward to seeing what will materialize in 2014, there are some big things underway! Ok, so mayybe I plan a little... *wink* 

I hope you'll stay with me on this journey, it's fun to share and I love seeing what you're up to, too!

oxo,

Lisa

Right Back After The Break

Hello Friends!

I seemed to have disappeared again for a moment, didn't I? I really didn't mean to do that, I just sort of lost my mojo and my blogging voice after August got off to such a rough start. Turns out my ankle was more injured than I first knew. Fractured in two places and two torn ligaments, no bueno. I spent 5 weeks in a walking boot that went from my toes to my knee, and then moved into a "less restrictive" brace that I'm still wearing, and will continue wearing for a couple more weeks (I think, fingers crossed!). I'm doing physical therapy a couple of times a week now as well, so things are getting better, its just a slow process. And to think, I thought my doctor was kidding when he said that if I'd broken it, it would have healed faster. Oh boy.

 How are all of you?

 Did you have a nice summer? 

Are you happy that fall has come?

 I for one am overjoyed, this is my favorite season after all. I had a pumpkin spice doughnut from Krispy Kreme last week, so that must mean it's official, it's autumn, yay!!

Although I haven't blogged in a while, I sure have been busy! I can't wait to share what I've been up to, I've been moving out of my comfort zone, experimenting and making some really fun things that I've never tried before, feels good to stretch!

Before I get to that I thought I'd tease with these lovely, lovely fabric strips which have become a new quilt top since these photos were taken. The sun was laying across them so prettily I felt compelled to take a few photos

I'm a bit shamed to say that I've had the jelly roll to make this quilt in my stash for about three years....eeeek! I've always known what I was going to make with it, I was just to chicken to cut in and do it, but I did it, and it looks great!

Here's a little hint at what is to come!

Ooooh, ahhhh!

Can't wait to show you the rest!

Honestly, I've missed being here in this space, sharing and chatting with you and seeing what you've been up to. Sometimes I think it's better to let things (like blogging) sit rather than force yourself to do something that your heart isn't into. Have a little rest and then when rejuvenated, jump back in! That's where I'm at now, and I'm looking forward to catching up and seeing where you're all at!

Thank you for sticking with me, and thank you for so many supportive comments and messages, I think you're the best peeps on the planet!

oxo,

Lisa

Just A Dash

Happy Saturday!

Aren't the weekends loverly? I love to sleep in a little, then mosey out to the family room and have a couple cups of coffee with Sean. I catch up blogs, the weekend news, and critter cuddles. It's not unusual to have both of us, both dogs and both cats all snuggled up on the couch at once, especially on cold winter mornings like this. I love Saturdays.

This week, I decided it was time to get my rear in gear and make something that I meant to make last Valentine's Day, a small, quilted table runner to liven up the pub table in the family room. I already had the fabric, I just needed to get moving before I missed V-Day again this year. 

I used this little, laminated pattern that I picked up at a local quilt shop some time back. Easy peasy!

Basically, sew three long strips together, slice them into 5" pieces, flip every other one, sew together and viola!

I backed the piece with this pretty, pink striped Moda, Love those stripes.

I only quilted the long seams where each slice was sewn together, I used one of the fancy stitches on my machine, it kind of looks like a feather stitch.

I guess that might be why this runner feels puffy to me, it doesn't have much quilting. I actually wish it lay a little flatter, anyone have any tips on that? Maybe a trip through the washer & dryer and a pressing? I'm all ears.

See? It's kind of thick-ish...

Just a dash & a kiss.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with this sweet & simple project, I don't think this runner took more than a couple of hours start to finish, but it makes a nice addition to the table. In fact, it was so easy that I think I might make another one soon, maybe for St. Pats.

SO! What'cha doing this weekend, chums? 

Got any exciting plans? Do tell!

oxo,

Lisa

Halloween Swap Part I

Hi All!

Today I thought I'd share the first part of  a Halloween swap I participated in with some of my stitchy friends, my partner for this swap was the lovely and crafty Jacquie of Maffiosagrrl, wooo! Today I'm going to show you the little package I whipped up for Jacquie, tomorrow I'm going to show you what she made me, it's pretty great.

Oh happy day, I love Halloween! Let's go through the package, shall we?

When I was in Portland, Pam and I got to do a little shopping and I found this great little craft paper casket, thinking it would be great for our Halloween swap I went ahead and picked it up, not knowing exactly how I'd spruce it up. Happy accidents being what they are, shortly after returning from my trip I was contacted by a representative of Scotch Duct Tape to see if I would like to try some of their patterned tapes. When I saw the cute colors & patterns they're making these days I happily said yes!

Orange giraffe and purple are you kidding me? I lurve it!

I cut some of the tapes into smaller strips that were more appropriate to the scale of the box I was covering, then I mummified that little box in a very professional style I like to call "willy nilly". Hee!

I left the inside of the box plain, just finishing the inner rim of the lid with a strip of purple. The tapes were really easy to use and cut and I would definitely use them for other projects, there's a plethora of ideas out there, I'm thinking of trying some of these next.

Being a sucker for all manner of buntings I made a couple of Halloween types for Jacquie, this one I made using my Sizzix Big Kick & my sewing machine. I cut loads of paper circles from Halloween scrapbook paper, then ran them one after the other through the sewing machine. It's the simplest way I've ever tried, I for the inspiration for this bunting based on this pin,the original source found here.

Mug rug! I whipped up a cute little Halloween mug rug too, a little embroidery, a little quilting, right up my alley! I also covered some tea lights with the duct tape, as well as some cool washi tape I've had in my stash forever. You can never have too many candles, right?

No fridge is complete without cute magnets, so I made a few little Halloween fabric covered buttons then hot glued magnets on the back. 

Eeeeeeek! A sparkly little sign just because ♥

A dramatic, black fan. Now this is my kind of drama! This fan was an extra from the bridal shower favors, but I couldn't send it out so plainly, so I thought I'd give it more of a Victorian/goth feel by giving it a spray with matte black spray paint. I really love the look of the fan painted black.

Oh look, another bunting! This one says Happy Haunting and is a really neat free printable I found (darn it, I can't find the link! I'll work on that and edit this post as soon as I find it). It has a neat, vintage/creepy vibe to it, and I really wanted to share it with you guys. I'm making another one for myself, I'll show here in more detail soon.

I also got Jax a cute pair of argyle kitty socks, some matching Kleenex and of course something sweet, a big vial of Reese's Pieces, yum! Altogether a pretty neato package ♥ I was actually on time sending out this swap, and if you know me you know what an utter miracle it is that I do anything on time, ha!

Are you getting ready for All Hallows Eve? What'cha doing? 

Tell me all about it!

oxo,

Lisa

Sutter Creek With Mom

Hi All,

Today was such a nice day, I thought I'd share a little. My theory is, that maybe if I blog about something right away, I can stay more current with my blogging, as I seem to have hit a major stall with it the last couple of months. So sorry about that, y'all. I have so much to catch you up on, I'm working on it!

Today my mother and I went up the hill a little way to Sutter Creek for the Mother Lode Quilters Guild, Golden Threads Quilt show.  There was so much to see, and so much inspiration! Here are just a few pictures I snapped at the show, I know there's a lot, but these were my favorites.

My favorites (naturally) feature embroidery, look at this beautiful crazy quilted bed cover. The fabric was comprised of vintage feed sacks, but was a backdrop for the hand embroidery. 

Every single seam is covered in a rainbow of stitches!

 And this one! Gorgeously quilted and 

Using my mom as a reference, you can see how much embroidery is on this hand embroidered lilac quilt.

 Oh my goodness, that's a lot of densely packed lazy daisies!

Something about this last quilt just makes me smile! It's not the fanciest, or the most beautiful, but I'm just crazy about it. So silly & whimsical! Just good plain fun.
*UPDATE*
I get a lot of emails about this terrific Chicken Quilt, even years later, to be clear, I DID NOT MAKE THIS QUILT, I just saw it at a quilt show and snapped a picture to share. I have found a link to what I believe is the original pattern, and where this pattern can still be purchased. As for the chicken wire fabric, I found similar fabrics for sale here, here and here.

After the quilt show we did some perusing through the small gold mining town, and even visited a gourmet cheese shop and did a little tasting. Oh, baby! Lambchopper rules!

We lunched at this lovely, out of the way eatery called Susan's Place. The food and service were wonderful!

After lunch, we did a little more window shopping, and even a bit of real shopping at my favorite store in the whole town, The Antique Gardener, where I picked up a couple more goodies for my fairy garden. This is such a pretty store, if ever you're in the area, you must try to stop. Out back, they keep a variety of pretty flowers, veggies, and a variety of tiny plants, suitable for fairy gardens, which they have several of laying about the garden, tucked in here and there. These were my favorites.

I ADORE fairy gardens! I've got a great Pinterest board where I'm always adding lots of cute & USEFUL links, pop over and follow along if you'd like more of this kind of thing! Here is a link to my Fairy Garden Pin Board.

Like I said, such a nice day, truly wonderful. Before hitting the road to come home, we even popped into an old fashioned ice cream emporium for a cold, creamy treat, it really hit the spot. It was SO hot today.

I hope you've enjoyed a peek at the day I spent with Mom, we sure enjoyed having such a nice day!

Hope the rest of your weekend is as groovy as can be!

oxo,

Lisa