'studio' challenge

Elsie posted a fun challenge this past weekend, to find something in your studio you have yet to use, and use it!

I thought to myself, well, that's about half the stuff in my home. But then I looked over, and saw the huge neat stack of felt. The inexpensive, acrylic felt that was taking up lots of space, and had been through a house move (in a box labeled by my ex "FELT FELT FELT FELT FELT") three times when it should have just been thrown away.

So....I made these:



I love them. I think they may end up wrist corsages, but I haven't decided yet.

The stack isn't that much smaller, so this will be a continuing weekend project for a while, I predict.



Only somewhat related, I found this FQ at Hancock Fabrics the other day. I didn't even realize how much I loved it until I opened it up. Does anyone recognize it? I'm hoping it's "designer" (you'd be surprised at the stuff chain stores get a hold of for their FQs!) so I can get yardage. Anyway, I'm going back in a few days to snag a couple more quarters, hopefully!

edit: turns out I had bought the last FQ, so if you happen to see this print (even in another colorway!) either at your Hancocks, or anywhere else pleaaase let me know and I will pay you to get it for me! xox

love, blythe

I haven't posted much about them here, and don't particularly plan on it. But I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't tell you briefly about how much I love Blythe!





This is Abbie, she is my absolute favorite thing.
I took these pictures after she had returned home from getting a 'make over' at her namesake's house. And you know what? She stood up by herself for the first time. No, I don't believe in creepycreepy stuff, but she is a bit magical to me anyway!





And these are my twin Mondies. Jan from Houston is on the left, Marco (who has a mohair reroot) is on the right.

My flickr is primarily Blythe oriented, so if you are interested in seeing more, that's the place to be! Otherwise I will try to keep this place mostly Blythe-free.

Thanks for indulging me. :)

read any good picture books lately?

There was a good month in college when I was really excited about the prospect of being a children's illustrator. Fresh from waffling on the photography major, and drowning in the first semester of the art education major, I needed a creative outlet.

It never went any farther than several hours spent at the library perusing 'how to' books and children's books. But from the day I was born (approximately) to the day I die I have an intense love for these funny little illustrations.....

[all images via ffffound.com]

Most of my childhood books are still at my mom's, but I have a very small sweet collection here. If Mark can ever find the power cord to his scanner I will post them up, I promise!

(Trust me, you can't go on living without having seen The Cat's Pajamas!)

mi casa

...got a few updates over the weekend.


Thrifted @ DAV<3 for $3.98. Cats love them too! Not sure where they're going to go yet but I think they're going to work perfectly for little sewing odds and ends.


Hung up a few notions to get my desk organized. Please ignore how unorganized my desktop is...


From last week, an old photo project that didn't get very far now has a new life framed and hung.


And finally hung up our little rhino. Mark bought him for us at the Rock N Roll Craft Show last year, and he has sat in the glove box ever since, oops!

sunday stash #7

The chambray is even better in person (no surprise there). I'm looking forward to cutting in to this yummy dark jewel toned group when things slow down.



<3 this corner of the house. Need to hang a couple groupings on the other side of this wall, as well...

sunday stash #6

They came Monday!



Big pic tonight because they are so <3.
Even better together in person.

But I promised myself to not cut into them until I get "everything" else finished. Which is kind of impossible right now since my quilting machine is dead (decided I'm going to save up for the Bernina!).

So for now they hang on the wall and make me so so happy every time I walk by.
Good enough!

new etsy!

I've been meaning to start a companion shop for this blog, and a very rainy, head-congestion Sunday seemed like the perfect time to do so!



Only two items so far, but they are much-loved super favorite pieces from my vintage collection.





I'm super excited, and will add more items as time (and daylight) allows! Look for more vintage, and some handmade too, coming soon.

mini diy

DIY Sample Book

Since I'm on a mission to collect a lot of polka dot fabrics (which, really, can you have too much?), I needed something I could keep with me that would keep my color palette a little more balanced, and even keep me from buying the same thing twice.


[view image larger]

I have quite a few different Moleskines sitting around partially used, so I tore the used pages out of this little one (you could actually just leave old pages in and sew on top of them!), cut squares freehand about 2x2", and stitched them in.


Start from the bottom up so you can layer on top and flip the fabrics up to get a full view. I decided not to clip the threads because not only would it have taken too long, but it looks pretty neat too!

Just a simple, fun way to keep a visual record of your stash, or a project you're working on, or the solids you have on hand, or...whatever! There's even room on the backs of the pages to write notes, such as how much yardage you have, or where you purchased it (I know this is something I take care in knowing, for whatever reason).