goodbye, church of craft.

This was my little altar where i worshiped most every day. Sadly, it is all gone now. All packed up, stacked up and ready to go. I feel a little like a fish out of water....

I should know better...

In life, there are no guarantees. Of course I had to make something to distract myself from the onerous task of packing up my house. So I made a little journal cover. I winged it on this one....no pattern, no careful attention paid to seam allowance, and very little going on aesthetically. But it worked. I don't dare make any guarantees any more...crafting is a compulsion. Have a great day y'all.

blog break.

Things will be pretty quiet around here for the next couple of weeks. I will be attempting to carefully pack things away into boxes for my move next weekend. I am being quite ambitious about it and not taking any time off work, so i hope i can do it. I might stop in to say hello as treasures surface while i am packing, But i can guarantee there will be no craftiness going on as i dismantle my beloved studio. I will have my eye on you bloggers though! Take Care

lessons in terrycloth and waiting for the cable guy.

While waiting for the cable guy who arrived when he said he would (first time ever!) I decided to make something with my terrycloth (also, first time ever). A few things about terry cloth: it is really messy when you cut it. My pants look like i was attacked by a fleet of molting towel monsters. The terry i got is a bit stretchy, that coupled with my thread tension made for some wonky corners that are just plain funky. So i need to sew slower and make sure it is not shifting. Also after turning the cloth, the inside seams were a bit bulky and my machine was not havin' it. But, because it is terrycloth you cannot see the thread on the back! :) it worked out somewhat, but i certainly have some tweaking to do.

My cable was fixed so i can watch my HBO and Showtime programs again. Pleased as ever with that, it got better... the cable guy took one look at my remote and laughed. He asked "where did you get that thang?" (as if it is some foreign unidentifiable artifact) "From the cable people" i say. Cable guy says "want a new one?" I say "ok" and we're back in business. There are even legible numbers on the new remote buttons, no paint, no glue, no scratches, no wierd delay. I am a little less old-school now.

the shorties in my life.

Mo has a great sense of fashion and is a little lover.... A heart the size of Texas.

Jack is the little observer, he doesn't miss a thing.....

Kitty is a snuggle baby. That is if you can catch her. She now calls me "EEEE" I feel so lucky to be "auntie e" to these three kiddos.

quilted table runner.

I finished this little number in the wee hours of morning, while talking to a friend. It still needs to be washed, can you see the chalk lines? I might give it to my sister or maybe stash it in my gift box for later use. Who knows what will become of this fourth of july inspired creation...

two feedsacks, one tablecloth, one shindig.

My little trip to North Carolina wouldn't be complete without a stop to an antique shop, this is what i got. The floral on the bottom is a tablecloth and the green berries (cherries?) are two feedsacks. I like 'em. a lot. I tell myself that the last thing i need is another vintage tablecloth, but i can't seem to walk away from what I believe is a good deal. I love the drape and softness of a vintage linen. On another note, My parent's are coming up on their 40th wedding anniversary and my sister and i are trying to figure out what we are going to do. I have the tablecloths and that's about as far as we've gotten. Later bloggies.

patchy pillow.

Blogger and I are back to being friends. After a few late night scuffles and some naughty words we were able to settle our differences, sleep on it, and begin anew. (Obviously, technology is not my thing!) We have Laura to thank for our mediation, sometimes when things get rough, we need the advice of a third party to settle our disputes! :)

So, the pillow was made the other night, start to finish, during the 11:00 pm airing of Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer on Sirius satellite radio. Gosh, I love those girls. It cracks me up, Anyone ever listen? If you are slightly cynical, or appreciate those who are (comically speaking), you might really enjoy their program. 11-1 am is my favorite time to sew, I sit in my studio listen to the Sirius radio and pretend that the world does not exist beyond my studio doors. Ohhh, it is so nice.

Blogger doesn't like me.

Or maybe it is my computer. I have tried to upload a couple of pictures of my newest project maybe 5 times now and i am getting nothin'! Maybe blogger just knows that the photos are not worthy of posting grainy, fuzzy and all. hmmmf.

garbage bag dispenser.

I couldn't sleep last night, so I searched the internet for quick sewing tutorials (everything i do is quick), I came upon this one. I got it from Dioramarama and I am really quite pleased with the results. I typically use my own grocery totes when i shop, but some how these pesky little guys make their way into the house. I suppose it's not all bad considering I reuse them again and again. I am aware that this is not the most attractive project but rather, very utilitarian. I did come across an adorable tutorial which if I finish, i will share soon. Off to a meeting, goodnight folks!

experimental embroidery.

I didn't tidy my sewing studio before i left for vacation, and i still haven't done it. So what do I do? I find a portable craft that i can enjoy from the comfort of my clean and mentally soothing living room! Aren't I awful? My mother always made us clean the house as kids before we left on vacation. Something that as a child i never understood. I always thought we're not going to be here, what is the use in cleaning? I understand now.... nobody wants to come home to a messy house. Let me clarify, my house is clean, it is my sewing room that was left in a state of mass destruction. Scraps everywhere, half-finished projects here, forgotten projects there, dust bunnies and tumbleweeds and i opted to just shut the door. I guess i have my Sunday activity cut out for me. I hope it rains tomorrow.

I'm Baaa'aack!

This past week I took a little road trip with my friend. Our destination was Asheville, NC. I am now smitten with this town! I love a road trip and this was no exception.

Thanks for the shortcut Mapquest! :) Our rural detour ended up fine, we laughed about it and drove slow enough down the country roads to spit our cherry pits in the fields, thinking we might be planting michigan cherry trees all along the way!

The view across the street from our friend's house.
And another.
A drive through the smokies, the day after the 4th of July! (Never again!)
Our reason for going: The marriage of my childhood friend Marcus, to the wonderfully adorable (and also crafty) Dawn.