Wednesday, October 29, 2008

A Boo and Why I Love My Mailman...

First off, I have been Boo-ed by Patty over at Pip Stitch!

happy+halloween

I will be hitting a couple of you with this... so watch out!

Here are the instructions:
Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been "B00-ED." Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween Treat (picture) and tell them to Boo their friends. Put the picture in your side bar so everyone will know that you have already been Boo-ed!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Now why I love my Mailman. He must love me...he brings me the most wonderful things!!! Lookie what I have received in the mail the last couple of days!

First I received my Stitching Angel package! I came all the way from France! Thank you so much Francoise!
I received a sweet little pincushion, needle keep and covered measuring tape! It was so much fun to participate in this swap! I am still waiting to hear when my Angel receives her goodies so that I can post a link to her site!

Next up is this darling little wallet that I won from Tango over at Tango's Trash and Treasure. She was having a giveaway to celebrate her 100th post. She ended up closing the giveaway early and sending out a wallet to everyone who left a comment...how cool is that!!! I love the colors! Thanks again Tango!


And are you ready for the last one???

From the UK I received the most precious little ornament from Su over at Contemplating my Needle and Thread. She was having a week long birthday giveaway and I was lucky enough to win the one that was my absolute favorite! Her work is gorgeous! Thanks again Su!


Hope you all have a great day!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Alice...Coming 2010...

I am in hormonal heaven! I just found out about the new Tim Burton adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. It is filming right now. My favorite (crush, obsession, fantasy) actor, Johnny Depp will be playing the part of the Mad Hatter! Even Depp could make the Mad Hatter someone I would want to run off with for a long weekend of wild, uninhibited...um...er...fun!?! Anyways here is a picture of the actress playing Alice (Mia Wasikowska) and a couple of pictures I like to (drool over) look at of Johnny Depp. - Gee you'd think I was a teenager or something...



Monday, October 27, 2008

Anime Convention Costume

Here is one of the costumes I have been working on lately. This is my (sophomore in college) oldest Son. He is supposed to be a video game character. The character's name is Zelos and he is from a game called Tales of Symphonia. My Son will be spending next weekend at the Aime convention in this costume. This outfit is a collaboration between my Mom and me. It turned out pretty good I think. It is a work in progress. As my Son plans to wear this every year at the convention, we will tweak and add to it over time.



It seems strange to me that all the hero's in the games look so effeminant, but that is the way the designers want them to look. At least my Son gives it a masculine look, more like the character would actually look if he were real.


More costume posting to come soon...

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Life isn't Fair

I just got horrible news. My step-sister, who I grew up with, who beat breast cancer two years ago, who has two adult children and a little girl the same age as mine has cancer again. This time it is in her spine (t1 & t5), hip and lung. I'm so sad I don't know what to say. I just had to say something, somewhere...

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A Quilt Show with Baby Girl

I went to a quilt show at a local church this weekend. There were some gorgeous quilts and wall hangings! I took a few pictures to share. Unfortunately, I can't find the charger for my camera, so I used my phone's camera. Not the best pictures, but still good enough to get the idea!

This one had the most gorgeous neon colors, they just don't show very well here:


This one was so sweet. It was made in 1893 and has that old world charm:



More gorgeous colors:


I wish this one came out better, it was my favorite! The butterflies are dimensional:



My Daughter's favorites:



This one was so sweet, I would love to make this one for my Daughter (it actually looks like I MIGHT be able to make it!):


Baby Girl and I had a great time at the quilt show. Everyone was charmed by her good manners and sweet disposition. She even managed to walk out of the vendor area with a free fat quarter and free Mary Englebrite buttons! They (two different vendors) told her that since she was such a good girl, she could have them to start her "stash." It was a wonderful, memory making afternoon!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

You have all got to go here: Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!! This woman has more sewing talent in her little finger than I have in my whole body! Make sure you check out her other gorgeous costumes while you are there!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Some Wonderful Giveaways!

There a some wonderful giveaways that you all must check out and sign up for:

Elizabeth over at Pigtails and Snails has a gorgeous, sunshiney quilt that she is giving away. It is her own pattern, so the first prize is the quilt and she is also giving away a second and third prize of the quilt pattern. Incredibly generous!

Laurie from My Home For the Holidays is giving away one of her Placemat Pocketbook Purses in celebration of her 100th post! Darling!

Dani at Olde Homestead Peddler is having a giveaway to celebrate starting to blog! She is giving away her own handmade darling candles and linen/room spray sets. There will be two lucky winners!

Farmchick over at Fresh from the Farm is giving away a soy candle, soy tarts and a sunflower stake all handmade by her (well, except for the stake)! Really cute!

Don't miss out on all this giveaway goodness!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Angel Swap

I am, quite literally, wrapping up with the angel swap. I put the finishing touches on the items I am sending and they are almost ready to go.



I hope my partner will like the color choices I made. It is always so hard to know what someone will like.

Speaking of Angel Swap partners...I have yet to hear from mine. I was remiss on not contacting my partner sooner, so I definately understand. I do hope that mine is well...and out there...

Sunday, October 12, 2008

My New Purse and Wallet

Thanks to the people who commented on my "Ode to Binding" post! The pictures were from a new wallet that I made. The binding on my corners came out just fine...but the rounded corners...not so good! Oh well, I'm happy with it anyways! The pattern came from one by Pat-e-Patterns that I picked up at my local quilt shop. It was very well explained and I would definately use thier patterns again!





Also free for your perusal is my lame attempt at adding decorative edges to my pictures! When I saved them, I thought they looked better! Oh well.

Here is my purse:



Nothing fancy, but I think the material and the trim really give it a nice personality. It was amazing the difference the braided trim made in the overall appearance of the purse! Next time I make one, I think I will make it just a little smaller and I will use a stiffer interfacing as this one is really quite slouchy. I made the button with a do -it-yourself button thingy (yes, that is a technical term). It was a little fiddly, but I figured it out without too much trouble.

I also finished an order for a cute little bucket tote done in cowboy material that I got from Jane's giveaway (see earlier post). I think it turned out really cute too!



It's kind of hard to tell from the picture, but the brown closure button I found in my Grandma's button jar is just perfect with it! Although made of some type of plastic, it has the look and feel of leather.

Well, enough for today! I have been doing lot's of sewing, so I will have more to share with you soon!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Ode to Binding

Oh dearest binding...

You who hold everything together...

You who finishes...

You who completes our projects.


Why is it I hate you so?


Could it be how you ALWAYS jump out of the way when I am going around a curve?

Could it be how you NEVER line up properly at a corner?

Could it be how you INSIST on sliding on the bottom so that my seam runs off?

Could it be how you DEMAND that I use my seam ripper on you?


I could decide never to see you again.

I could decide to leave my projects unfinished.

I could decide to give up sewing so I could avoid you altogether.


Istead, I'll just get out my needle and thread and hand stitch you into submission!

For, after all, many of the best relationships are based on the whole love/hate thing!


Back to work...

Monday, October 6, 2008

Saturday's Mail

On Saturday, the mailman came knocking on my door. Lookie what he brought me! A box of goodies from Vallen over at http://queenlythings.typepad.com/ from her week long giveaway!

In the box (I don't know how she managed to stuff so much in there!)


Out of the box!


My Daughter has already run off with the cute little bird and the feathers! She also has her eye on quite a few other things that were in the box, but I hid it!! I see quite a few projects that will be enhanced by all the goodness in this box! Thanks again Vallen!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Fairy Condo's or Mutant Mushrooms...You Decide!

I found these awesome mushrooms growing in my woods on Friday and had to snap some pictures. I don't remember seeing this particular type before so I thought they were pretty cool! I can just see faries moving into these as condo's! I know I have faries too, since I had a fairy ring (too bad I didn't get a picture) in the spring right in my front yard. Obviously I have daring fairies for them to be dancing in my front yard! Anyways here are my pictures:




This one looks like Hairdresser Fairy lives here. It reminds me of a bad Beatles hairdo.