New Year - New Approach

2012 is almost gone. It's been one heck of a year. It's been a very quick year. It's another year gone. I thought I wanted things to change in 2012, I did make some changes. 2013 will bring more changes. Changes that really need to happen. Like letting go of paper and going digital with my scrapbooking. I really enjoy digital. Paper tends to frustrate me. It's a personal choice. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE playing with paper. I love cutting and glueing and shredding and tearing and painting and art journaling. Just not scrapping.

SO, I am tossing around different ideas on how to best make the transition. Then it hits me. Just DO it. Just GO DIGITAL. Like NOW. Why agonize over this. Why waste time.

Here is the first page for 2013. (Yes, I realize it was made in 2012, but it's for 2013, so I am declaring it the first page for 2012.)

This picture is not the best one of me. BUT, it's a digi layout and I can (and will) change it later. I will probably also add some things to it. Maybe change some elements out. But this is the main layout.

There are other changes coming too. But you'll have to wait for those.


HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours from me and mine.

Opus Gluei #144: 3-D

It's Electra's turn to make us think over on OPUS GLUEI. She wants to see in 3-D. Make something with more that one layer. That's what she said.

So, I made a fabric basket.

And I filled it with goodies for someone very special.

 

I used this tutorial by Ayumi over at Pink Penguin. She writes tutorials that are very easy to understand. And the things she makes are gorgeous.

Your turn. Make something 3-D and share with us over at OPUS GLUEI.

Opus Gluei Challenge # 143 - It Figures

It's my turn to host the challenge over at the Order of The OPUS GLUEI. We have a group of wonderfully talented ladies who rotate tormenting challenging any one who cares to look. I picked FIGURES for the topic. You can interpret it any way you choose. Numbers, people, sihlouettes, what ever pops into your head.

I picked sihlouettes, and made bookmarks. Lately I have been obsessed with fabric and have been making sewn items. Well, I fell back to paper, scissors and glue this week. Felt good too.

I usually have several books from which I draw my inspiration. Sometimes, not often, I will even follow the directions as written. Any way, I am also always losing my bookmarks. Don't ask, I don't know what happens to them. If I did, I wouldn't have had a project.

Here are the bookmarks:

And here they are at work:

I used Photoshop Elements 7 to make the template page. I just grabbed shilouettes that I liked. And did a few things to them to make them only print in outline. They started out a solid black, and I didn't want to waste ink on the filled in shapes.

Once printed, I grabbed some Basic Grey scrapbook paper, flipped it to the wrong side, and using a stylus, I traced the outlines of the shapes I wanted. Then I cut them out and glued them down to the plain green cardstock. Lastly, I traced the shapes with a black pen and then ran a black marker around the edges of the green rectangles for a bit of a finished look.

Here are the shapes I made. Go ahead and download the template if you want.
I'd love to see your bookmarks if you make any.

Go ahead and make some. Then join the party over at OPUS GLUEI.

I "leaf" it up to you. Opus Gluei Challenge # 142

At least I think we are up to 142 challenges over at OPUS GLUEI. Anyway...

The lovely Rosemary is "leafing" it up to us to choose which challenge to accept this fortnight. We can make a FALL inspired project AND/OR a HALLOWEEN inspired project.

I couldn't really make up my mind, so I did both.

I grabbed some scraps out of my scrap bin and went to town. See:

I really enjoyed making the Halloween set. The sugar skulls are leftover from a tote I made for a swap partner. The other Halloween fabrics are from projects I made years ago. I love how they all work so nicely together. And they're fun too.

I didn't quite get this set finished. I will finish binding the last three and hand quilt leaves or acorns onto the center yellow squares. These are a little less whimsical, but still, I love them. Fall is my most favorite season. And so are these colors.

 

 

My morning brew is so much better now. Ahhhh.

 

 

Your turn. Show us your Autumn or Halloween projects at OPUS GLUEI.

We can't wait to see what you've conjured up for us.

 

 I am also linking up to the ANYTHING BUT A CARD challenge, which is also a FALL or HALLOWEEN theme. I just found this challenge and think I squeeee'd loud enough to wake my teenage daughter. Not an easy thing to do on a weekend morning.
 



Finish Along 4th Quarter Goals

I am FANTASTIC at setting goals. Attaining them, not so much. BUT I will keep trying.

This last quarter of 2012, I will FINISH:

The wedding quilt. This one is a repeat.

 

 

 

(picture to come soon. I can't find it right now.)

My leaf quilt.

 

 

 



The embroidery on the Birdie quilt. I still have November and December to finish.

 

 

 

The embroidered ornaments. Yes, these are a carry over.

 

 

 

The Christmas dissapearing 9 patch quilt.

 

 

 

 

3 more placemats for the eclectic table.
(have blocks that need to be finished into placemats)

That's all I am going to try. Usually I have a dozen or so items listed. Let's see if a shorter list is more attainable. (That and December is REALLY busy for me.)


Rhonda is hosting the FINISH ALONG. Join in the fun. Let's see what you can get done.

Opus Gluei Challenge # 141

OPUS GLUEI is up to Challenge # 141 - Red, Turquoise, Black, White and Kraft. Super crafter Gini has thrown the palette at us. You should see the wonderful cards she made. And the rest of the Poobah's too.

I grabbed fabric, my medium of choice these days, in these colors and set out making a mug rug. I started with the coffee cup. It was perfect for this. It also provides the only Kraft color in my mug rug.

I used this as an opportunity to try out some different quilting ideas. Not really spectacular, but not bad either. I DO need more practice though.

Now show us your RED, TURQUOISE, WHITE, BLACK and KRAFT creations.

Finish Along 3rd Quarter Report

Time for the report. Time to come clean with my progress in Rhonda's Finish Along.

You remember this post. The one that I promised to get lots done over the past 3 months. Well, here's how I did:

1. Going Coastal Table Runner - A+ - We have been using the table runner all summer long.

2. Leaf Quilt Top Quilted - Failed - Haven't even pulled the UFO pile out.

3. Citrus Quilt Top Pieced and Quilted - Failed - Still have a stack of beautiful quilt blocks.

4. Hexie Quilt Pieced - C - I have all of the hexies cut and papered. And 11 flowers made. I am not doing the flower garden pattern, but I think it'll be easier to handle this way.

5. Nephew's Wedding Quilt Pieced and Quilted - Failed - These newlyweds will get this quilt for Christmas. Maybe.

6. Christmas Placemats - A+ - We are just waiting for Thanksgiving. (That's when I pull out the Christmas china and the Official Christmas Rush starts here.)

7. Embroidered Ornaments - C - I have the embroidery done. Just need to add felt on the back and some ribbon for a hanger.

8. Happy Go Lucky Stitch Along Sampler - D - I have just over half done. I think I am being a little generous with my grade on this one.

9. Train Case Relining and Tutorial - Failed - Train case is still not lined. No tutorial written on it either.

10. Brownie Cookies - Failed - I didn't make or eat those cookies.

Wow. This report sure makes me sound like a big slacker. I didn't get a lot done on my list, but I did get a lot done over the last few months. You can see some of the things I did (not list items) on my FLICKR photostream.

I'm not giving up on my list. I'll get to them. I just have to quit my job and kick my kids out. And the hubby too. They keep wanting me to feed them. And I keep feeding them.

Stay tuned for the last quarter Dream Finish Along list. Should be pretty amusing...

Mini Compostition Notebook Cover Tutorial

Today I am hosting a tutorial over at Rhonda's place. Quilter in the Gap is the host of the FINISH A LONG. It's a quarterly competition with yourself to FINISH those unFINISHED projects. You list what you think you can get done in the quarter and then compare your actual FINISHes at the end of the quarter. So far, I stink at getting my projects done. BUT I marvel at the projects that others have gotten done.

Anyhow, head over to QUILTER IN THE GAP and check out my tutorial.

 

I'll show you how to take this:

 

 

 

And turn it into this:

 

 

Oh, yeah, I'm giving the top one away over there too.

To win that one you have to comment on Quilter In The Gap.

 

I'll send another one to a lucky reader from here. Just leave me a comment and I'll use a random winner picker on the 13th to pick a winner.

 

Good Luck.

 

 

 

Mini Eye Candy Quilt Swap

I haven't fallen off the face of the internet. I have been busy doing things. I'm a full time worker bee in the finance department for a government agency and it's the end of the fiscal year. 'Nuff said there.

I'm also soccer momming. Two of the three girls are playing soccer. There's practice Mon-Thursday nights. There's also tutoring on Wednesday. And soccer games on Saturdays. Usually at different times, unless they are at different fields. Then they are at the same times.

I have been sucked into the swapping vortex. I was in a Fabulous Mini Quilt Swap. The quilts have been mailed and received. It was one of those mystery swaps. I didn't know who had my name until I got a package in the mail. (You'll see that in a minute.)

I'm a little late posting, but here's the mini I sent to my partner.

It was a pleasure to make for her. I knew she liked bright colors. And this design just popped into my head.

 

The circles are padded with an extra layer of batting and then hand appliqued onto the top. Then I hand quilted circles onto the background.

 

 

Here's my pathetic label. (You'll see what I mean in a minute.)

 I need more practice with freehand stitch writing. It's not horrible, but it could be better.

 

 

 

Here's the beauty I received. It came all the way from England.

 

 

It has an OWL. It's bright and cheery. There's embroidery. It has an OWL. Those pinwheels are 3-D. It's an amazing work of Art. I am so honored to have this in my Studio. I LOVE this mini quilt. Oh, and the fabric is so soft. And the embroidery is PERFECT. I marvel at the stitching.

And just check out the label. And that wonderful pieced back. (Now you see what I mean about my needing a bit more practice?!?!?!)

The label is an OWL. And there's embroidery. And it's GORGEOUS.

But that's not where this ends. Look at the extra loot I received. (I am really very lucky to have had such a wonderful partner.)

The pouch has a clear vinyl front. The pincushion and the needle book both have those amazingly clever pinwheels. AND just check out that adorable mushroom pin.

I loved every stage of this swap. Even the part where I was really nervous about what to make for my incredibly talented partner.

Oh, yeah. I also sent her some saltwater taffy, a postcard from the Outer Banks and this little mug rug.

This is one of those little projects that just came together with the scraps and leftovers on my sewing table. I LOVE it. And it sort of matched the mini, so it HAD to go to my partner.

Eye Candy

Just a little something I am making for a secret partner...

 

I'm linking to Lee's WIP Wednesday.

 

 

I'm late for class....

I'm late for class. And I have no excuse. I will just get the tardy and take my detention.

The talented DEENA over at the ORDER OF THE OPUS GLUEI has thrown down the gaunlet in the challenge:

SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER

She is challenging everyone in the world, cuz she is daring like that, to create something to do with school or September.

If you have been here at all in the last few months, you know that I have been partaking in the fabric arts. And this time is no different.

A couple months back I ordered some fabrics from Spoonflower. One of the fabrics was a request from my oldest daughter.  You can find it here. 

She requested I make her a pencil pouch for school this year. So I did. She really had to beg. And promise to be good all year long. Are you laughing your butt off yet?!?!?!

She likes purple. Not that you could tell.

 

I picked a fabric for the inside that reminds me of tentacles.

 

I would love to see what you come up with for September.

Join us over at OPUS GLUEI.

Me and My Camera - Opus Gluei Challenge of the fortnight

It is time, once again, for the OPUS GLUEI CHALLENGE.

The loverly Electra, of Wishin' I Knew How To Blog (don't let the name fool you, she KNOWS how to blog) has thrown down a picture perfect gauntlet and is challenging us to use a photo in our project this time around. Use one of your own or one of someone elses photos, but use a photo.

I tossed around all sorts of ideas. But didn't have the time (or motivation) to do any of them. You see we are on vacation and this project was done in the weeks (day before) leading up to vacation. My mind had been on surf and sand and sleeping in...

Enough of my blabbering on, here's my masterpiece:

Kit Credit: Fleetwood by Sahlin Studios - Font: Impact

I used a free digi kit that I got just for signing up for a newsletter. You can sign up HERE. The kit will be delivered via a link in an email. The sign up is on the top of the page. I also got a really cool alphabet set, "In the City", but didn't use that here.

I altered some of the items (the leaves, daisies and the blue mat) to make them a bit darker. I felt I had to because of the darker blues in the hexagons. I also added drop shadows for a bit of depth. And changed the sizes to my liking.

I initially wanted to put pictures of my darling daughters. But I am a very bad mom and have way more pictures of my projects than I do of my off-spring. Sigh. So I used what I had.

Ready to play along with us? Head over HERE and join in on the fun. Or at the very least check out the other wonderful projects. And possibly make some new friends.

 

Now pay attention, and you can catch up...

I've been a bit busy this last week.

I made 12 mummies for the Bitty Committee Bitty Halloween Block swap. (These are 3.5 inche squares.) I used cheesecloth and buttons. Can't get much easier. And I think they look great.

I also made trick or treat bags. They are 3-D and will hold a treat. I didn't want to risk anything melting onto the fabric, so I sent them empty. But I did send them in a Halloween-ish card. 

I also made 2 mug rugs for the Scrappy Mug Rug swap. I am only going to send one, but my partner said to play, so I did. They both measure about 7.5 inches x 10 inches. A good size for a snack and a cuppa. Don't you think?

The second one was born of scraps from the first one. I had these little ends leftover and thought it was a waste to just toss them. They are so bright and cheery. So I tried my hand at improv piecing.

The improv piecing proved to be a bit of a challenge for me. I kept wanting things to line up perfectly, and that just doesn't happen in improv. But after just a short period of time, I got the hang of it and now I think I like it.

I also made one other thing. Not this past week, but before that. I want to make sure my partner has received it before I post it. Melissa and I participated in a Mini Me Swap and I am just thrilled with how well she did. She has only sewn one other thing on her machine, and is doing great. (No bias here. Nope, no way. LOL)

Oh, yeah, we also took last Thursday off from work and took the girls to Busch Gardens.

So what have you been up to this past week???



RED HOT

THE ORDER OF THE OPUS GLUEI has a RED HOT challenge this go around. I have put forth the challenge to use RED and ONE OTHER COLOR.

Since the weather here in the USA has been so hot, my thoughts immediately went to RED.

I had several ideas run through my head. I could have made a RED and WHITE mug rug for a swap I am in, but I made a RED and WHITE one for the mug rug swap last month, so that was out. I could have made a RED and WHITE mini quilt for another swap I am in, but that seemed too close to the mug rug. So I thought I might make an ATC. Or a set of inchies. But then it hit me. I made some Bitty Blocks for a Halloween Bitty swap, so Halloween was on my mind when I ran across this. At first I was thinking I would use a butterfly, but I couldn't find them right away and then I remembered that I have some skeletons in the closet. Who doesn't!?!? No, really. I have these little skeletons in the closet. Just waiting for a Halloween project.

I took a canvas board that had been previously painted green, and coated it with CRIMSON RED. I set it aside to dry.

Then I grabbed my craft glue and added some water because it was really thick and a little dried out. I pulled my black glitter out, and used a small (1/4 inch) paint brush to paint glue onto the skeleton and then sprinkled the BLACK glitter all over. And set it aside to dry too. Then washed the glitter off my hands, and the table, and my cheeks, etc...

Once they were both dry, I used some E6000 to glue the skelton to the canvas board. I attached the skeleton at two points, the back of the head and the back of the pelvic bones. Then I set it aside to dry overnight.

You can see a little bit of the splotchy paint job in the bottom corner here. I didn't plan it, but I think it adds a bit of creepiness to the piece.

Now it's your turn to show us what you can do with RED and ONE OTHER COLOR over at the Order of the OPUS GLUEI.

Seasons with the Poobahs

SEASONS is the challenge this fortnight over at the ORDER of the OPUS GLUEI. Make something to do with any or all of the four SEASONS.

I picked CHRISTMAS. I LOVE Christmas. I have been working on making placemats for us for a little bit. So, I took this challenge as an opportunity to finish them.

I cut out the centers from different Christmas fabrics.

Then I cut strips of fabric into different widths.



I tried to alternate colors. But not in any order.

I also tried to alternate the widths of each strip as I added a round.

I mixed the old fabric with the new.



For the binding, I used the strips I had left that were wide enough. I just sewed them together into a long binding strip and started going around them all. I didn't care if the fabric changed. I just kept going.

I still have strips left. I wonder what will become of them...

Now head on over to OPUS GLUEI and show us what you've made.