Tula Pink - Neptune

Tula Pink is very quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite designers... she's the brilliant mind behind Flutterby, Full Moon Forest & Nest...

And her newest line, Neptune, is so close I can almost taste it...


Speaking of tasty- how delicious is this Neptune quilt she created for the Houston Quilt Market?

Shame on me...

I've been procrastinating for way too long on the Spare a Square Scrap Challenge I joined awhile back... the problem is, the more I look at the amazing things my fellow challengers are coming up with- the less willing I am to finally cut into my own scraps! I worry about screwing up!

I know, I know... how badly can you screw up scraps? Thats what I need to keep telling myself... the worse that can happen is I'll end up with more scraps!

Here are some of the gorgeous things created in the challenge so far...

1. Scrap Challenge, 2. My take on the Ugly Fish, 3. Scrap Challenge Pin, 4. Scrap Challenge - Home Pillow, 5. the shirt, 6. ::scrap challenge:: group 6, 7. snug as a grub in a rug - group 4, 8. Spare a Square Scrap Challenge Results 002, 9. Owl 1, 10. spare a square scrap challenge, 11. scrap challenge wall hanging - close up, 12. Scrap Challenge brooches

The reason I love my job...

... is because this little devil gets to come in and hang out with me while I work...


Her brother Zack, much prefers to hang out with the other dogs in Doggy Daycamp... but Kaya would rather be with me...

And today, a 5 month old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Ginger is here and up for a game of "Tug"...

This is the view I get from my desk... they just play, and play, and play....

Its nearly impossible for any of us to have a REALLY bad day...

Awww... look at all that puppy love!!!

Graphic Design Project - Type "Face"

Basically this assignment was to use letters to create a face. There were a number of specific rules to follow for each face, such as using "san serif, capital letters for hair". I won't go into those, because I'm sure your not interested!!

But then we did have to write a little "story" to give each face a personality & character. I'd like you to meet Jacques & Eve.

The secrets of fusible interfacing revealed!!

Kathy of Pink Chalk Studio takes us step-by-step through her interfacing methods...

I particularly love the advice "Enjoy the zen of fusible interfacing while watching the birds outside and listening to a book on tape". Personally I tend to "Enjoy the zen of fusible interfacing while watching Gilmore Girls episodes on DVD". How do you pass the time while crafting?

And speaking of interfacing... for those interested, the demise & rebirth of TimTex! (Unfortunately, I hear Amy Butler has already gone through the trouble of rewriting all her patterns with alternate interfacing options... she's the Timtex queen!)

Want some bats in your belfry?

Free pattern & instructions for making this batty little guy available at Soto Softies!

Amy Butler Preview: Midwest Modern II

I just found this fantastic tidbit at True Up... Amy Butler's upcoming line, Midwest Modern II!!

The Fall 2008 Hancock’s of Paducah catalog contains a preview of Amy Butler’s next line, Midwest Modern II. It is a mixture of new and reworked/recolored prints from earlier lines. I'm sure we're going to hear more from the Houston Quilt Market!

In Black and White by Faye Burgos

In Black and White is a fabulous new fabric line that shows just how ornate and interesting patterns can be when just using two solid colors...


The most exciting thing about this line is the "Strip It" the fabric that is actually a print of all the other fabrics in the line, in strips across the yardage.


Marcus Fabrics shares some great ideas on how to use this fabric to its highest potential...




But I'm sure the possibilities are endless....!

Selvedge...

Jodie over at Ric-Rac is the selvedge queen. She's been collecting pieces for a "big project", and making a couple little ones along the way...

A simple little square-selvedge purse...


A fantastic scarf I'm completely wishing I could get my hands on...


And the pièce de résistance... a gorgeous selvedge dress...

How will any of us ever throw that little "scrap" away again?!!

An Etsy Halloween...

Some great finds from our favorite handmade destination!

1. Mr Owls Haunted Castle 2. Ouija Board Necklace 3. Changeable Halloween Pendant set 4. Little Witch 5. Penny the Zombie Girl 6. Knit Spookies Toy Pattern 7. Mummy Doll Pattern 8. Pumpkin Party Girl With Black Cat Treat Pail 9. Bat Pendant Necklace

Halloween Extravaganza!

Over at A Fanciful Twist!! Be sure to check out the festivities!

...and puppy dog tails!!

Its a snail kinda day!!

And we have this adorable guy from My Paper Crane (love that bow tie!!)...


This modern-style shell-dweller, from Soto Softies... (anyone else craving soft-served ice cream?!)


And last but not least, this cozy critter, from Ric Rac (tutorial included on her site!!!)...

And I just love the various ways these ladies interpreted the same tiny bugger... so much creativity!

Modern-Style Baby Dreamcatcher

Every now and then someone comes up with an entirely new idea, by building on a very old one. This dreamcatcher by Lulu Carter is the perfect example- I'd be willing to bet you've never seen one quite like this.




I just love how it incorporates scraps and flowers and other small pieces- the way an actual bird does when building its nest. And the bird? Just adorable!!!

Before & After Shoji Screen

Dawn from The Gahan Girls came upon this very boring & plain screen at a local craft store. Noticing it was damaged, she made an offer and took it home for a fraction of the original price...


And then she did a full-on crafter upgrade on it...


And came up with this gorgeous piece... I'm speechless, really.

More details available on her blog...

Linen Coasters for Halloween

There is just something about linen. It feels so soft and natural. So pure and clean somehow...

These are some fantastic linen coasters by Green Jello. I love them in their simplicity. And that little ghost's socks!!!

She is good enough to share her embroidery designs here. I'd love to make my own, but I'm not sure I could ever allow myself to put a wet drink on them!

Witch's Legs Halloween Card

Scrapbooking is one of those arts I love, but seem to have very little talent at. Or, it could be that I see amazing things like this Halloween card by Mish at Mish Mash, and I'm so intimidated by the immense talent that I don't even know where to start.

Of course she gives so many tips & pointers, I really have no excuse... ah well, maybe for Christmas!

Amy Butler's Daisy Chain - Official Release

I know I've already posted about AB's newest line, Daisy Chain, but now that its officially been released, I wanted to share the full collection with you. Amy tells us that "Daisy Chain is embellished with artistic flourishes that give a nod to our free-spirited past. The line is filled with earthy chic prints with a modern folk feel that harmonize in four zen-like color palettes. These romantic prints are perfect for fashion, home decor and quilting projects."

Win this Quilt!

Elizabeth over at Pigtails and Snails created a special quilt for the Houston Quilt Market, and she's giving away the prototype.

You can enter the contest by visiting her site here... first place winner gets, of course, the quilt... but second and third place receive the pattern so they can make their own! The contest entries will go until 7pm MST on Friday Oct 17th... so hurry on over!!

Spare a Square Scrap Challenge going strong...

Back in September I signed up for the Spare a Square Scrap Challenge... and last week I rec'd a big envelope full of scraps!

The challenge organizer, JC Handmade has been excellent, and some of the participants are already finished!!!

Here is what we have in the gallery thus far...

1. Scrap Challenge Brainstorming 2, 2. Scrapy kitchen towel, 3. Scrap Challange Group 7, 4. mini quilt - group 7,
5. scrappy tin can, 6. Close Up Scrap Project Pillow - Group Two

As for my scraps? Their still sitting on my cutting table, staring at me, enticing me... I've got some thoughts for them... I'm expecting to have something finished this weekend... stay tuned!!

Sew Now, Sew Wow!

How did I miss this until just now? I must be sleeping on the job because this fabric was enough to make me jump out of my seat in excitement!! (Maybe I need to get out more, but thats beside the point...)

A new Alexander Henry design, in his "Black and White" collection...

Just look at that sewing machine... and the scissors... and the zipper... and... !!!

Available right now through FabricWorm on etsy... !

Mary Poppins at My Paper Crane

Heidi Kenney from My Paper Crane has started a fictional heroines series... and not only do I love that idea, I am absolutely head over heels in love with her first creation- Mary Poppins!

Keep an eye out... Pippi Longstocking is next!

Anna Maria Horner's "Seams to Me"

Its not available yet... but it will be soon, and I just cannot wait! In fact, I spent about 10 minutes leaning into my screen, trying to read the text in the blurry photos Anna Maria Horner posted on her blog... to no avail!


I'll definitely be keeping you updated!

Craft Apple's Chemisette Handbag

Loving this handbag pattern from Craft Apple... and the fabrics they used for this one are just luscious!!


I'm thinking about using Alexander Henry's Apples & Pears fabric... what do you think?

New Freespirit Fabric Lines...!

The International Quilt Market will be held in Houston Texas, and I wanted to share with you the FreeSpirit designers that will be presenting their new fabrics at market.

First off is David Walker with his two new collections, Robots and Spring Fling. Robots is a "Charming collection of stars, rockets, robots and fun". His Spring Fling collection is a contrast to the Robots collections consisting of sweet characters such as butterflies, ducks, bees and bears.


Jenean Morrison is presenting her Moondance collection that chock full of fun patterns, perfect for quilting!!


Jay McCarroll with his upcoming collections Woodland Wonderland and Garden Friends.


And of course there is Melissa Averinos with her Sugar Snap collection that I posted about some time ago... I've been waiting a long time for this one!!!