Yay for Hoop Art!

There's nothing better than receiving happy mail, and that's exactly what I got this week when the hoop art that Cherish of Kiwi Freckles made for me arrived. I saw the package in the mailbox and couldn't even wait until I was back inside until I opened it up!isn't it adorable??? It's all the colors of my blog, and she even included a bird! (sometime I'll have to tell you about my minor obsession with birds, I usually keep it under wraps as it makes me seem kind of old-ladyish) Plus I heart rosettes in a major way!thanks so much Cherish, it's awesome,

and I really enjoyed "meeting you" through this too!

(see what I made for Cherish here)

Hoop Art Swap

I recently participated in the Hoop Art Swap hosted by the lovely Heather at Blessed Little Nest. I was given Cherish from Kiwi Freckles as the person I would be creating a hoop for and couldn't wait to get to work!

My plan was to recreate the header image from Cherish's blog, and I was able to pull it off (somewhat). I downloaded the header from her blog, and then used Picnik to resize it. I then ironed a Kona cotton I had found in the same color as her header onto Heat and Bond and traced the background image onto it. I had planned to iron the image on, and then embroider "Kiwi Freckles" over it, exactly as her header shows. When I cut the image out though, I just felt like too much of the detail was lost. So, onto Plan B. I noticed that each of the labels on Cherish's blog had chevron stripes, so I used the same Kona cotton and began sewing chevron stripes for the top and bottom of the hoop. In the middle I embroidered "Kiwi Freckles" as I originally planned, and here's the finished product!

I'm really happy with how it turned out and hope Cherish loves it too!

First Cricut Creations!

Alright, I'm figuring my Cricut out!
I've got the basics down at least.

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Here's my first two "official" creations...a monogram gift tag on a birthday present
(thinking there's some major possibilities for Christmas here!)a Thanksgiving banner hanging over our back-entryway lockers
(sorry, back entryway with no natural light = dark pictures)
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So while I know I've got a lot of learning to do yet,
I also know I'm going to love having this thing!

Blogcation Recap

Blogcation was good...productive...necessary.
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It looked something like this:* i learned the art of assembly line production
(I don't like it, but it is efficient)
* 25 zippered pouches were made
*my craft bag was packed each weekend we headed out
* 10 pull string pouches were made
* tablecloths were sewn and my craft show display created
* craft show packaging is set, (thanks Eric!)* 20 pillows were sewn
* my serger ran out of thread
* i wanted to say lots of bad words while trying to re-thread it
* i used google and you tube to try to figure out how to do it
* loads of cards and gift tag sets were made
* i made a serious dent in my fabric supply
(woe is me, I'm just going to have to buy some new fabric)
*we had a very enjoyable week-long family staycation* 20+ yarn wreaths were made
* my summer's favorite things auto-posted, hope you liked them!
* we threw a backyard party for about 40 family & friends* i did way too much stress eating
* 20 + flower pins were made
*i've decided it's time for the craft show to just hurry up and get here already!

Yarn Wreath #7

Lots of aquas, pinks and florals on this one!

Cards #9-12

Yarn Wreath #6

Celadon yarn.
A whole collection of fabrics in reds, yellows, blues and bright greens.
Each fabric covered in polka dots!
So fun!

Cards #5-8

Here's the next four cards for the craft show!

Pinwheels : Revisted

***Originally posted July, 2009***
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For today's getting patriotic project, I made red, white and blue pinwheels! What a fun (and SUPER easy) project this was. I'm totally going to remember pinwheels for future parties, either as part of the favors I give out, or as center pieces. (Wow, did I really just say I'm totally...???")

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Anyway. The tutorial for making the pinwheels can be found here.
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For my pinwheels I:

*found some great two-sided paper at my extremely large and well-stocked but slightly overpriced scrapbook store nearby. The blue and white polka dot paper is my favorite (what's with me and polka dots lately?!?)

*cut my squares to 6 inches x 6 inches and used scrapbooking scissors to give the edges a little pizazz.

*used American flag pencils rather than dowels as the directions suggested. (These pencils along with all sorts of other red, white and blue goodies are currently in the dollar bins at Target, get yours fast!)

*used some of my red, white and blue sewing pins as opposed to the tacks shown in the tutorial. The pins stuck out the opposite side of the pencil eraser, so I just used a wire cutters to cut them off.

Cute!

Cards #1-4

In addition to yarn wreaths, I've been working on some new cards for the craft show.

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Here's the first four!

Yarn Wreath #5

Ivory yarn and muted fabrics. All the wreaths I've made up to this point have been in much brighter colors, so this seems so nice for something a little different.

Yarn Wreath #4

Aqua Ice yarn along with lots of Heather Bailey and Amy Butler fabrics, yummy!

Yarn Wreath #3

How cheery is this?!?