Ready to roll

I have never ordered fabric online; I like to feel the fabric, look at the colors and carry it around to match other things. But I didn't have time (or want to use the gas) to go shopping, so this shop came to the rescue. The funny one on the top of the pile came from etsy and the fill-ins are from local stores. Now it's off to the races...a friend and I will have a booth at a fall craft show in less than 3 weeks. She said she is bringing 100 items. Yikes. I will post pictures when some stuff is done....

Sunday Blessing

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. (Prov. 3:5-6)

I need a vote

'found these two chairs in a local thrift shop for $7/piece (score!). They are supposedly matching, but one is faded, so I would like to recover them. But I am having difficulty choosing between these two stunning fabric samples....

Hmmm... The funky flowers on the left or the gorgeous linen on the right? I am leaning more to the left because it is a denser weave and not so much white. But the right one is a yummy linen. Help! Leave a comment: Left or right?

Designer Banner

I'm personally not a huge fan of banners. My children are past the letter-of-the-month stage and I already have so much stuff hanging everywhere.

However, this remnant of designer fabric was just yelling out to be made into something cute. The piece was various shades of pinks and had smaller color options attached - you can still see the labels on the back where I was too lazy to peel them off. 'don't know where this will end up...maybe I will take it out when I have a bad day.

Color me happy

This is a shot I took trying to get a header for this blog. It was a toss-up between this one and the one that I used, but I thought I'd show you the "second runner up"....

Babysitting

Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do - a dear friend asked if we would mind "babysitting" this piece until she returned from Germany; I guess we can deal with the hardship. An old Chinese chest, it even has the original paper lining in the drawers. A fraying strip of fabric with a shiny red heart cling everytime we walk by...

My three eggs

Years ago, a good friend gave me these eggs, symbolizing my three sons. Symbolizing our home as the nest that they have for the time being. Symbolizing their closeness and the coziness of family. Yet it also symbolizes that they are only in that state for a while, that the goal is for them to develop, to hatch, and to fly. I already have one who has "flown" and two more spreading their wings (however, I wonder how they can fly when they can't seem to get the hang of alarm clocks...). These eggs always bring a bittersweet smile to my face, as I ponder the joys of raising children as well as the their flight away to begin their own journeys.

Yet another wedding!

Friends of ours are getting married in Berlin this weekend. Mutual friends are travelling to the wedding and we were trying to think of a good American gift. What is more American than a quilt? So, we made this together (great job, Candy!)

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Berliners love to picnic, so the backing is a strong, waterproof fabric to protect from the dew and dampness. We didn't know their colors, so just picked something fun (the batik polka-dot was the must-have starting point).

After having lived in Berlin for 11 years, it makes me very sad not to be able to go to the wedding. But Florida is kinda far. It is just part of having lived in lots of places - there are friends everywhere and I miss the ones I can no longer see. Sigh. I will just have to enjoy their day through pictures, and hopefully they will have many wonderful memories with this quilt!

Sunday Blessing

A benediction that our church uses:

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God the Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you now and forevermore.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Going to Emily

This is headed to Emily's new room, the daughter of a friend of mine. She is re-doing her room and thought this would go perfectly.

I guess the "e" could could also be for exuberant, enthusiastic or extraordinary. Or maybe just extra special Emily.

Kinda like presents

Anyone who know me knows that I love to get presents. But just as much, I love to give them. I wanted my customers to feel like they were getting a treat when they received their item.

So I came up with this (minus the bent paper which doesn't look so great). My business cards are attached with twine to either a bag or gift box.

'can't forget the ribbons! Hopefully their smile can begin at the mailbox....

Sunday blessing

'just back from an overnight at the beach. I wasn't going to get up early, but someone banged on my door at the crack of dawn, so I was able to see the sun brilliantly bouncing off of everything. "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Lam. 3:22) God just heard my voice a little earlier than usual this morning....

Smiling Fabrics

Can quilts and fabric make you happy? I know that it is rather shallow, but this does make me smile.

I just l0ve how the plaids and batiks and polka dots and gingham all go together. I guess I am easily pleased and entertained, especially when it comes to fabric. My sister-in-law told me I was a fabric addict. Which means I need therapy. Which means, I think, a trip to the fabric store.

Art Class Re-use

Yannick is taking a watercolor class at a local college and was about to (gasp) throw these samples out. Never one to throw anything away (especially something pretty), I came up with these. Using ribbons, of course.

I can tie these onto a package or throw one in a cookie tin and make it happy. It didn't cost anything AND it was a great use of Yannick's eye for color. Martha should hire us. :)

In Memory

Polish pretties

I bought way too many of these. But I have never regretted one little bowl. While living in Berlin, we piled into a car a couple of times a year and descended on the quaint town of Boleslawiec (a 3 hr. drive), where most of the Polish pottery is made. Our trip always ended with a delicious dinner of Polish pierogis and a drive through the dark Polish countryside, wishing we'd left earlier...

Instead of lesson plans

I began teaching ESL at a local university, which has meant countless hours of lesson plans and organization. I am so enjoying my students (examples of their names: Tsogtbayar, Bilegjorgal and Dashkhorol...!), but my small-as-a-pea concentration keeps me wandering around the house looking for something to do other than buckle down and work. Today I played in this corner:

The French door is almost always open and this painting had not yet found its special place. So, ribbons to the rescue! I never really thought about adding art to a door, but it seems to work. Now I guess I really should get back to work...

Sunday blessings

"....that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." (Rom. 1:12). A verse that will hopefully bless you on this Sunday!

Fun littles

A couple of little pieces from the art show...

Of course, they had to have ribbons ...one has French ribbons and the other velvet. The oh-so-girly one hangs in a dorm room for a girl at college - I had added a fabric letter to personalize it. I especially like these because they are so quick!

Let the games begin

The onslaught (sorry - I mean beginning) of high school football and soccer seasons means that the bamboo needles and yarn come out. I can just about finish a hat in a game. Granted, I might miss a few plays (well, maybe a bit more) while I am intently knitting, but I do see most stuff. Plus we do have a video camera so I can always watch the replay. :) The only problem is dropping needles down the stands and forgetting where I am when I jump up to cheer. A small price to pay for crafting at the game....

Nice Mistake

I realize that compared to flooding in India and in the southern US, we have no issues with water intrusion. However, we still have a leak coming through the fireplace (have you ever seen a fireplace leak?). Heiko, my non-handyman-man got up on the roof and professionally duct-taped the chimney shut, brilliantly fixing the problem. I moved this pile of books away from the hearth - I kinda like it leaned up against the antique cabinet, its new place to gather dust.

Modern Quilt Art

My friend was nice enough to let me do a photo shoot of my quilts at her house. My ceilings weren't high enough, plus her house is like a magazine (which makes my stuff look nicer). I liked how the strips mirrored all the books. This piece ended up in the youth room at church, adding quite a splash of color. It was sad to give it up, but at least I can still see it all the time.