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This blog post is a tribute to the many hours of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego that I watched on PBS at my grandma's house growing up. Anybody remember Rockapella? The LOOT? that would be the bolts pictured above. Yards and yards of some fun decorator fabrics. Some for totes, some for new porch furniture cushions, some with destinies unknown.
The CROOK? That would be me, at least that is how I felt when I left JoAnn's the other day. Our local JoAnn Fabrics is closing - but only closing to reopen about 5 miles away in a new, bigger location! Apparently the powers that be decided that it is cheaper to liquidate and re-buy for the new store than it is to move the inventory a few miles down the road. [this includes all of the furniture and racks in the store as well]
The WARRANT? Well, at least the evidence. I am saving this receipt, I have just never spent around $35 and saved over $400! The fabric was 75% off, then if you bought the whole bolt, it was an additional 75% off. [if you do some quick math, that means most of this fabric was 63 cents per yard] I also bought gobs of trim, including yards and yards of pink pom-pom fringe that had the same discount.
Before I go, I wanted to share a sneak peak of the latest 'in-the-works' project... Can't wait for it to be finished! I would love to hear about the greatest steal/deal that you ever got!
Amazing how translating a title into another language makes the post seem so much more interesting :) I wanted to show you around my newly improved creative space. If you have been following me for a while [that always sounds like a stalker to me], you may remember the crafty disaster that I posted here. I am happy to say the mess is gone, and in its place a space I truly want to create in!
Take a moment to 'oooh' and 'aaah' over my table - my wonderful husband made it! The sewing machine sits on a shelf held on with carriage bolts [that made it easy to achieve the perfect height]. I borrowed my mil's extension table [until I save up enough to buy my own] and took off the legs. Sewing with a nice open surface really spoils a girl! It was also built to accommodate a large cutting mat - goodbye 18"x22" cutting mat! [of course I actually throw nothing away, even if I should - the little mat is 7+ years old and I am beginning to see daylight through the back]
My two caddys, one with patterns and one with crafty bits, fit perfectly under the table with a little space on the top for my rotary tools/rulers. I love the 'x' cross beams on the sides of the table. ooh, there is my ikea jules chair - a swivel chair makes it much easier to move from sewing to pressing. And, yes, that is a design wall with a project on it in the background. I used blue insulation board and two layers of white felt to construct it. The lint roller has found a new home in my craft room for cleaning the wall in between projects.
Colorful spools really brighten up the table, and I am surprised how much a $6 investment can save me time. I had a little vintage spool bag, it meant searching through tangled strings with each thread change. I also keep necessities handy: a scrap bowl, a little trash can, pins, basting supplies, bobbins, seam ripper, labels, etc.
Search around flickr and you will come to the conclusion that you simply cannot have a craft room without an expedit bookcase from ikea. Why? Because they are affordable, BIG, and a great storage space for fabric. We actually have two of these in our house and, get this, the other one actually has books on it - go figure!
In this corner I store my scrapbooking supplies in the cupboard on the right and all of my stamping supplies are in/on the green tin. It's actually a holder for flour, sugar, etc. that was my grandma's we found it in one of the outbuildings when we auctioned her farm. Lots of wonderful memories, I am glad I was able to use it somewhere I see almost everyday.
Now my only problem is I really can't spend all day in this space [even though I want to]!
Yep, I'm still here. During my first year in the blogosphere, I have definitely noticed some spring/summer trends. There is a sense of remorse and abandonment when nearly a month goes by and my blog has gone untouched. I am consoled when I check in with google reader and see the multitude of post titles with sentiments like 'I'm back,' 'missing in action,' 'sorry it has been so long,' etc. It looks like the spring and early summer months are universally busy, and my life is certainly no exception. Regardless, I have managed to eek out a few projects that I hope to share with you soon [even some UFOs - imagine that!]
For now, I'll share with you my swap blocks for April [no worries - they were finished and sent long before this post, in fact my May blocks are posted at this point] Jennie requested blocks using Riley Blake's All Star fabric. We were given creative control over the design with the only requirement being the block would be 9" finished. This was my first wonky star attempt - I really enjoyed it! I have already made nearly 20 stars since this one. Super easy following the tutorial over at The Silly BooDilly.
This was a wonderful opportunity to hone my skills with the kaleidoruler I recently purchased. I love these blocks and I am finally getting the hang of this ruler and the ABSOLUTE need for cutting accuracy [I'm afraid I've grown far to fond of the 'wonky-modern' process :]What has been keeping you consumed this spring? Any projects coming together for you? I'd love to hear :]
note: I am looking for a couple of people to test out my sewing machine cover tutorial. Anyone interested? It's my first full on tute and I want to make sure it's accurate and clear.
I am kinda hooked on swaps - it is so exciting to send off a special gift to someone that you've never met. [and then to wait for the mailman to come each day :] I like researching; checking out their blog and flickr photostream - finding out what they gravitate towards. The ORBC quilting group is in the middle of a May swap, and here is what I sent off to parts unknown:
I really enjoy re-purposing vintage items. I used a raw edge applique technique to bring this tea towel back to life.
I also sent along a set of six Hunky Dory prints by Moda. Hope she enjoys :]
I am excited to share with you a FINISHED ufo! Can you believe it?! Last summer I pledged [well, sorta - maybe hoped is a better word] to finish work on my massive stack of unfinished objects before begining anything new. So... I definitely have started new projects since this summer, but I am still steadily working through lots and lots of un-done craftiness.
This blankie was started a several years ago for a baby who no longer needs a baby blanket. It's pretty simple: I just fussy cut the animal blocks and added borders around a teal flannel center. This is the point where progress stopped. Time at the 'zoo' stood still. It was really tough to pick it back up - how do you make that project that has been lying around [I've looked at it a million times] exciting and new? I decided to back it with some oh-so-soft baby lime green fleece and incorporate knotting and some long stitch quilting using perle cotton. I think the finished project is a very cuddly one. As an added bonus, finishing this project required not one trip to the fabric store - binding, backing, and perle cotton were all located using my stash.
Seeing as the intended recipient isn't in need of a baby blanket, it is in my etsy for another tot to try napping at the zoo :]
{note: 1 more day - today - to enter into the drawing to win a copy of Seaside Home! Just leave a comment on this post.}
September: Kelly was going for more of a modern look. It was fun to have boundaries but still be allowed some artistic control. I am sure this will look amazing when she finishes with it!
October: Tammy wanted a Moda Bake Shoppe pattern. The fabrics are GREAT; I really like the secondary pattern that forms when you put these blocks together.
November: Shari is into upcycling men's shirts right now. I am a huge Kaffe Fasset fan, so the finished look is right up my ally. Some of them are still a slight bit wonky despite my best pressing and cutting efforts. Cannot wait to see all those shapes come to life in a finished quilt!
