Just in time for the 4th !

I made this apron yesterday, and yes, just in time for the 4th!

This is made from a charm pack that I had in my stash.  

My daughter Amanda is my Vanna, maybe I should have had her brush her hair before I took the pictures. Oh well, I am sure one day she will remind me about this. LoL

Getting into Trouble.

Well, Saturday my partner in crime, Diane and I went out for the day.
We originally said we were going to sew but of course decided we needed to go and "see" what was on sale at our local quilt shop.
We got in the car and started heading to one of our favorite shops when I asked if she had been to the new shop in town. Guess what??? She hadn't so my car, on it's own, make a quick U turn and we were on our way to the new shop. It's called Cabbage Rose, and it is in a cute log cabin style building.  Wow, does she have some great fabric. Her shop has a very Shabby Chic style, which of course I just love. She also told us she is making a big room in the back for classes and  weekend sew ins. How fun is that going to be?
After we left there I asked Diane if she has ever been to the Tempe Yarn & Fiber Shop, again she said no and off we were to another destination.
My Mom was so good at so many different things and of course she loved to knit and crochet. As a kid she tried to teach me but I just wasn't interested. After visiting that shop, I wish I had learned. What amazing possibilities.
You know how I love purses, well they had the most amazing purse made out of wool yarn. So of course my mind went wild and I started to imagine all the wonderful creations I could make. I am seeing a beginning knitting class in my future. SSSHHHHH don't tell my husband.

Great Idea !

Okay, you would have to really like the person you are doing this for!

I don't give up my stash for just anyone.

Wrap a present in Fabric. How cute is this!

Perfect for a quilter friend !

Fun Friday

I just love all the art surrounding nails these days. How fun to show your fun side in your nail polish.

I have found all these great looks on Pintrest.com

Enjoy.

Bella Blossom

Here are two of the Bella Blossom purses I have been working on.

I just love the vintage inspired Swarovski Crystal Buttons.

Each of the Blossoms are made with a Wool Felt blend. The colors are so rich.

Great summer recipe.

Don't you love it when you find a great recipe that is quick, easy and delish!!!

Here is one I found on my favorite new site, Pintrest.

This recipe was posted by Authenticsuburbangourmet.blogspot.com

Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

5 Ears Corn, husk removed, brush with olive oil and grilled, remove corn with sharp knife


2 Avocado’s, diced and sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning


2 C. Tomatoes, red and yellow cherry variety or equivalent


1 Small red onion, finely diced


¾ C. Feta, crumbled


1 ½ C. English cucumber, skin on and chopped small dice




Add to a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.



Cilantro Vinaigrette


6 T. Olive oil


2 T. Sherry vinegar


1 t. Garlic powder


2 T. Fresh cilantro, minced


½ t. Salt


10 Grinds of fresh ground pepper



Add all of the above ingredients in a small glass jar with a lid. Shake really well. Taste and adjust seasoning as you desire.

When ready to serve salad, add the dressing and gently toss.
I have made with and without the Feta and both ways are great.

What inspires you?

I just love looking at craft site and other blogs for inspiration.

Where do you go for inspiration?

Lolipop cupcake found on munchkinmunchies.com

There is something about the 4th of July and the good old red, white and blue.

Here are some great ideas I have found to make your 4th fun and festive.



This great idea was found on Pintrest.



Marshmellow pops found on The Crafty Crow.

How fun is this, simply dip marshmellows in chocolate and then into festive Red, White and Blue sprinkles.

These yummy pretzels were found on Cupcakesandcashmere.com



Idea found on Pintrest.

How fun is this salad, slice watermelon and use different sizes of star cookie cutters.

Drum Roll Please.......

And the winner is................  NanaandPapa
Thank you all so much for following my blog.
I hope to have many more giveaways in the future, until then happy crafting. 
Please stop by from time to time and share what fun crafts you have been doing.

Last Day.

Today is the last day to sign up to win this beautiful Jelly Roll by Moda.

I have posted a quick and easy project for a Jelly Roll a few post back.

This baby can be yours by becoming a follower and leaving a comment.

Is it calling your name?

Lost in creation.

I have found a site that I just have to share with all of you.
It is called Pintrest.
When I tell you I get lost in creation, that is no lie.
I can spend hours on this site. The whole concept of this site is to re-pin a picture of something that you love.  Now it may be a landscape, food, clothing, a photograph, or a craft.
If it is a picture of some wonderful looking food, you can click on the picture and get directed to a blog or website that will have a recipe attached.
If a craft is posted, you can click on the picture and most of the time it will direct you to a website or blog. Many times a tutorial will be available for that craft.
So follow the link to Pintrest and get your creative juices flowing.

http://pinterest.com/all/

Jelly Roll Project

I have a great project for the Jelly Roll Giveaway !!!

My current project is called Line Art. I found this great, easy pattern in Quilts and More, Winter 2010.

This quilt is still under construction but when I finish I will add a border and it will have a nice new home on my daughters bed.

Basically it is a Jelly Roll with a solid color added on each end of the strips.

 I am adding a border to make it big enough for a bed quilt but the original pattern has it without. The pattern can be changed up by placing the strips in different patterns.

Instructions for this quilt can also be found at: allpeoplequilt.com/439

Be sure to follow my blog and leave a comment to win this Jelly Roll, Candy Kiss by Moda.

My first blog giveaway !!!

Who doesn't love Candy Kisses? Better yet, who doesn't love Sandy Gervais and Moda.

I know I sure do.

So here it is, my first blog giveaway !!!

I will pick one lucky winner to receive this great Jelly Roll of Candy Kisses by Moda.

Simply follow my blog and leave a comment and I will pick one lucky winner next Tuesday.

A few more fun with fabric ideas.

Okay, here is another great idea. Get an inexpensive frame with glass.

Take a piece of fabric and wrap it a round the cardboard lining that comes in the frame. Use tape to secure the fabric. Get a dry erase marker and you have memo board.

Have it by a phone for messages, in the kitchen for shopping list, in your child's room for a to do list and great in a college dorm room.

I love this next idea.

What a great craft to do with your kids.

Imagine the endless possibilities.

Using up that stash.

My sister is the queen of thrift shops. She always finds that diamond in the rough.

Her latest quest is finding great picture frames. She will find a great frame with a ugly picture in it, remove the picture and use the frame. Now sometimes she will paint them for whatever project she is working on.

They can also be for displaying some of your favorite fabric. Come on, you know you have that special fabric that you just can't cut.

A great use for all those charm packs we have bought over the years.

Here we have different size frames with great pieces of fabric.

Inspiration

Where do you get your inspiration?

It really is amazing what will spark your creative juices flowing.

I love to look at pictures in magazines and on websites.

Take a look at this picture.

I love the lettering above the bed, another great idea for fabric.

Look at the headboard. Most of us now a days when we are purchasing our fabric for a bed quilt we buy extra to make pillows and pillow shams.

How fun would it be to buy a coordinating print to make a head board.

Now I am no carpenter but I am sure it can be make with a piece of plywood, some batting and a great staple gun.

You could take it one step farther and add some fabric cover buttons.



Can't help myself.

Yes, it's true, I can't help myself. I just love this look.
This creative crafter used foam board and double sided tape.
How easy and wow, does it make a statement.

Okay, getting off the computer and into my sewing room.

Another great idea for fabric.

Okay, can't help myself, just love these ideas for pieces of left over fabric.

Fabric wrapped around pieces of Styrofoam.

How easy is this?

Love, love this idea !!!

Did I mention how much I just love this idea?
What a great way to use left over scraps of fabric after you have made the quilt.
It also is a great way to incorporate the fabric into the decorating of a room.

These are wooden embroidery hoops in a variety of sizes.

Schools out !!!

Yesterday we had the cousins over for a day of crafts and girly girl stuff.


We started off with making scrapbook pages.



Gabrielle hard at work.



Gabrielle's finished scrapbook page.



Aundrea



Aundrea's finished scrapbook page.



 Our next activity was painting our nails. Where was the camera??? Oh yeah my nails were wet.

If you look closely at our next group of pictures you will see our stunning nails.

Our final activity of the day was making cake pops.

Here is a picture of our first attempt.

Well, they didn't turn our quite like we planned so we call in the expert.
Cousin Sheree came to the rescue and showed us how they really are made.

Hard at work.



Now those are some good looking cake pops.




A good day was had by all.



I am still cleaning chocolate and sprinkles up, but well worth it. We really had a fun day!!