Pumpkin Patch

Greetings!

 

Yep, I've been busy.......I mean BUSY...........I'll even go so far as to say I'm a Farmer - just look at my crop.....

 

 

One of my favorite blogs is Wild Olive and when I saw the tutorial for these sweet, sweet pins - I just HAD to make a few.  It's kind of funny how crafting takes on a life of its own.......as I was cutting the fabric (mostly scraps from Cheryl - thanks Cheryl!!), I had NO idea the personalities of these little pumpkins would be popping out before too long!

 

 

Mr. Grumpy is for my favorite chef..............and nope, it's not a pin, it's a magnet (he's not the "sporting a pin" type of guy).

 

Little Ms. Raspberry goes to Gail - 'cause that's how she rolls..............

 

The Sweet Smiled pins will be going to Heidi, Dee and moiself.

 

Creepella immediately requested fangs "with just a couple of droplets of blood".......and the Oh-No pumpkin is just funny & expressive so she'll be hooked up with my sewing mentor, Cher.

 

 

Grumpy or not - this just makes me chuckle!!  They were so much fun to make and I can't direct you fast enough over to the Wild Olive blog.  She's so gracious with all that she shares - her tutorials are wonderful and if you're new to sewing/stitching you'll find success in any project she showcases. 

 

Currently I'm part of her Holiday SAL and I'm working on something that's TOP SECRET - all I can say is I'm delighted with how it's turning out and I have definitely caught the EPP bug!!

 

I've got a couple of days free from the daily grind so I'm hoping to have a couple more crafty posts before too long!!

 

Toodles for now...

 

P.S. thanks to Creepella for her excellent photography........she makes the crafty-ness look great!

Sew Star Wars

 

Kind of looks like a poster I might have had in my bedroom (or hall locker - Gail, remember our locker in Junior year???) when I was a teenager....

 

But it's NOT - it's actually a bag.....one that I made with the fabulous "2-Zip Hipster" pattern from DUMD (Dog Under My Desk.....but DUMD is waaaay easier to type....) and some oh-so cool Star Wars Fabric.  

 

I'm good with the knowledge that I create things.......I get that it's part of me and that if I can't create something on a regular basis I start to wither away (spiritually.....not physically - not sure what it would take to get me to wither physically....).  Normally I create with paper, stamps and inks...... annnnnd also for many years with yarn and thread and cloth and now fairly recently with licensed fabric and excellently written patterns & instructions.  

 

Creepella is a helpful and patient model................and this gives you some idea of the size of the bag......plus it's yet another photo of the bag itself.......

 

As is this............a little peak at the outside pocket lining (which I thought looked very much like lasers - pew............pew-pew...........  The "Star Wars" area involved a bit of fussy cutting but as usual, I'm a fan of fussiness................of the cutting persuasion.  

I was so enamored by the successful outcome I took no photos of the inside of the bag - which is fully lined and has a couple of pockets, one holds my phone and another holds bits & bobs (a couple of pens, a tube of Burts Bees, a hair claw clip, a tiny bottle of lotion, a couple of flash drives and a pack of gum) - you know the essentials if one needs to leap onto the Falcon because a Death Star is looming. 

I really like this bag because of the awesome fabric.....truly I do - but I love this bag because I made it - I looked 2 zippers, a couple of different types of interfacing and 3/8 & 1/4 inch seams in the eye and I prevailed.  AND I went on to make a couple more (Jack Skellington and Mickey fabric) - they also turned out well enough that I claimed credit. 

I've been busy - I mean majorly busy but it wasn't been with stamping.  Oh sure, I've made a few cards (whenever we've received specific requests) but that's not where I want to spend my time.  I want to spend it surrounded by fabric and zippers and interfacing and I want to make things that are useful and pleasing to the eye (and touch).  Not sure what that means for my card-making days but I know that my oh-so creative-hungry soul is happy with this kind of activity. 

I hope you're all finding a little creative bliss too!!!

Toodles for now...


Edited immediately ('cause that's how I roll.....)

 

I did indeed snap a photo of the inside.......there are the two pockets (the Star Wars fabric) and the rest is just glorious full-liningness (a new word - I'm sure it'll land into Websters on the next go-round).

Bag Crazy

Guess what I've been busy with....again?  Yep, it's another purse from Dog Under My Desk ok, so it's NOT exactly the same bag - I sort of Dr. Frankensteined it a bit......I crossed the Zip & Go Bag with the boxed corner pockets of the Essential Wristlet and created this hybrid bag.



 A closer look at the strap (yep, made from "scratch".....), the slide hardware and the TWO zip-zippers!!  TWO zippers................I swoon with the thought that I did that!!

And the lining for the front pocket and main body - LINING, completely FINISHED seams - COMPLETELY lined and finished!!

And I had different lining for the front pocket and for the main body - just 'cause I could........oh, I just noticed I have a black pony-tail holder hiding in there...........I swear - I have them in practically EVERY pocket of every bag and pair of pants I own. 

 

I've cut the pieces for the standard Zip & Go bag, I think it'll go much smoother than my hybrid - I'm just hanging around waiting for matching zippers and hardware...........I can hardly wait to get started!!!

 

Thanks for popping in!

 

Toodles... 

Sewing Endeavors

 

Guess what I've been busy with?  SEWING.....haven't sewn anything for over a decade (when I made Creepella some sort of Pink Princess costume).  But I've been engrossed with the pattern-making endeavors of Erin and I finally decided it was time (to purchase a pattern or two) and then closed my eyes and took a leap......while I didn't exactly defy gravity I DID put together this cool wristlet.  Yes, I moaned and groaned (and worked up a sweat and cursed quite a lot) whilst in the midst of "creating" this lovely but let me tell you I am beside myself with delight on the finished product.  

 

Erin's patterns are hugely daunting....because she's very, very detailed in her direction and photos.  But since I claim to like "Fill-In-The-Blank For Dummies" books I should have embraced her patterns from the get-go.  I did eventually built a healthy enthusiasm - it just took me a minute. 

 

Did I mention linings and fusible interfacing and sew-in interfacing and zippers (as in ZIPPERS) and hardware (which was actually kind of fun) and page upon pages of instructions? 

 

But isn't it cool?  I'm so enthralled that I made this with my own two hands, a sorta-working 25+ year Kenmore sewing machine and material that I've been collecting for eons (because it's so pretty, and the colors and patterns are delightful - it's like FOLDABLE B&Tpaper!!).

 

Anyhow, I'm a happy crafty-gal and I've already purchased the latest purse pattern (Date Night) and material and zippers and hardware so I just need a chunk of time to get busy!! 

 

I've managed to squeeze in a couple of cards too so I hope you'll return to take a peek. 

 

Toodles...

 

Sparkly Love

Obviously NOT a card.....but still it's a crafty sort of thing and holiday-related.  This is a pretty quick and easy design.  Love this little black kitties and I have many (many) charts of them for various months and holidays.  As I was avoiding some of my larger stitching pieces (and wanting to START something new because that's ALWAYS fun...), I decided I need to stitch up this little guy.  Creepella saw it and whined and wheedled enough that I stitched up a modified version for her - and she had the perfect little frame for him too. 

Here's a close-up of his little French-knotted butt......because EVERY black cat needs a pink French-knot of a butt......

Mini-kats ("Great Purrformance") from Calico Crossroads; DMC floss; Metallic fiber from DMC as well; 22-count Aida cloth from Loops & Threads (Michaels)

Wishing everyone a Happy & Safe Independence Day!!

Wildly Wicked

 

Yep, another Christmas gift.....CHRISTMAS?  Why yes indeedy - for Carol who likes all things witchy AND Wicked.  This was actually my first finishing attempt and it gave me the courage to move on to last week's Zombies............little by little, inch my inch.

 

This pattern came from "Just Cross Stitch's 2012 Halloween Ornament" issue.....so see, I'm not the only one who totally digs on Halloweeny things..........hee, hee, hee..........

 



 

Hope you have some wicked good crafty time of your own......!!

That Crazy Karla!





 

 

Zombies?  Seriously?  Wow....really NOT my thing!!  But I've found having a relatively large collection of cross stitch patterns really comes in handy...at the weirdest times!  Wanted to make most of my Christmas gifts and soooooo what can I do?  Crochet, cross stitch, embroidery, stamping and paper crafting.  I decided to mix it up with a bit of crochet and bit of cross stitching. 

 

Why Zombies?  Well because Karla is a sick-O and LIKES the whole Zombie thing....reads books, watches movies and that T.V. show and well, ick..................  But hey, how cool is it that I actually HAVE a Zombie cross stitch pattern in my stash (a huge thank you to the gals at "Raise the Roof"!).  Switched out some of the DMC floss for some hand-dyed fibers (for the whole Zombie mottled-skin look), searched high and low for the perfect worn, distressed Zombie-looking button and found The Perfect fabric (doesn't it just scream ZOMBIES???) for the finishing................ahem........speaking of finishing..............

 

Here's my little secret....while I can stitch like nobody's business I absolutely SUCK at finishing......I have stuff that I've stitched from YEARS ago.  I stitched Creepella the cutest little strawberry house and found the cutest strawberry print fabric and folded it all up nice and neat and presented it to her in a large Ziploc bag.........three YEARS ago..........still haven't finished it into the pillow I promised......what a bad mom I am........ 

 

So THIS year is a year of finishing.........a LOT of things actually - say, do you think that all of those non-finished cross-stitched-completed items are a metaphor for a bunch of things in my life?  Stuff that I've been dragging around for years and years and years???

 

 

Nope, I think it's mostly because I'm lazy and a teeny-tiny bit fearful of actually DOING the finishing stuff - wish me luck in this new adventure in 2013!!

Irish Blessing Stitching Stuff

I love these colors - both on the ring but especially stitched on khaki linen. While the khaki is darker than the stitched sample, I think it gives the whole project more weight (plus I seem to have a ton of khaki).

After I've completed all of the sentiment (ick - backstitched WORDS), I'll post a photo. Surprisingly enough, it's stitching up quicker than I expected. Doubt it will be completed for St. Patty's Day but that's not to important..............completing it THIS year - now THAT'S important!

Cheers!!

New Stitching Treasures

Look at this!!!

Come on - take a closer look......aaaaah, the beautiful colors and ooooooh, the wonderful sheen of the silk................simply heavenly...........

Creepella has deemed this her FAVORITE color (of course - slime green.....)

I got a killer deal on these fibers........less than half price!! For 12-strand silk fiber - whoa Nellie!! You couldn't select the colors (which normally I wouldn't agree to - I'm too controlling and heck, it's MY money), the shop owner selected them for you (but she promised not to send duplicates) - I was very nervous AND excited and when the package arrived, I ripped into it and ooooohed and aaaaaaahed all over the place.

Working with silk is such a special treat (it's pretty pricey) - generally I work with 6-strand cotton floss (whenever it's on sale at Michaels, I stock up!). I was so excited in getting these new silk fibers, I've already started on a little something for Creepella. It's a small design and since there are no color changes it's moving along at quite a nice clip. Once I figure out how I'll finish it - pillow, framed, inset in a tray, etc. - AND finish it - I'll show you how it turns out.

OK - I'm off to stitch.........!!

Rat Dreams

Stupid PIXEL crap..........

I'm soooooooo disappointed that I can't enter the Sublime Stitching Combo Contest thingy. Because of pixels.....PIXELS.......friggin' pixels I tell you...........who gives a rats ass about the flippin' amount of PIXELS????? I don't care - I don't even know what PIXELS are all I know is that apparently I have tooooooo many of them..............so IIIIIII can't enter this stooooopid contest (gosh, do I sound a tad bit bitter????).

So, after SLAVING away on this "project", I had to put it somewhere (besides Creepella's room - it's going to be made into a pillow - and she wants it..........probably just for the skull-factor). So instead of blogging a card today - you've stumbled upon my "Rat Dream" nightmare!! Does anyone get the whole "Rat Dream" reference?? Any "Willow" fans out there???

Heavy sigh...................such is my lot in life..................

Friggin' PIXELS...............

So the contest was to use 3 different pattern sets from Sublime Stitching's line of transfer patterns (I used the rat from "Gothic", the cat from "Cat-A-Rama" and the meat selections from "Meaty Treats"). Chef Bo-B0 Head and Creepella helped out with the design portion (yes, we are a sick leeetle family) and then I found The Purrfect ORANGE skull material to stitch on and and Ta-Dahhhhhhh!!!

A Million Stitches - Or So It Seems

"Jenny Bean Halloween Sampler" - Shakespeare's Peddler
Fibers - Jenny Bean Halloween Sampler Pack - The Gentle Art

Forgive the tacky photo, I'm lazy and I was using Creepella's laptop so I just draped the in-progress sampler over the monitor and took the photo before it slunk down (again).....

Are you saying, "Hey, hey, hey............this isn't stamping, this isn't a card or a little goodie treat holder made from gorgeous decorative papers, punches with ribbons and gemstones and glittery goodness or other STAMPING items....what's going on here - have you lost your mind??? I came here to see a card!!!" Well here's the dealie - my blog, my photos and aside from Bob, nobody is the boss of me (said in sing-song style).

It's been my experience that most stampers have been dabblers in the whole arts & crafts genre and depending upon their age, may have had ample opportunity to dabble in a whole heck of a LOT of crafty-type arts. Me?? I picked up a crochet hook and was making a mean chain stitch by the time I was 6......I sold my first embroidered item in the 6th grade, sold ceramic creations and did wedding invitations in high school and have been on the paper path for, well, it seems for almost all of my life (calligraphy, quilling, paper-making, painting, origami and card-making.....still completely terrified of scrapbooking.....but that IS one mountain I WILL conquer......someday). I crochet, embroider (including crewel and needlepoint), work counted cross-stitch, fabric paint, fake-sew (I only utilize the pattern to cut the material and look at the "finished" design for assistance). I have not ventured into quilting (again, a bit terrifying) and I only make earrings as far as jewelry-making is concerned.

So bottom line is I'm a crafter, seems as if I always have been and most likely always will be. I love stamping but I really do love a few other artsy-fartsy things too.......mainly, crochet and cross-stitch. Many cross-stitch designs are absolutely gorgeous and there are some that are of heirloom quality (design-wise) just wating to be stitched. But oh stitching is soooooo, sooooooooooooo very slooooooow. Sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and getting nowhere fast so then I switch over to crochet because that's nearly instant gratification.....and extremely portable. At this moment in time, I have several stitching projects going.....Jenny Bean Halloween Sampler (above) is one that is nearly done. And yesssss, I happen to have quite a lot of "Halloweeny" types of designs/patterns/charts - but hey, how cool is it to stitch with threads with names like "Nightmare, Dried Blood, Witch's Wart, Coffin Lid and Zombie Flesh"??? Some of my OTHER current projects include "Skeleton Crew", "Witchy-Washy", "Black Cat Teapot", "Cookie Dragon" and "Love Potion #9".

Stitching is something that requires little to no effort and can be done while I'm with my family listening to a movie or a t.v. show....it gives us just enough "togetherness" versus when I'm stamping and I'm in a completely different area of the house (usually trying to run away from yet ANOTHER episode of "That '70's Show".....Kelso is just too stupid for me most of the time.....).

So in 2010, I'd really like to COMPLETE some of these stitching projects.....so Fair Warning - every once in a while, because I'm such a well-rounded crafter (and noooo, I'm not making any references to my nether-regions...) I'll be posting something that is completely NON-stamping-related.......just 'cause I can!!