"Best of Craftster 2011" Winner!

I just found out that one of my embroidery designs -- "Chic Chandeliers" -- was a Craftster's "Best of Craftster 2011" winner in their Machine Embroidery category!! How exciting!! These little "gems" are machine embroidered on stiffened craft felt and make great home or party decorations. Decked out in beads and crystals, they will brighten up any girl's room, bath or porch. They make sparkly little sun catchers when hung by a window. What a great bridal shower decoration or gift!! Thanks Craftster, for the nod!!

I'm a Craftster Best of 2011 Winner!

Craftster is an online community where people share hip, off-beat, crafty diy (do it yourself) projects. The term "Craftster" means "crafty hipster" and is also meant to be an homage to the pioneer peer-to-peer sites Napster and Friendster. Currently, there are over 265,000 members sharing crafty goodness every day.

Craftster was started in August 2003 and has since grown to a readership of over 1,000,000 readers per month. It has been written up in numerous publications including Time Magazine, the New York Times and the London Guardian.

Craftster is the largest online community for what is now commonly known as "indie crafts." ("Indie" stands for independent as in indie music, indie art, indie film, etc.) Craftster is regarded by many as one of the cornerstones of the recent renaissance in crafting known as the "indie craft movement."

Thanks, Craftster!!!

You've Got Mail

I think I've mentioned before that I love to get mail. Well, not junk mail. Packages, really. And I just got the sweetest little package in the mail from a wonderful etsy seller: pinkedfabrics. I love ribbons and trims and have no problem buying them even if I don't have a specific project in mind. One will come to me, I know. Amy, the shop's owner, took such care in packaging my little purchase. All of the trims came bundled in colorful baker's twine and were protected in a clear cellophane bag sealed with a sunny & cheerful piece of gingham washi tape.

Her business card is adorable and really speaks to what her business is all about - color, creativity and craftiness. I will be shopping there again for sure!!

Visit Amy's blog, lots of pink here!, when you get a chance -- lots of pink AND lots of inspiration!!

"Read" Tote Bags For Jumpstart Readers

I just found out that Zede's Sewing Studio is creating our "Read" bags, featured in the Sept/Oct 2010, Volume 64 of Designs in Machine Embroidery magazine! The bags are for the Jumpstart reading program in Columbia, MO. What a great idea for such a great cause -- I wish I had thought of it! The free "Read" embroidery file is still available on the Designs magazine website. Click the magazine image below to get it. The totes make a great gift or donation. So far, Zede's customers and staff have made over 250 totes, with another 250 on order. Keep stitching, Zede's!!

Can Fabric Be "Delicious"?

I say "Why, yes, it can!" Today, I got a package from a wonderful Etsy seller -- Kerri at SewDeerlyLoved -- just full of yummy, fun and charming fabrics. (I LOVE getting things in the mail.) Checks and florals are some of my favorites. And let's not forget polka dots -- they cheer me up! I'm not sure what I'll be making with them yet, but they are a welcome, spring-time addition to my ever-growing stash!!

I think That I Shall Never See...

How can one tree provide so much entertainment? I don't know...it just can. :) This post proves it. So does this one. I call it "my tree", but it really belongs to my neighbor on the street behind us. And I haven't told them yet how much I appreciate their tree. I guess it's time to send them the links. :)

Aprons Aplenty!!

This past Christmas was the first in many years that I had made up my mind to sew gifts and followed through with that decision. And I had a blast! I made aprons for my sister and 4 sisters-in-law. They really liked them! Instead of making a pattern, I used one from the book "More Retro Aprons" by Cindy Taylor Oates and modified the pocket of style B by making it bigger and lowering it to the waist. I also left out the darts because I was a little lazy but in hind site, wish I had used them. Sewing for a living sometimes makes sewing more "business" than "pleasure" but this project was just fun for fun's sake! Here's what I ended up with:

My Tree

I know I've posted about this before, but I just can't help myself. I get to see this everyday and it changes all the time. I know my appreciation of a pine tree might seem odd, but it's become a touchstone I can look at anytime and then I think "it's all good". I can see it from my kitchen window and my studio (read: basement room with 2X4 studs & insulation) window. I know...wacky.  :)

Just In Time For Spring Sewing...

Just in time for Spring -- "Her Highness" -- will have your little Princess jumping for joy!! Garden of Daisies March Sale continues, so now is the perfect time to stock up!! You get 2 FREE Shamrock Appliques with any purchase all month.
Happy stitching!!

Get Sewing For Spring!!

It's time to get sewing for Spring! There are lots of great designs to add to all your springy projects. Lots of great giftable ideas, too! With any purchase, you'll receive 2 free Shamrock applique files -- 2" & 3" sizes to help you get your green on. Happy stitching!!

What Inspires You?

For me, one of the things at the top of that list is fabric. The way I see it, there are very few things that a good fabric stash can't cure. Boredom, the blues...all gone when you're in the presence of a good stash. Just to look at it is to be inspired. It's hard to pinpoint what attributes inspire me most -- I think it's a combination. Color, texture, pattern, feel and even smell all speak to me of the inherent potential in a pile of cloth. Although I am not really a quilter, quilting cottons are what I use most in my embroidery and sewing projects, so quilt fabric shops are my favorites. A well-stocked quilt shop is like a candy store to me. I'll have a little of this one and a little of that one... In no time, my stash can be filled out so well that projects can be started at any given moment.

I am lucky enough to have a little place in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and had to make my stash "portable". Since most of my projects are pretty small, I cut a fat quarter from many of my fabrics and have them in two plastic totes that I can pop in the back of my car when heading north. That way, I'm ready to go when inspiration strikes. I am lucky, too, that one of the biggest and most popular quilt shops is the USA -- Keepsake Quilting -- is on my route to the mountains. It has become a regular stop coming and going.

I've also made it my mission to find all the independent fabric retailers within driving distance of my house and my little place up north. I found a great shop in Salem New Hampshire -- Pine Tree Quilt Shop -- that has already been added to my "must visit again" list. I'll keep you posted on what else I find.

Happy stitching!!