tail feathers

Our son loves baby chicks. In fact, when picking out his guinea pig from the pet store, he picked a tiny, soft, yellow guinea pig that when held in our hands was as soft & downy as a baby chick. He even chose the name, Baby Chick for his guinea pig.

And since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I'm going to crochet little critters for our 3 kids.

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This oh, so cute pattern for this tiny bird is in the Jan. issue of Crochet Today.

So easy & so adorable!

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I used Caron yarn in Soft Mint.

This yarn is by far, my most favorite to use. It is soooooooo soft & silky, the tactile experience of using this yarn is -- better than therapy. A very much within my budget.

Now. The girls will get some cute crochet critters too. I searching for a an adorable pattern for a horse & a giraffe......

show some sewing love pt. 2

(ahem...no peeking, Harley!)


Hearts, cupcakes & puppies. Just the thought of all 3 of them conjures up 'sewing love' in some way or another.
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This is part 2 of Dandelion Quilt's, Show Some Sewing Love swap.




The flowery, brown fabric looked so delicious -- like chocolate frosting on a cupcake -- that I just had to make a cupcake to go with her tiny heart quilt.

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The cupcake pattern is from this yummy, yummy book.

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Said with a content smile -->'Definitely showing some sewing love.' I'm hoping she can feel that when she receives it.

showing some sewing love

(Disclaimer: If your name is Harley ---> Stop reading now.....

you'll ruin the surprise...)

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I am participating in Dandelion Quilts

Show Some Sewing Love Swap

and this is what is on my 'design table' for that swap.

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What begins as a blank canvas turns
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into -penciled in- ideas

& sewn paper-pieced blocks.

Add small stitches of embroidery

& those 3 simple blocks turn into

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a kitty-approved wall-hanging.
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(Fabric is bits & pieces from my stash -- mostly Hobby Lobby yardage
& the paper-pieced block patterns come from

Carol Doak's 300 Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks book.)

simple cabin quilt

This quilt adorned the wall of a tiny, tiny cabin that we were able to 'walk through' on our vacation.

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Although --the entire space of the cabin was no larger than our living room -- so I doubt this constitutes as a 'walk through".

But the quilt. It caught my breath when I saw it hanging on the log wall. Such simple colors, but so vivid with the contrast of the red & white fabrics.

And oh! Those hand-quilted stitches. It made me positively speechless. The lighting was poor as we stood there and I just have to wonder about the woman who undoubtedly completed a strenuous, chore-ridden day -- only to sit in the dimly lit cabin to make this quilt with her tender, meticulous stitches.

so ornamental

These German bell ornaments were gifts that I made for very dear friends & teachers this year.

And although Christmas has already passed, I did want to show you how beautiful they turned out & yes! they are oh, so versatile.

Choosing from the tons of fabric, ribbon and beads available everywhere --- well, goodness, you can personalize these to fit just about anyone. The directions can be found here and although the folding seems complicated, just keep thinking 'folding a paper airplane.....'

crochet christmas

I did indeed finish this Christmas tree skirt in time for Christmas! There were some serious doubts that I could get this done in time for present-opening. And honestly, my hook flew like it has never flown before and I just amazed myself with finishing it.

The pattern if from Country Woman magazine, issue: Nov/Dec 2003. I'm not sure if this issue is still available.

And of course, the cats presume that it was entirely crafted for their napping pleasure....

And many of you asked for the pattern for this aqua doily. It is from Magic Crochet magazine, issue: April 2002. From the buzz on different web pages, I don't think this magazine is available any longer. I have picked up a few at rummage sales and thrift stores.

Lastly, my blogirl-friend, Robyn tagged me. She has a beautiful blog and she is sooooooo full of charm & sweetness! And because I was just recently tagged w/ the same 'game' here are my answers.

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And I am tagging all of you who read this!

another bag

The current fashion craze of black nail polish and skull & cross-bones adorning clothing....eeeehhh. Not exactly my thing. Okay, truly not my style, but when our teen asked if I could make another bag for another friend, I made it to her modern specifications.

And then we found this rather cute skull fabric at the fabric store. Actually, not too scary and quite adorable when coupled with the flowery, black fabric.

And the friend -- well, she loooooooooooooved it. Along with the black nail polish that came with the bag.

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Yah...well. My desire will still lie in the vintage-y goodness of the fabrics from my grandma's apron & tattered quilts found hidden in an attic.