Catching up from Easter
Friday, March 28, 2008
With the kids home this week, we've been busily trying to work and keep them happy (entertained?) so I haven't had a lot of time for blogging.
However, we had a fantastic trip out to a suburban mall:
However, we had a fantastic trip out to a suburban mall:
My daughter cracked me up by asking "Mommy, why do all the houses out here look the same and how do you tell where you live?" - I explained that houses had numbers so they could tell which one is which and she said "Yes, but how do you tell which one is YOURS!". Chalk one up for individuality!
I got a couple of Round Robin Blocks finished - the theme of this one is "flower garden" - the beads are kind of a mosaic wall and then there's flowers! Obviously! heee hee!
Not as thrilled with this one, but there's some pretty fiber under some neat stars. The stars came out of a package with the original "The Denver" sticker (department store - LONG gone in Denver) on it.
Then there were the Easter crafts, we made these last Saturday. My daughter made the very furry bunny and we christened it "psycho bunny"!
Well, quick post, but we're off to the Butterfly Pavilion to pet Rosie! Woo hoo!
Labels: beading, crafts, embroidery, family life, kid art
Helping Handmade Classes - they're off and running!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
The end of this month marks the launch of our first few classes at Helping Handmade. If you haven't read about it here on my blog, it's my pet project (totally labor of love right now) to get people crafting so they will reuse and recycle rather than buying new! :)
The first of the three classes is a wonderful class (with a great kit) from SlyMagpie where you will learn basic jewelry making techniques. Now you might ask....how will this help me recycle? Well, don't you have a necklace that you love the beads on, but don't like the style and length? So restring it? Pick up cheap jewelry at garage sales and make them into something wonderful!
Second, we have a wonderful basic Brazilian embroidery class. Learn some basic (but wow worthy) stitches that would really spruce up a little girl's basic white top! Or take some of your old baby gifts (maybe unused blankets) and add a little embellishment to it and re gift it! (Re gifting is NOT a bad word anymore!)
And last (but not least) the crazy and creative Susan Sorrell will teach basic embroidery! Wish you could make cool and funky stuff? Embroider cute new throw pillows to spruce up that old ugly couch! (you've seen my post on cats...we don't get rid of anything) - or put up a cool hanging to spruce up your house.
The greatest thing about the classes at Helping Handmade is that all the classes are taken and completed on your own time, but you have access to the teacher (and other students) for questions and input. Some of the teachers will also be posting videos to supplement their down-loadable lessons!
All of the classes are basic and beginner level because we can all learn new skills and there are other advanced online class sites out there. However, very few help out those of us who drool over things we find on the Internet, but can't quite work out how to do them!
So, please, go try us out and be the first group to play with us at Helping Handmade!
(Yikes! that sounded like a commercial, but I really really can't help it!)
Labels: beading, embroidery, helping handmade
Slowed down and had a fun weekend! :)
Monday, March 17, 2008
We had a nice weekend. I did a bit of work on one of my websites, and did some serious "geeking out" - amazing HOW geeky we can be - be sure to check out our "Lil Geeks of the week" feature on Geek Parenting! (yep, that's MY little geeks)
Then one of the little geeks - Missy C - brought home this book. She said "You'll just scream when you see the book I picked out from RIF (Reading is Fundemental) Mommy!:
Well, I didn't exactly scream, but I was really proud! (I apologize for the cheesy link, but Amazon didn't have anything subtle! :) And it really is a cool book!) So, we picked out a project and Missy C picked out the fabric and she was SO proud to have created this:
I need to get a photo of the inside, it has really crazy funky flowers. She stitched the whole outside - I helped with some snaps and sewing on the button.
It was fun and she was really proud of it this morning. We put in brand new princess pencils and she was ready to go! :)
Then one of the little geeks - Missy C - brought home this book. She said "You'll just scream when you see the book I picked out from RIF (Reading is Fundemental) Mommy!:
Well, I didn't exactly scream, but I was really proud! (I apologize for the cheesy link, but Amazon didn't have anything subtle! :) And it really is a cool book!) So, we picked out a project and Missy C picked out the fabric and she was SO proud to have created this:
I need to get a photo of the inside, it has really crazy funky flowers. She stitched the whole outside - I helped with some snaps and sewing on the button.It was fun and she was really proud of it this morning. We put in brand new princess pencils and she was ready to go! :)
Labels: family life, motherhood, sewing
The Lost Mother - Comment if you need a good book!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I just finished reading this book that was passed along by Louanne - and before her Pat Winter and a few other gals. We've been recording the names on the inside cover of the books so it becomes a "travelling" book.I liked it....not a really peppy book, but if you know anything about the depression it probably won't be! :) The book was written in the spirit of Dickens and Steinbeck - so that should give you an idea of the flavor of it. Good story.
So, in the spirit in which I received the book, I'll give the book to the first person who comments. :)
Labels: giveaway
Crazy quilting meeting and Helping Handmade classes update
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Yesterday was our monthly Rocky Mountain Crazy Quilters meeting (http://www.rmcq.org/) and we had some fun!
We swapped our Round Robin blocks. Here are mine! I only added a few embellishments to this, but I had to put the whole block up...aren't the colors gorgeous? The embellishments and fabrics all go so beautifully!
This one is called "circle of friends" and was a big circular block. I added this little piece (the picture Pat Winter might recognize!) and the little flowers. I sort of left the edge haphazard...I felt it was "fun" and sort of left some "imagination space" for the next embellisher.
THEN! We got to learn how to do a peyote stitch in beading. I'm still working on this, and will get back to you when it's closer to done. Not sure if it's headed for a pin or a necklace, but Martha put some fabulous kits together with some gorgeous stones! LOVE mine!
Anyway, I just ADORE beading. It's so so so relaxing and fun!
Meanwhile, there's an update over at Helping Handmade! After some delays and some issues with the forum (where the classes will be taught) we're all set up for classes to start the end of this month!
Starting with a basic wire wrapping class! Then we have a basic Brazilian embroidery course (and it's really NOT hard!). Then Susan Sorrell is going to teach basic embroidery! They're all fabulous, reasonably priced and good for mother earth! Again, we donate a portion of all the proceeds to an environmental cause and also help you to develop the skills to reuse and recycle stuff you're tired of and might otherwise throw out!
We swapped our Round Robin blocks. Here are mine! I only added a few embellishments to this, but I had to put the whole block up...aren't the colors gorgeous? The embellishments and fabrics all go so beautifully!
This one is called "circle of friends" and was a big circular block. I added this little piece (the picture Pat Winter might recognize!) and the little flowers. I sort of left the edge haphazard...I felt it was "fun" and sort of left some "imagination space" for the next embellisher. THEN! We got to learn how to do a peyote stitch in beading. I'm still working on this, and will get back to you when it's closer to done. Not sure if it's headed for a pin or a necklace, but Martha put some fabulous kits together with some gorgeous stones! LOVE mine! Anyway, I just ADORE beading. It's so so so relaxing and fun! Meanwhile, there's an update over at Helping Handmade! After some delays and some issues with the forum (where the classes will be taught) we're all set up for classes to start the end of this month!Starting with a basic wire wrapping class! Then we have a basic Brazilian embroidery course (and it's really NOT hard!). Then Susan Sorrell is going to teach basic embroidery! They're all fabulous, reasonably priced and good for mother earth! Again, we donate a portion of all the proceeds to an environmental cause and also help you to develop the skills to reuse and recycle stuff you're tired of and might otherwise throw out!
Labels: beading, Crazy quilt, embroidery, helping handmade
We have 3 cats.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
And because we have 3 cats, a dog and two lovely children - THAT is why I won't buy new furniture! This made me laugh out loud this morning tho!Labels: family life, internet
Needle Felting is so much fun! :)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
It's snowing here after a freak 75 degree day yesterday! You have to love weather don't you? We went out to dinner and bowling (just Rex and I) last night and I wore just a sweater...today there's about 3 inches of snow on the ground!
HOwever, it was a perfect morning to wake up and do a little research on needle felting! I started (and finished? Maybe?) my first project and it's really really fun!
I have to admit that I was scared, so this morning I hit the internet in search of resources. I found this:
The best tutorial I could find and it definately gave me some direction. However, if you put "needlefelting" in at YouTube there are several there that are a lot of help. Good thing! Because the directions that came with the kit were awful, so I actually made up most of what I did! Missy C felt that the pattern looked like a dog anyway, so I think mine is cuter! :) I might still add a bit, but I'm happy for now!
HOwever, it was a perfect morning to wake up and do a little research on needle felting! I started (and finished? Maybe?) my first project and it's really really fun!
I have to admit that I was scared, so this morning I hit the internet in search of resources. I found this:
The best tutorial I could find and it definately gave me some direction. However, if you put "needlefelting" in at YouTube there are several there that are a lot of help. Good thing! Because the directions that came with the kit were awful, so I actually made up most of what I did! Missy C felt that the pattern looked like a dog anyway, so I think mine is cuter! :) I might still add a bit, but I'm happy for now!
