small fortunes

Mollie Makes and Quilty magazine have become two of my new favorites. I read about nine different magazines a month, some are craft, textile and making oriented and others are home, decor or style related, and yep, I actually read the whole magazine. However these are my new favorites because of the layout, simple, clean, easy to get through and if you want to make something from one, it is explained so well that it is simple to follow. 

I do not follow patterns very often, but lately I seem to be enjoying it. It all began with the cross stitching, and then it was off to felt. I made these little fortune cookies for Valentine's Day based on the pattern inside the Mollie Makes magazine. It was very simple to follow and I had a fun time making a couple for my love, family, and friends. Valentine's day is a bittersweet day for me, but that doesn't mean I can't remind people that I love them. 

winter

This small quilt has been finished for a while, but it has taken me a long time to get around to photographing it. It is a winter/Christmas quilt that is meant more as a display than to be used for warmth, even though it would be a good child size. I used an altered log cabin to make the blocks, and the whole thing is a square 60"by 60". Most of the fabric is Aneela Hooey and there is a little Heather Ross in there too. The solids are a mixture of brands, and I can not remember what the red is, but it is very soft! This was a quick project that I wanted for the holidays, even though it was not really done until January. And while there are some Christmas motifs I think it could be a nice winter piece. At the moment it resides in my guestroom on my quilt hooks that usually hold vintage and antique quilts. 

I love this snowman teapot. 

The back is clothes pieces by Aneela Hooey,  and I almost like the back of this one better than the front! 

It is nice to be done with another project... 

December 31st

New Years Eve.

I must admit it is my favorite night of the year. Time to reflect upon the year that passed and welcome in the new one, full of anticipation and curiosity as to what lays ahead. I never thought a year ago that I would be here now. I have done exactly what I wanted this year, by being in the studio, using my hands and making. Of course there are always things we want to make resolutions on, but instead of harping on the things I can do better, or my vices,  I just want to continue to do what I have been doing. Enjoy the balance that seems to have taken shape and live each day knowing that I am lucky and grateful! 

I must add a thank you/I love you, even though she never reads this. Babe, without you none of this would have taken shape. Your encouragement and acceptance mean the world, even when it makes no sense to you, you tell me to keep going. I love you. 

beds, boxes and tiny hands

I took a little bit of time before Christmas and made some handmade gifts for some small friends. By small friends I mean the children in my life. I started out making two of these, and before I knew it I had made seven. I still have a few more to make, so they will get their little boxes for their birthdays. I used a basic Chanel gift box, we had enough at work that I could grab some for my little project, and I then started making the smallest patterns I have ever made.

Each box contains a small "mattress-like" bottom cover, a tiny pillow, and a quilt.  I then added some finger puppets that I scored at Restoration Hardware on sale before Christmas. The whole box measures about 5" by 7", they are small and compact. The idea is that the child has a mini bed with a toy in it that they can take with them or play with. I remember loving small compact things as a little girl, Polly Pocket was one of my favorites. The pillows are about 1.5" x 2.5" so tiny and so cute. I really enjoyed making these, and the children seemed to enjoy playing with them too. 

This project re-in forced something that I have been trying to convey to children for a little while now. It is important to remember to use your hands and imagination, because with those two things any magical thing is possible. With all of the electronics available today, most children can program an 

i-phone before they can write their own names. I am fascinated by that and at the same time a bit let down, that the future generation is loosing all the craft that used to exist. So my mission is to introduce them to the handmade, and the importance of it. 

I signed each piece with "Don't ever forget to use your imagination"

I hope one day they can look at that and remember the magic of being a child. 

that time of the year...

It is looking a lot like that time of the year around here... The time when sparkling ornaments, and small little trees make their way out of hibernation and into the house. Christmas is not my favorite of all the holidays, however I do love decorating, and wrapping presents. There is something cozy about this time of the year, and I love making the house feel that way. It is also nice to take a moment, when possible, and think about all of the lovely things that have happened in 2012, thus far. The mantel is ready for a big man, with a white beard to break in and leave some treats in the stockings. (Still have to make one for the little four legged Achilles.)

The little cars are ready too.

As for the studio I have been able to steal a few moments in there to make this small quilt. I do not tend to buy a lot of Christmas or holiday fabric for that matter. However this line by Aneela Hoey was to much fun not to. I got it while I was in Portland, and I think it was actually on sale too. Hard to walk away from that. I love the little snow globes, and holiday sweaters on clotheslines, and since I have a lot of birds in my tree, it just had to come home with me. I am a bit further in the quilt than in the above picture, and hopefully will soon finish it, to enjoy for the holiday. 

The studio was actually clean for a couple of days. Being a clean person to begin with, it is usually not that bad. However there are almost always stacks of fabric, and ironing board and thread all over the place. "A working mess" I like to call it, the only mess I can tolerate. It really is nice when it is clean for a little while though, it only really gets that way when people are coming over though.

I was in love with this train made of gingerbread, and need to go back to admire it once more. It is at the Jefferson Hotel, here in Richmond. That is my step-dad Tom taking a peek at it, and if you think it looks big, keep in mind he is 6 feet tall! It contains 3,000 pounds of gingerbread alone. The tracks below, are even made of jellybeans and crushed chocolate. Brilliant! I love things like this built by hand! Especially now in an age of cell phones, tablets, pods, pads, fires, nooks and all the other crannies!  We took our out of town guests there and they really enjoyed it. A good place to remind children of this era how far a little imagination and hand-work can go! 

another year...

Sandy, the nightmare hurricane seemed to leave us unscathed here in Richmond. I send well wishes to anyone up north, and hope for a recovery to normal everyday life soon! 

The election is over, and everyone can take down their tacky lawn signs, and stop the nasty ads on television... the best part, and I won't speak too much of it, because this is not a political blog... I am pleased with the outcome!!

My life never seems to calm down, and honestly I don't think I would like it, if it did. Being busy means life, and that is a good sign. I celebrated my 29th birthday yesterday... Strange to think of myself as that, not that I think I am old or anything, just that the passage of time happens quickly and somehow you wake up and are 29. I share a birthday with my younger sister, yes we were born the same day, 8 years apart. So yesterday was here 21st! We celebrated together and had a really nice day and evening, surrounded by friends and good times. I still remember the day she was born, I was a bit annoyed with her presence on my day, however now its mostly just fun! her real present was a Madonna concert a few months ago, and above are just some little souvenirs. Yep, I call her Beluga, no idea where it came from, but that has remained her nickname since she was born! 

Between the election, birthdays, weddings, Halloween, and life in general, I have not been posting on etsy as much, however I have been making myself a little something. I fell in love with these fabrics together so I am making a little lap quilt. I got a new machine for my birthday and have been playing with the decorative stitches. I love the look of them. I will still hand tie and stitch some quilts, but when I want a fast outcome it is nice to have the option. 

Really enjoying the new machine, it is still simple like my old one, but has more options on stitches. I really prefer to use simple machines to complicated, over-computerized versions. I think the basics, and classics, get the job done and still show the hand of the maker. Which to me, is an important step. 

Wow what a jumpy post, from storms, to elections, and machines! 

wings and things

A friend of mine is having a show this weekend in Petersburg, VA, at "Curl up or Dye." Instead of a first Friday, like RVA, in Petersburg they do a second Friday. This show will be part of that, and since it is October there is a Halloweenish theme. 

I decided to make some pillows and ornaments for the show. I will show the ornaments later, but for now the pillows.. 

I love the way the back of things look with the seams all pressed down, and separated, for a nice clean finish. 

These fabrics of course include winged creatures to make sense for the theme.. They also make me think of fall and warmth. Fall used to be very warm colors to me, and still is sometimes. However, since having a garden, I have noticed that fall means lots of purples and murky grayish tones. Not being one to use purple very often, I really enjoy this play on color. 

I almost like the back better than the front on this one. 

Finally I made myself a pincushion! I love these fabrics so I used the scraps to make myself a little pillow pin cushion. 

welcome to the current century!

So after many months of holding back I finally broke down and got an i-phone. I would have put it off longer, if an acquaintance hadn't made me such a good deal. I don't know how I feel about being "that connected" all the time! However it is like anything else I can hit the silent button and forget the world. The main reason I have been thinking about it, is so that I can make blogging easier at times, and so that I can check up on etsy and other projects from just about anywhere.

Well since I got this thing I have been playing with Instagram, which I really like so far.

The house is beginning to look a lot like Halloween! I still need to work out some kinks on how to get the photos on the blog, but here are the first ones. The pumpkins from below were actually a product of my garden! There are fake ones mixed in for a little umph! 

Supernatural magic

If you know me, you know how I feel about Halloween! If you don't, then let me tell you I love it more than Christmas, and wait almost all year just for fall. I love everything about October and November, the fall, crisp air. The leaves changing, the wet rainy days, and especially I love Halloween! I have been collecting fabric for a while that is mainly black and white and supernatural or bone related. I finally carved out some time, and came up with these pillows. 

The Ghastlie family fabric is one of my favorites. A simple, and one of a kind, crazy piecing style was used on those. 

The Matriarch, is my favorite. 

The twins fall a close second for me... 

When I got this anatomical fabric I did not realize that it is GLOW IN THE DARK! Yep, all of the bones glow in the dark. I happily discovered this when I was ironing it, and the bones turned that greenish, white color. I must admit it is pretty cool! 

These pillows are up on etsy, and will be followed by more Halloween soon. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/anaslayers

fabrics and findings

If you know me, you know that I love Halloween more than any other holiday! I spend just as much time decorating and getting ready for it as most people do for Christmas. I know its overwhelming and irritating to go to stores and see Halloween and Christmas stuff out in July, however when it comes to handmade things, one must prepare and start early.... or it never gets done. Which is usually what happens with the "handmade Christmas cards" I keep saying I will make, or holiday place settings.... the list goes on and on... I usually just make other stuff because holiday crafts seem a bit silly, especially with the brilliant selection of things out there in vintage, antique and craft stores. 

Well this year is different, I tell myself! I am going to make something for Halloween! The details are not worked out but here are a few of the materials. All of this got kicked into gear because I found a website that carries COFFIN paper pieces!!! It is the same company that makes the hexagons shapes that I use. I buy most of my quilting supplies here in Richmond at Quilting Adventures, the staff there is wonderful and they will order almost anything for you. So I put in my order and a few days later was off to pick up my coffins! I can't wait to play with this, that's exactly what it is: PLAY! 

I got this fabric a few weeks ago and was instantly in love, it is called the Ghastlies, by Alexander Henry. I think this guy will fit nicely into a coffin....

I might have to use some of these skeletons too...

Or these skeletons, and flies... See while I do not always make holiday craft-things I have collected enough fabric to make lots of craft-things. 

 

And while I am sharing some of my fabric stash... I love this Alice and Wonderland, Japanese fabric I just got.