inspired moments

A few images that I crossed the other day, and brought interest to me... 

From the M.S. November issue, love the fresh root veggies. 

Leftover birthday flowers, in the entry way desk... love that little owl, and the color of the snapdragons! 

Tomatoes in November! Yep that's when they bloomed in the yard.

More leftover birthday flowers, love the combination of these colors in roses, so soft, and delicate. 

words and books

I have been pretty obsessed with Heather Ross fabrics, designs, and even the surfboard, for a while now. I love her use of borderline childish and kitsch designs in such an elegant looking way. Everything she designs looks classic, and aesthetically pleasing. For the past couple of months I have been trying to buy her old, out of print, fabrics from etsy, and any online reference that still has them. While they have become pricey, I have found most of them and love using them in special projects. 

I was excited when her new book came out, Heather Ross Prints, It has a complete reference in the back with all of her prints, new and out of print. Along with a CD that can work in the computer to upload fabric designs to anything including fabric, wallpaper, wrapping paper, and stationary. I was especially excited when Sandra ordered an autographed copy for my birthday, complete with a Gnome drawing! So in love with this book! 

Another book on my birthday list, that I received was the new autobiography of, Kaffe Fassett, I love his use of color and pattern in his work. He is an interesting person with a rich history in the textile world. I can't wait to read this! 

I have been on a huge book kick lately. For my birthday I asked Sandra for a long list of them, and sweetly I was gifted all of them, complete with some signed copies!! Along with art, making, and decorating books, I have been reading up anything that crosses my path lately. Inspiration from words in books, magazines, blogs (I love the mix of words and photos in blogs), and anything else that crosses my path. I love the inspiration that can come from words on paper. One of my favorite things to do is to stay up very late into the wee hours and read.

stitching along

The small lap quilt, I have been working on, all began with the love I had for this group of fabrics I put together. I first made pillows and loved them so much that I wanted something for myself. I do not usually use a lot of purple in my work, however it is almost a grey purple and that works for me. Mixed up with lots of grey and brown tones, and a kick of coral, it is a nice combination. 

I am almost finished with the whole thing. The top stitching is finished, I used my new sewing machine to create a decorative stitch on the top, which I really like the look of. 

For the first time, I am not swearing off the binding of something! I went slowly and carefully with it, tried a new way of folding it and stitching it to the quilt... So far it is going on well, and looks better than I normally have it look! Can't wait to finish this thing, today is the day... I think. 

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! 

madness

Started a small lap quilt this week, and am almost finished with it. Fun fabrics, soft prints, cozy. Made some invites for a family event, got the laundry done... sitting here, awaiting this storm they are calling "frankenstorm". With the history of my neighborhood I may not have power for a while, I try to stay optimistic, but I prepared this time. Finishing the small things, that make a big difference, that need power to work. Got some wine, and apple cider beer, pulled out our banangrams game, and the lanterns.  I even managed to iron out some fabric and cut some hexagons, there is always hand piecing that could be done by hand and lantern light.

These storms make me nervous, and uneasy. Maybe it is a control thing, but I hate not knowing how it is going to go. Hope everyone stays safe and warm!

Chihuly, the master of glass.

Over the past couple of years Richmond has been home to some wonderful art exhibits. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, was renovated and with the renovation came some great works of art. At the moment Richmond is lucky to be home to the Dale Chihuly exhibit. I have been impressed with his work for a while now. It is always nice to see a fellow craft person, and how they take their craft to the next level. His works are beautiful and captivating, I could stare at them for hours and never tire of looking for new things. Below are a few snapshots that I took at the opening night. 

The boats were one of my favorite things. the glass orbs are fantastic. 

How could you not fall in love with his ceilings... 

Brilliant, native American inspired works. Subtle and beautiful. 

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.