My Latest Crafts!!!

and a rambling post! It's funny cause since going back to work full time, I've prob gotten more creative stuff done. My house is an absolute disgusting wreck but hey, priorities right? I had a wonderful Etsy seller ask me if I was a quilter. And will respond here too cause I dont think my rambling response went thru to her.

First I LOVE Etsy and didnt really discover it/use it til recently. After I get the kids to bed, I often stay up late either doing something creative, reading quilting books/mags (now beading mags) and/or if no energy for any of that, I LOVE to look at what others are creating. I'm on a quilting board but love to look at a wide variety and many on the quilting board are creating year long masterpieces (that are GORGEOUS) but not super inspiring to me. My motto has always been: fast and easy. The ADHD mind of a busy mom - right? Plus stuff has to be super durable. Another reason I've also been on Etsy is that I've wanted to replace some of my quilts now that I have some income. We literally had worn out large twin size quilts I've used for years protecting the couches from kids/animals and just with heavy duty cuddle time. Of course I just keep patching them together but wanted a few new things. I went thru a big pink phase and almost all my early stuff is Rachel Ashwell based (whites/pinks): not the sturdiest of fabrics, altho suspect I will always love it. Now have a huge desire to work with pinks/oranges etc. Into Bright. On kind of a funny note since this is a blog about different types of scraps (incl paper).. finding it so interesting that many of the paper companies for paper scrapping are now getting into fabric (Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket), etc.

I have purchased two quilts from Etsy and love both. One has much applique in it and some gorgeous quilting. I asked the seller and she doesnt use a longarm. I can only BEGIN to imagine how long it takes to do the tedious quilting she did in this quilt. The other is very basic but just loved her pattern. Anyway, I hope it's ok with Etsy sellers to heart their stuff if we dont always buy. I suspect it is. It's inspirational and I do buy some. I still consider myself a beginner quilter.. maybe a bit more than beginner. My greatest barriers in going forward are time and patience. Even if I had the time, not sure I'd have the patience. I have pieces cut out for a Moda Blush quilt and it's been sitting for three weeks. Hopefully soon!!

In meantime I did finish a few beading projects. Another reason I love Etsy : lampwork beads. And probably will end up buying more beads from Etsy if I keep beading. Pics of two projects. One which is an anklet and one which is a bracelet but too long.. need to re-string! Want to do a bracelet as an end of year gift for one of my kids' teachers and a bday gift for friends' bday coming up. Will post those when done. The "too long" bracelet was to be a prototype of teachers' gift so it will prob be similar....

Super FAST and EASY, but pretty, Strip Quilt

using Moda's Verna. Love the Springy colors. Pics arent that great and dont show quilting. Had a harder time with the quilting on this and not sure why, maybe cause of the longer strips... who knows? Hopefully working on another quilt this afternoon.. A larger quilt using Moda's Blush! :)

Beads, Beads and More Beads

Like I needed a new hobby right? WRONG!!! I was given the most beautiful bracelet for xmas by a friend and after doing some research learned that the bracelet contained "lampwork" beads, or Murano glass beads. I decided to try and make my own after looking at prices on Etsy (granted many of these folks have purchased hand made, beautiful beads). I have no clue what this endeavor may hold but will share when complete~!

Oilcloth Bag

I should have done something different with the straps - still may pull off and fix....

Feeling Creative Lately!!

I havent posted/updated here in forever, so thought I'd load a few pics if nothing else, for my own tracking. I've gone back to work and surprisingly enough, have wanted to spend the evenings/weekends doing crafty projects. We wont discuss how neglected the house is tho!!

A gal I work with was talking about sewing and I remembered an almost complete quilt I had done years ago for my daughter. It was just taking up space when it should be sitting nice and fresh on her bed. So I pulled the sewing machine out of it's typical cramped space and moved it to the dining room table where it's lived since. Amazing how much easier it is to play when equipment is easily accessible. So in addition to her quilt, I finished an oilcloth bag I also started years ago and did a quilt in colors I've not used in past (more reds/modern looking vs. the more subtle shabby chic stuff().. I've fallen in love with Moda's line of pre-cut fabrics: charm packs, jelly rolls and turnovers. I have purchased a bunch of these and have several quilts in mind including a baby quilt for a friend. But next up, I will start working on a nautical theme (sailboat quilt) for my oldest and maybe a table runner or two (or wallhanging).. I love the fast/quick (satisfaction now) type projects!! So here are a few pics of recent projects!

Latest card

OK so I've been soo out of scrapping - digi or otherwise forever now. Sad cause I can't even prob tell you what I used on this silly card. Actually I can so email me if you really want to know, but not gonna list cause I dont think anyone follows this - more for me. Hopefully will be helping out on a few yearbook pages soon (for kids' school) which will force me to find my digi groove. Did this card very quickly but given how fast I did it, was fairly happy how it came out. I love my Copics altho didnt layer much color here. I also love that I can quickly make a bday card when I'm out! :) Biggest prob is just pulling all the junk out. I soooo can't wait for the day I have more space!

a Thank You Card, Guy Colors :)

Sooo for me, doing a card with more muted/toned down colors is sometimes of a challenge. I wanted to do a special card for a special friend who spoiled our kids rotten for the Holidays. I'm still on a huge learning curve with these Copic markers but having a lot of fun. I just keep playing! Of course I am addicted and wanting more. This is the thing about the paper crafting world. You ALWAYS want more... the latest and greatest. I swear it has to be right up there with video games in terms of being recession proof. I struggled with my Cricut for a bit today attempting to do something to soften up the hard lines (too many straight/rectangular things going on for me), and got really frustrated. I've had my Cricut (original ) for several years and mostly have appreciated for kids' projects. I'm truly thinking of selling it. My new love: nestabilities with my Big Shot (another piece of equipment I've had for years but with a "universal platform" which was inexpensive, it's taken on a new life... being able to run other company's dies thru). I'll prob ultimately keep my Cricut, cause I'd probably get all of $20 for it or something like that, and I do enjoy using once in awhile to cut numerous shapes for the kids (thinking forward to V. Day).

ANYWAY, the thank you card. Used one of my fav' papers from awhile ago: We R Memory's Boho Chic.. rest is Bazzill. Got the buttons thru a scrap club I was in a few years back. Image is Stampendous Changito Monkey - so cute! OHHH.. and discovered Gina K's pure Luxury paper and it's truly Pure Luxury.... the stamped image is on 120 wt paper which isnt necessary for stamping but what I've been using as I play of late. That with Brilliance or Memento Ink, seems to prevent bleeding.

There are many things I wished I could have done differently here, but given we're nearly a month out from the Holidays, just wanted to finish up and get to him!