If you are looking for a family oriented vacation, I highly recommend the OBX.
A Craft Dabbler's Journey
Sunday, August 29, 2010
OBX
My family has just returned from a vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina (OBX). We rented a house within walking distance of the beach which included a pool, hot tub, plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone, and 4 outside decks to just hang out and read. We spent a lot of time at the beach, did some shopping, took in a few of the local attractions (like climbing to the top of a lighthouse, and kayaking the bay), but mostly we just enjoyed being together. Now that my children are grown, with children of their own, getting the whole family together is rare and all the more special.
If you are looking for a family oriented vacation, I highly recommend the OBX.
If you are looking for a family oriented vacation, I highly recommend the OBX.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Gabriel
For the past year, my daughter and her family have been fostering a sweet little boy. Tomorrow he goes home to his birth family, which is the way things should be. We are all happy for him, and pray for the best for he and his family.
We also will miss him (especially my granddaughter who is his same age), and hope to stay in touch. We didn't want to send him home empty handed so, in addition to lots of clothes and toys, I made this quilt especially for him. It has his name appliqued in the corner, and is in bright primary colors, with airplanes flying around in some of the circles. I think he is going to like it, and it is big enough to grow with him.
If you would like an uplift today, check out this wonderful blog by Stitchin' by the Lake. She is working her way up to listing 1,000 blessings. Some of the blessings on her list are sure to be your favorites too.
We also will miss him (especially my granddaughter who is his same age), and hope to stay in touch. We didn't want to send him home empty handed so, in addition to lots of clothes and toys, I made this quilt especially for him. It has his name appliqued in the corner, and is in bright primary colors, with airplanes flying around in some of the circles. I think he is going to like it, and it is big enough to grow with him.
Happy Sewing♥
Friday, August 13, 2010
Business Card Holders
Last week I experimented with the Rose of Sharon die, and this week I made these cute little business card holders using it.
You can find them in my kimbuktu shop.
You can find them in my kimbuktu shop.
Happy Sewing ♥
Monday, August 9, 2010
Every Day Listers
Shining a spotlight on some Etsians who have taken the challenge of listing something in their shops everyday in the month of August. And here they are in no particular order:
This has been a fun and rewarding challenge to come up with something new (and now and then a relist) for my shop every day. I have met some supportive and interesting people, been included in a number of treasuries, and even sold a few items to club members. Definitely a profitable experience all around.
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| mystuff.etsy.com |
bnazar.etsy.com
This has been a fun and rewarding challenge to come up with something new (and now and then a relist) for my shop every day. I have met some supportive and interesting people, been included in a number of treasuries, and even sold a few items to club members. Definitely a profitable experience all around.
Happy Sewing ♥
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday Sampler Block #8 - Dimensional Rose of Sharon
I've been wanting to make some dimensional flowers for an item for my quilt shop, and this week's tutorial gave me some practice.
You will need:
1 dark fabric for background, 12 1/2 inch square
3-4 various light and medium fabrics for flowers, scraps can be used for this
Fusible web, I like Heat and Bond Lite, but any two sided fusible you like will do
Low loft cotton batting, warm and white works well
Thread
Accuquilt Die #55045 Rose of Sharon
If you don't have this die, or an accuquilt machine, you could cut these flower shapes by hand.
Cut a 12 1/2" square out of your background fabric.
This block works best as a design and play as you go project. There are ten shapes of flowers, leaves, and center circles available on the Rose of Sharon die. Since the shapes can be cut individually you can use small scraps of fabric. You don't have to cut a whole strip of fabric to cover all ten shapes, unless of course you plan on making more than one block.
Important: for the shapes that will be fused flat (no batting for dimension), iron the fusible onto the wrong side of a piece of fabric about an inch bigger than the cut shape before you cut it. Then center it over the die shape you would like and cut.
I like to work in odd numbers, so I made 7 various sizes and fabrics of flower shapes for the first layer and 5 small leaves. These all had fusible on the back.
After cutting the first layer, arrange them on your background fabric the way that looks best to you. I like some of the pieces overlapped.
For the dimensional flowers, layer a piece of batting and the fabric wrong side down and then cut together.
Play with your fabrics and dimension until you get it the way you like it. Take a picture or sketch so that you can remember how they are because you will need to take it apart to sew.
Start with one of your batting and flower units and layer it onto a fused flower. I used a free motion foot and a circular stitch to attach my layers. Experiment until you get a design you like. I am not as happy with some of my first attempts as much as the ones I did at the end, but that is okay with me. I enjoy the learning process.
No need to clip the threads between each layer or flower. You can clean it up later.
Don't forget to stitch your leaves too, and even some of the flat flowers if you like. Just relax and have fun with it!
1 dark fabric for background, 12 1/2 inch square
3-4 various light and medium fabrics for flowers, scraps can be used for this
Fusible web, I like Heat and Bond Lite, but any two sided fusible you like will do
Low loft cotton batting, warm and white works well
Thread
Accuquilt Die #55045 Rose of Sharon
If you don't have this die, or an accuquilt machine, you could cut these flower shapes by hand.
This block works best as a design and play as you go project. There are ten shapes of flowers, leaves, and center circles available on the Rose of Sharon die. Since the shapes can be cut individually you can use small scraps of fabric. You don't have to cut a whole strip of fabric to cover all ten shapes, unless of course you plan on making more than one block.
Important: for the shapes that will be fused flat (no batting for dimension), iron the fusible onto the wrong side of a piece of fabric about an inch bigger than the cut shape before you cut it. Then center it over the die shape you would like and cut.
I like to work in odd numbers, so I made 7 various sizes and fabrics of flower shapes for the first layer and 5 small leaves. These all had fusible on the back.
After cutting the first layer, arrange them on your background fabric the way that looks best to you. I like some of the pieces overlapped.
For the dimensional flowers, layer a piece of batting and the fabric wrong side down and then cut together.
Happy Sewing ♥
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
One of a Kind Zoo
We had fun visiting the zoo Sunday with our granddaughter, not just any zoo, but the only zoo in this country located at a high school. The Trevor Zoo was established in 1936 at Millbrook School, (a coeducational independent high school in Millbrook, New York) by Frank Trevor. Mr. Trevor was Millbrook School’s first biology teacher, and a man with a passion for sharing his love of wildlife with all people, especially children.
I liked the zoo's compact size which afforded up close and personal views of the animals, and just the right amount of time to cover with small children, bamboo lined pathways, and child oriented displays.
Other interesting facts about the Trevor Zoo include:
If you are in the area and would like to visit, check out their website.
Other interesting facts about the Trevor Zoo include:
- It houses more than 180 exotic and indigenous animals
- 80 different species are represented
- It is home to 7 endangered species
- Its facilities extended over 6 acres
- It operates a veterinary clinic
If you are in the area and would like to visit, check out their website.
Lots to Discover,
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