Stitches in Play

making a bit of time each day

For the past week, I have made it a priority to take a about half an hour each day to create with or sew or just sort fabric.

I have found that it helps to get the creative juices flowing with a dark chocolate peanut butter cup (or two) from Trader Joe's. 

Nothing concrete yet but I have a bunch of large blocks that I may try to arrange into a quilt or they may become inspiration for several different designs.  The above block came about by accident.  I drew out a larger, more complex block on graph paper and then cut and pieced most of the triangles when I realized that I didn't have enough of the 'background' fabric.  So I played around with what I had and came up with this much simpler block.  I'm almost done piecing the block I originally drew with different fabric.  I'll share all this on Friday.  If there's interest I'll do a quick tutorial on composing various star blocks.

I'll leave you with this shot of Mr. Shadow kitty.  In case you're wondering, he's saying,"Enough with the quilting! Let me in and feed me already!"

I'll see you back here soon with some quilt-y progress. 

 

 

proving stuff to myself

Most times taking pictures, making stuff, blogging and flickr are super fun and creative outlets for me.  But for some reason I cannot get in the habit of taking a picture a day for my flickr 365 - I have failed in previous years but intend to make it though the year in 2013.  I seem to remember to take a photo on days that my family sticks to a schedule.  But the whole family was home last Monday in honor of President's Day and I didn't take any pictures.  We went out for breakfast and then for a hike with the dog.  I didn't bring my camera and just thought I would take a photo "later."  We came home for a bit and cleaned up around the house, ate a late lunch, and then off to ballet for the girl and taekwondo for the boys - still no pictures taken.  I went grocery shopping during the kids' classes and came home to put away groceries, whip up a quick pasta dish for dinner, clean the kitchen, and hang out with the family......no pictures were taken.  I won't bother with the details but exercise, pets, kids, a dirty house, an unexpected visit, and guitar lessons filled up my Tuesday as well - once again no pictures. 

So on Wednesday I was pretty upset with myself for truly enjoying my days but somehow not being able to take a single photo to document them.  I left the house right after the kiddos got on the bus to exercise with a friend, then I ran errands for myself and on behalf of several members of our temple.  I came home and walked the dog right before the boys came home from school.  We had thirty minutes until we needed to get in the car again to drive to taekwondo.  I grabbed my camera and took pictures of anything - mostly nothing - but I took pictures.  It was quick and fun.  And I (hopefully) proved to myself that all I need to do to take a picture a day is to pick up my camera.  How easy is that - right!? 

On Friday I also (hopefully) proved to myself that I can piece a quilt again - all I have to do is take out my sewing machine and fabric and place it on the kitchen table while I eat my lunch!  I will share quilt progress soon!

The following are just some of the pictures I took in the thirty minutes it took me to get the boys a snack and get everyone out of the house and on to taekwondo.  Lesson learned - pick up the camera even when you think you are super busy and running around the house (still) in your workout clothes at 4:30pm!

Quilt blocks coming soon.  I am so excited to be making again!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

observing valentine's

Valentine's Day 2013 in pictures:

On this Valentine's I took pictures. 

Abby went off to school with a bag full of Valentine's cards, candy and small gifts.

Ezra and David are in middle school and no longer exchange cards or candy in school so they have to settle for the cookies and brownies that mama bakes.

Above photos of plastic rings are from Target.  $1.50 for a pack of eight. Abby asked that we buy some for her girlfriends.  There were three left and they are so lovely when the sun hit them that I couldn't stop photographing them. 

Martha Stewart's heart sandwich cookies were beautiful but not terribly flavorful.  The chocolate were much better than the pink sugar variety. They were, however, a ton of fun to gift to friends and neighbors!

There were hearts in my ivy plant and pink streaks in the sky.  It was a wonderful day!

I bought myself red tulips from trader joe's for $4.00.

Greg bought me what I really wanted for Valentine's.  (I had to tell him what I wanted ahead of time but after nearly twenty one years of marriage we are both just fine with that)  And now I cannot stop smelling myself - and i'm just fine with that too!

The morning after shot...

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

love my new kerchief

Just finished the Moody Kerchief and I absolutely love it.

Love the simple and well written pattern.  Love that it knit up in less than a week of evening knitting.  Love that it wears beautifully.  Love that the money I paid for the pattern goes to a family in need.




Ezra, my thirteen year old, took these photos of me and I had to post them all - I just love this small simple shawl from every angle!  It's soft and warm and looks great even without blocking.  But best of all it looks great paired with blue jeans and a tee!

Pattern: Moody Kerchief

Yarn:  The purple is Cascade Yarns Baby Alpapca Chunky in color 569; blue is Malabrigo worsted in continental (26),

Needles:  10 US

all we need is less

Living simply.  Cleaning house.  Decluttering surfaces.  Living with less.  Enjoying more.