cataloging

This started out as a mini quilt for Claire, but it ended up being a showcase for every vintage fabric I've ever owned... of those I have left, anyhow. Some I like, some I hate, some I wish I had bolts and bolts of... but in this venue I think they all look wonderful together. So it turned into a catalog of sorts, and I love it hanging in my craft room.






















































All the little scraps that weren't big enough for squares on the front I turned into a crazy patchwork for the back.
This is my first time quilting with linen, and let me just say... I like. It's so crisp and shows off the quilting so nicely. It won't be the last time.

the view from here

Not much to say other than it's been very wintry, can you tell? 12 inches... yay!

Today was great for projects that have been on the back burner, like the lampshade for my little antique iron lamp. Instead of trim I opted for a blanket stitch. Blankets.... mmmm.....

aprons all around

We are all sick here, but still trying to have a little fun.
What could be more fun than vintage aprons?

just a winter day

is this a lush woodland scene, or...

...my new terrarium!!!











My sister Alicia and I spent all Friday night gathering materials and making these puppies. There are some great instructions here, and we definitely did the step with activated carbon to keep the water clean through each cycle. Mostly because we don't want to have to mess with these ever again.

Before:

















After:
















We had to buy most of the materials, except the moss came from my backyard, as did some of the rocks.

Incidentally, after I was already planning on making some terrariums, I received my latest Country Home which had a great article about them. Sadly, next issue will be that lovely magazine's last. I'll miss you bunches, CH.

laptop cozy

Here is a fun little project I did for my sister... it was her idea when she spotted a pillow cover she liked at IKEA. Then all it took was a layer of batting and felt quilted all together. The pillow cover already had a zipper at one end, which made it easy.















Order of operations:
1. Cut pillow cover to laptop's size, remembering to leave enough for seam allowance. Put the zipper* where needed before cutting. It's easier to quilt if you cut all existing seams (save for the zipper, of course) off the pillow cover. You now have two rectangles of fabric held together by the zipper.

2. Cut batting and felt to fit each rectangle of the pillow cover.

3. Layer batting on wrong side of pillow cover, then layer felt on top of batting and pin in place. Do this for both sides of pillow cover.

4. On one side, quilt all layers together in desired pattern. I did simple straight lines several inches apart. Repeat for other side.

5. Put the right sides of the pillow cover together, pin, and sew around the three open sides. Be sure to have the zipper halfway open or so before sewing!

6. Bind the seam by serging or sewing a tight zig-zag stitch around the raw edges.

7. Turn inside-out and you're done!

*This will only work with a plastic zipper that can be cut, not an old-school metal one. Pretty much all zippers on new pillow covers will be plastic, though.

i love that my sisters love etsy

dainty tree vase from BROOKLYNrehab
















'loop' tea towels from flying rhymes
'marcia' earrings from elizabeth williams















And what could be better than fabric-inspired makeup? My sister the awesome makeup artist gave us all marimekko for Avon. This is the eyeshadow... I don't know if I can bear to use it!

And word is I have some Australian screen-printed fabric on the way. Yay!