{What month is it?}

Crafts / Me / Sewing

Is it really October?  I can’t believe how fast this year is flying by!  Craziness, I tell ya!

I also can’t believe I haven’t posted in so long.  And I really don’t have any reason why I haven’t.  I did have my 30th high school reunion last month (I know, I know, I can’t possibly be old enough! wink!), and the planning for that took up a lot of my extra/free time.  I will have to do a post about that soon, and show some of the fun decorating type things we did.  It was a great time, and I loved seeing so many friends and blasts from the past!

I’ve been toying with the idea of hosting a Holiday Boutique before Christmas.  Have you ever hosted a boutique?  Any thoughts or advice?  I’ve been trying to get my craft on, and get some things ready, but my creative mojo seems to be hit or miss lately 🙂

I have become obsessed with embroidery. And tea towels. And boxes with embroidery thread sorted by color (I’m weird).  Carl has been on a different work shift the past few weeks, so he tries to get to bed before nine.  That is way to early for me, so I have been spending some time stitching up a storm.

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Fun stuff!  I’m a total novice and don’t really know what I’m doing, but it has been a really good stress buster and relaxation tool for me these days!

Welp, no idea if anyone is out there reading anymore, but thanks for stopping by if you are! I hope you are having a FABULOUS Wednesday!

What have you been doing this fall?

Any college football fans out there?  If so, what team do you root for?

Ali

{I had the time of my life…..}

Crafts / Me / Sewing

Well, hello there!  I know, I know…..it's been a minute (or a million) since I last blogged, but life got Ca-Razy there!  But, it's time I got back at it.  I've got a ton of things to blog about, but the first thing I have to tell you about is the FABULOUS weekend I had in Kansas in November!  I first blogged about going to Craft Weekend back here in August.  Well, the weekend finally arrived and I had the time of my life!  Seriously, I really did!  So much fun!  This post may get a bit long winded, with tons of pics, so please bear with  me!  First of all…..the hostess with the mostess:

Meg Duerksen is awesome.  So nice, spiritual, down to earth, creative, funny, etc.  Just FUN!

And her side kick Kimberlee Jost:

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Super fabulous as well!  And the girl can cook!  Oh my word!  The food at Craft Weekend is truly scrumptious!  Pumpkin Cheesecake, Creme Brulee French Toast, Harvest Chilli, Fajitas, Cinnamon Rolls and more.  Sooooo good! 

We were picked up at the airport by these two girls (the helpers for the weekend):

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Megan from Contented Sparrow and Becky from Farmgirl Paints, two of the hippest, funnest and coolest girls I've met!  They had never met in person (only through their blogs) and they were seriously soul sisters!  Loved their connection! 

When we drove up to the house, I about died.  Look at this beauty?  Gorgeous, yes?

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And the inside of the house?  Love, love, love it.  So colorful and inspiring!

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(photos courtesy of my beautiful roommate Jill from 4 Fab Franklins)

This is where we crafted:

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And where we ate our delish meals:

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I also got to meet this girl, which was a dream come true!  She was there to visit on Friday night!

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We spent both Friday and Saturday nights crafting.  We made the infamous apron, along with some other fun, fun crafts:

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(images courtesy of Meg Duerksen)

Check out our swag:

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 We stayed up late, late, late…..into the wee hours of the night.  Taking a break on Friday night to head to the local donut shop around midnight for fresh, out of the oven donuts!  And on Saturday night it was cheesecake! 

During the day on Saturday, we headed out to Bearly Makin it Antiques and to The Barn for some antique shopping. 

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Oh my.  Soooo  many treasures to be found.  My main goal was to find a nice, hand stitched quilt.  And find one I did!

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Here it is on my bed back home.  I need to try and get a better photo.  The yellow is  more of a creamy butter yellow, not at all neon or bright.  I love it!

We made a quick stop at Sonic on the way back to the Craft House, before getting back to Crafting.  Sunday was spent taking photos, and saying our good byes.  It was so much fun getting to know such fun girls!  My roommates,  Joanna and Jill and I:

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All the girls with our aprons on:

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Ali
I really did have the time of my life!  It was the experience of a lifetime and I am so thankful that I was able to attend!

Go read Meg's post HERE about the weekend to see even more photos and get more fabulous information!

Also, I think YOU should sign up to attend Craft Weekend!  Do it!  NOW!  Go READ THIS and sign up!  You won't regret it! 

Happy Monday!

 

 

 

 

Ali

{Not Your Average Dish Towel}

Crafts / Sewing

Good Morning!

Today I am happy to spotlight one of the last items (that I took photos of!) that I sold at our Spring Boutique!

Not your average dish towel, right?

I took regular white dish towels from Walmart, and embellished them with cute fabric!

This one happens to be perfect for a UTE FAN!

I had quite a few other options, but didn't take photos before the boutique, duh!

What was I thinking?

This is one I made for myself!

Hanging proudly on my oven!

GO UTES!

Ali

My Latest Obsession

Crafts / Sewing

CROCHET

 

I began crocheting last fall during road trips and plane flights back and forth to California, to watch our son play college football.  I just needed something (besides reading & crossword puzzles) to occupy my time.  Crochet was the perfect thing!  I learned to crochet years and years ago as a child, and I picked it up again when I was pregnant with my first child….then put it away for the next 20 years.  Picking it up again was easy-peasy.  I decided to crochet dish cloths/wash cloths.  It was an easy project, and fairly quick to complete.  It’s now almost six months later, and I bet I’ve crocheted 75+!  It’s addicting!  I sold quite a few at a boutique my friend Pam and I had in November, and I’ve given some away as hostess gifts.  Everyone seems to love them!  When I get my etsy shop back up and running, I will mostly likely stock my shop up with these.  In the meantime….I continue to crochet!

 

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 Anyone else addicted to crocheting?  Knitting?  What are you making?  I would love to hear!

Ali

Sewing, sewing & more sewing

Crafts / Sewing

Spending some time this SNOWY night getting a little sewing done!  Need to get some new items in the Etsy shop! 

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Check out that nice winter snowstorm we are getting?!?!?!  Yikes, it's March!

BRING ON THE SUNNY, WARM weather please!

I've received several packages of fabric the last few weeks, that I am anxious to turn into camera straps, coffee cozies, coin purses and zipper pouches!  Maybe even a few iPad cases and Kindle cases!

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I'm anxious to get some new spring pillows sewn as well! 

What are you working on?
Some new for spring?  Please share!

Ali

Custom Dish Towels

Sewing

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I had a text message from a friend LATE Sunday night asking if I could put together some (6!!!)  spring-like dish towels for her….and the kicker….she needed them by

WEDNESDAY MORNING!!!!

Really?  So I panicked!  And my sewing machine panicked with me!  Decided it wasn't really in to getting them done by Wednesday morning!  It started throwing fits, which in turn made me throw fits!  Does this happen to anyone else?  Have a project deadline and the sewing machine goes on the fritz?  Or the glue gun?  Or the mitre saw? 

Oh well.

After some (many!) tears, I finally finished them late last night and dropped them off this morning.  Excuse the not so great photo!  It was taken on my phone, before running out the door! 

Thanks again for visiting my blog!  And for becoming a "follower"!  I really appreciate you!

Ali

Fabulous Friday Finds

Fabulous Friday Finds / Sewing

Happy Friday!

TGIF and all that good stuff!

Today's Fabulous Friday Finds….are some FABULOUS handmade items! 

Gussy Sews 
Gussy Sews

This is one of the most awesome shops!  Check out these items! She has lap top bags, Kindle/Nook bags, iPad cases, zippered pouches, and more! Such cute stuff!

Image of Yellow woodgrain laptop bag

Image of nook/kindle case - gold kaleidoscope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up:

Allora Handmade

She has all these amazing rosettes, made into brooches, necklaces, earrings, rings and headbands!  Super cute stuff!

Image of modern pearl rosette statement necklace {mustard}Image of SOLD OUT. NEW! extra large mixed bouquet brooch/clip combo {pale yellow/gray/off white}

And finally:

The Pleated Poppy

Tons of cuteness in this shop!  Love the zippered pouches, checkbook covers, petal pushers, petal drop necklaces, etc.  Love all the colorful fabrics too!

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If you have a moment, check out these talented girls and show them some love! 

Happy Friday! 🙂

Ali

Weekend Crafting

Crafts / Sewing

I had great plans for the weekend, which included a bunch of sewing projects, some more items for my Etsy Shop and paint/tile the bathroom.  Well……that didn't happen!  I did sew a few things, but only finished two of them (really?).  So much for big plans, right?

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New pear pin cushion for Etsy!  Pretty easy to make, and I love how it turned out!  I received some great fabric in the mail from Poppy Seed Fabrics ( I used some for the pear), and I couldn't resist whipping up this cute pillow for Madi's room.  I fell in love with the print!  Sooo cute!

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What a great print, right?  I love it!  So much for painting and tiling the bathroom!  There is always next weekend, right?

I also have a favor!  If you stop by to read my blog, I would love it if you could be a follower.  I get almost 200 views a day, but I only have 1 follower!  Help!  I would really appreciate it!

Linking up to Craftomaniac's Monday Craft Party

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and Polly Want a Crafter

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Funky Polka Dot Giraffe

Too Cute Tuesday 

Creations by Kara

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Funky Junk Interiors

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Ali

New pillows for the New Year!

Crafts / Decorating / Sewing

I had big plans for today.  Big plans.  It's New Year's Day…….the day I like to take down the xmas decorations.  But, I love having the house decorated for xmas.  Love it.  Love the lights througout my house.  It feels festive.  So, I didn't take anything down.  Stayed in my jammies all day.  Watched football.  Puttered around. Cooked a bit.  Spent time with my fam.  It was all good.  Decided to make some new pillows for my couch.  New pillows for the New Year.  Sure, sounds like a plan.  :)  I was wandering the ailes of Tar-jay the other night….not looking for anything in particular.  Just looking.  Waiting for something to catch my eye.  Checked out the place mats…..and what do you know?  They caught my eye.  A few of them:

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I loved the colors.  Threw 4 of them into my cart.  Took a trip down the christmas sale aisle.  Saw this:

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Glimmer snow?  75% off?  Like a buck a bag?  Bought 5 bags, to stuff 4 place mats to use as decorative pillows.  Brilliant, right?  I didn't really pay attention to the word "Glimmer" on the package.  This is what my floor looked like after stuffing 1/2 of a pillow:

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Glimmer everywhere!  Nice!  Oh well, carry on, right!?!?!?

Finished pillow:

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Lub it!  A new look for the New Year!  I finished two, and will finish the other two tomorrow.  More pics then!  In the meantime…..Happy New Year!  Wishing you all the best for a happy, healthy, and productive 2011!

 Linking up to: The DIY Show Off

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Tuesday's Treasures

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and

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http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2011/01/frugal-friday.html

Ali