Done!

The candle mat that coordinates with my 'Spring Cookies' is done! Finally! And, I am so very happy with it. I really like how it turned out. It's just luscious!!!



What's next? I have to design the table runner. I know that I want to use the chick and the daffodil. I think the colors will be "White. Yellow and white." (Quote from my favorite Hitchcock movie, 'Shadow of a Doubt".) And some green. I think. We'll see. Don't make me commit to anything right now.

Here are some pics of my peeps:) The other night I was told to get the camera and bring it to the living room. Which meant that Dave got the boys to be still. Which also meant that there would be no way that I would make it to them in time. I've come to terms with the fact that the only photographic evidence we will have of our second child will look like a blur. A red blur.
But I digress. I actually got a few good pics. Of my peeps:)


Enjoy your day!

I am eating a yummy apple right now. So yummy that I just swallowed a junk whole. Actually, it took a moment to swallow that chunk but the apple was so good I didn't get too panic-y. So, today's life lesson is 'chew before swallowing'. It seems obvious but, even though I've been doing this for 39 years, it doesn't hurt to be reminded. It does hurt to swallow a chunk of apple whole!

So, what have I been up to? A lot of stitching. Except I flaked off a little bit yesterday because I had to watch 'Lost'. You can't stitch and watch something like 'Lost at the same time. I didn't even let myself go to the bathroom, I just kept fast-forwarding through the commercials. An hour and a half later I thought my brain and bladder were going to explode! All is well... 'til next week!!!

I finally finished all of the 'Spring Cookies'. I wanted to make 2 sets so that you can see different options. I also did some needle felting.






I will also be providing directions for three other projects in which you can use the 'Spring Cookies' pattern. The first one is a candle mat in some lovely colors.





The black wool is from a blazer I found and felted. It is delicious! It felted to look and feel almost like velvet. And it is so black! Just beautiful!!

What else? Not much. This weekend Nathanael and I will be shopping for Valentines for his school party on the 11th. We'll also start checking out birthday stuff. I don't know what to get him yet. He'll have oodles of suggestions, I am sure!

Now, back to the salt mines:) I've got stitching and sketching to do. I also need to get this months newsletter written. (If you are interested in receiving a newsletter from Sew Sweet Fabric Confections, go to the web shop and sign up. It will be at the bottom of that first page.)

Enjoy your day!

New Month, New Release, New Goals

Happy February, everyone! It's cold and bleak here in Lansing, MI. That's because it's February and this is what February looks like and feels like in Lansing, MI. So, here I am, putting as happy a spin on it as possible. At least it's a short month!

I finished my "Sweet Hearts" bowl fillers for my family. The pattern is on Etsy and at my web shop along with the option for me to make it for you. Check it out!

I sat myself down this morning and made a list of all of the projects I'd like to complete for this month. I will, of course, be completing the "Spring Cookies" that have been in the works. I'm making that into a booklet of patterns for the cookies themselves along with three other projects using the patterns. I also feel like giving some sheep a little love this month so I pulled out my Mother Goose and found three rhymes to work with. (I won't bother telling you those rhymes because I'm sure you can guess on your own!)

Currently I am felting the rest of my wool. Any sneezing you hear is because of that! And, when I am finished here I will be tackling those spring cookies of mine. The colors are perfect for this time of year- pretty pastels, pinks, purples, yellows. Helps blot out the gray outside!

I have been reading 'Cranford'. It is a wonderful book and I've been enjoying it quite a lot. It is a bit of an emotional roller coaster- cute, sweet, funny parts followed by something heart-wrenching. I'm hoping to find something to work with amongst the many pages. We'll see...

And 'Emma'. Wasn't that wonderful! One more part to go and then it will be finished. I've saved the recordings and look forward to watching the entire movie at one time!!
It looks like they (PBS) will be airing 'Northanger Abbey' next. Oh, joy! I love that book, too. It's a fun one and I can identify with Catherine and her over-active imagination.

Back to work. Lots left to do before Asher gets up from his nap.

Enjoy your day!

Saturday Hearts

This weekend I will be whipping up a batch of these lovely wool hearts, just in time for February. I will post patterns for sale on Monday to start off the 'month of love' just right! Here is a little taste:

The patterns will come with the heart shape for a template and the cross stitch alphabet that I have created. These are very much for the do-it-yourself-er out there. You can make them exactly as I did or use different colors of wool, linen and floss. The decision is yours. And for those who want them already made up but also personalized, you will be able to order them as such.

The nice thing about these sweet hearts is that you can make them over-the-top Valentine-y or, like I did, keep it a bit simpler and use it all year long. (I could even attach ribbon to the tops of my hearts and hang them on the tree come Christmas time!)

Anyway, back to stitching. I think I hear Asher up from his nap, too. Have a great weekend and don't forget part 2 of 'Emma' tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!

Spring Sweets

...not the kind of sweets you're thinking about. These sweets have zero calories and I doubt they'd actually taste good. But they sure do look yummy!!!



These are samples of my next project- Spring Cookies. There will also be three more designs; a tulip, lilys of the valley and a daffodil. I am going to make the flower cookies using the same colors as I did for the sheep, bunny and birdie. I then plan to make a set that will be more colorful, pretty pastels. After that, I see candle mats and runners and boxes. When all is finished I will be making up a booklet with patterns and projects for these diet-friendly treats. Stay tuned:)




I did some wool shopping on Sunday and have been taking apart jackets and sweaters in order to felt them. It's making me sneeze! With my myriad allergies I know I shouldn't be surprised but, come on!!! This one coat had a used kleenex in it and I found an earring. Once I found the kleenex I decided to give the seam ripper a rest. And I thoroughly washed my hands. (Shudder here.)

I am almost finished with 'U is for Undertow'. I don't like to rush through these books because I enjoy the characters so much, but it has to end sometime. I could have finished it off last night but decided to wait. After this, I am going to read 'Cranford' by Elizabeth Gaskell. I so enjoyed the movies on PBS and I am looking very forward to reading the book. I also plan on using this book as inspiration for more patterns.

Enjoy your day!

How wonderful was the first installment of 'Emma' last night? I just love that story and, as I've said before, I have a 'thing' for Mr. Knightley. This latest Mr. K doesn't disappoint. So here is my Gallery of Knightley's. Enjoy!

Saturday

Gray, blah day outside my window. Inside, it's peaceful and a little sleepy. One child is asleep, the other is watching 'Treasure Island'. I've been stitching. Cross stitching in particular. And, it's something for me, my home. Sometimes it feels so indulgent to do something crafty for myself. I find that it is necessary, though. It gives my brain a chance to settle. Sometimes, I am amazed at the wonderful ideas that pop up while working on something for myself. Other crafters and artists are so inspiring. I think working on something created by their creative fingers helps to clear cobwebs and jump start my own creativity. So, here is a little 'shout out' to The Sampler Girl whose patterns I have been devouring lately. Thank you!

Yesterday, my 7 year old had his 'Star Student of the Week' interview. My husband and Asher and I went. It was a lot of fun. He answered the questions like he was on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?'.
"Nathanael, what is your favorite ice cream?" asks a classmate.
"I'm going to guess... vanilla with sprinkles." responds Nathanael.
It was cute:) When asked what his favorite number was, he said "44". When asked, "Why 44" he said, "Because that's how old my dad is." Tee, hee! Then another boy called out, "My dad is 44, too!" And another boy said, "My dad is 56." (The boy next to him said, "He's your grandpa then." Imagine the many conversations around various greater Lansing dinner tables last night!) And on it went.

Well, I guess I'll get back to being a mom. Fold some laundry, take care of dishes, wipe up crumbs....

Enjoy your day!

P.S. Don't forget 'Emma' tomorrow night at 9:00 on PBS!