Where have I been?

All summer long we struggled with computer issues. It was one thing after another. So, what with all the technical difficulties I had lots of time to create stuff.
I found a nice piece of waffle cotton in our local fabric store's remnant bin. So, I collected up some bits and pieces and did a band from Tone Finnager's Sew Pretty Homestyle. Her project is a full quilt, but I did all the piecing of the band by machine and some of the bits and pieces. Then I took the whole thing up to the cottage and did the hand applique and embroidery sitting by the lake. When I got back, I attached it to the blanket. The top has a co-ordinating band at the top. This is my blanket for watching Gray's Anatomy, Parenthood and Mad Men when they all start up this fall.

Later that same summer...
There was a special project which can't be photographed yet, since the gift has yet to be given. However, when it is, I will post the photos. I learned a lot of new things about fabric, quilting and the like. And, there was a great deal of love in every stitch.

I also did a little quilt card for my sister-in-law's wedding recently. We included a gift of money, so the little quilt had a pocket at the back. The applique came from Jenny Ryan's new book Sew Darned Cute. Everything in the book is truly darned cute.

Happy Canada Day!

In honour of national pride and all things red and white, I offer the Strawberry Torte of Awesome.
It is made using the recipe for the Apple Torte, shared in an earlier post. However, I used strawberries for the topping.
First bake the crust, then the filling in the crust. Cool. Then arrange the strawberries on the cooled torte.
To prepare the strawberries:
Use about 1 1/4 cups of berries. Cut them in half, then dose in a couple of tablespoons of Lemoncello liqueur. Toss the berries with with four tablespoons of sugar. Let stand for about an hour at room temp.
Arrange the berries in concentric circles on the top of the torte. Pour juice into a small saucepan and boil until thick and reduced to half its volume. Spoon juice over the torte.
Refridgerate the whole thing for about four hours.
Sing O Canada, and serve cold.
Mmmmmm.
Here's a link to Heike Blohm's new website: heikeblohmdesigns.com
I have taken a figure making workshop from her and she's a talented artist with an imaginative eye for colour. I have learned a great deal from her about various decorative sewing techniques -- and she shares my fondness for vintage homey decorations -- especially for Christmas. She has an impressive collection of vintage Christmas decor. Heike always has something on the creative burner -- and art doll parts in her purse.
So, if you get a chance, go check out what she has on the go now.
Cheers everyone!

Happy Birthday gifts!

The sock monkeys and puffins bring happy birthday wishes to Miss B!










The number one child is 21 today. Impossible. I am so very young myself...
Here are a couple of gifts I made for her. Once is a beach bag/shopping tote made from Erin Micheals' Malibu Monkeys fabric. The other is a puffin doorstop, made from a pattern in Sew Sunny Homestyle by Tone Finnager. I made a little fabric beak for him, since the book had instructions to paint the beak on. Instead, I combined some yellow fabric with some orange, stuffed it lightly and then sewed on the little "mask" to the existing beak. Fiddly yes, but well worth it for the overall effect.
In order to make the little tin pail heavy enough to stop a door, I filled it with stepping stone cement and decorated the top with decorative glass stones. (Three cheers for 40 per cent off Michael's coupons!)
Why puffins?
Miss Bee celebrated her 8th birthday in Newfoundland while we were visiting our beloved family there. We went on a whale tour and saw not only whales, but hundreds of puffins -- her favourites -- and since then, she has been amassing an impressive collection of these sea going clowns. In real life, they are hilarious to watch, especially when they are taking off from the water. They sort of run along the surface until they get airborne.
This is the first puffin I have made for her, but she has other handmade treasures in her puffin collection. My uncle made her a wonderful set of bookends and a coin bank.
She had a great birthday, and I had a wonderful time creating these presents for her.
Hope everyone's day is going well!

Under construction!

The Beade Faeries, the jewellery artists' collective that allows me to sell some of my creative ventures, has launched a web page that is currently under construction. In the coming weeks, we will go live and you admire -- and shop -- from our impressive body of work.
Here is the link:
http://beadefaeries.webs.com/

Ready for the ball

Ah June! Time for all kinds of lovely events -- including the Grade 12 prom.
Here is a necklace I made for my son to give to his girlfriend. Apparently, it is lame to give a corsage.
So, after a recent trip to Queen St.'s bead stores, I found all I needed to create this set-- and now it is all ready for the ball.
It features mauve fresh water pearls, sterling silver plated wire, and a real Swarovski starfish. I had a great time making it -- now let's hope they have a wonderful time at the party this coming weekend.
I am also working on a couple of secret projects for a special birthday. More on that later.

Ready for his close up

Tilda lamb and beach bag

These are presents for a special baby who will live in Turks and Caicos -- hence the beach theme.
The lamb is from Tilda's Crafting Easter Gifts and the bag is from Sew Sunny Homestyle.
The bibs are from Stitch magazine's current issue -- only with a tropical beat. The magazine features fruits and veggies on the bibs.