I Love My New Machine

So right after I got my new machine I hit my Creative Minds Group (have I mentioned that a really cool and talented group of girls meet every Wednesday night at the Arts Station - anyone welcome!!) and made this dress for Avery. I did NOT do the flowers, they were on the material, but I did hem it with one of my fancy dancy stitches!

So last week for my birthday my wonderful husband came into the house with a present for me. Before he gave it to me he told me that I really deserved something special since I never buy anything for myself. I argued that I shop at the Salvation Army all the time!! Seriously, I can't remember the last time I really bought something for myself, but I don't really need anything new. Anyways, he bought me a new sewing machine!! It sat in the box all morning, partly because I didn't feel I deserved it & it was way too much $$, and partly because the fancy machine intimidated me. I mean, my 22 year old machine doesn't even require an instruction book!

When he came home at lunch I was still staring at the box insisting that he take it back. So he ripped open the box so that I had to keep it! Now, all I want to do is SEW!!

Goodbye Winter!

The last day of February and we have no snow left in our yard! I was putting away the winter toys and Kaden was upset as he wanted to go for a sled ride! A little hard to do on GRASS! Oh I love it!! Thought I would post some pics of what my little man likes to do....basically anything concerning big trucks or mighty machines! Thankfully they are doing construction up the street so we are able to walk over and check them out.

My Little Artist

So you know those plastic easels you can buy for your kids? Yup, have one of those in the kids playroom, but Avery insisted on making her own so she could paint like Grandma! She got a cereal box, taped it to the back of a chair, then put a box under it so she had somewhere to put her paint. I love kids' imaginations!!

Finger Pupper Fun

These cute little finger puppets were super easy to make! Although when I asked Avery what each animal was, she thought my mouse was a cat, my cat was a dog, and the bunny was a cat but she loved them anyways. They are also from Kata Golda's Book "Hand Stitched Felt". They come with a little pouch that each one can snuggle inside of, and then it can be rolled up & taken anywhere.

Craft Book Addiction

So I have a confession to make....I am addicted to buying craft books. There I said it. I love to buy them, look through them over and over, keep them on my bookshelf, admire all the great things in them, and say to myself "I can make that." I even like to buy the materials needed, which are stockpiled so lovingly in my basement/storage room/craft room. So my 2010 promise to myself is to make at least one thing from every book I have.

My newest favorite book is Hand Stitched Felt by Kata Golda. I love her work as it is cute, quick and super easy!

I just finished these notebooks during Wednesday night craft night at the Arts Station. They are made with the store bought felt, and embellished with felted sweater bits and pieces. I also have a stockpile of paper in my basement/storage room/craft room (for scrapbooking of course!) so that is what i used for the inside. FUN!

Swirly Tree with Sun

I have always had a thing for cool looking trees, like the Burmis Tree in the Pass. This is just a picture of a swirly looking tree using the wet felting technique. Once it was dry, I did some needle felting on the "swirlies". (Is that a word? Wonder if I could get away with that one in a game of scrabble?) I sold this picture and hope they love it!