Whatcha Working on Wednesday: Red Cross Stitch Holiday

Just when I thought all the craftiness left me until next year out came the red floss and a snowflake design. Red cross stitch just screams the holidays. This little project is for a dear friend and once she gets it I will gladly show off the finish product. 

Isn't it funny how one little thing can inspire ideas - like new stockings for our fireplace (it will be our first Christmas ever with a real fireplace to hang the stockings on) and a new tree skirt for next year. What are you working on?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

I've been slowly packing things up and decided last weekend to start on probably the biggest room - the studio. There are a bit of things that I just don't use anymore, never have used, or have way too much of. So after packing up 2 large boxes of fabric - I decided to do a little giveaway of craftiness coming up.
What have you been working on lately?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

I kept my promise and created something last night. The first step was to get the kids all snuggled into bed so no distractions would take place. So after baths, several books, and me contemplating if bribing them with cookies after they just brushed their teeth would make me a bad mom (don't worry folks no cookies were eaten) the house was finally quiet. TV remained off - it is an easy distraction, instead I turned on my favorite Pandora station (Kate Nash).

What happened next was unexpected. When I made the promise I thought it would include thread, maybe a sewing machine, pins, and fabric but none of that came out of studio last night. Instead the watercolors were raising their hands, paint brushes were asking to be picked, and pencils seemed to be extra sharp for drawing. While I'm not sure if I love the end results yet - I want to do more. Make some prints. Put them in my Print Me Out shop for all to enjoy. What do you think? Maybe a little makeover at Print Me Out is in order.

What are you working on?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Now that all major holidays are over, a baby shower has passed, and one child has become a year older I have more time. We are still planning things like 2 more birthdays only weeks apart, the little man entering preschool, and other excitement. This for us is slowing down.
So last night I was thrilled to start some fabric hexagons, after all they have been haunting me this past week. There is this lovely little quilt by Amy here, Alicia's amazing calicos, and then there are these this & that. I did take warning from all the other lovely hexagon makers that they would be addicting and they so are!

Being the cheap thrifty lady I am, I didn't buy my paper hexagon but rather used a 1" hexagon template here and printed them out. Got a fun little project planned for them and then maybe a more time consuming one...we will see.

I also did another page in my Finish This Book. Can't say enough good things about this book!! It's one of those happy purchases that I don't regret spending a little money on myself.
While my crafting list is growing longer and I keep adding to it - What are you working on...new recipe? a quilt? yarn goodness?

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

So today I thought I was going to show everyone the wonders of block number 2 in the series of Doodle Embroidery Quilt Blocks but it just so happened that a little thunderstorm rolled through last night. Which in turn caused our power to go out. A viscous cycle had begun because without electricity meant not enough light to embroider and no movie to entertain children. So the kids and I played with my camera for a bit ... after all, this weeks photography inspiration is Dive In and I hadn't even started it yet.

Damien agreed that the best thing to dive in to is our bed after a long day. Of course to get the pictures the only diving in would be on mom and dad's bed. After the jumping up and down, throwing of pillows, and  taking the sheets off my bed stopped the daylight was fading fast. Getting all nestled into their own beds I read the kids a book by candle light, something that put my old eyes to the test. The fear of not having a night light was soon replaced with the rhythmic sounds of small snores and I was left to sit downstairs in silence.

A person can only watch candles flicker for so long. Paper and pen in hand I wrote down to do lists, 4 year plans, and back to school needs.Getting very bored with myself I decided to call it a night. At 2 am our power came back on with a hum. Going around the house shutting off the lights that had been left on 8 hours earlier, I realized how thankful I am for electricity. Tonight, hopefully with the power of electricity, I will be able to stitch up enough of  block 2 to post pictures. Which only leaves me with one question .. whatcha been working on?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Would you really be shocked if I said more bags? No?! I didn't think so. That really has been what I have been working on for handmade items. Ideas for the second of the Doodle Embroidery Quilt Blocks is floating around there too. I'll be sewing away and then need to stop, write down my idea, and then continue sewing. 

Sometimes though the thoughts inside my head at not always positive. Self doubt often creeps in and this very annoying little voice says "Why are you wasting your time, do you think anyone is really going to buy any of this?" You know that horrible hater that lives inside all of us. The one that makes you stop before you start, the one that makes you think of the what if's in life,  and the one that tells you that you really don't look as good as you think you do. I hate her.

Well she got put in her place last night. There are enough haters, doubters, and saboteurs out there already I sure don't want to listen to the one inside my head. Instead I made my pleating bags and a list of must do's:

• Make a tangible banner for shop
• Make a free bag pattern for all those lovely followers of mine
• Take more pictures of vintage treasures for shop
• Weed the garden - it's over due
• Plan a day at the beach

So that is my list. I have to say it is far better sounding than the evil nonbeliever. Don't let your inner dream crusher get you down - Whatcha working on this Wednesday?

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

Oh it's a happy day. Being someone who is hard to focus on one project at a time, I am excited to report that I have finished something and stuck with it entirely. I'm not saying that there weren't thoughts of other little lovely things to make dancing through out my head, but more so that I resisted those thoughts. The finished results look something like this:

The pattern is from the wonderful Alicia Paulson and it's called the Mina Dress. It was so much fun to do and was my first ever crocheted clothing item. Unfortunately I did not check the gauge - mostly cause I can't be bothered (yup I'm one of those people) and it doesn't fit Aries. It's more fitting for a little one that is 2 yrs old - Odyn do you want a dress? He stated he doesn't but some little girl will.

Aries wants me to make another one right away that will fit her this time but my hands need a rest. Does anyone else find that crocheting really gives your hands a work out? Next I think I will work on top secret mother's day gifts for the Fefes. Fefe is the word Damien came up with when he was little to call the grandmas   and it has stuck.

Another thing I have been working on is my garden beds. Hubby helped this weekend build a new stone path and stone borders. The bed that was there was more rounded and odd shaped. Plus the path was really hard to shovel and find this past winter. It looks 10 times better but now I just have to find a way to get rid of the red ants that want to take over. Plus I got the biggest mother's day surprise the other day, my mom and her husband Eric came down and did some landscaping for me. Now more than ever I want to put on those gardening gloves. 

So what beautiful things have you been working on? 

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

I have been working on bunches and bunches of ideas. Filling the shop with lovely spring items including my handkerchief doily garlands that would look vintage chic at a wedding or even a spring tea party.

Being new to crochet (less than a year) I don't crochet very fast. Hubby says I have the granny thing down and all I need is a rocking chair and a porch. Fine with me if it comes with tea and quiet. So I have been slowly working on the Mina dress still. The funny thing is that after it is done it will not fit Aries. More likely to fit Odyn and he really doesn't need a dress. Maybe one of my lucky girlfriends who have daughters younger than Aries will get a sweet gift.

So What have you been working on? Anything new?

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

The response from the Etsy article has been overwhelming this week and I just want to thank everyone for their lovely comments both here and on Etsy. The smile on my face hasn't gone away, so thank you thank you thank you!
There has been so much I have wanted to work on but for unknown reasons it's been a struggle. I have to finish up a lovely present I have been working on before this weekend (Plus I really can't wait to show all of you) and while I am doing it I just find myself in the zone. Not the good creative zone but the I want to cuddle up in a big fluffy blanket with a large bowl of buttery popcorn and watch a mind numbing movie zone.
Guess it doesn't help that this week I have jury duty smacked right in the middle of it. Yup - UGH!!! Tomorrow I have jury duty. But here are some things that I have been working on - or at least thinking about working on ~ that should count too:
* Finishing gift
* Starting an art journal
* Spoon Stamping
* Adding things to the shop
* Decoupage wreath
So What fun and exciting things have you been working on? I need the inspiration.

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

I am working on:

* Finishing up on my secret crochet project from the last Whatcha Working on Wednesday
* Getting ready to punch some spoons for my barn shop (I actually ordered the metal stamps)
* Eating better and exercising more
* Making more garland for the shop
I  just got one question for you .... Whatcha working on this wednesday?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

It's official - I have gone off the crafting band wagon but I am getting back on.

Something I have realized the past couple of days is that I never stop thinking of things I want to do but finding the time to do them is a different story. With spring right around the corner (it is I swear) the barn shop is getting closer and closer. So this weekend was filled with fun barn business, like picking up some wonderful shabby chic terra cotta pots from this wonderful woman.

Also on the agenda but not getting to actually do it was finishing up a lovely crochet blanket I have started. Can't tell you why or the what behind it yet - sometime soon I promise. Auctions were high on the list this weekend.

This is good news for all you vintage loving folks because 99% of it is going into the shop. I haven't given up the crafty part of the shop and I don't think I ever will. It's all about balance and since finding items to put in the shop is a little easier at the moment then making something I need to go with that. Soon things will get more organized, the birthdays will be behind me till next year, and the Buster that lives in this house will soon outgrow the chew on your shoes stage.

So to give myself some time and inspiration Wednesday night is my craft night - even if I don't wanna do it. Sometimes these little pushes make us do great things. With that I have one question for you ....Whatcha working on this Wednesday?