simplesparrow

A trio of flowers

After seeing Stephanie's  t-shirt she stamped for her son using her Gocco stamper, I was very inspired to get mine out and use it for the first time. I purchased the stamp kit sometime ago, but just as I did when I bought my Gocco printer, I left it in the box for a long time. I would occasionally stare at the box, mumble to myself that a Gocco is nothing to be afraid of and you really should fire that thing up and get your money's worth for heavens sake. It seemed like such a big production (and it kind of is) and it made me nervous. The happy ending is that I did eventually fire both up and now I can happily report that my Gocco phobia is a thing of the past---I'm pretty sure.

I'm quite pleased with my first attempt. I designed the little trio of flowers in my sketch book several months ago and while flipping through it found them again. I highly recommend keeping a notebook of sorts to jot down all your creative ideas, if you don't already. It has helped me tremendously. Otherwise I would never remember all the inspiration that goes through my head.

The first stamp in the lower left corner was my first try. I didn't apply enough pressure and the ink is patchy. I learned a couple of things that I would do differently next time, but like I said, for the most part I'm very happy! Now all I can think about is stamping more fabric!

After the fabric was finished, I wanted to use up the last of the ink so I made several patches too.

Cushy, jumbo sized pincushions!

(the pink & brown, and the pink & green are in my shop  now.)

These were so fun to make. I really, really love them! They are extra large, able to hold LOTS of pins or even a few brooches while sitting on your dresser.  The little tin of bits and bobs that Eireann  sent me is coming in so handy! Each one of the cushions is sporting a bead from that box.  I have listed 2 of them in my shop, the blue and pink one I'm feeling partial too and think I might keep it,  and the green dots will be going to a friend. But I can make more! Feel free to email me and ask :)

Take a peek at Hannah's scarf if you have time...I just put it up in her photo album on the side.

Longing fulfilled

My planned break from reading blogs was, uh...kind- of-sort- of what I intended. As some of you know, I did pop in to leave a comment here and there. But, the whole reason for the break was accomplished. I really needed to make some things, not just a couple but a generous handful--and that I did! The fact that we are on a semi-break from school this week was very KEY also. 

The day I made this tablecloth I had the house all to myself for several hours! I had heard the word "podcasts" floating around from time to time and I was determined to find out what that was all about. Thanks to Blair  and this post , I discovered what a podcast actually is. You can listen to a podcast on any subject under the sun I suppose, but I'm totally hooked now on all the "making" type ones. As I was cutting and sewing, I was listening to my very first podcast...and it was bliss. Go here and you can listen to some great interviews (plus the music she uses is just so cool) and you will also find loads of links to other podcasts as well.

Now, to my new tablecloth~

I was attracted to the green fabric in the center the minute I saw it.  Originally, I thought I  would use it to make a tablecloth for a smaller table I have, but the plan changed and I ended up with something I didn't expect and really like! (don't ya love it when that happens?)  The floral fabric is a thrifted Ralph Lauren sheet I picked up ages ago. It has been washed many, many times and has that great faded look.

The beige-y stripe was an inexpensive cotton I got a while back. I like how it keeps the floral fabric from not being to "frilly". I love florals, but I am most definitely not a frilly type of gal.

And, using the same said sheet, I whipped up (yes, whipped! this was quick and easy) a cushion for our old, slightly wonky ottoman from Ikea. 

Poor lighting for photos I know, but I've gotta snatch the time when I get it...and the sun does not always cooperate with me :)

Coming up:

-Printed fabric using my Gocco stamper
-Fabric patches made using the same
-Pincushions I ADORE  (I love that word, adore..adore, adore..so pleasant sounding)
-Nap time numbers for Noah
-More artwork
I almost forgot--more sleeve kitties and an altered skirt too!!

Plus!! Beautiful ribbon from Molly ,  and a pincushion collection I decided to start featuring work from some of our favorite bloggers. 

The banquet table that is never empty

This post will be somewhat completely random, jumping here and there. I'm just typing my thoughts as they appear in my head...scary. I hope there are not any psychologists out there ;) Also, posting some photos that caught my eye this morning. Very random indeed.

Random thought #1: Today is Computer Free Friday--I have pretty much failed miserably at keeping up with this the last few weeks. One Friday, I just hopped right on, answering my email without a care in the world. La la la la la...typing away. HELLO..it's Friday, Ms. scatter-brain! Anyway, I am still very much committed to the spirit of staying off of the computer when I should. I'm just not sure what that looks like for me right now. I think until we are finished with school for the summer, I will try to steer clear during the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm or so. When summer arrives, I'll need to come up with a new plan. It feels good to confess and move on....

Random still life photo. This is the top of my TV cabinet

Random thought #2: I am a spaz when it comes to using commas. It never really clicked with me how/when to use them, so I just throw them in liberally. Here a comma, there a comma, everywhere a comma-comma.

Random thought #3: When you use bloglines to view updated blogs, do you not see the actual main page of that particular blog?  If so, that is a bummer. So many blogs are very pretty to look at.

Random self-portrait in my bathroom mirror.

Sweet freckles on a favorite 4 yr. old I know

This is probably the most substantial thing I have to say today, and that is I'm thinking of taking a little blog break. Just for a week or so. Maybe a bit less. I'm finding that blogging can work 2 ways with me. One, it can be an exciting source of inspiration, camaraderie and mutual encouragement which I really, really, love. Not to mention the genuine friendships I have made, and that is why I'm not staying away too long :)  But creative wise, I need to pull back from this world that never stops feeding me with all of this yummy food...the art, the imagination, the color, the shapes, the textures...everything that this incredible, crafty blog world offers. I need some time to process, to think, to create without adding anymore to my already full plate! Did I   make sense? So, next week I'm going to try my best to  at least be scarce on this thing and savor some of my own creativity. I'm hoping this break will leave me with some finished projects that feel very satisfying, and of course I'll be dying to share them with all of you!! xo

Spring flowers from my front yard.

Yet some more mini-tissues

Lots of these around and I just love them. I have only made one of these before and, although it was usable, I was not that happy with it. I am however quite happy with this trio. Made with wool felt, I added some oddly shaped blocks of fabric that have been oddly stitched on with floss.  I was hoping for an abstract look. I really like the little bursts of color the cotton blocks give them. I finished them off with a button.  If you would like one, leave a comment with the color you want (blue, white, yellow) and I'll get back to you.  $8.00 + 2.00 shipping. (Gosh, I'm such a salesmen these days)

Just a quick hello, I'm still busy with company. Hope everyone is enjoying Spring! (or Fall if you are in the southern hemisphere!)

A tiny corner

I'm a day late, but here is a wee corner of my home. Hannah brought me this wildflower bouquet yesterday and I adore it, all stuffed into its little jar. Wildflowers are in a class all by themselves, don't ya think? The shells---found at the beach. We are not always so lucky as to find such gorgeous ones as these.

Not much crafting happening here right now, still pretty busy with our friends. In the works though, I have jumped on the mini-tissue holder bandwagon. Maybe some pics. of those soon.

My black and white bag has just been listed at my Etsy shop. And I guess this is about all the news I have for now.  :)

Crocheted jewelry--prettyfun.

I got a little time to sneak this post in before our company arrives. This is what I was working on last night, some crochet bracelets and a choker. Lame photo , I know. What's a busy mom to do?

You get the idea though I'm sure. I really love the colors of this yarn.  Kind of an orangey-pinky-with-hints-of-blue-and-green sort of color. I added a red flower button halfway through the length of it. To do that, first slide any beads or buttons or whatever, onto your yarn before you begin. Keep slipping them farther down the yarn as you crochet until you are ready for them. Then slide them into place and crochet around them.  I stitched the small glass bead onto the center after I finished. It just ties in the back. So easy, so cute and I'm wearing it right now!

My next attempt was these 2 braclets crocheted with embroidery floss.

I'm not super happy with these, just OK. For one thing, I would like them to fit snug against my wrist. That's a sizing problem I need to work out. The larger bead on the dark green one is a bit to heavy I think so it hangs in a way that I don't like. The vintage pink button on the other is too floppy. I would like to figure out a way to keep it upright. Maybe a dab of fabric glue? All in all it was a good first try. I even experimented with adding a lobster clasp on each one. Need to keep tweaking with this to get it just right.

Check out this beautiful bubble Hannah blew today during a science experiment we were doing.

Here is an easy recipe for a gallon of great bubble mix:

To a one gallon milk jug or other suitable container add:
1/2 cup (120mL)  of dish-washing liquid (Dawn works best, but I used what I had and it worked fine.)
1/4 cup (60 mL) of glycerin, available in most pharmacies.
Almost one gallon (60 mL) of tap water

Gently pour it down the inner wall of the container to avoid suds. Fill almost to the top. Cap tightly. Turn upside down a few times to mix. This improves with age. Make a day or two ahead of time.   Have fun!

Sleeve Kitty winners!

Before I announce the 2 winners, I want to tell you that I appreciated each and every comment. All of you are so nice, and I wish I had the time to respond to each of you. Thank you, xo.

May I have the envelope please.....(or comment slip rather):

gkgirl and Jen (with one N)--whose blog link was not working so, I don't have a link to her blog!

O.K. girls, just send me your addresses and I will post you a sleeve kitty in the very near future!  (my next trip the post office will be in 4 or 5 days)  Thank you again for playing everyone! That was fun.

I was trying my hand at some crochet jewelry today. Maybe I'll share about that in my next post.

I have company coming in for a few days so if I'm scarce, you'll know I'm trying to be a good hostess!

Pink::Sleeve Kitties (I'm giving away 2!)

For pink and red Saturday I'm a day late and only have some pink to show for it. This is my sugar bowl, in all its pink, vintage glory.

How is everyone doing on use what you have month? Are you hanging? I think the hardest thing for me to forgo is the thrift shopping. Thrift shopping is  such a part of my day to day life. Even though I look for all kinds of things when I go, it is just too tempting to not check out the wool sweaters, linens and other textiles for crafting with!! So I'm steering clear. I'm seeing it as a good discipline for me. All I have to do is look at my out-of-control-pile of thrifted things and 'use what you have' makes a lot of sense once again!

So, back to using what I have, here is my latest creation---sleeve kitties.

A couple of posts back, I showed you this bag that I made from a thrifted knit sweater. I was coo-coo about the stripes and colors and after the bag was finished, I had 2 long stripey sleeves that needed to be made into something. Several thoughts went through my mind, but I settled on these kitties. I'm a cat lover and the most lovable fur ball you will ever meet lives in my home.  The kitties have button eyes, floss mustaches whiskers and each with a different little something---a bell collar, a fish necklace, a daisy or a posie. I stuffed them with poly-fill and rice, so they have a bit of a beanbag feel to them. The rice also helps them stand up.

I want to do  something fun and to practice some random acts of kindness like Autum has been doing. I want to give away the twin sisters.

Like Blair did in celebration of her 100th post, leave a comment here and tomorrow night (Monday 10th) at 8:00 pm, (pacific standard time) I will draw 2 names from the comments and send them each a sleeve kitty..just because!

Of the other two, one will be going to a certain birthday girl , and the other might just be staying here with me. Although, I'm really hoping to earn a little extra cash too, so you might see it for sale--maybe. I'm sure there will be more of these in the future, I have a lot of sleeves :)

Brown, white and black

Little happy toes and hands playing in the cool dirt.
My velvet leopard flats,  sweet white alyssum.