Sunrise on the 4th of July

Happy Independence Day! After a blustery, gusty windstorm yesterday, we woke to a sunny, calm morning to celebrate the nation's birthday. Everyone have a safe and joyous holiday!

Polka Dot Party

A couple of weeks ago Cactus Patchers had their Spring Getaway. It's a really fun 4 days of quilting in the high desert. No phone, no internet, (although I think that will change next year), just lots of sewing and chatting with my quilt friends. This year's theme was Polka Dot Party, so I started collecting polka dot fabric after last year's retreat, since polka dots just really haven't been my thing. I got alot done and even made a few things to sell in the silent auction we have on the last night of activities.

 
The first thing I did was finish the Planet Patchwork mystery quilt from New Year's Day this year. This is going to look great in Will's room.

I did a little tutorial for the girls on how to make the coffee cup organizers and made a whole bunch of pincushion flowers that I donated to the group for the sale. Check out those cute pink polka dots.

And what would retreat be without a jelly roll race? I had so many fat quarters of polka dots that I decided to do mine with fat quarter strips and black cornerstones. It doubled the amount, but I like the way it turned out.

And it's safe to say that I'm tired of polka dots. It was fun, but they're still not really my thing!

Finally, I needed to work on my color challenge quilt using 2 1/2' strips of light, medium and dark. Decided it was time to try the Strip Tubing ruler I bought last year. This quilt was so stinking easy it's not even funny. Looks like there's so much work and it really went together fast.

So, that's it for this year's Getaway. Had a great time and the theme we settled on for 2014 is Cowgirl Up so I better start looking for western themed fabrics for next year.

A Little Haunting in March

I know it's March, but when the inspiration strikes you gotta go with it, so...........Halloween it is. It all started with an ATC swap I was in a few years ago, yes, I said years. It took awhile to get them all back, but they were some real gems and I really wanted to showcase them. Enter this little house I found at the Goodwill, also a couple of years ago. And, of course, I swear I took a picture of the thing when I got it, but now I can't find it, so you'll have to picture what it looked like before......multicolored pastel paints and covered with bumblebees.

I started by covering the surfaces with different Halloween papers, then distressed and swiped some white paint around.  Then placed the ATC's where I wanted them.

Next, I went through my stash, and my friend, Paula's stash, of Halloween embellishments. I created the little scene inside the doors with stickers, and other Halloween embellishments. The skeleton was part of a light set that I took apart.

I crackle painted some TH picket fence diecuts for the sides and some really cool dragon paper for the back and it's all ready for Halloween.......just a few months early.

The tree is a Jolee's diecut cut in half with some extra crows and a witch and moon sticker to finish it off.

Remember This??????

I've been enjoying my altered seed cabinets for over a year now, but I had one little blank spot in the mix. I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to put in that last drawer. And I guess I had the notion that once that last drawer was finished then I couldn't ever change my mind. 

I was doing some sorting through the miscellaneous junk, er treasures, in my desk and came across several game pieces, small toys, etc. And it dawned on me, that would be a perfect last drawer front for my altered seed drawers. 

Dug out my vintage Games kit from Club Scrap and started cutting out images, I love that kit by the way, it has the most yummy burgundy paper. Added a Tim Holtz faucet knob with a tissue tape rosette behind it and voila' my seed cabinets are complete.

Here they are, all loaded up. And check out that tiara on top of the right one. A wonderful find when going through my dad's desk. There are 2 of them that belonged to my mom when she was in high school. Don't know what I'm going to do with them, but I think they're pretty cool. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Just got back from a trip to Seattle to visit mom. Got back to a slew of sub jobs this week and look at what was waiting for me when I got home from school today.

A beautiful cheery basket of flowers from my son, Paul! Thanks, Paul, they really brightened my day! And a Happy Valentine's Day to you and Heather. Hope you have a great day!

Having fun with my ATG!

Decided I had had enough of the pink ATG. I'm just not really into pink tools. So I dug out some chipboard gears and other Tim Holtz type doodads and went to work. I didn't take any pics of the process (my bad) just the finished product. I love it! I'll always be able to pick mine out in a crowd.

Some Upcycling Fun

Found this little gem at the Goodwill last Saturday and thought it would make a good ink station for my Distress inks and blending tools.

As you can see, though, it's a little beat up and needs some upcycling love. It holds 24 Distress ink pads and I've measured out 6 spots for blending tools along the top.

I took everything apart and drilled the holes for the blending tools, then sanded everything a little to rough it up for the paint. Next, painted the wood my favorite purple and the metal scrolls with white acrylic. Then wiped some of that off while it was still tacky to give it a nice distressed look.

Added some Graphic 45 paper to the visible surfaces and put everything back together.

Finally, loaded up with ink pads and blending tools. Also have room on the upper shelf for a box of gelatos and I think I might store my Distress Stains there too. We'll see how that works after I've used it for a few weeks. Not bad for a $2 Goodwill item!!!!