crafty|msp

color and light

2012-01-11T21:16:00.000-06:00

It's been a weird winter. My banner isn't lying - there still isn't snow on the ground here in most parts of Minnesota. Everything is brown. Except the sky. My favorite part of the day is commuting to the east in the morning and witnessing skies like this.

bikes and bikes

2012-01-08T22:02:00.000-06:00

My first baby related project is almost complete. Baby quilt is definitely blue flavored...I don't think I've shared - we're having a boy!

santa's secrets

2011-12-11T09:44:00.000-06:00

2 weeks until xmas and I've got my stockings hung, my tree trimmed and my daily cookie for breakfast. I've also got a bunch of projects that I can't share, because they are gifts! I didn't think that would happen this year, but I've found enough time to make secret santa gifts and holiday quilt-y swaps and a few little surprises for my friends and family.

This is all I can show you.

lazy sunday

2011-11-20T17:11:00.000-06:00

snow outside the front door
apples for thanksgiving pie
oatmeal
a little vinyl
snowflake mug of hot cocoa

I'm still in my pjs and loving this lazy Sunday

surprise

2011-11-15T21:48:00.000-06:00

I've been absent. I know.

I have a good reason.

I'm currently riding the baby train!!!

For 4 months I've been exhausted, tired (for those two are not the same), cranky, hormonal, and starving. So I've been focusing mostly on sleeping and eating. Not crafting. Which is a shame, because I have so many projects in mind for the little bugger.

In a little over two weeks we'll find out whether I should be making a pink quilt or blue (although there will be both colors in each of those options) and then I'm sure the crafty-ness will commence.
Plus - it's almost Christmas! And I'm sure I'll be making something for the occasion.

If you are still with me - thank you from the bottom of my bump. I'll get back to business soon.

boo

2011-10-31T22:27:00.001-05:00

I've been hiding.

But here are a couple of blocks to share.

I've been practicing my wonky stars for a couple of block swaps. The first is a black and white star for the last month of the solid bee challenge. (Just a couple months late...)

The next one is a fun little rainbow block for our next Modern Quilt Guild swap.

Next month we are having a block lottery. Bring a block and one lucky person will win them all. Enough to get started on a very fun quilt.

Happy Halloween everyone!

2011-10-14T17:34:00.000-05:00

Last night was the big reveal for TWO challenges at the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild meeting. We accidentally received Kona Solid charm packs and Jay McCarrol Habitat fat quarters at the same time, so people got to pick their challenge. The results were stunning - you can see them here.

My project wasn't a quilt, but it got me out of my creative rut - I invented another bag.

Based on a travel bag I already owned, the main body was pretty simple.

Then I added a side pouch with a fold out organizer for brushes and other skinny things.

It was a fun project - I really want to play along with the solid quilt fun, so I may pick up my own Kona pack and make one for the next meeting.

shopping

2011-10-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

I'm slowly coming around to the pinterest craze. Recently I've been shopping and dreaming of a fall wardrobe and using pinterest constantly to make my list.

Because if I find the perfect boots or a beautiful poncho, I want to remember where to find them again.

Source: jcrew.com via Marie on Pinterest

Source: thefryecompany.com via Marie on Pinterest

Source: preppie-bettie.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Those boots make me swoon.

challenge accepted

2011-10-10T20:06:00.000-05:00

I wanted to post this as soon as I finished it on Saturday, but then remembered to keep it a surprise for our meeting this Thursday.

So here are a couple of sneak peeks:

random friday

2011-10-07T05:56:00.000-05:00

good morning!

I've been up for a while. My alarm is scheduled to ring in minutes, but I was tossing and turning, so I decided just to get up.

I've been shopping on pinterest. Dreaming of a new fall wardrobe.

I've been playing with fabric - I'm running out of time for the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild challenge! We are playing along with the Jay McCarroll Habitat Challenge. We got the jewel color-way.

Source: spoolsewing.com via Marie on Pinterest

But I'm just realizing that we got the wrong color of the fabric that is 2nd from the right...which would explain things a bit. That one is standing out like a sore thumb. The orange one is a bit loud too, but I'm using it as a lining.

I hope my project works. Like always, I'm winging it and have a bit of a "made blocks before I actually had a project" problem. I might have to replace a couple of the fat eighths - not cheating, just revising the plan. I'm even sticking with the one other fabric rule!! I never stick with that rule! I'll show you progress photos once the sun comes up.

I ate left-over pizza with a baked egg on top. Love anything with a baked egg on top. Or a poached egg inside. Last week I ate tomato soup for breakfast, because it had an egg in it. Yum.

It is 68 degrees right now - I think that is the low for the night. The windows are all open. Not a typical October. My wardrobe is confused.

I talked with an old friend (friend for a long time, not friend who has aged) for and hour and 20 minutes last night. It brought me back to 9th grade. So good.

Enjoy your Friday friends.

assessing

2011-10-02T21:41:00.001-05:00

Source: littlethingsbringsmiles.com via Marie on Pinterest

Yesterday it was October 1st and it felt like fall. Today we're back to summer and it's supposed to reach 80 degrees by midweek. Seriously.

I had plans for September and yesterday I found myself disappointed that the lists weren't finished and there were still projects to be done. I had high hopes as September stretched out unscheduled and at home.

But as I look back, I think we spent the month well. Resting, nesting and enjoying a piece of fall at home. Things seem to be picking up again - activity, traveling and visitors. We didn't get everything checked ff the list in September, but there is still time. And I hope for beautiful fall days ahead - I prefer crisp, bright, 50-60 degree days, but I'll dig some summer clothes out of storage for the week ahead.

swap results

2011-09-27T20:15:00.000-05:00

Remember this solid project?
I'm sure you're dying to know the secret back...

Sticky!

I got some of this Grip-Tight utility fabric from JoAnn's. It's lightweight and grips to wood and tile, so if it's on the back of your quilt - it's a rug!

As always with a new material, there was some trial and error. A few things that I found helpful -

Binding backwards - I sewed it onto the back with the machine and then finished on the front. This saved my thumb from pushing through the rubbery nubs and elimiated the need to run the sticky fabric through the machine facing down (see below); I just had to be super neat with the stitching.
Straightline quilting - This was necessary, becuase the fabric literally sticks to the machine while you are sewing. So there is some puling necessary in order to keep going forward and straightlines are easiest.

Finally, I had to adjust my rug size after finding the backing, becuase it only comes in 15" widths. I didn't mind the narrower size - I hope my partner didnt'!

In return, I got this beauty.

It holds a couple of my baking dishes perfect and will be great for the next potluck! Tatertot hotdish anyone?

weeked project

2011-09-06T21:40:00.000-05:00

This weekend was the weekend to catch up - on projects around the house and downtime with each other. We did some painting and rearranging and cleaning and general relaxing. We ventured out to the fair and ate some fried things. And on Friday night, I started in on this project - hanging frames on a gallery wall in our dining room.

I started.

And the husband finished. Because when Marie starts to wield a hammer and nails, arranging frames at a whim on a wall, it attracts some attention.

But it got done and I love it sooo much!! My husband is a photographer, so we have lots of pictures around, but nothing really focused, so I've been waiting to make this wall a focal point for a long time. Our main level is really starting to come together!! And some of you asked, so here is a headshot from our summer photo shoot with studioTart. I'll be filling at least one of the frames with this one.

flowers and frost

2011-09-05T09:53:00.000-05:00

I told you sumer was fading. These are a sure sign - dalia's as big as your head at the farmers market.

Also a sure sign - frost warnings in the northern part of the state. Fall is coming!!

solid

2011-09-04T13:31:00.001-05:00

Hi - just wanted to interrupt this lovely weekend with a peek at my finished solid challenge swap items.

We were asked to make one all solid larger item (mine ended up not too large - about 15"x36") per the request of our secret partner. I asked for kitchen things - potholders, casserole cozies and such in a variety of bright colors - especially red.

My partner likes linen and neutrals with a pop of color, so I gave it too her. I hope she loves the finished product and can use it for it's intended (secret) use. I can't give everything away, but let's just say there is a surprise on the back that makes this a very unique quilted item. Something I've been wanting to make for a while now actually.

This was a total improve job. I had left-overs from this block and used them as a starting point with various scraps in-between. Then I just made some bias binding and wrapped the squares to finish the edges. I guess it's a variation on quilt as you go.

We were also asked to send one smaller item - not necessarily quilted or solid. I had some birdies laying around, so I'm sending them off too!

hi

2011-08-29T22:02:00.003-05:00

via studiotart

Well hi there! I've been playing the summer away and neglecting this little old blog. But the weather is turning and I feel a bit of creativity coming on. Fall is going to be the season I think for getting things done - decorating, organizing, and playing at home. We have had a whirl-wind summer and I'm ready for a bit of a break (even though it was fun!).

I wanted to share this picture - taking back in June of my hubby and I by miss Megan of studioTart. She is a great photographer based in the Twin Cities and we had such a fun evening with her. I've been wanting professional pics of us since last fall's photo plans didn't work out and it was such a treat - I highly recommend her if you need pics of yourself and want to have fun doing it. And I actually did something with them! - last week I recieved a canvas print in the mail of this one which is going to sit in our dining room.

And I know I've sad this before, but I'm back and it's very good to see you.

2011-08-07T18:01:00.000-05:00

A sneek preview of my solid swap project. It's a fun one - I can't share what kind of project it is yet, but it's something that I've never made before with techniques that I've never used before.

activity

2011-07-29T18:44:00.000-05:00

I love summer.

black and white

2011-07-26T20:27:00.001-05:00

I messed up on this block more times than I would like to remember...

But I adore it.

It is my solid bee block for July. The task was a black and white block for a sampler quilt. I chose to modernize a traditional block from my book of blocks. With all the sampler and traditional quilting going on in blog-land lately, I'm renewing my task of tackling traditional with a twist blocks, so you may see more coming from me in the future.

And I'm definitely making this one again - potentially in black and white.

piano man

2011-07-25T23:08:00.001-05:00

This summer pianos have been placed around the city of St. Paul. This is the prettiest one I've seen and I have an urge to sit down and play it some day soon. I wish I could remember some music and hope that some day I'll be abe to have a piano at my house and take lessons again.

I would not say no to this one.

signs of summer

2011-07-12T21:01:00.000-05:00

hi mom!

I have perennials from my mom's flower bed, which are from her mom's flower bed, which are possibly from her mother-in-laws flower bed. This is one of them and they always make me think of summer.

It's just a crazy summer here - traveling weekends, weddings, golfing and oh yah - that work thing. If I'm not aroud here, you'll know why.

still working

2011-07-10T19:53:00.000-05:00

Hey! I found a place to pu the giant quilt together!! On the bed that will be its home. I've tied the top and working on finishing off the threads, but now it's together, so I won't have to worry about moving it. And I think it may just stay here...it's hot and this fresh white quilt just cools me off just looking at it. I'm not going to worry that the sides are open and the ends aren't trimmed. I need a summery quilt now!

patriotic projects

2011-07-04T17:41:00.000-05:00

I've been working on a couple of projects today - one red, one white...

Above is a piece of a quilt that I've been working on for a while. It all started with this post about white stuff. And it sat in my head for a long time. Then this spring I worked a bit harder on it, thinking I could whip it out in time for the Modern Quilt Guild monochromatic challenge. Six months later I'm still working on it. And it is a monster. I've never made a quilt bigger than a baby size and there is a reason - they don't fit in my house!!! I can't find a place to baste it together, and I'm scared of quilting it. I actually think I may tie it (mostly because I'm afraid of quilting it with my machine, partly because I want that fluffy duvet feel), but need a larger space to spread out. Looks like it will have to wait a bit longer...

The second project was a surprise - I ran to Ikea to get a dust pan and a garbage can and came back with a red shelf! I've been waiting for these to be in stock for what feels like forever. So I made husband hang it immediately and started filling it up.

I hope all my friends in the States are getting their red, white and blue on - I'm off to a picnic!

Happy 4th of July!

reading rainbow

2011-07-02T08:59:00.000-05:00

A string block made for Jess at SewCraftyJess for the Solid Bee Block. I actually got it out before June was over!! The colors were great on this one - she's been sending out string blocks to all her bees and should have enough soon. I was interested in a rainbow, but realized too late that I didn't have enough yellow to start out all the quadrants. So I subbed in some light gray (and stopped using it at the points). I wonder if I'll be able to find mine when they are all put together...

This was the first time I've done a string pieced block - I would love to do a whole quilt in a scrappy rainbow theme, but wonder if I could make enough for a whole quilt. As I learn different techniques, I learn more about what I like in quilting and what makes my skin crawl. I don't really like ironing in between sewing. If I can get away without doing it until the end - that is my kind of quilt. (Really who am I kidding - even if I should iron in-between, I often don't).

Oh yah - the theme song for Reading Rainbow was running through my head the whole time...if it's in your head now - you're welcome!!

weekends rule

2011-06-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

This is how I spent my Saturday night...

A bonfire on the beach with my sister. And we built the fire with one match. Jealous? I thought so...

Flea

2011-06-20T21:40:00.001-05:00

We went to the Brooklyn Flea Market while in New York and I've got a whole new list of favorite finds...I'm lusting after boxes, bottles (especially those seltzer type bottles in the middle picture - they were the backdrop for a bar), and old letter press.

city patterns

2011-06-19T11:52:00.000-05:00

Last weekend the husband and I jetted off to NYC for the weekend (I know - aren't we glamorous). It was a quick trip to visit friends, take pictures of friends and see some of the city. I had been there for less than a day earlier this year for work, but really we haven't been in four years.

Last time, it was a whirlwind tourist trip and a surprise engagement trip (for me...B planned one heck of a surprise). This time is was more laid back and my feet didn't hurt nearly as much.

I spent a lot of time looking at patterns - inspiration for new quilts.

I'm in love with the highline - new park built on old elevated rail lines. Beautiful detailing for the architecture nerds in the group. Lush green surroundings and fun public space for all. And I'm totally going to make a quilt inspired by the rails.

These two were at the Cloisters. Another lush garden place, but also really old buildings and roads. I love those three curves coming together and the fence above. Thinking about quilting patterns and blocks!

garden heartbreak

2011-06-15T22:42:00.000-05:00

via weheartit

I knew it was going to happen.

Watering my garden for the last time before leaving on a long weekend, I looked at my single peony bud and determined that it would bloom while I was away. I heart peonies and their floppy, moppy heads. I've been waiting patiently for three years to see a bud on my peony plant. This year there was ONE bud. Stretching for the sun - the only shoot that grew long enough to get warm enough this spring. And I missed it.

It was open when I checked on Tuesday morning after arriving home. I should have grabbed it then, taken a picture and put it in a bud vase. But I had to run and by the time I got home, the rain had done it's damage.

I think I need to move the plant and stay in town for the month of June next year. Hopefully I'll get another one.

pins + feathers

2011-06-05T17:07:00.000-05:00

I added to the pinwheel quilt. Some rogue pins and a couple babies along the bottom. This will be my biggest quilt ever. I'm still planning on putting a yellow border around the whole thing which will push it into twin bed territory. It has been a great sunny weekend - perfect weather for a British wedding...

The fascinator stayed on all night through cow-bells and other shenanigans. It was so fun to see all the head adornments - I may wear this one again!

good day

2011-06-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

Today has been a great day.

photo shoot with my hubby
lunch date with a best-y
food truck court yummy

AND

the project bandloop is DANCING ON MY BUILDING all week long.

just a lazy sunday

2011-05-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

feathers + flowers + a butterfly + ribbon = my fascinator

I put one together with some supplies from the crafty store. They are quite fun to arrange and shape and I'm very excited to wear it!

growing

2011-05-28T09:17:00.000-05:00

Here are some growies from my garden. Yay summer.

nintendo dreams

2011-05-25T21:48:00.000-05:00

Look - I finished the tetris quilt! And the sun came out long enough to take an outdoor picture!

I don't really have a great picture of the quilting, but here is a sample:

Random straight lines following the tetris blocks. I can hear the strange electronic Russian music in the background...

gray matter

2011-05-22T09:53:00.001-05:00

fabrics: michael miller dandelion, michael miller bicycles, kona medium gray, kona ash, more bicycles

It's been a weekend with gray.

I've been struggling a bit these days. I probably won't go into it here too much, because I like to keep this space sunny. Like my last quilt. And because life keeps spinning around.

So here's to gray and it's transformational power. Even though the sky outside is dark with gray clouds, the color is my sunshine this weekend. I finished a gray quilt, put a gray coat of paint over some of the last dingy yellow walls in our house, and bought a whole pile of gray fabric (with bicicletas!).

sunny

2011-05-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

Here's a quilt I've been working on in fits and starts, bits and pieces. I'm just calling it Sunshine.

fascinating

2011-05-09T22:08:00.000-05:00

So I have a British wedding of my very own coming up. Not my wedding. And not in London.

But one of my besties is marrying a Brit and I am taking this opportunity to wear a hat!

I've convinced others to join in the fun...I figure if the mother of the groom will be wearing one - it's a must.

And scouring the internet for some inspiration on this started-out-hailing-but-turned-kindof-sunnymonday.

There is this piece on Design*Sponge about how to make your own. Doesn't it make you think of Carrie? "I wore a bird on my head..."

There are some fabulous etsy finds:

formemillinery

CorrineONeill

Hats!
Fascinators!

Love!

butterfly

2011-05-08T19:42:00.000-05:00

It's spring! And to celebrate, I did a bit of cleaning this weekend. Enough that I was able to uncover my sewing space and knock out some unfinished projects that have been patiently waiting for me.

Above is my modern/abstract take on the April Solid Bee request - butterflies. I didn't really want to applique - it's not my strong point. So I just started piecing triangle-ish pieces together and kept going until I had something resembling a butterfly wing. A black body pulls the two different sides together and left-over blue sky defines the 'wings'.

It's not April anymore, but that isn't surprising the way my life has been crazy lately. I'm going to try and be here and in my studio more than I have been in the last few months. I miss both so much! I have a springy purse in my head to get working on and a pile of unfinished quilts to attend to.

If you are still checking in to this quiet blog - thanks for staying...I can't wait to stop by more often.

bright lights

2011-05-07T11:21:00.000-05:00

Well hello there.

I've just returned back from a lovely trip into the desert. Where the neon glows and the money flows. That's right - I'm talking Vegas. It was a wonderful escape at just the right time to a place that specializes in escape. I am back and feel inspired. Here are just a few images from our trip...

I feel like we did it all - including hanging by the pool, historical tours, window shopping (also known as drooling at the Alexander McQueen and Oscar de la Renta entrances) (and yes - that is a window full of antique sewing machines *swoon), night life, and the most fun game in the casino - the pony races!! We spent the better part of a night by this table - cheering our mechanized horses to victory. There were characters and nick-names, and by the end of the evening we were tight with our new friends.

Thanks to my parents, who let us share their swanky timeshare. Thanks to my sister for the forced relaxation. Thanks to the captain, who kept us in the game.

And thanks to my husband, for being an adventurer.

study

2011-04-24T22:10:00.000-05:00

A peek at our new library. We've finally got all the extra furniture out of our bedroom and put it in the re-purposed spare bedroom down the hall. Bookcase is from ikea, pillow made by Tracy and chair is from bludot furniture. I love the space and promptly messed it up with a photo project that I'm working on. Sorting and tossing and consolidating albums. I picked up a whole mess of albums on Saturday and am hoping to get the photos out of boxes and onto the shelves. My new motto - one project at a time! (cue laugh-track)

pattern

2011-04-19T21:13:00.000-05:00

The bowl I snatched up in Red Wing - I believe the pattern is Brocade and it is the prettiest gray-blue with a subtle chartreuse pattern. Just add it to my collections!

circle trees

2011-04-13T19:50:00.000-05:00

I finally pulled my machine out of the basement and did some sewing on our dining room table last night. I'm a month behind on our solid quilting bee, so that was first on the list. Modern tree blocks for Corley, just in time for spring.

I wish I could remember where I saw this technique first...it popped into my head immediately when I found out we were making trees.

It is actually a reverse applique of sorts.

I just tried to explain the process, but I think I'll have to do a tutorial. It isn't complicated, but I'm a visual person, so I'll get some step by step photos. Or I'll just keep searching for the original inspiration/instructions. We're over the hump - happy Wednesday!

getting there...

2011-04-12T20:04:00.000-05:00

Overnight spring is here. It may snow tomorrow, but I think we're over the hump. The grass is greening and buds are popping.

In the mean time...I've been working on our house, working at my new job (which I love, but it does keep me much busier than before), and as always, working on projects.

My sewing room is still buried. I'm not sure if it will ever recover.

But I found my camera!

Here are some more pictures of the progress...

The top photo is the new entrance into an office for my husband (it used to be a closet) at the top of the stairs. He cleverly hacked some ikea closet system doors into regular sliding doors. I'm going to use the glass panels as a marker board!

White baseboards and doors are being installed everywhere and slowly but surely, we are getting them all painted. I absolutely love the results and can't wait for it to be complete!

blooming

2011-04-05T19:06:00.000-05:00

Look what I found popping up in the garden!!

The snow has melted and spring is just around the corner. It's time to get rid of the snowflakes on my banner, shake out the cobwebs and start refreshed.

thirtysomething

2011-03-28T21:50:00.000-05:00

Things I [re]learned on my birthday weekend:

1. Sometimes you need to just let go. I almost turned down a last-minute trip out-of-town, because I felt like I would have more fun if it was planned. I was wrong. On Friday, we took of for a mystery location and I very much enjoyed myself playing poker and shopping for pottery.

2. Stella Artois beer tastes like a very complex mixture of moss, hippies and linoleum. I had a sampler at a towney bar and it was very informative.

3. The power of a small-town community's love is unbelievable. The power of facebook to remind us (many who have been away for a time) of this love is also pretty neat.

4. Mint frosting is amazing.

5. I love a few patterns from the Red Wing dinnerware line from 1964. I bought a bowl to start the collection. Always thought I was a porcelain person, but I think I lean towards mid-century modern stoneware. There was this Russel Wright find and now I have another design to search for. I'll get a picture of the new piece soon.

It's a new year friends - I'm pretty excited.

log cabin love

2011-03-23T21:23:00.001-05:00

Annik, one of the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild members has started a quilt block drive to make quilts for the disaster relief in Japan. Log Cabins for Japan is a request for 10 1/2" log cabin blocks. She has a super easy tutorial here, but you can make any sort of log cabin block you please. Wonky, color blocked, symmetrical...it's all up to you.

I'm hoping to break out my machine again this weekend and crank out a few. Sewtropolis in Minneapolis is accepting blocks through the mail or dropped off through April 8th and then members of the local Twin Cities quilting community will be working to assemble blocks into finished quilts.

Send your blocks to:
Sewtropolis

Attn: Log Cabins for Japan

5 West Diamond Lake Road

Minneapolis, MN 55419

Read more about the effort on Annik's blog.

So, make one block or 12 and spread the word - together we can send some love to Japan.

birthdaymonday

2011-03-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

image via weheartit

It's my birthday week! Totally makes my sunnymonday.

2011-03-15T20:08:00.000-05:00

I got this sweet package in the mail a while ago and lost the photos on my camera.

My cousin (in-law) sent me an adorable book that she found in The Black Hills.

It was published in 1927 by Butterick and has the greatest images.

And some timeless advise. I can't wait to try out some of the embellishments and fancy stitching!

jump

2011-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

image via farmkidstudios

I'm jumping back into the water today! Headed to the new job - so excited!!

Jump in with both feet on this sunnymonday!

pillow swap

2011-03-12T11:36:00.001-06:00

Remember this pillow that I made for our Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild scrap swap?

Well brilliant minds think alike, because my partner whipped up these two darlings with my scraps!

I wasn't really thinking about it too much, but I had a lot of blues, browns and golds in my scrap pile, so I pulled them together. Now, I have a brand new blue room that needs some color, so they will live on this couch for a bit. They might go somewhere else eventually (I've re-arranged the living room twice since landing on the last scheme), but I think they look pretty sharp on this white couch (Another inherited piece - didn't our grandmothers have great style?). Thanks Tracy!

progress

2011-03-09T08:11:00.001-06:00

Yesterday as soon as the tools were out of our living room, I headed out to gather cleaning supplies and came home to start my work - cleaning, organizing, rearranging. This is a start.

Once you have shiny new floors, other things start to look a bit worn. These couches are old. And inherited at least four different times by four different college students. They stuck with us. We like their lines and simplicity, but I hate the pleather (it's sticky). My first effort is the bludot swap meet. I think my quilt would look very nice on the side of that piece...I'm sure a similar one would look great at their offices too! Please pick me!!

The coffee table was the husband's grandma's and I stripped and re-finished it. I think it needs another look - a different color stain? Paint?

Recliner is from IKEA.

Rug is from Terrget (Kristen Wiig - you are a tresure).

Popcorn is yummy.

The wall behind everything needs some work too - either a shelf or some large artwork propped up on the floor.

Finally - wood is hickory and was a middle ground for the husband and I. He won with the skinny strips, but I kindof like them (don't tell).

So that is a sneak peak at our still in-progress project.

zenday

2011-03-07T07:18:00.000-06:00

image from weheartit

I'm using this last week off to really jump-start some healthy living, which means yoga every day. I wish it was as pretty as the photo above (I wish I could bend that much), but really it's not. (I'm already sore).

Find your zen people! It's sunnymonday!

watching the paint dry

2011-03-04T17:28:00.001-06:00

*Warning - what follows is a long rambling story about paint. drying. Scroll down for quilt eye candy - I totally understand*

It was all going so well. On Monday, I primed all of the rooms that would be painted.

Tuesday, I purchased my first gallon of paint for the extra bedroom. I painted the laundry room with some extra paint that we've acquired from other projects, mixing two shades of green to make a pretty emerald background for white cabinets. I then painted the first coat of blue in the extra bedroom and (almost) ran out of paint.

So back to the Orange Box to pick up some more...

Wednesday I spent most of the day away from the house, but came back and finished up the second coat of blue using he rest of the first gallon and cracking into the second for the ladder work and the closet.

One room left.

Until the husband looked at the blue last night before bed (in the dark) and asked "did you see this paint line?"

Nope. Didn't notice that there was a jaggy line around the whole room (at about 7' - my top roller reach) where the paints were different. Checked the paint - sure enough. Different. Slightly different blues.

So, back to the Box to get more paint, this time checking the colors. Tomorrow I'm hoping to finish the painting. Of the walls. Next week I'll start on the trim...

(wow - this has gotten long, and I'm sorry I started out wanting to talk about projects...guess that's what happens when I don't post regularly.)

In the mean time...

Yesterday I didn't paint - I pulled my sewing machine out from it's hole (stuck between the contents of our house) and sewed away all day long. I was in my pjs at noon. I started two projects and got another basted together. Secret project above started.

Some pretty half triangle squares in lemony yellow waiting to be pinwheeled.

And the front/back finished on the tetris quilt. I had to order more Kona Coal and the second time around, it was darker (I feel like there's a theme...), but I used it on the back and designed it into two borders on the front.

So - I'm going to keep working on these and more projects between the painting and the moving furniture around. And I'll give you more pics very soon.

sun spot

2011-02-28T09:17:00.000-06:00

How about a sunnymonday on fresh hardwood floors!?!

stained glass

2011-02-27T20:52:00.000-06:00

Hey look - I got something done!! This is my last minute block for this month's solid bee. Gwen asked for Mondrian (which I've heard described as 'partridge family style' by a client) inspired blocks with really pretty jewel toned solids. I think the quilt will be a stunner. Can't wait to see it finished!

it's time

2011-02-25T19:26:00.000-06:00

I don't even know what to say...it's been a strange month and even stranger week.

Today was the last day at the firm that I've been at for more than six years. The decision was mine. I knew it was coming, but it was a strange thing to hand over the keys and walk out the door.

What is next?

I'm headed to a larger firm, a new position, a more demanding schedule.

I'll probably be easing off craftyMSP activity for a little bit.

I'm ok with this.

For the next two weeks I have some time.

Time to get my house in order after construction has limited our activities to two rooms. And eliminated all kitchen activity, since furniture was filling the space.

Time to show you the results.

Time to catch up on projects.

To enter some contests.

To declutter.

And re-purpose.

Time to re-examine this space.

And to prepare for my next adventure.

I'm excited...are you?

fluff

2011-02-21T08:25:00.001-06:00

via weheartit

Just when you thought winter was over - it comes back to play. We got a foot of fluffy snow yesterday which covers up those unsightly iceberg piles nicely. Happy Monday to you!

note: Now that I've actually been outside, the title of this post should be crunch as there is a fine layer of crust preserving the fluff (think creme brulee). It's still pretty!

tool time

2011-02-18T21:49:00.000-06:00

I wanted to share a few tools that I've just recently been using for my projects. I'm sure many of you out there use these - I'm certainly not inventing anything here, but need to share, just because they may truly change the way I do things.

The first one is a simple thimble. I grabbed this from my mom, when I was visiting a couple weeks ago. I'm developing a 'hole' in my middle finger from hand stitching binding and embroidery, so I thought I should try it. Still not sold - it was pretty awkward at first, but by the third or fourth binding on some potholders recently, I was hooked.

I mentioned a button hole with this project. I am guilty of not fully utilizing my sewing machine to it's full capacity and this was one trick that I wish I had known earlier. This little gadget attachment does everything but sew on the button! You pick out your button, put it in the slider and sew away. The gauge on the slider determines the size of the hole, so when you cut it open, there is a perfect fit!

Finally - for my recent baby quilt, I wanted to do some very specific quilting. I used a water erase pen to draw the design loosely on the quilt and sewed over the lines. Then, with the magic of plain water, the blue pen disappears and all that is left is your quilted design. Magic!

So those are my three new accessories. I can't wait to use them on more projects.

pillow talk

2011-02-16T08:10:00.000-06:00

(sorry about the blurry pics lately - I've been chasing daylight a bit...say 'hi' to doris the dcuk in the background!)

Remember this? It was actually a scrap challenge from the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild. We exchanged bags of scraps in December and were told to make something for the other person. (I'm totally ruining the surprise, but I can't make it to our meeting tomorrow, so surprise!!) I made the top, but didn't know what to do with it - options included table topper or wall hanging, but I wasn't really feeling them.

But then, I was inspired by sewmamasew's pillow month and turned the top into a pillow! A quick tutorial was all I needed (I've never made a pillow that wasn't sewn shut). We were allowed to add one fabric and I actually followed the rules, thanks to Tracy's generous 'scraps' - the stripey purple was mine and two panels make up the back. Pillows for someone else are a bit of a gamble...what if her house is decorated with RED?...but I figure it can still be used as topper if she likes.

hearts

2011-02-14T06:42:00.000-06:00

From my heart to yours...

fly away

2011-02-11T16:44:00.000-06:00

Are you going on a trip? (Let's dream about tropical locations, shall we?)

Maybe you need a chic travel bag to pack those ity-bitty bikinis. (Ok - let's also dream about fitting into ity-bitty bikinis).

Alas - this custom bag has been delivered to it's new owner, but are just another product that I've been developing during these cold months.

Zippers are awesome.

u-turn

2011-02-09T22:33:00.001-06:00

You know when you start a project with a really strong concept? I thought I was starting a really simple gray and green, potentially tree-themed, quilt last week. Then I did this:

Nine patches with gray, green and a bit of blue. I love it so much. Sometimes changing direction is a good idea.

guest

2011-02-09T09:46:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Just popping in to tell you about my guest post over at sagebrush coast today. Sara just launched a new blog recently and she is featuring bloggers in a regular 'where wednesday' post. It's a chance to get a glimpse into favorite places.

My regular readers know about my love for playing outside - surprise - I picked the out-of-doors. In winter even.

If you are visiting - Welcome! Thanks for stopping by and please, make yourself at home :)

pink sparkles

2011-02-07T22:36:00.001-06:00

psst...I flew down the hill with my pink skis again on Saturday. Did you fly today?

february challenge

2011-02-04T08:10:00.002-06:00

If you are in the Twin Cities metro and love quilting - this one is for you!

The Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild is just about 1 year old (we should have a party!) and this year, we are really focused on reaching out to members to get more involvement. We have quite a large group in the online community, but our meetings are still pretty small.

Since everyone LOVEs new projects...there is another swap/challenge taking place this month!! I will not be able to make the February 17th meeting, but the best part of this swap is that Elise is accepting the fabric in the mail. The information (including Elise's mailing address) has been posted on our BigTent forum. If you aren't a member yet, the basic directions are also on our Flickr group page.

And it sounds like a really great challenge. Everyone brings at least 10 strips (2 patterns - 5 strips of each)of black, white or gray patterned fabric. Then (if you choose to follow rules), you add one solid fabric and MAKE SOMETHING!! I participated in a polka-dot challenge last summer and it was amazing how different everyone's projects turned out even though we all used the same fabrics.

This was my project - placemats.

So - check out the upcoming challenge and maybe a meeting. We would love to see you there!

Also - Badlands Quilts, Sewtropolis and MIniMushrooms will be joining in the fun too!

mod baby

2011-02-02T22:40:00.000-06:00

My latest quilt - mod-baby - gifted last weekend at a baby shower. I really hope it's a girl...

Fabrics - Robert Kaufman Mingle and Free to Grow (organic) sashed with solid gray. Flannel back.
Super wonky quilting in a mid-century modern inspired pattern.

mind's eye

2011-02-01T22:53:00.000-06:00

The quilt that sprung to life last night.

I'm playing with simple simple pieces in grays and greens. I'll let you know how it turns out!

a feature and a quilt

2011-01-31T22:56:00.000-06:00

The lovely Katie Dohman, style editor at Minnesota Monthly has featured these guys on her blog - Scout. I am very honored to be there, since she has quite an eye for style. Thanks Katie!

I am hard at work making more Valentines for your sweetheart and some spring-time eye candy. I have a crafty-show coming up soon, so lots of new products are in the works. Also - I've been feeling so very inspired lately that tonight I had to sit down at my machine and start a quilt before the idea was out of my brain. It's still peculating, but I got a really good start and so far I'm liking it! More soon :)

happy egg

2011-01-31T08:36:00.002-06:00

Brought to you by a wrapper from Caribou (local coffee chain)...nothing else to say. Happy Monday!

bookie

2011-01-29T10:44:00.000-06:00

I used to be a book worm.

I would wander around my childhood home reading, engulfed in a book so much that I couldn't bear to put it down.

Every so often, there are glimpses of that former self where chores go undone, projects untouched and family gatherings unsocial because of a good book (ehem...Harry Potter). (Ok - that one vampire series too).

A present to myself this new year was a kindle and I can sense the bookworm re-emerging. So of course I had to make a sleeve for it, since I'm going to carry it everywhere from now on.

I've had this Echino Woodland Damask in my stash for at least a year (it was a bit of an ordering mix up once upon a time) and I knew I wanted to make something for me with it, but it didn't feel like a quilt. Does fabric speak to you? Tell you what it wants to be? Oh...just me then...

So this project was perfect for the almost canvas weight, irreverent damask pattern.

I lined it with a bit of the Amy Butler Floating Buds that I won last week and did a light quilting pattern to emphasize the animals.

I also figured out the button hole foot on my machine. So many possibilities!

A note on the kindle* - I love it. I was skeptical, since I do love the smell of books, but it is so comfortable. And I'm always excited to turn it off and find a new picture on the 'cover'.

What am I reading now? The Art of Racing in the Rain. I think the bookworm is back.

*I definitely wasn't paid by Amazon to say this - I'm sure other readers are great and I could make you a sleeve to fit yours too.

spin the globe

2011-01-28T09:27:00.000-06:00

Is it too late to share a favorite xmas present? My sister-in-law tracked down this 1940ish globe for me after scouring many an e-bay auction. I just love it!

There have been quite a few posts about globes out here in blog land. I don't think I'll ever amass great quantities of globes to fall in the collector category, but ever since I spied this chalkboard globe project over at Design*Sponge, I've been on the hunt.

So when it came to christmas listing time, I threw 'old globe' on my list, figuring some thrift/junk shop out on the plains might have one and my in-laws just may want to buy it for me. (A side note - this gift and another from a pawn shop this year has inspired some discussion of a pawn-shop Christmas next year. No store bought items, just ones that have been found/bartered/bidded...sounds like fun to me!)

This one will never get painted with chalkboard paint, so I may need to extend my collection one day, but I just love it's details. The globe actually sits in a groove int he base, so it comes apart. And there is a little shelf in the back for keeping papers.

And just look at that time-zone doo-dad on the top. Love. (That is the technical name I believe...)

As construction looms near at our house (more about that later), I'm dreaming of spinning the globe and taking off to exotic locals. Maybe Greenland?

love is in the air

2011-01-25T20:59:00.000-06:00

These are my newest shop items - I like to imagine the boy and girl from bathroom signs are hooking up with each other, just in time for Valentines Day.

kicky ride

2011-01-24T22:25:00.000-06:00

This has nothing to do with anything...but it made me smile today. I hope you had a smashing monday!

triangle squared

2011-01-23T18:12:00.001-06:00

I couldn't help myself - one more block for the solid bee!

restash

2011-01-22T20:17:00.000-06:00

The holiday season really wiped out my stash! So Thursday night it got a boost with some pretty fat quarters. The reddish dragon-fly, peach, and Amy Butler Midwest Modern (big teal flower peaking out second from the bottom) were my 'fabulous prize in a fat-quarter drawing we have each month at the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild. All the rest I picked up on my way out of Sewtropolis - they were each a dollar!! I'm in love with the blacks and yellows..and the pink/purple almost solids are pretty yummy too!

Today it 'warmed up' to single digits above zero. Tonight it's plunging into the negative again...I'm getting itchy to get outside - I think if it warms up to the teens tomorrow I'll be giving my cross-country skis a workout.

freezing

2011-01-21T11:36:00.001-06:00

Welcome to this chilly corner of the world.

glamor shots

2011-01-20T22:21:00.000-06:00

Oh my goodness...I'm sorry to have fallen right off the face of the planet. It's bitter cold here in MN and I've been sort of hibernating since getting back from NYC, which means...no photos. I haven't been idle and will have some projects to share soon...

But first, I have a photo shoot that got lost in the memory card for a while. When my sister was in town, she was at our favorite Salon Stella and I asked them if I could take some photos of my eye pillows (since I had a model in town) at the salon. They said come on over!

When I got there, the place was empty - just KP, our awesome stylist and me. As soon as the hair was finished, a whole bunch of people showed up.

(Side note: It really is the best place - I'm hesitant to tell you who our hair stylist is, since she is so awesome...ladies, have you ever felt this way? You don't want them to get too busy, because you still need to make appointments? This woman has changed the shape of my hair. Seriously - if you need a hair genie in Minneapolis, shoot me a note - I'll share our secret).

Anyway...these pictures were kind of rushed since I felt like I was in the way, but it was fun to take them and always fun to be in this space.

This shot is less about the eye pillow and more about the mirrors above. And my sis's great jaw line. Love you sister!

Silky eye pillows are available now at the salon (NE Minneapolis) and will soon be available in the shop.

trickster

2011-01-17T20:04:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday everyone!

We had a chance to hit the slopes this weekend. I grew up skiing and practically lived at the hill through high school, but we don't really have access to 'good' skiing here in the city (call me a snob...it's ok). I was getting kind of antsy to get outside, so we jaunted over to a local hill for the day.

image from weheartit

We made the most of the tiny hill - skiing through the woods and playing in the terrain park (I got tricky skis last year, so I should be able to do some trickies...right?) (oh - also - they're pink and sparkley!).

Seriously - I haven't had that much fun goofing off on skis for so long! And I totally shredded the bumpy tube for a whole second!

sunnymonday is dedicated to chairlifts and shorty sticks. I hope it was a good one!

geometry

2011-01-16T13:24:00.001-06:00

Another bee block! This one is so pretty. Natalie asked for blocks inspired by the artist Carl Kleiner and his series of works in paper.

She sent out a rainbow of colors and requested triangles similar to the one above framed with a rich brown. I was immediately drawn to the orange/red/pink in my package and just ignored the blues/green/yellow...lately I've been really drawn to clashing colors - I really love how the pink pops.

And I had to get a pleat in the mix.

The block was paper pieced on an 8.5x11" sheet of computer paper.

color wonder

2011-01-14T12:26:00.001-06:00

Here's a kaleidoscope of color to look at:

Happy Friday!

sunny and cold

2011-01-11T21:20:00.000-06:00

Guess where I was yesterday?

It was sunny and cold (see above) and I had just enough time to take a brisk walk through the park.

New York city in a day is fun, but next time I plan on staying a bit longer.

(Also - dress above is my new favorite - perfect for layering, walking, New York-ing).

honky tonk

2011-01-10T08:00:00.001-06:00

I had a lovely visit from my sister this weekend. We talked and laughed and shopped and ate...and we saw Country Strong. It was a classic country movie with hard drinking, crooning, boot wearing and star making. I can't stop listening to the main male actor's voice and dreaming about driving to Nashville.

Today's sunnymonday inspiration is all about the honky tonk-I hope you all have a great one!

old school

2011-01-05T21:14:00.000-06:00

First quilt top of the new year! A lot of people have been asking about this one - last night I put the blocks from here and here together, so I can finally share the whole concept.

All the blocks were fabulous, but they were all different sizes, colors, shapes, so I was continuously moving some things around throughout the process. The four blocks along the left side were around the same width, so I started by sewing them together with a 2" strip between each and trimming/squaring up as needed. I continued the same way with all the blocks - matching up similar sizes and adding gray as needed.

The arrangement ended up very random and I think that helps to combine the varied sized tetris blocks in a way that works. I will probably add more gray to make it a bit wider...not sure if I want it symmetrical or not...I love the idea of some tetris pieces running into the binding.

The colors match our living room/main floor and are Kona Cottons in Coal, Lagoon, Pond, and Coral.

So there you have it. My super nerdy, super bright tetris quilt (I heart the 80's)!

a few favorites

2011-01-04T07:00:00.001-06:00

photo by crafterall

I just wanted to share two more of my favorite Christmas presents (the giving kind). These were two etsy finds that I was busting at the seams to share. The first - a beautiful Lake Superior cut-out by crafterall. Marnie does beautiful work with paper and this was a custom bathymetry (pretty much the opposite of topography - in lakes!) I requested for my parents. She is a paper cutting wizard and it turned out so great! The detail is perfect and it is definitely a great gift to give to lake lovers. (Say that a few times fast...)

photo by sypria

And these pretties are felted wool dryer balls from CleanSypria. I purchased them thinking they would be a gift. (For who? I'm not sure - I get a bit gift-crazy during the season). When they came, I realized that I just really wanted them for myself. (Don't you hate that?) I've used them a few times and they really work!!

And so pretty sitting on top of my dryer waiting for me.

preppy jungle

2011-01-02T09:59:00.000-06:00

*Yes you see grass in this picture - no, we don't have grass in MN...my office has some fake stuff right behind my desk. It's nice to turn around and stick my toes in it.

I started this zig-zag quilt this fall and finished just in time for a xmas present!

Our newest nephew is a rolly-polly 4 month old and as mellow as can be. I hope he likes the preppy look.

When I first started making the zig-zag blocks (half-triangle squares aren't so hard), I intended on incorporating all the Katie Jump Rope, including the argyle. I then had a mini-panic attack with the thought of matching up all the diagonals in the fabric with diagonal cuts for the triangles. So I decided to go simple and just used up all the diagonal as one big piece in the middle.

There was another bit of concern when I realized the straight lines in the blue and green zig-zags would be a bit jig-jaggy, but I just pushed on through that thought and connected them anyway. I think they blend ok...

The back is just a piece of Urban Flannel - Friends print. Super simple! And a solid blue binding pulls these two sides together.

You will notice that I've talked about the fabrics that I used, which is unusual for me. I got so many questions about my choices for the potholders, it is now a resolution to be semi-aware of the designers/lines that I'm using in my quilts (and share with you).

auld lang syne

2010-12-31T16:41:00.000-06:00

It's a quiet New Years this year for me. I've been working on some prototypes and sewing and having some time to think about my goals for 2011. Some are really specific, some fall into the big dreams category; many are related to this blog and my little shop; a few are scary (back to that big dream thing); all are exciting.

2010 was a pretty good year. I hope 2011 will be better.

Have a wonderful New Years Eve. Be safe. Be thankful for the year ahead to make new beginnings and grateful for the lessons you learned in the year behind. Now go dig out those sparkles. -msp

another helping of bee

2010-12-30T20:00:00.001-06:00

A few more bee blocks. The month of November and December these have been trickling in and this is the second half (I shared the first bunch and explained the theme here). I literally jumped up and down each time I got a package in the mail. I heart quilting bees. Thanks ladies for your blocks!

4square

2010-12-30T09:37:00.000-06:00

block: solid bee - December
size: 12" square
fabric: kona solids 2 1/2 strips

This is Lynne's block for the solid bee that I'm in. She sent out random strips from a jelly roll (I added the dark blue) and we made four colorful squares. I don't know what she will name the quilt - I'm excited to see all the colors together - but I'm calling this block 4square. Brings back memories of 6th grade. We played four-square everyday (not part of gym class or recess) and it was awesome.

glitter gazing

2010-12-27T18:13:00.001-06:00

from weheartit

I'm back from a long weekend of celebrating, gifting and eating.

But wait - the celebrating isn't over yet! New Years Eve is right around the corner and I always think of glittery, shiny things when it rolls around. (I've been known to pile on the sparkles even while carousing in the middle of the woods). So here is a chandelier to start the glitter early.

Tomorrow is my Monday and Friday for the week - hooray for sunnymonday/tuesday!

celebrate light

2010-12-21T23:07:00.001-06:00

From me to you. I'll be taking a lovely break to enjoy time with family and friends. I hope you will be doing the same.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
-- Hamilton Wright Mabie

my late list

2010-12-20T23:08:00.002-06:00

I know it's a bit late for a gift guide, or even a list, but last night I was asked for one before the husband headed out to do some last minute shopping. So I started looking around and found such lovely things. They will have to get on the list for my birthday, next Christmas, or maybe...someone still has some shopping to do!

Clockwise from top: pave posts (anthropologie); hunter boots; happy tape; stirrup sock pattern (purl soho) (I may need to find someone to make this one for me too...my knitting skills have been a bit rusty lately. But what a cheerful project for the new year!); secret charms necklace (banana republic); clothbound penguin classics (anthropologie)

Some of these I've been drooling over for a while - the boots and books are a perennial favorite. The sparkles I just found and would love to wear all the time. And the tape - I would love this tape in every single color of the rainbow...so pretty (and happy)!

I can't wait to show you the list of treats that I'm giving this year - so many good finds and I can't share them yet!! Almost time...

checking it twice

2010-12-19T15:14:00.003-06:00

Oh my. I've let the season get away from me. T-5 days until this holiday that we've been talking about for months is upon us. I've been having some difficulty staying on track this week and now have some last minute presents to make and buy, blogs to post and orders to send. My list is long and I hope you forgive me for the lack of posting - I'll be back soon my friends. Cheers.

image from weheartit

chicken dinner

2010-12-17T10:20:00.000-06:00

As in winner, winner...

The winner of the potholders is number 49 - Lisa! Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments. I've found many new blogs to add to my list and have many more to visit.

Have a great weekend and a very Happy Holidays to you all!

ornamentation

2010-12-16T09:12:00.003-06:00

First, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who is playing along with the sewmamasew give-away and has entered to win my potholders. You can enter until tomorrow (Friday) at 10am Central Time, when I will be drawing a winner!

Second - for all those who have asked about fabric...I am very bad about knowing the who/what/wheres of fabric. I buy what I like and don't think twice about it (and I never save the salvedges). But I was able to track down the roosters, since that was the most popular/unknown from a tiny scrap that just happened to have missed the trash. It is from Blank Quilting - Morning Call in Vintage. I purchased it at the Ben Franklin in Bemidji, MN (yes - I go far and wide for fabric!) and I think there was still a bolt there the last time I was in (if you're in the area).

Third - here is another in the 12 Days of Christmas series...not sure if I'll get through 12 - only 9 shopping days left!

Since acquiring the silver tree, I have been unable to use most of our ornaments. There is a lot of gold and the tree is pretty scrawny, so I try not to overload it. Instead, I put ornaments all over the house! Hanging from mirrors, piled in vases, and adding extra touches to the greenery that we do have, such as this wreath on the door. The new rule in our house is use it or lose it, so I use every last one of them.

pretty in pink

2010-12-14T20:00:00.002-06:00

The sewmamasew giveaway is still in full swing - go here for all the details!

This is this year's go-to Christmas CD. I picked it up at Starbucks on a whim and have been listening pretty constantly since. There is something so fancy about Pink Martini's music and this one is just as party perfect! Love.

hold your pot

2010-12-13T05:00:00.017-06:00

Update - a winner has been selected - Lisa! Thanks for stopping by - I hope you come back to visit!

Happy Monday everyone! It totally slipped my mind and I didn't get a chance to tell ya'll, so you're in for a surprise treat - Giveaway Day!!! SewMamaSew is once again hosting this super fun event. They have scads of bloggers signed up and all are giving away little hand-made lovelies. It's a great chance to find new blogs to love. Please check them out and let's all support each other! You could win!

If you are visiting - welcome! My name is Marie (also known as MSP) and I like crafts of all sorts and love to share them here. On Mondays, I usually talk about something that is making me feel sunny - sunnymondays are good for the soul.

Today we're talking about pretty potholders. I've been making lots of these for my shop this season and they are so much fun.

They are great sunnymonday treats, because it's the perfect way to add a pop of color or design to your kitchen without going crazy. They also make great gifts (I may or may not have some stashed away for my own gift-giving. Or for myself.)

Today I'm giving away a set of two of the floral+polkadot design (above and here) to one lucky duck. Just leave me a comment and I'll select a random winner on Friday, December 17th.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck! Have a sunnymonday!

snowday

2010-12-11T15:02:00.000-06:00

This is what it looks like outside my front door! Happy Snow Day everyone!

cookie monster

2010-12-11T10:23:00.000-06:00

When you are pondering what to give the neighbors, your bridge partners, or the mailman, it doesn't have to be a time-consumed craft or cost a lot of money. I always put together small bags of home-made treats, often defaulting to the cookies I know and love the most. Either take a Saturday afternoon to bake, or like this year, I just did one cookie a night for a few days. Nothing too fussy - no sugar cookies, no sprinkles!

I got small bags from Paper Source, filled them up, and put a simple ornament through a punched hole to close. Friends - if I haven't seen you yet this season - we should get together - I'll bring the cookies!

childs-play

2010-12-10T14:56:00.000-06:00

If you've see these images in my shop and thought - "That looks like a child drew it" - you're absolutely right! My newest product this year is the perfect gift for grandparents or parents. A customized embroidered art based on your child's design. You send me a drawing and I will embroider it onto an piece of white canvas wrapped around an 8x8" frame. The perfect way to save precious art-work forever.

The artist in this case is my friends' five-year-old. His favorite things in the world are pigs, mermaids and trains and he knows how to draw a great snowman.

There is still time for custom pieces before Christmas,but it is running out. Please contact me if you are interested and I can give you an estimate time-line.

feature

2010-12-09T07:45:00.001-06:00

Good morning everyone! ~~Just wanted to remind you that sometime today, craftyMSP will be featured in the~~ ~~Minnesotamade Holidays~~ ~~section of the Examiner~~. I'm featured!! Jenn is a talented quilter/sewer and member of our Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild. She has a regular column and has been featuring Minnesota crafters this month. So glad to be part of the mix - there is some great local talent out there!

project roundup

2010-12-07T22:23:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone - how is the month going so far? Here it's cold, but we have snow on the ground, so I'm not complaining! I hope you are cozy inside somewhere enjoying the season.

I've been having so much fun putting together my 12-days holiday posts! While keeping an extra keen eye out for fun holiday DIYs, I've run into so many cute projects, I just wanted to share them and do a little link party. Here are some of my favorites in the decoration / small gift category:

photo by A Fabulous Fete

Lauren at A Fabulous Fete made these beautiful candles with small potting containers, melted down candles and spray paint - so lovely!

Keeping with my sparkly obsession - I am inspired to get me some glitter after seeing the pretty stars over at Marta Writes. (I kind of forgot glitter existed, but now it's just a matter of time before a couple bottles end up in my shopping cart).

Crazy twisted felt garland from The Purl Bee is as pretty as a candy cane.

This is a smart and resourceful one from Craftzine - a sweater cozy for your potluck dish. Perfect for slipping around your artichoke dip!

Finally, Design*Sponge helped me find these pretty printables - bird ornaments/tags from Rebecca.