artsy-crafty babe

sweet niblets!

Happy Halloween, y'all!!

back to the scraps

I'm working on another scrap quilt just like this one, only in minature.   This one is for another Lark book, Pretty Little Mini Quilts.  This one isn't quite as free form as the original, but that's okay.  Now you'll be able to make your own version, in minature, when the book comes out. 

Working on this has sparked my interest in quilting again, which is a good thing considering I'm participating in twelve square.  This month is my month, and boy, am I ever lucky!  The blocks I've received are gorgeous - this is going to be one fantastic quilt!  I don't think these blocks are going to sit around collecting dust, as soon as I get all of them (and make my own contribution) I plan on putting it together.  See that aqua fabric at the top right corner?  Jona sent me that fabric as a little gift, which I think will be perfect for the binding.  Yes, indeed, fun stuff!

30 days to natural

image from the 30 days to natural website

A couple of week ago I got an email from the folks at Mom Central to try out a new website 30 Days to Natural.  It is sponsored by Green Works natural cleaners made by the Clorox Company.  I signed up and every day I get emailed a tip on living a more "natural" life.  So far, I like it.  The tips seem simple enough.  For example, today's tip was about trading out regular toilet paper for that made from recycled paper.  I'm not sure I even knew that recycled toilet paper existed!  I also liked the tip on making your own air freshener, which is something I plan to do.

The reason I signed up is that I honestly would like to live a greener life, but it's hard.  I'm busy and I live in an area that doesn't offer curbside recycling (or much recycling at all, for that matter).  In my mind recycling was a biggie.  But what I've learned thus far, is that you don't have to do big things to be green - all the little things add up.  Though recycling isn't an easy option for me, reusing is, and that's something I do a lot of.  Since I've started my 30 days, I have been thinking more about the products I buy and the things I do around my house to conserve energy and live a greener life.  I think I'm greener today than I was 2 weeks ago.  I've also realized that I already do a lot of things that are green.

Along with signing up on the website, I was sent a bottle of the Green Works All Purpose Cleaner to try out.  I'm not much of a "cleaner" user, so I can't really compare, but from what I can tell, it works fine.  I do like the fresh scent that doesn't linger.  I'd like to think that it's healthier for my family. 

So, even though this started as a product/website marketing project, it has turned into something more for me.  I feel better knowing that there are things that I can do right now, and am doing to make a difference.

back amongst the living

Well, hello there!  I'm still alive.  What day is it?  Geesh, I feel so out of it.  I blame it on my sinus ailments that have had me feeling like crap these last few days.  I HATE feeling yucky.  It really puts a damper on my creative mojo.  This weekend I spent a whole lot of time laying around, trying to rest (is that even possible with 3 little kids?), and tending to LOTS of laundry and dirty dishes.  Exciting stuff, huh?

Today I am happy to be feeling better and I am thoroughly enjoying the little cool snap that decided to visit the deep south.  Brrr - it was in the 30's last night and will be for the next few days.  Then it's back to reality and highs in the 80's next.  That's okay, I'll take it.  This cool weather makes me want to curl up on the sofa with a warm quilt, my knitting needles and some yarn, while a loaf of bread is baking and a pot of soup is simmering.  Doesn't that sound divine?  Too bad I have a broken range.  I've had to be creative with supper, using my toaster oven and crock pot.  We're making do.  The other day I made chicken noodle soup and last night I made meatloaf with roasted veggies and steamed green beans.  Tonight we're ordering out :)

Look at that - I knit something for someone other than myself!  It's not the original baby sweater I started last week, which ended up being big enough to fit Ava, but I like this one better.  I still need to add some buttons and block it.  I think baby sweaters may be my new favorite thing to knit.  Love that instant gratification!

Just because I like to keep it real, this is what I allow to happen in order to have a little blog time - Ava did this while I was composing this post.  It'll only take a few minutes to clean up, so worth it!

what's knittin?

Well I sure have been, that's for sure.  I've learned that I can have a healthy relationship with both my sewing machine and my knitting needles - there's enough love to go around.

You'd think that by now I'd have a finished object to show you, but instead of finishing something I keep casting on new projects. My latest is this baby sweater.  Baby sweaters are fun because they're so tiny and knit up fast.  I may change my tune when I get to the sleeves, but I'm not going to think about that now.  My goal is to get this FINISHED asap.

My Cavern Cardigan is finished except for the ties.  All I have to do is attach them.  I guess I haven't really seen the need considering that it's been pretty warm down here, but the cool air is finally making its way to these parts.  I may get those ties attached this weekend.

I'm still chugging along on my Somewhat Cowl.  I've had needle issues with this one.  I'm now on my third set.  My first set broke, so I bought some cheap ones which ended up hurting my wrist.  When my wrist started hurting I cast on the knitted bodice in an attempt to use different needles.  Now that I'm bored with the Simple Knitted Bodice, I finally bought a new set of needles for the Somewhat Cowl, so maybe I'll get around to that soon.

(while I was picking up my needles this yummy Noro yarn came home with me - oops)

Oh yeah, there's one more sweater in the works - a cardigan for Lily to wear with her school uniform. I'm not very far along with that one yet.

***One last thing - my etsy shop is being featured today as part of a giveaway on the Frugal Mom Blog - go check it out and enter to win one of my bags along with a $100 Amazon gift certificate!  You've got to hurry because the drawing is only onen through today (Friday).  Good luck :-)

get lost

I've been making bags.  It's been a while since I updated my little shop, so I thought it was time.  After making that bag last week I've wanted to do more.  This always happens to me when the seasons change.  I'm definitely channeling fall in these latest ones.  If all goes well, I'll finish them up tonight and do a little shop update on Friday. 

Now for a dose of reality.  It's been one of those nights.  Matt is away at class - Lily has a hurt ankle, Alex cut his leg while scaling the backetball goal, and Ava has a big blister on her foot.  I have a whole crew of injured kids.  At one point I think they were all crying.  And they're all grumpy.  Which makes me very grumpy.  My house is a wreck and nobody can help pick up because they're all hurt, which makes me even more grumpy.  Mama needs a time out.  In fact, at one point I gave myself one.  As soon as Matt gets home and most of the kids are in bed, I plan to get lost in these bags, and then I plan to knit.  I'd rather do that than sleep.  Craft therapy is definitely in order.

shoot!

So much for my restraint!  After cleaning and organizing my sewing room I told myself that I had no business buying any more fabric.  None at all!  But you know how it goes - you're surfing a fabric store, you click "add to cart", and before you know it, you have a cart full of lovelies that you can't bear to live without.  Well, that's how it happens for me, anyway.  I do have plans for some of these.  I'd like to make Ava some pants and maybe a jumper or two.  See?  There was a reason ;-)

it was fun

Thanks for all the anniversary well wishes!  We had lots of fun.  As usual, my weekend didn't last long enough.  We were only away for a little less than 24 hours, but we made the most of it.  When we got to New Orleans, we checked into the hotel, then went for a walk around the French Quarter.  In the short time we were there, we saw no less than 5 wedding parties.  It wasn't until we saw the second one that I realized we share the same wedding date as those couples.  Just like our wedding day 11 years ago, it was a perfect day weatherwise.  If only I could bottle up these perfect Louisiana fall days...

Dinner was supurb.  We ate at the Palace Cafe.  We were so stuffed at the end of the meal that we didn't have room for dessert, but our waiter surprised us a piece of turtle cheesecake.  Yeah, I was able to find some room somewhere.

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After dinner we had drinks with my friend who happened to be in town from San Francisco.  That was fun.  Matt and I are usually pretty boring, so having another couple to hang out with was a treat.  I'm such a fuddy duddy - I had to be back in my room before midnight so that we could put out our room service tag for breakfast, hee hee :)  I only wish that Matt had chosen a later time for the delivery - so much for sleeping in, though 8 am was much better than my usual 5:15 am.  It was nice to lay around and drink coffee in bed while catching up on some magazine reading.  Now that I've started knitting, I have a backlog of magazines to get through (see, I don't have time for EVERYTHING).

Before we left, we took another stroll through the quarter then grabbed a bite to eat.  I wish we had more time, but I'll take what we can get.  Matt and I think we should try to do that about once a month - wouldn't that be great?  A girl can dream...

I created a flickr set, if you want to see lots of photos of buildings.  I can't help it - I love buildings in the french quarter.

11 already?

How did that happen?  Today Matt and I celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary.  We're heading down to New Orleans to stay in a big hotel, eat a fancy meal, and not be woken up at the crack of dawn by 3 bouncy children.  I'm looking forward to that morning part most :-)

My sweetie sent me those flowers at work yesterday.  The card read "11 is Heaven.  I love you."  I couldn't agree with him more.  It keeps getting better and better.

here's the latest

I finshed up that bag tonight.  It's another version of the Erica bag.

I like it.  The fabric is so stunning, I thought it would look nice made in one fabric, with the black piping and button to give it a little pizazz.

It's quite a simple bag, but sometimes simple is good.  I didn't make this for myself, but I think I want one (of course).

The pattern for this bag will be available soon...