Latest denim jacket...

Today I delivered the latest recycled denim jacket to the new owner and she graciously allowed me to take her photo and also gave me permission to share it here.

So....
here's Irene,
sporting a creation by MA...

Want to join in a fun game?

I stumbled across a fun blogging game and it's something I absolutely HAVE to take part in!

Do you have a spare glass jar?
 

How about some ORT's?

WHAT?  You mean you don't know what ORT's are??

Tsk, tsk!

ORT's are those pesky little bits of 'Old Ratty Threads'
you end up with when you're sewing.
You know the ones...the clippings, the throwaways.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE PART IN A
TOTALLY USELESS STITCH-A-LONG?

(TUSAL)

Go HERE to visit Its DaffyCat's blog to
find out all about this
fun project!

You'll find that the New Moon is
going to be fun in 2012!

Beautiful things....

First of all,
here is our beautiful
daughter in law
wearing her 

new scarf...

The scarf is a really quick knit (even for me - notoriously SLOW) - I actually knitted it in one day!

AND....
LOOKIT THIS
v

v

v

YUM!!!

Baked and decorated by the
above-mentioned
beautiful d-i-l!!

Don't you think she's a keeper?

Oh yeah - and the cake's all gone
Sorry!

TAST, Temari, and Zentangles

How's that for a mixed bag of mumblings?

1.

Sharon B will be re-introducing her fabulous TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesdays) beginning in January!  I am seriously considering signing on again, despite having taken part several years ago.  Each Tuesday of the year Sharon will introduce a different embroidery stitch.  You are encouraged to try the stitch and, if you are interested in playing further, create additional variations of your own.  At the end of the year you will have learned 52 stitches and been inspired by the creations of the rest of the members of the class.  It's great fun!  Go HERE for further details and to sign up.  You won't be sorry!  Oh...and did I mention all this is FREE???

2.

After I posted the picture of the beautiful temari ball I was given, I came across THIS and thought you might be interested to see how they have combined temari and shisha. 

3.

I know there is a lot of interest in zentangles at the moment.  Jo in NZ has created some beautiful cards using the technique.  Have a peek at them HERE.

Today I've been glued to my sewing machine and have actually managed to get a lot done on the next denim jacket.  Pictures will be forthcoming - perhaps tomorrow.

Winner and Crazy Quilt News!!

First of all, I want to let you know that the Winter issue of Pat Winter's 'CRAZY QUILT GATHERINGS' is now available on MagCloud.  I can pretty much guarantee it will be equally as wonderful as the previous ones have been.  I've ordered mine already!  Go HERE.

SharonB is considering running her TAST on-line class again next year.  For those who don't know, TAST stands for 'Take A Stitch Tuesdays'.  Sharon announces a new stitch each Tuesday and you are invited to learn and explore the stitch.  You are encouraged to create your own variations.  I can definitely give this project a huge thumb's up.  I learned a LOT when I joined in the fun a few years ago. Sharon is asking for anyone who might be interested to drop her a comment on THIS POST at her blog. Even if you are an embroiderer already, you are sure to benefit from all the inspiration!

Finally, the winner of the 'GreenCraft Magazine' giveaway (after the highly scientific method of writing each name on pieces of paper, shaking them mightily, and getting DH to draw) is...........

I need your snail mail addy Kaite and I'll pop it into the mail for you next week. 

Temari ball

 Today I was given this beautiful temari ball.  I don't know if the pictures do it complete justice, but hopefully you can see the details.  It's amazing that the ball is wound with something as small as sewing thread and then embroidered with the design.  The design thread in this case is metallic.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway from the previous post.  You have until Saturday to leave a comment on that post.  Scroll down for more details!

I got nuttin, so how about this?

I haven't been home long enough to do much of anything that would be classified as 'creative'.  I could post a picture of my clean bathroom, but I don't suppose that would excite you.  I've cut out some fabric that I can't show because it's for a gift.  I bought some cool yarn, but can't show that either. 

SO.....

How about a giveaway?

Let me see, what will I have you do in order to get an entry?  I know - how about telling us what your absolute favourite Christmas present was and why?  Leave your answer on this post only and I'll draw for a winner on  Nov. 19th. 

eye candy and a book review

For some crazy quilt eye candy, have a look at what Lisa (of Ivory Blush Roses) has created.  Go HERE.

- - - - - - - - - - -

I picked this book up at the library and have really enjoyed 

reading it cover to cover.

Part of the description on the back cover... " Twelve quilters participated in a two-year-long international virtual collaboration.  Each created a 12x12 inch art quilt every two months based upon a particular theme, such as "dandelion" or "shelter".  This lavishly illustrated book showcases all 144 quilts..."

I found the whole thing to be fascinating.  I like the concept of doing a virtual exchange (nothing to get lost in the mail).  Each of the artists has written a chapter in the book talking about their own experiences during the collaboration.  It's quite interesting to follow their thoughts on both the process and the way they each interpreted the twelve different themes.  This book is definitely going on my personal wish list.

Specs:  "Twelve by Twelve - The International Art Quilt Challenge",  published by Lark Crafts, c 2011, ISBN:  13-978-1-60059-666-7

Great mail and stitching...

I received a lovely surprise in the mail yesterday
from Pam Kellogg....a pretty brooch
in my favourite colours!

Isn't it pretty? 
Thank you SO much Pam!!

You also might like to know that Pam is starting a new series of
eye candy on her blog.  She will be posting pictures of her
waste canvas seam treatments as inspiration for

crazy quilters.
Go HERE to see!

AND...
I finally completed one section of my
Road To My House wallhanging!

Please keep in mind that these are my first attempts at free-motion stitching!

Treasures and Calendars

This weekend we had #2 son and his wife home
and I'm now the proud owner of these...

As you can see, the common denominator in both of these is Eeyore.  I have no clue why I'm a fan of Eeyore but I've always liked his character.  These are both Hallmark pieces - the top one is a tree ornament and the bottom one is porcelain (although the blanket is fabric and the little tassels on the Snowbaby are 'real').  So cute!! 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There obviously is a lot of truth to the old adage that 

'great minds think alike',
because both Pat Winter and Kathy Shaw
have created fantastic crazy quilt

2012 calendars,
not knowing about the other.

Both calendars are beautiful and are
available at a very reasonable cost

from MagCloud!

To see Pat's go HERE.
To see Kathy's go HERE.

Thrifting find

Sometimes a goldmine will pop up when you're thrifting and other times it's a complete and total waste of time.  Yesterday I stumbled upon a really ugly necklace although the colour intrigued me and it looked as though it might have some useable beads*.  Upon further inspection the main element of the necklace was what made me run right to the cash register and pay whatever they wanted! 

SEE?

Isn't that a gorgeous button? 
The photo definitely doesn't do the shine and
sparkle justice. 
The beads in the necklace were just an added bonus.

* just a little sidenote - if you are in need of beads to add to your
collection, keep in mind that purchasing used necklaces 

often yields great beads FAR cheaper than
buying them packaged and sold as beads.

Great mail day!

I was a lucky winner of a giveaway that Patty did on her blog and this arrived in the mail...

Specs:  'Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond The Unexpected' by Claudine Hellmuth, published by North Light Books, ISBN 1-58180-678-7

Sorry about the dark picture - it's nighttime here and it didn't photograph well. 








Patty also included a fun handmade card...

Thank you Patty, I will enjoy reading the new addition to my library and the card is already pinned up on my inspiration board.

Not a Halloween costume!

but my handsome husband!

See?
Real men DO blow bubbles!