Planning

Soooo I have been really busy lately. Getting ready to move kind of sucks, pardon my French. There is so much to do, so many things to button up. I never thought I'd be doing this and all in a month and a half.

We plan on being in Utah by middle November and you would think with everything that still needs to happen maybe I'd cool it on the projects. But just last month I started a new one. Mainly because I couldn't bring half finished monstrosities like my Swoon on the plane to our vacation.

Speaking of which we had a blast! The week we spent there really solidified our decision to move there. We love Utah. 

I'm hoping I'll be able to return to blogging hardcore once everything has settled, but until then I'm sorry if I am distant. I hope you all understand. If you want to follow me in the meantime check out my Instagram. I find it a little easier/faster to post there. 

I can't wait to share our new place and new life soon! I'm even getting my very own real life sewing space!!!! Until then I hope you all remain well I'll be back real soon!!!!

August

 Summer is almost officially over! I honestly can not believe that we're at the end of August already. But have no fear, around here August did not go by idly. I wasn't about the waste a minute!

Remember this quilt?!?! Well I actually quilted it. Finally. I rented some time with my longarmer Janet and was able to quilt this baby on the long arm machine myself! Pretty freaking sweet right?!?! Janet stayed late with me on Saturday to finish! Took me 2 days and 10 hours, but I did it! She was so nice to make time for me after having been in the hospital a couple weeks prior. No worries though, she's doing much better now!!! Thanks again Janet!!!! You are amazing!!!! I can't thank you enough!

I was so happy to finally finish the quilting. Now all I have to do is trim it up and attach the binding and its ready to go!

Its actually for a bed that doesn't exist quiet yet. I was going to wait to unveil this bit of information, but we're moving. That's right, moving out of hellish New Jersey and into beauteous Utah! I suppose that's why I have been a little distant from the internets. So much planning and getting ready to do. My brain is in warp drive.

I have never moved before, well, once into college, but that doesn't count. This is a little bit bigger of a move so I have some apprehensions. One thing being what to take and what to leave? We want to bring as much as we can, but as little as we can at the same time. If you you know what I mean. I started refinishing some pieces of the furniture I inherited from my Grandfather that are coming with. They are in really good shape and super cute! But, someone decided long ago that mustard was a good choice. Ehhh... I think not. I'm going to try to strip and sand them down as much as possible then using Allison's advice try and repaint them black. Wish me luck!

And if that weren't enough, I've also started another quilt, a HST project (from Swoon scraps), a costume and stitching my granny square hand bag together. Seriously, my crafting ADD is out of control. I just think I'm trying to keep my mind occupied so I don't worry about the move.

Even though we may be at an end to summer we are at the beginning of a new and exciting adventure. And to be honest, I can't wait! Have any of you moved cross country?

Last Week

I......

Figured out how to start double knitting using You Tube. Oh, how I love the internet :D

Helped fix the shed with my Dad.

Finished this frame purse, with an enlarged version of this tutorial.

Made this one as a gift using the same method only bigger still.

And also made this pincushion using no tutorial, which I should have. Looks way easier to make then it actually is :/

Then I took a Blacksmithing class at 3rd Ward in Philly with my buddy for her birthday.

Had some Ben and Jerry's! Right out of the container of course. Mmmmmmm!!!!

Fed our friendly squirrel pal. He loves stale crackers and Skippy.

O ya and I totally finished the Spanish Tiles quilt top and backing!

All of this with a 40 hour work week, I guess you could say I was pretty productive! If only I had energy like this all the time!

PA Guild Fine Craft Fair

Happy Wednesday everyone! Can you believe its August...TOMORROW! Please somebody tell me, where did the summer go??

Anyway, I had a pretty fun and productive weekend! I got the privilege to help/assist my wonderfully talented friend Nicolette Absil at the 7th Annual Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair!

She was 1 of over 190 craftsman from around the US that exhibited. Pretty awesome, right?! I am so proud of her! This was her second show ever and she did such an amazing job!  

If you're local and you'd like to get your hands on some of Nicolette's beautiful handmade jewelry you can see her at the next Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair on October 11-13 at Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.

I got a pair of thank you earrings that I just love! I wish I worked in an office so I could wear them everyday, but I do try to wear them every chance I get. Thanks Nicolette!!!!

I did get to sneak away for a bit to check out the rest of the show. There were tons of exhibitors and demonstrations. It was really something!

 After walking around a bit I found quilters!! I had no idea quilting was considered Fine Craft! I'm sure there was more, but I came across 2 textile artists that had some pretty outstanding work.

The first was Fulton Design Studio. I just loved their booth! Wife and husband duo Jan and Gary Fulton make amazing art quilts and table linens inspired by nature. 

They use mostly batiks which I think lends to the vibrancy of their work. I got to talk with Jan for a bit and she gave me some great ideas on technique and process! For more information about Fulton Design Studio visit their website here!

Next was Lorac Designs. Quilt artist Carol Heisler creates beautiful one of a kind quilts using great imagination and color theory. 

As her website states she has developed an innovative style that blends precise realism with abstract expressionism, which I totally agree! She has been featured in numerous magazines and galleries across the US. Most outstanding of Carol's booth was Carol herself! 

She had such a great personality and warmth about her I could have stayed and chatted all day! For more information about Lorac Designs visit their website here!

All in all it was a pretty good time. I hope I can help Nicolette at the next show! I really love getting to see/meet all the amazing craftsman and artists. It makes me hopeful that people continue to appreciate art and the importance of handmade work. Maybe one day I'll be the one exhibiting! But until then I'll be happy just supporting!

Around here

Its been summer lazy days around here. With how hot it has been, I come home from work and all I want to do is flop on the couch and sleep. Luckily though, I have managed to muster up enough energy to get considerably far with my latest project.

I started this way back! I actually bought the fabric for it over 2 years ago! Its Aviary 2 in granite by Joel Dewberry. I so love this fabric! Its absolutely gorgeous! For the background I used my staple Kona in black and medium grey. I think they work well together.

When I saw Heather Mulder Peterson's pattern Spanish Tiles in her Living Large 2 book, I knew it would be the perfect choice. I just love this pattern! It is so sophisticated just a perfect compliment to Joel's fabric.

I'd have to say I really enjoyed this pattern. There were a lot of pieces and bias edges on the sashing parts, but somehow it all managed to come out square and happy!

At this point it was a breeze. All the pieces just flew together!

Caught me!!! Thank you to my fearless companion for keeping me company while I sewed this puppy together last night. You're the best honey!

And we're done! Well not quite yet. I still have to add borders, but I just had to share my progress! I really wasn't sure how this was going to turn out but now that I see it all together I am really happy with it.

More to come soon! But if you just can't wait, you can follow me on Instagram for the latest on this and many many many other projects and adventures! :D Have a great Thursday!