Christmas, Cards and a Quilt

A couple of the Christmas garments I've been making for the fabric stores -- so many Christmas things this year!  (There are more pics for another time, don't want to overload you now.)

this one is green cordoroy

 This jacket is red velveteen.  It's a gorgeous look but oh my, what a mess to cut and sew!

A dear young lady who is a former co-worker of mine has a little daughter who is affected with a rare and incurable disease which causes tumors to grow on nerves.  I made this quilt for a benefit to raise research money to fight the disease.  Now isn't this crazy -- the quilt was auctioned and the buyer was my niece!  Little Logan Joseph will sleep with the owls. 

You might recogize that the quilt images are from Cricut's Give a Hoot cartridge. Traced with Cricut markers onto fusible web then appliqued.



 

This was made for a gift. It's quilted with Insul-Brite, an insulated batting for hot/cold use.  This is a flat iron travel case so you can put the iron away before it's completely cool.

Here are some of the cards I made to complete a gift set. I tried to include something for every occasion and a mixture of fun and serious themes.



I like the hippo's stickle toenails.  (kinda hard to see in the pic) And can you see the white glitter paper on the bridal dress?

This may be one of my favorite cards ever.  At least it is today!  Black glitter paper just looks so chic.  The flower is from the new Flower Shoppe cart.  (I made one of these to keep too.)

So it's been a lovely weekend but sometimes I still have my ups and downs.  So much love and support surround me though, that I can't help but recognize how very blessed I am.

I hope you can see and feel the blessings in your life today.

Special prayers today for Brenda, Mark, Dave, Jack, Betty and John. God loves you and so do I. xo



A Fireman's Birthday

 A week ago tomorrow was my baby boy's 27th birthday!  No, I can't believe it, it seems like yesterday we were building Legos and reading storybooks.  I never tire of telling anyone who asks how very proud I am of him. At the risk of getting teary-eyed, that's all I'm going to say about that right now.  He is simply an amazing young man  . . . and so good to his mother. 

Kyle joined the fire department in June 2010.  He loves the department.  It has become a huge part of his life.  Once a year, in the spring, at the Retired Firemen's dinner, the new members are initiated.  I took pictures on that evening and compiled this mini-album for his birthday.

This was my first mini-album, I'd been wanting to try this for a long time.        The cover is made from a cake mix box, covered with cardstock and a couple coats of Mod Podge. Embellished with some aluminum from a soda can (embossed with the CuddleBug) and a bit of machine stitching.  The bookplates are cut from aluminum and painted with black fingernail polish.  

Some photo corners  and various titles were made glossy with Crystal Effects (a.k.a. Glossy Accents, depending on what brand you use).

The twine holds tags for journaling that are encased between the pages.  I left the journaling blank so he can choose his own words.

The back cover with his number.  Oh yes, and it was wire bound courtesy of my Bind-it-All. 

I loved making this.

So I thought I was going to have the very most special-est birthday gift until my dear husband came up with this --

For those of you who don't know (which would include me had I not been told!), the base of this lamp is a fire hose nozzle.  Randy put this together himself.  I think it turned out pretty spectacular!

It was a good birthday and he was very pleased.  It's great to see him smile.

Our special prayers today especially for the family of our dear friend Larry.  Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Prayers for Dave, Jack, Brenda, Mark, John, Karen and Leslie. 

I wish you all a blessed day - With love & prayers, Janis 

What I've been doing

Recently I had a surprise visit from a dear friend. She reminded me, among other things, that she misses my blog posts. So here I am. I don't have a lot to say but do have a lot of things I can show you all. Here are some of the things I've been working on lately . . .

This little top is from a Childrens Corner Pattern - "Kinsey", modified the hemline to add scallops and added the ruffles and piping.  A display for the fabric store.

Here's an apron and potholder set, also for diplay. From the book 'Quilting Those Flirty 30s' by Cynthia Tomaszewski.

And here's a close-up of a vintage button I just love. I thought it worked really well with the 30s theme.

An art smock - for Back to School display.  From the Book 'Little Things to Sew' Oliver + S, Liesel Gibson.

And a birthday card.  I used Cricut Lite Cartridge 'Live Simply'. 

I made a baby quilt my sister-in-laws are wanting to see, so I'll be back.

In my prayers today most especially are three very important friends.  Larry and Dave are fighting similar battles and my heart is heavy with their struggles. And sweet Emily is in a crisis no young mother should have to face. I know they appreciate my prayers  - and yours too if you would be so kind. Please remember also with me Brenda, Karen, John F. and Jennifer. +

May your day be blessed in a special way today. Watch for it . . . Love, J

Rock on Sister Suey

After my heartfelt tribute, I had to add a few pictures from the wedding reception. My baby sister Carol Sue was the life of the party. I have received countless comments - and countless chuckles - regarding her performance in the 'dance off' contest the DJs used to break the ice. Break it she did . . . Was it 'air guitar' she was assigned? I think so. My other sister Linda (in black & white) was also in the competition. She was asked do a River Dance, and she did a lovely one.

Little cousin Isabella was also a contestant with the Chicken Dance.

But Carol won hands down - can you imagine that?!

I will leave this quick post with a few other images from the reception.

Lots of Cricut! I was so grateful to have it. After altering 5 dresses and making 2, the paper crafts were a fun release for me. I just love that Cricut!

It Feels Like Spring in My Sewing Room

Over the last several weeks, I've been head-over-heels sewing spring samples for the fabric stores -- and hoarding photos! ~LOL~

But before I get to that, a couple of things I've meant to get to and hadn't yet . . .

I got the kindest anonymous comment a couple of weeks ago about how my entries have improved as the blog has developed. Wow, you don't know how I appreciated that as I thought I'd become boring as of late! I do appreciate every comment much more than you know.

There was a comment/question with the last post asking about the bags and whether I cut the fabric with the Cricut. The answer is no. Not yet anyway and there's a reason for it. The projects I make that I will also teach must be techniques that can be duplicated in class and can't be restricted to specialty equipment like the Cricut. I can however use it to trace the designs as that could be duplicated in another way. So what I did was to apply paper-backed fusible web to my fabric, adhere it to the mat fabric side down, create a mirror image utilizing the 'FLIP' button (so text will read correctly), then trace onto the paper side of the webbing using the Cricut markers. I then cut the images manually and used traditional applique finishes. I haven't experimented yet with cutting fabric in the Cricut but it's on my list of things to do. And if I can master it, yeah I might consider a tutorial. ;)

I also haven't mentioned on the blog yet that I was offered and accepted a part-time job. It's expected to be just a couple days a week and it's my intent to keep up with the blog and everything else that I'm doing at the present time. Time will tell, so wish me well!

So, now -- on to the projects.

This tote is a class sample. Zip closure and six exterior pockets plus more inside (3 patch pockets and 1 hidden zip pocket). The fabrics are from Lila Tueller's Soiree collection.

I love, love, LOVE this piece! The 'create' image was traced by Cricut from the Home Decor cartridge. The bird was drawn free-hand (inspired by the bird on HD but I needed mine to be shaped more short & wide), and the flower layers were created by cutting a large circle pattern (Plantin Schoolbook), folding the pattern in half, in half again and half again (eighths), then cutting to a petal shape. Stem and leaves drawn free-hand. The pieced border was done with foundation piecing technique. As you may be able to tell, this piece is unfinished, it will probably become a wall-hanging when I get it back -- but I'm not sure yet.

This is a display sample -- for Valentines Day. I must say when I opened the box and saw these fabrics I was hesitant. Certainly nothing I would have chosen (the look is a bit too traditional for me) but this is a lesson in keeping an open mind -- it came out darling.

Here's a close-up of the heart-shaped yo-yos. Both the ivory and the pink dot fabrics have a metallic sheen in the design that adds shimmer and interest.

By the way -- if you sew, you like yo-yos, and haven't tried the yo-yo makers -- you should do it! They are so much fun.

And lastly, don't these 'Sassy Bags' make you think cheery thoughts of spring and summer? They are also display samples.

OK! I still have more photos but I don't want to overload you for one day. I still have another purse (the Abigail bag), a child's halter dress (from Sew Beautiful) and remember the ruffled NieNie skirt? I have the other one in bright colors with a cupcake top -- OMGoodness, it's my favorite! Stay tuned . . .

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . .

I know -- long time, no post! It's been crazy around our house. My dad is home but very needy in terms of time and attention. Throw in a couple of sewing deadlines and deliveries to Jackman's and I've been quite busy. We also have house guests for several weeks -- my stepson, his wife and almost 2-yr old son - who arrived with a whopper of a cold and a racking cough. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a germ magnet so it is a minor miracle that I managed more than two weeks before I came down with it. But oh yes, I do have it now.

So what a blessing it is that I managed to get my decorating done last weekend. Here are a few of my favorite decorations this year . . .

I have a dear young friend who always gifts me with the most delightful pieces to brighten my home. Doesn't this jolly fellow make you feel whimsical?!

Who knew the Cricut would be this much fun? This is cut from white vinyl (alright, it's actually cheap contact paper!). But what a perfect accent to this french door which is visible from the three rooms we use most. (The text cut is from the Simply Sweet font cartridge, the snowflakes from Winter Woodland.)

These cute little snowflakes were die cut with a Sizzix Originals die. I think they add so much to these ornaments hanging in my front window.

And last but not least, I needed a couple of cards for early December birthdays. Although it doesn't show up in the photo, the white insert is embossed with Happy Birthday sayings.

Wherever you are, I hope you are safe and warm and making good progress towards a very happy Christmas.

I'll catch you later. Sooner this time, I promise.

Faith Will Bring Us Through

Tomorrow is my cousin Lisa's surgery to remove a brain tumor. The tumor is is pretty large as brain tumors go, at two centimeters. An inch is equivalent to about 2.5 centimeters. As I mentioned earlier the tumor is benign, which of course is the greatest blessing we could hope for. The surgery though, which is expected to last 12 hours, is very serious and carries a significant risk for facial paralysis. This terrifies Lisa beyond measure.

If you have a moment and are so inclined, please say a prayer for Lisa. Her surgery will be tomorrow - Wednesday, October 28th.


I tried to think of something that would help bring a little measure of cheer to Lisa. She is the ultimate animal lover, her pets are the sunshine of her life (as all pet parents can understand).
So I thought this fabric would make an entertaining pillowcase . . .

Click in closer for a better look, it's a yearbook spoof - class clown, most studious, etc.


Another distressing concern for Lisa is that part of her hair will be shaved. So her sister Gena helped me choose fabrics for headband sashes.


And lastly, an altered clipboard. Maybe it can serve as a handy writing surface. Lately Lisa seems to always have a pen in her hand, thinking of something and writing it down.


I haven't been posting much nor keeping up on all your blogs I so enjoy, but this fall has been quite trying for us. I'm looking forward to a successful surgery for Lisa, lots of physical and emotional healing for my family and some other special friends in need. Yes that would be you, dear K.

Sewing, Paper crafting?

I love to do both! And I've done a bit of each lately.

I am still learning my Cricut but having so much fun with it. I need to get a birthday card in the mail today so -

I found inspiration for this 3-d flower on the Cricut message boards, specifically
'Katy'. This isn't the only great idea I got from Katy. Stay tuned!

Here's another card I made a couple weeks ago with Cuttlebug dies.

Had I done this card now, I could have used the Cricut to add green grass . . .

Here's the doggy sentiment.

And on to the sewing room . . . last night we had dinner with the sweetest little widow ever. She loves to cook and has us over occasionally for a delicious meal and delightful visit. She is strong-minded and totally insistent that no one can ever bring anything. Oh my!

So to ease my conscience, I whipped up a couple of potholders in her favorite patriotic color theme. She fawned over these of course. She's a sweetie!

And last but not least, the second project in my sisters' quilts series. This one went to my sister-in-law Pam. Pam favors darker colors and does her home in a home-spun antiquey decor. Challenging for me -- but I found some traditional calicos lurking in my stash.

Some of my quilty friends will recognize this Yellow Brick Road pattern. It's very cleverly designed to use fat quarters. My first time to do this quilt but I've gotta say - Love that pattern! I'll be doing this one again . . .

the back . . .

And quilting close-up.

Now if this isn't a hodge-podge of colors, themes and varied projects! I need to post more often and avoid photo overload. :)

Have a blessed day wherever you are!