Sweet Dreams Pillowcase Set

Well I'm half way done with one pillowcase in the set!!! LOL I'm not going to get both done in time to send them together but I'm gonna try getting at least one done. So one can go for a birthday gift and the other as a Christmas gift! LOL
OH and since I was getting puckering with my spring hoop I switched to a tighter hoop and that seems to help it.

Decorated Gift Bag

I created this gift bag to put the 3 red and white lady ornaments into for the exchange!
What I did was get a plain gold and silver gift bag and printed out a scene of ladies fashions and glued that to the bag. Then I glued lace to the top and bottom edges, and embellished the print with glitter, feathers, etc. I wanted to do this special bag so that whoever would pick the bag already loving it, will probably also love the contents! LOL
Click on the photo to see the details a bit better.

Even more lady ornaments!

I've really been enjoying myself making these ornaments! I really love the cream and red ladies I think she is also going on my own tree this year! LOL

I made a set of three red, white, with silver ladies for the gift exchange. I figured those colors are more typical of most tree decors. I'm also embellishing a gift bag to put them in I'll share that with you all when it is finished!

Sweet Dreams Pillowcase Set

I'm creating a gift set of pillowcases and I wanted it to be elegant but I couldn't find any patterns anywhere that made me happy! So what I did was go into a program and type "Sweet Dreams" and when through different fonts till I found one I liked! The one I choose was 'Parchment' I thought it kind of looked like a princess story book font so I changed the size until just right and printed it out. Then I flipped the paper over, set it on a light box and used a black Sulky Iron-On Transfer Pen to make it able to iron transfer to my pillowcases. I wasn't sure if the font would work because the swirls you see went thick and thin but the pen made it all the same thickness, even so it worked and looks good. I had bought the set of pillowcases from WalMart they are the Egyptian cotton ones I think 400 count anyway they had the nice piping around the edge of the case. I washed them in hot water and dried them on the hottest setting to preshrink before working on them.
I chose to use black thread because it had such a crisp elegant feel to it on the white fabric, and it has such a story book look too! I love them so much I'm wishing the set was for me! LOL

My Craft Room is coming together!

I thought you all would like a peek at how my craft room is coming together! I'm so happy about it!

When you come in the door there is a open closet that I'm using for storage with my fabric drawers I think I need another tier of the wire shelves though! LOL I enjoy seeing the colors of the fabric through the shelves kind of rainbow like and fun! The ironing board is only there for now but I like to fold it up when I'm not using it.

Next to the closet is a bookcase that I'm putting all my craft books in I still need to sort through them by category. Also I've put my bins and bead trays there too.

Then I have my desk with the computer I'd like to get another one for the opposite wall as well but haven't had a chance yet. I got this desk at Target on clearance and put crystal knobs on it. I also got a poster of ladies having tea that for now I've just pinned up until I find a frame.

I put the 2 large desks along the window wall for now I'd like to have more efficient table space but for now this is the best I can do, it kind of bothers me that the corners aren't utilized very good right now but in time I'll figure something out! LOL The window treatment I just stuck up for now I'd like to put the prettier red curtains I have with a more lacy sheer up soon, but for now it helps make the room feel pretty for me. I love my glass jars with lace, floss and ribbon spools!

This is the wall opposite the desk that I'd like to have another desk at. I think I'd put the sewing machine set up there. I put a cork board up to hold projects on so they don't disappear under things! LOL
I'd like to put floating shelves up around too. I'd also like one of those word plaques that says "Create" or "Inspire" I'm keeping an eye out! I'm really loving this space now that I know I enjoy a window and some pretty decor around me when I work as well as function, I'm feeling good about this room! I can create in here, and leave my mess too! LOL

Another Monogrammed Tote

My fellow small group leader Terri is also having her birthday this month so I thought I'd surprise her and make a tote for her too!

I used a dark aqua Dupioni silk for the "T" and hand appliqued it on.

Then I hand sewed 3 different sized yo-yo's in aqua and yellow with buttons in green, yellow, and aqua. I tied a yellow organza ribbon in a bow on one of the handles. I hope she loves her tote too.

Applique Monogram Tote bag

I started a new gift for my small group girls birthdays this year, last year was a tatted heart necklace and this year will be monogrammed tote bags! I got a set of ocean blue totes that are the perfect size and I'll personalize each one as their birthdays come! The first one is Amanda!

I used Word to get a large letter in a font that I think she will enjoy and printed it out. I then cut out the "A" and traced it onto fabric. Amanda loves green and things that are unique. I cut around the "A" leaving fabric to needle turn the applique on.

Here is the finished applique, I hand sewed it into place. It was a little tricky, but I think it turned out well.

Then I cut out some different sized circles and created yo-yos, trying to be random but with unity (LOL is that a contradiction? LOL) and placed buttons on top of them, all of which is hand sewn into place. Anyway I hope she loves it!

More Lady Christmas Ornaments

I created more Lady Ornaments, they are so fun to make!

This lady is pale greed and red with gold glitter. I created a fan by taking the tip of a pale green feather dipping it in glue and then glitter, then I put glue at the handle area and filled it in with glitter too.

This lady has glue on gems, white pom poms, feather and lace, and purple and silver glitter.

For this lady I created her skirt with two types of white lace layered accented with white bows. She also has silver glitter accenting her dress and crystal gems, topped with a feather head piece.

Lady Christmas Ornaments

Lilla shared how she creates these Lady Ornaments on her blog (the tutorial is in several blog posts so scroll through her blog to find them) and I loved them and was inspired to make a few myself! So here are the first two Ladies!
I really really love the first lady she is my favorite so far, I think she will go on my tree very nicely! She has a feather in her hair with sequins, fine glitter accessories, sequins on her hem and shoes and lace on her dress.

Here is another pretty lady it's harder to see the details in this photo but I added feathers to her feather fan, lace and sequins to her dress, a bead and lace fringe, she also has fine glitter accents.

Tatted Towel Edging Rows Finished

Well here is the edging all finished!!! Now I just need to hide the tails on the end, clean it, and hand stitch it onto the towel!!! YAY

Tatted Towel Edging Starting Row 3

I finally finished Row 2 of the extended version of Hen & Chicks tatting pattern I'm working on for my Guest Bathroom Hand Towel and started on Row 3! Yay almost finished!

Tatted Towel Edging Row 1 and Starting Row 2

I started a new project! Since we are redoing our guest bathroom and I decided I wanted a boutique-ish feel to it so I'm doing green paint with white accessories to really pop and mirrored/crystal accents too. I found a great ruffly lace shower curtain and and oval mirror that we painted white and chrome fixtures. What I needed was a lacy white towel! I was inspired by these towels at Victoria Trading Co. but I thought one that I made would be more special plus I love tatted edging! I wanted something longer than a typical edge so I looked at all my books. My faves are always the hen & chick patterns so I found an extended version in Georgia Seitz's book "Tatting on the Edge and Beyond". Here is a great tutorial provided by Mimi Dillman for Hen & Chicks if you are interested in trying it out they have a great online class for beginners!
When I finished the simple hen & chicks row I tatted a sample of the other two rows to see how big my picot for joining should be, it also give you a little taste of what it will look like!
Oh and I'm using DMC Perle cotton is size 8 for the look I'm wanting.

Antique Shopping Finds

Over our 10 year anniversary getaway me and hubby went to antique shops too and I found some goodies! A whole stack of Haviland Limoges (which I collect) plates all of them have chips on the edges but only one is cracked and can't be used I got it for $16!!! I also found some in a beautiful rose pattern in great condition for very good prices! I just love them the floral patterns always inspire silk ribbon embroidery for me!
I also found a set of butter knives that are the perfect size for tea parties! I also found some doilies one with a tatted edging that I got for $1 a hankie with an "M" on it, class nobs and door nobs. I also found a cut glass bell, I've been looking for one to remember my grandmother who loved bells and collected them and I never got one of hers when she passed away, she would have loved this one too! I also found and antique collar!!! OH it's so pretty! I want to use it on something special.
Well that's all for my finds hope you enjoy the eye candy, sorry I didn't get good close up photos but you can click on the photo for a larger view of everything.

A Few More Hearts

I finished up a few more hearts (Peacock Heart by Birgit Phelps) in size 80 thread for two of my small group birthday girls Kaity (purple) and Elizabeth (rainbow)! I also tatted a third in pink for another girl, Robyn! I stiffen them with white glue then attach a bail and put them on a chain!
I just love this heart pattern it's so cute!

Yummy Serendipity 3's Frozen Hot Chocolate

So lately I've been enjoying time with my sister and we went on a road trip to Vegas and had a blast! We saw the Tournament of Kings went on the SpongeBob 4D ride that was awesome, oooh'd and ahhh'd over the Bellagio with it's water fountain shows, whimsical conservatory botanical garden, and stunning stone work (beautiful mosaics on the floors), and then had a famous (in the movie Serendipity) Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3!
I also found a couple ways that you, my friends, may also try this delicious dessert!
Either to make it by scratch using this recipie: Frozen Hot Chocolate
OR
You can get the mix on Amazon here's that link: Frozen Hot Chocolate Mix
OR
Find a Serendipity 3 to visit and order one for yourself!!! Just sayin'!!! LOL

A Couple More Tatted Hearts

I tatted up a couple more hearts (Peacock Heart by Birgit Phelps) in size 80 thread for two of my small group birthday girls Kaity (purple) and Elizabeth (rainbow)!
Elizabeth loves every color and when I had asked her what color heart she wanted she said Rainbow!!! At that time the HDT rainbow thread was not made so I had no idea what I was going to do...then I saw Tatskool's Rainbow Bright HDT thread!!! And as soon as I saw it I wanted some I knew it was IT! When she sent me a link to her site to buy some I got some in size 80. It's great I love it and I know Elizabeth will love her rainbow heart necklace too! I was worried that such a small motif might not get all the colors but sure enough it was perfect and I even got some repeat!
P.S. Don't ask why one is bigger...they are both the same pattern with size 80 thread either the size 80's differ a bit or my tension was different with the two not quite sure.

My Craft Room in the Works

By no means is this the final look at my craft room but I thought you'd all like a little glimpse of what I'm starting to do!!!
Here is my blogging area! Very important because this is where I share everything with you!

My work space so far! I'm going to arrange things differently but for now this is where I'm working on stuff. I like that my work space is in front of the window. I still need to get a window treatment up too.

Here is where I have my stash so far. Not sure if this is where it will stay I'm thinking of shelves around my workspace to make it more accessible as I'm working.

WOO HOO my fabric is in wire drawers!!! I used to use these for clothes but since we moved I stole them for my fabric stash I think I need a third column too.

Cream Tea Cozy

The good thing about moving is you have to get stuff out and then put it away again so you see some things that may have been tucked away for a later date! Well my cream tea cozy is one of them so when I saw it I got it out of the bag looked it over and started working on it! Most of the work you see is from wonderful ladies in a RR working on it! I have a few ideas to add to their work to finish it off perfectly! I'm adding vintage mother of pearl buttons to the lace in the upper left and a mother of pearl flower button to the lace flower in the center. I'm going to add sweetheart roses here and there too. I'll take another photo when I get more progress done...I still haven't sewn down the buttons! HAHA but I figured you all would like to know I'm back to being able to work on projects again and would like to see what I grabbed to work on!
Also what got me to want to work on this one right now is that my sister will be visiting me soon and wants to have a tea party and I thought it would be nice to be able to use this cozy for that!

The Big 'M' Yup Moving!

Well I'm in the middle of Moving so I may not get to blog here for a little while since projects will be on hold! The awesome thing is I hope that this will be our last move and I'll get to settle down in our new home! I'll blog some home improvement projects on my Garden Blog when I get a chance since I'm taking photos. So if you subscribe to it you'll be updated when I post!
http://honeybeesgarden.blogspot.com/

Crazy Quilt Throw: Blocks #41 - #48

#41 of 48

#42 of 48

#43 of 48

#44 of 48

#45 of 48

#46 of 48

#47 of 48

#48 of 48
Yeay I'm finished piecing now on to embellishment!

Lillian's Hankie Block and Gifty

My friend Lillian asked me if I could work on a sweet block for her that she made using her great grandmother's hankies. Of course I said yes! Just look at the sweetness of this block it will be an honor to work on it!

Lillian also sent me a wonderful gifty!!! I just love all the lace she sent! I never can get enough lace!

Love Out Loud CQ Heart: Framed

Here is a nice photo of the heart mounted. You can see the sparkle better! I put cording around it because I felt it finished it off better.

And here it is framed! I'm having everyone in our small group write a little something on it in purple and I'm the first to contribute!

Love Out Loud CQ Heart: Embellished

Well, you know how it is when you get in a groove you just have to keep going till you finish and so after hours of nonstop work the embellishment is finished!
I was going for a more glam look, I wish that everything would look as good in photos as it does in person. This heart really sparkles!

In this corner is a glass vintage button with dangle earrings that have been re-purposed with a few other buttons pearls and beads. I loved the bird there too.

This motif I created starting off with the three 7mm sweetheart roses and then added ribbon stitch buds and added the fly stitch stems and some bullion tipped lazy daisy leaves. Then I added 4mm sweetheart roses as filler flowers. Then some clear Swarovski crystal beads and a couple of silver toned honey bees to finish it off!

This seam was my starting point, I zig-zagged vintage rhinestones and small bugle beads. They look really special on the dark purple velvet.

This upper corner I stared by adding the glass vintage flower button with clear leaf beads. Then I added sweetheart roses to the seam and clear bugle beads with purple single strand floss straight stitches on either side of the bead. Then I added a butterfly that is a re-purposed earring.