halloween eve

Halloween festivities are underway at our house!  The older children had the day off and little B participated in her preschool party.  We made puppets this afternoon using some Martha Stewart kits I found for $1.00.  I love finding a good deal!  I'm sure the paperbag puppets will be destroyed before bedtime but we had fun sitting around the ottoman making them.  Tonight I'll be up late sewing mustaches, making manes, and finishing B's dress (it's only been 1 year in the making...sigh)! 

block party I

I am missing block printing.  I love how hands on, messy, and satisfying it can be.  Unfortunately, all my block printing supplies are packed away right now.  When our family temporarily moved in with my parents I had to choose between my inks & paints or my sewing supplies and fabrics - I chose sewing! Never fear...we are mulling things out and hopefully will be in a new place before December which is probably why I'm starting to dream about unpacking my stash!  I'll just have to share some of my older prints with you until then.  Above is a cute Masked Creature Girl complete with striped stockings and flippers.  She is printed with tomato red ink on light gray cardstock.  Simply lovely!

knitted beret revisited

My first post as a member of the Purl Beehive was, appropriately, on this beret I knitted using this Purl Bee pattern.  I'm mentioning it again as I start feeling like a good knitting project this time of year.  Enjoy the cooler weather and best wishes on your upcoming winter projects! 

fabric tower

I spent the better part of last night and early this morning ironing, folding, and stacking my fabrics.  I was starting to feel out of control over my sewing corner.  I have been keeping my fabrics in a stacked column of plastic drawers.  The problem was that I couldn't see my fabrics all at once.  My creative spirit wants to see everything all the time and while the drawers were convenient and easy, I found myself unwilling to put my fabrics back into them when I was finished.  So, I snagged my small white wooden shelving unit and transformed it into the Art Nest fabric tower! 

I feel like I can accomplish anything now!  What a little cleaning and organizing can do for ones sense of well being is magical~ 

This weekend, so far, has been quiet and peaceful.  My husband took me out on a date Friday night.  He got to choose the movie this time and we saw Zombieland.  I am not a scary movie person, in fact, I had a mini-fit when he chose it ( I've been known to walk out of gory movies in the past) but I knew he really wanted to see it and I really wanted to be with him so I watched it.  I survived.  We took the children to a fall carnival yesterday...hay rides, 'fishing' for treats, face painting, a cake walk, roping fake cattle for candy (we do live in the south, ya'll)... it was relaxing.  Today will be spent filling Art Nest orders and catching up on some homework.  How quickly the precious weekends fly by! 

quilted headband

With all three children spending the night away, I had grand plans of sleeping in today.  However, my body's internal clock had other plans so I was up early as usual.  Never fear...the early bird catches the worm.  I happened to find a fabric by the pound bin in a local quilt shop this morning.  In case you are wondering, it takes a lot  of 5x5 fabric squares to equal 1 lb.  I walked away with a sack full of fabric for only $5...I am quite the happy bird!

I came home, ironed out all the squares and started assembling this quilted headband.  I'm really happy with the results and love how the ends are so neat and clean.  It's fun to discover a new way to wear pretty fabric without having to construct an entire blouse or skirt.  I can wear a cream t-shirt, dark wash jeans and this simple headband for a comfy & cute weekend outfit.  Simply lovely!