I have been sketching & painting in my pajama's all day!  The children have been running around driving me a little nuts.  Could it be the fact that they have consumed nearly 4 (small) boxes of South Korean chocolate?!  Yes, sometimes I will do anything for some alone time!  Anyway, the bunny sisters painting is in the shop and you can peek below at the sketching phase.  Sometimes it's fun to pack away the sewing machine to focus on other crafty outlets...Simply lovely!

My brother-in-law's holiday plate.  He was gracious enough to let me snap pictures over his shoulder throughout the meal.  We cooked the turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes (peaking in the corner - covered in marshmallows) on the grill this year.  Every bite was moist & flavorful! 

Our Thanksgiving feast was especially sweet this year as we celebrated my father's recovery from a nearly fatal heart arrhythmia which occurred this past September.  We sat around the table after eating and re-counted our feelings and experiences since his hospitalization.  We are thankful he is sitting around our table as a husband, father and grandfather.  Also, for this second chance of life together.  God is good! 

~ Happy Thanksgiving from Art Nest ~

Another addition to my ever growing family of whale stuffies!  Smoky is made using charcoal gray wool felt and complimented by a belly made of baby blue wool felt.  She is completely hand stitched and available over at Art Nest shop!

Olivia is completely hand stitched - down to her thread teeth! She's made* from wool felt and stuffed to perfection! She'll look right at home on your bookshelf or side table...but she might get homesick for the sea!

Olivia is available at Art Nest Shop.  One satisfied customer said this about her Art Nest stuffie "Well made and a true delight! Thanks!"  

This afternoon was spent painting on the porch.  The weather was perfect and the children were in a great mood (always a plus)!  I sat on the porch swing listening to them chit chat while they painted.  It was pleasant...It ended with B painting her entire arm with watercolors, J realizing that she was starving and couldn't wait another second to eat a snack (anything to avoid clean up, right?) and my ever studious Mr. H who carefully put away his painting for safe keeping.  I hope to share more of my family moments with you here because so much of what I create at Art Nest is for or inspired by my family.  Have a beautiful weekend! 

Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself or leave a comment - I enjoy meeting the people who follow Art Nest and love discovering fellow crafters!

This morning was spent sewing a long awaited project : Bunny and Fox Flip Doll by Laura Wilson.  What a cute end result!  The bunny's head got a little turned but my children will love it just the same.  The instructions were well written and I had no problems working through the 15 page pattern.  I wish I'd made the pull hole in the fox's head bigger (I had to go back and reopen some stitches to pull everything through.  I also questioned stuffing the head near the end but it went fine once I started.  I'd recommend this pattern for a person on a very comfortable intermediate level for several reasons:

• There is a heavy amount of detailed work which requires patience and both hand & machine stitching.

• Pattern requires not only fabrics but also elastic, batting, and stuffing.  That's a lot of 'new' materials for a beginner to work with all at once.  I had all these on hand as I sew often but for someone who doesn't have these items - the $$ can add up quickly.   

Yesterday I spent 2 hours cutting the fabrics and sewing on appliqués and today spent 2 hours sewing it all together.  Now that I've sewn one I think it will be faster next time.  I would be sure to sew a 'practice' doll before you use your best fabrics (the pictures above are my practice doll). 

You can buy Bunny and Fox Flip Doll at Wilsons etsy shop.  I'm really impressed with the thorough thoughtfulness that went into this pattern and so pleased with the success I had with it!  Simply lovely!

I love trying new patterns and sharing sewing successes!  If you would like me to review your sewing pattern please contact me.

I've put together a tutorial for Art Nest's stethoscope sock (also known as stethoscope covers) for you!  I've made them with Velcro which is faster than a buttonhole but I love the extra touch and finished look the button gives it.  Make some for your co-workers or that special nurse in your life.  If you wish to make some to sell in your shop I would appreciate a link acknowledging my tutorial.  Thanks in advance!

Isn't B's beret adorable?  I made it several weeks ago but this is the first time she's worn it!  We had a wonderful time treasure hunting for pretty rocks and running through the crunchy leaves.  It was a great ending to a busy weekend...Simply lovely!

I love these mini scrunchi's for not only my children's hair but also my own!  I tried to take some photographs with the scruncis in B's hair, but she wouldn't stand still...not even for an M&M (see below).  You can make your own sweet hair accessories by following these mini scrunchi project instructions...Simply lovely!

artwork by Roadside Projects 

My third Get on the Wall column is published over at Try Handmade!  I've been writing for Try Handmade since September.  You can see all of my work here.  I've really enjoyed participating and am so thankful that Erika, Try Handmade's founder, agreed to let me do a column about art!  Roadside Projects (above) is just one of the featured cut paper artist in the month of November.  Enjoy!