Watch the superbowl or CQ?

So what would you prefer, watching the Superbowl or CQ?
This is a "no brainer" for me....CQ of course. I spent the morning with mom, the afternoon with DH, and the evening with a new project. I was sitting in the TV room and the Superbowl was on but I was in my own world with my project in hand. The image of the little girl napping in the chair under a Spring blooming tree had me thinking of Spring, flowers, dirt, bird song, sunshine,Tee shirts,bike rides,beach walks, and stitching on the front porch swing. I can hardly wait for the first warm day for stitching. As my thoughts wandered to these simple pleasures I glanced over to DH and found him snoozing. I almost grabbed the camera but I was too comfortable settled in my comfy chair surrounded by my threads and silk ribbon. When the game was over I stopped stitching and left my project almost embellished. This will be another pouch. I will be working on it this evening and possibly put it together tomorrow. So yes, I did enjoy the game if anyone asks :-)

Crazy Quilt Gatherings coming soon

(Thanks Debbie :-)
This is the cover for the Premiere issue of Crazy Quilt Gatherings magazine which will be available for purchase online March 1st.
I will put a link on my sidebar when I release it for sale. Please be kind, this is my first endeavor for anything like this. For those who know me, yes my knees are shaking daily,LOL. I couldn't pass up a chance to showcase crazy quilting and all things related in paper form on a regular basis with the offer of a self published magazine from the great people of MagCloud.

I want to thank each of the wonderfully generous and talented ladies who contributed to the premiere issue. You certainly filled this issue with a variety of beautiful and inspiring projects that I know will be most welcomed and appreciated by all. My only regret is that the pages are not waterproof because there will be drooling I'm sure.
A special thank you to my editor Terri Takacs for helping me pull this together. Any mistakes however are mine and prove that I'm only human :-)

Crazy Quilt Gatherings will be a quarterly publication. I would like to extend an invitation to any crazy quilter, fiber artist that would like to share any new work. CQ, Embroidery, fabric painting,collage, embellishing, etc are all welcome.

The Summer issue will share "studio pets", so anyone with a furry friend which keeps you company while creating please submit your pets photo (300dpi) alone or with you in the pic to me at angell100@comcast.net. I will fill a page so first come, first published.

I hope those of you who share this passion with me will feel comfortable to submit your work and your stories. Every submission will be considered. The next issue will be Summer~June/July/Aug so if you have something fun to share, please feel free to email me anytime. If you would like to submit anything for the Summer issue I need it by April 1st.
Feedback will be posted in the magazine if you would like to share your thoughts on the publication and what you would like to see featured. I'm looking forward to bringing you interesting, informative and enlightening future issues. Gather your stash and get those needles ready!

Last amulet finished

I finished the little red pouch amulet and all items are now in my etsy shop.

My sis in law Nicole sent this too me, very interesting to watch. Frazil Ice
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9V9p4mFEYXc&vq=medium#t=15

Been sewing again....

Yesterday afternoon I got the creative bug again and hopped off to the studio to find something to make. About an hour later I came out with two things to embellish. First I pieced this little coin purse. The inspiration behind this was the kittens eyes. They are turquoise, so I gathered turquoise fabric and a touch of pink to compliment the rose then tossed in my third color, cream. I had to work in a piece of vintage lace in the top right corner and a glass cat bead I had forgotten I had.

Next I chose an image of an adorable little vintage girl sporting a red and white stripe tee, red hat and she is holding a toy sail boat.I rarely work with red but this was too tempting. The vintage crochet trim reminded me of shells so it had to be a part of this little pouch amulet. I am off to bead the top and add some beads and dangle a few tiny seashells along the bottom. I hope you are having a creative day!

Finished with pouches

It felt good to get back into the studio the past two days. Before life became so busy I used to sew everyday. I miss that but I think I am more motivated and inspired to "play" in the studio because of the lack of time. The one thing I especially enjoy about taking a sewing break is walking in the studio and going through the fabric bins and lace drawers and reacquainting myself with the "stash". New ideas start flowing through my mind and I start gathering whatever fabrics speak to me at that moment. Before long I have something pieced and the gathering of embellishments begin. After all these years of CQing I still get that thrill or," electric energy", as I start embroidering and adding beads then add a bit of silk ribbon embroidery, not having a clue what the end product will look like. Perhaps that is why crazy quilting is never boring to me. You collect such an assortment of fabrics and goodies and your muse has a hand in what they become unlike choosing patterns for quilts or cross stitch, you have no idea what you are about to create.I believe that is what attracts me and keeps my interest. I love a challenge, even if it just me against my muse.
Here are the finished pouches. I thought the dusty grape and teal pouch needed some vintage lace to top it off. I added a beaded trim along the bottom half.
Someone had asked where I bought the sheer sequined "Bee".It looks like a moth to me, but I like any bugs...as embellishments that is. It is sold as a butterfly and it is from the treasure trove online shop, Flights of Fancy. They have the most beautiful stash which I treat myself to on occasion.
The neck pouch,cell phone pouch received a brushed antiqued brass clasp. I backed it in a patterned fabric with the same colors used on the front and it is lined with that fabric too. I found that in South Bend with Jilly. I don't use a lot of patterned fabric in my projects because I'd rather let the embellishments be the focus.
Another reader asked where I get my images. In the past I have purchased them from eBay in CD form and at Barnes and Noble in the Dover clip art section. The past year or two I have been purchasing digital download pages from etsy shops and websites. They are mainly copyright free which is what I prefer.I've invested quite a bit in my image collection so I use them freely, as they should be used and shared. I've seen many of my copyright free images in collections sold as copyright material with rules attached but I think people put them together and sell them in that form although they do not actually own the copyright. Just know who you are buying from and abide by the rules you agree to and you will be fine creating with the images. Most people are happy the images inspire others to create with them. Another source I like for vintage photos and postcards are antique shops. I buy old pieces and scan them then print on fabric and ta da!
Time for bed. I hope to visit some OWOH blogs tomorrow :-)

Stitching day!

We were snowed in today so while DH was snow blowing the driveway I was stitching. I found a beautiful image I had printed and set aside quite a while ago so I gathered fabrics and pieced a swing purse and sat for a few hours to embellish.
Tomorrow I will put it together. It is 3:07 am and I have to get some sleep. Sweet dreams!

What to do in a blizzard?

Apparently we are about to receive a blizzard in our area this evening. My sis in law left for California yesterday just in case which cut our visit short. We did get to spend an hour over coffee at Starbucks waiting for the airport bus to arrive. When we parked at the bus stop lot guess who came running toward me? My little friend Dawn!!!!! I couldn't believe it. I haven't seen her in forever and she was on her way to work, she is a flight attendant. I was glad to see her and especially happy that she would be riding with Nicole to the airport. I asked her hubby Don to take a quick pic as the bus was arriving...it was windy,freezing, and too early for makeup but I wanted a pic of these gals that I treasure. Gosh I hated to see them leave without me :-(

I stopped at the store to get a few things just in case we really do get snowed in and then I went to make sure mom was doing alright and took her some ice packs and a back brace for support so she could not re-injure it. It is better but not quite there yet. She just won't sit still. Argh!

When I returned home I was a bit sad so I gathered some supplies and started stitching. I made another little amulet. Crummy picture but you get the idea.A few people are waiting for me to put some in my poor etsy shop, so I thought I would work on a few this weekend.
The magazine is almost ready and I'm about to submit it for review. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well and it will be released on or around March 1st. I will let you know!
I hope those of you in my area (Lelia,Karol,Marjorie,Donna,etc) are stocked up with food and stitching just in case the weather man is right (this time). Stay warm and if you must drive, be careful.