Secrets ~ Holidays, Time To Share

I do believe it's safe!!  I couldn't share a couple gifts I crammed in before the Holidays, (a couple belonged to family and I know they check up on me) actually crammed in, as in right up to the last minute!  All the gifts have been received, so I'm safe to share!

My big sister always deserves a special gift!  Since she lives in Arizona, it seemed fitting she should have a cactus.  And you all know how obsessed I have been with these cacti!

I had plenty Hawthorne Threads Coyote fabric left and it seems to me it's perfect for a sweet succulent cactus.  

9 1/2" x 11"

A little hanging slat and 'boom' she is ready to hang...in the dry heat of Arizona...Right, Debbrah?

How often have you said 'I love so & so' and then you are bombarded with a million and ten of them?  She said she liked the Succulent Shelf, so if she liked that then surly she would like this:

Everyone needs a notepad and tea towels are invaluable, right?  Gift sent and finally made it to it's destination.  It seemed to be in limbo for the longest time!

Next up is...YEP! Another cactus!  This one for my SIL.  Seriously, she said she liked them too!  Again, the Coyote fabric is too perfect not to use again!

I'm telling you, this paper pieced pattern is so fun!  Again, here is where you can find it: 'Succulent Shelf' is by Amanda from Material Girl Quilts, it's a paper pieced delight in my opinion!

9" x 14"

By the time this post is over, I  promise you are going to want to throttle me...is it the year of the Cacti?  In my little world, it appears so!

18 1/2" x 12"

As I was sharing my 'garden' with the world, a little voice crept in and said 'I've been a good girl' (for the most part)!  That little girl (Anne), who is not so little any longer, happen to be my daughters best friend.  From Kindergarten.  How could I deny her?!  She has been through hell and back the past couple years.  If it put a smile on her face...all the better!

Anne's mother was the one who taught Britt (my daughter) to quilt.  In turn, Britt share her love of it with me and as they say...the rest is history!  I couldn't send to Anne without including a little something for Bev!

5" x 5"
Mini Mini Quilt

That's Liberty in those wings!  I have about 5 tiny pieces that needed to become a butterfly! Bev would certainly appreciate this tiny little piece!  

The pattern, Butterfly Charm Blocks is paper pieced and you can find it here @ Lillyella. 

Did you think I was finished with the Cactus Madness?!  I really apologize...I was on a roll, having an obsessive moment.

5" x 5"
Pattern Reduced to 45%

Slightly different than the others!  That's different!  For sweet Jessica, who asked me to join the fun in a Holiday Pop Up show and surprised the hell out of me with a 'Shaq' ornament...I can't even explain that except to say it's a joke between her, me and my daughter!

Cactus.  Loominous.  Anna Maria Horner.  Succulent not on a shelf.  It's different from the rest, really!  

I reduced the pattern to 45% and made it a mini mini quilt!  Go small or go home, I always say! In this case, I said that!!

It was really cute.  Really cute!  I was excited at the possibility of making myself a Succulent shelf, now I will...in a mini version!

Thank you for indulging me!  I may have taken this a little too far and totally over shared my obsession!  You can take comfort in the fact the the holidays are over and I'm not planning on making any more gifts!!

Holiday Joys!

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TGIFF
Can I get A Whoop Whoop

It's The Little Things

This time of years seems to fly by in the blink of an eye.  Holiday festivities are in full swing. Baking, planning, gift making.  It seems every year about this time, I start getting in panic mode. Will I get my gifts finished, will I be ready for the holidays, are my shops stocked?! Amazingly it does all come together.  It may become more stressful every year, but it all works out.

After selling a good bunch of bookmarks from Twiggy & Opal Too last week, I thought I had better restock.  They make great stocking stuffers!  You may be thinking 'do people still use bookmarks'? The answer is a big YES!  There are still die hard book readers out there! Holding a book in your hands or encouraging a child to read is still pretty popular!

These whales are fabulously fun!  A closed book with a whale tail saving your spot...too cute!

A pod of whales!

Complete with a blow hole!

If mammals aren't your thing...how about a den of snakes?  These are my kind of snake! Very friendly, cute and one that I would actually hold!

I used leather for the forked tongue.

And of course if you are wanting a slightly more sophisticated look, I got you covered!

The button is perfect to keep the bookmark from slipping inside your book.

In the end, I think I made about 30-35 bookmarks.  It was a welcomed afternoon of something different.  I needed a break from quilting.  Just a short break.

I have officially been blogging for a year now (I started October 5th, 2013) (happy anniversary to me) and decided it's time to take off the 'training wheels' in 2015 with my very own tutorials.  Gotta move forward, take it up a notch!

These are so easy!  And I cannot wait to share a tutorial with you!  

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WIP WEDNESDAY

FABRIC FRENZY FRIDAY

CAN I GET A WHOOP WHOOP

Critter Love! Holiday Gift Idea.

In this day and age of technology, we find ourselves searching, researching and spending an enormous amount of time on our computer.  Not a bad thing.  Not at all.  

It's also a great way to meet people.  People who share common interests.  Every once in a while you meet someone you click with.  Cindy Friend is one of those people for me. We met over a year ago via Facebook and Etsy.  She is a great person, kind, funny and has a heart of gold!  I am thrilled to have a friend like her!

Today, I wanted to give her and her Etsy shop: HANDMADE BY COSMO a little blog love! I asked her a few questions about her art/craft and thought what better time of the year to share some unique gift ideas!

Christmas Reindeer

This little guy has always been one of my favorites!  The ears (oh my), the sweet little face (so kissable) and the attention to detail amazes me!

How did you get started creating your Critters?

I love working with my hands.  My hands have generations of talent in them.  I can't draw, but I can stitch.  When I was a kid, my favorite toys were firmly stuffed plush toys. Sometimes an idea hits you right in the middle of the brain and there's not much you can do but act on it! Most times it turns out to be the right move.

How do you decide what Critters you are going to make?

This is the best part of it.  Well, one of the best parts!  What I really like is working with the patterned or textured felt.  I love to make a giraffe with cow spots, or a horse in a pink cheetah print.  A flying zebra pig, you bet.  How about a giraffe print alpaca, or a painted pony pig?  That's what I like.  And the custom orders!  Making a Critter in someones favorite colors...I love the personal touch!  

A few adorable Critters in her shop!

Why do you do it?

I do it because I love it.  I love tracing the pattern, I love cutting it out.  I love making my stitches so precise.  I love stuffing it, as it comes 'alive' and I can see the personality coming through.  The best part is sewing on the eyes, which I do last.  Each of my Critters, while made from the same patterns, come out with a somewhat different look, every time.  Each one becomes a one-of-a-kind creation.

Check out the stitching!

Tips and advice for selling on Etsy?

Honestly, I have put my personal life in front of my sales and creating this year.  My daughter and granddaughter are staying with us while our son-in-law is deployed.  In April they will be going to Germany for a few years.  Right now I'm soaking up all the girl time I can.

Last year my shop was very successful.  You have to work it and work at it.  Promoting, connections, treasuries, facebook and blogging.  You have to get yourself out there.  Get business cards and pass them out...everywhere!

Lastly, believe in yourself.  What you are doing, what you love to do!  Your spirit is singing when you are doing something you love!

Last year Cindy made me a special Unicorn.  It was adorable!  Mary...the dog thought so too! She got a hold of it and chewed its horn, ears and mane to pieces!  I now call it my 'punk' unicorn!  

Cindy's Critters are amazing!  Seriously some mad skills here!  She is always coming up with some incredible combinations!