I Have Been Saved!

There is no 'Gloom, Despair or Agony' here any longer!  It took a little work, but I conquered the 'Big, Bad Fading Beast'!

I posted my 'Gloom' on Flickr and got a tip about Oxy Clean from Anne @ Play Crafts.  Plus, I got a link to this blog:  Material Culture that discusses this very issue.  After reading, researching and and a trip to the grocery store I was ready to tackle it.

After my first attempt:  Oxy Clean Gel Stain Remover, Oxy Clean Detergent and a Color Catcher - This is the results: 

So much better, but still not gone or good enough for me.  Last night I started again.  I put gobs of stain remover on and let is sit for 15-20 minutes.  I filled a bucket with hot water along with one Oxy Clean packet, color catcher and threw in the pillow cover.  I let it sit over night.

This morning I washed and dried it and Viola!  I am pleased as punch!  I do believe this gift has been saved!

Can you see it? 

And here they are...the Three Wise Men!  

Gloom. Despair. And Agony!

I recently joined our local Modern Quilt Guild.  I love meeting up once a month and sharing, talking and being with quilters!  Its just plain fun!
Of course there is a Secret Santa going on.  And of course I decided to participate.  It took a while for me to decide on what I would like to make, but I had a revelation!  This is the beginning:

Its foundation pieceing.  Lots of gorgeous colors.  It was so fun from beginning to end.

See!  This is going to be great!  

I machine quilted it to perfection.  (for me)

I even did some special and specific embroidering.  

And then...

It goes in the wash.  The best part, right?  

You get to experiance the quilting in a completely different way.

It comes out...you are thrilled...a little rush of 'yippie' hits you!

And you end up with this:

Purples Suck!  

My heart sank.  I wanted to cry.  

I am now working feverishly on getting this fixed!  

I'm open to any advice, method or pep talks!

So, for now I will be in Gloom, Despair and Agony!

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict...Whoop Whoop!

AND

Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it up Friday!

Manly Man Quilt

I was working on this quilt yesterday.  Totally at peace.  In my zone.  Then I realized its been a month since I made a quilt!  How can that be?  I feel like I have made one...but I don't suppose 'thinking' about making them really counts!

I decided to call this my 'Manly Man' quilt.  Probably because brown is a good sturdy color. A good rough and tough color.  Manly.  Men need quilts too!

   
I made a quilt very similar to this one over a year ago.  Here.  I used a pattern from APQ called 'My Guy' for the first one.  

This one, I changed up.  Same kind of vibe as my first one.  I increased the width and length of the woven stripes (Kaffe Fasset).  I love the colors against the brown.  They seem to brighten it up, give some visual interest.  The strip between the stripes is a deep, dark brown.  

Brown is an interesting color, don't you think? 

What is your favorite background color?  Brown, white, blue...maybe black or grey?

Quilting next...to be continued!

Brown.  A color produced by mixing red, yellow and black.  

WIP Wednesday! 

At Freshly Pieced

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!