Opinions please

In my haste to make these mosaic tile quilts, I cut the background fabrics 10" x 10" (which should have been the finished size).  Lesson learned.In order to save the pieces, I'm going to applique them to one big solid piece of fabric.

Here are my three color choices for the background fabric:  dark teal, dark gray, or a dark pearl lavender.

I would love your opinion!  Which one do you think?

Oh, and here are some pictures of my quilting buddies. 

It makes for an enjoyable afternoon of quilting.:)
Happy Tuesday Friends.

Baby shower for a little boy

I threw a baby shower this weekend (with the help of my mom), for my friend and neighbor.  After two sweet girls, she is having a little boy now!

                                           

It was so fun.  I'm so excited for him to come so I have a sweet little baby to snuggle ( if his Momma will give him up:).  I guess you can imagine after having four kids that I love sweet little babies.  Since I'm not having any more of my own, it will be fun to have another little one near by.  :)

I hope you all had a safe and fun weekend.

xo,

Chrissie

Ashton-isms

From the mouth of my almost 6 year old, Ashton:

I was walking him into church one Sunday and he stopped me dead in my tracks, took both of my hands in his, and said in all seriousness,  "I am so blessed that I get to worship at this church."

(Referring to his Dad)  "If you want to catch some boldness, go with him."

"When I grow up, I think I'll either be a preacher or maybe a secret service agent".

This kid cracks me up.

Featured Artist: Lori Vliegen

Lori is the Featured Artist this week from Sharing Stitches.

I have to say that Lori is a dream to work with.  Not only is she extremely talented, but her work is meticulous.  Every little stitch is perfectly placed.  Her lines are clean.  She has beautiful writing, and great color choice.  If I owned a licensing company, I would have Lori's stuff strewn all over Hallmark!

Oh, and did I mention how sweet she is?

Here is her artist's interview:

1. Tell us about your art, Lori. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

To satisfy the textile side of my work, I’m currently having fun with fabrics, threads, buttons, beads, ribbon, hand-carved stamps, recycled dryer sheets, and anything else I can get my hands on. For my paper side, I love using watercolor pencils and micron pens to create playful, whimsical doodles in my journals.

2. What inspires you?

Just about everything.....especially if chocolate is involved.

3. How do you define "artistic success"?

When someone tells me that something I’ve created has spoken to them, it’s the greatest compliment I could receive!

4. Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I loved arts and crafts when I was a kid! My mother taught me some simple sewing stitches, and I began making clothes for my troll dolls and barbies.....and my first “fabrics” were kleenex! Then I discovered embroidery, crewel and counted cross-stitch, and I’ve been stitching ever since!

5. Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.

I love to take advantage of the natural light that streams through my windows in the morning. My favorite days are when life allows me to just sit and be creative during this small pocket of sunshine time!

Thanks Lori!  You are so talented!

blog:

http://www.elviestudio.blogspot.com/

etsy:
http://www.elviestudio.etsy.com/

flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elviestudio/

Mosaics + Quilting = My True Love

I went into my local quilt shop last weekend to pick up some solid white Kona fabric.  I braced myself for nothing else!  I had all four kids with me, so I really couldn't browse anyhow.  But you know how easy it is to be swayed by all the lovely new fabrics.

Imagine my nerdy delight when I saw this book up by the counter.  Mosaics plus Quilting?  Be Still My Heart.  Combining my two passions?  Of course I had to buy it!

The book comes with 6 different patterns, and the one below is the first one I'm making.  My intent is to use ONLY scraps (aside from the white background).

Below is my first tile block that I made last night!  I can't decide if I want to use a straight stitch or an applique stitch.

My mind is swimming with all the possibilities after seeing this technique.  I'll be sure to keep you update on my progress:)

I also wanted to say thank you to all of you who took the time to comment on my kitchen post (seems the color is in the majority!)  So I'm keeping it for now.  And also thanks if you left a comment on my summer parenting woes...:)  You guys always make me feel better.

Happy Monday!  Here's to a little creating...in any shape or form!:)
xo,
Chrissie

Making the Decision

Let me be frank here. My kids have been out of school for one full week now.  It's been a little bit of a struggle!

(Lipstick found and still not washed all the way out of his hair!)

The older two are so used to being micro-managed all day long at school that they have had a hard time adjusting to the fact that they can play and then when they are done with that play some more.  They keep coming to me for something to do.  I am a firm believer in playing for the sake of play, so I will start projects with them and then hope that their imaginations take over.  It has been slow but they are slowly getting used to being in summer mode.

And Mama here is not used to having all four, 24/7.  Let's just say that those 6 hours of school have been missed just a little...Did I mention that the heat here in Central Florida has been record breaking?  Temperatures feel like 109 today and that severely limits any outside activities.

I woke up yesterday morning with a tiny bit of dread.  I wanted a day void of silly nit-picks and arguments.  A day when I didn't have to raise my voice about this mess and that mess.  A day where I could maybe find 20-30 minutes to quilt (alone...please).  I prayed for some patience.  I prayed for some patience.  And then I prayed for a little more.

And then...it hit me.
It was all about a decision.  I decision I could make.  A decision to have a good day or a bad day.  A decision to embrace the messes and the boredom.  To actually enjoy them.  To let go of toys strewn everywhere and wet pool towels laying all over the carpets.  To build blocks and watch Tom and Jerry with them.  To get in the pool and splash and yell and not worry about the time.  To help them build forts and get out all the sheets and chairs.  To set up that art project they've been begging for with paint.  To make the one millionth snack of the day.

Because one day they will all be grown up.  Because one day they will have memories of their childhood summers.  Because one day I will be here with all of the time in the world to have a clean home and I will miss their stinky fingerprints.  Because eventually I will have all day to quilt if I want to and I will miss their sweet voices asking me to play with them.

So I am making the decision to have fun this summer.  Do you want to join me?  Let's suck the marrow out of life!

Summer Pillows

I did some summer accessorizing  this week to brighten up our home a little.  I did a little tutorial too on the pillowcases.

Head on over to The Blessed Nest for the tutorial.  I am honored to be guest hosting today (sometime this afternoon) for the Bloggers Guide to Summer.  There may even be a little give-away;)
Have a blessed day Friends!

Featured Artist:Heather from Audrey Eclectic

Aren't these bookmarks lovely? I love the artwork combined with the tattered lace and velvet strips.

They are made from today Featured Artist, Heather from Audrey Eclectic. Heather's work is so romantic. Her layered collages are my favorite! I was so pleased to have Heather's work featured in Sharing Stitches. Her style is so uniquely different. Learn more about her here in todays interview.

Hi Heather! Will you tell us a little bit about your art?

What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

I call my art 'mixed media folk art.' I love to do portraits with an old-timey vibe, but use modern techniques to create them. I usually work on canvas or wood and use various papers for my collage. Then I paint the portraits with acrylics.

Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I've loved to draw since I was very little. I was ruining furniture with my drawings by the time I was 3 ;) sewing took much longer. I've only really learned to sew in the past few years, although I did take some home ec. classes in junior high (but promptly forgot everything they taught me!) With the help of my friend Holly Hall of Sweetheartville.com, I've learned to not fear my sewing machine

What inspires you?

History....old photos...stories....nature.....my home, in the middle of the prairie :) my family, faith, and being blessed with love.
Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.
I feel like I am much more focused and clearer in the mornings. Love the morning light too. I try my best to paint at night after my little one has gone to bed, but I find its best not to paint tired. That's when I make mistakes.

Please go check out her website. Her portfolio is full of so many beautiful pieces!

Links:
http://www.audreyeclectic.com/
blog: http://reverieart.blogspot.com/
shop: http://audreyeclectic.bigcartel.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/audreyeclectic/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Audrey-Eclectic/136160023297?ref=ts

My Kitchen Revealed

This project took me three months. I had to take all the cabinets off (obviously), but I only did one section at a time.
I lightly sanded the doors and bases, cleaned them well, did two coats of primer, and then painted them with 2-3 coats of white kitchen paint. I soaked all the handles and hardware, gave them a good scrubbing, and then painted them with black spray paint.
I do LOVE the white cabinets and I'm so happy with how they turned out. I have already cut backerboard for the backsplash and have started on the stained glass mosaic, which I'm excited about.

However, the turquoise color on the wall isn't exactly what I envisioned. It's way brighter than I wanted. I know I can always paint over it, but I was hoping I would get used to it.
Tell me the truth (it won't hurt my feelings). What do you think of the turquoise paint?

Oh, and just in case you're wondering, I spent less than $100 on everything. I would love a brand new $20.000 kitchen makeover, but this will do. :)

Real Quick...Check it out!

Check it out...


I'll be joining the likes of Meg from Whatever, Ashley Ann, and Julie from Joy's Hope to celebrate "The Bloggers Guide to Summer" next week. There will be giveaways, tutorials, and summer activities over at Blessed Little Nest (one of my favorite new blogs.) You will love Heather, her sweet family, and all her amazing talent. It all starts on Monday.

And on another note, if you are looking for an on-line quilt along, I found a great one over at Crazy Mom Quilts. I finally found something to do with my gray and yellow fabric and I'm over the moon:)

I hope y'all are having a great weekend. See ya Monday:)

xo,
Chrissie

Just a Swingin'...

School's out now...

So once again blogging is kind of on the back-burner.

I know I promised a tutorial for the round table runner and pictures of my kitchen.

I'm trying, but for some strange reason these four kids think it's more important that I feed and play with them!;)

I'm working on it though... I promise!:) Pictures coming soon...