September | 2011 | Earthtones Girl

Archive for September, 2011

B(log) L(love it) T(utorial) #6

Posted in BLT Friday, Food, Quilting Tutorials, Sewing Tutorials on September 30, 2011 | 2 Comments »

It’s Friday and I hope you all are enjoying these weekly posts as much as I am. All week I think about what I can talk about that will get the creative juices flowing. This is what has me moving right now.

BLOG:

I want to make everything I see on this blog. It’s all so…pretty.

http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/

LOVE IT:

I don’ t like using what I call “texting” language but it’s the only thing I can think of to describe Carmel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies…OMG!!! Another one from Pinterest (come on over and follow me)! Too bad my diet started this week, this one may be worth the cheat though.

TUTORIAL:

When I first saw this quilt tutorial I thought, it’s going to take me years to be ready for that. It’s been 11 months…I’m ready. And I have a new friend to help me out. I can’ t wait to introduce you to her. Soon…in the meantime I have some sewing to do…

http://www.filminthefridge.com/2011/03/10/more-about-strip-quilts-a-mini-tutorial/

How about you? What are you doing this weekend? Whatever it is…enjoy!

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Alright, Alright, Alright Alright!!

Posted in Needle Book, Quilting, tagged needle book, quilt on September 26, 2011 | 1 Comment »

There has been a lot of love, family pictures, food and links to lots of interesting stuff but not a whole lot of finished projects. Time for one don’t you think?

Needle books are all over the internet but for some reason this one made me take a seat and get to work. No pattern…just pictures to go by. It has some flaws…”unsmooth” corners, a couple of puckers, probably should have quilted it a bit more for stability but that said. I still love it.

I’ve had this fabric in my stash for a while and wasn’t sure what to do with it. I think it’s perfect for this little book. It makes me happy to just look it.

The hardest part was finding the right button.

I have to add a bit of velcro to the side pockets…

The felt is a wool/rayon blend. Not great but it works and it was immediately available.

An inside pocket…just because.

I made it a bit too big and will probably shorten the closure but the extra room may come in handy for another project I have up my sleeve.

It’s interesting what you can do when you take your head out to the way. It’s fun to wing it sometimes.

What did you do this weekend?

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Do As I Say, Not As I Do…

Posted in Uncategorized on September 25, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Didn’t I just say in my last post that I’m going to aim for what’s do-able this holiday season? So why am I trying to calculate how many quilts I can make by Dec. 25th after seeing this video.

The year I learned to knit I made hats for everyone and was them devastated when out of about 10 hats I only saw 2 people wearing them. You’d think I’d learned my lesson….

Some help…over here…

I should go bake some Nutella cookies and forget I ever saw this.

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B(log) L(ove it) T(utorial) # 5

Posted in BLT Friday, Food, Sewing Tutorials on September 23, 2011 | 4 Comments »

BLOG:

I had a realize this week as I was thinking about today’s BLT, there are only 92 days left until Christmas. Holy Crap! If you’re anything like me you’re holiday ambitions far exceed your actual abilities and time. I will achieve that picture perfect Martha Stewart style Christmas, everything handmade and made from scratch with all the ingredients for everything grown in my own backyard. But until that can become my reality I’m going to aim for what’s do-able. Here’s a lovely little blog that caters to the small, sweet little things that put a smile on your face, won’t break the bank and won’t keep you up until the wee hours trying to get the impossible project finished by ever-present deadline.

www.bugsandfishes.blogspot.com

LOVE IT:

As you can probably tell by now Pinterest is my “go to” place for recipes as well as a host of other things. So without fail another yummy, delicious recipe for you. Nutella Cookies!! Speaking from experience. These are AWESOME!! My only tip…no more than 7 minutes in the oven. 8 and they’re a bit to crunchy (for me…go for it if that’s what you like). And with only 4 ingredients, you can’t go wrong.

TUTORIAL:

In keeping with the desire for the perfect holiday ever. I found this site this week and was so excited I ran out to Joann’s to stock up on supplies. 15 Felt Ornaments to Make. That’s right yall, not 1 but 15 tutorials to keep you busy. Can you guess my favorite?

I have so much to do this weekend….Have a good one!!

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How Do I Say Thank You?

Posted in Family on September 21, 2011 | 3 Comments »

…for one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given.

Thank you Carolyn….Thank you for a day with my best girl.

If I could re-live a day over and over this one would be it…

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Love Line

Posted in Uncategorized on September 19, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Today I am 41 and 1 day old and I’ve made total peace with it. It wasn’t the applecore quilt or starting a new project or shiny new templates that pulled me out of myself it was love. My family and friends threw me a life line coated in sticky sweet cobs of love and yanked me right out of the hole I’d made for self. My Kira sang happy birthday to me and decided “Mummy, you need cake”…”chocolate cupcakes mummy, I “kake” the eggs.” Does it get any better?

Yes, it does. My Kira is on the mend. No more “runny, muddy” diapers, and after a visit on Friday and phone check in with the pediatrician this morning I found out she has gained 4 lbs, in as many months, and is healthy as a horse. Yahoo!!! The cause of all the trouble…Teething…2-3 yr molars. Amazing what it can do to wreak havoc on a little body.

I met my dear, sweet friend Carolyn today and she gave me one of the most thoughtful gifts ever….a photo shoot of Kira and I playing in the park. She said the moms are always behind the camera so today is all about this mom with her daughter. As soon as the pics are ready I’ll post as many as my blog can handle without crashing…

She also made this for me….Banana Chocolate Chip Bread…edible love…

And last night instead of the movies I stayed in and sewed the binding onto my latest quilt. During Kira’s nap today I started stitching the back in place.

I’m happy…

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41…

Posted in Apple Core, Fabric, Quilting, Sewing on September 18, 2011 | 4 Comments »

While I posted on Friday that I need to get my butt in gear and get ready for Rhinebeck. My sewing machine is beckoning…like the whale to Ahab…

They say as you age the best thing to do to keep the mind sharp is to learn something new. So how about a new project to keep old age at bay. Today is my 41st birthday and while I had absolutely no problem welcoming 40 (as you remember last year I posted for days about it) for some reason I’m in a tail spin about 41. 9 freaking years away from 50…dear God….

Seriously I’ve been in such a funk…but I think this will pull me right out of it. An applecore quilt!!! The first time I saw one of these I fell in love and even started one by hand (that didn’t last long). I had made the template myself and it worked but not well.

The charm pack is Strawberry Fields by Moda which I ordered from the Fat Quarter Shop. As you can see I sort of botched them a bit while I was experimenting for another project and wasn’t sure what to do with them. But this project is perfect.

I ordered the template from Missouri Start Quilt Co. (I’m doing the online course Quilting Quickly I & II on Craftsy). One of the lessons in Part II is an applecore quilt. Perfect. There are two templates, on for a charm pack and one for a layer cake, again perfect.

Not a bad way to spend my birthday. Breakfast with family, chatting with friends and other family on the phone and online, playing with my girl, starting a new quilting project and I may sneak out tonight to see a movie…ALONE(one of favorite things ever and a rare treat these days)!! If you’re wondering about my darling Hubby. His gift is on the way…the man loves and spoils me to death. I truly don’t deserve him.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

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Oh Crap…I Just Remember…

Posted in Baby Things, NYS sheep and Wool, Sweaters on September 16, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

The New York Sheep and Wool Festival in next month. A month from yesterday to be exact. HELLO KNITTING NEEDLES! Hence the reason for this week’s BLT post.

I’m thinking a Wonderful Wallaby for Kira. I bought this yarn at the festival last year. Seems appropriate. Just look at all that yummy yarniness. I’m torn between just staring at that beautiful ball and actually knitting it. My goal is to finish it in a week. Started it yesterday. We’ll see. The knitting bug has taken a big bite outta me. The temperature is also dropping around here. I’d call that motivation.

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B(lov)L(ove it)T(utorial)

Posted in BLT Friday, Food, Yarn on September 16, 2011 | 2 Comments »

How about a change of pace? How about I go back to my first love for a bit…

BLOG

I’ve been reading this particular blog for years and even had the pleasure of meeting the author this past January at the Vogue Knitting Conference NY. Whenever I “stop by” there are two clear emotions. Envy and Inspiration. It was also a reminder to get a move on, it’s almost that time of year again. I’ll explain that one in my next post. In the meantime. Enjoy…

www.crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com

LOVE IT

Here’s another amazingly yummy find on Pinterest. Just perfect for this time of year…Apple Pie Carmel Apples. OMG!! I don’t usually use terms like that but what else can you say about these….

TUTORIAL

It’s another Pinterest find and super cute…Yarn storage. And while I absolutely love it, my entire house, inside and out would be covered in them. Don’t think my hubby would go for that…he is supportive and all but there are limits.

I hope you’ve been inspired to make, cook, recreate something that makes you happy.

Have a great weekend everyone.

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B(log)L(ove it)T(utorial)

Posted in Bags, BLT Friday, Food, Sewing Tutorials on September 9, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Hey Yall, it’s Friday and time for a BLT!

BLOG:

My inspiration this week is a warm, super colorful blog called Stitched In Color. Not only am I inspired but it’s moved me to step out of my box even more. I talked about this blog when I made the Apple Wreath but I thought it more than deserved another mention. I’m currently in the market for curtains for my living/dining room. Check out the ones she made. AWESOME!! Do I dare be so brave?

www.stitchedincolor.com

LOVE IT: Saw this on Pinterest and all I can say is “Yes, please more Pumpkin French Toast!!” I’m thinking for Sunday morning….How about you? Recipe is right here…Have fun!

TUTORIAL:

Again, I know I’m repeating myself a lot with my BLT choices this week, but why not. Remember Stumbles and Stitches. Well check out their Roll Up Bag Tutorial. It’s the perfect little gift. Let’s see how many I can make.

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