A Little Bit of Christmas for St. Paddy's Day ...

Hello Crafty Friends!! Its been  a while since I last posted on here, but I have been super busy with my new job, life as a baseball mom and working on some designs for a friend who has a quilting company .... but more on that later.

I've always found it easier to work on quilts when the weather is cold ... and even here in South Texas, we've had plenty of cold weather. Going with that theme, I want to share a project I had posted on another blog for a Christmas ornament in 2012 (blog has since been on hiatus.) I've had several friends ask me about it in the past few months and recently there were two questions on Pinterest about it as well. So here is the original post ... 

This Week's Project for the Great Mickey Mouse Tree of 2012

I'm going to try to do a set of ornaments a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas ... At least that is the goal. For the most part I know what I want to do, it's just finding that extra hour or two to do them.

Here is this week's project:

There are actually 4 but I am hoping to do more. This past weekend Mom and I went to JoAnn's and the Christmas stuff was on sale 50%-70% off, but they only had 4 of these ornaments in the large size, so as I get extra coupons I'll try to get a few more.

Now this isn't the plan I had at first. Here was the first try ...

But I wasn't happy with the ribbons. There were kind of "blah". Monkey and I went to see my aunt one night and we got to talking about the corkscrew ribbon for bows she was making and it led to the finished ones above. Much better ... I'll try to do a post on the step-by-step instructions to making the corkscrew bows, but if you Google it, you can find a variety of tutorials.

Inside the ornament, I cut out Mickey (or Minnie) shapes out of glittery scrapbook paper with this handy-dandy Disney paper cutter. I think I will add more and fill them almost to the top, but I can add later as I get more cut. It's easy, but so time consuming.

Well here's hoping I get time to do some more projects between now and next Thursday ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

Grandmother's Inspiration

Every day I look for inspiration. You never know when or where it will find you. With that said ...

In January I started keeping my small fabric scraps with the hope of finding something to do with them. It seemed like a waste to throw them away and I kept forgetting to bring them to friends who have the patience for miniature quilts. So while I was perusing the Quiltsmart website making a wishlist for my birthday (2 week or so ago), I realized she had 1-inch Grid Interfacing (I have been doing projects with the 2 and 2 1/2 inch grid). I thought to myself, who would be crazy to cut pieces so small!?! Well fast forward to last weekend and you'll see who is just that crazy!

I was looking for an afghan while watching a movie and the first one I found was a scrap afghan my great grandmother made me years ago when I was in high school. She made it using all the leftovers and scrap pieces of yarn she kept and did the borders in purple. As I was watching the movie I suddenly thought why can't I do this with scraps ... in a quilt!

So the next day I set out to collect all the little piles of scraps from projects and got to work cutting them into 1-inch squares. I'll order some grid panels soon and get started, but I am so excited!! I know I want to keep the scraps together, rather than scatter them in a random collage, but I may do that in a later quilt.

So here is what I need from you ... Do you think I should ...

• Line all of the squares up in a row OR start in a corner and do more like clusters of the fabric?

• Should I keep all the panels in the 1-inch grid OR alternate between the 2-inch and 2 1/2 inch grids for larger pieces of scraps?

 Hopefully, I can remember to do a monthly update so we can all see how it is going!

Whatcha Doing Wednesday: Busy Start to New Year

Well, I can honestly say, I am exhausted!! I wish I could say it was because of some cool reason, like spending a week hiking in some exotic place, but alas, its just every day life.

Aside from weathering some icy winds the likes this Southern Girl is not accustomed to, I've taken on some new projects, I am working with a company that I absolutely love to create some upcoming new projects, but its still pretty super secret at this point. On top of two jobs and a hubby doing law school full time and an internship with the DA's office, we decided to sign the little guy up for Little League ... you know, because had some empty spots on our calendar. He was also promoted to a new class and he is progressing RAPIDLY so there are lots of programs and things we are doing with him to keep him challenged.

I am working on a lot of projects in the "creative" part of life as well. A friend's baby show is coming up, so there are things for that, I launched a new blog called, The Traveling Teacups and its a creative community for military families. We post projects, ideas and stuff that helps military families maintain a creative aspect in daily life whether its education or play. So we have creative posts about projects, reading, staying active and more. Just overall, a way to keep daily life well ... creative!

At my day job, this week I've been working on Helene Knott's Garden Patch Cats, as well as her Bloomin' Dogs. It has been quite an adventure. I'm not sure where I stand on the whole series, but there are some I like and some, well, they scare me. But they are a huge hit among our quilters, so we are working on completing more samples to show them off! What do you think?

I have also be working on some personal projects that are on my wishlist and completing some of the things on my Works in Progress List. Quiltsmart projects are at the top of my list right now, there are so many things to do. I'll show off some shortly but here is one that I did for the Traveling Teacups blog, and the start of something new ... Hmm, wonder what it could be?

I have finished a few things over the past few weeks, and will show them shortly. But, I'm off to work on anther project ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

Starting Off 2014 With Organization and Goals

So I've been a little busy with some projects that I will fill you in on soon, but here is an update on where I am on half-finished projects ...

 

Every year, I start off by creating a list of unfinished projects and setting goals for the year. Some year I meet the goals, some years I don't, occasionally I exceed them, and that is a happy treat! 

I love organizing and reviewing where I am on many projects. This started of course, a few years after marrying my husband and learning how hectic military life can be, especially once the moves start. We were at our first duty station a little more than 4 years, so it wasn't unit that first move that I realized how chaotic things can get. Even wit the best of intentions and all the time in the world, not all of the boxes get unpacked, so get lost or damaged and others are mis-marked and put away as stored items. {sigh} Who says military life isn't an adventure.

In December 2012, the Army sent the "baby", pup and I home while my husband was sent to Korea. We knew at that point that he would be attending law school following that year overseas, so we were set on being in our own home for a while. Even now, 2 years later, we still have unpacked boxes. 

I have been working on it slowly, and have discovered a plethora of half-finished projects in boxes from one or more moves ago. It wasn't uncommon for me to leave the boxes that weren't a necessity until later, which is where craft projects were categorized.  

Over the years and many moves, I'd learned to bag a project or two to keep me busy until I could unpack the craft stuff, but that didn't stop me from exploring quilt shops or arts & crafts stores in my new location, so I'd start new projects that had to be added to the ever growing list.

This year, I decided to also make a list of the projects I want to do. I often see a project or pattern that I want to try, but forget about it when I get distracted by things in progress. Therefore, I will now make a list of these things, though I may not get to them. 

So far, this is my list for 2014 ...

Stitching

• Let It Snow (kitchen towel)
• Red, White & Blue Ribbon
• "Jamie" Star Towel
• Roly Poly Santas (ornaments)
• Watermelon Towel
• Purple Quilt Block
• Candy Canes (kitchen towel)
• God Bless Me (baby bedding)
• Daily Tabletopper
• Summer is Sweet (kitchen towel)
• Rejoice Wreath (pillow)
• Pink & White Monochromatic Heart
• Army Seal
• Easter Bunny & Egg (mom)
• Easter Bunny & Egg (me)
• Love, Honor, Cherish
• Christmas Stocking

Sewing/Quilting

• Black and White Quilt
• A Home for All Seasons
• Red, White and Blue Stars (towel)
• Spring 2013 Mystery Quilt
• Pink and Blue Child and Doll Quilts
• Blue and Gold Quilt
• Country Charm Wallhanging Quilt

Misc. Projects

• Jamie's art display
• Maggie's art display

Project Wish List

• Quiltsmart Lone Star
• Quiltsmart Mondo or Midi Bag

I'll post this as a page link at the top and update it as often as I can.

 

Whatcha Doing Wednesday: Holiday Projects

What a busy week it has been. Last Thursday I launched The Traveling Teacups: A Creative Community for Military Families. It is a blog aimed towards projects that military families can do, such as PCS projects (activities during moves), organizational projects, make and take meals for socials and gatherings and more.

We also spent the week with Navy friends who came to town to visit family (which included us!) 

We also went to a tree farm and got a Christmas tree and took all the decorations out of the attic ... Um, we have a lot.

After we put the tree up, and set out other decorations, I started working on a Christmas tree skirt. As readers from last year mayrecall, our tree is (mostly) Mickey Mouse themed and Idid a lot of ornaments last Christmas. This year I decided to go a step further and make a tree skirt. This is my progress so far. (These 5 are actually sewn together now, just have 3 more panels.)

 

I made the circles using Quiltsmart fusible interfacing with circles. So easy!! And with small and large circles, I can get two circles from each, so a panel of fusible has 12 circles, so I actually have 24! 

 

I am so excited, I hope to get this done and then do the panel of gingerbread men! I have other projects on the to-do list as well, such as the Pumpkin Seed quilt.

I'll post photos when I'm finished!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Checking In, Keeping Busy ...

Hello friends! Sorry I have MIA for a bit. I finally took the plunge. With so much encouragement, prodding and interest in the creation of a Creative Community for Military Families I finally decided it was time. So since November 1, I have been busy moving all the the posts from this blog that we've posted in the past month the the new blog and am getting ready to launch the blog Thanksgiving Day.

I am excited to put it mildly and apprehensive to put it honestly.

I've got so many ideas and hope that eventually I can get some guest bloggers to keep things fun!

This will return to my personal creative outlet and I am so excited. I've been conflicted about putting stuff that was about what I was working on while I was trying to get an idea of the kind of interest there is in a military family one.

Switching to the personal side, I am super excited about the start of the holiday season. Christmas music on the radio inspired me as I finish Thanksgiving projects and start looking ahead to Christmas. Yeah!!

This was the latest wine shades for our formal table decor. I loved this vintage-y fabric and it really matched the centerpiece mat.

This past weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a night out and attended the Alley Theatre's Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It was great and seeing Houston at night is always a treat!

Well, off to work on some projects! Until our next cup of tea ...

You Saw It Here First: FA Edmunds Stitches Up Fun

It has been a busy week and a half for me. First I prepped for then worked at the International Quilt Market. This is such as great event, where hundreds of vendors in the quilting and creative arts industry come together to show off their latest and greatest products. While I spent lots of time working in the booth for my "day job", I did get to walk around and explore.

In my last post I briefly profile my choice for Top 5 Vendors to Watch For. Another company that was also at Market was FA Edmonds Co. I've worked with the company on several occasions. Edmunds has spent more than 50 years manufacturing needle and quilting frames and accessories. Recently, I had the chance to explore a little more into their products. 

Many creative arts projects that I do involve some sort of stitching or embroidery. I just enjoy needlework. With a variety of sizes and shapes of frames, its easy to find one that fits your needs. I really enjoyed trying my hand with the various hoops and can tell you that I have had a version of their Quilters & Stitchers No-Slip Hoop Tape on my hoops for a while now - both hand and machine hoops. Love it!

I've always loved a good sturdy hand hoop because it it one of projects that travel easily during those PCS moves. I remember being stuck in a hotel room at 8 months pregnant waiting on housing paperwork to clear and being so grateful for zippered bags of stitching projects. I switched easily between one or another whenever boredom set in and having a hoop that could take the stress and restlessness of a bored pregnant woman was crucial.

I will change my hoop to larger or smaller size depending on the project that I was working on and the fact that the Edmunds hoops I have stack inside each other will definitely make future moves less painful since can pack more efficiently and have multiple grab-n-go projects on hand to keep me entertained.

 

I would have to say that the one product that I have added to my wish list is the Antique Thread Keeper, and organization tool that had rods to hold thread and a drawer for additional storage. Most military family members will agree that organization is important, though maintaining organization may often be a wish of its own.

 

At the International Quilt Market I had time to talk to some of the representatives who attended and I was impressed with the teams' willingness to answer questions, and their knowledge in making sure that I found the products that were right for me.

 

 

One day, when military life lets us settle down more, I would love to work on a huge project on a floor hoop, but that is on the list for the future. 

 

The F.A. Edmunds line now includes hoops, frames and stands used for quilting, cross stitch, needlepoint, tapestry, crewel, latch hook, embroidery and punch needle embroidery. Edmunds' brand can be found in specialty chains, stitchery catalogs, internet outlets and independent retailers throughout the US, Canada, Europe, South and Central America and Asia. So for military families stationed overseas, you can find then near you as well.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Trial Run ... A Time of Transition

Many of my long time readers know that this blog started as a personal journal of creative arts projects, goals and more. I took a hiatus when my little guy was born and only recently started back, but the reason I returned to blogging was not known. For the past month, I have been working with some people over the years who thought that an informal website that combined the creative venue for creative art enthusiasts and projects, tips and profiles for those who live in a continuous transition of military life.

So I've finally decided that we'd give it a try. Its something that I advocated for when I was young military wife looking for others who were inspired to be creative, who were looking for projects to keep them busy while facing deployments, or those who wanted create memories with their families to last them through long seperations and other hard times.

For now, we will test ideas, themes and gather feedback here at the Teacup Collector's Cottage with the goal of creating a site that goes beyond my personal blog. For years I loved teaching classes through the Army Community Service Center and as a Family Readiness Support Assistant. It is some of my greatest memories through those darks days when my own husband was deployed. From FRG meetings to informal gatherings as a friends, and even making thank you gifts for volunteers, crafts and creative activities was a link to my Army Wife sisters.

So let the journey begin. I will slowly start to pull off the older posts from my pesonal activites, but if there is something you like or want to revisit, please let me know and we can do a tutorial. So from the Kid's Creative Corner to the Grab-n-Go Projects, from budget friendly to time-crunch, its time to find out how we can harness our creativity whether we are in military housing or stuck in a hotel.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Fabulous Finds at the 2013 International Quilt Market!

Well, yesterday concluded 3 days of the International Quilt Market and I had so much fun! This year I visited a lot of booths and from creativity to products to customer service there were a few that stuck out in my mind.

There were many great booths and products at market but the thing that struck me as great about these products is that they are all projects or products that are either easily transported or are quick and easy or require minimal prep. As a military wife, whose life is always in one stage of transition or another, that is important. From being stuck in a hotel room, to moving to a smaller house, or trying to help my child feel comfortable in a new bedroom, I've faced many challenges of trying to maintain creativity where military mobility is a factor.

Here are a few of my choices for Vendors of Note:

1. Stella Lighting: Stella Lighting had a booth next to us, so I not only hear a lot about their products but also saw the genuine happiness of the staff in talking about their products. Stella Lights are designed to help quilters and creative arts enthusiasts achieve the highest level of potential in each project. Whether you use a floor lamp, table top or prefer one that clamps to your workstation, these flexible, low heat lamps are perfect for working on your project late into the night. I definitely recommend that you check out the line of Stella lights ... They may just be the light at the end of the tunnel!

2. The Quilt Company: Its not secret that I love teacups and teapots. The Quilt Company has some easy and beautiful quilt patterns that combine teapots and cottages ... Adorable in multiples! Birdhouses, barns teapots and more will cause your heart to melt with these quilt patterns. Warm your home this winter with Peppermint Place or welcome Spring early with Lovebird Lane. Each quilt set is a sweet treat!

3. KimberBell: So cute! I passed their booth on the way to mine this morning and just had to stop. There are two "projects" that really jumped out at me at their booth. The first was the "KimberBell Cuties"! These quick and easy projects are so cute and the only thing quicker than making them, is changing them out with the seasons! Speaking of changing things out ... I LOVED the Whimsey Winter Bench Pillow. Not only is it an adorable trio of winter friends, but it is one of many patterns that allow for interchangeable covers for the pillow! My husband will be so happy that I don't collect pillows that only sit out a month or so a year! It'll be so much easier to store pillow covers than actual pillows. I had the chance to talk with Kim and I will definitely set aside time in the future to talk to her more about how small projects like these can help military families make memories and create comfort!

4. Anthology Fabrics: I love Anthology Fabrics. I was first introduced to the Anthology strips a few months ago. Their 2 1/2 Story Strips make it so easy to get started on your projects! There have definitely been times where I've been stuck without a project to do, but getting started on a new one required too much prep. Not only do they have some really great fabrics, I almost feel like I could make a quilt while driving cross country ... with a dog, a few kids, and a carload of household goods in tow! The only problem is that there are so many fabric collections to choose from! Decisions, decisions ... one decision that is easy is you should check them out! 

5. Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio: I. Fell. In. Love! Cherry at Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio had so many adorable patterns. I couldn't pick a favorite, but with Christmas around the corner, I'd suggest going to see her wreath and Christmas tree- it'll put you in the mood to sip hot cocoa by the fire! These are definitely projects I'm adding to my list! (Christmas gift hint!)

I think these projects pass the test and I look forward to blogging about some of these projects in the future.

Until our next cup of tea ...

Exploring Quilt Market 2013!

Today was a busy and exhausting day, but most importantly it was fun! I am working at the Bear Thread Designs' booth (1571) at the International Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. There are so many wonderful things to see and explore!

I'll take photos and make a full report on Monday (hopefully), but watch for +MichelleLwrites on Google+ where I'll post updates and check in from a variety of booths!!

If you are at Market, come visit the Bear Thread Designs booth ...

I also got to spend time with a great friend, Mattie @ Quiltsmart! It's been a great start! Let the adventures continue ...

Until our next cup of tea ...