The "tail" of two Scottie's

Today I bring you a "tail" of two Scottie's

(and yes, I realize that that's a super corny!)

First some great news!

Compliments of

OOOOh scrap overload!

Coming your way via Pink Castle fabrics and one of my favourite bloggers,

Kaelin of The Plaid Scottie fame!

Quick! Go check it out

And the next Scottie news is that I finally finished the Scottie dog for the Middle man!

I finished this off in October before injuring myself and he loved it so much it got whisked away before I had a chance to blog about it.

His name is Spotty and he was made using Denyse Schmidt's free Scottie dog pattern found HERE

Patchwork front to match his quilt and a super soft upcycled wool sweater as the back makes him a cozy companion.

We made a collar and leash from a strip of old t-shirt fabric and now he's the real deal!

It feels good to have this crossed off my list--and to see the Middle Man so happy--makes me wish I'd done it earlier.

Christmas and Spiderman

Well, Christmas has come and gone and unfortunately I don't have much crafty to show for it.
In November I ended up injuring myself (long story) and it made my handmade holidays a little less attainable this year.

But there was one project I wasn't going to let go.

A quilt for my sweet nephew who is 2 1/2 years old and a Spiderman fanatic!

It was started and finished within less than 2 weeks and I'm glad to say the speed in which it was executed only made it better--it was beautiful!

(if I do say so myself)

I received the fabric several days after initially injuring my finger so I spent much time dreaming of how I wanted it to look. The main bulk of the design was centered around a panel measuring 1 yard. and here is the finished project--inspired heavily by THIS flickr photo
Here is a shot of the quilting. I did a straight line quilting with my walking foot of lines at all different angles across the quilt in white--to mimick a spider web.
And here it is upon its unveiling--my nephew really liked it--I think it was more than my brother and my nephew could believe :)
even Nana got in on the action and helped me with sewing up the pillow I made with the extra pillow panels.
Due to my injury I can't handsew so my mom came to the rescue--thanks MOM!

The quilt ended up being 69" x 92"--a long twin size just right for showcasing on his new big boy bed!
I backed it in a striped black, white and royal blue thrifted Ikea duvet cover and added a chunk of the yellow at the bottom for the extra length.

The duvet cover fabric was heavy weight which gave the quilt a nice bit of heft.

I did a machine stitched binding for the first time and I have to say I really missed the handstitching but honestly, I'm glad I had no choice because I would have had to bind it after I gave it to him otherwise.

As it was I was practically wrapping it as they walked in the door on the morn' of Christmas Eve.
All's well that ends well.

I was initially inspired to have a handmade Christmas by the Polkadot Chair and I'm really glad I persevered :)

Hope your Christmas was all you wanted and more.

Mine was a great one!

Sew Scraps Along Begins!

My bloggy friend Jodi of Pleasant Home fame is at it again with her Sew Scraps Along Extravaganza!!

A chance for tutorials, prizes and of course scrappy conversation-- I can't wait!

Check it out!

quilt giveaway!

this is a seriously gorgeous quilt and she's giving it away!!!!

go get in on the quilt draw at Art Nest quick!

anywho...

I was looking through some photos on Flickr and thought I'd better update the crafting going on around these parts....not that it's much!

The H2B2 (Hip to Bee Square) group is nearly finished their year of bee blocks....and I have dragged my tail through which is so sad because once I do them I love it.

Being part of a bee has forced me to learn so much! It has been immensely helpful.

This block was due for June (I finished it in June, but didn't mail it 'til July--LOOOOONG story!)

It was made using this tutorial. and was surprisingly easy.

just time consuming. It has ALOT of seams!
She's now done her quilt top. you can see it HERE.

These blocks, also for H2B2 took me forever to finish!
Due for July but I just started and finished them the other day.

Why did I wait so long??

I was scared of them... terrified!

They're fully pieced--curved piecing. I'd never tried it.

Then I had to. I mean--3 months to finish a block?? COME ON, KEL!!

although she was very kind and didn't put a time limit on us as some were having more trouble than others.

The inspiration came from these leaves created by my uberly talented bloggy friend Anna of Noodlehead fame.

Her's are lovely. I didn't want to murder her concept with my shoddy piecing.

********************************************

Well, I mustered my courage.

Cut. Pieced. Notched. Pieced some more.

within an hour and a half I had 4.

yesssss. Triumph!!

Thanks H2B2 girls for stretching my creative muscles.

Now I'm off to conquer September and Octobers blocks and then it's my turn!

stay tuned...

must see commercial

This is a terrific commercial--really makes you think....

How about you?

Dear John...

Re: Parenting Tip #623 from good ol' Dad

Sissy came home from school today and did very well on her spelling test.

I know you are an advocate of good language skills, Dad, and she is doing well in school.

Spelling is sometimes tricky for any kid when they're learning and she prides herself on her ability to sound things out.

You should hear her, dad, she's amazing!

I opened up her spelling test today and there it was--10 out of 10!

PERFECT!

It was a proud parent moment.

But what impressed me more was her bonus word...

knuckle

except she spelled it "knuckl" with no "e"-- because it's silent...but hey she got it!

It was there on the page staring at me.

this great big mountain of the english language and she's mastering it.

Suddenly I could picture you standing in our old kitchen by the stove looking at our schoolwork with so much enthusiasm. BIG smiles and "way to go's!"

and then we'd always hold back the best for last--our most successful piece of work that week.

It wasn't always a 10 out of 10 but to you it may as well have been...every.time.

We'd smile and wait in anticipation as you read the page and then drop it on the counter, slap your hands together and yell "Hallelujah!"

And we'd beam so proud.

It always made me so tingly inside knowing that you saw the hard work and that even though it wasn't perfect, it was a victory!

And you celebrated!!

With that memory fresh in my head I clapped my hands whooped and hollered and ran downstairs to Sissy to exclaim how pleased I was at her test.

And you know, Dad...she STOPPED watching t.v.

yes...stopping watching the screen is a big deal to her...she rarely looks anywhere but at the boob tube when it's on.

AND SHE BEAMED!

I made her day like you made mine.

You were a GREAT dad!

Love your ever loving daughter.