pretty things

I saw someone make these refrigerator magnets probably **years** ago by now, and always thought back on how pretty they were, and how I would like to make some.

I had to find the right fabric, and the button covers, and the magnets…not difficult things to accomplish, but not something I made an effort to achieve.

Until now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used Tilda “Apple Butter” fabric.

These are sort of fiddly to make, and took a lot of re-doing.

It feels a little more zen to have a tidy “look” to the refrigerator clutter.

 

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just like Scrooge McDuck

I ordered some fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop.

Life is too short to buy fabric that makes you say, “I guess this is okay.”

Or

“This is pretty close to what I’m looking for.”

We only have so much time on this earth, and thanks to the internet, we don’t have to waste time looking and looking and looking. It’s all right at our fingertips now.

This first photo is various Lecien “Flower/Sugar” designs. I love Lecien fabric.

It just makes me happy.

 

All the remaining photos are Tilda “Apple Butter” design. I am so so so so so happy we can buy Tilda in the US now. I’ve been seeing UK people show it off for several years, and it just made me weep I couldn’t buy it, too.

But now I can.

This design is just my favorite, after watching several of the past few releases.

It has a 30s vibe going on, while being entirely modern.

I never buy green or yellow fabric, but I just had to buy the whole collection. They’ll be put to use, I am certain.

I have wanted to make an American flag wall hanging, and have not found just the right dark blue. I’ve been looking for a looooong time. I think I will buy more of that middle pattern, because it will do the trick.

When you see a beautiful quilt, you never think of how much time went into finding just the right fabric. Because there are so many choices out there, but only a very small collection does exactly what you want it to do.

I love the internet, because now I can find just what I had in mind. All the years of, “I guess this will have to do,” are over.

I wonder what it’s like to never have known anything different?

stained glass square

My mom made me this beautiful quilt block stained glass sun catcher for Christmas last year.

I moved it around the yard trying to make it catch the light.

Finally came back inside and caught some sun.

Isn’t it pretty?

It will remind me of crafting in summertime, even with the snow.

mspt: a spring bunny flag bunting

I found this terrific bunny fabric at Walmart. Bunny fabric that I actually like is somewhat rare, but this design is charming. And at $3.97 a yard? Sign me up!

I thought it would make a good lunch bag for spring.

The contrast fabric is lovely, too.

Instead of sitting down to make that lunch bag (which I have recently sewn four other versions, shh, I haven’t shown them off yet), I decided to make a spring bunting

Now, in my mind I had enough green fabric to make the third flag. In reality, I didn’t have a good green that would go with this. So I just happened to have the blue stripe out, and I love this blue stripe every time I use it, so I thought–“Just use that.” And I did.

But if I would have set everything out in advance, instead of just diving right in and cutting, I would have said to myself, “Hmm, pink and blue makes it baby decor.”

Rats.

It’s baby decor.

So I think I will offer it in my Etsy shop. because it’s perfect for a baby reveal party, right? And perfect for a baby girl.

I even put in the extra time adding the rick-rack to each flag, and it really sets off the white points. I thought I was making this for me, so I did an awesome job. 🙂

This is 8-feet of flag bunting. It is going to look terrific celebrating a baby. Maybe you know someone who will appreciate it? Please check out my Etsy shop and take a look.

A covered journal

I made another covered journal for a friend who moved away (boo!) and bought a new house.

The book is intended to keep a journal of house activities, so you can look back and know exactly when you did things like update the water heater, install a new faucet, keep paint chips and chronicle where you bought the paint and when–and so on, and so on.

I have found mine invaluable, because I also write down the services I call and how much they charged–the plumber, the electrician, the guy who came out and charged way too much for an inspection–I know who not to call again!

I think the fabrics are both by Bonnie and Camille, one called “Vintage Picnic,” and the other “Handmade.”

I bought that button twenty years ago to use on a sweater. I have a whole set, four tea cups and two tea pots. They have travelled with me all this time, the sweater long ago thrown away because it didn’t fit very well. There’s a reason I don’t knit garments anymore.

I don’t remember what this interior fabric is, but I wish I would have bought more of it.

The cover holds a drawing book that I bought at Walmart. They have increased their craft section in recent years, and have a lot of really good stuff at reasonable prices. The spiral binding on this book means there’s lots of room to paste in receipts and paint chips, the book expands well and is not crowded.

I think this is a great housewarming gift, because it will come in handy for the whole life of the house!

2018 finished projects

 

knitting: a shawl in Lion brand cotton

I figured out how to make the shape of shawl I was going for after last month’s fail. This one is exactly what I wanted. The triangle drifts off to the side, and the pattern is simple garter stitch, no frills, so the colors do all the talking.

I used Lion brand cotton yarn, and am very happy with it. I bought two skeins because I thought the yardage (380) wouldn’t be enough, but it worked out just fine. Size 11 needles, so it only took a few days. Since I have an extra skein, I’ll just have to knit a second one that someone will get next Christmas. 🙂

The color is called “flower garden.” I think how it knits up is different than how it looks in the skein photo. All my eye really sees in the finished garment is “pink.”

It reminds me of the milk left over after you’ve eaten your Fruit Loops.

I would definitely buy this yarn again. It is soft, easy to work with, and has a nice drape.