March End of the Month

This month I am:

Growing ...
Seedling starts. They're pretty, and fresh, and green. I'll take pictures of their humble beginnings in their yogurt cups and cardboard trays. I'm missing my garden from Boston.



Reading ...
Housekeeeping by Marilynne Robinson (an actual novel, not a self-help book.)
Apples for Jam (well, not really reading it, but using it a lot, especially for inspiration.)
On that same vein, I'm "reading" my grandma's Better Homes and Gardens cookbook from the 50's. I grew up using it, and since my mom doesn't really cook, she gave it to me. It's one of my most treasured items.

Watching ...
I should just remove this category--I've had very little TV time lately. Although I did go to a friend's house and watch Twilight. (I'm glad I'm not the only obsessed mama out there.)

Dreaming ...
(Not a whole lot, this morning--I've been up for nearly 2 hours already!)
Of finishing a few custom orders, a few paintings, and handwarmers for my sister (yep, that's right, I'm a slacker!) I also want to make a few new shirts for myself for this Spring and Summer.
Of a clean house (now, when are those elves coming to scrub my kitchen? They are seriously LATE!)
Of my yarn order arriving. (I need to call them!)
Of a few packages in the mail, about which I'm so excited!
And of Easter egg hunts, dinosaur eggs, and time with part of my family. Seeing my little nephew and niece!

The Thrift Store is Awesome.

Thrift store awesomeness...
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

I usually peek in at the Value Village near my house once or twice a month, but I usually don't find anything spectacular. Yesterday, though, I stopped by for a quick look, and found some awesome stuff! They had three bags of vintage spools of thread, which I didn't buy since I have a lot already, and I'm on a budget (sad.)

I did, however, pick up two bags full of ribbons and lace. The first bag had about 15 yards of fantastic woven ribbons, and the second was full of lace. As I was washing it, I pulled out the large piece and nearly peed my pants...it's a collar from some OLD dress or another. And there's a sleeve to the same dress. There's also the hemline of a small dress, probably a toddler's. I wonder what the original pieces looked like?

Check out this Treasury!

It's mine, all mine! Mwahahahaha...Just kidding. But do please take a look, and maybe leave a comment. Let's make it popular!

Mmmm...Linen!

More Purses!

I can't stop making these! They're fun to put together, and great for using up half yards of fabric that I don't have any other plans for.

Here are the latest two in the shop:

Fresh Spring Purse!

I had this idea in my head this morning, and was amazed that it came together on the first try!

I combined denim, cotton, vintage lace, and a vintage doily to make this bag. It's the perfect size to hold all you need to bring with you, including a couple diapers and wipes (if you're into that sort of thing.) Otherwise, it could hold (in addition to your everyday items) a knitting project, or a sketchbook and pencils...whatever it is that you bring with you! It's in the shop now, along with a lot of destashing stuff (books and fabric right now.)

I want to make another one in colors that are more "me" so I have a new Spring bag too!

First Day of Spring!

It's the first day of spring today! Yippee!

Here's the progress I've made so far on two quilts:

First up, here's Bug's quilt that I've been working on for ages. I realize it's just squares pieced together, nothing fancy, but for some reason it's taken me forever to get it done. I still have two rows of squares to add to this, plus a border. (Moda Recess)



And here's my Flea Market Fancy quilt. I'm nearly halfway done with the piecing, then I'll have to figure out a back...it's the largest quilt I've made so far--should cover my king size bed. Yey!



This is a new zipper pouch I added to the shop today. I'm really loving making these doilies into something a bit more useful.



I'll also be adding a bunch of new crayon rolls to the shop!



Oh, and Mom and I are confirmed for the Indie Banditas Bazaar in June! Woohoo!

My Doily Pouch is in a Storque Article!

W00T!

Check it out (you have to scroll down to the bottom of the "Related Items" section of the post, and look to the right. It's tiny, but it's there!!!)

W00T!

10 Things I am Loving Right Now

1. Everything in Waterrose's shop, but especially this cuff.

2. Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross.

3. As always, this blog.

4. This little boy.

5. Spring. (But I wish it would stop raining already. I'm so done with that.)

6. UNDERWEAR!

7. Working with Flea Market Fancy fabrics.

8. My new toy! (Wanna be friends?)

9. Anticipating the Farmer's Market return (April 4th!!!)

10. This blog.

The cake is on fire!

The cake is on fire!
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

Not really, but it would be if I put all 28 candles on it! So I opted for one for each decade, more or less.

We had a fun time at Jes' birthday party: lots of friends and family, good food, and fun! Bug even had a friend over, as well as his baby cousin (with whom he really does NOT want to share.) I had lots of baby holding time. :O)

It was fun, but I think I stressed myself a bit much, as now I have a bit of a stomache-y buggy thing going on. So we took it easy today, reading books, watching Curious George and Caillou, and between rain storms heading outside to splash in a few puddles.

I think I'll be taking it easy for a few more days, to try to get rid of the bug (not to be confused with My Bug.) :O) Rest assured that I will be spending lots of time crafting--I have a bunch of crayon rolls to get done!

Etsy Front Page!!!

Etsy Front Page 3/14/09 Admin
Originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers

Eek!!! I made the front page last night!!!

(Bottom right corner!) Yey!!!

Happy Birthday Jes!

You are the best daddy and husband a little boy and his mommy could ask for!



I love you, honey!

My Embroidered Necklace

My Embroidered Necklace
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

This is the necklace I made for myself. It's now on a very pretty chocolate brown velvet ribbon, with a silver toggle clasp. I've had lots of comments on it, which of course is good for the ego! ;)

Other than that, I'm working on a few items which I hope to have in the shop later this week.

This weekend we went to Seattle to visit with my family; you can see pictures on my Flickr photostream. We had awesome fried fish at the waterfront Ivars, then walked along the piers. The piers are my absolute favorite place in the world. I remember going there with my family while growing up. Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe was always my favorite store--they have a two headed pig in a jar! And mummies! Woohoo! It's still my favorite, and we have to go in every time we visit.

Dog is Man's Best Friend

Daffodils in the Sunset
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

At midnight tonight, our beloved family Doberman, Monstro, passed away. Friday night he had a stroke/seizure, and spent all weekend in Seattle being cared for by my family, myself included. Knowing how fleeting life is, I said my goodbyes over the weekend. This morning, as my family pulled into their driveway from a long trip over the pass, Monstro died.

He was a very good dog. Always very gentle and kind. He was sweet with Eamon, letting him pull on his ears and stub of a tail. Whenever we visited, he slept with me. Always hogging the blanket. ;O)

Penelope, the Great Dane, will miss Monstro the most, I'm sure. They would run along the fence and bark at anything and everything, always protecting the family from wayward squirrels and groundhogs. They cuddled together when it was cold, and were surely best friends.

Monstro had a good life, and will always be remembered.

DQS6

I'm so excited to be a part of Doll Quilt Swap 6! I can't wait to get started on my partner's quilt!

Hello Mole

Upcycled Embroidered Necklace
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

I've been working on some new items for the shop, and one of the results is this necklace. It's made from a bit of a vintage embroidered table runner, which I layered on two pieces of wool felt. I suspended it from a velvet ribbon, which has a toggle clasp to close it. I absolutely love this necklace, and made one for myself. I'll show that one soon.

Holding Hands

Holding Hands
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

My son has a new little friend. We went out to lunch, then walked to the duck pond, and they insisted on holding each other's hands. It was so sweet. They had the best conversation on the way (of course I can't remember exactly what they said, but whatever.) I love this kid!