One Stitch Two Stitch

A Work in Progress

I've been a busy bee. For the past week, I've been working behind the scenes of my blog, trying to create a look I'm happy with. I thought about doing a blog makeover for a really long time but felt quite intimidated by all the html talk. I decided to take the plunge after discovering that Elise was offering her Blog 2.0 class again (I had missed registration before). I immediately signed up, purchased Photoshop Elements and got cracking. I'm so glad I took the class because I've learned so much in just a week and I'm liking how my blog is coming together. Still got a long way to go but I'm pretty excited to take my blog to next level.

Oh, the pic above was from my most recent custom-made doll; her name's Amy Sue and now resides in Alabama West Virginia. The mock-up of the pic was made through Photoshop (there's so much to learn there!). Sue

Happy Hearts

Remember 2 posts ago, the crackled hearts I was making? Well, they've transformed themselves into lovely "heartfelt" brooches. I make my flowers from the scraps of my bigger sewing projects. Whenever possible, I try to use up all of my fabric and let nothing go to waste. Any bits that are leftover can definitely be used for some other project, so don't throw those remnants away (that includes ribbons, rickrack, yarn); they can inspire you to create something wonderful! Talk soon, Sue

Yummy Cuppies!

All freshly stitched! I'm working on a baker's dozen. Been pacing myself, so I'm embroidering them 4 at a time. I've realized that if I break down my project into parts, it's easier to complete. And I don't feel so overwhelmed. My motto for this year is think big by creating acheivable goals. If you like these cuppies, just click on the pic to visit my shop! Talk soon, Sue

WIP Wrap Up

Been so busy with so many little projects that I haven't had time to breathe! It's mainly due to a craft show that I had this past weekend (more on that later), but I'm also in the process of making a hefty shop update. Here are some snippets of some finished and unfinished projects I've got going.

Making some sweet cupcakes . . . lots of them!

 my pretty fabric flower hair pins. I coffee-stained the labels!

 These are some heart brooches in the works. I crackled the paint and really love how they came out.

 I used Martha Stewart acrylics for my heart brooches and absolutely fell in love. The array of colors is amazing and they go on "like butter." If you're going to use acrylics, I highly recommend MS paints for your projects; they're definitely worth the price! I'll be back with pics of my most recent craft show and peek of my shop update. Talk soon! Sue

In Honor

March got me inspired to crochet a new blanket (did you know March is national crochet month? I was clueless until about 2 weeks ago!). My last big crochet project I completed right before the new year, so I thought it was high time to start a new one.

This is my 1st completed granny square blanket. I had originally wanted to make it a bedspread but I got lazy and decided a lap blanket would do just fine.

It's made up of 132 squares. After finishing its border, I learned not to use gray again because I felt that it dulled the rest of the color scheme.

 My "Crush" lunchbox was the springboard of the color scheme for my 2nd blanket. The yarn colors I found at Michaels were half off which was an added bonus. They're a mix of frosty aquas, yellows, and beiges.

 I started the blanket last Saturday and finished it this Friday. It's 35" x 35", so it's more of a baby blanket . . . cute. Sue

Roadtrip USA Bulletin Board

I haven't done a post on bulletin boards in ages, so here's one for all my dedicated teachers! BTW, there is exactly 64 more days left of teaching and only 5 days left 'til Spring Break; can't wait! Here's a bulletin board idea that's great to showcase postcard or letter writing. I had my kids research a place they would like to visit on a road trip. The postcards ranged from Witch Island, Maine to Snowflake, Arizona. I found the States map in Joanns and sewed a border to it, but a paper road map will work just as good. Use a bright fabric for the background and some contrasting-colored die-cut letters for the title. My "road" border was made from strips of black construction and small yellow rectangles.

 

This board was fast and easy to set up, so get your students ready for the summer by writing about their adventures on the road!

New Digs & New Crafts

As mentioned in my previous post, one of the things that had kept me away from my little virtual home was the major move to a new place at the beginning of the year. It's amazing how much "stuff" you can accumulate in just a year! Even though the room dimensions are smaller than what we had in the old apartment, I'm really loving the whole layout. It's two stories and on the second level, we have a huge balcony that connects our bedroom to the guest/craft room . . . nice! It also has a beautiful kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and a huge living room. I'm super excited to start decorating and making it "ours."

first floor (the pic was taken over my bf's birthday, hence the banner

 

my very cluttered craft room

I've started to sew again, yay! Been making trios of pears, aren't they pretty?

I've got a lot more pretties I've been working and that I'll be sharing with you. Talk soon! Sue

Farewell Hiatus!

Hello again! There's been a lot that happened in the last two months which kept me away. One main reason was that I moved to a new apartment and I was basically overwhelmed for awhile. I also had to focus on a show I had in February called the Retro Indie Market up in Boynton Beach. The location was in this historical women's club (the name escapes me now) but it was perfect for the show's vintage and retro-inspired theme.

 

 

 

 

This show has been my favorite so far. Having my sister there as my helper made it even more special. I'll be posting regularly from now on. It's great to be back! Sue

A Crafty Year in Review “2011″

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year! I always like to welcome the new year with a look back at the old. Here's a review of my favorite craft posts from the past year!

Crochet Coin Pouches - January

Crochet Blanket - February

Fabric Hall Passes Tutorial - March

Bow Tie Monkeys - April

Cupcake Pillows - May

Vintage Crochet Bunny - June

Poe Portrait Embroidery - July

Quilted & Embroidered Placemats - August

Sewn Behavior Chart - September

New Dollys - October

Autumn Crafts - November

Tree Ornament Tutorials - December

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas! I've spent the last 5 days at my parents and it's been quite relaxing. We had our traditional "Noche Buena" feast on the 24th and unwrapped our gifts at midnight. Since I'm hispanic, we tend to celebrate Christmas on the 24th and welcome baby jesus' birth when the clock strikes 12! Today we had an awesome barbecue and enjoyed some eggnog bread pudding. Yummy! Sue