I'm having a Blog Giveaway......

I was going to have a giveaway when I reached 200 posts but I've gone passed that...ooops:)

Then, I thought I'd wait until I had 100 followers but when I add together my followers from all my blogs I have more than 100.

So......I would like to give away........ an Amy Bradley Design called "Fabric Addict".

Here is the blurb........

"Fabric Addict wall hanging pattern includes the five fabric title blocks printed on white cotton that read "Find The Fabric", "Hug The Fabric", "Buy The Fabric", "Stash The Fabric", and "Fabric Addict". Fabric Addict wall hanging pattern includes instructions to make the four 14" x 14" wall hangings (or quilt blocks) as well as the tote bag shown".

Only instructions and applique template patterns are included. The Title Blocks are printed on white Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton which is lovely. 

Here is a picture of what the finished blocks will look like........of course you choose your own fabrics.....aren't they cute:)

Copy of pattern envelope.

 Here is the tote bag.......

ditto

Please note...the package does not include an actual pattern for the tote but there are easy to follow directions to make the tote.

To have a chance leave a comment on this post...and I will pick a winner next Saturday August 6, 2011. Good luck to everyone:)

In the meantime, I'm taking a Blogation. I'll be back soon.

Take care:)

Really large flowers............

Our local garden centre had a sale of perennial's recently and we bought a few as we need to fill in some planting spaces here and there in our garden. We bought this plant because the tag had a picture of a very nice flower. The plant is called Luna Red Rose Mallow - Hibiscus 'Luna Red".

It has started to flower and the blooms are huge........the size of a saucer maybe?

The blooms don't last very long but the good thing is that as one dies another opens and there are lots of buds. The plant is only about 1 1/2 feet high at the moment. It's a shrub and will fill out and grow to about 3 feet. It blooms from July to September...........nice:)

Take care:)

The Felt Fairy - Monthly Make-Its Challenge - July

Here is my July make-it. It's a blue felt dolphin:) If you want to make your own dolphin you can find the free pattern from doll designer Runo here on Nuno Life.

Take care:)

24th Annual CreativFestival.....

Anyone who lives in Toronto and the surrounding area may be interested to know that the CreativFestival is back once again from October 21st to the 23rd. There are tons of really amazing courses scheduled that you can sign up for that start October 19th.....and, lots of stash building possibilities.......LOTS.... fabrics, fibres, yarns, papers, beads, notions, patterns, books, kits, tools, stamps, equipment....:) Some of the vendors have show and tells that are interactive so you can use their products right there before you decide to make a purchase.

I went last year and had so much fun and bought a lot of stuff:) I also took a course on drawing doll faces. My fellow classmates were from all over Canada and the USA.

This year I'm taking a course with Colleen Babcock called "The Green Man". If you visit Colleen's blog......The Magic Bean......you can read all about it. I'm really looking forward to it as Colleen is an amazing doll maker and designer. She also has a free tutorial for her design "Little Sneaks". So cute.

Take care:)

Kanzashi In Bloom......

A while back I purchased a book called Kanzashi In Bloom by Diane Gilleland.

I had seen really lovely jewelery made using a method called Kanzashi tsumami which is the Japanese art of folding squares of silk into three-dimensional flower petals. This book was one of the better ones for showing how to do the folding and had really great pictures to guide you along.

 
You see these types of flowers in traditional hair ornaments worn by Geisha.......

Images from Google

In the book they are used for jewelry and decoration.....

Images from Kanzashi In Bloom

So I was really pleased to see some videos (plus pictures) about the folding basics from Joggles.com in their recent newsletter. Here are the links.....

Kanzashi Folding Techniques
 
Kanzashi Blooms and Centers

There are a lot of videos on YouTube that show how to make these flowers too........here's one....
Kanzashi Pointed Petal

And, if you Google the word.....Kanzashi.... you can find lots of pictures for inspiration. 

By the way...making these flowers can become addictive:)

Take care:)

p.s.....you can also make them with tissue paper for card making and scrap booking.

Leafy runner......

Well I'm still here:) I didn't melt away with heat despite the fact that at one point the humidex was 51C which converted is 123.8F. I went outside for a moment and it was like opening the oven and getting in. Nothing was moving except later at dinner time we saw a little rabbit bopping about the backyard. It even came up the steps close to our back door and very close to my lettuce plants. It did eat some of our marigold leaves and I saw it eat some dandelion leaves. Munch, munch:) 

So, I stayed inside with the A/C at high and roamed about the internet. I saw this table runner over at Martha Stewart's site. It is so easy to make if you use her template and store bought bias tape. My mum taught me to make my own bias and I personally think it makes a more professional finish but it does take a lot of fabric.

I was thinking about making a template for a holly leaf and making one for Christmas. It would make a nice gift. But, then I had a think and putting bias on that kind of shape could get messy. I'll have to experiment with it I guess:)

Take care:)

Summertime and the living is easy......and hot.......

Hmmmm......Smokey is lying by the back screen door waiting to go out.....:) Maybe later.

Outside my sewing room window it is hazy and hot...not a breeze.......

Some cloud gathering but no rain in sight....sigh. My roses are doing well but because of the heat they aren't lasting very long. I'll enjoy them while I can.

And, maybe do some embroidery. Here's a cute freebie for you gnome lovers out there.....it comes in three sizes.........from feeling stitchy.

Take care:)

Under the Sea Challenge....

I'm going to be doing another challenge with Cloth Doll Artistry which is a good thing because it is presently 37C outside which is too darn hot. It's so hot and still you can hardly take a breath. So I'm staying in doors where it is nice and air conditioned :)

Click to view larger picture.

I also wanted to tell you about this blog that I follow........Creative Breathing 

She is having a giveaway of vintage buttons and one of her adorable felt creations. 

From Creative Breathing Blogspot

She also has lots of free patterns for making her felt goodies. Right now she has started a series of Christmas Around the World tree decorations.

And finally....here are some more freebies if you like to make dolls and stuff......here.....here....and here.

Take care:) 

Free Ice Cream Embroidery Pattern......

This is a very sweet little pattern. It would look good on a T-shirt.......go here

Found on Flickr

Enjoy!!!

Nail art with a difference.......

What am I doing....

Yesterday I was asked by two different bloggy friends what I was doing at the moment. I guess they asked because I haven't really been posting anything that I have made lately. My quick response was not much.....nothing.

Then I had a think and I realized I was doing some things...... that require a big think and some research and a bit of creativity.

First I'm participating in a challenge at the online doll group I belong to...Cloth Doll Artistry. They have several challenges happening at the moment but so far I'm only doing one of them......

We are going to use a free pattern by Connie McBride Johnson called Faylinn. It should be interesting to see what everyone comes up with :)

Secondly, I'm doing a swap with another doll maker......Kat Lees. We are both going to make "paper dolls" with a Marie Antoinette theme and swap them. Not your everyday run of the mill paper dolls....not these.

 
So, I'm going to have to come up with a very creative idea because Kat is one super talented lady.

All of this ends in September so until then I have to keep it under wraps.

AND, I'm going to be doing another "paper doll" swap later this year with another super talented lady and bloggy friend ......Judy of Judy's Fabrications.

Make sure you visit her blog because she is such a creative talent.

So I am involved in creative pursuits but I have to keep mum about them for awhile :)

I also found this super cute free doll pattern that I will tell you all about later.

Take care:)

A great gift idea....

Oh my goodness....I am loving this.....

Jennifer of Looking Glass Miniatures has come up with the most amazing gift idea for all those Harry Potter fanatics followers that you know.......I do know a couple:)...... My whole family including me...LOL...... I've read the books twice and seen all the movies so far:)

I'm not telling you what it is because you have to see what I'm talking about. Go to her new blog.......Department of Magical Cooperation.......and take a look......you'll love it:) You can buy one at her Etsy shop.

By the way.......I don't get any financial benefit from Jennifer for sending you over to her blog.......I just think it is a way cool gift idea with Christmas only 163 1/2 days away and all.

Take care:)

How to make a paper gift bag.......

On Saturday I had a birthday party to go to and when it came time to wrap the gift I realized I didn't have a gift bag or wrapping paper that was big enough for the gift and I didn't have time to go buy anything........fortunately the gift was for a one year old and she didn't care:)

But, from now on I will never have this problem.......because.......today I was sent this link on "How  to make gift bags from newspaper."

From Howaboutorange.blogspot.com

Now, I'm not sure about using newspaper because of the ink that still comes off some newspapers.....unless you iron it, like they did on Upstairs Downstairs:).......but any paper would do.

You could get really creative.......even personalize the bags by making collages with the recipients name and scanned and printed pictures.

The possibilities are endless.......birthdays, weddings.......one of a kind creations :)

Take care.

A very dangerous cake recipe.....

I received this recipe from a friend. I haven't tried this, but it sounds easy and she assures me that it was very good. 

Why is it a dangerous cake recipe you ask? Think about it.....you are now only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!.....eeeeek!

5 Minute Chocolate Cake In A Mug

4  TBSP flour
4  TBSP sugar
2  TBSP cocoa
1  egg
3  TBSP milk
3  TBSP oil  (I used melted butter)
3  TBSP chocolate chips (optional..I used less)
small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MICRO wave safe!)

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well.  Add the egg and mix thoroughly.  Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.  Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.  The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!  Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. Makes 1-2 servings.

OPTION::  I smeared a bit of butter in two ramekins (they do tip out easier if you want to serve them on a plate... perhaps with a spoonful of ice cream?) and divided the mixture between the two of them.  I also substituted butter for the oil.  Bake in the oven at 350F (180C).. for about 20 to 25 minutes.  Watch them carefully... don't want to burn chocolate!  The tops will begin to crack when nearly done...and I just checked with a toothpick at about 18 minutes..... when it comes out clean...they are done.   Unless you happen to put the pick into a chocolate chip or morsel...then just check in another spot... and enjoy!

Take care:) 

My new assistant......

She is a French Faerie and she tells me her name is Marie Fleur Papillon and she is très jolie.

I bought her from doll artist Karen Kline . I love her sweet little dolls and I finally decided to buy one from her Etsy store.....................

You can find more of Karen's work on her blog........KAERIE FAERIE or her Esty shop.

Cat Formations :)....click to enlarge

Courtesy of Stumble

Toothpick City.....

I am frequently amazed at what people do with their spare time:) Artist Scott Weaver has created a toothpick rendition of San Francisco......

 

Photo courtesy of Portable TV

Go here and watch the video tour of his city.

Take care:)

Monthly Fabric Club.....

Last fall I went to the Creative Needlecraft show here in Toronto and discovered a quilt shop called Sew Sisters. Of all the vendors at the show their fabric was the most reasonable and of beautiful quality. Better yet they are not far from where I live. They also have an on-line store.

Well I'm not a quilter but I'm always looking for fabric to make other stuff from so I decided to join their Bargain Lover's Club. I get 10 fat quarters a month for $17.99 (plus postage shipping).

I got my June batch finally....we have had a mail strike.....and I was very pleased:)

The last quarter is hard to see in the picture as it is a very pale print called Baby Face.

Now I better get sewing:)

Take care.