kelpies attack!

Hmmm.... know why I love crafty quilters so much? We all have a favorite color. Some people haven't had that since kindergarten, but we quilters always have a current fave (or 14). I'm having a brief love affair with teal at the moment, but what's more... these kelpy shapes and I are just about to celebrate our 1 1/2 year anniversary. It's been a lovely romance, bordering on obssession at times, but I'm still in the throws and loving it.

These kelpies are hanging in my office and they just make me happy. Do not adjust your screen: there are two of them, mirror images in fact. They're actually based on a design I created for Pretty Little Mini Quilts (a Lark Book due out any minute)... but more on that later. For now, just kelpy fever!

stitched lampshade tutorial (and a tiger pig)

Stitched lampshade tutorial coming up!

Here we go:

1. Cut out your shapes from paper. May I suggest a fine kelp shape?

2. Lay the shapes over a few layers of felt and use an awl to punch holes for the stitches.

3. Glue the shapes on the lampshape and use an awl to punch holes in the lampshade, using the previous set of holes as a guide. (Be sure to support the lampshade while you make the holes: otherwise, the walls may collapse!)

4. Stitch the shapes in place. I used two strands of regular embroidery floss. Done and done! Time to celebrate with your favorite (deceptively angelic looking) tiger pig!

lamp revamp

So I'm switching offices at work which means I want all new decorations, all matching, all perfectly in tune and coordinated with my particular color palette - namely teal and green (hey, looky at my blog colors now that I think about it!). But instead of new, I tried for "revamped" with a little paper and stitching. It was fun! But now, of course, I'm pretty sure I need a new lamp fixture...

Interesting in trying your own lamp revamp? I'll gladly put together a tutorial.

girls at work!

It's scary how quickly time passes. I swear I've been busy making the past two weeks, but I can't seem to remember what. Let's see: blocks for Common Threads (check), mystery project (check), and a wee bit of work on the Gee's Bend blocks (check). Most recently, I've started work on a pair of mini quilts in this color scheme... loving it! I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking something kelpy...

At least one of us has been productive.... (ahem, excuse me, Miss Violet).