Thursday, February 25, 2010

Sweet Things Watercolor

For a long time now I have been noodling around with my sketch book, experimenting with watercolor and now I am ready to start offering some of my paintings for sale.  

Drawing is something I have enjoyed doing for a long time, I took the leap into watercolor and I am really enjoying the experience and results.  I hope that you enjoy the results as well, all 3 painting are available framed in my shop.

5" x 7" Framed

5" x 7" Framed 

16" x 13" Framed 



Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Oops.... A Reminder To Always Spell Check


Proof that chatting and sketching can be detrimental to your art work.

On Saturday I had art day with my friend Cheryl, we went to lunch, the local Dick Blick art store and then we settled down and got to business.  I sketched a new painting, she worked with sculpy and we did a lot of chatting.

The chatting may have led to my embarrasing spelling mistake in said new painting, unfortunately I didn't even notice until my husband pointed it out to me when it was about 98% complete.  I mean I know how to spell Moulin Rouge so I didn't even think to spell check.

So I now have a Molin Rouge painting.  Other than the spelling error I think that it turned out pretty good.  I may even hang it at home to remind me to always always check the little things.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Attempt N0 1


I have been wanting to try something new for a while now but hadn't quite worked up the nerve, today I got brave with some great remnant fabric that I picked up last weekend.  

For a first attempt it's not too bad, but I need to work on refining the design a bit.  I think I want to widen the bottom to help out the shape.  

I have a lot more fabric and a couple more frames so with any luck I may have a completed refined version of this bag soon.  

Listed yesterday is a great new travel bag in a vibrant floral pattern.  Check it out here.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Be Mine



Did everyone have a good Valentine's Day, I know this guy did.  He really really enjoyed Mom's chocolate cake, especially the frosting!  



He gave me a special valentine that he made at school. 


My hubby gave me a special valentine too!  

So far I am really enjoying this book and learning about Julia Child.  And I recently found the recipe for the bruchetta that Julie makes in the begining of the movie Julie Julia!  Oh boy I can't wait to make it, it looked so mouthwatering!  And I recommend the movie, it was a sweet story loaded with delicious looking foods, it makes you want to run out and buy Julia's cookbook immediately!

In other news there is no WIP today :( I have been so busy at home and work this week I haven't had the chance to sit down and sew.  I will be back next week with a new WIP, in the meantime I did finally get all the baby bundles loaded to the shop.  You can see them here.  I also have one more completed bag that will hopefully be listed tonight.



Thursday, February 11, 2010

My Labor = Your Fruits


Yesterday's Snow storm proved to be a very productive day for me in the Sweet Things studio (read my dining room).  I finished these two lovely bags to start.  The N07 Bag and the N09 Bag both now listed in my Etsy shop.

I finished up photography and the bundling of my baby burp and wash cloths and even listed a few today, check them out here.  However, I am still in the midst of photo editing and etsy loading, look for all 9 new bundles to be listed in the store by tomorrow.

I also dug thru all my sewing books and magazines and may have found the perfect quilt pattern for Payton's new bed.  I will reveal it next week with my fabric selections!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

WIP Wednesday - Snow Day



Happy WIP Wednesday special snow day edition!  This is the view outside my windows this morning.  And this is a look at my neighbors sweet playhouse all covered in snow, it's a snowy fairyland.


I have been working hard at dwindling down the projects in my WIP box.  I was getting a little stressed about how many projects were in there and how long they had been in there waiting.  So I decided to tackle the less time consuming projects and leave the more labor intensive aprons til last.   As a result I have this fresh pile of baby wash cloths and burp cloths completed and ready to be photographed, bundled and listed on etsy.  Look for them to be loaded later this week.



Today I will be taking advantage of the snowy day to get started sewing up these favorite travel bags.  


Looks like I have lots to do, so I better get my cup of coffee and get started, I hope you all are having a fun and warm snow day.  Happy blizzard 2010.


Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Maybe a Quilt

We have been thinking lately that Payton is starting to look awfully big for his little toddler bed and that he might sleep just a little bit better (oh please, please please) in a big boy bed.  And of course a new big boy bed requires new big boy linens, comforters and more.

So I was thinking, why not a handmade quilt made special just for him.  Unfortunately, I have never made a quilt before, but I am intrigued by the whole process (and quite intimidated)!  

I have a tendency to jump right into a project, usually the most complicated one I can find, but I am trying to hold myself back a little and proceed with caution.  I want this quilt to be beautiful, warm, sturdy and something for him to have for many years to come.  

In order to accomplish this and not get too far ahead of myself I am going to take it one little step at a time, starting with the fabric.  I have come up with 3 options so far that I think will work for his room with out re-painting his soft green (Aloe is the color) walls and his black furniture.  



These are my picks so far, all from the lovely FabricWorm who I love!  They have so many great fabric choices, sets and patterns too.  

I am leaning towards the Michael Miller fabrics right now as I am not sure how the brown would look with his furniture.  I will be posting a poll in my sidebar, let me know which fabric set you like the best :)  

Does anyone have any good starter quilt suggestions for a full size bed?  I would be interested to hear about your quilting experiences and tips.  Thanks!



Monday, February 8, 2010

Nautically Speaking

I had this really great daydream over the weekend that featured me in warm, sunny, Florida wearing beautiful Nautically inspired clothing.  I thought it would be fun today to translate my daydream wardrobe into a fun "style-board" of sorts.  I can almost hear the waves now...... ah bliss.  Enjoy!







 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Ode to Spring


We are starting to feel it, it's been creeping up on us but now it is officially here, CABIN FEVER. We are tired of the cold, the dark skies when we get home, the limited outside activities, and the grey cloudy days.

We are ready for spring, for playing at the park after work/school, making dinner on the grill, new budding leaves and flowers, riding bikes, long walks outside and anything to help burn off this little guys extra abundance of energy.

In the meantime while we wait for you spring we will keep playing indoor soccer on the weekends, sledding when there is ample snow and playing chase in the house. Please come soon spring we miss you!

Here is an apron to help you get into the mood for spring :)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

WIP Wednesday - New fabric

I have a confession, I have not been too good about working on last week's WIP project. In fact it still has a long way to go.

The truth is I have been a little wrapped up in season 2 of a little program you may have heard of called True Blood. I have been quite obsessed watching the episodes end to end and am happy to say I have completed the season. I can't wait til season 3 starts, oh and by the way (channeling my inner teenager) I am so team Eric!

So in lieu of a new WIP Wednesday project to show you I thought I would give you a peak at some fabric that I picked up this week. If I can get thru my box of projects these fabrics will be making their way into new aprons very soon. Stay tuned!!!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Pretty Posies



There is nothing like a bunch of pretty posies for a pretty price to make a girl smile. Take a gander at these lovely roses that I picked up at my local Trader Joe's for at steal at just $5.99.

Don't they look so pretty in my new, vintage Fenton Hobnail planter. I purchased this planter from Jen at My Milk Glass Shop on Etsy. If you like vintage milk glass then this is the place to shop, Jen has a lot of options at a great price, plus she is so wonderful to work with. I plan to visit and purchase often as I begin the long process of up-dating my home.

Speaking of new things for the home :) Check out the new Cottage Collection pillow from Sweet Things. It's the Sweetheart pillow, made from a vintage handkerchief and 100% natural linen.