While surrounded by a mountain of paperwork, all I want to do is get creative. I'm not allowed, though. I must finish 2009 before 2011 arrives.
Nearly there: All papers are now organized in monthly folders and receipts in corresponding envelopes. Look close, and you'll see Jan and Feb 2010 are already filed as well. All that's left is to itemize the individual items in the proper accounting categories. Won't my accountant be happy with me!! There is just the little matter of payment that must be attached....
Between duties, then, I want to show off the pretty Ballerina Bride garter above. The lace is so filmy. I'm so anxious for a real bride to choose one of the little creations I've added to the handmade fair shop.
Oh, and a new crocheted scarf design is on my shelves. The Shelly Scarf is designed by me -- not too difficult -- with a pattern in the works, but this one is in the shop. I've done all the math so one can make it longer. The scarf works up very quick, probably around 90 minutes, as I've used a large crochet hook. Use a smaller hook and thinner yarn, and you would have a very filmy, lacy confection around the neck! What do you think? Isn't it great how it rolls up and looks like a rosette?
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Well, everything new here, but the sentiment tells the story. One of my BFF's in Atlanta is soon to be the mother-of-the-bride! That has put us in the wedding crafting mode, and I've taken on the bridal garter design and ring pillow. This rosette design with ivory lace is my favorite.
I couldn't stop at just one of course!
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Playing with my light stands in the living room:
This shoot was set up on the piano bench with the light stand very close to the subjects. Lots of practice needed and numerous attempts at getting the lighting right. My photos still required the flickr editor to correct the exposure.
So, my super duper light stands are built -- and ever so much more sturdy than a girl might dream! Once Michael got going, he came up with bigger and brighter ideas! Extra lamps, the lamp clamps actually specially attached to the wood, and individual power boxes on each post. I just hope I can move these babies around and not start a fire! No, no, he does excellent work.
I had some photo sessions with flowers and a few studio items but only came out with a few shots that were properly lit. Actually, I still need to put in two more bulbs. Also, I probably should read about and understand my camera settings; that could be a big help! Next shoot will be done at the breakfast table to see if the overall lighting is better in the kitchen.
This photo came out nice and bright. The block is for the second quilt bee I'm in, the 2010 Round Robin Block Exchange. The block I chose is "The Chisholm Trail." That's our name, so it was an easy choice to make.
A closeup of my pretty Valentine bouquets. The lighting is nearly there but not quite. I was hoping this setup would be a perfect fix right off the bat! No such luck, but I'm a bit closer. Here are a couple more shots of the light stands.
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Last month a new etsy customer found my shop and requested a pillow cover made in the Amy Butler fabric above. At the same time, she asked if I would be interested in sewing up more pillow covers from art fabric by Spoonflower she found at Wall Candy. Soon after, this charming bird fabric arrived, and I was so glad to have the opportunity to touch and feel some Spoonflower fabric. Wow! I am impressed. The fabric is a tight woven cotton, shiny, and very fluid -- like really great bed sheets. Edit: Emily of Wall Candy (blog) tells me that the fabric is the organic sateen. I carefully sliced it up and made the pillow covers. They are just darling, and the etsy shopper did a great job matching up fabrics just shopping online, too!
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My wish for studio lights to photograph my products has nearly been granted. I think this is my Valentine's gift -- or it might be just a coincidence, not sure. My husband checked out the Pink Chalk Studios post I sent him to explain what I needed, and he picked everything up this week. One stand is made, and he might have the other ready later today.
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I googled around a bit seeing what photographers use for light bulbs that are quickly accessable, and these were suggested. It would be great if these are perfect, so I don't have to buy the more premium bulbs suggested. If this is the appropriate lighting now, I won't have to wait for the sun to be in the perfect position casting just the right light on the front porch for photo shoots. Yeah! One more restriction crossed off my list!
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Something new in my embroidery design repertoire: A Crafty Keep Calm series. I've designed several embroideries based on the "Keep Calm" idea incorporating our favorite crafty skills, the first two shown off today. The "Keep Calm and Sew!" and "Keep Calm and Carry Yarn" are mantras most of us totally get. The 12-inch pillow cover and the knit/crochet yarn project keeper can be found in my "handmade fair" etsy shop.
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This sewing machine embroidery design is a new favorite find.
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The embroideries can be ordered as ready-to-ship items from my shop, custom requests for specific colors on specific products, or embroidered out on a fabric panel for sewists to incorporate into personal projects. I'll be listing the fabric panel option at the calicodaisy shop soon. Plus, I have finally found a crown embroidery I like so much more than the one used on the themed print products so popular right now. The design has been embroidered out, but the pillow cover needs to be sewn up for the photo shoot.
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Look! All the January quilt blocks have arrived for me!, me!, me! from the One Block Over virtual quilt bee. This mosaic gives a preview of the lovely real quilt to be. Now I have to decide sashing colors and a backing. I believe I am going to piece another set of blocks to create a queen size quilt -- I think! Sheesh! Just another set of big choices and decisions ahead. Each of the blocks above are arranged in alphabetical order by sewist. You'll find the individual photos along with each creator's blog site at my one block over flickr set. They are so much more beautiful in person; I'm so happy to have all this work done just for me.
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Special Announcement: I'm a new blog mother! This weekend, I helped my friend, Cyndi, create a new blog for herself and to introduce a line of yummy candle products she offers. She wasn't sure what to name her blog, and I encouraged her to choose something catchy that describes her but would not peg her into just one hobby or business idea. We came up with gingerlime glow. "Gingerlime" because that is her favorite candle scent. "Glow" because "gingerlime" alone as a blog name was taken already (though we couldn't find it anywhere) and the word glow conjures up a warm feeling as well as describes a candle. I explained what little I could about page design, but she's already a bit techy, so I lent her my Blogging for Bliss so she can figure it all out and then teach me a better way of coding my pages. Anyway, please visit Cyndi's page as time goes by and check out her candles. The line is a lovely, long-lasting candle product and accessories. We made a trade recently, and I chose a silvery round candle holder set with rhinestones; it reminds me of a pretty crown. When I get my gingerlime candle set in it, I'll have to show it off here.
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Wow! It feels as though the fog of January has lifted from my mind! It's cold as ever here in South Carolina, but the sun is shining and I feel very refreshed today with this promise of a new month ahead.
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A new stash of fabrics was found at Hancock Fabrics last week. After waiting two weeks for the 50% off sale + an extra 20% off the total, I loaded up on my favorite Hancock's store brand, Absolutely Cotton. I'm thinking pillows, linens, charm packs, drawstring bags, bias tape ... Anything is possible with these gems. I've washed the lot and am on to ironing and folding them this week.
Here are my other fresh and freshly renewed items up this month:
STUDYING:
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I worked through this Breaking Free Bible study when it first came out ten years ago, and now my current Ladies' Bible study group chose to do the revised version. I didn't want to do it again -- so much to learn and take on for one like me who takes everything so seriously when it comes to my faith. However, I'm ten years older, I'm committed to the group, so here I go. We are in Week 2 - my favorite week from the last round. This time, because I am so much older and oh, so much wiser (right!), I hope to study the course as a student of the concepts and try not to get swept away (though I probably will) in the instant emotion of what I discover but take on the lessons and incorporate them into my life and daily living. Trying not to get overwhelmed by the big picture but to take on daily truths allowing those things to develop as they are designed.
LEARNING:
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Friends, I have had this machine for 14 months and haven't turned in on because I am afraid of it! Push me, hold me accountable, give me advice! I am truly ashamed of myself to have wasted such potential all these months. That weighs on me like a cloud every time I look at the machine. Send me a kick in the pants, please!
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REMODELING/REDECORATING:
We HAVE to get the tile backsplash up, the cabinets painted, and the laundry and bath remodeled. I am making an appointment for a professional to come by this month. If we can't afford the professional, maybe the power of DIY will set in. My husband really is a wonder at all DIY projects. The new countertops (not pictured, but Wilsonart HD) went in sometime last year -- I think!, or was it the year before?
LISTENING:
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The Harry Potter Book-On-Tape/CD Fest started a bit early this year; I usually wait until April or so and listen into the summer months while driving around town. Oh, how I love HP5 - The Order of the Phoenix! The angst of the teenager, the incredible story line, and the voice of Jim Dale. We own all the books, but I don't even look at them. I only want to hear Jim Dale act out each and every character of the story. Haven't listened to these yet? You MUST! I'm only interested in Books 5-7, but you should start from the beginning and listen to how Jim Dale grows the characters and voices according to JK Rowling's development. Fascinating!
