Crafty Gemini

Block #6- Patience Corners

2012-01-23T21:17:00.000-05:00

I can't believe we are already half way done with our video quilt along! If you want to join in on the fun you still can. There is no deadline or time limit on this quilt along. All the videos will be available for you to access whenever you want to complete the quilt along.

Block #6 is called Patience Corners. It's a great beginner block because it doesn't even require any triangle cuts or seams. Just simple squares and rectangles with no crazy measurements either. This is one of my favorite go-to quilt blocks because of its versatility.

Just think of all the different fabric print and color combinations you could get if you made an entire quilt using just this one block. You could orient the blocks in opposite directions for a cool secondary design.

If you are new to the video quilt along. Click HERE to start from the beginning.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL

HAGA CLICK AQUI PARA EL TUTORIAL EN ESPANOL

Citrus Cake with Pineapple Lime Glaze

2012-01-16T15:03:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. We were busy here on the little farm. My DS harvested some carrots and turnips this morning and was just so excited!

What an amazing feeling to grow your own organic and healthy food! This is really starting to become and addiction I think. I have ordered so many seeds that I'm not even sure I'll be able to keep up with our Spring garden. It's just so hard to resist! Seeing a little tiny seed grow into a cute and tasty carrot is definitely up there with some of the other wonders of life for me.

I've been receiving a lot of requests for gardening videos and I plan to start making some simple ones like seed starting and container gardening for herbs and easy-to-grow veggies soon. You don't have to have a farm to grow your own food. Even if you live in an apartment it is possible! So if you're interested or just curious be on the look out for those.

Now, I'll leave you with these week's video tutorial which happens to be a baking recipe. My Citrus Cake with pineapple and lime glaze. My hubby has a ridiculous sweet tooth and I decided to come up with a recipe that had less butter and sugar than the usual but still packed a ton of yummy citrus-y flavor. Here it is!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO RECIPE

Block #5- Video Quilt Along

2012-01-09T23:50:00.001-05:00

Been busy planting seeds for the spring garden and working on some other new projects so I'll make this post sweet and short.

We are on Block #5 of the video quilt along already- A Hole in the Barn Door quilt block. It is also known as a Churn Dash quilt block. It's cute and simple and uses half square triangle (HST) units like some of our other blocks. You should be a pro at HSTs by now, eh?!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL

HAGA CLICK AQUI PARA VER EL TUTORIAL EN ESPANOL

p.s.- If you are still looking for some new crafty inspiration check out the online video workshops that are a part of STITCHED 2012. Registration is open now!

First tutorial of 2012!

2012-01-01T23:06:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!!

Today I had a chance to sit back and really absorb everything that has happened in my life in 2011. It has really been an amazing year. It really seem unreal when I write it all out. Here's a quick recap in the order it all happened....

- Had an original quilt block published and featured on the cover of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Vol. 3

- I won $35,000 as a winner of YouTube's NextUp Contest

- Was interviewed by multiple newspapers, journals, television stations and online radio stations

- Featured in the New York Times

- Invited to be a speaker at 3 different national conferences

- Launched my mobile app for Android and iPhones

- Bought a house on 5 acres of luscious Florida real estate to start the homestead of our dreams

- Was featured on ABC's 20/20

- Welcomed a big, beautiful & healthy baby girl into our family

- Had my crafting studio installed on our property

- Started our organic fall garden and welcomed 3 hens and a rooster to the family

- Joined STITCHED 2012 as a online video instructor

...and that's just some of the fabulous things that happened in 2011!

I am truly blessed to be doing something I love so much and still being able to stay home and raise my kids the way I've always wanted for to. Thank you all so much for your support and kind words. I could not have came so far with my little video tutorials if it was not for you! I appreciate all your comments and suggestions and know that I read and try to respond to every single one.

I have a lot more exciting projects and workshops planned for 2012 and I hope you will stick around to enjoy them with me.

To kickstart the year I leave you with the first tutorial of 2012:

How to make a pillowcase using the sausage/burrito/roll up method

somebody likes her new pillowcase... can you believe she is 3 months old already?!

These pillowcases are great quick & easy projects you can make to donate to charities. You may already be familiar with the 1 million pillowcase challenge which is being hosted by American Patchwork & Quilting. For more info click HERE.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL IN ENGLISH

HAGA CLICK AQUI PARA VER EL TUTORIAL EN ESPANOL

Block #4- Video Quilt Along-Friendship Star

2011-12-28T16:21:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy week as you can imagine. We drove 2+ hours to visit my family and spend Christmas Eve with the extended family. My DS stayed awake longer than my husband just running around and playing in the yard. Can you believe this little guy went to bed at 1:30am on Christmas morning?! He reminds me of someone I know very well.... me!

...no I don't know how to play the guitar (or any instrument for that matter).

I was just strumming it and making "noise"= my DS's word for music.

I still found time to make and post this week's video tutorial.... in English and Spanish. I'm actually quite proud of myself.

Block #4 of the Video Quilt Along- Friendship Star

This is one of my all-time favorite blocks because of how super simple it is to whip up and stars are just perfect for any quilt. Who doesn't like stars?!

You still have plenty of time to jump in and join the fun. Check out my Facebook page to see the gorgeous blocks being made by viewers all around the world. I love to see the fabrics everyone is using... so much variety in colors and prints. Can't wait to see the completed quilts, too!

If you have never made a quilt before this is the quilt along for you! I walk you through making 12 different blocks and how to layer and finish the quilt yourself! You can do it!

For more information on how you can join in on the Video Quilt Along fun click HERE.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL

HAGA CLICK AQUI PARA VER EL VIDEO EN ESPAÑOL

Casserole or Pie Carrier Tutorial

2011-12-20T22:30:00.000-05:00

This week's video tutorial is on how to make a quilted casserole or pie carrier. I have literally received almost a hundred requests for this project and it finally made its way up my tutorials to-do list.

I'm sure you have probably seen these out on the market and online. They are everywhere! So many different styles and sizes! I made myself a small prototype just to work out all the logistics of putting it together and then decided to go with the size I show you how to make int this video. I think it's just perfect! It will comfortably hold any square or round casserole dish or plate between 8" and 13" (I demonstrate this in the video tute). You can also accommodate some rectangular shaped casserole dishes in there but you have to be strategic about what angle you place the dish.

It's really simple to make! If you don't believe me... watch the tutorial! You will be amazed how easy it whips up.

These make great gifts for holiday dinner parties and potlucks! Take a dish and leave the carrier as a gift for the host. You still have plenty of time to make one (or a few) for the holidays! Check out the tute and let me know what you think... I love receiving your feedback. Thanks!

I also have the video tutorial in Spanish!

Este video tambien lo hice en español!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TUTORIAL IN ENGLISH

HAGA CLICK AQUI PARA VER EL TUTORIAL EN ESPAÑOL

My new STUDIO and more updates

2011-12-15T19:24:00.001-05:00

I posted a short little vlog today to announce some new exciting changes in my crafty world! Can you say "no more shooting video tutorials in my dining room?" woo-hoo! Check out my new crafting studio being delivered!

I also make a big announcement for my Spanish speaking followers out there! Si hablas (o entiendes) español preparate para los tutoriales en español que voy a comenzar a poner en mi canal YouTube comenzando este lunes!

My little helper makes another debut in this video. Isn't she getting so big?! At her 2 month checkup this month she measured in the 100%ile for height (what?!) and 90%ile for weight... she grew a whopping 3 inches in just 2 months. Wowzers! All I can say is: "Mama-milk rocks!"

In this video I also give you a sneak peek of Monday's tutorial. Do you think you know what it is? Leave me a comment with your response. Here's a hint (that may not help much) but I've received like 100 requests for this project.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

My little family

2011-12-14T00:44:00.000-05:00

Last week I traveled to Boston to speak at the Massachusetts Conference for Women's Spark & Hustle Small Business Boot Camp. It was hard to leave my babies at home but I was happy to have my mother here to help my hubby out and I was only gone for 24 hours so that's not too bad.

Here you can see why I don't like to leave home. This is how I usually spend my days.

I would say I'm a pretty lucky girl!

My two little bugs absolutely LOVE to spend their days outside. I think we did really good by getting them a little farm. I can only imagine all the fun they will have growing up here with their animals and gardens.

We visited a local farm recently for their annual Cane Day Festival and had a ton of fun being out and about for the first time as a family of four!

This is the first and only picture we have so far of all 4 of us. It's not professional... but it's us!

The little family that I love so much.

Hope you are having a great time this holiday season surrounded by family and friends... and just in case you are having a bad week I'll leave you with these pics....they're sure to brighten anyone's day!

Block #3- Video Quilt Along-Mr. Roosevelt's Necktie Block

2011-12-11T20:56:00.000-05:00

What a busy week! I flew to Boston on Tuesday to speak at the Massachusetts Conference for Women's Spark & Hustle Small Business Boot Camp and came right back on Wednesday... after two flight delays on the return trip I still had to drive 1 hour to get home from the airport. So, I pull up to our driveway at 1:30am and guess what I see? Two wild rabbits hopping away from my garden! I tried to prepare myself for the damage I would find in the morning but it was actually no big deal. They only ate the tops off a few of my beets. Phew! But I guess rabbits gotta eat too, right?

I'm glad I was able to get to my weekly tutorial with no problems and I'm actually posting it a little early on this Sunday night instead of Monday. Yay me! Here is Block #3 of my Video Quilt Along- Mr. Roosevelt's Necktie. This is a super cute and easy block to whip up. It was apparently named after FDR who often wore bowties. When it's made using only two contrasting fabrics I think it looks more like a doggy bone than a bowtie. Hmmm... this would make a really cute doggy quilt don't you think?

So far we have covered 3 of the 12 blocks! There is still plenty of time to join the fun!

Click HERE to start from the beginning of the quilt along.

Hope you enjoy the tutorial! If you don't have time to join the quilt along just yet, no worries. All the videos for each block in the entire quilt along will be posted to this video playlist indefinitely! So, feel free to join whenever you want.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL

How to Make a Half Apron from Men's shirt & Giveaway

2011-12-05T16:27:00.001-05:00

This week I'm posting a green project how-to! I wanted to come up with a quick and easy tutorial that any beginner could do. I looked around the house and from one glance at my closet (where my husband's clothes take up about 75% of the space) I quickly asked him to give me a few of the long sleeve shirts he no longer wears for whatever reason. This one apparently had a few snags, stains and a cut on the front pocket so he finally let it go. I, of course, had to make it very clear it was for a tutorial. Otherwise, I probably would not have been able to touch it. He doesn't like to get rid of any clothes. HA! I have all kinds of sewing ideas for all that extra fabric... But shhhh... don't tell my DH.

Here is the super cute and easy half apron. I added a funky and bright contrasting fabric (because you know how I love that) for some cute pockets. But you can always use the same shirt or even mix and match the embellishments with a few different shirts.

If you don't have a husband, boyfriend or other male in your life that you can ~~steal~~ borrow from... no worries! Head on out to a garage sale, local thrift store or check craigslist ads for free bags of clothes people are always giving away.

This tutorial also has a giveaway attached! Watch the video for all the details on how you too can enter to win a fabric bundle that I am putting together just for the lucky winner. This giveaway is open to the whole world, not just my buddies in the U.S. So, head on over to the video and get started!

Click HERE for Video Tutorial

STITCHED VIDEO WORKSHOPS are open for registration!

2011-12-01T08:27:00.002-05:00

Today is December 1st and that means REGISTRATION TIME for STITCHED 2012! I am so excited to be a part of this fabulous group of fabric artists.

Let me break down what STITCHED 2012 is for you:

-20 fabulous fabric artists

-20 different online video workshops

-only $89 (USD) gets you access to all of it!

Workshops include everything from quilting, paper piecing, mixed media fabric art, applique, fabric jewelry, embellishments, accessories and more. With lots of giveaways, learning, sharing and creating!

Once you register, the workshops are available to you any time you want to access them, until STITCHED closes on June 1, 2012 10pm EST. Once you are invited to the private STITCHED site, you are free to view and work on any workshop any time of the day, any day of the week. Cool, eh?

Now for the big reveal!

Here is my workshop: Baby's First Quilt & Toy

In my video workshop, I will show step-by-step you how to make two wonderful projects that any baby will enjoy. One is an easy and creative baby quilt measuring approximately 36" x 36", that can also be a wall hanging and even a tummy-time mat for your baby. The quilt is made with only one block repeated nine times so it whips up very quickly!

The other project is a cute and cuddly owl softie. The owl is made out of the scraps left over from the quilt. A pdf file is provided and includes the complete owl pattern. I will also show you how to machine applique the facial features on a super easy and effective way to stuff the little guy.

I will teach you how to cut all of the fabric pieces needed, and everything from pinning, marking, cutting and sewing will be demonstrated. Once you have the fabric cut, it all comes together pretty quickly. NO machine quilting skills required, NO fancy longarm machines, and NO having to pay a professional quilter. You can make the entire quilt yourself! You won't even have to deal with making, attaching and hand stitching binding on either. I have a very cool method of hand tying and completing this quilt that will make this project a breeze. If you already enjoy my video tutorials then you know what you will be getting in this step-by-step video workshop. This is the perfect starter project for a complete beginner, too. Think of your loved ones who are maybe just learning to sew and want to try their hand at a quilt-- this would be a great gift! Please share this with your family and crafty friends.

Register Here!

Check out just a few of the other workshops you will have access to once you register for STITCHED!

They are A-MA-ZING!

Please use the link above to register. Just scroll down in that post after you see all the workshops listed to register your spot in STITCHED 2012.

p.s.- If not for you, this would also make an awesome holiday gift for the crafter in your life!

Block #2- Video Quilt Along- Amish Diamond Block

2011-11-28T09:35:00.004-05:00

I'm so glad so many of you are following along in the first-ever Crafty Gemini Quilt Along!

So far I have heard from fans in U.S., Canada, Australia, India, Israel, Germany, Italy, England and Ireland that will be joining us. How awesome is that?! I just love the way the internet allows so many people all over the globe to come together like this! Are you following along and live in another country not mentioned here? If so, I would love to hear from you too!

Block #2 is an Amish Diamond quilt block. The diamond in the center makes it look like more complex than it actually is to make. It's a great beginner block and comes together really quickly!

In the video tutorial for this block I also answer a few questions you have been asking me:
1) How big does the backing fabric have to be?
2) Do all fabrics need to be the same or can they be different for each block?

Remember that each block only requires two different fabrics- one should be your light and the other your dark fabric in the block.

If you missed it... read the first blog post for the quilt along by clicking HERE.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL!

Thanksgiving dinner

2011-11-26T20:27:00.001-05:00

If you are in the U.S. and celebrate Thanksgiving I hope you had a great time eating some delicious food with your loved ones!

I cooked our first Thanksgiving dinner at the new farmhouse and I'll just say it was a hit with the little family!

My butter and rosemary turkey was nice and juicy thanks to Alton Brown's brining method. I do it every year.

DS helping make the spicy cornbread to use in my dressing/stuffing recipe.

My dressing/stuffing ... it was delicious! Made from homemade cornbread and breadcrumbs, herbs and crumbled sausage, etc. As my husband was eating he told me to write down the recipe before I forget it! I love experimenting in the kitchen... sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This time it did and my recipe is a keeper!

My favorite part of dinner was my organic homegrown collard greens!

It is just the best feeling in the world to know that your food only had to travel a few feet to get to your table! My fall garden is growing GREAT so far!... can you believe no deer have come by to eat my goodies either?! We'll see how long that lasts... but I'm sure having two dogs roaming the property sure helps!

Look at my very first organic garden! I'd say it looks pretty good for a first timer! What do you think?

Beets & carrots I mistakenly planted in the same row. That's what I get for not labeling them. Oh well!

Cabbage

First calendula bloom. I'll be harvesting these to eat and infuse oil with for soaps and salves.

Dino kale... will be harvested real soon.

Part of our first real garden!

Onions galore!

Radishes

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Black Friday Sale!

2011-11-25T00:42:00.000-05:00

Just dropping in to let you all know that all my e-patterns are 50% off!

If there is one that you don't already have go ahead and get it today!

CLICK HERE TO SAVE NOW!

Only $1.50 for my very popular Pillowcase Dress e-pattern.

Remember they are emailed to the email account connected to the PayPal account used to pay. So, if you want it sent to a different address just shoot me an email.

Only $3.00 for my Ruffle Pillow Case Dress e-pattern!

Only $1.50 for my Must-Have Tote Bag e-pattern!

Only $3.50 each for Delightful Tweets and Up, Up and Away quilt e-patterns!

If you celebrate Thanksgiving... hope you had a great time surrounded by loved ones!

STITCHED 2012!

2011-11-21T01:03:00.001-05:00

This week's video tutorial is a cooking one. If you are interested in watching it click HERE.

Now I have some big news to announce!

I am very excited to be participating alongside 19 other fabric artists in STITCHED 2012- a series of online video workshops.

Straight from Alma Stoller's site here is some info on STITCHED 2012:

"STITCHED is a collection of 20 online video workshops by 20 amazing and talented fabric artists. Each workshop provides you with high-value and high-content information to get you sewing, designing and creating."

"I am also delighted to have the support of some amazing companies which will be providing me with some great giveaway items and products for several lucky STITCHED registrants."

"You will also get a full video workshop about Fabric Jewelry by me (Alma Stoller), 5 additional mini video workshops, a printable pdf file which includes patterns and related instructions from each workshop, as well as the support of our awesome instructors in a completely private site."

STITCHED begins January 1st 2012
Registration will begin December 1, 2011

All 20 STITCHED instructors have been announced. The complete list of instructors and our biographies are available HERE.

There are some fabulous textile, mixed media, quilters and other artists in this group! Keep your eye out for more details about STITCHED. And for those of you interested in a sneak peek of what I'll be teaching in my STITCHED workshop here is one of the two projects I'll be teaching you how to make.

First Ever Video Quilt Along!

2011-11-14T21:20:00.003-05:00

So many of you have emailed me asking for more quilting tutorials. I've listened and now I'm delivering!

(Grab the code from the right sidebar to display the button on your blog and let everyone know you are on board.)

Today I launched the first ever Crafty Gemini video quilt along!

I'm so excited to post Block #1 of 12 in this series. Every few weeks I will post a new video tutorial with complete step-by-step instructions on how to create a new 12" block. At the end of the quilt along we will each have 12 blocks. Each block will finish measuring 12" x 12" once it's sewn into the quilt. All blocks will be simply pieced together. No fancy techniques like applique or paper piecing either. Just nice and easy 1/4" seam piecing. Then I'll post a tutorial showing you how to sew them together to create your quilt top and then how to layer your quilt sandwich and finish it all up.

If you have never made a quilt before and have been anxious (but scared) to try... this is the quilt along for you! I will walk you through everything and I'll answer your questions, too! Each of the twelve blocks will only require two contrasting fabrics. There are no set rules as to whether or not all your fabrics need to be the same or from the same line, etc. Mine will definitely be scrappy (all different fabrics) so I can use up some of my stash. If you do want to use the same fabrics I would estimate about 2.5 yards of each fabric for the quilt top and you'll probably have some left over. The backing fabric will need to be at least 40" x 52" so you can pick that out now if you want as well. The finished quilt top will measuring roughly 36" x 48". A perfect first time quilt for a baby or small lap quilt.

Block #1- Variation on the traditional Bow Tie block

Block measures: 12.5" x 12.5"

Choose two fabrics- one will be your light and the other the darker fabric. You need 1/4 yard (22.86 cm) of each fabric. You won't use it all in this one block but can use the extra in some of the other blocks if you want. In my sample block above the blue fabric is my dark and the flowered print is the light.

If you are going to join us please post a comment below so we can see who is in! If you have a Facebook page you can also post to the Crafty Gemini page and announce your participation there, too. We want to see pictures of these blocks, too! You can upload them to our Facebook page or post them to our Flickr group.

Click HERE to watch the tutorial for BLOCK #1 of 12

Are you on board?!

Quilted Grab-N-Go Pot holder tutorial

2011-11-07T01:10:00.001-05:00

If you have been following my blog for a while you may have already come across the PDF version of my Grab-N-Go quilted pot holders.

If you are new to my blog then you are in luck because I decided to turn it into a step-by-step video tutorial that is easy to follow for even a beginner sewist.

If you have never quilted anything before this is your chance to quilt a small "quilt sandwich" (as we like to call it) and see that it is not as intimidating as you think it is!

Hope you will consider making these for friends and family... and yourself, of course! The holidays are right around the corner and there is nothing better than a handmade gift!

Click HERE to watch the tutorial.

p.s.- If you make these remember to upload pictures to my Facebook page.

Chickens in the garden!

2011-11-01T21:02:00.002-04:00

We spent the weekend getting the new chicken coop ready for a few egg laying hens and a very handsome rooster!

Aren't they just the cutest? We got one Ameracauna (white) who lays green and blue eggs. Cool, huh? The black & white one is a Barred Rock hen and we got two of those except one isn't in the coop because she managed to jump out as we were trying to put her in. Luckily, she is hanging around the property still and comes by the coop to get her water and feed. The Barred Rock hens lay nice tan colored eggs. Apparently, hens take a few weeks to get accustomed to their new home once they've been moved before they will go back to laying eggs. Lucky for us, one of them feels right at home because just the next morning we had this waiting for us....

I've been having good luck in my garden as well. My white onions are looking fab! I can hardly believe how easy it was to plant them. Onions were a must-have for me because I use them every day in almost every meal. So delicious. Needless to say I planted over 100! Ha! What I'm going to do with that many onions is still up in there but I figure I could always give them to friends.

Some other veggies I planted are:

Bok Choy.

Lettuces.

Broccoli.

Cabbage.

Hope everyone is staying warm! I've heard there is snow in some parts of the U.S. already!

Beginner Sewing Series- Part 3

2011-10-30T08:38:00.001-04:00

Yay! My beginner sewing series is complete! I just finished editing and posting Part 3. In this third part of the series I show you how to sew up the pants, creating a waistband casing, insert and secure the elastic and even how to hem the pants! This is the perfect beginner project.

If you have been following along you should now be able to make a really cute pair of pajama/lounging pants all by yourself from start to finish. If you have not and are interested in getting your own copy of Simplicity 2290 pattern, it can be purchased HERE.

To watch the entire series simply click HERE to watch all three parts from start to finish.

Click HERE to watch Part 3

Beginner Sewing Series: Part 2- Simplicity 2290

2011-10-27T13:04:00.002-04:00

If you are following my new Beginner Sewing Series then you will be happy to know that Part 2 has been posted! We have been working with Simplicity Pattern #2290 from their new Learn to Sew line of simple commercial sewing patterns. You will learn how to make a cute pair of simple elastic waist pants from start to finish. The pattern is for child/ teen and teen/adult sizes.

If you'd like to follow along and need to get your own pattern you can purchase it HERE.

Many of you have emailed me asking for a tutorial on how to read & understand commercial sewing patterns. So, I have delivered! I know the terminology and diagrams can be intimidating especially for beginners so I hope the videos in this series will help clarify most of it for you!

In Part 2 of this series I explain how to prepare your fabric and tissue paper pattern piece, how to arrange the pattern on your fabric for pinning and cutting. Part 3 will be posted later this week and will cover how to sew the pants up, creating the waistband casing, inserting elastic for waistband and hemming the pants. Look out for the post on that coming soon.

If you are just now learning about this series--- click here to read about & watch Part 1.

Click HERE to watch

Part 2- Beginner Sewing Series

Fall garden anyone?

2011-10-16T01:42:00.000-04:00

We have been super busy moving into the new farmhouse... well, maybe not "we." It's been more like my DH moving everything by himself little by little. Poor guy! He gets to spend his four weeks of paternity leave moving his little family into our new place.

I have been bonding with our new little girl.. isn't she a doll?! Nursing is going as perfect as can be and last week at her two week checkup she was in the 85% for height and 88% for weight. Gotta give thanks for a healthy and thriving baby!

As my husband does the big heavy moving I decided to start on our first Fall Garden. Up until now all I've ever done is grow in some containers earlier this summer. So, this is my first take on an actual garden where I have a ton of space! This is so exciting for all of us... 2 year old DS included.

We purchased an organic Fall garden kit from Comet Farm just a few miles up from where our place is. The kit came with 32 plants of all kinds of yummies!-- Cabbage, broccoli, kale, spinach, calendula, bok choy, etc. We also got seed packets for things like peas, carrots, turnips, swiss chard, etc.

I came home and decided to try my hand at building some garden beds from cedar.

After building two I decided to try some free-standing raised bed rows... a lot easier, less strain on my back and they are free! My favorite part was I was able to mound them up with DD in tow.

I planted 64 white onions (from sets) across two of those beds today... and we'll see what more I can get done tomorrow.

Are you starting a fall garden?

How to Make a Wallet from Plastic Bags- Life Reimagined Project

2011-10-05T16:03:00.000-04:00

With all the exciting things going on in my life these past few weeks I almost forgot to blog about my latest sewing tutorial... oops!

I created this tutorial after being contacted by YouTube and AARP to participate in their newly launched LifeReimagined Project.

The LifeReimagined Project is basically a network of peers and mentors who will support each other on their path towards exploring the "what's next in life?" A place where you can meet and interact with others who are looking to do something different with their lives. Whether it's pursuing a passion you've always had or maybe you're someone who is looking for a totally new career path and would like to explore your options.

This tutorial was created to get you thinking about "reimagining" your life similar to how I reimagine a few plastic bags and give them new life as a fully functional (and eco-firendly) tri-fold wallet in this video tutorial.

So many of you have contacted me to tell me how my tutorials have helped you launch your own small at-home business that I thought this LifeReimagined Project would be just perfect to introduce to my readers. Check out the videos and stories posted at LifeReimagined Project and be inspired to do something new or different with your life.. perhaps take your passion for crafting to the next level!

Who knows?! Maybe some of you will consider swapping your professional degrees for a camera to post crafting videos on YouTube full time... like I did!

Wanna learn how to make your own plastic bag wallet?

Click HERE to watch the tutorial.

Baby girl is finally here!

2011-09-28T16:20:00.001-04:00

She finally made her debut!... only 12 days overdue! Guess she wanted to be fashionably late.

Baby Allie Reina

Born: 9/24/11 at 1:06am

Weight: 8lbs 15 oz

Length: 21.5"

We are spending some quality time with hubby and big brother but I wanted to thank you all for your comments, emails, thoughts, prayers and gifts! We really appreciate it!

Juice is so happy to have a baby sister!

Here is quick video I made announcing her arrival...enjoy!

2 BIG Announcements!

2011-09-21T01:06:00.001-04:00

My husband doesn't let me do too much these days because I am still pregnant!.... but I wanted to leave you all with a quick video where I make 2 BIG announcements...

1) I am going to be on ABC News' 20/20 television show this Friday, September 23rd at 10:00pm EST!

The show has already aired.. if you missed it, no worries! Watch the full episode HERE now!

Is that insane or what?! I'm hoping the excitement sends me into labor before then so I can be at home nursing a new baby and watching myself on national television! If you get a chance to watch it, please do! Otherwise DVR or TIVO it! I will blog about it afterwards and post a link to the full episode which will be available online for a limited time after the official tv airing.

2) The winners of the last YouTube giveaway I hosted are announced in this video as well! Congratulations to azbelle3 and craftymom7.

Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement! I really appreciate all your comments, emails and messages!

Guest Blog Post- Maria Peagler of SocialMediaOnlineClasses.com

2011-09-20T10:18:00.000-04:00

Thank you Vanessa for hosting me on your awesome CraftyGemini blog! Vanessa's readers: allow me to introduce myself. I'm Maria Peagler, author of Color Mastery: 10 Principles for Creating Stunning Quilts, and the founder of SocialMediaOnlineClasses.com, where Vanessa teaches the YouTube 101 course (she's an incredible teacher!). Today I'm offering advice to those would-be craft designers out there who would love to start their own craft business but don't know where to start.

I've been a quilter for 20 years and never had any ambitions to write a book about it. I was a seven-time published author already, was staying home to raise my children after a high-flying career, and relishing every minute of it. I started teaching color classes at my local quilt shop, and saw an enormous need for a book that really taught quilters how to see color and use it effectively in their quilts. That's how Color Mastery was born.

Except no one wanted to publish it. I was an unknown in the quilting community, and publishers didn't care if I was already a successfully published author. It was too much of a risk for them. So, I self-published, and the first printing of several thousand books arrived in September 2008, when the American economy tanked. Oh, did I mention my husband is a residential homebuilder? Ouch.

I was in trouble. I had a significant investment in those books, and I had to sell them. But I had no budget for marketing or promotion, as those funds went to keep my husband's business afloat. That's when I got creative with social media.

The results? Color Mastery went on to Amazon's top ten list for two years in the Quilting category, won a Benjamin Franklin award for Best Craft Book of 2010, and is on its way to a third printing.

How can you start a successful crafting business, even in a challenging economy, and earn an income? Here are my recommendations:

Start with quality. The best marketing and promotion aren't going to sell a dud of a product. Every decision about the production and content of Color Mastery was about quality and longevity: what would make this the best book on color for quilters, and how could I do that cost-effectively?
Learn how to take excellent photographs. Crafting is big business, your product won't sell unless you have an outstanding cover photo. I studied photographs on Etsy and shot dozens of my quilts and table runners until I was satisfied with my photography. Style your photos, indoors or out, and put your product in the place of most potential. Make your photos so beautiful people can't take their eyes off of them.
Get online. Start with a small website or Facebook page. People want to get to know the person behind the business. Make it easy for them to find you online. Start with a WordPress website or a Facebook page, learn how to use them, and use them to promote your products and ask your clients for feedback on new items.
Find a network. As a newbie quilt designer, I turned to the Yahoo Quilt Designers' Group when I had questions. The ladies in this group were terrific and very helpful as I prepared to go to International Quilt Market, had questions about pattern testers, and pricing.
Learn everything you can about marketing your product. I taught a Quilt Marketing Boot Camp webinar earlier this year, and it answers every single question I had when I started out in this business. No matter what kind of a crafting business you want to start, you'll learn something here. The webinar is one hour long, and has a side-by-side presentation of my slideshow and me teaching and answering questions.
Use video. The power of a video to demonstrate your expertise and your product is huge. Before crafters will buy from you, they need to trust you, and video offers an excellent opportunity to reach out and connect. Vanessa's CraftyGemini YouTube channel is the absolute best at this. Look at what she's done and learn.

Here's your opportunity to learn from the best: I'm giving away one YouTube 101 course to one of Vanessa's readers. Here's all you need to do: SHARE with your friends and colleagues about Vanessa's new YouTube course at SocialMediaOnlineClasses.com and tell me you did it. I'll select a winner from the comments, and you'll all be entered to win the grand prize: the Unlimited Class Pass, one year of classes from SocialMediaOnlineClasses.com. By this time next year, YOU could have a thriving craft business!