Describe Happy

Growing Potatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:08:00 +0000

The veggie growing season was off to a cold start this year. Luckily the weather is starting to feel like summer and potatoes that started off like this:

Are now blossoming into this:

Can't wait to eat home grown potatoes in a few weeks! How's your garden coming?

A Quilt for Baby Lucas

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 22:04:00 +0000

My assistant and I recently finished a baby quilt for a friend at work.

I used blues, greens, and tan. Sophisticated and adorable! I'm really happy with how this one came out! And the blue edge and backing are made from linen. This quilt is certainly going to get softer with each wash!

Scrap Bag Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:58:00 +0000

How about I post what's in my scrap jar each Wednesday? Gives some insight into what's been happening in the sewing room over the last week. Plus, it will sometimes be mysterious and crazy!

I see some green and blue scraps from a baby quilt I made and also a piece I'm rekindling that I may end up calling Geishas Go to the Farm.

Happy sewing!

Quilt Class with Joe "the Quilter"

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:06:00 +0000

This was my view yesterday as I enjoyed a quilting workshop by Joe Cunningham! His class was called "Rock the Block," but really it was a reminder that quilting is a process and you don't have to know what the quilt will look like before you start it.

Joe said, "I like to see what the quilt will look like... when it's finished." And he reminded us, "It's not the tools, it's you that creates the quilt."

This relaxing and inspirational day was just what I needed. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Joe broke out his guitar and played and sang a bit. Live music, while quilting? Heaven!! I think we've discovered a new business idea for a coffee-quilting-live music venue.

I even managed to put together a good chunk of a quilt. I'm liking the colors and looking forward to building on this one.

(sorry for the not so clear pictures)

Wrapping up Maple Sugaring

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:12:00 +0000

I can't think of a better way to spend pre-spring weekends. You know the ones where it's just starting to get nice out, but still a little chilly. We had had quite a nice maple syrup production and made a total of five batches.

How did you spend your March weekends and who wants pancakes?

Finding Color with Rust

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:02:00 +0000

I've been having a lot of fun dyeing fabric. This particular experiment all started with a blog post I saw on Quilting Arts. The post described that you can use rust to not only add a rich orange tone to fabric, but also unique prints.

My Father in law turned out to have an awesome stash of rusty bits to start with and I'm loving the results!

Take your rusty bits and a piece of fabric that is ready to dye (pre-washed so all the starches are out). Lay the fabric and rusty stuff on a metal surface like a cookie sheet and spray it all with a 50-50 mix of water and vinegar. Then cover the whole thing with a plastic bag and set in a warm spot.

This is a peak at the fabric after a few hours of cooking.

Once you are happy with the color, put the fabric in 4 gallons of water mixed with 1/4 cup of salt to cure the color. I left in there for a few hours, then rinsed out my fabric really well, used a bit of laundry soap on it and hung it to air dry. And here is the result!

It's so interesting and exciting. My brain is leaping and jumping with ways to use this!

And so naturally I had to start up another batch. Can't let all that good rust go to waste.

Have you tried dyeing fabric with rust?

Unconditional Love

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

I wish I could better explain what unconditional love from a dog feels like. Katie is the pup that is always looking to kiss you, snuggle in your lap or when all other options are gone; just be near you.

This morning, while Katie laid in my arms, I realized just how lucky I am. She loves always and no matter what. She loves with all her heart. And she isn't afraid to show it.

It's like the quote says, "be the person your dog thinks you are." I can only hope to some day live up to that bar.

Spot of Tea?

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:34:00 +0000

I've been sewing like a maniac to relax and work through everything going on, but also to meet deadlines for the upcoming guild quilt show (so exciting!!). For our Art Quilt group challenge we made a Quilted Deck of Cards -- yup one mini art quilt for each card. It's going to be a real treat to see all 52 together.
I picked the nine of diamonds to make and began by raw stitch appliqueing this arm from a tiny lone star that didn't work out in a previous project. Once I had it on the white background, I decided the white was too harsh. Too bright. So, what's a girl to do? How about have a cup of tea?

I rummaged through my tea stash and found some very very old tea that I know was at least 5 years old. It was pomegranate flavored. I dunked the tea bags in nice hot water and then a test dip on the edges of the piece. I say test dip, but goodness me, if it didn't work out I would have been left with a piece that had tea on it. Next time, I will use a scrap to test with.

Luckily, I was excited by the already changing color and decided to dive right in. So, I did what any girl would do and dunked the whole piece in the bowl with the hot water and tea bags. Brave or crazy? I still didn't know.

I got all the fabric in the tea water and put the tea bags on the top and then walked away for a bit to let it marinade.

I checked it here and there and finally pulled it out after about an hour; once it had achieved a nice brown-like antiqued look. I'm really quite happy with how the whites took the tea dye in a similar way and how the tea accentuated the embroidery on the background fabric!

I rinsed the remaining tea from the fabric until it rinsed clean and then hung it to drip dry. A quick press and I was ready to sandwich and quilt it. I had a little fun quilting it with some of the embroidery stitches from my machine in red and pink thread.

And the last step was to add the nine black diamonds. I used a piece of Styrofoam to make the diamond stamp and dipped it in black fabric paint to add them.

In the end I feel like the tea really worked to get the look I was going for and I can certainly see using tea dye again!! Have you ever tea dyed fabric?

Creativeness?

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 01:13:00 +0000

For some reason I remember a saying that said messiness equalled creativeness. You remember that one, right? If it's true then here is proof I'm enjoying a very creative spell.

Maple Sugaring is On

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:01:00 +0000

We tapped the maple trees this weekend after a careful look at the weather. The key is to find days when the nights are freezing and the days are thawing.

About 20 maple trees later, I'm excited to report that the sap is flowing nicely. I'll be collecting all week and hopefully have a nice big batch to boil this weekend.

Isn't this a magical time of year? And I also spotted our first snow drop flowers! Hurrah!

Get it Finished {February}

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:43:00 +0000

It's time to set my goal for February for A Lovely Year of Finishes. This is a year long activity and is hosted by Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs.

Participating in A Lovely Year of Finishes means that each month I will pick one project (can be new or something already started) and vow to finish the task within that month. I'm looking forward using this as a motivator to better plan out what I want to work on. I find myself sometimes sitting in my craft/sewing room and willy nilly picking up pieces and making progress, but not finishing things. I will still allow myself to flit between projects, but this also gives me a sense of focus and urgency for at least one piece a month.

This month I would like to finish sewing, quilting and mail a completed quilt for Hurricane Sandy people in need. I now have all the pieces trimmed and am ready to get this one off the to do list and off to a new loving family!

This is what the other Hurricane Sandy quilt looked like. Only this time I have the coolest backing with little macaroons on it. It's going to be super!

January Finish!

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:09:00 +0000

So, at the beginning of the month, I talked about a Lovely Year of Finishes... and I'm so excited to report that I met my goal for January. I came in nearly right to the wire finished two nights ago, but I'm so happy to see this one to the finish line.

I started January with this design up on the wall.

Each piece was lop-sided and needed to be trimmed to 4 inches square to tidy things up. What a lot of trimming... but it seriously made all the difference in the world when I pieced everything together!

And.... Ta Da! It's pieced. Setting this goal helped me realize that if I trimmed and pieced just a few rows a week I would be done in no time. And to my delight, that approach worked very nicely!

Here's the top folded after ironing. It's so nice to see it all come together.

A closer look at it sewn up on the design wall again.

And an up close of the razzle dazzle center.

My plans for this top are to turn it into a hawk quilt. I know, you're looking at this thinking what does this have to do with a hawk. But stick along, and you'll see!

Puppy Dose

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:47:00 +0000

The pups bring joy and make us laugh everyday. Sharing a few of those moments here.

Pink Nosed Reindeer

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:38:00 +0000

Pups in the snow. Seeing them so happy warms my heart and gives me inspiration to make it through the week. And look how pink Sammy's nose is looking! Like a little pink nosed reindeer!

Happy mid-week and may your journey to the weekend be easy and quick!

Quilt #1 for Hurricane Sandy Peeps

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 15:18:00 +0000

It's finished!! Quilt #1 for a family affected by Hurricane Sandy. I also talked about this quilt here and here. I merely pieced the blocks and finished off the quilting/binding. And then gave it it's first fluff up wash and send it off to be distributed. Delightful isn't it?

The wonky log cabin blocks were made by Max in Kansas, Susan in New Jersey, and Marry Kay in Arizona. Thank you ladies for showing your quilty-spirit and demonstrating how even a small effort can go a long way in comforting someone!!

I volunteered to assemble one more quilt and have received the last blocks I was waiting for. Looking forward to the meditative process of piecing the blocks into rows and creating another giant hug to share!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

Times Square {Project Quilting Challenge}

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:36:00 +0000

I've joined the fun over at Persimon Dreams and entered in the first Project Quilting challenge of season four. It's a bit intimidated as the rules state you must create a quilt and finish it within the week and have the design based on the challenges inspiration. This week we were asked to interpret "Square within a square within a square." Simple enough, right?

{Project quilting challenge for Season 4: challenge 1, Square within a square within a square}

This piece is about 20 by 12 inches. I started with the colorful squares in the background.

Then you will see several raw edge squares secured with embroidery stitches. I was inspired by Sashiko stitching for these. And then I've been interested in trying "quilting on air" a process where you cut whole in your layered quilt. Gulp!

Pillowcased and ready for quilting. And here you can see the three holes I cut. See the green from the cutting mat coming through?

After I quilted a bit, I zig-zagged the edges of the holes and then sewed over the opening with a walking foot to create a spider web look. So scary and so fun!! I could see using that technique again!!

A closer look at some of the detail. By doing the three holes, I got better at maintaining the shape as I went on. And I sure learned a lot.

Phew, what a challenge! I'm happy to have stretched my creative muscles and tried new things! Is it perfect? Nah, but chalk it all up to practice and muscle memory and experience! And now we rest for a week. The next Project Quilting challenge will be announced next Sunday the 20th.

I will also be linking up with Quilt Story for Fabric Tuesday.
Happy Weekend!!

Get it Finished {January}

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:14:00 +0000

I ran across a goal setting idea that I really liked. It's called A Lovely Year of Finishes. This will be a year long activity and is hosted by Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts and Melissa of Sew BitterSweet Designs.

Participating in A Lovely Year of Finishes means that each month I will pick one project (can be new or something already started) and vow to finish the task within that month. So, for the year you will see me declare what I will be trying to accomplish each month. I'm looking forward using this as a motivator to better plan out what I want to work on. I find myself sometimes sitting in my craft/sewing room and willy nilly picking up pieces and making progress, but not finishing things. I will still allow myself to flit between projects, but this also gives me a sense of focus and urgency for at least one piece a month.

To kick things off, I would like finish trimming and piecing these half square triangles. They are units that came from making this quilt. I've had them sitting around my space for nearly a year now and am ready to turn these it to something awesome. The good news is that I have arranged them several times and finally settled on this design. The bad news? They are all a bit mis-shaped and wonky. Not sure why. But, in order for them to be assembled with some precision I have decided to trim them down to 4 inches square. With a total of 140 squares... that's a lot of trimming!

I admit I have already managed to trim and piece the first two rows --- whohohooo! I'd like to see this become the hawk quilt that's been floating around in my head and sketch pads for months. Don't see a hawk in there? Don't worry... we'll take it one step at a time and see it through. My hope is that I will be able to submit this to both my art show at work as well as my quilt guilds annual quilt show. Time to roll up my sleeves and get 'er done!

What are you focusing on this month?

Favorites of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:57:00 +0000

Creating with Mixed Media

Quilting

Yes, I'm one of those people that was so quick to try and say the 2012 stunk and I was over it and I wanted it gone. And it's true, there are somethings that happened that I would rather not dwell on. Some things that I wish could have been different. Somethings that are clawing to follow us into 2013 even though we are trying to beat them off with a stick.

That said, I am also so grateful I was able to put my happy hat back on and realize that 2012 was also so filled with joy, creativity, and goodness!

::: We made maple syrup from our own Maple trees

::: We took the dogs swimming all summer long

::: We enjoyed our neighborhood, friends, and the woods near the house

::: We named the deer that frequently walked through the yard and ate my garden. Long live Calamity, Cherry, and Marmalade.

::: We celebrated birthdays, holidays, and pretty much everyday in a big way -- like the scavenger hunt for the Mister's birthday

::: We saw Sublime with Rome and got to meet and greet and get autographs

::: We went to a playoff game, the Giants won the Superbowl and we even went to the Parade of Heros in NYC to see our beloved Giants!

::: I entered quilts into my first juried quilt show

::: Sammy turned the big 0-1 and Katie turned 5

::: We expanded the veggie garden with our very own rock wall

::: We grew potatoes for the first time and then ate them!

::: I'm sure there's more... but you get the point.

It's so easy to get sucked into focusing on the bad, especially when it's right in front of you. But, I'm glad to be reminded that finding the good stuff is pretty easy too and much nicer to hold on to!

Wishing you and your family a gorgeous and creative 2013!! xoxo

Small Works

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:08:00 +0000

I'm excited to finally be showing you the two small works I created recently. I created them for a call for entry from my quilt guild and the Katonah Museum of Art. Yes, after being juried, these have the chance to not only be displayed in a museum of art, but to also be sold. I'm pinching myself!! And I admit they were really fun to create.

Both quilts were mounted on 6x6 canvases. I also finished the edges of the canvas with fabric and ribbon.

And, yes, those are small pieced crosses. The pieces finished to 1/2 inch -- wow! And then it's hand quilted. I seriously must be nuts. And it's possible that I'm getting the make small quilts bug.

I'll keep you posted on whether or not they are accepted. My fingers are crossed.

Christmas Sewing

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:49:00 +0000

I said early on I wasn't going to do any Christmas sewing. Didn't want to have the pressure to create and couldn't put myself on a timetable like that. Then, I changed my tune and decided that any Christmas sewing time I normally would have spent I would instead spend assembling and quilting tops for Hurricane Sandy folks. So, I went on my merry way and made up a whole Sandy quilt and still had left over time. So, I did it... I gave in to some Christmas sewing which went like this...

We added a small two foot tree to the Christmas decor this year and it was in sore need of a wee Christmas tree skirt. I decided the Sproket Pillow from Cluck Cluck Sew would be the perfect template! I used a layer cake of Christmas patterned fabrics and went to town.

Finishing it off with a bit of red binding was the perfect touch.

I also had trouble resisting making a few Zippered Bow Pouches from See Kate Sew. These are easy, adorable, and great for holding a little sweet or toy as promised.

Did you get suckered into the whiz-whirl of holiday sewing?

Pure Unfiltered Bliss

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:04:00 +0000

Nothing like a walk/jog with the pups while it's snowing to clear my mind! I'm refreshed and ready to sew and they are pooped! Hello winter!

Happy Winter Solstice

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:23:00 +0000

Hi Loves,

Happy winter solstice! Today marks the point where the length of daylight in a given day will increase. And I'm all about more daylight to soak in! I hope you're enjoying the hustle and bustle of the season. It's been so much fun to think about Christmas surprises for those I love and I've been so enjoying the festivities. I'm also looking forward to snuggling in for a few days and letting things be all about gatherings and family.

I am still making progress on the Hurricane Sandy quilts I've raised my hand to assemble. One quilt is done with binding and all -- I want to snap a quick picture and hope to have it in the mail this weekend...off to it's new home where it can bring warmth and happiness. And may it find a home where it can be treasured as a fort, picnic blanket, or used to gaze at the stars!

I also paused for a moment of silence this morning for Sandy Hook. Over the last week, I have found myself searching for sources of inner strength and inspiration. I found myself flipping through my copy of Eat, Pray, Love. A well worn copy that has been dog earred to mark pages with bits and quotes I adore. And I'll share this quote from the book, which I also shared to open my art quilters meeting this week:

"When you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of that happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt. This is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life. It is your duty and also your entitlement as a human being to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight." -- Eat, Pray Love

And a small shining moment that really made me smile... an article, about comfort dogs -- mostly goldies -- bringing some relief to Newtown, CT.

From my family to yours ... Wishing you a delightful holiday season filled with family and friends, laughter and joy; as you find those beautiful moments that happiness is made of!

The Silence

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:18:00 +0000

Two part meaning here. One, I've still been fairly silent here. I have found myself creating up a storm and not waiting to pause for any reason. And when I am sharing, I find myself doing so through instagram -- it's super quick to post there (you can find me @cwiltex). But, I miss this space. I have given myself permission to be sparse through the remainder of the year and will hopefully pick things up again in the new year.

And, I've also been taking studio yoga classes. Complete with soothing music, an instructor who is wonderful, and a body that is grateful for the attention. I'm already stunned to see the difference between the first and second class. In the first class, I was tense and jittery; my brain wasn't able to turn off, I was making lists in my head the whole time and was overly concerned with how I 'looked' to the person behind me. Admittedly, I was even trying to pen a blog post about yoga and find a way to sneak a camera picture to share here. Who is that person, ha!

Granted, I've only been to a second class, but WOW, what a difference. I am finding peace. I'm not gritting my teeth so much, my shoulders are much lower away from my ears -- which must mean stress is leaving my body. I was able to soak in the silence of the last part of the class. It was pure bliss. So much power in that silence and I'm so happy to be reconnecting with myself this way. Just imagine what it might be like after six weeks of attending?

Have you taken a yoga class, what was your experience like?

Sandy Blocks are Coming Together

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 15:47:00 +0000

I was excited to find Sandy blocks in the mailbox! So far I've received blocks from Beverly, Max, and Susan... I've trimmed the blocks and am beginning to layout and assemble quilt #1.

This is going to be a really cool quilt!

Happy Moment #55: Natural Dyes

noreply@blogger.com (Christie describeHappy) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:01:00 +0000

{Starting this back up!} A Friday ritual with Soulemama. A single (or a few) photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too.

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam