Inspiring Adventures of AlwaysInspired

WIP Sunday: Hamster's Quilt!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:24:00 +0000

I shared some embroidered blocks a while back that my Grandma made probably around the time I was born. Since then they sat in her drawer until she found out she was having a great grand baby! She turned the blocks over to me and I turned them into something Hamster can treasure forever!
The top is all done and ready to go to the quilter! It turned out square, but fairly large so I think it will make a perfect snuggle blankie. I'm going to have her quilt it with her long arm hand machine so she can only quilt around the embroidery as opposed to her computerized machine that would quilt it all over. I will take it to her tomorrow to let her work her magic!

Today is going to be work on the Grinch quilt! It is close to being a completed top now! Only 7 more blocks to applique and then putting it all together and a boarder! I might try to get it ready to go to the quilter by tomorrow too. I'm also itching to make another baby dress, but the quilt must get done! Hope everyone has a productive and happy Sunday!

Vintage Heirloom Dress

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:49:00 +0000

I officially made my very first baby outfit today! I adored the vintage heirloom dress pattern over on craftiness is not optional . I dug through my stash of vintage fabric and buttons and set to work. I'm very pleased considering this is my first go at a baby outfit and I drafted the pattern from an existing t shirt I had bought. I know I've made tons of doll clothes and drafted patterns by draping, but this just felt so different. Maybe because a living thing will be wearing this dress! I learned a few things and hope to give another a go.

This should fit a 3-6 month old Hamster! I'm super proud and can't wait to take photos! I modified the pattern just a bit. I didn't have as much fabric as the pattern called for so my skirt is not as full, but I actually like it that way. The bodice is also fully lined in that golden fabric! The buttons are from my favorite vintage button jar! The ones that are usually too precious to use on things! I figured this called for something extra special.

I didn't have a zipper the right size and didn't really think a zipper was called for so I altered the pattern and added a snap at the top of the neck. I also added the little pleat at the back for shape.

It was so much fun I think I'll try another in a smaller size! I have tons of vintage fabric begging to be worn!

Have A Seat, Cupcake!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:14:00 +0000

As promised another WIP of the chair for the art centers "Chair" ity auction! The whipped cream was a challenge, but thanks to my quick thinking Hubby it worked! My idea wasted 2 hours of time, I completed his idea in like an hour!

Sorry for the crummy photos! The lighting in the dungeon when I finished up at 11:30 last night leaves something to be desired.

Here is a little bit more of a close up of the whipped cream chair pad. Oh, and that large cherry! Isn't that fun! Reminds me a bit of Katy Perry's cherry fascinator! LOL Now I will ask you my dear readers an opinion; sprinkles or no sprinkles??????
These are a couple of options. A fun sequin mix or some pretty silver bugle beads? I've already received one opinion already. Digital Misfit suggested that maybe the beads and sequins are too small and I should go with jimmie shaped felt pieces for scale. That is also an option as I have lots of colors of felt to play with.

So what do YOU think?????????????

I swear!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

I'm not slacking, I promise! Last weekend I missed WIP Sunday because we went on a shopping trip to buy baby stuff! That is all done now and just waiting to work on the nursery after Hubby finishes up some projects.

Grinch quilt still in progress along with the cupcake chair. The cupcake chair is my main focus right now as the dead line to have it finished is fast approaching! I plan on working my behind off today on it after work, so be on the lookout for another WIP photo!

Until then I'll leave you with a happy pup photo! Merlin says "hello"!

Life Book Assignment One!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:38:00 +0000

I won a spot on Tam's (Willowing) class Life Book a while ago and it has begun! Lots of assignments and the class will last a whole year! I know around May I will fall behind with the arrival of Hamster, but I can enjoy working on it until then. I already finished my first assignment. Each assignment will be an art journal spread that will be bound together in the end to form a big lovely book!

Our first lesson also asked us to explore our "Goddess Superpowers" or positive qualities. I like learning more about myself and these little tie in's really make me think. At first I couldn't come up with anything! No, really, nothing. So I changed my way of thought and decided to think of what other people, family and friends, would say were my positive qualities. After some thought I came up with a nice little list. We were asked to incorporate them into the art work. I think it is a great way to include journaling in the spreads.
I've never been great at 3/4 facing portraits, but it was a learning process! I'm very happy with my shading even though this photo doesn't do it justice. No natural light so I used my bright studio light. I'm very happy with her overall and am learning to embrace the little quirks in the faces I draw.

I can't wait to have a big beautiful book at the end!

WIP Sunday: Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:45:00 +0000

A huge Happy New Year to everyone from this little lady! Last night was spent ringing in the new year with my family. Fondue, games, and giggles were had by all. Yesterday I took it easy and spent the day sewing away! I made some great progress on the Grinch quilt which will be ready in time for Christmas next year (insert eye roll here ;)

After snapping this shot of the quilt on my design wall I managed to sew all of those 3.5 in. squares together and start on the appliqueing of the panel blocks. It will be a finished top in no time now!

I also worked a bit on my latest project for the art center. I volunteered to head up a "chair" ity auction! We had lots of children's sized chairs left over from when the center was a library. They didn't work with our art tables and were just taking up space. We also needed a way to bring in some money to help fund a Smithsonian exhibit our center was chosen to host this spring. The exhibit is called "Key Ingredients" and pertains to the food traditions of the US and local traditions especially. We are honored to get to host it and I knew I could help. I gave out "a baker's dozen" chairs to local artists to decorate in a food theme. They will be silent auctioned off for a month at the center and the final day will come during our annual event called Soups On, where we serve soup, breads, and desserts to the community to warm up the winter! I decided to make my chair into a giant cupcake!

Excuse the crappy dungeon photo! The bottom is all pleated to resemble the wrapper! The top is a tie on cushion. The next step is to turn the back of the chair into a giant dollop of whipped cream with a cherry on top! Oh, and don't forget the sprinkles! I'll post photos of my finished chair and other chairs done for the auction when they are all turned in at the center!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable New Year and has plenty to look forward to in 2012! Time to go get started on the Life Book course over on Willowing.ning!

Drum Roll Please......

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:35:00 +0000

Hamster is a GIRL!!

We had the anatomy ultra sound today. Everything is looking great and right on schedule. The ultra sound tech was very confident that it was a girl. The picture of her bottom is a bit of a mystery to me, but I didn't see any boy parts either. She wouldn't roll over so they could get pics of her little spine so I will have another ultra sound in 4 weeks and they will take another look and give me a new face photo! Still looks like a Hamster to us!

Split Decision

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:29:00 +0000

I finished my last quilt of 2011! It has been received at its new home and I know it was loved. I bought the pattern in South Dakota and used leftover fabrics from the Slice and Dice that I made for my mother in law.
The photos were taken hastily on my bed before I wrapped the quilt to take it to the Birthday girl!

My long arm quilter out did herself once again and did a beautiful swirly pattern in variegated thread! It makes the design so much fun!

It is backed in a plain Moda marble to showcase the quilting.

I know the Birthday girl loved it since I got about 4 hugs before I left!

A Very Merry Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:53:00 +0000

I didn't do a WIP post yesterday because I was too busy spending time with family and enjoying the day. We laughed, we ate, we played games, and enjoyed each others company. It was a nice day. I also scored some fantastic presents! I got a new rolling case for my sewing machine, a new iron for quilting, a walking foot for my machine, and some Derwent inktense pencils. Of course I got other things, but those are the crafty type stuff! LOL
Today I've felt a bit under the weather, possibly a cold coming on. I stayed in bed and enjoyed watching the new TV my Hubby bought me for our bedroom! I napped, cleaned up the bedroom a bit, and finished sewing the binding on a quilt! Not a bad day for feeling a bit yucky. I hope to have photos of the quilt to share tomorrow before I take it to the Birthday girl it will belong too. Stay tuned for that!
I hope everyone had a joyful holiday!

WIP Sunday: One More Spicy!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:34:00 +0000

I had a huge work day yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it. I turned on the Christmas tunes and set to work on several projects I needed to get finished up before the holidays. I made binding for a quilt that is now ready for hand sewing, I made a pillow case with Steelers fabric for a friend of the Hubby, finished another spicy spiral table runner for my Grandma, and started the Grinch quilt for me! I used spring inspired fabrics with golds, yellows, creams, and soft greens. I love how it turned out!
I used the stitch in the ditch quilting method again. I love the texture it gives to the back.

It is all wrapped and under the tree! I took a shot of my progress on the Grinch quilt too. I'm preparing the blocks that will be appliqued on.

I can't wait to finish it up and have it out for the holidays! Time to go help bake some cookies with the family! Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!

Gather It Up

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:56:00 +0000

I've finished another gift! I have a Great Aunt that has chickens on her farm and she is just starting to get a nice batch of eggs each day. She walks with a cane and has trouble getting the eggs to the house sometimes so I decided to make her a gathering apron so she can walk to the house hands free!

I used all stash fabrics and the pattern I found online with some alterations so it would fit her measurements.

This is seriously the most awkward photo! LOL I had such a time trying to get one. I wanted to show how it gathers up in the front and forms a pouch for the eggs. I think she is really going to love it and it will help to make her life a bit easier.

Only 1 more gift to make!

Spicy!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:49:00 +0000

After a very long and trying week I managed to set to work in the dungeon and come up with some gifts yesterday! It felt good to concentrate on sewing and not worry about other things.

Remember that runner I showed you that wasn't finished? Well I completed another for a gift. My first go at stitching in the ditch quilting on my machine!

I used western themed fabrics. Some were left overs from the western quilt I made a while back, others were pieces I had picked up along the way with the intent of making something fun. It is a gift for my Hubby's Grandma for Christmas! I love this pattern! It is so fun and easy to make. I have plans on making 1 more for my Grandma!

This was my first try at stitching in the ditch quilting! I borrowed a friends walking foot (thanks Betty!) until I get my own and set to work. I really like how it looks and it wasn't as hard as I thought.

I also made a pillow case for my little sister for Christmas. The fabric is 3D! I think she is going to love it! I tried a new pillow case pattern and I totally recommend it. It is a free pattern on www.allpeoplequilt.com Our quilt guild is going to make some pillow cases for local charities and I thought I should test the pattern before I make a few to give away. It went great and I love that there are no exposed seams. It also only took me about 15 minutes to make!

I'm working on a couple more gifts and hope to get things all wrapped up just in time!

WIP Sunday: Deck The Halls!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:32:00 +0000

I'm finally getting some crafty mojo back! I took a quilting class yesterday for the spicy spiral table runner! It was so much fun and easy to do that I think I'm going to whip up at least 1 more for a last minute Christmas gift!

I only have a couple more things to do. I need to hand stitch my turning opening closed and top stitch around the outer edge. I can quilt it as well, but I sort of like it just the way it is. I might quilt another one in the future. The colors are much more vibrant in real life and that isn't tan, but gold on a cream background. I'll try for outdoor photos when it is finished.

Our tree is up and ready for us to celebrate! Don't mind the mess around it! You can see a tote lid that is filled with other decorations that will be put up today. I love how each ornament stands out so nice on this tree. One of my favorites so far! The tree skirt was handmade for us this year by the Hubby's Grandma! So fun to have so many handmade things on our tree! Handmade or not, each ornament has special meaning to us both.

Off to finish putting out the decorations and then time for some gift sewing!

Flurry Of Work

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:52:00 +0000

I go in big creative flurries these days! I work for an entire day on something and then go for a few days touching nothing! I don't really like working this way, but I guess I take what I can get.

I started work on a baby quilt for Hamster! The embroidered blocks were done by my Grandmother around 20-30 years ago! We aren't sure, but she thinks they may have been meant for a quilt for me. LOL She handed them over and with a few non gender specific fabric selections I started turning them into a quilt! ( I'm not a fan of the forced pink or blue thing anyway.)

I decided to make those super fun pinwheels to boarder the quilt as well. I made all the pinwheels to find that since this is my first quilt without an actual pattern my math was a bit off. I bought some cute orange zig zag fabric to add an additional boarder and I will use that to bind as well to bring it all together. A pop of a 3rd color will really be fun!

Sadly I must set aside the baby quilt to get a couple other Christmas gifts done. I'm not making as much as I normally do, which makes me sad. Time and being pregnant have sapped my crafty mojo!

Fa La La La La!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:32:00 +0000

I participated in the Trim the Tree Swap on Flickr again this year and received another trio of fantastic handmade ornaments to add to my tree! I love doing this swap! Last year I got a great set and this set didn't disappoint!

The stocking in amazing colors is from Shelz Stuff, the round ornament with adorable fabrics is from LethargicLass, the sweet little owl is from Patchwork Queen.

Thanks ladies for a wonderful swap! I am getting excited about getting a tree now!

MIA

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:45:00 +0000

I've been missing in action for awhile now. I'm always so disappointed in myself when I don't keep up with my blog and my friends! Things are going well and I'm finally getting over the morning sickness business. I'm hoping my crafty mojo will get a jump start so I can start getting a few Christmas gifts ready! Sadly, I really haven't worked on much. I've been tired. Yesterday I stayed home from work because I was all stuffed up and I managed to make the first onsie for the new baby!

A wee hamster! I found this coloring page online from a google search and thought it was adorable. We call the baby Hamster for now and I just think it might stick. LOL It isn't my best stitching as last time I bought stabilizer I thought I had gotten the right stuff, but turns out I didn't. Oh well, I think it is perfectly cute and Hamster won't mind. ;)

I hope to get my butt in gear and work on my Grinch quilt this week as well as finishing up that Split Decision quilt. I'd like to get them both to the quilter by the first week in December! Lofty goals!

Mini Monster Masterpiece!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:37:00 +0000

On Friday I taught a class at my local art center. I've had these mini canvases sitting around for awhile and wanted to make something fun with them. We used a bit of wire and turned them into mini monster masterpieces! The kids had a blast making them right before Halloween. I made a mosaic to share since I took individual photos of each monster.

The first monster was my example piece. I have a couple canvases left over and might just make a couple more!

Slice and Dice

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:50:00 +0000

I finished up my Mother in Law's Christmas gift!

It is from a class I took this summer from a national teacher. The blocks were super fun and I had a blast picking out Kauffman batiks.

I had a specific vision for the quilting. I wanted a tight meander pattern. My wonderful long arm quilter scaled down her meander pattern to get it just how I wanted!

The backing is just a plain light blue that shows off the quilting just perfectly.

I'm so happy to have one holiday gift completed! Now I need to get to work on the rest of my list!

WIP Sunday: My Biggest Project EVER!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:11:00 +0000

I want to start this post by wishing my wonderful Hubby a Happy Birthday! I know this coming year will be the biggest and best yet! Finally, he is the same age as me again!

I thought I'd let everyone in on my biggest WIP ever!

I'm 11 weeks along! We are calling it Hamster for now, as that is what it looked like on the ultrasound machine and we felt it needed a name to make it seem more real. We are super excited and of course a bit nervous as first time parents. Don't worry I'll still be crafting up a storm, but with a few baby crafts thrown in. ;)

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone! I'll be back tomorrow to share a new finished quilt!

WIP Sunday: I Was So Busy!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 23:22:00 +0000

Yesterday I was so busy sewing I didn't take time to blog! That's ok though since it means I think my slump is lifting! I worked on finishing up a quilt top I've had laying around for awhile. I managed to sew all the blocks together and put on an inner boarder. I choose a light fabric because I liked the contrast better than a darker fabric.

Now, this is all fabric left over from another quilt. The "Slice and Dice" that is currently getting the binding hand stitched on. (I'll share it when I'm done!) I over bought and decided to use it up in another quilt. Which means I'm very low on fabric and this needs another boarder! I have some strips left over so I tried out the idea of doing a "piano key" outter boarder.

I'm really not feeling it! I think it looks distracting and just not with the flow of the quilt. All I have left are some 6.5 inch strips so I think I'm going to have to think of something else! I do have some solid turquoise Kona in my stash, but I feel the solid would be to heavy to boarder this with. Any suggestions?

New Hand Made Ornies

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:13:00 +0000

I shared a couple of ornies last week, but today I felt in the mood to make more! It turns out I decided I wanted the ornies I sent out for the Trim the Tree Swap on Flickr to have a common thread. Don't get me wrong, I loved the pine cone and angel. I'm sure they will find loving homes anyway, but I wanted to send something different. I set about creating something this morning and three little ornies popped off my machine before lunch!

I was inspired by some small hoops I saw on one of my partners inspiration mosaic. I gave them my own twist and I love how they turned out.

I used my machines alphabet function to spell out Happy Holidays and a sweet little bunting of course.

Some little trees on a snowy hill.

A little snowman all dressed for cold weather.

I think these turned out just how I wanted and now I can get them packaged up and sent! Oh, and no more thinking about Christmas until Halloween is over! :)

WIP Sunday: I'm In A Slump

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:09:00 +0000

I'm in a slump. What more can I say. My crafty mojo has diminished! I'm sure I'll get it back, but until then I sit. Then today I checked my email and guess what, I won a spot on Tam's huge super fantastic class "life book"! I'm so excited! A year long class on willowing! That should get my juices flowing!

I did manage to make a couple of ornaments for the Flickr swap. I have one more to make, but first I must decide what to make.

I made a vintage inspired paper angel. Scrap book papers, a wooden bead for her head, and a spiral paper clip for her halo.

I also gave the popular felt pine cone a whirl. It was in the Better Homes and Gardens mag from last year and I had been saving the pattern. I used a dark chocolate and light aqua felt. I just need to add a string or ribbon to hang it.

So I haven't gone completely stale!

WIP Sunday: Spooky Girl

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:50:00 +0000

Well, the Art Fest auction was today after being canceled by rain in September. We had a good turnout and made a wonderful amount for the center! $2,055! That beat last years total! I'm so happy it is done!

I'm working on a bout a million things right now, but none are really ready to be shown off yet, so I'll show you a drawing I did. She turned out rather spooky and wonderful.

I hope to get to work on some ornaments this week!

MIA Update

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:03:00 +0000

I went a little missing in action to take a trip to the other side of my state to go to some art gallery meetings for my art center. It was a blast and I saw tons of great art and toured some fantastic museums. I learned a lot and got to help choose the exhibits our art center will be showing in 2012!

Before I left on my trip I did manage to whip up some more chemo caps to donate! Last Saturday the quilty gals and I had a quick sew day to make more caps. I have a total of 4, Betty made 1, and Jan did 2! I'm shooting for a goal of 6 by this Saturday when we have to turn them in. I think I'll try to make up 2 more tomorrow night. The come together pretty quick.

The first 4 starting from the bottom of the pile are the ones I've made, the first blue one is Betty's, and the last 2 blue ones are from Jan. I can't wait to hand them in!

I'm off to stalk partners in the Trim the Tree Ornament Swap on flickr now! :) Then I get to plan out some ornies!

More Vintage Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (AlwaysInspired) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

So yesterday I shared the package I received from the Vintage Halloween Swap on Craftster and today I'll share what I made for my partner!

I tried my hand at someone else's prim pattern! I've made lots of prims, but always drawn my own patterns. I got a great pattern from Cyndi Sue's Prims & Whims and set to work. The skelly moon turned out great, but the needle sculpting was daunting!

I really loved making him and can't wait for him to arrive at his new home! He looks so great on my red front door, I just might have to make myself one! Here is a close up of some of the sculpting.

For a 2nd item I drew up a vintage inspired picture and painted it with my water color crayons and water soluble graphites.

The photo doesn't really do it justice as I was running out of day light and it is framed under glass!

So much fun making Halloween stuff!