paper + stitch

Shifting gears. [5/5 Creative Challenge: Day 1]

2014-06-10T22:01:00.001-04:00

A little structure. Sometimes that's just what I need to encourage some dedicated time to creative pursuits... or just pursuits that help me get outside the day-to-day. That's exactly what Christina provided in her 5/5 Creative Challenge for June. I'm jumping in late, but that's life. 5 snapshots from the day and 5 minutes of dedicated writing. I'm in. A nice chance to reflect and step outside the whirlwind. Here goes. [And now that I am revisiting this old slice of cyberspace after more than a year, it's evident to me that this blog is ready for a metamorphosis in many, many ways.]
.............

As I sat down to dinner with my 14 month old son (dad was running late from work) I was struck with how much changes in my life within just one hour. In just one hour my gears shift in ways I never knew before having a child; from hurriedly tying up loose ends to things and people needing my attention at work to daycare pickup and making dinner amidst a hungry and cranky little boy with sand in his sticky sunscreen-slathered hair and pollen on his toes (the sure signs of a good day).

The days are so beautiful lately we've been eating outside every night. After multiple trips in and out to get all the "stuff" one needs for a meal with a toddler, we finally sit down together at the table, the two of us, and I look at my sandy haired baby as he eagerly stuffs hard-boiled egg into his mouth. I chuckle and remind myself of how lucky I am to have days so full of joy and challenge, and purpose, and people who need me, and me, them. Despite the hyper-speed, how privileged I am to feel this and have this.

Sense of Humor Required

2013-03-01T17:27:00.000-05:00

If I've learned one thing during my 37 weeks of pregnancy so far, it's that you have to keep a sense of humor. (Oh and one other thing... RELAX! Keep calm and know that 99.99% of the time everything is JUST FINE if you don't feel the baby move for an hour. Seriously. Side note: If you just can't knock your motherly instinct that something is wrong, by all means, call the doctor. It's why they get paid the big bucks.)

Between all the craziness that the hormones wreak on our body (what, you're not sweating under your boobs everyday?!) and how all-consumed we are with all-baby-all-the-time-brain, it's important to remember that millions of women over thousands of years have been through this too. We might as well keep it lighthearted and laugh at ourselves along this magnificent (and let's be honest, weird body-changing) journey.

Which is why I present my 3 favorite sites for preggos - straight talking, real life, in your face, non-sugar coated goodness. It wouldn't hurt your partners to read up on these either. These weekly doses of humor, inspiration, and good advice have made me laugh out loud and also have a few "ah-ha" moments. Sign up for their weekly email newsletters so they come right to you and your pregnancy brain doesn't have to remember them.

1) Pregnant Chicken :: Specifically her Pregnancy Calendar, but the whole site is boss.
2) Lucie's List :: Filled with loads of great tips nobody told you.
3) Alpha Mom's Pregnancy Calendar :: This one doesn't have an email option, but totally worth bookmarking and referencing each week. Plus, the illustrations are awesome.

Nursery DIY #3: Tag Blanket

2013-02-24T16:59:00.000-05:00

These things are awesome. And SO incredibly easy to make. I've made them for friends over the years and now I had the chance to make one for my little munchkin. (Side note: There is a company that makes these and has a trademark on the name "Taggies", so from here on out, we'll be referring to this as a "tag" blanket instead. And I've heard of many a DIYer getting a cease-and-desist for selling them, so let's just keep this to a make one for yourself/gift operation, ok? Ok.)

If you want a step-by-step tutorial, follow this link here. The only small change to this tutorial is that I double top stitch the blanket after turning it right side out. I like the way it looks and gives some added stability to those ribbons.

Tag blankets are designed to be either baby lap size or even smaller. I tend to make them around 12x12"-ish. Again, nothing about this is rocket science. Just adjust as you see fit. Use whatever ribbons you have on hand (as long as there's nothing that can peel off and/or pose a choking hazard. Babies like all different textures, patterns, and colors of ribbons so go hog wild! Their little hands (and mouths) have a field day with these things.

A close-up of the flannel because it's frackin' adorable.

For this one, I used some flannel (always prewash your fabric!) that I picked up on clearance years ago and some ribbons from my stash. Total cost to me now = zilch ("Taggies" brand blankets tend to run $10-20 depending on the store and the size). Moral of the story - I'm sure you have bits of fabric and ribbons here and there that you could put together to make one cute little tag blanket. And the whole project takes like 30 minutes, maybe. Whip up a couple extra while you're at it and you've got some upcoming baby shower gifts covered. Whoop whoop!

Showered with Love

2013-02-16T17:07:00.001-05:00

To say we're incredibly grateful would be an understatement. Not only were we completely spoiled by all the amazing gifts for Baby Jerger and our family, our hearts are bursting with love and joy for all of our friends and family who steadfastly show us such support and care. Our little guy isn't even born and yet he is loved beyond belief. It's incredible to know he'll be completely encompassed by warmth and love at every turn (well, until those little brats surface on the elementary school playground).

Yes, I volunteered to help Mom bring in some of my presents. ;-)

I had two amazing showers: one with my mom, girlfriends, co-workers, and Zumba loves (many of whom cross many of those categories!) and another intimate shower with Jay's close family. We simply cannot say enough "thank you's" to everyone and since pictures speak louder than words, here are just a few of my favorite photos from my first shower.

With the ladies who helped put the whole shebang on... THANK YOU! <3

Sadly, no photos were taken at the Jerger family shower (kicking myself for not remembering!). It was a lovely day! But if I had taken photos you would have been graced with the lovely sight of "dirty" diapers from the melted chocolate diaper game. ;-)

Full on baby prep

2013-01-31T19:39:00.002-05:00

Rocking the Moby Wrap in Newborn Care class. He's a natural.

Blogging has taken a back seat the past couple weeks as we're in full prep-for-baby mode! Newborn care classes, childbirth classes, ob/midwife appointments (every 2 weeks now!), baby shower, holy-moly-everyone-is-so-generous-now-I-need-to-find-a-place-for-all-this-stuff-ness. Busy. This week alone we have childbirth class, doc appointment, yoga, prenatal massage (a gift from the gods), a doula meeting, and out of town family coming to visit. I'm trying to soak it all in though.

Time is flying... just 7-ish weeks left, what!?! I know that in a few months I'll look back at this time and realize how truly precious and leisurely this time was. Like right now - I'm lounging on the couch typing away while little one rumbles my tummy and makes it move back and forth, up and down, all over the place like his personal punching bag. And that's pretty cool. Oh, and Jay is going to get brownies because I've been craving one ALL DAY. That's pretty cool too. Can't wait to share some pics from my amazing baby shower... but first, those Thank You notes won't write themselves.

Nursery DIY #2: Glider Rocker + Ottoman

2013-01-13T14:52:00.001-05:00

Being the preemptive planner that I am, I knew someday we'd have a little bubba (at least I'd hoped), so over 2 years ago when a Craigslist ad appeared offering a decent shape $50 used glider rocker + ottoman, I jumped on it. These babies generally go for $150 at Target to well above the $350 range... and that's just for the basic ones, not like the super fancy upholstered ones from PB Kids that go for upwards of $1250. Although, if you're really determined, you can get that cushy tailored look by converting a basic wooden one (here's an example of that... talk about amazing!), but I was not that ambitious.

When Jay picked up that well-loved rocker 2 years ago and brought it home, I was a little bummed with how much extra TLC it was going to need. In fact, if I had been there for the pick up, I probably would have said thanks, but no thanks. Screws were missed or stripped, the finish was dull and dirty, and the cushions... oh my god, the cushions! Evergreen velour-like with worn no-traction velcro. Oh well, it was ours now and there it sat in the basement for 2 years.

Not the actual chair (I forgot to take a 'before' pic), but very similar,
thank you Google Images and whomever's chair this is.

I had grand visions of stripping, sanding, priming, and painting the wooden base a crisp white and then reupholstering new cushions in a fun bright print. Grand visions indeed. Upon further inspection, with a few screws replaced and some Mr. Clean Magic Eraser elbow grease (those things are indeed magic), she cleaned up quite nicely. Plus, I decided with all the moving 'glider' parts, I ran the serious risk of getting them gunked up with paint and then I'd really have a hard time. On top of all that, I didn't want the room to be too matchy matchy, so knowing we already had a white crib, I was all for mixing wood tones.

Reupholstering new cushions was also a bit too grand of an idea. How about just making simple slipcovers that I can take off and throw in the wash? Brilliant. I started with the ottoman (bad idea). You'd think a simple rectangle would be the easy place to start, but it wasn't. I ended up just sewing the 'cover' right to the old cushion since I couldn't for the life of me come up with something that looked streamlined and clean. Oh well, chances are much more likely I'll need to wash the chair cover over the ottoman anyway. The chair covers were MUCH easier - I just laid the old cushions on top of the new fabric and left a couple extra inches for cushion height and a hem, cut, sewed around 3 sides, hemmed the 4th side with a few ribbons for cinching and voila! These still look streamlined even with the ribbons (to secure it to the chair frame) because the ties go in the back and then I tucked them in, so they're barely even noticeable.

In the end, I'd say a vast improvement! (For the first time in my decorating life, I wasn't afraid to mix patterns.... I think it turned out fun!) This really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Have you slipcovered something fugly and made it fabulous?

Chair fabric is "Gotcha True Turquoise" home decor weight fabric purchased from Warehouse Fabrics for a sweet deal of $7.47 per yard. This took about 2-2.5 yards of fabric or so, but I purchased more for extra projects.

Nursery DIY #1: Bird + Cloud Mobile

2013-01-10T20:43:00.002-05:00

Which little nursery project to show off first?! They all make me giddy, so it's taking everything in my power to break them up into separate blog posts.... but, I'm gonna!

Let's start with the first project I did.... a mobile! Seems like some sort of first baby prerequisite, right? Even if the kid doesn't need a mobile, I feel compelled to have one. :-) I collected a bunch of inspiration on Pinterest (you can find my "little people" Pinterest board here) - all kinds of beautiful felt and fabric mobiles like these... (There are some gorgeous finds on Etsy (here, here) but dude, there's no way I'm going to front that kind of money for a mobile.)

:: source ::

And I truly loved them all. But then, I found this little tutorial and it was meant to be.


:: source ::

First off, I'm a total sucker for birds. And paper. AND the fact that I already owned that metal clip mobile thingy (by Umbra, which they don't even sell anymore, but you can get a similar one here). I picked it up years ago at Urban Outfitters thinking someday I would use it for my craft business. I never did, so there it sat in a box just calling for a home in the baby's room.

Crafting this little thing was so easy and fun. In the tutorial, you follow a bird template by Martha - SO simple. I decided things would look a little too busy for my liking with that many birds, so I took inspiration from the cloud mobile above and added a few textured paper clouds into the mix. I chose papers with relatively bright colors and high-contrast patterns for baby's amusement. Cut those birdies out, glue the wings and tail in place, freehand cut some clouds, and clip 'em all to the mobile. Done in about an hour and I had everything on hand. Didn't cost me a penny! I hope Baby J likes it.

... and you get a sneak peek of the DIY curtains too! :-)

We've since decided not to actually put the mobile over the crib because it was getting in the way of some awesome art we've hung instead. So for now it's living in the corner by the window of what will become our changing station. Sweet birdy love.

Extreme-ish Couponing

2013-01-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

One episode of Extreme Couponing on Netflix (ok, I couldn't stop at just one) and I was hooked. Seriously, those master couponers make you wonder why you've been wasting all of your hard earned money by um, PAYING FOR STUFF. Usually that's the way it works, right? You work, you earn money. You need/want something. You hand your money over to the store and in return, you have that something. HA! Extreme Couponers baulk at that idea. At the very least, they baulk at the idea of paying even close to full price for anything.

Enter: the first Sunday paper I've bought in just about forever. The $2 price tag is well worth the plethora of coupons inside. Long story short, last week was the first time I tried my hand at this uber-couponing thing -- buy it on sale, with a manufacturer's coupon (that doubles!), and stack it with a store coupon and... OH MY! I won't lie. It took me a few hours to get my shit together (ie: super Excel sheet.... let's make use of that Business degree, now shall we). Not every deal is the same of course and I'm not about to become one of those people you see on Extreme Couponing. I mean really, I'm not about to buy 18 bottles of PeptoBismol when we NEVER use that stuff anyway. And, I don't have a lot of time... some of those broads dedicate 60 hours a week to couponing.

Anyway, I did pretty good last week, saving us about $200 on groceries and household items (between Price Chopper, Hannaford, and CVS). But this week... hell yeah! Just one week in and I definitely am starting to get the hang of this and it was a MUCH faster go today. Check this out.... I hit up CVS this morning and got all this loot for.... wait for it.... $17.82! And, being the novice couponer that I am, I messed up my first transaction and ended up spending $4 more than I wanted to. If I had done this 'correctly', that total would have been closer to $13 for the whole lot. But, alas, I am learning!

Here's what I scored:
3 bottles of laundry detergent, dishwasher packs, disinfectant spray, 2 bottles of toilet bowl cleaner, 2 tubs of disinfectant wipes, 3 bags of candy (next I need to teach hubby candy portion control! Ha!), 4 cans of soup, and a can of mixed nuts. I paid $17.82 and SAVED $75.88 at this one store. Granted, you can get these items at a cheaper retail price at other stores (I get that), but when combined with sales, coupons, and rewards bucks, this can't be beat.

Not only is couponing a bit of an adrenaline rush... and sometimes cause for a bit of a panic attack (I got all sweaty and flustered when I did my first transaction wrong which messed me up for getting $10 rewards bucks that I was going to use to pay for my second transaction), but I'm feeling like it's kinda necessary for my family right now. Baby J is coming in less than 3 short months and that means mama is going to be out of work and not making her full salary. Missing an entire paycheck when you get paid once a month will put a damper on things... oh, and then there's that little daycare expense thing. So, as part of my crazy nesting that's been going down lately, couponing is helping me to build a stash of necessities for very little money to hopefully offset some of the income loss that will come from my maternity leave... and make sure there's a can of soup in the pantry when I don't want to pack up a newborn, wipe off the spit up on my shirt and venture through the snow to the grocery store between breast feedings in early April (which is still pretty much winter by Vermont standards).

Go forth and clip! And remember, you only have to go as gung-ho as you want to. I'm thinking I can handle a couple hours on a Sunday morning of clipping and matching up with sales without too much of a hassle. And I grocery shop during the week anyway, so that's no additional time.

A couple of really good resources to get started...
1) The Krazy Coupon Lady (warning: this place is hardcore, but don't be intimidated)
2) Coupons.com
3) Your local grocery store's rewards program (I had no idea mine did email coupons, e-coupons, and website printable coupons IN ADDITION to the regular "scan your card for the discount" thing. Whoa!

A Year of Memories... on scrap paper

2013-01-05T09:19:00.000-05:00

I'm not really one to make New Year's resolutions, but I did make one resolution for 2012 - be more mindful of the moment - of the times I feel joy - of the times that stop me in my tracks. Be IN it and after, remember what it felt like. That resolution led me to our 2012 memory jar (an idea I originally found on Pinterest). Leave small pieces of paper and a pen by a large jar/bowl/canister. Write memories, big or small, on those pieces of paper with the date and drop into the jar. We left ours out in plain sight so we made it a habit to keep up all year. Amazingly, we did! On New Year's Eve, read those memories aloud to each other and reminisce on all the magic (or maybe not so magical moments) that shaped your world in the past year.

On December 31st, 2012, we had a quiet night in, ate lots of yummy appetizers and took turns reading each other our memorable moments from the year.... and were in bed by 10 pm (hey, mama is tired!). The best part is the surprises you get - both by what your family member(s) put in the jar and also things you yourself had forgotten. What a glorious way to ring in the new year!

A few of our top memories, the good and the not-so-good, in chronological order:

I should mention that Jay did put in his fair share as well, but these topped the list for me! All in all, some pretty milestone events happened this year. We celebrated grandpa's life, Jay's new job, my 30th birthday, my brother's engagement, getting pregnant, and our 5 year wedding anniversary... plus a host of other daily joys. I'd say 2012 was one for the memory books indeed.

Getting all sappy on New Year's Eve

2012-12-31T14:20:00.000-05:00

:: Stephanie, Meghan, and me on December 31, 1999 ::

Well, here we are on the brink of 2013. Funny to think it was 13 years ago when I so vividly remember toasting in the new millennium with one of my best girlfriends, her sister and their cousin at the ripe age of 17, complete with our sparkling cider, year 2000 plastic sunglasses, and an ever-so-faint wondering if the world would really get all glitched up with Y2K. Alas, it did not. Time marched on. Breath after breath we moved forward in time.

New Year's Eve 1999 was a memorable one for sure. The rest of those December 31sts just seem to run together in memory. But I think this New Year's Eve 2012 will be memorable too. Our last one as a 2-person family. Bittersweet in a way. More sweet than bitter actually. But something about it makes me all teary (*ahem* HORMONES).

:: Our wedding. September 2007 ::

I think for most people reflection comes naturally at the end of a year. The coming end of this year makes me so incredibly grateful to have shared the last 9+ years of my life with such an amazing man, who grew to become my husband and now the soon-to-be father of our baby boy. He and I. The two of us. About to become three in less than three short months. Tears are strolling down my face as I write this. It's truly something special when you feel so much love, gratitude, and joy bursting out of you at the simple thought of one person.

:: On the western shore of Ireland, June 2011 ::

I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if that summer after the Y2K new year, I had chosen to attend a different college, in a different state, meeting different people, leading me to different relationships and different jobs, apartments, experiences... you name it. The simple, yet somewhat earth-shaking decision to move to Vermont for college from my home state of Connecticut inevitably lead me down this path that I am forever grateful for. And here I sit - 13 years later - still living in Vermont, married to the love of my life, starting our own family, in our house, with our laughable lovable pets, with amazing circles of friends, with jobs we enjoy and families we love... but most of all, with happiness - with hope and promise for what the future will bring.

:: Our chalkboard, made by our talented friend Sara at Freckles + Wit ::

the inspiration vault

2012-12-17T20:30:00.000-05:00

Note: I wrote this post a few days ago, before the terrible tragedies took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th. It doesn't seem quite right to publish this lighthearted little post with my heart feeling so heavy and without at least acknowledging the recent events. I've cried many tears over the young lives that were hideously taken on Friday in my home state of Connecticut. I pray that the victims' families receive all the support and love that we as a collective human race can muster.

-----

Looking back through old blog posts the other day after resurrecting this space and found this post where I blogged about what I would want a nursery to be like if I ever had a kiddo... over 3 years ago. I had completely forgotten about this post and the inspiration photo, but our minds (and senses of style perhaps) work in mysterious ways.

:: image courtesy of Design*Sponge ::

When I found out I was pregnant (Hurray! It look long enough, but that's a story for a different post), my first thoughts went to the nursery, naturally after telling hubs and being so excited I could barely breathe and my heart was all aflutter. I dreamed of aqua walls and swaths of crisp modern white with punchy accents of yellow. Sound familiar? Uncanny really.

So I went about my daydreaming and mentally put together the nursery in my mind, knowing just the vibe I was going for. (Confession: I actually awoke one night at 3am and couldn't go back to sleep until I measured out the room, cut to-scale pieces of furniture out of graph paper, and then arranged the space in 2D. I have a problem. I know.) Gender didn't matter... this beautiful room would be gender neutral and allow the slightly neurotic planner in me to begin the overhaul of the guest room even sooner.

The room is still evolving. And while I've made some sacrifices (not buying that fabulous white high-gloss IKEA bookcase) and re-purposing perfectly good furniture from other rooms instead, I'm really happy with how it's coming along. More posts soon on the projects I've been working on and a nursery reveal, but here's a little sneak peek.

:: Hubs resting after a busy weekend of nursery makeoverness (in all its Instagram glory) ::

Life now. 675 days later.

2012-12-14T21:49:00.001-05:00

:: source ::

675 days. That's how many days since my last blog post. Almost 2 full years. Hiatus? I'd say so. I'm not going to beat myself up about it. There's no point. Life ebbs and flows. I'm feeling the urge to blog again... and so I am. I'm going to be changing things up around there though. Life is changing. RAPIDLY.

It's fun to read back through my old posts. Funny how much can change in such a relatively short period of time. I'll skip a lot of updates on the past 2 years and go right to the biggest change in my life. The hubs and I are expecting our fist little one. Yup, six months along already and anxious but excited about how incredibly fast this pregnancy is going. Perhaps the desire to blog again comes from this major life change that is happening for us. It feels so much larger than me. It's not all about me anymore. There's something bigger and yet, I don't want to lose myself in the process.

I'm hoping this can be the place where I figure things out. The place I reflect on how my world is about to be forever changed. Where I can still post on my creative pursuits, but maybe with a new lens.... and spit up.

It's funny how comforting and cozy it feels to come back to a digital space.

baby birthday bunting

2011-02-08T20:44:00.003-05:00

Baby birthday bunting... say that five times fast! Here's my latest little craft project made for my favorite little just-turned-one-year-old. We were lucky enough to join our dear friends, Jim and Logan in CT for their daughter's birthday last weekend.

In my own quest to simplify/declutter/minimize my surroundings, I started thinking about the gifts I give in the same light. Though I'm not one, my guess is that most moms grow pretty weary of the toy mountain that has slowly encroached on their living room. Here's hoping Brooklynn and her parents can enjoy this gift for some time to come! Plus, it did double-duty as a party decoration!

This bunting was pretty easy to create... the options are endless for this. Customize for baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, room decor... oh the fun! I learned one thing for sure - adhesive felt does NOT adhere to fabric. I probably should have thought that one out better before trying to save myself some time. I thought the adhesive felt would be a great alternative to applique. Well, I was wrong. So instead I had to applique sticky felt. Needle was not happy, but it got the job done. Lesson learned for next time - go old school applique.

Isn't she just precious?! Such a beauty!

Me and the birthday girl... the morning after the first-birthday cupcake rager party.

5/52 Muse

2011-02-08T20:37:00.004-05:00

"Digging for Snow Treasure"
After a walloping snow storm hit Vermont, Sam had fun playing with his toys while Mom and Dad shoveled the driveway... for the umpteenth time this winter.
See this photo on Flickr.

I am participating in MCP Actions' Project 52.
Find out why and see other participant photos.

4/52 Soothing Repetition

2011-02-08T20:34:00.006-05:00

"Flicker"
There aren't many things more beautiful, soothing and relaxing than the warm glow of a flickering candle on a winter's night.
See this photo on Flickr.

I am participating in MCP Actions' Project 52.
Find out why and see other participant photos.

3/52 Shades of Grey

2011-01-21T18:24:00.004-05:00

"Aging Fireplace"
See this photo on Flickr.

I am participating in MCP Actions' Project 52.
Find out why and see other participant photos.

2/52 Illustrate a Song

2011-01-11T13:06:00.004-05:00

"Warm Whispers" by Missy Higgins

Your warm whispers
Out of the dark they carry my heart
Your warm whispers
Into the dawn they carry me through
And I'm weeping warm honey and milk
That you stay surrounding me, surrounding me

See this photo on Flickr.

I am participating in MCP Actions' Project 52.
Find out why and see other participant photos.

1/52 Around the House

2011-01-07T16:38:00.002-05:00

See this photo on Flickr.

I am participating in MCP Actions' Project 52.
Find out why and see other participant photos.

Project 52

2011-01-07T16:33:00.001-05:00

New year. New project. New photos.

Last year I gave a good valiant effort at a 365 photo project, which I logged on my personal Facebook page. Well, I shot photos everyday until sometime in May/June when things just got nutty. The project felt more like a burden then an enjoyable journal of my year. That's when I knew it was time to give.

I do love the idea of chronicling a year in photographs, but I wanted to do something more than that this time around. I wanted to challenge myself artistically and put my new camera to work, learning the in's and out's of this gloriously complicated machine. I decided this would be the year of 52 - one shot a week... MUCH more manageable. Then I came across a photo challenge, well several actually and ended up choosing the Project 52 Challenge over at MCP Actions. I've been a big fan of MCP's awesome Photoshop actions and photography tips and tricks for a long time. I love the challenge of a new theme each week, yet you have the freedom to explore and be noncommittal with the theme too.

I only have one Intro to Photography (film) class under my belt, so thankfully, I understand the basics. I'm still a beginner. A newbie. And I'm ok with that. I'm hoping to learn a lot from the other participants and the comments/critique I receive on my photos.

All of my photos can be found on my Flickr set. To look at everyone who is participating in this challenge, go here. New themes are posted each Saturday.

make this monday :: revitalized recyclables

2011-01-03T09:00:00.001-05:00

Betty Crocker frosting. It's a beautiful thing. What's even more beautiful? Re-purposing and reusing those darling little plastic containers. Now, before you go and think I downed these 3 containers of frosting all by my lonesome, I'll have you know I've been collecting them for a good long.... *oh, excuse me, gotta wipe some frosting off my lip*... time. Just kidding! Save up your cans, plastic tubs, Crystal Light containers, whatever. Here's a quick little project to cheer up your desk or craft area.

I like to use frosting containers the best because they're white and clean looking and have no sharp edges. I use metal cans too, but just watch your fingers. You could easily cover the cut edges with washi tape or a strip of paper just to be safe.

Take plastic containers, wash thoroughly and rip off the label.
Round up some purdy paper.
With a ruler, measure the height of your container. No need to measure the circumference unless you're using a really large or small container. These frosting tubs are perfectly wrapped with a 12" long strip of paper (the standard size for most scrapbooking paper).
Cut paper to size and use double-sided tape to adhere.
Ta da! Be amazed at your crafty self!

I added another strip of paper just for kicks. Play around! Use pretty paper punches, stamps, ribbon... go nuts!
Here's my collection of newly revitalized recyclables on my sewing/crafting desk!

tree skirt: mission complete

2010-12-30T17:52:00.004-05:00

In my last post, I showed you the new modern elf-style stockings I made just in time for Christmas this year. Well, I wanted to finally make us a tree skirt as well. Who cares if it was a post-Christmas project. There are 12 days, right?!

Here's the old one, modeled Vanna-style by Buster Pickle Wiggles the cat. Alas, it IS Martha Stewart but it just wasn't cutting the Christmas mustard anymore. Pretty enough, but I much prefer a less glitzy look (you can't tell in the photo, but the snowflakes are glittery) and the material was pretty chintzy feeling too. Light blue snowflakey tree skirt looking for a new home!

Continuing the same theme and color palette with the stockings, here's our new tree skirt!

I used a pattern from Sew4Home (yet again... that place kicks!). This was my first experience with any sort of quilting (layers, batting, binding)... whoo! I learned as I went and have a whole new appreciation for quilters... and I didn't even do any real quilting! Kind of makes me want to try... look at THIS one! Oooooh ahhhhh. Then again, maybe I should stick to simple squares first time around.
The pattern calls for making your own bias tape and quite frankly, I wasn't about to spend 3 days making my own, so I happily bought some double-fold and used 7/8" rather than 1/2" because I wanted it to look more substantial. I also did not add ties. While that would look pretty, it would be one more thing for the cat to bat around under the tree and let me tell you, he has plenty of fun under there already!

I hope you had a splendid holiday season and spent time with those you hold dear. Did you do any holiday-ish projects this year? While I love making things for others, a little part of me was giddy to make something we get to keep all for ourselves!

old stockings get the boot

2010-12-21T15:36:00.004-05:00

A "little" Sunday project to fuel my holiday spirit. Made using Sew4Home's Citrus Holiday Elf Stocking pattern and instructions. These really are easy to make (if you don't count turning out the tip of the toe piece... ha!), just a little time consuming. I wanted something modern and funky in a nontraditional color palette. All fabric for this project was purchased at Sew, Mama, Sew!, home of a fabulous fabric selection and excellent customer service. (Honestly, they were so responsive to my emails when I had a question, it was amazing!)

A few slight adjustments to the pattern - I made the stocking bodies with home decor weight fabric and double stitched the seam so they'd be nice and sturdy, since we actually plan on using these stockings. As you can see by the bulges, they're already full! Also, I "Stitch-Witcheryed" the pom-poms on cause I wasn't about to sew all those little babies on by hand. I am still swooning over Anna Maria Horner's Innocent Crush collection and that beautiful Queen of Hearts pattern.

My inspiration for this color palette actually came from the sewn stocking gift card holders that I sold this holiday season. I loved the paper that I used for that project and wanted to translate it into my holiday decor.

Next on tap, a coordinating tree skirt! Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season! Oh, and if you're wondering why we have four stockings... the dog and cat each get their own. Yup, I'm one of THOSE people! ;-)

holiday ha-ha's

2010-11-26T22:21:00.013-05:00

Getting in the holiday spirit over here at casa Jerger!

xo,
Sarah, Jay, Sam dog, and Buster kitty

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Queen City, here I come!

2010-11-19T17:03:00.006-05:00

Well, the lack of blogging lately has been due to three major things: 1) we went on an amazing family vacation to Arizona, 2) I was finishing up training for and running my first half marathon (phew! glad that's done!) and 3) I've been chug-a-luggin' away on making goodies for the Queen City Craft Bazaar.

And now, the day has come... Queen City Craft Bazaar is tomorrow!! Saturday, November 20th from 10am - 5pm at Union Station, 1 Main Street, in Burlington, VT. Here's a little snippet about the event from the QCCB website: The Queen City Craft Bazaar - Vermont's Alternative Craft Fair is an indie craft fair showcasing unique handmade goods from local crafters, designers, and artists. It started in 2007 in hopes of giving indie crafters in Vermont a place to call their own. Products seen at our events tend to be a bit hipper, punkier and edgier than your typical VT craft show. Vermont has many venues for "fine craft" but Queen City Craft aims to promote and support indie craft. To find out more about Queen City Craft click here.

I spent the day today finishing up final details: running to the bank, picking up my banner, making price tags, gathering goods, setting up a practice display (I was awed by how much time this took!), and packing it all up. Here's a pic of the stash before I loaded it into the car... don't mind the extreme messiness behind. My craft studio looks like a tornado hit it after today.

I can't wait to meet all the other crafters and artists tomorrow. This is my first "real" craft show, so I'm a tid bit nervous, but mainly just excited! Come visit me and the over 40 other crafters tomorrow!

For my cherished blog, twitter and facebook followers - if you come with the code word "CRAFTALICIOUS", you'll get 10% off your purchase from Paper + Stitch!

my queen city debut!

2010-09-29T22:46:00.000-04:00

I'm super excited to announce that Paper + Stitch will be at the Queen City Craft Bazaar this fall! I love the Queen City Craft Bazaar (you can see my past posts about it here and here). I'm beyond ecstatic (and honored) that I got into the juried show. This was my first year applying, so when I found out this morning, I was all kinds of giddy.

Queen City Craft Bazaar ain't your grandma's craft show -- QCCB, located in Burlington, Vermont, is focused on local indie craft and is akin to large shows like Renegade Craft Fair and Bazaar Bizarre.

Now it's time to get my rear in gear and beef up my inventory! QCCB is Saturday, November 20th at Union Station (bottom of Main Street in Burlington). Save the date and come visit all the great artists, crafters, and designers!

(As the date gets closer, look out for QCCB specials offered to blog/facebook/twitter followers!)