I am usually lucky to get my Christmas decorations up a week or two before the holiday. This year, for the first time in ages, we were home for Thanksgiving. After a day of recovering from our turkey feast, I got up in the attic and started pulling out the decorations.




Okay, not decorations, but so pretty, and only $2!



I also made my little westie pillow from the fat quarter I found at the quilt festival. It is so amazing that I actually followed through with this.



It was simple, just an envelope back, sized to fit on a throw pillow already on our couch so when the holidays are over I can just wash (cat hair!) and fold up the cover to pack it away.

52 Nights Update - Night 39 - Monday night I got almost everything done on my to do list, which is rare. My in-laws came over to dinner, and before/after that I squeezed in the bills (ouch, taxes), some crafting, and laundry. Last night I did a track workout (so fun! yes, I'm crazy) then made dinner and finished up a long-running project, which felt awesome. I'm on a roll!

Labels: 52 nights, homework, sewing

I finished the red necklace and got that idea out of my system! I've decided the necklace is for a coworker of mine who has been having a tough year - she is super supportive of my crafty endeavors and also loves handmade jewelry!

52 Nights Update - Night 37 - We had a volleyball double header last night so there wasn't a whole lot of time to misbehave once I got home!

Labels: 52 nights, jewelry

I just ran across these pictures I forgot to share from the Quilt Show.


Click to see the amazing detail.

When I first saw these quilts, I assumed they were quilted on a long arm machine, impressive enough.



But when I looked at the quilt information, the "techniques used" listed hand quilting, not machine quilting.





These are all large quilts, completely quilted by hand, at a stunning level of detail. Amazing!

52 Nights Update - Night 36 - I forgot to update last week! Last night was great. I had to take Addie to the vet for her last round of shots, then I went to viist a friend who is in town with her 7-month-old son. What a cutie! When I got home I finished unpacking from my trip and took care of some chores that didn't get done while I was gone. I was up late, with plenty of energy, instead of zoned out in front of all the shows I have on Tivo!

Labels: 52 nights, quilting

I had the chance Sunday to go on a glider ride with the Greater Houston Soaring Association and if you ever have the chance to do this, I highly recommend it!



The plane is so small! Once you're up in the air, you just float. Well, glide. You have no engine, so you soar from one thermal to another, climb, glide, repeat.



We would look for a bird riding a thermal and turn that direction, or get under a cloud where the air is usually warmer.



It really didn't feel like flying a plane, you didn't power up the engines and force yourself where you wanted to go. The strength of the thermals, to so easily lift our 1000 pounds, was so impressive. What an experience!

52 Nights Update - Night 34 - I finally feel back on track. Last night I planned some projects, caught up on chores, made dinner, and went to yoga. I did use the computer for editing pictures, but I count that as productive! Craft content coming soon, I promise.

Labels: 52 nights, me

My sister knows me so well. We both have an obessive love of Etsy and are constantly sharing favorites with each other, and she has long known of my love for owls.



So for my birthday she got me an all Etsy, all owl present! The adorable stamp above is from The Mayberry Sparrow. These awesome earrings are from Heatherly Designs:



I got a print from Berkley Illustration, too.



Even the card has an owl on it and is from e.soule.



And probably my favorite, from a shop I had managed not to stumble across on my own, this completely fabulous stuffed owl made from upcycled clothes from squishyfish.



Thanks, Katy! I love everything!!

52 Nights Update - Night 32 - Last night was quite busy! Sweet Addie had to go in for her shots (she has doubled in weight since we got her! You can't say we don't feed our animals well), and we had a woefully neglected yard to take care of. I used my birthday as an excuse to skip all my chores this weekend, so there was some catching up to do there, too. I was never even tempted to come to the computer!

Labels: 52 nights, etsy, family

After nearly five years in this house we finally updated the light fixture in the powder room. That's one down, three to go! Amazing how such a small change made me like this little bathroom so much more.

52 Nights Update - Night 31 - I was on a plane last evening to Blacksburg, Virginia, to recruit at Virigina Tech, so I don't think that counts towards the challenge! I'll make up for it, though - I've got to get my latest project quilted and bound in two nights plus get ready to host a baby shower Saturday morning, so I'll have more no tech nights this week just trying to get it all done!

Labels: 52 nights, homework, simple pleasures

I woke up this morning to temps under 70F. What a treat. Tonight it's supposed to get down to 60! I always look forward that first cool evening of the fall after our hot summers. How lucky that it has come so early this year!

Thank you all SO much for the comments on the quilt and my anniversary. It was so hard to put that quilt in the mail! And I am really looking forward to the next year, I hope you all stay to share it with me.

52 Nights Update - Night 30 - In addition to making the tag for the quilt (which I forgot to photograph, dang it!), I popped over to the gym for yoga only to find no one else there - the instructor had canceled the class with the regulars but not bothered to notify the gym. And I was so proud for getting over there for the first time in weeks! Maybe next time...

Labels: 52 nights, simple pleasures

It was so nice last week to have time during the day to craft, take pictures with good lighting, compose blog posts... But now that I'm back at work I'm finding it harder to post here. The evenings are getting darker earlier, taking away my photo time, and I'd rather spend my free time crafting than writing.

This blog was never intended to be stressful, and in the past when times have arisen where I struggle to post I have just disappeared for a while. I don't want that to happen this time. Instead, for the next month, I am going to try to post regularly, but with shorter posts, sharing some of the simple pleasures I encounter that keep me going.



For example, opening a mystery package from Amazon and discovering this book. I pre-ordered it ages ago, and with the hurricane and new kitten and general busy-ness, I'd forgotten it was on its way. I did a little happy dance when I opened it. Now it is waiting for me when it is finally bedtime!

I made a little "Simple Pleasures" button if you want to join me (once, weekly, daily, whatever!) sharing simple pleasures of your own! Download it over there to the right.

52 Nights Update - Night 29 - Last night was a miserable failure from a no tech standpoint. I did get the laundry done, and started a little felt project, but I also got sucked into the Family Guy episode that recreates Star Wars. I was powerless to resist.

Labels: 52 nights, simple pleasures

My office building is still closed, a reminder that there is much worse damage out there from Ike than my fallen fence. To stay out of the way we haven't ventured too far from home - less than three miles from my house is (was?) the Kemah Boardwalk, and I've heard the wood of the boardwalk is all gone, the ferris wheel is tipped, and sailboats are washed up on the access roads. It is tempting to go see the damage, but how can you be a tourist to the suffering of others?

Instead we fixed our fence, helped our neighbors when needed, got our shutters down, and tried to put our house back in order after frantically moving things upstairs to avoid potential floodwaters. With that work complete, and work still closed, I moved on to putzing.



I finished a project that was abandoned during our evacuation, chose fabric for two new quilt projects, did a few random neglected chores, and cuddled the kitten - who is now named Addie for no particular reason other than we liked it (Pete thought of it because of how easily she is distracted, like she has ADD).



Now that the repair work is done around our house, if work is still closed tomorrow I think I'll go see if I can help, distributing ice and ready meals or just putting together care packages for our friends that are still without power. It just didn't feel right treating this afternoon like a vacation day when so many are still trying to put things back together.

(Edited to add: Last night would have been Night 28 for my no tech nights. I think the events of the weekend earned me a quiet night with a little TV on Monday!)

Labels: 52 nights, fabric, me, wip

So I think I'm participating annually in three different auctions now. It's always fun to try to come up with something new that will appeal to the wide range of folks bidding on auction items.



As you saw earlier, I wasn't thrilled with the initial design of this bag. It was hard to see in the photos, but the bottom was a mess. I ripped out the bottom, added a little more fabric and just did my standard mitred corners. I love the fabric. It was worth the work to save it.





It has a zipper closure, one outside pocket, and a long divided inner pocket for organization. I'm getting faster at putting these together if you don't count the rework.

52 Nights Update - Night 27 - Now I am past halfway! I need to re-energize my no tech nights, they are becoming a little humdrum. I had a longer training run last night which took a lot of time, plus dinner to make and laundry to fold, so it wasn't really a challenge to stay away from the computer and TV. Maybe it's time to add an official second no tech night?

Labels: 52 nights, bags, quilting, sewing

We are back from Chicago! It was a quick trip, but I think we managed to squeeze in the main attractions...





We went to the Museum of Science and Industry, the Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, the Hancock Observatory, took an architecture boat tour, visited the Botanic Gardens, and went to Oak Park for the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. Add to that seeing lots of friends and family and it was a fantastic trip!





A few more pictures on flickr.

Next up: Why I'm right to be so reluctant to cut into my nice fabric...

52 Nights Update - Night 26 - This is really just to help me remember what week I'm on - Monday was a cheater day since we were hanging out with friends all day in Chicago!

Labels: 52 nights, photography, travel

I am now in the midst of my family's birthday season - my brother-in-law was last week, next is my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, then nephew, then my mom. So you can imagine I have an ambitious crafty to do list!



My mother-in-law and sister-in-law had specific requests this year, which is always fun. I love seeing if I can take their ideas and actually make what they were picturing.



This pouch is for my brother-in-law, using the upholstery samples and fabric from my stash for the lining. I tried to make a manly pencil pouch but I don't think I succeeded. Luckily we got him books, too - and my sister can use the pouch!

I have some fun ideas for my nephew, and my mom is easy because she loves everything I make. I know I'll make it successfully through birthday season - and then it will be time to gear up for Christmas!

52 Nights Update - Night 25 - I did well last night and boy did I need it! We leave tomorrow for Chicago and I am *not* ready. In addition to picking up and laundry and thinking about what to pack, I almost finished this WIP. My deadline for it was yesterday, oops. We'll have to see if they'll take it a little late...

Labels: 52 nights, bags, sewing

I still have a long list of sewing projects, but I decided it is past time to get started on a few long-awaited paper projects.



I haven't done any true scrapbooking for a while, and it has been fun to work with paper again! I have quite a collection, because I am no better at resisting pretty paper than I am at resisting fabric.



Next month, Pete and I celebrate our fifth anniversary, and each year as our anniversary approaches I swear I'll finally finish our wedding and anniverary scrapbooks... Doesn't look like I'll make it this year, either.



These paper projects are good after work projects, so hopefully I'll make some quick progress!

52 Nights Update - Night 25 - Last night was great. The weather was a little cooler thanks to some thunderstorms so I went with my running partners to the track for a little speedwork, made dinner, then spent some time in my craft room on the above projects, plus a new sewing project. Deadline on the sewing project is fast approaching so you should see it here soon!

Labels: 52 nights, paper craft, wip

Whoops, time got away from me there! We had a great little trip to San Antonio and then my sister was in town, so after work I was over at my mom's seeing Katy and Charlie.



I haven't been in my craft room in several days, and after having quite a productive streak last week that has been tough! Hopefully I'll get in there soon to work on a couple projects, though I have a lot of catch up to do around the house after being gone for several days.



Above is my little coordinating pillow I made to sit on the bed. I just started grabbing all my leftover scraps from the quilt and sewing them together without much of a plan. This method was challenging for me (I'm a planner) but I really enjoyed it! Doesn't the green look pretty with sweet Dixie's eyes?

Oh, and look what Daisie gave me!



So sweet! Here are the rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you've nominated.

I would love to pass this to:
- Daisie since she is such a good momma and is always doing something new;
- Melanie for being such an awesome commenter and great quilter;
- Beki for her gorgeous bags and being such an inspiration (did you see these gorgeous quilt blocks??);
- my sister Katy for being so supportive of the blog and keeping hers up to date with pictures of my nephew;
- Fiona for being my Aussie pal and such a fab seamstress;
- amandajean for being my #1 quilting hero;
- Finally, everyone else!! I love all of my readers and commenters, you guys are all wonderful. Thanks for coming by to check in on what I'm up to!

52 Nights Update - Night 24 - I don't think Monday should count as my no tech night, since I rushed home from work, mowed the front lawn, then rushed over to my mom's for dinner. No challenge! So (other than posting this) I'm getting of the computer and getting to work on my to do list for tonight! And I don't think anyone can fault me for having the Olympics on in the background...

Labels: 52 nights, quilting, sewing

With hundreds of upholstery samples?



My in-laws came over on Sunday and my mother-in-law was toting several bags full of these upholstery samples. A coworker picked these up when a local furniture store was going out of business and has had them hanging in her closet for a couple years. Can you imagine? There are some really fun fabrics here (and some that I can't believe ever saw the light of day) and I have a few ideas to make use of them.



My first project was a quick little zipper pouch. I can put my wallet/phone/keys in here to grab when running into the store or out to lunch.





The inside is turquoise with pockets edged in the outer fabric - sorry for the crummy photo!



If you suddenly had hundreds of ~12x12" pieces of fabric, what would you do?

P.S. - I did finish the pink project but since we are currently riding out Tropical Storm Edouard, the light is pretty low for taking pictures!

52 Nights Update - Night 23 - Finished the pouch above, made dinner, and, um, watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. *cough* Oh well, I enjoyed myself! And today I get a bonus day - Tropical Storm days are our equivalent to snow days, I guess - no work for me today!

Labels: 52 nights, bags, fabric, sewing

If I could play a little trumpet fanfare right now I would, that's how excited I am about this.



Many weeks past my OPAM deadline, the master quilt is actually done!!



I am so happy with how it came out - it is by no means perfect, it has so many "learning experiences"... But I love it!!



And it goes so far to helping our bedroom look "finished" instead of just tossed together. Please ignore the concrete floor - we're getting there!

52 Nights Update - Night 22 - I discovered last night that the new quilt fits in my washing machine, thank goodness. Part of my plan had been to wash it fairly often, since it will soon be covered in fur and possibly footprints (downside of having a dog door when it rains), so I was worried I'd have to drag it to the laundrymat every time! In addition to washing the quilt, I went running, did some more laundry, and picked out fabric for a new project. Great night!

Labels: 2008 Quilts, 52 nights, homework, OPAM, quilting, sewing

My cousin and aunt both live up in/near Chicago, and their necklaces are winging their way northward as we speak!

Megan got to pick out her beads, too, so this was a fun one to make. I was a little worried in the middle that I hadn't arranged it right, but it all came together in the end.



These monochrome necklaces with the wide variety of beads are so fun to make, but they are so hard to photograph!

52 Nights Update - Night 21 - I started to say I was half done with my 52 Nights but obviously I can't do math! I'm happy to report my no-tech nights are easy now, and I've pretty much added Thursday as a bonus no tech night each week. The changes are small - I get a couple more things done, actually complete my chores instead of surfing the web, don't skip exercising. I'm not cooking gourmet meals and living in a perfectly sparkling house like Martha, but I'm more satisfied at bedtime with what I've accomplished after work. And that's pretty cool!

Labels: 52 nights, jewelry

Any plans I had for my 20th no-tech night were forgotten when we got some very bad news. Our sweet kitty Baxter had been missing for a few days, and before we put up signs we asked our neighbors if they'd seen him. Our next door neighbor saw him this weekend, he'd been hit by a car. He was only four, and he was the most awesome cat I've ever met. This sucks.

Labels: 52 nights, family

It's Friday! Today was fantastic. We got out of class early so I got to do a little shopping, then I threw my to-do list out the window and went to get a pedicure. A little pampering was just right after this long week!



My mom came over for dinner, and designed these earrings, too. I wouldn't even have noticed the orange in the lower beads if she hadn't seen it. All I had to do was put them together! They're a gift for a friend she's visiting next week. Love them!

52 Nights Update - Bonus! - I've mentioned I spend less time on the internet since I started 52 Nights but last night might be the first true bonus no tech night I've had! I went to the gym, spent some time crafting, did tons of laundry, and started a new book. Let's see if this can be a low-tech weekend...

Labels: 52 nights, jewelry

Thanks for all the comments on my bunting!

Sorry I've been quiet. We had a great 4th, then a quiet Saturday.

Sunday was one year since we lost my dad. I can't believe it's been a year. Life goes on, even if we don't feel like it should. I miss him.

I'm in class in the city this week, which means early mornings, long days, and a long commute. Thanks for being patient while I'm quiet for a little while!



I hate a post without pictures so I thought I'd share the results of my sister's play-doh party! Wait, I mean fondant. We had so much fun a couple weekends ago learning about fondant, we decided it was like grown-up play-doh.

52 Nights Update - Night 19 - Super productive last night but not on crafting - worked to make room for a piece of furniture my sis is passing on (she's moving back to Virginia, I'm so sad!), went for a run, made dinner, did chores. It was a great night! Now it's way past my bedtime for how early I have to get up! Back soon.

Labels: 52 nights, me, misc