Juicy Bits

207: we *heart* teachers

If you have school-age children, you know that teacher appreciation week just went by.  I'm class mom for Aurora's second grade class this year and we just love her teacher.  Really we've been so lucky to have great teachers for both kids so far.  And we do truly appreciate them.  

This year Aurora's teacher is pregnant and due this summer.  When her class decided to throw a baby shower for her, I knew I wanted to make her a baby quilt.

I always think to myself how easy it will be.  I'll keep it simple.  Yeah, right.  Inevitably, I get carried away.  This is the pretty quilt I came up with:

 

Actually, it's not super-complicated or anything.  I've been doing a ton of half square triangles lately.  And all I had to go on were that she likes bright colors, her favorite color is turquoise, and she's having a girl.  But I did add some time-consuming details, that, I hope, made it really special for her.  

I had each of the kids in her class write their name.  Then I traced them and stitched them (by machine) into rectangles around the border.  I wanted their personalities to be there in some small way (without becoming too childish or overwhemling), so it's neat to have the names in their own handwriting.

I also couldn't stick to simple straight-line quilting (yes, there's a pattern developing here) so I came up with a flower motif for in each star.

As you can see, she really loved it and I know she can treasure it and know that she's made a difference to every child in her class.

JT

202: knock off

I kinda hate to post a negative post (this is my happy place), but I wanted to share and it's really not that bad.

I've been "knocked off".  In a way it is a bit flattering.  Really, my little owl is worth copying?

So, as many of you know I have this little free owl ornament pattern.  The key word there is free.  It's my gift to you.  But it is for personal use, not for people to profit from.  And in reality, anyone's who's asked me if they can use the pattern to sew them for charity or even personal profit, I've said yes to.  I'm fine with an independent crafter using it, but it was not intended for mass production.

Well, a reader sent me this picture:

She bought this cute guy in a store and it wasn't labeled except with "made in China".  Seriously?  China?  Clearly not hand sewn but some dedicated crafter.

Normally I wouldn't go right to "copy", because how many different ways are there to make a felt owl? And I know I've designed things on my own only to find that someone already beat me to it.  But you be the judge.  That's pretty darn identical to mine.  Right down to the decorative blanket stitching.  The only real difference is it's made by machine and glue.

Here's mine:

Since it's a free pattern I put out there I don't really see myself trying for any actual recourse. In this case it would be pretty futile. And I'm OK with that. (No, that's not permission for someone to copy this or any of my other designs.) But it does floor me that someone, somewhere decided to mass produce something of mine without permission.

Someone else was making them for sale on a website called fiverr and, worse, he/she was using my photo with not credit and representing it as their work.  Thankfully the site handled the matter.

Anyway, so that things don't stay negative on here for long, I promised to be back with another post very soon...

JT

198: small pleasures

I just made this new wood pile and it makes me unreasonably happy.  Such a simple thing, but it bodes of warm, cozy, nights by the fire to come.

Currently we do have a nice fireplace, but it's gas and I'm in the process of getting it converted to wood burning.  The smell and feel of a real wood fire just can't be beat.  I've been meaning to do this for years (really since we moved into this house) but with all the trees that came down in the last storm, I just can't fight the urge to gather.  I've been stopping along the curb all over town to pick up wood, and I even used a chainsaw for the first time.  I can't quite explain it but it seems so urgent to me to not to let it go to waste.  And really this wood won't even get used until next year because it needs to season, but still...

It's getting cold around and I'm ready to nest in.

JT

 P.S. Some how I missed my 1,000,000 hits mark.  Yay, me!

188: sweet little piles

I love these sweet little piles.  Oh, if my mess was limited to such beauties.

 

As I mentioned, I've been sewing up a storm with my serger.  These little strip piles are the result of several scrappy dresses and tops I've made for the kids.

 

In other news, inspired by some beautiful ones around the blogsphere, I decided to make a big summer to-do list.  Fun to keep us from getting bored or letting the whole summer pass without event.  It is, of course, much longer than this.  We've already checked off at least half a dozen items, though I'm not sure we'll do every single one.

What's on your list this summer?

JT

169: the buzz and a bee

New plan.

Get motivated.

Now that one be-lazy-at-home-enjoying-family holiday is behind us, it's clear the next is rapidly approaching.  And there is A LOT to get done before then.  So my new plan is to stop wasting time and be uber-productive for the next few weeks.

We'll see how that goes.

Anyway, I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  We sure did.  But, now my need to get back on the Weight Watchers bandwagon is almost imperative.  At least if I plan on wearing a bikini in Hawaii this winter...

So, as you may or may not know, my sewing roots are in quilting (I've got to do a blog post on that sometime) and I've finally joined a virtual quilting bee.  I know....took me long enough.

I decided I need a smaller scale project to do just for fun.  I love the idea of doing something that's not actual work.  

Do you know how these work?  Somewhere around 12 sewists sign up for a year long commitment.  Each month it's someone's turn and they send out the fabric of their choice along with some directions for the type of block they're looking for.  Each member sews at least one block and sends it back.  And once during the year it gets to be your turn.  Love it!  And most have groups on flickr for everyone to see.

I was lucky enough to get into a bee already running: Busy Bees.  I took someone's place that had to leave.  It's a bunch of talented ladies and I'm so glad to be a part of it.

So these are my first blocks.  She wanted hexes and sent some Dolce and solid strips.  They're made up patterns that I paper-pieced.  I had a a lot of fun.  

Now we take a break for december, but I'll be back in the new year with more to share.  I'm happy to be doing a bit more quilting, and it's fun to have a specific challenge to work towards. 

I could totally see doing more of these so if you're a memeber of a cool modern bee (like say {Bee} Imaginative...) that is open to new members, please let me know!

 And on a side note, I'll be hosting the blog tour of Little Girls, Big Style by my friend Mary Abreu on Dec. 8th.  It's an awesome book that anyone sewing for a little girl should have on their resource shelf.  So if you want the chance to win a copy, stop back in a few days.

JT

 

158: happy birthday to me

Here's me at 35.

I'm definitely feeling my age lately, but pretty happy nonetheless.

Aurora has decided the appropriate birthday activity is fabric shopping.  Who am I to argue?

JT

148: roller coaster in my mind

Let's take a little trip in the mind of Jessica, shall we? Often it's a whirlwind ride, so you may want to hold on.

I guess I should preface this by telling you my mind races from subject to subject a lot of the time.  When I bring up a seemingly unrelated subject to my husband he'll sometimes ask "how did you get there?"  So I tell him.  It's usually about a dozen steps that I hopped through in about 10 seconds. 

Am I the only one like this?  I do wish I could shut it off sometimes...it makes falling asleep at night much more difficult.

Anyway, back to our little trip.  This one wasn't so fast, but rather a bit obsessive.

It all started with this photo:

I saw this lovely gypsy caravan inspiration over at an adorable blog, li'l magoolie. And I'm in love.  Seriously.  Madly.  Deeply.

I feel I NEED one of these in my backyard.  So I promptly started designing a playhouse for Aurora and Theo (OK, fine, for me really) based on these gorgeous bright colors.  I started figuring out how I was going to get my dad to help me build it.  I couldn't wait to have the fun of painting it all those colors and sewing curtains and cushions etc.

You'll see that Miko Design had the same inspiration for a great recycled version for her daughter's playhouse.

The plan was definitely to have one with a full size bed in the back so we could have sleepovers in it.  Sure, Aurora could do that with her friends into her teen years, but I also just dream of sleeping in such a place.  I guess camping out in your own back yard seems strange, but...cool, no?

Anyway, I obsessed over all these pictures and the idea.  Then I moved on to playhouse plans.  None are really quite right but I was thinking of what I could adapt.  Then I started looking at shed plans because maybe those would be more flexible.

Then I spoke with my dad about it and we thought maybe it really would be cool to have it on wheels so we could bring it camping.  This led to the idea of refurbishing an RV of some kind.  I start looking around, and who doesn't want one of these cool vintage Airstreams?

But I don't actually need a bathroom in it.  And, yes, they're WAY too expensive.  But what about a regular RV?  Let's check out craig's list shall we?  I see some real options for older ones people want to get rid of.  That would be kinda fun to redo.

Right about now I realized that I can't actually build such a structure in my yard or park an RV without out approval from the stupid, f***ing, homeowners association board.  I can't even put out a statue without their say so.  I hate it!  So I pull out the by-laws to see what I can and can't do.  Definitely a no go.  Grrr...

So now what?  How about moving?  I start looking at what's for sale in our immediate area.  In the end I like the idea of piece of property still in range of the same elementary school, that is plenty big enough to build our dream house with pool etc.  And of course a gypsy caravan.  That was the whole point right?

So, tommorrow I'm going out with the real estate agent to look at a few places.  Will anything actually come of it?  I don't know, but I'm so mad at being limited right now, that it actually makes me want to move.

And my husband is sort of in a dazed shock, like "um, what just happened?  You see one picture you like and suddenly we're building a new house?"  Poor guy.

JT

P.S. I know I owe you giveaway details, but that should be coming soon.  It might be over at a different site, but I'll let you know...

111: peek peek

I'm back!  Did you miss me?

I was away on a family vacation with no internet.  Man, does it feel strange to break off from that connection...both good and bad.

And I think that's my general feel on family vacations...they're kind of a double edged-sword.  On the one hand I love to spend the time with my kids creating memories away from the pressures of everyday.  We get to do so many cool things, and their smiling faces are just the best.  Then it comes time to pack.   Ugh.  And there are all the details of life away from the comfort of home, not to mention that exhaustion involved in taking two kids to the beach all day (actually they are quite good, but bathing them when you really just want to collapse after a long day is a pain).

Anyhoo, we've made the long drive home and I'm finally plugged in again.  So just to say "hi" and tease you a bit, I thought I'd share these lovely threads that I bought to do some sewing with my Timber fabrics.  So I guess they give you a clue on colors, although I must say, they don't look at all "rainbow-y" like this.  Plus, these pix from a rainy, dreary day do not do them justice, but I'm too lazy to do another take.

So, I hope you don't get too attached to these and get disappointed when you see the real thing.  I believe I'll be able to truly reveal the designs in a matter of weeks!  I can't wait.  Maybe I'll figure out some more acceptable peeks before then....hmmmm....

JT

92: things i have no business doing (but am doing anyway)

This list is getting long right about now.

I have a little announcement to make soon (basically me fessing up really) that will explain why I’m so busy and shouldn’t be indulging in these kinds of things.

I always wanted to have “big” secret like the all cool designers do, so that’s why I’m not telling you now.  J

Anyhoo, things I should not be doing include:

Sleeping til 11 or 12.

Going out for fondue.

Writing this post.

Getting a pedicure.

Reading so many amazing blogs.

And starting this knitting project.

I’m not a knitter…yet.  My sister is and she rocks.  So when she came to visit recently and managed to forget her needles, I dragged out mine and couldn’t resist picking it up again.  I know this doesn’t look like much (it’s not!) but I really enjoy how soothing it is.  It’s the start of a little fingerless glove.  Maybe it’s something I can finish before the cold weather returns…

JT

91: no regrets

I have this fear about pictures of my kids.  I’m afraid I’m gonna wake up one day and be devastated by the fact that I totally missed getting a picture of them looking a certain way or at a certain event.

I know it’s basically me worrying about how fast they’re growing up and not wanting to miss it.  So you’d think I’d take pictures of them every day.  Nope. 

As typical as it is, I was much better with Aurora when she was little.  It’s funny because I think it was partly because I was worse at photography then so I just shot her on auto with whatever light.

I do want a ton a photos of them.  My dad’s a photographer so we don’t lack for shots of me and my sisters as kids.  And I love ‘em. 

I wish I could capture all their amazing expressions.  It would be like preserving their childhood for me to look back on.  But I know I can’t.

I don’t do the regular portrait studio photos.  But I do wonder if I should have.  For the most part those are pretty shots of them looking “nice”.  I certainly wouldn’t mind having them, but they’re not crucial to me.

But one thing I have done with both kids now is have my amazing photographer friend Christianne, do a portrait session of each of them.  You’re looking at Theo’s today.  Aren’t they great?  I always hem and haw at the idea of spending energy and money on this kind of thing, but I never regret it. I’ve only done it once for each of them, but I’d like to do it more.  And I’m planning on a family session this year.

My friend and I were both kinda worried that there wouldn’t be any good shots, because, of course, he did NOT want to stay put.  If some of the shots look like he’s trying to look around the camera, well he is.  We had to bust out the DVD player at some point to keep him focused. 

But they sure did come out great.  Some even brought a tear to my eye, when I first saw them.  So, nope, I surely don’t regret the hassle and I’ve got to try to remember that and do it again.

JT

89: all grown up

This is my new love.  

Isn’t she beautiful?  Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever thought a bag was more gorgeous.

She was a saw-her-in-the-window-and-simply-could-not-pass-her-up purchase.

Generally I’m not that much of an impulse buyer, but I had encouragement from a good friend.

I did have a hard time with how much she cost.  I feel I’m all grown up now because I’ve bought an expensive bag.  I don’t think I’ve ever bought any kind of bag before that cost more than like $30.

Are you seeing all that amazing embroidery and the cute bird?

I got her in a Brighton store, which I’ve never even been in before.  And, get this, she’s a registered handbag.  With a serial number and everything.  All that means to me is if she gets dirty in the next 2 years, they’ll clean her…..for free!  That was my big concern with the cream colored canvas, so yay!

Now I wish I could carry her everywhere and I didn’t have to bring a diaper bag half the time…

JT

81: let me eat cake

I love cake.  LOVE it.  I mean, love, love, LOVE it.  A lot.  Oh wait have I told you this before?

Anyway, I have been pretty good about my eating habits lately.  (Well, we'll ignore the movie theater snacks last night.)  I've officially shed all of my baby weight.  Yay me!  Of course, I've since gained a couple back, but still...

But I'm really just itching to let go.  Basically even though I plan it out so I have "bad" days where I go a bit crazy, I can never just let go and eat everything I really desire (read: lots of cake).  I know all too well how easily 10lbs can pile back on.

I'm not particularly looking for diet tips here.  I've learned what works for me, and while I wish my metabolism was fast enough to allow for more junk food, most of the time I can handle it.  

But tonight I was just looking a these cake stands I got at a yard sale, and thinking, man, I could totally eat a whole cake myself right now.  :)

JT

80: lost

No, I'm not talking about the show, of which I'm a huge fan.  If I had any major insights on that ever-twisting and oh-so-facintating plot I'd share them, but I don't give it too much thought.  I've only got time to enjoy it for one hour a week (and maybe read a few blogs about it.) :)

What I am referring to is my current state of being.  Sometimes I go through these phases where I don't have the time, the motivation, or either to sew and create in a fun, adventurous way.  And, when I'm in that place, I feel I've lost hold of a bit of myself.  

My husband sometimes asks me "Are you there or are you missing?"  or "Are you a person?"  That's how much he gets me.  If I'm crazy stressed out or busy, sometimes I feel like I'm just a body going through the motions.  And then I find my way back.  And the amount that he's able to help me do that is pretty staggering.

But, don't worry about me too much right now.  I'm not so far gone.  In fact I think I'm just around the corner and I'll be catching up to myself at any minute.

I actually have been doing some creating as of late, but I think I'm craving some fun time to just do "whatever" instead of working on long ongoing projects.  And I wish I had more to show you.  Blogging has been so helpful in keeping me "on track" because I can look here and easily see that I'm moving forward and I'm not too stuck.  But when I don't post for a while I wonder if I've been derailed. 

For now I'll leave you with a picture of a little gift I made for some friends.  I've promised you a tutorial on these baby blankets and that's one of the things I'm working on.  My friends had their new beautiful baby just last week, at home, as planned, but a little quicker than expected.  In fact the midwives didn't make it quite in time! (But everything went A-OK.)

JT

75: may all happiness dwell in your heart

What a wonderful sentiment.  Makes me smile just to read it so I guess it kinda works, huh?

Recently I was antique store shopping and I got sidetracked by all the gorgeous cards.  But what could I buy for myself?  Surely not happy birthday or happy valentines day.  Then I stumbled on the general good wishes category.  Perfect.  

No, I'm not beneath buying warming fuzzies for myself.   Somebody's got to do it.

I have envisioned a beautiful, colorful inspiration board as really the only decorating I've done in my studio.  So I thought some lovely vintage words of encouragement would be a nice touch.

Please don't be surprised when I post about the wonderful board I just finished...like a year from now.  You know how I am about these things.

I have only the best wishes for you all...

JT

72: originality

I think about originality a lot.  It’s not my strong suit.  I’ve always considered myself very creative and I love to make beautiful things, but coming up with a completely new innovative idea is not my gift.  I’m more of a design maven.  I research to death and gather so much inspiration and then turn that all into my own art.

Sadly, this can make me feel like a fake.  I have a really tough time calling myself an artist.  (I’ve settled on designer for now).  I wish I could sit down with a blank canvas and just paint…it would make me feel so much more “real”. 

Recently I read this

On Knot Sew Crafty’s blog.

I thought to myself “God, yes!”.

I always feel it’s a fine line between inspiration and theft.  I’m constantly evaluating my stuff to determine if it’s different enough to call my own.  There are two reasons for this.  1. I really do respect artists.  There are so many talented people out there making wonderful stuff and I’d never want to diminish their work.  2.  I’m afraid someone will call me out, pointing out what a fake I am and how I can’t do my own work.  The second is something I definitely need to work on.

But where do you draw the line?  When I’m in doubt at all I give credit to someone else.  For example those marker rolls I made.  I gave credit to the Pink Chalk pattern, which in this case I feel was deserved.  But the reality is, I own the book with the pattern, but I barely followed it.  I did use rainbow fabrics, but I’m sure she’s not the first one to do that.  And I had seen a ton of other crayon and pencil rolls before, all made different ways.  It was simple idea which is all over the place, but I took it and then used the materials, dimensions, and sewing method that fit for me.  Does that make it mine?

Dunno….

And here’s a quilt I’m just starting.  I’m very excited to be sewing for no reason but the pleasure of it again.  (Don't you love Theo's little addition to my layout?) 

It’s completely my own pattern.  I didn’t look at any directions or color suggestion before starting.  But I don’t live in a vacuum.  I have seen the stacked coin pattern from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts and this isn’t all that different.  And it does look a lot like the Volumes fabric from Anna Maria Horner’s Drawing Room. 

In this case I’m confident that those sources are merely inspiration and I’m not copying them, but it’s not always so clear cut.  Where do YOU draw the line?  Or do you even care?  If you’re doing your creating just for yourself and not for sale, does it even matter at all?

JT

70: frank lloyd did it wright

(photo: norjam8)

I have a passion for all things Mission, Prairie, and Arts and Crafts style.  I think it’s all about the angles.  I love straight lines and perfect right angles.    I can’t help it, it’s the engineer in me. 

(photo: philip.sour)

So naturally I love Frank Lloyd Wright as a designer.  He was just brilliant.  Sadly I’ve never actually visited any of his houses, but it’s on my “to do” list.  Or better yet, I’d love to own one.  :)

(photo: yoshie231)

In reality, though, I like a more modern take on that style.  Sometimes I feel it can be too dark and heavy.  So the improvements I’ve done in my own home are a mix of modern and mission.  Well, it’s also got a ton of basic traditional stuff, because that’s how it was when I got it.

Anyway, when we bought the house we knew the kitchen was going to be completely overhauled.  I was just not OK with the pinkish pickled oak cabinets and purple (yes, you read that right) countertops.  It was very 80s even thought the house was built in the early 90s.  So we redid the kitchen before we even moved in.  Someday soon (4 years later) it will be done.  I swear.  And then I’ll show it all to you cause it rocks.

But there are two FLW projects I wanted to share.  The first are my new stained glass cabinet doors.  There were floral glass doors there before which weren’t terrible, just not my style.  It’s been an adventure to get these made.  They’re a total knock-off of a window in FLW's Ennis House.  I figured it was semi-OK to rip him off because I just did them for myself and didn’t profit in any way from them.  

I’ve had trouble getting the “artisit” who made them deliver an acceptable job.  I always end up in that “if you want something done right, do it yourself” spot.  But I just couldn’t bear the idea of leaning another time-consuming art to make these.  So I paid someone.  Way too much in my opinion.  But they do look pretty gorgeous. 

One thing I did actually make myself is the backsplash in my kitchen…particularly this inset above the stove.  Also a FLW window design (I can't remember which one).  I actually cut all those little pieces of tile on my very own wet saw.  Not the most fun I’ve ever had, but I totally love the outcome.

If you happen to be curious about my kitchen cabinets, they’re custom.  My favorite wood is maple so we did a natural maple cabinet in a shaker style.  My uncle made all the door fronts and veneered over the older cabinets to match.

I’ve always wanted to make a FLW quilt.  I actually have a book with patterns for them.  But so far it hasn’t happened.  Someday it will look great over my fireplace, I think.

JT

57: making a list, checking it twice

I'm a list-maker.  I think you either are or you aren't.  And don't be fooled, this doesn't mean I'm organized by any stretch.  It just means I like to write it all out once in a while.  Then I freak out about how long it is and how little time i have to do it all.

Like now...just about 2 weeks til Christmas and I still have so much to do.  And I'm not even shooting for an all handmade Christmas, which would be nice.  But I do have much projects and shopping etc. left.

If you're one of those people who finished your shopping weeks ago...well, I don't like you very much right now.

JT

56: mmm...bread...

Have I told of my love for bread?  No?  That's not possible.  I'm quite passionate about it.  Like if I was stuck on desert island with only one food, that's what I'd choose.  But then I'd miss butter.  And cake, of course. 

I often choose restaurants based purely on their bread offerings.  Make it warm and mushy and I'm there.  And I'm offended by people who leave it there in the basket untouched.  How dare they? 

Of course, this little love is not very good for my waistline.  I could never give up carbs.  I tried the Atkins diet once and it made me very very sick.  I do still have a few lingering baby pounds that I've really been trying to shed lately.  So the fact that I got this book, that everyone's already talked about on their blogs, has not helped.

But how could I not try it?  And let me tell you, it does not disappoint.  The only really negative I can say is they tell you to wait til the bread cools to eat it.  What?!?!?  There's nothing better than hot, fresh bread.  I guess it cuts better when cooled, but I just rip it apart in big chunks, so who cares?

My mom has an amazing bread recipe that she makes on holidays.  We all look forward to it.  It's your typical yeast bread with all the kneading and rising, so it's bit labor intensive, but the results are beyond scrumptious.  

But believe me, you don't want to know how much butter goes into those babies.  It's best if you never know.  And I'm not posting a recipe, not because it's top secret, but because I'm lazy and I don't want to go get it.  Really, how many of you would try it anyway?

JT

53: grateful

It's very appropriate that I'm feeling particularly grateful at this time of year.  Of course I'm so thankful for my wonderful family, my beautiful home, and for being able follow my passion and create as I feel I must.  

But I'm also thankful for you guys.  I know I've said this before, but I really didn't know what it would mean to me to be able to share all I do everyday.  And I had no idea how supportive you'd all be.

I'm so excited that my basement playroom design was featured on Design Sponge.  How cool is that?  I love that amazing blog and I've already gained some new friends (OK, readers for now...)

I've been immersing myself in holiday preparations the last few days.  Not much actual crafty-ness to show you, except for these fabric leaves.  They're just two layers of batik fabric fused together with fusible web and then cut out into leaf shapes.  I just wanted to add a touch more autumn to my thanksgiving table.

I promise to try try to take a few tablescape/decoration pictures tomorrow during all the celebration.  I just finished the flower arrangements...

I'm wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving full of warmth and love.

JT 

51: soccer mom

It hit me recently that I am actually a real live "soccer mom" now.  It's good thing, I know, that my daughter is able to do various activities, and is happy and thriving.  But I feel it signals a serious plunge in my "coolness" factor.  I've been driving a caravan for 4 years now, so I guess I really should have seen this coming...

I still FEEL young and at least somewhat hip, but I know it won't be too long before my daughter won't want to be seen with me for my lack of coolness.  Or maybe not.  Do you think I could manage to be the super-cool mom that all the teens wish they had for their own?  Probably not.  Its not like I'm going to have drinking parties at my house.  But I will always have cool birthday parties.  :)

JT