One Thing Leads to Another (and Another)

So, the painting and decorating that has been happening in the living half of our home sometimes goes by "the remodel", but there isn't anything structural being done, so that really isn't accurate. Then sometimes I will say, "Updating," but since I am not necessarily young and fresh and I like what I like...updating is a relative term. Face-lift....I think that is the description I have been searching for and as I suspect, when you get a face-lift, you then need to color your hair, then you need new clothes, and then you need....well, then one thing leads to another and then another.

Needing another thing is where this large expanse of freshly painted light gray family room wall has found itself.

All the nick knacks and wall hangings have circled round and round, into the entry hall and into the dining room and when the music stopped, this wall remained empty. And this is when I broke my main New Year's resolution.  (Finish the 2013 projects before starting anything new in 2014) 

Enter the new project to hang on the empty wall. The thing that sent me off to sew, was 

being able to finally use some of the hand dyed fabrics in a project for me.

My hubby estimated the wall quilt to be up in about 2 days. (He was seriously being generous on the time frame.) I am ready to trim the blocks and the borders are cut.....it has taken, just shy of 40 hours to get to this point. I am doing raw edge applique on the sewing machine, I would never finish if I was doing hand applique!

It was so hard to make the first cut into my batiks, but so glad I found a fun project where they look really happy.  Wish I were ready to do the quilting...

Happy coloring,

Tana

Doing for Others

Well, this is not a post on my being a benevolent humanitarian,(insert snicker) but rather the crazy idea that I can create items from another person's vision.  It started this morning when I checked my etsy shop and had a request for a custom art pillow.

This is the pillow that she liked...BUT....could I do the same muted tones with a frog/toad theme. (If you must know...I'm not very fond of frog/toads.) I decided to make a little sketch of an idea and look through some fabric to see if there was a vision.

I think this toad would be very "hoppy" if the pillow back was cut from a piece of hand dyed fabric. Waiting now to see if our ideas are mutual. He may get a little color pencil anyway just for fun...

Happy Coloring, 
Tana

Love to Go a Wandering

It only took a year of indecision, but we finally plunged back into the world of camping. The matching logo shirts and mugs were from the RV dealership in celebration of 50 years. I am sure I have 50 years of wandering left in me....(LOL! A couple of centenarians pulling a 30ft trailer. Move out of the way quickly.)

The first outing was a three night stay in a state park close to home. Even though this is our fourth trailer, each has its own personality and quirks. 

And this is the first one to have most of the comforts of home!

Hubby asked me the other day (while we were re-packing after the weekend trip) if I was going to be able to sew at the dining table. Tee hee...he knows me too well, and no, the sewing machine probably will not be going on trips. 

However, I am rarely without a traveling craft. 

I fell in love with this quilt pattern at the first of the summer and cut several units to hand piece while in the car.

Guidelines for a travel craft are:

• it must not be messy (this project almost has too many pieces, but if they stay in their own bag, things usually work fine)
• pattern should not require too much counting, labeling or referencing
• if the project is put down or I look away to view the scenery, it should be easy to pick up and start again

A good start to a happy quilt...

Giving a Gift

I woke up today knowing that today was the day to celebrate!

My favorite gifts to give are just because. So, just because I re-vamped my blog and just because I have many new items to add to Grannys Gift on Etsy, and just because it is getting closer and closer to that gift giving time of year here is a gift for you. 

♥ ♥ Visit www.grannysgift.etsy.com and use the coupon code GOTIT13 during checkout for  $5.00 off any purchase over $15.  This coupon will expire 11/15/13. 

♥ And, just because I feel friendly, if you "like" my facebook page or "follow" the blog I will send you an original blank note card. (My choice of print.)

Be sure to message me an address on where to send your card.