Jellybean Soup Co.

New Website

2010-05-20T20:24:00.002-04:00

Hello? Anyone still there?

I haven't posted in FOREVER because after moving, Husband (AKA R0b) was making a beautiful website for me. And now that it's finished, I'll be posting there, of course.

www.reallyhandmade.com

Come on over and see it, sign up for a class, or just leave some love!

News

2010-01-12T23:00:00.003-05:00

I know. I haven't written here forever.

First there's getting ready for Christmas, and then there are the actual holidays. And then there's the really big, HUGE, OMG kind of news that just kind of makes your head swirl.

We're moving.

To PORTLAND, OREGON.

I still can't even believe it when I type it. We've talked about it, and wanted to go for oh so long, and then *boom*, the Husband gets a job offer.

So we're packing. And painting. Selling. Moving.

And I'll be back here once we're settled.

Working here and there

2009-11-29T17:19:00.002-05:00

I've been around.

Working here and there on different projects, most of them being Christmas presents that I can't show here. Well, I can't show here yet.

But this one is for a beautiful baby girl in Washington, DC.

I learned how to make these maverick stars here. They're quite addictive, so consider yourself warned.I put said stars in the "middle" of wonky log cabin blocks, and outlined them in orange. And, as usual, I had a supervisor, ready to step in should I need assistance.

I hadn't made sleeved pillow cases before, but it was a cinch, and I got to use up two blocks that otherwise would not have had a home. They were just a tad too big for the quilt, and I needed fronts for the pillows anyways, so I quilted them and attached a bright orange backing.

And now it's back to more Christmas sewing!

If you want to eat some apple crisp...

2009-10-03T10:31:00.012-04:00

Then you've got to buy the apples. Preferably at the Farmer's Market.

Where you'll see a bike you've just GOT to have, because of course, everything you buy would fit in that perfect little basket.

And there will be bright and sunny flowers that would look great on your table...

But remember that you came for apples, so go buy your apples and go home. But buy a pumpkin and cream cheese muffin first, because it's going to be de.li.ci.ous.

And when you get home, try out the cute little bowl your mother just picked up for you, because it looks so lonely when it's empty...

It's not that Duncan loves apples or new bowls, he just loves to scratch his chin on anything nearby, in an attempt to distract you from a certain "too much apple crisp-eating coma".

Remember that your Husband is helping you to take pictures, and stop yelling at him for taking ones of you, because you can just delete them later (ah-ha!).

Wash the apples...

Peel the apples...

Cut them up and pour them out...

And this? Well, you can just ignore this:

Yes, it's a potato masher. So sue me. I thought that just maybe it would work. That just maybe it would cut up my not-soft-enough butter and I wouldn't make a mess. *sigh* I don't think I have a picture of the part where the Husband cleans up the kitchen as penance for taking pictures of me...

Meanwhile, someone has be patiently waiting for you to stop baking and play with him...

"I brought you my tiger toy 15 minutes ago and it still hasn't moved."

"Puh-leeease?"

I think in exchange for not getting to play he may have had some ice cream. Oh wait, of course he had ice cream, or else he'd stare at you as if you'd just informed him "dogs don't eat ice cream anymore".

Mmmmm... enjoy your apple crisp-eating coma.

Summer Goes Too Quickly

2009-08-10T21:08:00.007-04:00

Summer is winding down, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. I think there are too many things that I wanted to do, but they never really happened. I didn't get to enjoy my back porch nearly as much as I wanted to, so trees are starting to turn shades of bright red, as the flowers continue to bloom and disappear.

August means the hibiscus are slowly fading away....

And that soon the dahlias will have to be dug up and stored for winter....

But then I will have more time to make whole wheat blueberry pancakes....

And I'll have more time for sewing, which is always a plus for me. I've decided my winter project is to learn how to knit. Now crochet, crochet I can do. Granted, there is a lot of cursing and frustration associated with crocheting, but for some reason I still want to pick up a ball of yarn and just make it work.

Do you knit? Is it easier or harder than crochet?

Finally Finished

2009-08-03T21:19:00.005-04:00

This is the face of someone who has been banned from my work area:

I think I'll call it his "I like this box better anyway" face. Being a typical cat, Duncan has a tendency to sit on any piece of paper, scrap of fabric, or article of clothing you may be trying to read/sew and/or wear. It's a never-ending battle that I lose on a daily basis.

Somehow though, I can sometimes scoot him away long enough to take a picture or two.

Yeah, or one. Make that one picture without his fuzzy butt. Outside, however, things are out of his reach, and I can stand on my tip-toes while Husband takes a few pictures for me (I could only find one clip, so please pardon my hand, and the neighbor's fence isn't exactly my favorite place to take pictures, but I'm trying to make do).

TAH-DAH!

It is finally, finally, FINALLY done! How many needles did I break on this one? Probably about four, and I don't even want to recall the amount of swearing that came from my mouth, along with cave woman-ish grunts, squeals, and "ah crap" comments. I decided to stipple quilt the entire thing, and I'm not quite sure why I ever thought it was a good idea. Now don't get me wrong, I love the way it looks and feels, but geeeeezzz. That was a pain, and I don't know how much recovery time I'll need before I considering doing another large quilt. I think it might be like recovering from a hangover. The next day you say "I'm never going to do that again", but give it a few months and you'll say "hey, let's go out again and drink amaretto sours/buy more fabric".

I did hide a little something special in the border.... can you find it?

All-in-all, I'm in love with it. It has the perfect amount of wavy, crinkly goodness I was looking for. I wish I could have made it bigger, as it just fits over the edges of our queen-sized bed, but I didn't have enough fabric.

I had a crazy dream during one of first weeks we slept under it. I had eaten a little bit of a serrano pepper, and apparently they make me hallucinate. No, I'm not joking, and it was not a fun night for me. I mention it because I woke up to find myself frantically checking over every inch of this quilt, because my delusional dreamland, it was torn to shreds. Of course that night I also thought the lights in the house wouldn't turn off, and that the dog needed to go pee at 1:30 AM (he was really confused), and that Husband had driven my car off a pier.

I think I'll stick to peanut butter and smaller projects for a while.

How does your garden grow?

2009-06-18T20:15:00.004-04:00

I LOVE my "Elsa Spath" clematis. I have to say that it was one of those plants that was growing like a weed (oh wait, everything was) when we bought our place, and I had no idea what it was. A neighbor told me "oh, I think that has flowers on it or something". I decided not to rip it out of the ground and let it grow.

I'm really glad I did! There's nothing quite like a giant bouquet of purple flowers to welcome you home.

And I actually have pictures of quilt I finished! Of course I finished it in the car on the way to the baby shower, but that doesn't matter, right? And the pictures were taken at the shower after giving to the recipient, but I don't think she minded.

I've decided I'm quite a fan of the wonky long cabin blocks- I liked not trying to make them "perfect". I tried to make something neutral, since we don't know the sex of the baby, so I chose orange, yellow, green, and gray.

Now if only I could finish a project of my own!

Peonies

2009-06-13T20:24:00.003-04:00

*Sigh*

I know I've been gone for far too long. So sorry.... I think about writing here all of the time. I take the pictures, write the stories that go with them in my head, but then I sit on my back porch with Duncan, or take a bike ride with Husband instead of posting all of it. Not that I'm using those things as an excuse to leave this space unattended to, but really, I am. I can't resist summer, what can I say?

What do you do when you have these beautiful flowers opening up all over your yard?

Or when your dog wants nothing more than to roll around on dead worms in the dirt pit that (was) your backyard?

I promise it's all green and lush and beautiful now.... if I can find another "before" picture, I'll happily post an "after" one too!

Yep, I think it's time for someone to go on a walk....

Playdate

2009-05-04T10:26:00.003-04:00

It's always entertaining to watch Dax and his best friend Charlie play together...

There's a constant need to steal toys from each other so that somebody can be chased...

And then there's Charlie's tricks, that he's trying to teach Dax how to do.... unfortunately, his legs are just a bit too short...

And Charlie hasn't quite figured out how to run while wearing his hula hoop.

He looks like a circus dog instead...

I promise there's been work around here, and not just puppy-lovin'! I'll post a few pictures of quilts and other handmade projects next, okay?

Mail Time!

2009-04-28T21:03:00.004-04:00

My mailbox has been getting quite the workout lately. AND. I. LOVE. IT.

I received a package the other day from the one and only Sandi Henderson! It was a lovely prize of patterns, fabric, a cupcake pincushion kit, and tiny baby set of crocheted cherries! I am so excited to dig into all of this:

Here are those teensy-tiny cherries up close:

*Swoon* If I ever thought I had the patience to try to make my own, I totally would. But I totally don't. At least not today, after getting soaked by a sudden downpour during my walk with Dax.

During "I'm and Ginger Monkey's" Fabric Swap, I won another wonderful prize from Amy, of Seven Stitches. It came with four yards of beautiful Japanese kimono fabric, and a host of cute bookmarks. I couldn't resist giving two of the pieces of fabric to my co-worker, as she is of Japanese lineage, and had been looking for this exact thing!

I know exactly who's getting this postcard, but I won't say who... hehehe ......

And last but not least, I finally, finally, finally, have a walking foot. I felt immediately relieved upon seeing it in it's tiny box.
And who else happened to be cleaning out their stash? My wonderful neighbor Gayle, who not only lets my pup have an occasional (hilarious) romp in the backyard with her dog, but who also used to love to do needlework.
Now I know the rules here. If I'm going to get this much great stuff, I'd better be ready to pay it forward! I've got quite a few things in mind for another giveaway soon, because I know you love mail just as much as I do!

Blossoms

2009-04-21T19:04:00.005-04:00

I promise I didn't mean to be gone for such a long time....

This warmer weather means I'll be spending much more time in the sun with a certain fuzzy face.....

He looks so serious and studious, and he's really just patiently waiting for me to tell him he's allowed to go eat his treat that's just out of the frame. Either that, or he's trying to use his mind reading powers to figure out whether or not I'm going to take him on a walk after his portrait session. You can almost see his mustache here.... Monsieur Le Dax.

Duncan is apathetic, and therefore must also endure having a camera block his view of the birds in the yard. He'll get me back for this at about 2 AM, when he decides it's time to lay on my head while I'm sleeping.

All of my bulbs have finally opened up and are happily showing off their bright colors...

I'm not the only one who likes to sit outside and enjoy the spring flowers....

I did tell Husband that this looks like a posed senior picture, to which he laughed and agreed. Dax almost looks like he might be fake, just little stuffed Corgi toy.

Would you believe him if he told you he didn't like dogs?

Yeah, me either.

Spring Buds

2009-03-10T10:18:00.009-04:00

Winter has finally given way to Spring in Indiana...

The warmer weather has meant long walks with the pup, daily checking of the flower beds, and the need to pull out t-shirts and put away coats to encourage Summer to hurry up and get here.

It's funny when you wait all Winter to see what flowers will bloom. There are things blooming where they shouldn't be, but I don't mind...

And this change in the air means I need to hurry up and finish our summer/fall quilt...

So that new quilts for soon-to-be-born babies can be started on...

Platters, Piecing, and Scraps

2009-02-22T22:45:00.003-05:00

A Valentine's present to myself....

That just happens to match my very-favorite Easter candy...mmm... Cadbury candy coated chocolate eggs. I would happily eat a bag a day of these little guys!

I'm still very very slowly working on my fall quilt. I find that I have to take my time on large projects, or else by the time it's done, I won't want to look at it. I've done a lot of chain piecing, which has helped it to go faster, but I'd still rather just twitch my nose and have it all be done!

I've accumulated a nice little container of scraps from this quilt top:

And I have considered giving them away...

I'll have to think about it though (or be talked into it)- I am just so in love with these colors!

Pup Cup

2009-02-09T21:24:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to say hello...

And to let you know Dax has picked up my addiction to coffee.

What??

No....it's just whipped cream.... but yes, he just kind of likes it. Can't you tell?

Finished

2009-02-01T20:51:00.002-05:00

It's finally finished and will be sent on its way soon enough....

I do appreciate that this little quilt taught me how to finally stipple. After adjusting the tension on my sewing machine 495 times, that is.

I hope this little family loves it as much as I do.

Cats Have Dental Needs Too

2009-01-29T18:39:00.003-05:00

Duncan likes to be held like a baby. I mean, over your left shoulder, as if you were going to burp him. It's the only way he'll let you hold him, actually. Last night I thought I'd pick him up and hold him while I was getting ready for bed and brushing my teeth. Usually he'll just lay there and let me hold him, but last night he decided he needed to brush his teeth too.

All I can hope is that he doesn't do this to the other end of my toothbrush, ever.

The giveaway quilt is almost finished! It has helped me to realize how much I love embroidery, and how relaxing it is for me.

I wanted to keep adding and adding to this, but made myself stop after finishing the birds. It's now been quilted to prevent me from coming up with any more ideas of things to add, and it's the first quilt I've ever successfully stipple quilted too! There was a lot I learned while making this, and I think that's a sign I need to make and giveaway a few more!

Dax the Snowbunny

2009-01-29T18:34:00.004-05:00

I'm not saying that this is a professional quality video, or even a very good one by any means, but oh it makes me laugh. Dax just LOVES deep snow, and he was more than happy to bounce through it the other day. Husband took a few great pictures of our little snowbunny, and I'll be sure to post those later. Meanwhile, I hope you get a few giggles out of watching our pup!

Lazy Sunday

2009-01-25T19:33:00.005-05:00

I love starting the morning off with vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon french toast....

And then working in time for quilting appliqué....

And buying new kitchen items just because they're cute.

Plus, this little utensil crock made me realize I have seven wooden spoons, and I have no idea where any of them came from, or how they made it to my kitchen.

What on earth do you do with seven of the exact same wooden spoon?

Memphis- It's Warmer Than Where I Live.

2009-01-19T19:57:00.008-05:00

That was the main thing on my mind as we walked around downtown Memphis on Saturday. Being able to wear a coat, but no gloves, hat, or Appalachian hiking boots was awesome.

We decided to explore the city after a lunch of a-maz-ing BBQ:

The wife of one of the restaurant owners just happened to be dining near our table, and she took us in back to show us where they smoked the meat. Let's just say three words I would use to describe that experience are huge, greasy, and delicious.

During lunch we began discussing the song "Walking in Memphis", because we were questioning some of the lyrics. Particularly where myself and a friend thought the words were, "Walking with my feet ten feet off the pier". It's completely wrong, but not quite as bad as "We built this city on broken glass"- which is what one of my old roommates used to think the words were to "We built this city on rock and roll".

So after googling to correct lyrics, we learned it was "Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale", and made up our minds to go find Beale Street, and the Lorraine Hotel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

We were awe-struck to actually see the hotel in person, rather than rely on the images we had grown up with in our history books.

Beale street had so much character....

Neon signs.....

Mose the howling carriage dog......

Crumbling building facades held up by a network of steel so as to preserve them.....

On the way to and from Memphis, I worked on hand quilting a quilt top I made last year, and just never found time to finish:

Not that I'll have time to finish now either, but I thought I'd try to make a little bit of progress! I'll start working on Emily's mini family tree quilt as soon as I hear back from her, and of course I'll post pictures of the quilt during it's creation. But now I'm off to make a tutorial for Lollychops on how to use freezer paper to make quilt appliqué!

And the Winner Is...

2009-01-16T08:43:00.003-05:00

Oh the anticipation! The excitement! The... the... I don't know!

I've been trying since 7:30 AM to write this post! We left for Memphis, TN around 7:00 AM, and my mind was frozen from taking the dog for a walk in the -10º Indiana weather. After realizing what I had forgotten to do, we spent most of the trip looking for areas with Wi-Fi, to no avail. McDonald's, Starbucks, and a gas station all proved fruitless, and my iPhone was less-than happy with Blogger.

BUT- WE HAVE A WINNER OF THE MINI-FAMILY TREE QUILT!

After numbering all your comments and giving those who blogged about the giveaway extra chances to win- the winner is Emily, with the names Adam, Emily, Gianna, and Sehla! Congratulations, Emily, and I will be in contact with you as soon as I return home!

Thank you to everyone who entered, and I do hope you'll stick around for future giveaways!

And the Countdown Begins...

2009-01-13T21:05:00.010-05:00

It's not too late to enter for the mini-family tree quilt- I have had so much fun reading all of the comments and names you have left for me! I will choose and announce a winner on Friday, and then start your quilt on the long drive down to Memphis, Tennessee. If anyone has any "you must go here" advice, I'd love to hear it!

Thank you for all of your advice on the sticker removal! I received a few emails about using things such as peanut butter and olive oil too, but I decided to tempt fate with an ancient bottle of Goo-Gone. I figured I would try it on one patch, and then try someone else's remedy on another patch.

But, lo and behold, it worked, and it didn't even make the bright red color fade or run. I still want to try all of the suggestions that were sent my way, and I'm sure I'll have the chance! After the disaster was averted, I cut up a few more scraps of fabric and sewed a couple of courthouse blocks:

And what's better to end a night of sewing with than a root beer float (in the dead of winter, mind you)?

But of course, there's someone who decided that all of the attention can't be on sewing and ice cream eating:

He's weird, but at least I'm pretty sure he knows it.

So Very Excited....

2009-01-10T19:33:00.008-05:00

Wow! That's about all I can say at this point! It is so wonderful to read all of your great comments and visit your blogs and websites! I am itching to get started on this mini-quilt giveaway, and I'm debating about whether or not to do two or three instead of just one....

Until I can get started on that project though, I'm cutting all of my pieces for our quilt top:

I'll be very glad when I have enough scraps to someday make a large scrap quilt instead of buying yardage. Mostly because I don't appreciate when this happens:

I purchased a quarter flat at Joann's, and now I can't get the stupid sticker off. Please help if you have any remedies for getting rid of this sticky gunk! If you do, I may give you the recipe for a piping hot bowl of "Baked Potato Soup", complete with bacon, cheese, green onion, and of course, potatoes.

Now this is off subject, but I have to share a picture of Dax with his best friend ever, Charlie. Charlie lives across the street, and they love to do things that all dogs do, but playing tug-of-war is their speciality.

Someday I hope to be able to post a video of Dax running across the street to go see Charlie. My neighbor and I check the street for cars, and then I open my door and Dax runs as fast as his little bunny legs will let him to go play with Charlie.

Hilarious, I tell you.

Molten Cake

2009-01-08T19:25:00.009-05:00

If you haven't discovered this delicious gooey treat yet, just google "molten cake". I assure you that you'll be checking your cupboards for all of the necessary supplies to bake one (or four) after that.

We just had to make some up the other night:

I dust the dishes with baking cocoa so that they come out easier:

I wish I had a picture of the finished product to show you, but Husband and I inhaled our cakes faster than the camera could *click*.

I promise this won't become a baking or cooking blog, but there are a few recipes that I think I have to share with you- I wouldn't want anyone to be deprived of molten cake! Just be sure to only cook it for the minimum amount of time (unless it looks way to gooey for you). The more it cooks, the less "molten" your cake will be!

I will have a few sewing projects to show to you tomorrow, but right now I just want to remind you to register for the giveaway! And note that if you blog about it, you will get 5 extra entries- and an extra treat in your package if you win!

Bourbon Slush!

2009-01-06T17:09:00.011-05:00

Okay, it was requested by Dozer that I hand over the bourbon slush recipe. I made you a fun little recipe card- although it isn't nearly as cute as the ones Lollychops makes! Although I haven't tried printing it out yet to check the size.... I suppose I should do that.

I am not responsible for any embarrassing stories that may occur after partaking in said bourbon slush! But feel free to blog about them so that I can say "See honey?! I'm not the only one that does that!"

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful comments! And of course your fuzz butts should be on the quilt too- they are a big part of the family. Now I'm even MORE excited to make the mini-tree quilt! Remember that you have until January 16th to enter... and I'll throw in 5 extra entries if you blog about the giveaway! Maybe I'll add another way you can earn entries every day.... hmm... sending me chocolate will always work.

Maybe another way you can enter is by volunteering to sweep all of the Corgi and cat hair off of my couch. This is what Husband and I come home to most every day:

I think it's called "if we sit here and stare out the window long enough, maybe they'll come home".

How can I be mad at that face for shedding 24/7? Oh that's right, I can't be.

Family Christmas

2009-01-04T09:58:00.006-05:00

We headed up to northern Indiana on Friday night for a family Christmas that was on Saturday. Husband took a few pictures of my parent's house the night before the mayhem began.

I like this one because it just looks so warm inside...

And then there was Saturday- filled with tons of food and bourbon slush. Bourbon slush is just amazing-I-need-three-glasses-of-this goodness. I have a friend who introduced it to her family, and now they have it at all of their family gatherings.

Instead of the usual name-drawing that occurs each year, we decided to each bring a few presents and then play games to win them, after drinking most of the bourbon slush. About 20 minutes into a "game" of mass confusion, Husband ended up with earrings, and I ended up with batteries, which my Grandfather was very proud of bringing, apparently. I think Dax hid upstairs during most of the games, because I'm sure his poor huge ears just couldn't handle our loud mouths!

I wish I had a picture of the family tree quilt I posted about last time. *sigh* After I gave it to my Grandmother, I had an "oh crap" moment, where I realized I had forgotten to take a picture of it. I'm sure I'll get one eventually, but until then, you'll just have to be surprised at what the mini-quilt looks like if you win it!

Giveaway!

2009-01-02T16:25:00.004-05:00

The guilt of not posting after mentioning a giveaway has finally gotten to me... oh the shame. I promise there is one though! I got a bit too busy with last-minute Christmas gifts that turned out to take a lot more time than I expected. An entire quilt in three days? All done by hand? With everyone in the family's name embroidered on it? Ah, why not!? Nuts, I tell you.

Anywho, I would like to make a mini-family tree quilt for you too!! All that you have to do is leave me a comment that lists all of the names you would like to have on the quilt. You can enter up to three times, and you can enter on behalf of one other person also. I mean, think of the brownie points you can earn here, geesh. I'll give everyone (who ever may still be there after my hiatus, that is) up to two weeks to enter, and then pick a winner randomly. Good luck!

Until then, I shall be having fun with a few books from a co-worker,

and, finally delving into my stash of favorite fabrics....

I can't wait!

UPDATE: Entries for this giveaway will only be accepted until 12:00 AM, January 16th, EST.

Sad face...

2008-12-04T19:25:00.004-05:00

Here's to hoping that everyone is getting their Christmas shopping done! I know I haven't started... eh... maybe Etsy will help me out with that. The giveaway "surprise" is still not finished, but it's my only project for the night, so it has to get done, right? Until then, I give you Dax's best sad face (or his get-that-out-of-my-face, face)...

Stockings for Stuffing

2008-11-25T22:15:00.004-05:00

The stockings are still not done- but at least they're getting there! In an effort to get them done quickly (I'm not looking for heirloom quality here!) I have re-discovered fabric glue. I'm beginning to remember why I quit using this sticky slime. I think I should find some fusible interfacing- there's got to be more somewhere around here....

I did, during my search for stocking-appropriate fabric, find a few remnants that I liked. I think I'm going to make a bit of Christmas cheer and give it away!

I will be taking a break for Thanksgiving with the family, but I hope to have my *surprise* for you ready soon after that!

I told you so.

2008-11-23T20:21:00.005-05:00

I just have to say- I call it.

Ah yes. Every year, Duncan tries to eat the tree. But this year, I was so lucky and got a taste of his "cat-stop-chewing-on-that" spray. I was eating lunch and couldn't figure out why it tasted like I was licking rubber. It turns out that the spray I had used on the tree last year had rubbed off on my hands, and therefore my lunch tasted like pencil erasers.

But I did manage to get the tree up and decorated, and the mantle is almost there. I'm making our Christmas stockings with my nice little stash of satins, so I'll post more on those when they're finished.

Ah.... adding to the "projects that need to be finished" pile...

Poor Pumpkin!

2008-11-21T10:44:00.012-05:00

Okay, so I don't have a vendetta against our squirrels. I'm sure that's how this blog reads though, because they always seem to be up to no good whenever I'm getting ready to write a post. I was warned by our neighbors, prior to buying a pumpkin, that a mess of seeds and pumpkin pulp would be strew across our front stoop, but I decided to risk it anyway. They didn't notice the bright orange globe for quite a few weeks, but soon it was nibbled away until it became this:

It has now been moved to the backyard by the bird feeder so that they can continue to feast on my attempt at festive decoration.

As I was taking a picture of my sad pumpkin, the perpetrator decided to try to scare me off.

It almost worked.

I have been sewing, baking and crocheting though, along with having started a new job. I think I'm getting used it though... slowly... but I'm getting back on track. I hope to be posting on a consistent basis soon, but be patient with me! If you are, I may make you this:

From this:

I tell you what. Chocolate Truffle cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache is fine by me anyday! Although that's definitely an "after the attack" photo, I think you might be able to tell that the filling is creamy, light, and smooth.... and that I feel I should make another soon.

Anyhow, with my pumpkin now ruined, I believe it means I'm allowed to put up all of my Christmas decorations. I have a hard time doing so before Thanksgiving, but Husband already has up the outer lights.

Plus, I think the mantle has been waiting all year for me to bring out the lights again.

I sense that there will be pictures of Duncan playing in the Christmas tree box posted soon.

More Hours in the Day, Please!

2008-10-21T11:22:00.008-04:00

I believe that there may be nothing better than being wrapped up in a quilt and a sweatshirt on a cold fall day. In case you haven't noticed, it's my favorite time of year. Yes, I love Christmas too, but falling down because of ice, having the cuff of my jeans get wet from snow, and being broke from buying gifts does mark it down to maybe third place.

Dax loves fall just as much as I do. Probably because it means I'm more than willing to take him to the park to make new friends.

But, I promise that going to the park has not been the only thing I've been doing! I've been mainly working on a wedding dress and birdcage veil for a friend of Husband's. She had her alterations done at a national wedding dress chain where she purchased her gown, and they did a horrible job "fixing" her dress. I was amazed at what I saw when I took it apart!

This is a (poor quality) picture of her birdcage veil in progress. I drew out a 10 second sketch of what her floral lace pattern was, and re-drew it onto freezer paper. That was then ironed onto satin, cut out, and sew onto muslin to give it stability. The end product was beaded to match her dress, and I'll post pictures of it after she, well, gets married!

I still haven't free motioned quilted yet.... yes, I'm scared. I think I may be too much of a perfectionist to just "go for it". But, I'll keep practicing and let you know when I work up the courage to use it on a project.

Here is a quilt top that Husband says looks like a pantone book:

I have to agree with him, and I like it that way. Gradating colors make me happy! I appliqued the circles on using a blanket stitch, and I've backed it with a piece of thick cozy fleece. I want to try something that doesn't have as much weight as a quilt, but still has that quilt "look".

I think Dax approves.

To Sew or Not to Sew...

2008-10-13T21:30:00.003-04:00

Lots of things get in the way of me being productive. Things like family visits, lazy Sunday afternoons, naps, going to the park, and well, a host of other events that allow me to procrastinate. I know I'm blaming all of the above, and that all of above can be avoided and/or rescheduled, but if I don't take time to do some good 'ole nothing, my projects suffer. I give you exhibit A:

In the past, in order to de-stress, I tried to crochet. I decided that I would maybe take this approach this afternoon. I opened up my drawer of half-finished crochet projects and found this- evidence that crochet is rarely a stress-free activity for me. I'm so focused on making sure it's square and even and has the right amount of tension that I tense up and it's not square, or even or loose. On the right is what happens when I try to crochet and I'm not relaxed. On the left is what happens after I've had a beer (or 3) and told myself that it's okay if it's not perfect.

I'm not even really sure what to do with my NINE crocheted-so-tightly-I-could-hardly-get-a-hook-in-there squares. Maybe I'll make Duncan a vest and give him more of a reason to bite my ankles in the morning.

After seeing the squares and realizing that I was nowhere near being relaxed enough to go to war with a ball of yarn, I decided that maybe I would finally cut into this stash.

I've been hoarding these fabrics for a few months now because I'm having a hard time deciding what I want the quilt top to look like. And, I have a hard time cutting up any fabric that I really love because, well, then it gets used up and I don't have it any more. It's like being 8 years old and eating all of your Easter candy in one night. Guess who never did that and still had purple Peeps chickens come Christmas? That's right.

But, I enjoy reading blogs in which I get to see projects come along, so I figured I would do the same. Plus, it gives me more motivation to move ahead and *sigh* cut up my tiny collection.

This is a quilt that is pleading to be finished and put up on Etsy:

I created the pattern myself, and I haven't decided how to quilt it. I believe I may give my first try at free motion quilting, which I'm sure will include lots of prayers, cursing, and maybe a few tears. I suppose I should go ahead and have a drink first too, because if my experience with free motion quilting is going to be anything like crochet, Duncan's getting a vest and a quilt. Merry Christmas, Dunk-a-Dunk.

Yay for Etsy!

2008-10-07T22:35:00.010-04:00

Oh gosh. It's finally getting there. My legs are on fire from my MacBook slowing roasting them while I have been diligently setting up my Etsy shop. It still has a way to go, but at least I have two whole quilts posted! How excited am I!? If you absolutely have to check it out, my shop URL is: jellybeansoup.etsy.com.

On another note, guess who else was excited today? Excited about nothing, that is. Who was running around, smacking Dax in the face, and then giving me the "chase me, I'm crazy!" look?

That would be our beloved Duncan Nonuts. I wish that I could of gotten a picture of him with his crazy eyes and his ears down in a pre-pounce moment. Usually, you can find him curled up in his little bed, or on top of one of the couch cushions taking a morning nap (yes, my beloved fuzz butts often sleep the morning away).

He's quite a character, this cat. He used to sleep on my head at night. And no, not just on my pillow - he would curl his body around my head and then lay his head on top of mine. I didn't mind it much, actually I kind of liked that he wanted to cuddle up with me without force. Usually he has to withstand me saying things that I know are stupid to him. Examples include:

"Meowmers, kitty kitty"
"Meow-meow Dunk-a-dunk"
"kee-kee"
"Aww...King Duncan"

And yes, I know I sound like I should be committed when these things come out of my mouth, but look of disgust he gives me when I mix all of those phrases together makes it all worth it.

He really gets worked up and hyper when I bring out fabric or I'm trying to sew. He does everything he can to try to nonchalantly leap onto my sewing area or ironing board. He knows that if he cries enough I'll let him wrestle with any scraps of fabric I'm not using until Dax steals them from him. So if you can imagine, it was a wonder that I ever got these quilts done for Etsy.

I made my own template for my "Bees and Blossoms" quilt. I like Dresden templates, but I didn't want that many pieces, I'm not quite sure why. If anyone is interested, I'd be more than happy to post tutorials on how to create your own templates from sketches or ideas you have. I am a schooled and experienced pattern maker, and although I make patterns for clothing, that knowledge transfers to quilting.

This pinwheel quilt was so fun to make! I'm sure I could have made it faster than I did had the aforementioned kitty not been reaching up from under the table and stealing my supplies. I should videotape that sometime- it's quite entertaining to watch that tiny orange paw.

Oh Fall...

2008-10-01T12:41:00.009-04:00

You know those days when it's cold outside, but all you have to wear is a sweatshirt and a pair of worn jeans and it's perfect? I. Love. It. I can't get enough of fall, and leaves, and even the noisy little squirrels who throw things at me when I go outside. They probably do it because I throw sticks at them when they taunt my dog. Not in a "I'm going to take you down" sort of way, but in a "Find someone else's yard to dig up" sort of way. It's a hate-hate relationship, and I'm putting a squirrel-resistant bird feeder on my list of things to find on sale.

I used to be a big list person. I would have sticky notes all over my mirrors and desk, and then I would forget to look at them. Lucky for me, my lovely little iPhone can give me reminders through my calendar to do things like "get my life together", and "find chocolate". Today I had one that reminded me to "get my butt moving on that Etsy shop".

I've been an avid Etsy and blog stalker for quite some time. You know that job you had where you never wanted to be there and avoided doing anything productive until the last minute? Well, that was my previous job, and all of that wasted company time led to my discovery of the world of craft and sewing blogs. I've sewn for quite some time, and I am finally ready to part with my fabric stash through the making of baby quilts, among other things. My Etsy shop name is Jellybean Soup, and I do hope you'll come see it when I open my doors!

But, I'm sure I'll also be letting you in on Indiana life, and my other

loves: baking, painting, Husband, Dax the Wonder Dog, and our cat, Duncan Nonuts.

Now Dax is good at many things, but his favorite talent to show off on cold fall mornings is...................

Sleeping.