Adventures in Embroidery: 1

 
I have done bits of embroidery here and there: small bits on other projects and cross stitches. But, I have never really dove in.  I decided a few months back that I was going to pick it up and add to my list of hobbies. I bought Embroidered Effects and went for it. I used one of the fantastic heat transfer patterns from the book and attempted my frist sampler. 

I feel like it turned out really well.  Alot of the stitches I already knew, some I learned new variations of, and some I tried for the frist time.  It was alot of fun.  I have two more embroidery projects in the works...So stay tuned for more Adventures in Embroidery:~)

Sewing Machine Cover

My sewing machine came with a big, plain, ugly, white cover. See...

I told you plain and ugly.  And that just isn't my style.  So ofcourse I decided to make a new one.  I used 3 fat quarters and some bias tape that I had made for another project.  The existing cover served as my template. 

aahhh...much better:~)

Shutter Love - Blue

This weeks theme is Blue.

This is a picture I took of my friend's baby boy while spending a day on the lake at a women's retreat.  I got some really fun shots that day and this is one of my favorites.

Farmhouse Headboard

Sometime between homework and getting the house ready for winter I found time to finally build my headboard! The project were courtesy of Ana over and ana-white.com (aka knockoffwood.com). I used her plans for her Reclaimed Wood Headboard. It was surprisingly easy and went together really fast. By the time everything was said and done I spent about $100, $80 on wood and about $20 on stain, sealer, brushes, and glue.  I used minwax's 1-step stain + polyurethane in American Walnut with a Satin finish. After a lot of going back and forth, I decided not to distress and only lightly sanded the wood.  I used hammar, nails, and glue to put it together.  I was being lazy and didn't feel like lugging the pressure tank into the house for the nail gun. Even with hammer and nails the building part went smoothly and I managed to only smash my finger once:~)  My hubby helped cut the boards and I put 'em all together.  Once it came to the finishing part, I have to say, I was really afraid to start staining.  My first staining experience a few years back was less than encouraging and I was afraid of more or less ruining my project, but this time I think staining went extremely well. I love how it turned out, color and all.  Now I'm ready for more...next stop...book shelves!

 

Favorite Finds Friday!

TGIF!!!!!!!!! It has been a week full of playing catch-up for me.  I think I have finally gotten on top of things.  And I promise I have a something other than pictures to post next week:~)  But until then here are some a few neat things I have come across lately.

1. Better Oats - http://www.betteroats.com/

I found these at Fred Meyer a while back and I am completely hooked.  They really are better than the instant oatmeal I was using.  They are made with real ingredients and the big plus for me is that they contain flaxseed already.  They taste fantastic and at my grocery store they are cheaper.  Which in my book equals awesome!

source

2. Grocery IQ for iPhone - http://www.groceryiq.com/groceryiq/index.html

This app rocks.  My favorite thing about it is that I can put in prices and it will keep a running total for me.  Really helps me stay on budget.  You can scan items into your list, which helps in building your list and it also has a function that allows you to keep track of your coupons and savings card.  Unfortunately Fred Meyer is not in it so I haven't been able to use it. I any of you gets a chance to try it please let me know what you think!

source

 

3. Embroidered Effects - http://www.sublimestitching.com/embroideredeffects.html

I picked this book up at B&N a while back.  I really wanted to get into embroidery and I loved the modern designs in this book.  I already knew several stitches and have bits here and there, but I've never really gone full into it.  This book has very clear instrustions and great tips.  She also has included several reusable, heat transfer patterns.  So far I'm throughly enjoying it.

source

 

 

 

Last Camping Weekend of the Season

I have been incredibly busy these days.  We did manage to squeeze in one more camping trip this season but now i'm in catch up mode.  I have a bunch of projects I intend to finish up sometime soon, but they keep getting pushed aside due to homework (yuck) and housework (double yuck). 

So in the mean time I have added pictures from our camping trip to my gallery.  We camped out in Thompson Pass at Bluberry Lake State Recreation Park which is located about 25 miles outside of Valdez, AK. The drive down was absolutely spectacular. We could not have asked for more beautiful, clear weather.  We got to hike up to the face of Worthington Glacier and eat at my favorite Chinese food restaurant,  Fu Kung.  Unfortunately the actual city of Valdez was in a pretty thick blanket of fog so we did not get to see Valdez Glacier this time down. But all in all it was a great end to camping season in Alaska for us.

Here are some of the shots I added to my gallery...

  

 

 

Blue Cricket Design: Show and Tell with Silhouette!!!!

That's right my dears! Your eyes do not deceive you! The generous folks from Silhouette are here to make a crafters dream come true!About a month ago I had a very magical delivery day! A beautiful new toys was dropped on my doorstep and ever since then I've been discovering more and more reasons why I love my new Silhouette!

via www.bluecricketdesign.net

Shutter Love - Cakes

This weeks theme: Cakes.

This is a picture I took of my friend and her daughter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help Babies With Cystic Fibrosis Breathe Easier | Pepsi Refresh Everything

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes the lungs to fill with thick mucus like oatmeal left on the stove too long. This mucus leads to severe lung infections and premature death. Doctors have learned that if you begin treatment of cystic fibrosis at birth, you have a fighting chance of protecting the delicate infant airways from infection and progressive lung disease.

via www.refresheverything.com

New Button!!

I sat down the other day and spiced up my button a little bit.  The new code is on my side bar.  Feel free to grab one and link up!

And what better way to show off my fun new button than a few parties!!

Fall in Fairbanks & iPhone App

Like I've said a few times already fall is definitely here.  However, the past few days have unbelievably gorgeous.  Its been 65 degrees during the day and beautiful clear skies.  We have had amazing views of the Alaska Range all week.  Yesterday I finally remembered to bring my camera with me and of course they were a bit hazy.  I did mange to get a few pics.  Not my best, but they will do:~)

 

 

Another perk, as if the beautiful weather isn't enough, is the star-gazing we have been able to do.  It really has been incredible.  And since dark usually equates to extreme cold in AK we are taking advantage.  The other night while we were outside my hubby downloaded the StarWalk app for his iPhone. Its a pretty cool app that allows you to literally walk among the constellations.  There is one available for the iPhone and iPad.  For the iPhone it is only $2.99. I highly recommend it:~)

 

http://vitotechnology.com/star-walk.html

 

Verse of the Day

 Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

John 20:29

In a Yellow House: Art

 

Challenge: Art

My entry...

This is a picture I took at the World Ice Art Championships they hold in Fairbanks every March.  The year we went all of the sculptures were vandalized the night before.  I'm not sure what kind of person would do something like that, but I don't ever want to meet them.  A few were still intact, but most had been shattered beyond recognition. Here are a few more from that day.

 

This next one was one of the damaged ones.  What was left still gives you a pretty good idea of how beautiful it was.

Here is what it should have looked like.