Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Matthew Mead for Spring



I was just browsing Matthew Mead's website - lots of spring inspiration and projects. I don't think there are any freebie projects, but you can buy a membership fairly inexpensively... Don't you just love the sticky-note Easter basket?

Sunday, March 29, 2009

The table & chairs I want for my studio...


I don't speak Danish - but I found this website and I really want a table & chairs like this for the studio! These would be perfect!

Color Inspiration for the Studio




I spent some time at my local quilt shop - Main Street Quilting Co. - and found a sample pack of Moda fabrics - Swanky! I think these will be the colors to use in the new studio...! Have you checked out the Moda website? They have some wonderful free patterns!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Another Artist Whose Work I Really Like



Another artist I really, really like is Cori Dantini (check out her Etsy shop here ). I don't believe she has a blog or website. I just love her nature-inspired drawings. I haven't ordered anything yet, but it's on my to-do list! (Photos from Cori's Etsy shop).

Meg Hannan's Yummy Jewels



I found Meg Hannan's delicious jewels several years ago at my local quilt shop - Quilting in the Country. I love her creations and I am absolutely fascinated by her 'secret' process. I would really like to learn how to do this and she's going to be offering a workshop at her studio in Seattle in June. Check out her 'journal' !!! Unfortunately, I will be at the Farm Chick's Antique Show in Spokane. You have to check out her Etsy shop. She will be a vendor at the International Quilt Show in Chicago - April 17 - 19... another place I'd love to go. So many things to do - so little time!!! (Photos from Meg Hannan's Etsy shop and website).

Calamity Kim's Giveaway


I realize I'm past my 100 posts (where I promised a giveaway). I'm still working on that, but you can go to Calamity Kim's blog for super giveaway! Look at this adorable mini apron she has made! I want this - plus all the other goodies she is giving away! Check it out!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

New Studio (before) Pictures






These are photos of my new space, though I have much to do before it will be a studio! I'm so excited! Right now it's kind of a 'camp-out' space for my 10 yr old daughter and her friends.

Studio Re-do





So - here are photos of my old studio - the one that I just gutted... this is actually the laundry area downstairs - really light and sunny - but I was just not feelin' it (it kinda looks clean in this photo - but it definitely wasn't like this when I boxed everything up!). So I've decided to move my studio outside to the 'greenhouse'. I'm busy sketching out ideas and figuring out what I need to make this work. I may use the laundry area as the 'winter studio' and the greenhouse as the 'spring/summer/fall studio'...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Spring Break Mini-Getaway


If you are ever in southwest Montana you simply must stay at Chico Hot Springs & Resort in Pray... they have a wonderful hot springs, 5-star dining and rustic, awesome accomodations! I have been here many, many times and it's always great - plus it's only about an hour away! Jim and I are going here tomorrow. We actually had our first date here nearly three years ago! Fun place to go dancing in the summer. I'll try to take some photos while I'm there.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Catching Up


Well - believe it or not I completely 'gutted' my studio space because I was getting claustrophobic! I had about a square foot of room left to work - aack! So - now I will begin the process of bringing back those items that I will definitely be using and try to organize the remaining things in storage bins. One of the new things I will be working on are dolls... I have joined CLOTH and CLAY Dolls . I will be starting these very soon. I'm just gathering supplies. I saw MAIJA's dolls and really wanted to make some for myself! I am getting close to my 100th post - so stay tuned for a giveaway... not yet sure what it will be - but I promise it will be good!

Friday, March 06, 2009

A Recent Day at My Parents












As I mentioned in an earlier post, my mom recently had a stroke and is now recovering. My parents are in the process of 'moving off the mountain' - the home they've had since 1985! My kids spent a lot of time here - We are really going to miss this place (they are about 90 miles from us, but still in MT) I visited them recently - here are a few photos - (starting at the top)


Antlers collected from around the area

View from the deck

Did I mention it is a Dome Home?

View from the window

My kitty, Tabitha, but she lives with my parents for now

Rock collection

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Bozeman Blow Up


I don't like reporting bad news but this was just overwhelming. I live in a fairly quiet little town. But this morning there was a huge gas explosion right on Main Street! They are saying no one was hurt or killed. The explosion literally blew cars right off the street! My two sons were down there plowing snow on their 4-wheelers and felt it...thought it was an earthquake! Here's before and after photos... it's still burning! We went down to see it but had to leave because the gas fumes are so bad! Hopefully I'll be back later with a happy post!
UPDATE: Still a very horrible event. As of Friday they have 1 person reported as missing - and have not been able to sort through the rubble as yet to look for anyone - there is gas still leaking. 2nd UPDATE: Unfortunately one person was killed, though it could have been so much worse. It happened before many of the downtown businesses were open for the day. Go here for more photos and stories.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Recycled Circles - Jane Style


I had a great time playing with fabric and paper this weekend. I tried this little quiltie from the newest issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors The article was Recycled Circles by Jane LaFazio.

Now I just need to figure out how to finish it and display it! I will be making many more of these!~