More Existence!

There was a lot of really beautiful furniture here but covered with furs and tulle! I love the clothing these girls came up with! The guy model is my son Zack. He was in his element!

Existence!

I attended a very special fashion show last night. I'm not sure what I expected when my two sons said they were going to help with a fashion show at a local upscale salon. My son Zack said he was modeling and Nick was going to do the introduction and sound/music. Well - geez. We arrive at the salon. It's in an old warehouse-type building. They have totally decorated it 'anthropologie' style. It's beautiful. The show was titled 'existence' and consisted of fashions designed by some of the employees, their friends, etc. with feathers, fur, bones and leather! I called it 'caveman meets punk'. It was very, very cool. I'd never seen anything like this.

50 Days 'til 50!

If I've calculated correctly there are exactly 50 days until my 50th birthday - January 9, 2010!!! Wow. So much has happened in my 50 years! I will use these 50 days to reflect, wonder and dream about the past 50 and the upcoming 50 (one can hope)... I will try to post about things I've done, maybe some photos and whatever else I can think of! So begins the countdown...

I went to my "art quilt" group meeting last night. We are always supposed to do a challenge or have a project to show. I often don't have a finished project. I did, however, finish a little Christmas quilty! I used tea-dyed muslin for the background, and I also tea-dyed white double-sided bias tape for the 'frame'... those are real sticks for the tree trunks! I wrapped a big twig with fabric for the hanger! Very easy!

Vintage Doll Clothes

I have become enamoured with vintage doll clothes. Most I have found are fairly worn, but very awesome to me. They are difficult to photograph. I need to find some tiny hangers. Here are a few photos of the clothes I found on Saturday at my favorite local antique store - the Antique Barn!

My World

We had an extremely big snow storm last Thursday. We're still digging out. Temps were down to 2 degrees - that usually doesn't happen until January! But the snow is really pretty when the sun shines!

Other floorcloth examples from the workshop

Here are a few of our instructors samples. The batiks look really great! And also a few of my classmates works-in-progress! I like the one with black background and color circles!

Floor Cloth Workshop

I finally got to take the floorcloth workshop. It had been postponed several times! Three other gals and I spent all day Saturday down at Main Street Quilt Co. We didn't even stop for lunch! I had such a blast doing this. I still have finishing to do on this but I think it's turning out well.

It's fabric cut like you were making a quilt but you layer it onto primed canvas and then fuse the pieces together. Then it will be attached with "super bond" and then coated with Minwax. So you can actually walk on it when it's finished. But I will probably hang it on the wall. If I can get some of these made I will have a few for sale before Christmas. If you are interested in one, I can probably do a custom quilt pattern!!! This one will be 24" x 36".

My quilting group buddy Pat makes the most creative things! She made this fabric/fiber candle 'sconce'. It it so pretty. The top photo shows what it looks like from the inside. When the lights are out you can see the candle glow through the threads! Very nice!

Happy Halloween

My oldest daughter made up one of these Halloween gems. It's me and my four children! I am the Bride of Frankenstein! Be sure to turn up the sound!!! Have a great Halloween!!! Go here to see the video!!

Stamps Again

I love stamps. I have collected them for years. I have posted some favorites before, but these are new for the 2009 holidays. Look for more here.

The Flu Bug Got Me

Sorry I've been neglecting the blog! I've been keeping company with the flu bug... hope to be back to the blog in a day or so. I'm staying tucked under this lovely quilt - handmade by my grandma a very long time ago (probably 20's or 30's).

Danielle Muller of the The Vintage Dragonfly is hosting an angel paper doll swap and I get to play! There may be a few spots left. Find info on her blog!

Halloween Swap

I received a package from my swap partner, Tangie. Oh, wow. I love Halloween and this goodie bag of treasures didn't disappoint. I haven't photographed everything but here are a few things she sent to me!! First, the way awesome black bag with feather trim and vintage buttons! The orange package contained a fabulous banner that spells B-O-O! Lots of little goodie bags with candy, trims and buttons. And a fun Halloween cat! It's all wonderful, Tangie! Thanks.

Swaps, Round-Robins, etc.

I received a wonderful package from my Journal Round-Robin swap partner, Cynthia. She mailed it in a cigar box! So cool. Here is a photo of her "Steampunk" journal (still in the box). I am working on my part of the journal... i will post photos before i ship it out.

Journal Round Robin

I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm participating in a journal round-robin. My theme is 'inspired by vintage quilts and textiles'. I have sent my journal on to Janet Ghio. Here are a few photos of my pages. The top page shows my cover. The second page I have attached a little quilty piece I received from KC Willis. The third page is a sample of a pieced hexagon quilt I'm making. I have also received the journal from Cynthia Weed. I LOVE hers. Her theme is Steampunk. I am so intrigued by this. Something different for me. I will post photos soon.

Vintage Finds

Went to the local Antique Mall this weekend. I found this great little wooden box with a bunch of little 'pumpkin' seed pods - couldn't resist, plus the lace piece and doilies. I very rarely come out of an antique store without some sort of laces or linens! The bread tins aren't vintage. I found these in the $1.00 bins at Target. They will be perfect for holding threads, laces and little odds and ends in my studio!

Great New Book

I just purchased Sew Sunny Homestyle by Tone Finnanger. I love her books. She is a Swedish designer. Check out her blog here... still trying to figure out how to switch it to English! Can't wait to start some of these projects. She has several other books as well.

Central Asia Institute

"Peace is not something you wish for;
It's something you make,
something you do,
something you are,
and something you give away."
Robert Fulghum

Greg Mortensen, of the Central Asia Institute, was nominated for the recent Nobel Peace Prize. Greg is the author of "Three Cups of Tea" - a book everyone should read. Central Asia Institute is a non-profit organization with the mission to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He has done so much for these folks! Believe it or not, Central Asia Institute is based in my town, Bozeman, MT. Greg and his family live here and his children have gone to my daughter's school. We have met him and get to hear him speak again in November. A good friend of ours works for him. Read more about Central Asia Institute here.

Autumn Collage

Since I didn't get many autumn photos (see previous 'snow' post) I will show this collage full of autumn goodness from Matthew Mead. Check his website for free Halloween downloads!

Blueberry Fields is having a Halloween Giveaway. I love the pumpkins.

Guess What's Happening in My Town???

I know it's October, but I wanted just a little more fall! We barely had a summer... It is pretty, though!

Common Ground Giveaway

Debra at Common Ground is having a fantastic giveaway. I would love to have the journal! Find out more here.

Floor Cloth Class

On October 10 I get to attend a quilty floor cloth class at Main Street Quilting Co. - my local quilt shop... I am so excited. This book by Ellen Highsmith Silver is a lot of inspiration. I'll be sure and post the finished product in a few weeks.

A little project

I have joined a journal swap with the inthishouseandgarden yahoo group... I'm so excited. 10 of us across the country will participate. My journal theme is "inspiration from vintage quilts/textiles" - part of my journal pages include my newest addiction - hexagon piecing. These are so much fun to make. Here is a sample - still a work in progress!

Joli Paquet Trick or Treat Swap

I'm excited to have joined the Joli Paquet Trick or Treat Swap! My swap partner is Tangie - check out her blog here. Also, please go to the Joli Paquet blog for some great free Halloween projects. First up is Melissa McCobb Hubbell's garland... check it out!