Crazy Crazy Life

Edible Bouquet

2010-06-08T07:53:00.000-07:00

Tessah & I made this cute edible "flower" bouquet for a coworker's family who just welcomed a new baby girl. We had fun!

HANDMADE ITEMS AUCTION

2010-05-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Baumgarten family {daddy Josh, mommy Kristen, sweet rambunctious boys Kimball(6), McKay(5), Benson(3), and baby Eliza due in May} call Vernal, UT home. They are known for their kindness, enthusiasm for life and constant serving of others in church and the community. They recently learned that Josh has a brain tumor. He is recovering from surgery and will soon learn about radiation treatments that will come next. Friends of Josh and Kristen have created a blog and are asking for your help so they can focus on Josh's recovery and Eliza's arrival rather than financial stress.

The Sending Smiles blog is having a handmade auction May 6-May 8 to benefit this family- I have donated an item to this great cause for the Baumgarten family - see thier blog HERE

To check out the auction and bid on my item starting May 6th - click on the Sending Smiles button to the right :)

Join me!!!

2010-04-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

I am a proud follower of Sending Smiles - I tried adding the button to the right - but am having technical issues. Please Check it out HERE! It's a great feeling to be charitable....

Also check out the Seasonal Swaperoos button....I joined last fall and have found some wonderful online friends - It's fun to make and shop for gifts for someone you don't "know" and in turn get gifties from all over.... I used to be involved in a few swap groups on flickr....but this is the only one I am a member of now...and the people I have "met" are truly great women and inspirational...

J

Modge Podge Danskos

2010-03-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

I came across this awesome tutorial for Modge Podge Shoes - and guess what...I did it....I picked up a pair of beat up Dansko Professional Clogs at a thrift store for $3.50 - even in their rough condition it was a heck of a deal. Add some fabric from my stash and Modge Podge and VOILA -

BEFORE : Rough & Ugly

AFTER: Snazzy new clogs :) - One of a kind get the tutorial HERE

Glorianne - it's on the way.....

2010-03-31T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the final result of the wall hanging for the blog giveaway winner....Glorianne Schott. Enjoy!

Another Quilt Finished!

2010-03-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

This quilt was made for one of Brent's co-workers new baby. I'm only a few months late on this one!!!! She was born last fall.

It has a pink camo influence (per parents request) - and I loved the way it turned out. This is the first time I have used fleece as a backing with no batting inside - and no real quilting - just stitch in the ditch.

And the winner is.....

2010-02-25T09:33:00.000-08:00

Sorry I am late in my first ever giveaway! Thanks for the support guys....

The entries were as follows

1. Tricia Z
2. Kirsti
3. Michelle
4. Michelle
5. Sara
6. Glorianne
7. Michelle

I used random.org to generate a number....

AND THE WINNER IS #6 - Glorianne....congrats Glorianne.

email me at tessahjake@yahoo.com and we can talk about design options, color and wordings.....

Giveaway Drawing TOMORROW ---

2010-02-23T17:32:00.003-08:00

Don't forget to enter my giveaway BELOW!! Tomorrow is the drawing!

Giveaway Closed

2010-02-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

I have 2 topics to discuss today...

1) My jewelry has been a mess lately...so I hung some fun stuff on the wall (including an owl - thanks Kirsti) that gave me organization and art at the same time.... I have been in a creative funk lately - but I think I am on the up swing.

2) I'm doing my first give-a-away! Up for grabs is a personalized stamped/ framed wall hanging - similar to the one I made HERE.
You get entries for doing each of the following...make sure you post a comment telling me which ones you did!!!
1. Post a comment below - 1 entry
2. Mention this giveaway on your blog - 1 entry
3. Send friends here to enter - for every person that mentions you sent them here in their comment - 1 entry!!!

Good Luck - I will draw on February 24th at 10 pm Alaska Time

A little giftie

2010-02-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a pic of a little gift I am sending to someone far away to send some cheer....

Hope she likes it...

A new business venture for me -

2010-01-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of starting my new online business (part-time/on the side) kind of thing ~ making custom/handmade wedding invites. I made these invites for my bro-in-law and sis-in-law to be for their upcoming destination wedding to Hawaii. They gave me an idea and a sketch and I went with it. Each invite was individually water colored painted by me. The phenomenal response to those invites was the driving force behind my trying this new endeavor. I am making a website and and etsy shop - hopefully I will be fully ready to go this week. Cross your fingers for me....and wish me luck.

My biz will be called: CrazyStokes Designs......unique custom wedding invitations -

Here is a glance at the invites I made for Dane and Jess:

Our new "Liquor Cabinet"

2010-01-24T18:49:00.000-08:00

Here is our makeshift liquor cabinet....I'm thinking of painting the wall behind the shelves in some interesting geometric patterns and or adding some witty vinal wording about drinking...we'll see.

Finally Back at it!!!!

2010-01-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

Here are BETTER pics Iof the quilt I made for a co-worker's coming baby!!! Using my crazy shortcut method - I modified it a bit - but they loved the doggie theme...considering their new boy's middle name will be Labrador!

Check out this Give Away!!

2009-10-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

Go see Traci here and enter her Give-away!!!

Before and After Wall hanging

2009-10-19T08:15:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot to take the before picture of this ugly wall hanging until after I did the first coat of blue around the edge.
I found this hideous piece of "art" at the thrift store for 50 cents. Had no idea what I'd do with it - but brought it home anyway!

Fast forward about a month to October 18, 2009. A 2 o'clock baby shower and no gift. I had planned on a quilt...but ran out of time (good thing - mom-to be got like 5 quilts) . So I hauled out this press board covered frame-less circa 1985 painting thingy and got to work early that morning. The result was kinda cute and I think mom-to-be really liked it.

It was a challenge because the nursery's theme was Americana - red white and blue..however I don't have a lot of supplies in the Americana theme. So I went girly American....

I think I might be doing this kind of thing a lot now... The picture doesn't do it justice...truly.

Canvas Painting

2009-10-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

I took a canvas painting class at my local scrapbook store...and this was the result. I am feeling pretty good about my first foray into canvas painting to display photos...it's like a scrapbook page art. I hope to get better with practice.

Work in progress

2009-10-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have tackled another quilt besides the CSQ method that I love so much. But a camo baby quilt is in the works...

the green stripe on the right is a off kilter center divider for more blocks on the right side....plugging along.

Calendar Blocks - so stinkin' cute!

2009-10-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

I found the tutorial for this cute little project here...It was so easy and such fun to make. Tessah helped me with the stickers on the blocks... Inking the paper made all the difference. Our Girl Scout Troop is doing a craft Bazaar on Nov. 14 - we will be making mini - ones of these to sell. I'll post those pics later :)

PLease Vote for me!

2009-10-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

I recently entered a t-shirt re-do contest. Winner can receive a $999.99 new sewing machine. Votes cast here:

You can help me win. I entered 2 items. I made the funky scarf

and the "Grease" bag. Don't feel obligated to vote for me...but I'd love the support.

Thanks

Retro Stool Re-Do

2009-09-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

I picked up this AWESOME stool at Bishop's Attic in Anchorage for 6 bucks! Had some left over fabric from the $1 grab bag (you may recognize it from the checkbook cover) - add some aqua spray paint and...VOILA! I love love love this so so much I could scream! This was how I spent my birthday weekend. Thrift store shopping and re-purposing my finds! YAY!

Checkbook Cover

2009-09-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

I found this outer fabric in a grab bag at a thrift store. I used the lining fabric last year for an apron. This is for my friend, Hannah for her birthday - woah - I know a lot of September birthdays.

Cowboy Bag

2009-09-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

I made this bucket tote bag for my friend Michelle for her birthday. She is a total horse girl! Hope she likes it :)

Little Pin Cushion

2009-09-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

I got this pattern at my local quilt shop and made this adorable pin cushion for my friend, Liz for her birthday. I hope she isn't looking at my blog :) And I hope she doesn't hate pink.

My apple bag - full of goodies...

2009-09-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

Our Fall Rally for TOPS was Saturday and our instructions were to bring a full lunch bag to auction off as a fundraiser. Due to time restraints it was changed to a lunch bag swap. We all drew numbers and then proceeded to the table to chose our lunch. I was thrilled and pleased when my lunch bag was chosen first - YAY! I scored too - my lunch was in an old school Tupperware container - I love old well-loved retro stuff :)

Green Fairy Quilt Charity

2009-09-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

My blogger friend Judi, at Green Fairy Quilts (see button to the right) went to Romania in early September to visit orphanages and give the kids their own quilts. She sent a shout out in August that she was a few quilts short. I had my buggy CSQ quilt almost finished. It was planned for my high school girlfriend, Maura's new baby Alistair. So I emailed Maura to tell her the situation. So, with Maura's blessing, I shipped Alistair's quilt off to Judi in Utah who took it to Romania and gave it to a little one living in an orphanage.

You can see Judi's eloquent posting about her trip on her blog, along with the video highlight of her trip here My quilt is shown given to a little boy in this video at minute 6:01! That was exciting to see!

Thanks Maura and Alistair!

Cool Give-Away at the Room Remix

2009-09-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love shopping! Pop over to PK's blog Room Remix and enter her giveaway for $35 gift card somewhere....(she lets you choose if you win) Her giveaway is in honor of 100 followers. Lucky her :) I have 3!

2009-09-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a little bag I made in one afternoon! It's call the Lindie Bag and it was a free pattern I got here at CraftApple. On Saturday, my TOPS group is having the fall rally...an annual fun get together. It's a Back to School theme. We are supposed to bring a school picture of ourselves from our younger days and and also bring your sack lunch. The you donate the lunch bag and everyone bids on a lunch to eat at the lunch auction. Its a pretty cool fundraiser. I made this little bag for my lunch sack. I hope it gets lots of bids - depends, I suppose on what I put in it :)

My Baby is 10 years old today!!!!

2009-09-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jake.

It hardly seems possible that my youngest is 10 today. This is the kid who always greets me at the door when I get home with a smile and asks me if I need help. He tells me he loves me everyday at least once and when I say I love you he tells me he loves me more. 10 years - sigh. Only 8 left :(

Mish Mash CSQ

2009-09-09T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest CSQ! I love this method so much and am thrilled and flattered that Martguerita McManus, the co-author of the book(with her daughter Sarah Raffuse)- Crazy Shortcut Quilts - asked me to join a group of quilters she is training to teach this method in thier areas all over the country. Tomorrow night is my quilt guild's education fair....where we vote on what classes we want to feature for 2010. I will show this sample, and hope people vote so I can begin my teaching career for this awesome quilting method. I have had mixed reactions to the fabrics I chose...many traditional quilters think my eye for colors is too crazy and unconventional....can't help what I like. I tend to shy away from neutrals and traditional colors. This quilt is a mish mash of scraps I had and ended up being way smaller than most of my CSQs have been. A normal baby quilt in this method that I do is approx. 39" square. This measured in at 28.5" square - perfect for a wall hanging or bambino. The cherry, paisley, brown swirly, and pink/aqua floral, as well as the green sashing fabrics are all scraps from aprons I made last year.

Front

Back

Front vs. Back

Wish me luck on my new endeavor in the quilt teacher world.

Paperbag Photo Album

2009-09-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

I spent last night with Tessah, her friend Brooke, and Jakob making paper bag photo albums. The previous weekend the girls and I went to the David Archuleta concert at the fair. We met my friend Sharon there with her girls and I snapped some pics. I decided I would make my album for her as a little memento of the crazy fun night we had. It was fun!!
I got the idea for these albums at http://www.scrapbook-crazy.com/ but my local scrapbook store also had them - so I don't really feel like I am presenting this idea as my own :)

Online Quilt retreat at Susan's Blog

2009-09-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

I am trying to find the time to sew this Labor Day weekend and a blogger friend - Hi Susan - is hosting an online sewing retreat - so that gave me the perfect reason to sit down at the machine. I am working on finishing this pinky/greeny/brown tiny crazy shortcut quilt I started with scraps from my stash with no recipient in mind. I am going to make a sample for when I eventually teach this method (if I get my butt in gear) -

~ check out the other bloggers in on this retreat at http://www.susanround.com/

Tomorrow I will be sewing at the Alaska State Fair with the Valley Quilt Guild. So hopefully I finish this mini CSQ!

2nd entry for T-shirt Re-do Contest

2009-08-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

Here - I cut up an old t-shirt into 4" squares - sewed them together - and "couched" on some funky yarn - and I ended up with a pretty cool looking scarf. These scarfs are all the rage these days. So - hope one of my entries brings me a first place :)
I think that after the contest is closed, everyone should be able to vote on the website. I'll keep you posted.

P.S. isn't Tessah a great model?

"Grease" T-Shirt Re-Do

2009-08-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

I entered a contest where you had to re-vamp a T-shirt in pop culture style. Here is the little bag that I came up with - Hope I win!!!! Grand Prize is $1000 Babylock Sewing Machine. Used left over scraps from Dane's quilt. All the black fabric and the "Grease" logo are from the t-shirt. You can enter up to 3 times, I plan on submitting 2 more entries.

What'dya think?

School themed centerpieces

2009-08-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

Last May, my Alaska BF, Lisa, threw a party for her Hubby in honor of his college graduation from UAA. She needed a school theme for centerpieces - because his degree is in Elementary Education. I scoured the web for an idea and found this great blog - which I now check out every day.

http://littleantdesign.blogspot.com/

Here was how Lisa's turned out. (Green & Gold - UAA colors) - I think she did great!!!

Another Fun Diaper Cake

2009-08-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

My sis-in-law, Jamey, is planning a baby shower for her friend Misty. So she asked if I'd make her a diaper cake - love it.

Finally Finished CSQ - Bug Quilt for Charity

2009-08-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

So - yesterday I finished a Crazy Shortcut Quilt (CSQ) I started back in March - or maybe February. It was actually my first attempt at this method. It was intended for my high school friend, Maura's new baby, Alistair. With my dad's illness and death this spring/summer, my quilting took a nosedive. But a blogger friend, Judi, at Green Fairy Quilts is heading to Romania to donate quilts to an orphanage....that was the fuel I needed to finish. MAURA - I promise Alistair will get a cute quilt soon. XOXXO
Here it is:

Green Fairy Quilts Give-Away

2009-08-21T21:31:00.001-07:00

Check out this blog for a great give-away!!! I'm getting ready to send a baby quilt to Judi of Green Fairy Quilts to take on her upcoming Charity trip to Romania - click the button below to the right to check out her charity and go here:

http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com

to enter her giveaway! Happy Birthday to her baby!!!

I WON A GIVE-AWAY

2009-08-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

YAY!! See the button to the right to sign up for www.quiltinggallery.com's Friday Give-Away. I won the cute Whoopsie Daisy pattern. You can see it on their website www.thequiltedfishpatterns.com - yipeee!!!

Funky Jewlery Organizer - PART ONE

2009-08-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

For the past 20 years - my jewelry has lived in a messy ball in my bathroom drawer...but I recently acquired some pretty nice pieces and I thought, HMMMMM ---- I'm about to be 35 - time to quit keeping my accessories like I did when I was 15.

So, I got a 50 cent frame at a thrift store; spray painted and distressed it, raided my fabric/batting and ribbon stash - put it all together - added some upholstery tacks and ~VOILA~ earring/pin holder. On Deck - necklace and bracelet holder...stay tuned :)

Exciting Charity - BeadforLife

2009-08-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hi All - OK today I am featuring a handmade goody - that WAS NOT made by me. This beautiful necklace and bracelet set was crafted by Ugandan women. These impoverished women, many who are HIV+, make the beads out of recycled paper, then craft the jewelry. See the website for more info - you don't have to buy from the website either - you can host a BeadParty. Check it out...

www.BeadforLife.org

$11.00 bathroom facelift

2009-08-10T08:14:00.001-07:00

BEFORE - PLAIN WHITE BATHROOM - boring!!!
Add one can of mis-tinted paint from
Fred Meyer for only FIVE BUCKS!!!

PLUS a cool new shower curtain - I purchased for 6 bucks (also at Freddy's) And VIOLA - a great cheap bathrooom facelift!!!
...........this is the kids' bathroom by the way - I'm not sure a Camp Rock theme in our bathroom is the way to go!!!

Thrift Store Re-do

2009-08-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

BEFORE......

We found this chair at a used furniture store - we thought it would be great in Tessah's room....so Brent sanded it and painted it black - and I recovered the ottoman cushion with sparkly fabric (T loves bats and Halloween stuff - go figure) and got some funky shiny purple and orange plaid fabric for the chair. I can't wait until she gets home to see it :)
AFTER................

I'm back!!! Sorry I've been away so long!!!

2009-07-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

So I haven't really done any crafts, quilting or postings for a while...and I hope I haven't driven away my loyal followers. My father had been terminally ill and passed away peacefully on July 9, 2009 - so I have been a traveling like crazy. But now I'm back and hope to get some quilting done and posted on here....

Me and my Dad - circa 1979

Finally Finished CSQ - for Alora

2009-05-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

I signed up for a Crazy Shortcut Quilts class in April...It is for my newest Niece Alora - she was born in September. But she will eventually have a twin sized bed - in the house Jamey and Mike had built - crossed fingers for a closing soon!!! I am really happy with the way it all turned out. It took 40 fat quarters and 1 1/2 yards for sashing and binding. I also made a matching pillowcase.....

Teacher Gifts

2009-05-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

I needed 3 teacher gifts this year...Jakob's Mr. Carson, Tessah's Mrs. Caole & Mrs. Mastroyanis -

Tessah desperately wanted to give Mrs. M. an apron... but I could not make 2 - not enough time...so I reworkd a PartyLite candle for Mrs. Caole.

Mr. Carson was a bit more difficult, but I jazzed up jar I had laying around and in the morning we will go to the store and fill it with candy....I'm tired.

Projects in action.....

2009-05-21T18:58:00.001-07:00

Indiya in her dress with purse!!!! Her barbie dress is packed away for the trip to the new house.

Another project....

2009-05-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

Back at Christmas I drew my 60-ish year old MALE boss's name for Secret Santa. It is hard to buy a gift for a man you know well...let alone one you have only worked for for 2 months... Since our office is dog friendly, his canine children are often at at work with him....so I snuck pictures of them, re-worked them on one of my favorite picture editing sites www.picnik.com, framed them and...he LOVED them. Since then, another co-worker asked me to do one of her dogs for her sister's birthday. I wish I would have taken a picture of the first one I did...this time I added the dogs names - and VIOLA! I am going to be doing one of Olive soon I think.

Let them eat Cake!!!!

2009-05-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

And they did!!
I made the princess cake and the cupcakes for Indiya's party....cute cute cute

Fabric Stash put to use

2009-05-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my neice Indiya's 5th birthday party! I am making her cake (which I will post pics of later) and making her present this year. As I have said in earlier posts - we are financially challenged- so from now on homemade gifts with materials I already have is my goal. According to my sis-in-law - the last thing Indiya needs is another Barbie (although that's what she wants - she is a 5 year old girl, y'know) So I waded through my fabric stash and found some perfect little girl fabric (confession: I had to buy the ribbon at Joann's - but I had a coupon - it cost me $1.29) and made her a sundress with a mtaching dress for one of her 17 Barbies. It actually fits Tessah as a shirt - so I'm sure I will be making this again.

I stole the idea for this dress from here....

http://daisyjanie.typepad.com/daisyjanie/2007/12/how-to-bandana.html
AND here
http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/03/bandanna-dress/

I had no bandannas so I Googled the "standard bandanna size" and cut my fabric appropriately.

What do you think?

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there....and to my mom!

Kenai Fjords Cruise - 2007

Goodies.....

2009-05-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

My T.O.P.S. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) chapter is having a "food" table at the flea market run by another chapter today. We decided to rent a table as a chapter and have a food & drink booth...so we all need to donate goodies - the proceeds go to our chapter. So I got to thinking - everyone will be making cookies and brownies, etc.... I'm going to be different (shocker, right?) I decided handmade chocolate drizzled pretzels were the way to go. And they look really good - taste good too - according to Brent and Jake (and me- LOL).

Since I am supposed to be taking off pounds...I'm glad I'll be at my table - not manning the chapter table! Wish us luck!

In the card-making groove

2009-05-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

OK - so even though many quilting projects are unfinished....I needed a break from the machine - and i had some cards I needed to make - and a new thing I am trying - gift tags.... they are tiny and adorable!

A friend of the family just graduated from college - and we've been invited to the graduation party... since we are financially challenged right now and buying a gift for a guy is daunting - I thought I would make him a set of thank you cards in his school colors. Manly cards are a challenge for me...but I think they turned out pretty good - 2 down - 18-22 to go!!!!

Green Fairy Giveaway!!!

2009-04-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

Although it will increase my chances of winning if you go there and say I sent you - it will actually decrease my chances because it means more poeople in the drawing. SIGH - decisions decisions ok - Go there and enter...LOL
http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/2009/04/giveaway-youre-going-to-like-this-one.html

Ethan's Crazy Shortcut Quilt

2009-04-20T07:45:00.001-07:00

One baby quilt 100% finished and given to said baby!!!! SIGH! I woke up early yesterday (Sunday) to finish it...and then went straight to Sarah's CSQ class so I could learn how to do it right (LOL).

Then after 5 hours of sewing in the class...I went to dinner with Dena and baby Ethan. And even with all the mistakes - she loved it. On to the next.....

New Fabric Giveaway

2009-04-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Check out this great new blog I came across ---

http://katicupcakequiltingco.blogspot.com/

she is having a fabric give-away!

Crazy Shortcut Quilt (CSQ) for a baby boy

2009-04-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

I started a new quilt method - I ordered the book, authored by two members of my blog family. It's a mother/daughter team from here in Alaska. See their blogs @

http://crazyshortcutquilts.blogspot.com/
http://sarahraffuse.blogspot.com/

I signed up for a class taught by Sarah (the daughter) - however it doesn't start until the 19th and I was itching to try this...so I read and re-read the book - and started small. Since I have 5 - count 'em five baby quilts to make in the near future (2 baby boys already here, 1 baby boy on the way, and 2 other babies (sex unknown) coming this fall. Plus the twin sized one that I'll make in the class is for my niece Alora (six months old) for her big girl bed she will get some day - in their new house...thanks Jamey for pitching in on the fabric!

The skinny on this method is this - construction of the squares is super fast and easy! Like fast-fast. Then you quilt the top/batting/back while still in squares - and use decorative stitches for that. Then use sashing strips to connect the squares. This part I have not done yet - I am a little intimidated by it...so I think I'll wait for the class to know for sure how to do it..... I have the squares done though...what do you think?
I haven't quite decided on the layout of the squares yet...

I used the "leaf" decorative stitch....although you can't really tell....

back will be all the same fabric ....bugs, bugs, bugs! I love it.....anyone that knows me knows I shy away from traditional baby colors....I am not a pastel lover...

I'm sure I'll post a vote to see which layout to go with later....

Fabric Giveaway

2009-04-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the great giveaway at Green Fairy Quilt's blog. Click on: http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/ and check it out.....
I love this blog - she is an inspiration for me as a developing quilter....

My Dad

2009-03-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, my dad has stage 4 malignant melanoma. I went to visit him in Florida in March. My fabulous sister, Tammy and her GF Shari donated their FF miles so I could get down to see him. It was a great visit - weather was good, and we just hung out. SIGH - he is currently doing chemo to slow the progression of the cancer in his lungs. His goal is to make it through the summer to spend it with family at the summer place on Campobello Island. Brent, the kids, and I are going in June. The kids are ging to spend the summer with him and Miriam at camp. I love this man so much - I can't imagine life without him.....my advice to everyone is to tell everyone that you love - that you love them - today, right now....tomorrow isn't a guarantee.

Progress.....

2009-03-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

More progress on the blanket toss wall hanging for my mom :) Its getting there.... I hate checkerboard patterns BTW, they are VERY unforgiving. Now all I need to do is quilt and bind it.

Ipod cake

2009-03-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Tessah and Brent's dad share birthdays in the same week. (Tessah 2/27 - Peter 3/4) we did a cake for Tessah on her birthday (one I BOUGHT - for shame..for shame!) and then when Jamey, Indiya and Alora were back from the lower 48, we had a combined party for Dad and Tessah. I wracked my brain thinking of a cake I could make for both of them.... A challenge to find a common denominator between an 11 year old girl and a 53 year old "boy".... But I achieved it. They both love thier Ipods...so voila. This one I made. And guess what - Tessah told me the homemade one tasted "way better!"

Store bought - hamburger cake

Home-made Ipod cake
Tessah and Grampa

Stressed to the max

2009-03-04T13:36:00.001-08:00

Ok - so I am so stressed out between work and home that I feel my head might actually pop off. Brent is so good - he really wants me to be calm and just let whatever happens happen....but my brain just doesn't work that way...anybody got any ideas how I can make that happen? Tessah told me to quit my job and become a famous sew-er. I love that kid for thinking I have what it takes to turn my hobby into a business. God love her...I know I do.

Blanket Toss

2009-02-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

The beginning of the "blanket toss" wall hanging I am making for my mom----haven't done the border or any of the quilting yet - excited to see my progress on this one.

Great Bag Giveaway

2009-02-24T09:39:00.000-08:00

I've met so many great people blogging...and found so many great giveaways. Check this out - and make sure you mention that you heard about it from me :) http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/.

On another note... thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers about my dad...it means a lot.

Hallelujah - the most stressful project is finished.

2009-02-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

So - after putting this baby quilt aside MANY times because of the grief my sewing machine was giving me...I went out and bought a new machine - and after reading the manual and firing her up - I finished the quilt in 15 minutes... AHHHH CALM!

Because I ended up with more dark purple squares than the rest, I'm not sure I like the layout - but it was the only way I could figure it out......oh well.

Past projects

2009-02-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

While browsing through my myriad of digital pictures, I came upon photos of my first projects ever! Since I've only been sewing since June 2007 - I think I am doing quite well...

#1 - the first quilt I ever made. With the careful eye and instruction of my - OH SO TALENTED IT PUTS ME TO SHAME - quilter mom :) She walked me through every step. This was an Xmas gift for my mom-in-law.

#2 colors in this one are more my style - and this was my first quilt ON MY OWN - many more imperfections than the "mommy holding my hand quilt." This was a Xmas gift for my brother-in-law, who is a musician/performer/actor....hence the musical theme. I still love this quilt.

#3 - baby quilt thrown together in an afternoon for my cousin's baby. Again - love these colors....

I wish I would have taken more pictures of the "Four Corners" aprons I made everyone for Xmas 2007. I must have made 10-12 of them. And the only picture I took was of the one fabric that was my least favorite. These aprons are a huge hit. I have 3 waiting in the wings to be made...hopefully I can finish them soon. LOL

Olive

2009-01-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome Olive - the newest Stokinger. An 8 week old Jack Russell Terrier. She came home to us on the 17th of January - it has been fun...but I am a bit tired

Isn't she cute?

She was the kids' Christmas present. They opened up a little box with her pictures and her collar and tag because she was no big enough to come from her mama yet.

Cards

2008-12-02T10:06:00.000-08:00

My friend Sharon has a "MUG PARTY" at Christmas-time every year and this year I made the invites; which was so much fun. Its like a XMAS gift exchange but the rule is the gift has to be a coffee mug stuffed with stuff. Its a blast.

Anyone who knows me knows I love making cards - in fact I have been known to give a bundle of assorted cards as a gift. I am sometimes a bit unsure about giving them as gifts - but so far they are a hit. Everyone loves them! Its a good tip if you are a scrapper with lots of materials but low on funds (who isn't) at Christmas or B-day time - whip up some cards, or a small album for a gift. Those kinds of thoughtful gifts go a long way :)

No-Knit Scarf

2008-11-25T23:47:00.000-08:00

Tessah and I are working on Christmas presents for some of our loved ones this year, its a tradition for us to give handmade gifts. She is a great little "crochet-er" so we crocheted long (140 inches) strings of funky yarn and then tie together in these cool scarves. This is our first one - We were both pretty happy with the finished product. And I am teaching her to be ever the bargain shopper - the yarn was on sale at JoAnn's for $1 per skein - regularly $5.99. I bought 5 skeins - but it only took 4 skeins to make it - not too shabby $4.00 for a scarf. And its made with LOVE - plus we had fun :) She also thought it was pretty cool that she had to teach me to crochet AND she was WAY faster than me! Hopefully the loved one for which this gift is intended will forget to check my blog until after the holidays :) XOXOX

For my Little Princess

2008-11-14T00:44:00.000-08:00

I promised my niece, Indiya, a trick-or-treat bag - and she came with me to pick out the fabrics - so its Halloween on one side and her favorite thing on the other...princesses for a princess. And she SO is! (See picture below for proof!!!!)

Happy Halloween!!!!

2008-10-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

The kids love it when we decorate for the holidays.
Halloween is one of my faves! Here's a peek.

Adding more color to my life....

2008-10-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned before - my bud Rachel gave me some free paint... One was a pint of green (used under the bar) The other -a pint of orange (I haven't used it yet) And finally a whole gallon of "Ripe Banana." I held onto this a while until I finally just dove in and took the gamble with such a bright color. I chose to only paint one wall...because that's all the paint I had :) I think it works. And I think it will be great during our dark winters.

The living room wall before.....BLAH!

And after.....Wa -Lah! I love it. The clock by the way was crafted by me.. the kit that makes up the motor and hands, broke, so I have to order another one...can't get it anywhere in Alaska. The scarf was a gift, again from my friend Rachel - she picked it up while in Ethiopia. The rod I used was a bathroom towel rack I got on clearance at Fred Meyer for 4 bucks. All in all a pretty cheap "lift" to an otherwise boring room.

A view out my window

2008-10-09T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is the view I had out the computer room window this morning! I really do love Alaska.

Another Schlep Bag

2008-10-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

I made another schlep bag. This one for my friend, Candy, in her sorority colors. I added the patches of the sorority's letters and symbol...I thought it came out pretty cool. What do you think?

Jakes 9th Birthday Cake

2008-09-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

Jakob is nine and his favorite favorite favorite thing is Legos. So what else but a Lego cake!

2008-08-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

So we found a name for our new little kitty..... DOVER as in "white cliffs of..." I was there as a child and we thought it was a great name for a little white kitty.

Here we go again

2008-08-17T21:22:00.001-07:00

So a stray kitten waltzed into our neighbor's house. They have dogs who don't get along with those in the feline family...so Jakob volunteered our house...and once Brent laid eyes on her it was all over! No name yet...but I'll keep you posted! The neighbors asked everyone in the vicinity and no one is missing her.....

another diaper cake

2008-08-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

My latest diaper cake, for our neighbor....can you guess what she is having?

side

back

side

front view

Schlep lunch bag

2008-08-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

I modified my "schlep bag" pattern and made a little lunch bag for mom. I think it turned out cute :)

Diaper Cake - BOY

2008-07-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

Jamey saw on craigslist that there was a girl looking for someone to make a diaper cake so I called her and got my 1st official order to make one. I might start a side business doing this. What do you think? Please comment :)

Sewing up a storm

2008-07-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Today I spent working on the "Schlep Bag", a super cute reversible bag. It is so simple, my friend Dar gave me the pattern. I have had the squares cut out for months and I just now got around to finishing it. I love it. Thank goodness my mom-in-law does not mind waiting 8 months for me to get around to finishing it for her....I cut it all out in January!!!! Next up... I am going to make one for Mom while she is here, only smaller so she can use it like a lunch bag for work. I'm in a crafty mood :)

My latest quilt project

2008-07-23T20:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the finished product of my button bouquet flower pot wall hanging. I took a class at a quilt store in Anchorage. I am REALLY pleased with the result.

2008-07-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

Two other members of the family who require very little of my time and attention, but give me much CALM. Love these guys.

Smudge

Bender

FAT CATS ~~they fit in just fine~~

Tessah's Room Re-do..well not Re-do...more like DO!

2008-07-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

The Desk "BEFORE"

TESSAH'S ROOM
The Desk - AFTER
Her fave: The animal prints - WILD CHILD
Above the closet door reads: If the shoe fits buy it in every color
So I finally got around to finishing Tessah's bedroom.

She has been using furniture since 2002 that is of course hand-me-downs, because that's the way it is. The desk was previously her Grampie's. Brent's dad got it from his grandfather when he was in 5th grade. She also was given a bureau, that had the same exact hardware and matched perfectly with the desk from her Nana and Papa when we lived in Florida. The Maple color never really worked for her room. So I re-fabbed them both. Slapped some white paint on them, some new knobs and drawer pulls that I let her pick out. The knobs were a bargain at 67 cents a piece. So I let her pick the nicer drawer pulls, $3.97 (GASP) She wasn't a fan of the cheaper ones...her words. I have also painted a desk chair to match, but have yet to finish the 2nd coat, so that will be "aired" at a later date.

The color on the wall is CLASSIC TURQUOISE by KILZ. The little doo-hickeys on the walls are wind hangy whatcha-ma-call-its that I found in the garden section at Joann's Fabric's and hung on the wall. There's 4 in different colors, but you can only see 2 in the picture. Also, you can click on the pictures to see more details. She loves the animal print curtains and wants to get a zebra print throw or pillows.

Latest project - For Alora

2008-07-04T00:51:00.000-07:00

My latest quilting project is a foray into applique, which I have never tried it before. So I thought the upcoming arrival of my new niece, Alora, was the perfect opportunity to start. Imodified a pattern for a Christmas Angel that I ordered to the theme of "pastel stars" that Jamey is doing for Alora's nursery. What do you think? I'd love to start getting comments from you all! If anyone is even looking at my blog :) Next post should include Tessah's bedroom makeover.....

My collection

2008-07-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

For a couple of years now I have been collecting cookie jars. It all started with "the little boy" that was Brent's Memere's that we have had in every house we have lived in. For a long time it was the only one we had. And my loving husband pointed out it is the only one that is not MINE :) Then Miriam gave me the "strawberry" for Christmas a few years ago....then I caught the bug. At first I bought them as gifts for Miriam's collection...but once we hit Alaska...I started my own collection because I have the perfect kitchen cupboards to display them. I am fond of the quirky or different. For Christmas 2006 I got the "jukebox" and "the Pillsbury" from Brent and my mom-in-lawMary got me the "jeans" for my birthday last year. When I buy my own, I make every attempt to find the best bargain I can. Thrift stores and yard sales are the way to go. Bishop's Attic is a local craft store and I got the "hippo" there for 5 bucks in the box! I got the "purse" at Salvation Army for 4 bucks! No run of the mill for me. The "coffee grinder" was another Salvation Army find...a bit steep for my blood at 12 bucks. "The bag of lemons" was at Bishop's Attic...3 bucks, baby! The only one I have spent any substantial money on is the "retro toaster" and its my favorite. It was 1/2 price, but still a little to much for my cheap ass! The one that led me to post this today is the "scottie dog." I got him today at the Salvation Army for 5.50 in the box. Woohoo! I also have a purple one that matches my Fiesta Ware, but it is on the counter filled with dog biscuits. So now, you know my weird little hobby!

Joanna the Party Planner....

2008-07-01T23:09:00.001-07:00

Ok, so anyone that knows me well knows I like to have parties...Pampered Chef, Close to My Heart, Home Interiors, Vinyl Home Lettering, holidays...I like to have people over and feed them! I don't know why, but I do. So when my sister-in-law told us all she was pregnant, I immediately started planning her shower in my mind. It was June 21, and I think it was a success. I made my first diaper cake (that was FUN) and we had a ball!!!

My first blog

2008-06-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

My friend Rachel gave me oodles of free paint, and one of the colors was this great green! I loved it. My walls have rounded corners, so painting is a challenge...BUT I picked a really obscure place to paint and VIOLA.....