Another one??

Yes, another one. And actually I have more partially done. I love this pattern and I think they make the best gifts. I wonder what my giveaway will be at the end of February for my blogiversary??

This particular cutie is for Mary A. She received it today so I can now show it. She said it'll be perfect for her makeup.

None of these have the Timtex in them like the pattern calls for. I forgot to insert it at the appropriate time. But the new ones I made have it in them. I wish I had done that with the others. The Timtex helps it keep the box shape.

I love the inside too:)

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Our new Knitting/Crochet display. My Auntie Karen's niece Tina made me the Pirate Panda and the kitty for Christmas and Corinnea made the Elephant.

They are hanging in the store because I recently stumbled across the book that they are all made from. What better way to inspire than to have the actual item made up and on display? I never ever thought I'd work retail again after working for Yardage City of San Diego for 9 years but I love my job! I love the creative freedom I have. What will I do if we move in October??? Let's not talk about it:) FYI: my 6 year anniversay at the store is next month...crazy!

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It's been snowing a lot here. I think we've have snow on the ground for a month now.

Winter in Germany (actually, anytime of year) is just gorgeous. The snow is what I'm talking about though. It's the snow that makes it like a winter wonderland and these photos do not do it justice!

I finished The Host on Audio book and it was just as good as when I read it. I'm now listening to Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I may have mentioned before that I will ONLY listen to a book I have read. I cannot stand the thought of missing something because I had to run out of the room or someone talked to me while listening to the book. Is anyone else like this?

Woodland Top and Chalkboard Hangers

**Someone couldn't keep still, thus the blurry eye.

and she refused pants so I had to cover her knickers with a blanket.

The Woodland Top from Sew Liberated. It's made from Quilters Tweed (looks like tweed but it's really just a quilters cotton). The pattern was very very easy but I made a 4 and should have made a 5 or lengthen the size 4.

I let Emily choose the embroidery and the buttons. Then I went back and changed most of the buttons. They just didn't go at all in the end:) But the embroidery is all her pick..except the eye. I did black and she had melt down. She wanted yellow but I just couldn't do it. I chose my battle and I won:)

I used silver metallic embroidery floss on parts of the horn (what is that thing called anyway?). The embroidery pattern is from Sublime Stitching.

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Chalkboard hangers made from this post.

I really like that this shows the fabric. Makes me want to buy all 3.

The chalk that was used was stubby had no point = messy writing. But I like the idea a lot. We need other ideas for how to use it though...anyone?

I have another hanger not in use. So if you can think of something to put in it for the store. I was going to clip a new pattern to it but someone (her name is Mary A.) vetoed it.

I can show this now..

For Jocelyn. She's opened it already so I can show it.

Jocelyn: did you get your 20 year reunion invite in the mail recently?? Crazy!!! I would only go if you did. But really I would only go if we were in the states at that time..

The pattern is from Jessica's shop just like this one I made for Mary H.

The fabric is Japanese coated cotton and the same fabric as Ava's art smock shown a few posts back but in black.

Mary H. gave me these two Gnome/mushroom ornaments. Her mom was getting rid of them so Mary told her she knew of someone who would love them (and hold them and call them George). She was right! I'm in loooooove! I'm showing them now because I got them after Christmas and JUST took down our Christmas stuff. This is the longest I've ever left it up and I'm OK with that!

Kara: that Dr. Finkelstein in the back is for you:) Not literally but I made sure he was in the back ground for you!

Aren't they cool??

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I just finished Lonely Werewolf Girl and loved it even though it was cheesy and actually had many many spelling errors/typos that even I caught!

I'm now reading the White Queen and really like it. I gladly except book recommendations. Except if they are: sci-fi (like Star-treck sci-fi) or cheesy, nasty romance or classics. Mama don't like the classics. Jack Kerouac is stupid.

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I'm listening too The Host and I cannot recommend this book enough! I've read it many many months ago and have been listening to it for the past couple of weeks. I find myself wanting to get back to it and find out what happens next even though I already read it! It's just that good and so completely different than her other lesser known books (you may have heard of them? The Twilight series? I'm making myself laugh ...) Anyway, read it if you haven't already!

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Just a little video of Ava. My sister wanted me to catch on film her blowing the hair out of her face with her own mouth and I caught a tiny bit of it.

Spider Web Block Clock

A spiderweb quilt block inside a clock! I used the instructions found here to make it but shrunk. If anyone wants the measurements, email me.

Customizable 12"x12" clock is from Heidi Swapp, Memory Clocks.

The clock used to look like this but it was time for a change at the store.

and here it is hanging up in the store.

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Below is my completed (top only) band-aid quilt!!

Remember the stamp I got my sister? Here it is being used on her students papers.

Ava's Party

***WARNING***

photo heavy post.

This is the style cake we decided on even though everyone picked #2.

Chocolate cake with chocolate and cream cheese frosting.

It was really good!

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Click on photos to enlarge.

Some weird but extremely cute thing Ava does when everyone is looking at her.

I do this when I drink A LOT.

She got some cute stuff.

Friends.

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Video

Jon thought he started recording when we sang Happy Birthday but he didn't. It's the same exact thing I did Christmas morning.

Lola Hair Clips and Art Smock

Before I post Ava's birthday pictures, here are two craft projects (both worn at the party).

The 1st one is an Art smock for Ava made from some Japanese coated cotton. The pattern is Simplicity 3802. The same pattern I made Emily's from.

The back view...

Ava was recovering from her tantrum under the table.

The 2nd project is these Lola hair clips. As in Charlie and Lola. I got the idea from this BLOG.

So here is Lola...see the blue hair thingies??

These were soooo easy. I think I'll make more. and they look so cute on Emily if I do say so myself:)

Yes, you did just look at 3 pictures that were the same just slightly different.

This one above was taken at home using different clips to keep the blue thingies in her hair. I used black bobbie pins at the party and they were good but fell out by the end of the day. So I got some black one like the pink ones above and that should hold them better.

So what I'm trying to say is, don't use bobbie pins or a color that doesn't match the child's hair!

Donuts again

A toiletry bag for Mary H.Made from Jessica's pattern. I think I'll make myself one for my purse.
I used a coated cotton by Michael Miller for the outside and cotton for the inside.
I love this pattern!

Donuts for a class I'll be teaching in March. I had helpers...

Avy stuffing her mouth with pretzel.

Shaun the Sheep

Not today but soon...this is the front of her invitation.

Can you believe she'll be 2?? Two years have gone by since I birthed a watermelon:)

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Below are 3 pictures of Shaun the Sheep cakes.
Here's a little preview of Shaun the Sheep if you've never seen the movies.
Our friend Tanya will be making it and I need to choose one before Thursday. She said she doesn't care which one so don't make a judgement on how hard it looks to make.

**#1 shows two different versions of the same cake

**edit: I just added #4 after I posted the other 3 and redid the voter so if you voted already please do it again.
I put a poll counter thingy on the side bar at the very top.

Let me know which is your favorite!

Also, if you have any suggestions for party decorations, etc. that would be great. I'm having black and white balloons..but what else?

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And FYI...this is my 300th post!!

I was going to have a giveaway but since my 2nd blogiversary is coming up on February 25th, I'll just have it then!