Mirror

Long ago, I picked up this mirror at a yard sale for about $2. It has been hauled around and never really found a home, although Rachel would have gladly stolen it taken it off my hands. For some reason I still cannot ascertain, I painted it this weird, chocolatey brown color...which made it look like it was made out of Hershey's milk chocolate. Then it basically sat atop our dresser for the next several years. After painting my kitchen I decided that the mirror needed to make a comeback, so I painted it with white enamel. It is now hanging in the dining area and I am glad it finally found a home!

Pillow Makeover

I had a very plain black throw pillow hanging around my living room that needed a little somethin' special. I recently painted my kitchen and wanted to pull some of the color into my living room. This is just a simple zippered cover with red piping. The fabric is Amy Butler, in case you are wondering. :)

Potato Print Penguins

We made these penguin prints last week in preschool, and they were a big hit. They involve everything kids seem to like: glue, paint, and googly eyes! To make some penguins with your kids, you need:

construction paper
two large potatoes
black and white paint (we used acrylic craft paint)
glue
salt in a shaker
orange construction paper
googly eyes

Cut one potato in half lengthwise. This will be the body. Cut the other potato in half horizontally. This will be the belly. Brush the large potato stamp with black paint, and stamp as many penguins as you like. While the paint is drying a little, brush glue underneath the penguins and sprinkle with salt for snow. Brush smaller stamp with white paint, and stamp bellies (black paint does not need to be completely dry). To finish, cut beaks and feet from orange construction paper and glue on. Add googly eyes, and voila! You've got yourself a whole herd of happy penguins!

Kasia Skirt From Burda Style

About a month ago, I finished my version of the Kasia skirt from Burda Style. I have been wanting to try this free pattern for a while. I am happy with the results, but getting there wasn't so fun. Actually, I have since picked apart the side seams to take them in. I made a size up, figuring I could take it in if needed. I took it in almost an inch on each side and it is still too loose, thus the reason I have it ripped apart. While I love the look of the pattern, the directions could use some help. I have tried a few Burda patterns and I am not sure if it is a translation thing, or what, but they confuse the heck out of me! I would like to make this skirt again, but change the construction methods to make it easier. A unique feature of this skirt is the zipper, hidden behind the front panel. The printed fabric is Michael Miller and I also used that to make self-covered buttons. The gray is broadcloth which I wouldn't recommend because it is a bit thin, and wrinkles too easily.

Pen And Ink Hands

I recently signed up to do the decorations for an upcoming women's retreat. Turns out, I have been able to dust off my art supplies and do some drawing! This is something I really love to do, but haven't done since I had kids. I feel pretty rusty yet. The original idea was that I was going to design a map-type design for use at the retreat. It ended up with me working with the graphic designer for a logo. She used the original hands drawing (without text) to create the logo. (I would post it, but I can't figure out how.) I am sure I will be sick of seeing the drawing very soon.

Drawing

I know I haven't posted much around here lately. I have a few mostly non-sewing projects I have been working on and will post them in the next few days. Here is a sketch I did a week or two ago. I have been trying to do a little drawing lately and it is so fun! I worked from a picture I took of my son a few years ago in Maine, watching a sailboat go by.