The Year of the Slump

For anyone that follows sports, particularly baseball, you know what a slump means. As a devoted Cardinals fan (please don't hate those of you that prefer blue uniforms), I totally understand how a player can be up one game and down the next three with seemingly no explanation. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I have been in a bit of slump. For almost a year. As I wrote in my blog last October, I'd had a lot of changes in my life. It seems I let them overwhelm my creativity, became focused on work and abandoned my blog.

Recently, though, I've been working my way out of my slump. I recently moved to Springfield to be closer to my friends and the airport (sadly, work never goes away). As I'm becoming more settled in my new place and spending quality time with my friends, I'm again finding my creativity. And finally, after many weeks of Coffee, Crafties, and Besties (read about it here), I finished a project.

It's not much, but it's finished and it's mine. Yes - that's right, this dainty little tea towel is an addition for the kitchen of the Prince Haus. And I feel so relieved to have jumped this hurdle and started creating again. So, I'm officially out of my slump and back to blogging. And anxious to share my thoughts with everyone again. Hopefully, I'll hit a home run in the next few games!

Do you know the Quilted Cow, the Quilted Cow, the Quilted Cow?

Ok - first off raise your hand if you're glad fall is here. *Raises hand enthusiastically*. Didn't it seem like it was going to take forever? Aren't you glad to dig out your cute flats, have a pumpkin latte, and wonder again where all those leaves in your car came from? Thank goodness!

Good, now that we've got that clear I need to tell you exciting news. I've been consigned! Wait - that didn't come out right...what I mean to say is that I've taken several finished items to The Quilted Cow to be sold on a consignment basis. Have I told you about The Quilted Cow? It's adorable new fabric/quilt/little bit of everything store in Cape Fair, Missouri. Not only do they have wonderful and unique things, but the beautiful drive makes the trip totally worth while. And now I officially have items there too! Very excited and grateful for the opportunity.

I got busy last week and made two bags, which I took out to the QC. First we have the dark green one, which has a gold print lining.




And second is the purple-ish flowered one, which has a cream lining. I got the fabric for this at Claude's Country Threads in Stover, Missouri.

I can't believe I finally got the gumption to put something out there and see how it sells. It really shows me just how far I've come in the year since I decided to try my hand at sewing again. I also took two aprons, one half and one full, but you'll have to drive out to Cape Fair to see them!

So that's all my newsy news - but tell me, do think these pieces are good examples of what I do? Any suggestions for what I could do different next time I finish a batch of consignment pieces?

One for you...and one for you...

Well hello there! Have we met? I'm Jen...

Oh wait, that's right - it just feels like we're strangers. Well, I'm working hard to get us all caught up. Let's see...what is important for me to tell you???

First, I've moved from the St. Louis area to THE 'tourist destination' of SW Missouri. And it's interesting to say the very least. BUT I find my new little house has a perfect place to display those which are my Pyrex Loves!


Can't you just see them smiling at you? Aren't they pretty? It makes me happy that I have a really nice place to show them off to the world. Or at least y'all :).

Since I've had a break from work, I've been working hard on little projects for all. If you remember, I bragged about the purse I made myself here and about the one I would do for my favorite Auntie! Well, I whipped it out one afternoon and it turned out fabulous if I do say so myself.



And finally, my bestie is having a little buddy in November (well, maybe I just consider him my little buddy!) so I've been busy making baby presents. For her shower I made two bibs, two burp clothes, and two onesies. But I really think this one is the best of the lot. I mean - does it get any cuter than this little guy?

So that's what I've been keeping myself busy with during this brief respite from travel. And you know - I've had a few changes in my life recently, so I decided to splurge and do something for myself as well! So I'm working on some pillowcases for me, stay tuned for pictures of the finished project! Other exciting news - I was asked to put together some pieces for consignment at a quilt store in Cape Fair! What do you think - should I jump in to this?

I was lost, but now I'm found!

Hello all my friends! I know, you thought I'd given up on this crazy blog notion or that I was laying dead in a ditch somewhere. But alas, I am alive and well. After working a lot of hours for two months in Wyoming (which was a visual feast!) I find I have plenty of money saved up for fabric. And although I'm on to another project for work, I'll have more downtime and there are birthday/Christmas projects to be planned and made. I promise I'll blog more regularly - I'm getting all my technology in order :).

Cheers to all - tell me what YOU'VE been up to! PS - Em, here's a shout-out on your precious bibs! She's putting gnomes on them people! How cute is that!

The Great Huntress!

And a restful Sunday to all! I've actually managed to talk myself into relaxing today - ask my Fella, this can be a task. I've had two wonderful weekends in a row (without a blog-opps!). Crafty Momma came down to visit her favorite daughter in Louisiana last week and we had an amazing time! Did lots of exploring and 'vintage hunting' and Frosty eating and laughing... *sigh* Just a good time overall. And I discovered a new love!

I read an article in Uppercase (read about it here) about vintage Pyrex. The Pyrex from the 60's and 70's had such fun colors and patterns that I don't see how you can not love it and feel motivated to cook and bake. Additionally - and this is the kicker for me - it's a collection that you can USE! Some pieces need to have TLC and hand-washing is suggested, but most are totally great to whip out to impress company. I already have a couple vintage mixing bowls that belonged to my Grandma Neva (the most amazing woman ever!). So, I decided they needed a new friend...or two!


Meet my new Pyrex mixing bowl! This print is called Golden Butterfly and this is the baby bowl, it's bigger sister has the opposite color scheme. Isn't she pretty? Doesn't she make you want to whip up some soft cookies or yummy scones? Ahh, to have a kitchen again! I think an addiction is forming :).

I also did some 'vintage hunting' this weekend in Beaux Bridge, LA which is a delightful town just about ten minutes from Lafayette. I picked up several new treasures, but just had to share my new friend with you.

As we all know, I have a thing for birds and decided that I couldn't leave Louisiana without a new little friend. The best part is that the little store where I picked him up was run by the sweetest friendliest woman who gave me advice about where to eat and admonished 'a pretty thing like me' to be careful when I was out at night :).

Ok - that's all the treasures for now! More later I promise-and probably more Pyrex as well...oh check out this for more Pyrex gushing!

And I'm Back!

Hello All! I must apologize for the long delay in blogging delightful-ness; but I arrive with all sorts of a goodies to share!

First off - The Renegade Craft Fair in Austin was amazing! For anyone that lives near one (or even near enough to take a weekend trip) I would highly suggest it. I managed to hit it right after opening on Saturday and spent four hours wandering the highly creative (and inspiring) rows of paper goods, ceramics, wood goods, hand-sewn delights, jewelry, etc... I will post pictures later of some of my amazing finds!

One of the great things about Renegade was the wealth of free stuff! Upon entrance (which was free!) I received two hip, arty magazines. And I'm in loo-ove with one of them. Uppercase. It's a magazine that even FEELS awesome and has an eclectic mix of art, craft, creativity, and vintage. With some sass and style thrown in to boot. There are two sad things though: 1) It only comes out quarterly and 2) Because it's published in Canada and is of such high quality a yearly subscription is $80(Canadian). BUT I think it's worth looking at the website and would make an amazing gift for any forward-thinking Crafty Diva (hint hint to my Fella :) ).

While I haven't had a lot of time to sew while working Louisiana, I have been doing a lot of vintage shopping/flea marketing/antiquing for inspiration. And birdies, of course. So I want to leave you with this picture that I took at a flea market in Washington, LA. Not the best quality, but I was so taken with the birch tree and the birds that I couldn't leave without snapping a shot.

They inspire me to sketch...and stitch...and create! Hope they do something for you as well!

PS Still taking blogging suggestions if anyone has any thoughts - or even something down here they'd like me to check out!

A Different Frame of Mind

Greetings from beautiful Louisiana! Haven't been here for quite one week yet, but I'm already enjoying the new sites and sounds it offers. I mean - where else can you hear Zydeco music on Cinco de Mayo? :)

I've been busy at work and haven't much time to sew yet, but part of the excitement of being someplace new is the new opportunities it brings. Including this:


I've always wanted to go to a Renegade Craft Fair and was excited to see one in Austin, but didn't expect to go. Suddenly, I find myself less than 7 hours away from one of the indie craft events of year! Or at least for me :). Can't wait to go in a couple weekends and tell you all about it.

Oh - and I got a request to write about cows sssooo...we were working on Tuesday and I swore I heard a cow and asked everyone if they heard it too. Nope - of course not - nobody heard it. And frankly, I think the guys I'm working with thought I was a bit looney (well, they think that anyway). But, as I rode back to the hotel with the Project Manage - bam! - a field of cows not far from our site. I think that might be a "You know you're from the country when..." joke. Everybody take care and I'll write more again soon!

PS - Still waiting for suggestions! What would you like to see me blog about?