year in review 2011

Twenty eleven has been a very busy year.  This year I resolved to focus on being more creative and revived this blog.  Here are some of my favorite creative moments from the year.

I think out of all the tutorials I have created this year, this pillow was my favorite to make.  It is so simple and I just love the texture on the finished project.  My most popular tutorial has definitely been the paint sample coasters.  

I use this bag all the time and I get so many compliments on it.  This project was made with upcycled materials; a vintage grain sack and a thrifted belt.  I want to spend more time thrifting in the new year.  

I started using polymer clay this year for various projects and I am so addicted.  I enjoy working with clay almost as much as I enjoy sewing.

I really struggled with the decision to move my craft room.  Now that I am (almost) moved in to my new digs I am so pleased that I finally decided to make the move.  Today I sewed some pillow covers while looking out an actual window.  So exciting!

So far I am really enjoying my new shop.  This is another decision that took me a really long time to make.  Mostly I was concerned about having enough time for work, blogging, and shop.  I'm still not sure if I will have enough time, but I am enjoying running my shop so much that I am willing to sacrifice a little TV watching time.

I have been thinking of some goals for the new year, but I have to admit that I'm a little behind on goal setting.  Hopefully that isn't an omen for 2012!

Have a safe and fun New Year's Eve and thanks for reading and subscribing!

month in review: november

Where did November go?  I feel like I have been doing a lot of creative work, but it hasn't made it to the blog yet.  No tutorials this month to review, which kinda sucks.  I've been working hard on my craft room. Yesterday I received some new furniture and once I had it in place I squealed with delight...seriously.  I hope to hang some things on the wall and work on my sewing nook this weekend.  I'll update soon!

Oh, and the most important thing happened today....the cable man installed cable in my room today.  What?  You expect me to craft without TV?  What am I?  A cavewoman?  In all seriousness, sometimes I enjoy the quiet while I craft, sometimes I'm in the mood for music, but sometimes I just need to watch some Project Runway while I work.  (Btw, have you been watching Bravo's Work of Art reality show about artists?  I think I like it!)

Here's a little glimpse of what I was working on last weekend.  I scoured all the Black Friday ads, and I was only interested in one thing; a toaster oven from Target for $20.  I wanted it for crafting (of course) for baking clay.  I never felt comfortable baking clay in the same oven that I use to make food (once in awhile).  However, I wasn't willing to fight the crowds for a toaster oven.  We happened to go to Target on Saturday afternoon.  Low and behold there was one lonely toaster oven still sitting on the shelf.  I swiped it and spent the rest of the weekend putting it to good use.  It works great!

Did I mention that I'm not working on Fridays for the rest of the year?  I love it when I end up with extra vacation days.  I'm looking forward to getting caught up on some projects!

october in review

Only three tutorials this month? tsk. tsk. I updated the tutorial library with this poor showing for October or you can click on the pictures above if you missed one of the October tutes.

I've been really engaged in a project at work lately, which is great because I haven't felt that way at work for a long time.  However, it leaves little time for crafting which is a bummer.  I guess that's how life goes, things ebb and flow at different times.

I finally got my new craft room painted a nice "blank canvas" color of white.  I used spray paint for the first time this weekend for a craft room related project.  Tony wants to change the flooring in the room, so I am kinda stalled again until we figure that out.  But all is OK because it gives me more time to dream about the furniture I want to buy.  I am a little obsessed with having some sort of counter height table or island so that I can stand and create. My current obsession is this island from West Elm.

Ironically, I had some money fall into my lap today (OK...so it was really a reimbursement of money I paid previously, but totally unexpected).  The money would just about cover the cost of this island.  So what do you think?  Is this big enough to cut fabric on if I put some sort of self healing mat on top?  Will I regret the metal top?

Here are the other things on my craft room re-do "to do" list:

Figure out flooring and install

Create a sewing nook out of the closet

Find the perfect bulletin board

Plan a weekend trip to Ikea to purchase a desk

Put together Ikea furniture

Source curtain fabric and make curtains

Buy and install a new light fixture

Transfer shelves and supplies from old room to new room

Whew...still a lot to do.  I have to admit that I am least looking forward to moving all my crap supplies from the basement to my new second floor craft room!!!

month in review: september

Is September really over already?  Holy crap!  What happened to the month?  It all seems like a blur.  I updated the tutorial library with my September tutorials.  If you missed any you can click on the image above to access the tutorial.

Rather than look back at my blurry September I'd rather look forward to October.  I love fall.  I love sleeping with the windows open and cuddling under my down comforter.  Tony and I have a long weekend away planned and I can't wait.  I once again hoarded vacation days at work and they must be used by the end of the year so I may extend the long weekend even longer.

I got a great idea for a project tonight and I can't wait to get to the craft store tomorrow!

Happy October and thanks for subscribing!

august in review

Whew...August was a whirlwind. If you missed any of the projects above, just click on the picture for a tutorial. I've also updated the tutorial library.

My little blog had almost 60,000 hits in August (compared to about 7,500 in July) thanks to features on Craftzine, Craft Gossip, Tipnut, All Free Sewing, and Petite Hermine and many others.  I love seeing folks who try out my tutorials!  Most of the traffic to my blog came from Stumble Upon, a website that I still don't quite understand.

I finished my drawing class, but did not sign up for another class.  Not right away.  September promises to be even busier than August; milestone birthday parties, anniversary parties, and busy season at work.

I hope to do lots of work on my craft room in September, but at this point I am doing more hoping and dreaming and planning and not much "doing".

Luckily Tony planned a long weekend vacation for us in October.  I think I will need it.

july in review

I updated the tutorial library with my July tutorials.  Four bags!  I knew I was going a little bag crazy this month.  If you missed any of the tutorials above, just click on the picture to take you to the post.  I totally missed the fact that I hit my one hundredth post in July.

This month we did some camping, but not much because it has been so hot.  We had a bit of a staycation at home.  Work (as usual) was busy, and I went to drawing class at community college two nights a week.  I played organized bingo for the first time ever which was quite an experience.

I have one more drawing class on Monday and Tony has returned to work.  His kids start back to school soon.  We had an amazing meal downtown to celebrate the end of summer vacation and ate the most amazing dessert, warm bread pudding with pecans and nice cold ice cream.

Hard to believe that summer is almost over, but I'm ready because the heat lately has been unbearable!