Grateful for Electricity Power...

How grateful I am for electricity.

Without power the house got down to 41 degrees indoors...upstairs.

Without power my beloved 17 year old kitty shivers until I hold her in my arms.

Without power it is very dark.

Without power is how many people must live.

I am so very grateful for the power I have and that it is restored.

Four days and nights without...yet I am fortunate.

I have a home.

I have warm clothes.

I have food.

I have so much to be thankful for.
You can be certain I will be donating many items of need to those without.

I am grateful.

Thank you for each of your well wishes.

I am blessed.

Magic Pink Project Completed...

This will be a very quick and short post as we are snowed in with about 5 feet of snow and zero power. We have a generator however with power out everywhere the fuel stations are either out of fuel or not able to pump without power.
I finished my Texture Magic super pink fabric trial. I did make a purse out of the small piece I had textured. This first photo shows the fabric plain under the fun flower button and also the magic "smocked" fabric. I love this fabric and product.

This side of my purse is for the little girl in me.

This side of the purse if for the adult in me.

Fun and flirty side.

Fun and flirty side. Yes, I believe both sides are fun and flirty.

Texture Magic is made by Superior Threads and can be purchased in fabric and craft stores. I have no affiliation with this company or product except as a successful consumer.

I finished this purse this past week just before the huge storm hit.

Just a note: I always unplug my sewing machine due to power issues so the computer part does not get fried. Just like turning off all computers in the house.

Now I must sign off and I am truly missing reading all of the blogs I so love to follow. We must conserve our generator and fuel.

All in all I feel very blessed as we do have a generator for heat and lights. There were many years when we moved here that we didn't have this luxury and survived power outages for on average five days at a time.

Yes, the chain saws, shovels, brooms, axe, hoe and lots of physical muscle has been in force the past two days. I can get really creative about shoveling and brooming and chopping ice from our very steep (16% grade) driveway.

Stay warm and well everyone.

Happy creating...

Sewing with Texture Magic...

Last week I did what I said I was going to do. Sew with Texture Magic. I had purchased a package several years ago when it first came out and there it sat in the drawer. Hmmm...
Then I saw it actually sewn and finished on some sample pieces in the fabric store and I purchased another package. I was so enamored with the product I just knew I must try it.
This first photo is my fabric (Fairy Frost) sewn with the grid lines I drew.

This photo is the back of my "fabric" which is actually the texture magic that I drew the grid lines on in order to sew them. Not very exciting yet!

Hmmm...something is happening to my texture magic side of the fabric. It is shriveling and getting all lumpy. Lets turn this over and see the correct side and the result...

It truly is magic! This is the same fabric as in the first photo that has now been steamed. The Texture Magic has done it's job and my fabric has lots of dimension and texture. It appears to have been smocked.

Now to decide what I shall make with this piece. It isn't very large so I am pondering my options. I have some ideas and will soon decide what it shall become. My studio cutting table and I are auditioning some fabrics and patterns. We will make our decision soon and then post the finished product once it is completed. Please don't hold your breath as there is no deadline for this project. It will happen when it happens. I do not know where my time goes however it certainly disappears quickly.

What would you make with this textured fabric?

It is bright pink but then that is the little girl in me who loves pink everything and Mary Jane shoes. Hmmm...princess?

Happy creating...

Aubergine and Lace...

I have always loved the word aubergine. It just sounds so regal. And regal is just what purple has always represented. My mother's favorite color was purple. I never really cared much for it one way or another. However as I "mature" I find I am drawn more and more to the colors of purple and it's many hues. I created this necklace from beads I had picked up in Rome Italy and several other much more local places.

I am realizing that I like working with the asymmetrical rather than the completely balanced matching ways of style. I did make matching pierced earrings using the amethyst beads. Actually amethyst is the gemstone for February so this is quite fitting.

I might list this set in my etsy shop. I have spent several hours recently lowering my prices in my etsy shop so as to allow everyone the opportunity to acquire their favorite pieces. Please do take a look just in case you find a gift for yourself or for someone dear to you.
We are having lots of snow here in Northern California. Awoke to a good sized oak tree crashed down over the driveway. Mr. C and I spent the day outside shoveling, brooming, clearing, chain-sawing and hauling debris off the driveway just so we can get out if need be. However it is snowing as fast as we can shovel. Time for warm tea and homebaked peanut butter cookies.

May you enjoy your weekend and make something wonderful.

Happy creating...

Inspiration Purchases...

This is something I purchased while in La Quinta/Palm Springs recently. It hangs on the wall and has hooks for jewelry or such. The idea is really very simple yet it makes a great statement. The entire piece is approximately 24 inches in length. It would be very easy to create these out of lightweight foam core board or one of those ceiling tiles that can be used for a bulletin board. Cover with some fun fabric and ribbon and netting. Very girlie and I love it.

This is what I purchased from my favorite fabric store in Palm Desert...Monica's. Now for me to utilize these items and not just add them to the closet of a thousand projects.

Some new fabrics too. Very fun teacups and celebration girlie fabrics in pinks. An Easter themed panel and another panel I had to buy because I just love the little scenes on it.

This is just one of the many scenes on the panel. I didn't even iron it for this photo. If only I knew what I will make with these. These scenes are just like pictures I have in a very old tiny little book from my childhood. Name unknown as the cover is missing forever. It even has my crayon scribbles on some of the pages but I totally treasure this little book.

While at Monica's every lady in the shop was buying these polymer buttons as fast as they could get their hands on them. Lots of different shapes and colors and textures.

All of these purchases are such inspiration for me. I just need to let the ideas happen as they will and not force them.

What would you make using these fabric panels? I would love to hear your ideas.

May you be inspired beyond your dreams...