From beans to beautiful!

 {Image source}

Beans. 

They're what's for dinner. 

 Or, at least, they were last Wednesday.

Now, however, it's time to save the tin can from a sad future in a dump and turn it into a fun table-top organizer for my Mom's sewing room! Not sure why I am so pumped for an empty bean can?

 

Let me take you back to last month, when I saw these fun prints at my local fabric store

I didn't know what I could or would do with them...but I did know 3 things:

1. I wanted to spruce up my Mom's sewing room (a.k.a Diva Den) for her birthday
2.  Said Diva Den is a soft feminine peach color and the blues and purples in the collection would be a great pop of color and playful pattern in there
3. The store had just announced it was going out of business (Read as:  I couldn't just do my usual come back  for it later thing)

So, I did what any good fabric-addict-daughter would do.    I picked up 1/2 yard cuts of each print!

Then I proceeded to  promptly forget about them for a few weeks. What can I say... life happens! 

Moving on.... one day I find myself in the middle of one of my blog-hops I happened to stumble across this awesome tutorial at Sew4Home and immediately knew what to make for Momma's den!

I've read through the tute (it seems very beginner friendly, well written and has lots of photos)! I just have to pick up some fusible craft fleece and then it's game on!

What do you think? 

Do you think she'll like her custom handmade pencil-cuppy goodness or have I gone craft crazy??

Does anyone else get this excited over silly little storage solutions?

Bitty Baby Doodlebug and a Giveaway

Remember that baby shower I was working on back in spring?  Need a refresher? I blogged about it {here}.


Well he is growing quickly and is more squiggly and vocal than ever! His momma, my dear friend, has had some health problems that have landed her in the hospital a few times. While she works on feeling better, I get to snuggle with Alex, or as I like to call him....Doodlebug! 

Bad me, though, I have not made his baby quilt yet!


I'm planning and scheming now that I know his personality and I think some fun, nature fabric would be perfect for him. 


Lucky for me (or possibly you!) Sherri and Green Fairy Quilts have teamed up for a generous giveaway!

Wouldn't this Meadow Friends layer cake make a fabulous quilt for baby Doodlebug?


...something like this maybe??

{photo credit}


ahhh.. Now I just need to win it  so I can make Doodle Bug a quilt before he's a teenager!!

Crafty Scientists Anonymous

Hello. My name is Annaliese, and I'm a craft addicted scientist.

That's right. I said it. I'm a crafty scientist.

I've been called far worse though, so I say it's time to embrace it! 

I'm not the only one with this addiction either. Maybe you've heard of Mel?    No?     Well Mel is a crafty scientist, a self proclaimed smarty pants artist.  She's calling all crafty scientists over at her blog {here}!

Simultaneous blogging and geeking out? Ummm yes count me in!

And she's even made a great button for the rally! 

Sooo.... I kind of love Mel (and her blog) and I kind of love the little project I'm working on (pics coming soon!) but I do NOT love this this heat wave that has slammed central PA with a vengeance. 

Now if you excuse me, this craft scientist is getting hot and cranky ... I better do some research on that peaches n cream ice cream in my freezer!

This Quilt has No Name

because right now it sort of resembles a jelly roll on steroids!

My sister and I are doing this together- Same pattern, same fabrics, and a whole lot of sister 'tude.

SO EXCITED!  

The Story

My mother and sister were in town this June on their way to visit family in Indiana. I took them to my local fabric shop to appease our fabric appetite, and to spend some quality girl time. 

My sister brought along a (previously purchased) pattern with her so we began pulling fabric for it.  She has a great eye for color, but isn't always confident in her choices. We ended up pulling 15+ bolts out and began 'auditioning them'.

The more we pulled the more I loved the fun color and bold combinations. I liked them so much in fact, that that when my sister suggested we cut double and I do one too, I just couldn't resist!

Quilt Stats

Name: I don't know what to call this one.... yet.

Pattern:  "Jacks be Quick" by Cozy Quilt Designs

Fabric: So many! A variety of lines and designers.

Date: June 2011-???

Status: Strips are cut!

Swister and I are trying to finish some other WIPs up before we let ourselves go further with this one.... but that doesn't mean I can't take out my strippys and pet and oogle them once and a while, right?

Testing 1,2,7...

So here it is, my first mobile blog post.
And it only took a 7 tries and a cup of iced coffee to get this puppy right!
Why the mobile blog you ask? We are a one computer home right now, and at the end of the day the Hubby gets first dibs on computer privileges (especially when armed with a checkbook and stack of bills)!
I think I can get used to this ;)