alittlesweetness

girl power

via www.youtube.com

I've wanted to share this cute little song and video that I spotted on another blog a little while back.  It's really all about believing in yourself and taking your chances.  Doing that thing (or things) that you maybe have always wanted to do.  I thought it is so fitting for all of us women  trying so hard to be the best in each area of our lives.  Family, work, relationships, personal things.  Improving on the weaknesses that we all have and also taking advantage of the blessings and strengths we have been given by a loving Father in Heaven.  Whatever those gifts may be, that we remember to be grateful and continue to believe in ourselves, even when things are difficult.  We all have difficulties, so this song just will absolutely make you want to keep trying!!  I PROMISE!! 

This video features Stephanie Nielson of Nie Nie Dialogues and her children.  I followed her story when it happened and I still check in on her from time to time and she is an amazing (AMAZING!!!) example of never giving up.  The two little girls in the video where they are running, the brown hair and the red hair, are Stephanie's.  (just FYI)  I'm sure some of you have seen the video, but I'm generally kind of slow when it comes to music.  And videos. And most things cool.  ;)

Thanks for listening to my little rambling today.   

Have an extra fabulous weekend!!!

Lots of love,

Tasha

after the storm.....

So, after I had written my last post, we had more snow and then ice rain which lead to power outages all over the area.  It didn't take us long to realize this wasn't going to be over in a few hours so we packed up the family and went to stay with relatives for a couple of days.  We were lucky it wasn't longer for us without power because many homes around us, businesses and traffic lights went longer.  We were so happy we had family that offered to let us come stay!!  While I was there I was able to finish up my little Vintage Bow Tie quilt. (yay!)  After an adventurous weekend, we are back home where I think all is well.  The sun is shining, snow melted/washed away and now I just have some catching up to do.  Shop to-do's, secret to-do's and house to-do's.  

But first, I want to show you my completed little quilty!

I ended up liking the smaller size I made because I think it works well for the wall.

If you are interested in making a Bow Tie quilt, it's a simple process.  Start with 4" squares and lots of fabric scraps/small pieces.  Creating the triangle in the corner of the 4" solid square is just like you would for a wonky star.  I learned how to do a wonky star from The Silly BooDilly blog.  Just look at the 4th, 5th and 6th pictures down and you will see how to do it.  (Easy Peasy)  Trim each block with a fabric scrap sewn to it, to 4".  Take two squares to create the bow tie shape, then 2 other solid squares to create the whole block.....so there are 4 squares that create one block. When you have all your blocks made, sew those together.  Jolene from Blue Elephant Stitches inspired my quilt and explained to me how she made hers.

Yay for inspiration and helpful quilters!!!   :)

My mantle display was made possible by a couple of sweet church friends who surprised me with the darling framed Happy Place print....they said they thought of me when they saw it, which meant alot to me.  They are two wonderful gals that I appreciate very much!  ;)

Now, on to those to-do's!!

Tasha

snowing and sewing

Snow has finally visited us, so we've had an interesting week.  The kids have been home so there is lots of winter clothing items draped and hanging everywhere, all over the house.  Every coat, hat, sweatshirt, pair of jeans, pajama bottoms, mittens, snow boots, snow pants and sox.

And I mean Every. Where. 

Throw in a lot of sewing by me and a blueberry waffle breakfast and you've got....well...you can imagine I'm sure. (a super big mess)

One thing I've been working on is my Vintage Bow Tie quilt, inspired by this one.  I've got the top all finished now, so I'm hoping to sneak in the quilting and binding in the next couple days. 

The little bow ties are so simple to make and they are fun because you can think up a ka-trillion different fabric combinations to use. 

I've made a small size because I think I just might hang it up on a wall somewhere.  Although I keep wondering if I should have made it bigger, like a lap size.  Hmmm? 

For now, time to get this place pulled together for another round of snow clothes and sewing. 

Bring it on. 

Tasha

the swing of things

Is it just me, or is it difficult to get back into the swing of things after the holidays?  I think I've been particularly slow at it this year.  One clue is that I still have a few holiday decorations lingering around that absolutely must be put away immediatly.  Or else.

For Christmas I was able to turn my hexies into something for Ava.  I decided on a doll quilt in the end because I also got her a vintage doll crib and a couple of new baby dolls, so I thought it was more fitting than a pillow.

 

I'm not sure I'm totally crazy over it, but I do think it's plenty cute enough to be loved.  The part that bugs me is the aqua strips on top and bottom.  It's sort of too late now though. 

I didn't do batting inside, just some fluffy pink minky-type fabric on the back and I quilted it pretty lightly, so it's nice a cuddly.....perfect for wrapping around baby dolls.

See, someone is very happy about it, so I think it worked out.

Now, it's off to put away some decorations.  Like immediatly!

Tasha

giveaway winners!

Thanks to everyone who played along in my little giveaway!  It's such a treat for me to be able to share a little something here and there throughout the year.  I'm always so grateful for the support and encouragement I recieve and friends made along the way.  Plus, aren't giveaways just plain fun?  oh ya.  

I thought it would be a cuter post if I had Ava to help me announce the winners!  This is what she did when I gave her the embroidery hoop and asked her to show it to me.  Oh well, you get the idea.  (I hope.)

The 3 WINNERS of my Embroidery Pattern giveaway are:

#12...

Anita said ..

I love them all but I love the angel the best.
Happy holidays!

#29 ...

Melanie said ...

Laundry day - so cute :)

and...

#63...

Kristal said...

Everything is adorable, but since my daughter had a hedgehog for a pet, I'd get the patterns that have a hedgie on them!

Each of those numbers were chosen by me asking my 3 oldest boys to tell me their favorite number! 

I hope you have fun stitching up something sweet for your home or another's.  Either way, ENJOY!

(Anita, Melanie and Krystal...if you see this, please email me at pthorsley@comcast.net since none of you have links). 

I'm not sure I'll get back to the computer anytime soon, so I thought I'd leave you with this adorable little video message, so very appropriate for this time of year.  It's just 2 minutes and you won't be disappointed.  ;)

Click here to watch "The Coat"

As for my shop, it'll be open, but I won't be shipping anything until well into the first week of the new year.  I'll probably check on it here and there and send of patterns, but generally I'll be taking a break. 

Thanks again, for a wonderful year! 

Merry Christmas!

Tasha

last minute giveaway

Yes, I know it's so very last minute for a holiday giveaway, but sometimes (lots of times!) I can't get to things as fast as I want to.  If you don't mind though, then it'll work out perfectly.  :)

I know some of you like to have a little project to work on over the holiday break and embroidery is just the thing.....simple, relaxing, quick and oh so very cute! 

(yes, my Christmas Angel is still in her hoop!)

You can literally stitch something up in a day or choose to take a few weeks for a longer project.

For this giveaway, I'll be randomly drawing 3 names to choose up to $20 worth of EMBRIODERY PATTERNS from my shop. 

TO ENTER:

Just simply leave me a comment, telling me which pattern(s) you would love to stitch up!  If you're new here, you  may need to visit my shop first, then come back and let me know. 

Your welcome to a 2nd entry if you've ever purchased from me before.   

This quickie giveaway will be only be open until WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21st, sometime in the morning part of the day.  I'll choose my winners and send off your patterns on Wednesday as soon as I know what to send you!  If you don't have a blog link to your comment, please leave me an email address.

Happy Holidays and Happy Stitching!  ;)

Tasha

stitching, stitching...

Now that I've got my sweet Christmas Angel all stitched, I just need to figure out what to do with her!  I loved going all red....so simple, yet makes a statement, don't you think?

I love the crisp, classic look of red and white, so I've collected up a few items that will help make her into a timeless treasure. 

I'm pretty sure what I'm doing, hopefully I'll get it done before Christmas!!

The other thing I've been working on in time for Christmas is a hexie pillow for Ava.

I know you've seen these before, but this time they are all stitched together!  It's been one of those very slow moving projects for me, so I'm happy to see it (literally) coming together.  Yay!  My inspiration to do this was from this darling pillow, so I've just kept that image in my mind to be able to get this done for Ava.  Don't you just love finding inspiration to keep you going?!  I do! 

Today I'm off for another busy day, so I better get moving!  :)

Tasha

around here....

Goodness Me, it's been a little bit of everything around here lately!  We enjoyed Thanksgiving here with some family, then out of town for the weekend to visit more family (tons of festive crafting there!) and since being home we've been on to the Christmas decorating, hot chocolate drinking, getting orders done (me!), working on secret things (shhh...a little longer), organizing things, working little by little on the kitchen, and even though I woke up feeling yucky today, I'm finally getting to some holiday stitching...which I'm super loving!!!  It's about time, don'tcha think? 

I decided I wanted to stitch my little Christmas Angel in all red...I can't wait to see how she turns out.

I just love sitting down with my little pile of stuff and being able to stitch away.  Happiness.

If you want to give her a try too, you can find her in my shop as a pattern now, as well as the Winter Pixie.  I'm hoping I'll get a chance to stitch her too.  We'll see!

Speaking of Pixies......

Isn't he a cutie?!

I'm simply delighted to be arranging this little collection of adorable vintage pixie figurines that belonged to my Grandma, who passed away this year.  When my mom was going through her things, she knew right where they should go.  I adore them so much and they'll always remind me of my Grandma Carlsen. 

I finally figured out that this one's peculiar pose (below) is so he can hang on the side of a dish.  CUTE!

I think he's a sneaky one. 

And now for more of the 'around here' part of the post.....

I had to giggle one night when my boys lined up to dish up there Little Ceasars Pizza....there they were....in all their Red, Pink, and Aqua glory!

(Do not, i tell you, Do NOT notice the empty milk jug on the counter or other messy looking piles in the background)

You'd think I was their mother or something!  No, really, I think these colors must be programmed into their brains as well....it's genetic! 

They seriously choose their own clothes!

And this is seriously how they pose when I tell them I want a picture....

Like for reals. 

These boys, as crazy as they are and as crazy as they make me (...at times, they each have a sweet side too) they really simply melt my heart...like crazy! 

It's totally CrAzY around here....

So I better get back to that heavenly-ly, relaxing, peaceful stitching while I can....

(Here I come little Christmas Angel!)

(Cuz it's about to get crazy....okay, I'm done)

Happy December....  :)

Tasha 

sew to swap!!

Finally it's my turn in the Sew to Swap blog hop!  I know I'm super late today....sorry!  I remembered all day yesterday and then today....nothing.  Nevertheless, here I am!

So, on with the hop!  I was absolutely thrilled when the super talented artist and author Chrissie Grace asked me to be a contributor in this fun book, published by FW Media.  Of course, I said YES! 

In case you haven't heard by now, since I'm here at the tail end of the hop, the book is all about swaps and the wonderful projects you can make by participating in a swap.  Not to mention, stretching your sewing and quilting skills and making new friendships!

I love the photography in the book!  See the pretty quilts! (photo from book)

I was able to participate in several of the projects, which was a lot of fun getting to work on different things that I wouldn't have normally chosen for myself. 

Like the Nine Patch Quilt: (photo from book)

This was extra exciting for me because not only did I get to make some nine-patch blocks, I got to help put this one together.  After Chrissie put all the blocks together to create the top, she sent it to me for the rest.  I got to choose the border, backing and binding.  Kerri helped me alot with the quilting and we had a great time working on it together.  It's not my usual colors, but I really love how the quilt turned out.

Here are my blocks:

And the cute little patch I made to go on the back!  I think it's the perfect marking of an era of quilting....a Heather Ross Gnome and Pez!  Thanks to Kerri for sharing such perfect fabrics for this quilt.  ;)

I loved making a hexie flower for a lovely table runner that was put together by Kerri.  The table runner is the cover of the book. Yay!

(photo below from book)

I made a Diamond block, which was definitly different than what I would normally do, but I loved working with the voile fabric and the finished quilt turned out amazing!  I'll let you find it in the book.  ;)

Of course, I loved making the Wonky Star block for the Signature Quilt.....my very favorite colors of red, aqua and pink! 

Each contributor signed the center of the star and the finished quilt turned out adorable!!  How could it not?!?!  Here's a little peek: (photo below from book)

Again, I'm super thankful the Chrissie asked me to participate.....I loved it!!  Thanks Chrissie!

If you are interested in purchasing the book, FW Media is offering a discounted price of  $14.99 during the blog hop.  Just go here and then enter the code sew2swap. 

If you have missed any of the blog hop and want to see who you missed, or you want to know who's up next, here's the complete list of contributors and their day for the hop:

November 7 Lovely Little Handmades

November 8 Stitches & Scissors

November 9 Cluck Cluck Sew

November 10 My Three Sons

November 11 Twin Fibers

November 12 Stitchy Quilt Stuff

November 13 The Creative Juices of Ariel

November 14 Texas Freckles

November 15 Quilt Dad

November 16 Artsy-Craftsy Babe

November 17 Little Miss Shabby

November 18 A Cuppa and a Catch Up

November 19 A Quilt is Nice

November 20 A Little Sweetness

November 21 House of A La Mode

November 22 I’m Just a Guy Who Quilts

November 23 Little Bit Funky

November 27 In His Grace

 

Happy Sewing! 

Tasha

a thank you sale!

It's been a rather busy week  and weekend for me, but beforehand I was able to do a little drawing and coloring here and there and this is what emerged, little by little.  It's a simple scene, but to me it just looks so quiet and I like that.  You know when the snow is falling and it's just quiet?  The best.  

Here, Little Bird

I'm so thankful I am able to draw and create, while staying home with my children.  It helps out.  With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and then Christmas quickly around the next one, I think it's a good time for a sale....to say Thank You!  I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if it wasn't for all the support and encouragment along the way.  Family, friends and strangers have all been a part of where my little shop has taken me today.  I love the online community and all the inspiration, friendship and support that comes with it.  I've loved drawing and being artistically engaged in something my whole life!  So, the fact that I get to stay home with my children and run my little art shop, is a blessing to us.  So really, truly, Thank You!

Winter Pixie

 

For the sale, enter coupon code: THANKS20 at checkout (there's a little spot for it) and get an automatic 20% off your order.  This is for embroidery patterns and paper products only.

The fabric is not currently listed in the shop.  If you want fabric, let me know, I'll take custom orders this week.  The sale will run all week....Nov. 14th - Nov. 20th.  Then on Sunday November 20th, please stop by so I can share a little something with you!  ;) 

Again, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Have a happy week!

Tasha

a little FYI {a very boring title}

Did you all have a fun Halloween?!  I really enjoyed my day yesterday getting everything ready for the night of Trick-or-Treating.  I had the kids go super simple on costumes this year and mostly we rounded up things we already had.  They were great sports about it!

Here's Isaac and Austin....a hippie and a punk rock ninja zombie!

Ava wouldn't have anything to do with a costume, but her fluffy skirt and knitted hat worked!

Peace Princess???

We have an excrutiating amount of candy from one of my older boys....anyone have any good ideas for slimming down the piles?

With Halloween gone, (I can't believe it!!) I've been thinking about the shop for the Holiday Season.  That's where the FYI part of this post comes in! 

Firstly, I've been working on a few things that I think will be some cute and fun additions.  One new illustration that will be going to the shop shortly is....

Christmas Angel

I think I'll do some options for hair color, so keep that in mind if you like her.  :)

Also, I have added 'Window Shopping' as as a pattern now! 

I had a few requests, so went ahead and did it even though I haven't had a chance to stitch it up myself.  So, if you do end up purchasing it, let me know how it goes as a pattern....if there is anything that could be changed.  I'm going to be enlarging my pattern when I do make mine, since it has a lot of details to it.    

Here's another FYI:  Fabric!

Alot of you know I've been selling my own fabric designs, printed by Spoonflower, in my my esty shop for almost a couple years now.  I've had a wonderful response to my fabrics (at least to me!) and I'm so grateful!  It's been a lot of fun for me to see others create their own projects with my fabrics.  So thank you all!!  When I do alot of fabric though, it can make things a little crazy for me on the homefront, so at times I've taken it out of my shop or just done orders by request.

Here's the important part.....(for some of you)  ;)

For the Holiday Season I won't be keeping the fabrics in the shop.  If you are interested in fabrics for Christmas gifts or projects, I'm leaving them in for the rest of the week,  maybe some of next week....depending, (?) but then I'll be pulling them for the remainder of November and December.  That way I can focus on family needs for the Holidays.  Plus, keep in mind that the fabrics are Pre-Ordered, printed by Spoonflower, shipped to me, then I ship to the customer, so it definitly takes a few weeks (sometimes less, sometimes more).

If you don't know anything about my fabrics, my Little Red Riding Hood and Many Mushrooms fabrics have definitly been popular, as well as the Favorite Dresses.  All of which I've been selling for almost a couple years now. 

I've always loved this little dress I made for Ava....cute for gift giving!

And this sweet skirt....

The Many Mushrooms fabrics are perfect compliments to the Little Red Riding Hood fabric....

Please keep in mind that Spoonflower fabrics are digitally printed and do fade with multiple washings.  I recommend using them on lightly worn or lightly used items and decorative items.

Once again, thank you for all the fabric support, please let me know if you have any questions about it, I'm happy to help.  

Speaking of fabric.....I'm having a blast looking at all the Quilt Market photos from around blogland!  Yum-O!  Too many to name, but I'm definitly liking a bunch!

Now, what to do about all this sugar in my house!  EEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!  (I'm gonna make myself sick.)

Tasha