alittlesweetness

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

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 

i was a bad wife

Yes, indeed I was a bad Farmer's Wife.....you see, I broke the rules and ended up having to mend my ways.  Thank goodness I was set straight by a fellow wifer! (??)  Does that sound right?  I'm not sure, but at least my story has a good ending.  ;)

I know my blocks look well now, but it didn't come without a trial and error.

My big mistake was not cutting the corners on my templates!  For my first three blocks it didn't affect the outcome of the blocks, so I surely thought my short cut was a handy-dandy one!  When I happily began my Evening Star block, my smile slowly faded away and I was left with a block that wasn't matching up.

What ever could it be I pondered?  When alas, I was assured it was that I needed to cut my template corners!  (thanks c!)

And so I did......

So, what?  We need to 'not cut corners' by 'cutting the corners'?  huh? 

I admit, I was skeptical, it didnt' seem such a little thing could actually make that big of a difference.....after all, my first three had turned out.  But away I went at unpicking my block and re-doing my triangles with the corners cut as the templates show. 

And what do you know?!  Things were matching up!  Like magic I tell ya. 

This one below is what happens when you don't clip your template corners:

My side piece is too long for my center piece......

See how the clipped corners help you line everything up.....

It's not always how you think you should line them up!  I was surprised at how it was different.

This next picture shows how before, I didn't have room for the seam allowance.  When I sewed this peice on, it covered up my white point.  Bad news.  You can kind of see where I had to unpick this.

This next picture is done correctly, with the corners clipped from my template.  Everything lined up and there is room for my seam allowance and my white point won't be covered up!  yay!  Perfect-O. 

And finally, a happy block!

EVENING STAR {31}

Of course I will now always cut the corners off my templates, as shown.

BOWTIE {10}

CALICO PUZZLE {16}

See, I told you it was a happy ending.....

No more bad wifing for me.  If you're getting frustrated with your blocks not matching up, maybe you just need to mend your non-cutting-corners-ways...

Just sayin.  ;)

Tasha

some R & R

Saturday we visted the beach with family for some good old fashioned R & R.....much needed after a busy week for both my husband and I.  We seriously just sat and watched the kids play for a good portion of our time.

They were so very happy! 

And me too! 

Afterwards we found the coolest little retro diner to eat at called Nifty Fifties!  It was all decked out in pink and aqua!  The kids loved sitting at the counter and pretty much occupied that area!

My 3 with their cones.....my older 2 weren't with us.  :(

Silly cousins!

Me and Kerri with our Nifty-Fifties postcards!

We had a great weekend and look forward to more trips to the beach this summer.....

P.S.

Thanks to all who stopped by the shop for my sale last week!  It turned out great, so it was a lot of fun for me.  I'd give you all a hug if I could!  :)

Have a fabulous week!

Tasha

vintage ava

 

I used to be so much better about taking my kids outside for a little photo shoot, or really focusing on getting some good pictures when we go on an outing.  Lately....very lately.....I've been more pre-occupied with photographing things for the shop or just doing shop things in general, that I really have neglected taking very many pictures of my kids.  Let alone delving into learning more about editing or experimenting around at all. 

Today I felt the urge to do some photography!  Even though it's a wet, rainy, gray day...I took my camera and my baby girl out for a little photo shoot.  She's 2 now and I've been feeling bad that I don't take very many pictures of her.  The one above is probably a very favorite so I'm sure glad I have it now.  Rainy day or not!  

I'm definitly no pro, so for editing I've use some actions from Pioneer Woman....I LOVE them!  I've also done some of my own tweaking along with the actions.  The PW Actions I've used are 'Seventies' and 'Soft and Faded' together. 

We brought Hello Kitty (her favorite) along for the journey.  Recognize the vintage Little Red Riding Hood dress I bought off Etsy?   It was her first vintage dress....now she has a 2nd!  I'll show you soon!

Here she was talking to me.....this one I think is just Seventies and I then I did some tweaking. 

This one below isn't very good quality, but it was the only one where she felt like 'posing' for me.

I still have a lot to learn, but it sure is fun experimenting. 

Thanks for stopping by!  And go have some photography fun! 

Those arms won't be squishy forever. 

Tasha