alittlesweetness

Grannies and Annie

Today I finished up my Granny squares and I'm super excited!  I'm so glad I didn't let this one go on and on and on.  Yes, it's been known to happen. 

All 20 Grannies done!

The Grannies were so fun to put together and with needing only 20 blocks, it went pretty quick.

Now, time to get cutting the sashing!

I can't believe summer is going so quickly.  I think because of our move and a couple work related things for my hubby and I, we got a late start.  One little thing that Ava and I did a couple weeks ago was going to the Children's Theatre nearby to see the musical Annie. 

Annie was (okay...and still is!) one of my all time favorite movies.  I have no problem enjoying it anytime any of the kids want to (or agree to) watch it while I sew or make cookies.  I love it.  When I was young, my siblings and I would have contests to see who could sing "Dumb Dog" the best.  My parents owned a Dairy Queen for a little while, and we would sing in the microphone after closing when it was time to help clean up.  We always did our helping.  (I think). But we sang too.  Not that ANY of had/have decent singing voices, but we managed pretty well when it came to singing Annie songs.  

We had a wonderful night.  It was the first real mommy-daughter date we've had, just her and I going to a specific event that only the two of us could truly enjoy...and she was completly captivated the whole time!....it was perfect. 

Grannies and Annie. 

The End. 

Now, time to clean up and eat real food. 

C-ya!

Tasha

enjoying...

Yesterday was a fun day for me.  Being a work-at-home-mom, I don't often enough venture out with just the kids and me.  Most the time our outings are on the weekend when my husband and I are both home.  Even then, like on a Saturday, sometimes I'll be finishing up orders or when Ava was littler and was napping and the boys would want to go to the skate park or something more geared to their liking, I would stay home while my husband took the boys to do something.  Now, here we are this summer and I'm so glad to be moved in to this house, (still lots of boxes and things to be organized, but we can function), 2nd fabric line complete (yay!) and the shop is on low key (no paper itmes right now)...so I get to enjoy!!  :)

Since we have a cousin staying with us for a couple days, just for fun, I decided to take the kids to Northwest Trek.  It's kind of like a zoo, but more like a nature and wildlife experience.  It's in the mountains, but just about 30 minutes from our house, so it was the perfect outing for me/us.

The cool thing about Northwest Trek is that you get to go on a tram ride for about 45 minutes and see the animals up close!  That bison was licking bugs off the tree.  ik!  But the kids thought it was funny. 

We saw elk, deer, bison, a couple fawns (so cute!) rams, a moose, caribou (baby's too!), racoons...lots of good ones and the kids loved it. 

After the tram, there are other animal exhibits to visit.  Not as many as a typical zoo, but it was really nice just to be outdoors enjoying nature and watching the kids excitement. 

We went into this little discovery center and the kids got pretty silly with the animal puppets. 

Afterwards, we got frozen yogurt at our favorite place, but I forgot the camera in the car.  shucks.  The kids loaded up their cups! 

Oh, and me too.  Heehehe. ;)

Have an ENJOY-able day!

Tasha

 

 

easter dress

I know I've been a major slacker lately!  Sorry!  I have to admit, I've been enjoying the low key, taking-the-day-however-I-feel-like-it method.  Feels great sometimes, doesn't it?  Oh yaaa. 

So, back to reality, I have a few things that need to get done, and back to the computer I am!!  Not without showing you the little Easter Dress I made for Ava first though.  ;) 

My main inspiration and desire was to use some Riley Blake Chevron....aqua, of course!  I got mine from Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.  Then, because I knew I wanted to be able to use several fabrics, I thought Sandi Henderson's Knot Dress would be perfect.  Especially since I already owned it.  Even perfect-er! (p.s.....I don't see that pattern for sale anywhere...???)

For the other fabrics, I used what I had on hand.  Hard to do since I don't normally buy large cuts of fabric.  So, a little give and take is necessary.  For instance, at first I wanted the top to be the pink flowers and the bottom to be the yellow flowers, but because of the amounts available in my stash, I needed to switch those two up...but I love it!  I knew if I got a pink top to go underneath it would give me that pink near her face that I wanted. 

I love the chevron straps!

I used a vintage sheet for the apron, trimmed out with Lecien Flower Sugar and Riley Blake crocheted lace (ask Kerri if she has more white). 

And, not to bombard you or anything, but here's a few pic's of Ava wearing her dress.  The sun was very bright, so sorry they aren't the best technique wise, but I'm happy to have these anyway. 

I love this one of her because she was absolutely focused for a minute on just this one dandelion that caught her attention.  So sweet!!

A good reminder to stop for a few minutes, be still and just take in the precious moments that we have with our loved ones, our life, and the world around us. 

Hugs. ;)

Tasha

spring snow

We were so surprised to see snow falling yesterday morning and it continued for about half the day.  Ava was bringing me mittens before I knew it!  Usually I like to see snow, but that's during the winter months.  When it's suppose to be Spring though, not so much.

On the positive side, I did enjoy watching Ava think it was the best thing ever! 

She thought it was pretty funny to throw snow at me!

And of course, she loved eating it.....

See ya!

 

Brrrr....that post just made me cold.  (sorry if it did you too!)

Next week I'll have some new artwork for the shop that doesn't have anything to do with winter or being cold!

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

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 

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

thinkin' spring ~ a giveaway!

The other day I got out to do some shopping and found the sweetest little outfit for Ava.  With the sun shining brightly, some freshly baked cupcakes and this adorable spring dress, I thought it would be the perfect chance for some cute pictures and to lead you all over to the FABULOUS Spring Giveaway on Kerri's Blog....Lovely Little Handmades....(if you haven't already been there.)  :)

Kerri has 10 Etsy shops featured, each giving a 'springy item', so it's definitly worth entering!  I'll be giving one of my Bunny Love Illustrations......hopefully it will brighten a corner in someone's home for the season. 

So, ya....about those cute little pictures I hoped to get.........hmmm?  Not exactly how I evisioned them, but keepers none the less.  Mostly she tried running away, hiding, refusing to wear a clip some of the time, not looking at the camera, etc. 

Not wanting to smile:

Making faces....

Giving attitude......

Knowing she's not giving me what I want.....

Oh, she looked!  :)

Refusing to look at me.......

Playing in her dresser.......

Now she wants the camera......

At least I got those blue eyes. 

Now, it's off to package up orders for me, and entering that GIVEAWAY for you!  ;)

Tasha