THE BIG NEWS

I have been keeping a big secret, actually I have been keeping THREE big secrets.

I'll give up the biggest news first. After months of dropping tempting and taunting tidbits I can finally spill the beans... I have a book deal! Modern June and Oilcloth Addict have been given the opportunity to write a book on sewing with Oilcloth. Together with my excellent publisher, Wiley, we will create a book filled with loads of fresh projects using Oilcloth, Chalk Cloth and laminated cotton. I can't tell you how excited I am to fulfill this dream project.

In conjunction with my book, I get to attend the International Quilt Market--after all, a girls gotta do her research! I'll be on the look out for new laminated cottons to use in the book and for the shops. But, that's only half the fun. I also get to meet my publishers for lunch and attend a book release party for three new books that Wiley has released this month. I hope to walk away with a signed copy of Sandi Hendersons new book, Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects using Fabric Scraps; Anna Marie Horner's latest book, Handmade Beginning: 25 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby; and Melissa Averino's upcoming book Small Stash Sewing: 24 Projects Using Designer Fat Quarters. I can't believe my good fortune!

But wait, there's more!!! I recently found out that I will be participating in the Country Living Fair in Columbus Ohio, September 24-26, 2010. How cool is that? I will have my first opportunity to combine my two shops under one 10x10 tent where I will sell Modern June goodies and pre-cut oilcloth yardage.

This is all so amazing--2010 is turning out to be a banner year.

when I have the time...

I will start making some of these oh so wonderful Stacking Fabric Christmas Trees that The small object has done a tutorial for. These will make nice teacher and grandparent presents they kids and I will have blast whipping these up!

Then I will make some hand warmers like Refashion: Fleece gloves to handwarmers just for me and some for Maddie too. While your there check out Sommer Designs new photographs. She is the real deal when it comes to Apron makers. I want to be like her when I grow up.

For our annual ornament making I think we HAVE to make these junk food ornaments that Hello My name is Heather had posted up on to the kiddley site.

But for now I am working my tush off getting ready for our big show. Come and see me!!! This show is going to Rock!

I have some new items and free gifts for those that buy any child aprons!

UFO storage!

What to do with all those UFO's? Unfinished project are a bear to keep up with. I have so many that I often get totally freaked out by them. But on a day like today that will come in handy. I have a tons of aprons and bags that are only half way finished, some just cut out. Today I will plow through that rack, those bins and the pile of UFO's in the corner. This morning while lying in bed I thougt of get way to free up some space in my studio and better organize my UFO's.

The clear Plastic Drawer Units would be great to get all this chaos under control. They come in so many styles. I would like to get something to slide under my sewing table. I currently use the shallow ones for various notions and sewing supplies. I definitely need the clear because as a Visual Organizer I am out of sight out of mind! Suzanne at Let's Talk Organizing taught me that!

You can get drawers that stack that have so deep drawers that I think would work for my needs. But I can see a jeweler (the more shallow version) using these too. Of course paper crafter's use these they market right to them. I like this idea! I will check into it more in January when we are wanting to get organized and back on track.

But for now my rack and my bins will have to do! I am off to sew and teach! Peace out, peeps.

This girl rocks!

I have great friends, a lot of really great friends. Today’s friend of the day is…KIMMY!
Kimmy is a great Mom, she makes incredible jewelry, she works her ass off PT, and she could make a million dollars off her granola bars. Check her out at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=51593

ANYWAY, She rocks. Yesterday I asked her to make sure that my son made it into art coop while I leiserly went grocery shopping alone and not a 6:00 AM. Well the poor thing had to deal with a massive fit from my son. She never said a word about it but later via email she sent me this… (she even asked help me make the cookies)

You looked like you need these......

Jose Cuervo Cookies

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

~ Sample the Cuervo to check quality.
~ Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest
quality, pour one level cup and drink.
~ Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
~ Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again. At this point it's best to make
sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup ...just in case. Turn off
the mixerer thingy.
~ Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit,
~Pick the frigging fruit off floor... Mix on the turner. If the fried
druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
~ Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of
salt, or something. Who giveshz a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo again for
consistancy. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can
find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall
over.
~Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the
window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the
dishwasher.

YUM!

This Neclace is so great i went out and bought a shirt just to wear with it!

I need a crafty fix

I need to make something. Now do not get me wrong I am caring for little ones and older one's and that is a wonderful job to have. I have painted a room, twice (don't ask) with lots more fun to come. I have been "Super Organizer" and tackled some problem areas. I finished The Hobbit and started reading The Lord of the Rings. But that is not satisfying me right now; nothing makes me feel better than making something great. And if the project is quick all the better. I was such a workhorse prior to Christmas. I had to work hard just to not have a project going in my hands. Here I am ready to work, but we need to get school back on track (I homeschool). Boo Hoo I need to craft. Let's see craft or sleep? And it is not one of those I can go into the studio and gather stuff I already own and whip up something fabulous. No I need to shop! I need a fresh piece of fabric. I need great trim. Crazy color combos that I have yet explore.

I had this idea while at the Bowling Alley on New Years Eve. Bowling from 6-9 on NYEVE is our new tradition. They gave us party favors and had a count down the kids loved it. And we were all in bed by 9:45 safe and cozy! ANY WAY...my little girl was wearing this great shirt. It is totally Maddie!


I love the grey tone on tone. I am having a pink, lavender and orange ric rac dream. I am thinking Tote! And apron. And head bands. Too much a good thing is overkill I know. Maddie picked out the great pink buttons yesterday. She promised I could use on or two. We shall see.

Oh I need one hour at a fabric store and I am golden! Not to mention 3 to 4 hours all alone. One can dream!


Check out the pretty, crazy lights. Sensory o-v-e-r-l-o-a-d....... do you know they have music videos blasting? I was mesmerized. It was 1984 all over again

Look what I found today!

Oh what a find! It was all I could do not to leave the rest behind. Stay tuned to see where these babies end up!

Wedding Cake Roses

As part of my "Fresh Start" I cleaned out my craft cabinit the other day and came across these. The Sugar Roses from our Wedding. I Love them so. That was still the best cake I have yet to have. Three different cakes, three different sizes, three differnt flavors. Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate. yum! yum!

The craft cabinet is sweet isn't it? Our home was built in 1927. This cabinet is the sole survior of the orginal kitchen wall cabinets. A dear friend of mine, Denise and I took it from its orignal home in the kitchen. Our kids were so young then, back when TV was REALLY special. We let them watch Totoro or something and went to work. It now resides in my dining room above my computer. (one day I hope that my dining room is just for dining ; ), not a school room, office and craft area, oh yeah and we eat there too).

Here it is all clean and spiffied up. I love it! Now if I could have a whole room like this!