linques design speaks

so long printer

So sad. My printer just died. It will still scan, but the paper feeding device is broken. It was doing so good for me, printing away on cardstock for my tags, sticker paper for labels...a piece of paper got jammed, and I had to yank it out (by following the on-screen instructions of course), and ever since it hasn't worked. I got about 70% of what I needed to print done, but that leaves 30% that will not be finished for Saturday. I don't have the time or the money right now to spring for a new printer, so I guess I'll just keep trying to make this one work!

In the meantime, here are some of the completed projects.

Some tags with Martha twine for a take-away candle.

Hang tags for necklaces and bracelets. These are printed onto tag cardstock, and the thread is from a thrifted thread ball. They're heavy duty, and I was so proud the printer handled them - to a point, of course.

...And new earring cards. By making new tags, I was trying to both get my new site listed on them, and also make them more cohesive. The holders on the right are what I was using previously. They're good for my earring rack, but not when I need to lay the earrings flat on a table. They just kind of got lost.

better late than never

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving! We sure did, especially since the first turkey I ever made tasted delicious! Thanks Martha! (and Real Simple too!)

I've been quiet because I'm working on a lot of stuff for both my shop and the trunk show I have coming up this weekend. I'll have lots of fun things to show in the next few days - I'm working on brand new tags and things. Let's just say me and Illustrator are getting reacquainted!

+made+

My Day

And lots more to come.

Cute Fabrics

Good title, eh?

Derek's doing well. He slept a lot, so I slipped out to the fabric store. I needed to get something to back this, which I got at the beginning of fall with a giftcard (which happened to be from Derek!). It's a really neat fabric; it looks like wool but it's 100% cotton, so it's fully washable. I wanted to make a coat, but I didn't buy enough, so I thought a simple blanket might be nice. You can check out the full Shangri La line here, but websites don't do it justice. I honestly wouldn't think twice about buying it online, but in person the colors and prints are really pretty! I got a little charm pack of it too, which I never do. I probably won't buy more yardage, because that would cost money, but I do like it all.

I also bought a charm back of Full Moon Forest by Tula Pink for Moda. Can you tell my quilting store basically only carries Moda fabric?? I had never heard of it before, and the only place I found it online was Hancock's. It's a really cute line! They barely have any of it for sale online, but you should check it out if your fabric store has it. There are cute animals hidden in almost all of the prints.

This is going to be a no picture post today. When you're an acting nurse, there's just no time.

Continuous Binding

There. I got it out of the way first. You had to guess a Cosmo quilt picture was coming. It was folded neatly on the floor, but Cosmo thought he could make it more comfortable. You'd think he doesn't have any beds/blankets/pillows of his own!

I made the binding and attached it by machine. Next up comes the hand sewing, and then it's all done. This was my first attempt at using the folded binding, and not making my own with the bias tape maker. Also my first try using the continuous binding method. It worked well, and I only had to rip it once--when I completely messed up the ending! I cut the allowance without checking my work first. At least I left enough room so I could add more binding to it...

I was also able to finish piecing the front of the boy quilt this morning. I did it first thing so I would just get it done in one go. I love it, and it's just the right size. Now I just have to piece together the back and quilt it.

I went through all of my bookmarked blogs today, and found out I won 2 beautiful headbands! I picked out a pink and green one. Yay! Very exciting. Thanks, Katie Jean!

Poor Derek. He had to make an emergency trip to a brand new dentist today because his jaw was hurting. Turns out he needs his wisdom teeth out pronto. They were very nice there, and got him an appointment this Thursday. I was lucky enough to email my boss to try to use a vacation day, and he let me know right away that it's no problem. I had to take a whole day because we're not sure how long it will take for him since they're pretty bad. At least I can help!

I feel like I'm running out of time before December! I have a few more gifts to make for Christmas, but I also have my annual trunk show the first weekend in December, and I'd really like to make some more stuff for it. I already have a lot to show, but it's always fun to bring some new stuff too. At least I had a productive day today!

today is monday

I am starting my new Wed-Fri schedule this week, and I worked Mon-Wed last week so I've got a nice little mini vacation. I'm loving that I didn't have to work today- I have always worked Mondays there, so this is really different. I got to sew a lot, and also drink Pepsi (just a little bit). I'm usually not a Pepsi drink the day before work because of the caffeine.

I also started working on my Christmas list for Derek. He likes me to guide him. It's fun; I've gotten to spend a lot of time on Etsy (if you have an Etsy shop I don't know about, send it along!), and I've also been on a lot of design blogs to get new links. Right now I love all the jewelry at Moss Mills. I usually shy away from jewelry, since I make it and all, but this stuff is really neat. Most of it is a little pricey for me, especially since I love it all in gold, but here's what I'm loving:

We went to JoAnn's, and I stopped in the little sewing store to see if they had a walking foot. They carry them, but they've been out of stock for awhile and don't know when they'll get more in. It's a good thing, because if they had it I probably would have gotten one. I couldn't justify ordering one and paying upfront if they didn't know when they were going to get it. So that's on my wish list now too.

I was able to pick up new bobbins though. I've sewed with only 2 for a long time, and it's wonderful to have more now! I loaded up 3 with my cream quilting thread. Now when I'm out I just swap out the bobbins. I got to use them today to quilt my pink quilt. I love the backing-it's an old sheet with roses on it. I'm going back and forth on this quilt. I want it, or I could give it as a Christmas present...we'll see! Now to work on the boy quilt.

My work in progress

Just a few things I'm working on right now. The crochet project is just for fun; something to use up some of my yarn. The quilt is a Christmas present, or will be when it's done!

I picked out most of the fabric for it online, and it's funny how many Heather Ross prints ended up in there! I had a great big selection, and when I whittled it down this is what was left. They're perfect though; cute, somewhat minimal, good colors, and a little boyish.

New

...job...bookmarks...crafty things

Well, as of yesterday, I'm now officially an Insurance Specialist. It's SO different from the last job, in a really great way. I start my regular job share schedule next week, which means I don't work again until Wednesday. That's going to be weird.

Because we (me and Stephanie, my job share partner) lucked out, we had a great supervisor on our last team. He put together lovely good luck/miss you cards from everyone, and also got us a great big cookie cake. JMB, I bet you're so jealous! I work with nice people!!!

I made bookmarks this weekend. A LOT of them. It's so nice to be able to put some of my vintage buttons to use!

THe flash was the only way to get the detail in. These are really fun to make, if you couldn't tell. And I didn't even fit all of mine in this shot.

I also picked up some towels at Crate and Barrell. They will become aprons, and how great are those prints?!

I'm thinking of X-mas presents, but men and boys are so hard to craft for. At least the ones I know! That makes it tough, and one of the reasons I'm not pledging to buy handmade! I'll make a ton of my gifts...but poor Derek does love his books and games.

I was thinking of making a little ornament to go along with holiday cards. (Sorry if I just ruined a surprise). I don't know yet if I will have time, what with co forced vacation time* and parties**, but I thought it was fun. Plus I don't have a lot (ok, any?!) friends...so it'll be for family!

*Co is trying to be thrify to reach some longterm financial goals (since we are a financial services co), so they want us all to use our vaca time before 08. They didn't give us much advance notice. I did already plan a trip for a week in December, so I'll either tack on time to that or just take a lot of 1/2 days.

**Jewelry parties are fun to plan, and I always make way too much stuff! I've got my annual holiday one the first weekend of December, with invites printed and waiting to go out this weekend. If you are in my area and want one, let me know. More than likely though, if you want one, you're already on my list.

i agreed to what?

I have never had very much luck doing craft shows. I've gotten no sales (which is embarrassing), shoved in a back room, ignored, etc. I understand that there are some GREAT shows out there, but not in my area, and I haven't been willing to travel to them. After the last one, I swore I would never do it again, but...I am. Just a really small one though, and it's at work. I really like the people running it, and it's only 2 days, 1 hr each day. I have the merchandise, so that's good because I don't want to put any money into it at all. There are a lot of jewelry designers at work though, so I need to start making a few small things to bring as backups out of my stash. What's fast and easy but unique-(at least to non crafters!)- cute little bookmarks.

I figure I'll make a few of these, both plain and patchwork. I'm thinking about making some coaster and potholder sets too, but I need to get some more batting. Oh darn, I said I couldn't buy anything. Well, I have some batting set aside for quilts in progress, so maybe there will be scraps left over.

I made a pillow last week out of a little patchwork I made a LONG time ago. I had the big pillow form already, so I just added some muslin to size in the front, and backed it with some coordinating fabric I also already had. Seriously, completing it took maybe 15 minutes. I love these kinds of projects!