getting ready

I am now getting ready for the next Glitter and Grunge release for June. (June already!) I have been doing the usual, and digging through my fabrics for inspiration and deciding what little kj original to craft up. Well, I got some cute stuff! But, then again, I always think it's cute. I love my fabric. I just love fabric.



And so does my friend Diane of little birdies nest. She came over today and we have more than that (our love of fabric) in common. We have the same wedding ring. Cool huh? And we both love to travel! Gosh it makes me want to jump on a plane just thinking about it.

I asked Diane to make me some of her hair lovelies to match what I am making for G & G. So, when you buy my new little June creations, you will have a free little hair accessory to match. And they are cute. She even made me a little pair for my Molly, who happens to be enjoying kitties right now.

Take a look for yourself. I think they would make cute little girl party favors too!

my website

There are some changes going on! This one I am excited about and have been dreaming about for awhile. This one has always been in the back of my mind for at least a year. So, thanks to some friends, and good references, I will be updating my website. Well, not me! But, Amy Cluck of Pepto Girl.

I have been busy doing some research of websites that I like, to get some good ideas. Do you have a favorite?? Mostly, I have been looking at my long list of bookmarks. There were over 80, and some that aren't around any longer. I wonder how this happens, and it's kinda sad. I know someone has either lost their business or just lost interest in what they were doing and has moved on.

Here is one that I just revisited and find so cute. And she has free downloads. Like this one. I love silhouettes.



So, look at the before of my website, and wait for the after. It will be clean, and easy to navigate. And I will finally have pay pal! Also, check out Amy. She has some fun, and sassy handmade crafts.

sewing

I have been sewing like crazy! I so love this new organic fabric. It is so soft and a really great quality. I have my favorite pattern, and I am looking forward to the spring release of some new fabrics from Harmony.



I have been sewing so much and not really making it out of the house, I think I'm saving money! My husband must be happy because, I'm not out shopping. Just to buy thread. I even had a sewing dream last night. And then I was at a craft show selling my new organic baby line. I had made a little baby coat with a hood that was really cute. I might have to make one of those in August or September. I think they are so cute with the little baby buttons up the front. I just need to get comfortable with the button holer attachment on my new sewing machine. It should be super easy, right?



My next project will be making some pillowcase items for my friends at Lark Books. I'll tell you more about it later...
But, they are looking for pictures of your pillows and some special memories that you might have about a special pillow in 200 words or less. Just go to their website www.larkbooks.com and click on the Submissions page. If you are featured in their new book you will receive photo credit and get a free book copy.

I've already sent them pictures of my vintage embroidered pillowcase collection. I was so surprised to see how many I had. 18 in all. How did that happen? I'm sure you know how easy it is to buy them when they are just the right price and have such pretty handy work. So, I hope you have fun with it and send them some pictures and maybe even some words.

antm

Ok, how cool is this? Yes, she won. I was so thrilled and surprised. But Whitney has the prettiest face, and totally looks like a cover girl. And even though she is considered a plus size model, she does just look like a regular girl. In fact she is a size 10. Incredible huh. The other models were a size 0 or size 2. I guess size doesn't matter. Not in this case any way!

Who did you think should have won? Who was your favorite? I also liked Claire. I thought she was cut much too soon.

the cook

When I was married 18 years ago, I didn't really know how to cook. When Jeff and I were first dating, he made me a wonderful dinner at his apartment. Chicken breast stuffed with bleu cheese and steamed artichoke. I was impressed by his choice of the artichoke. I decided to return the favor and brought him to the frozen food section of the grocery store and told him to pick out anything he wanted. I wanted him to know exactly what he was getting into. I guess I wasn't worried about trying to impress him much!

One time I put pasta into a big pot of cold water on the stove. Then I would bring the water to boil. Jeff saw me do this one time and freaked out. It was kind of funny. He taught me how to do it the right, correct way.

Now I know how to cook. And I enjoy doing it. But so does my husband. It is his hobby now and he really loves it. When we go to a potluck, the ladies all ask him about what he made. It's cute, and he takes great pride in it. I just make sure they know he is unavailable!


Well, this is a special meat loaf dinner that Jeff sweetly made in memory of my Dad. He liked making it like this himself with the hard boiled egg in the middle. I have never seen it made this way before. He died 13 years ago. And we still miss his presence.

something else

I forgot to show you the finished Glitter and Grunge doll bed. I am so pleased with how it turned out. It sold! My first g & g sale!! And I also posted on g & g, my finished scrappy log cabin quilt. Remember me making it? My first quilt, it was so fun. On the first of each month, something new will be made and set out for sale on glitter and grunge. Just like an exclusive little shop!

first cut

This past week, I finally cut into my new organic fabric. It felt so great! I have washed and dried each piece and now I get to start sewing! The fabric is so incredibly soft. I really like the sateen fabrics and the cotton flannel that I bought to back the cuddle blankets. I can just imagine them covering up a cuddly brand new baby. That extra soft fabric against an extra soft baby!



The burp cloth is kinda of an organic shape. It is just a pattern that I drew by hand and it actually reminds me of a jelly bean. Should they be called a bean burp cloth? No, what then?? They are backed by the softest terry cloth, and it's thick too. I used the same terry for the wash mitt. Next I need to make my first stuffed elephant toy.


Here are the photos. Shown: cuddle blanket, burp cloth, and wash mitts.

mi familia

The day Dona laid down in the field to give birth to what would be her last child, curses were on her lips: curses for her husband, who had promised a house as big as the crumbling hacienda they had left behind in Mexico; curses for the foreman, who would call immigration if she was more than one day out of the field; and curses for the child pushing from her body, another mouth that would divide her too-few pennies. When Chica was born, sliding into the hands of Papi, who immediately pressed her against his heart and kissed her small head, it was his voice she first heard, his whisper that told of the gift his journey from Mexico had given her: birth on American soil, where just to be born was to be equal.

If you know me, and by now you probably do, you know that I love my sisters. This is an excerpt from my sister Judith's book, In the Fields of Another. I read her book before and loved it. Then she rewrote it. I tried to remain unbiased, but boy is that hard to do. On her blog, she talks about things that I don't hear anyone else speak of. She is poignant, funny, and bold. I learn something new from her almost every day. I hope you can too.

may glitter and grunge

I had such a fun month of April making all of my Glitter and Grunge updates.  Now I already have a few new ideas ready for June.  There are a few new artists on the site too.  Have fun looking everything over!  I bet you might even find something perfect for Mother's Day.