the new year

Any new plans for you?  There has to be something small or large to look forward to in the new year.  I feel like a change is coming for katie jean in 2010. 



There is always something new to make. Like more aprons out of vintage fabrics.  But I feel the need to move out of my home studio.  I would love to find someplace new to work out of.  That is my dream for the new year.  I would like my living room back.

I'm not sure how this will come about, but I am moving forward in new ways for the coming year.  Keep an eye out for me!

What are you dreaming of?

design team

I have started another collection, again without my knowing it.  My wallet opens up, and magically I hand out a few one dollar bills. I have been buying up little pieces of jewelry. One by one.



They are broken pieces, a lonely earring, and missing stones.  But this is what I buy and love to use in my craftiness. Misfits.



I think that Claire from Glitter and Grunge must know this about me!  She invited me to join the G&G design team.  And my first challenge for January  is to use some little piece from my jewelry drawer.  And I do have a few to choose from!

The little fancy item that I made will debut January 1, on the g&g blog along with a tutorial.  So you can make your own!  I'll keep you posted.

coming to town

My girl drew this picture for Santa Claus.  We mailed it out today.  I love it so and had to have a copy of it for myself. 

And in case you are in the need of  Santa's address too, here it is:  North Pole, Alaska 99705

Merry Christmas from me to you!

meet the girls

You must know how much I love my sisters.  And like all sisters, you must also know that it wasn't always so.  As grown women, I am so proud of them.  They are living their dreams, that each one created for themselves.  They inspire me and motivate me to be better each day!  Kinda corny right?  But believe me, it's true.

All this love made me think of the other sisters that I have known and am related to.  My grandfather was born in 1900 and had 3 sisters, Molly, Fern, and Judith.  My Dad's had 5 brothers and 1 sister, Kathleen.  And my own three sisters, Mary, Judith, and Susan Margaret.



I hadn't realized how many sisters there were until now!  So, I wanted to introduce you to my sweet sisters.  Each is named for the all the sister's that came before me. 



Please meet: Fern, Molly, Judith, Mary, Margaret, and Kathleen.  Visit them at Glitter and Grunge.  Merry Christmas!

around my house

Every year at Christmas time we (I mean my husband) go into the garage and pull out our boxed up Christmas tree.  But this year is a little different, and I love it!

My 88 year old father-in-law is staying with us for most of the month.  He lives in a remote mountain area of California.  So last weekend when my husband and kids drove the 4 hours to get him they of course stayed the night.

Then the next day the got a license to cut down a tree in the Plumas County National Forest.  It was even in the snow.  They cut it down and tied it to the top of our van.  And had the best time ever!  All for $10.00.  Not bad for making memories.



At first I thought it was a little bit on the Charlie Brown side.  But once we cut off a few low branches and got all of the ornaments on.  It filled in nicely.  The paper chain was left over from the early years with our kids when I filled our tree with just paper decorations.  It has faded a bit, but I love the homey touches to our homey tree!

It looks nothing like my Macy's trees!  And I think that's a good thing.

making aprons

I have had aprons on my mind.  I sewed up three new aprons over the weekend for a new shop opening up in Sacramento.  All using vintage fabrics.  Which I am very proud of using.



And vintage buttons too!  I love my vintage fabric stash and it is difficult for me to use sometimes because  well, I love it.  But I did it!

Then I received an email a few days ago from a woman who had previously purchased an apron from me.  She wanted a similar one for her other granddaughter.  So I finished that one today.



This is the apron that I made last year.



And here is the apron that I finished making today.  They are a little different from each other.  But I can't believe how similar they are, and I didn't even look up the older apron before I started the new one.    I just remembered the polka dots and the pom-pom's.

So I think the two little girls who will be wearing these aprons while decorating cookies will be happy to look like twins.  And I am happy to add to their Christmas cheer in my own little way.