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mosaic for audition

So, I have been waiting about six months to audition for SYTYC.  The below project is my failed attempt at making it in the top ten.  I am upset, since it makes me feel like a failure, but OH WELL.  I guess it's one less thing to worry about doing, and I tried.  And I didn't do what some other people did...like bloggers with hundreds or thousands of followers that put their kids names, pictures, and even made a list with family members on it.  So what if somebody made a tripod into a lamp?  I made a DRUM into a lamp!  I will live, move on, and maybe contact the other three LOSERS to join me in our own, different competition:)

So, I tried to create many different "audition pieces" for SYTYC. Not that they weren't good, but I just didn't feel they were good ENOUGH. So, I was reading Chica and Jo's post that had an invitation printed on a paint chip....and BOOM I had an epiphany. I love doing mosaic, but tiles are super expensive, grout is super messy, and I have done it with smashed plates but even those take up space to collect. So I decided to use paint chips. They are free, plentiful at your local Walmart or hardware store, and they are...FREE

I started off by priming the laminate and then painting over it with a blue acrylic.  Then I used a clean rag to wipe it off and give it a nice faux-finished ragged look.

Then I stole acquired a billion different paint chips, (by the way, walmart has GIANT paint chips) and using mod podge and a design I pulled out of my head....achieved this look.  You can also gently sketch the design and fill it in as you go.  Work in small areas at a time, and let the mod podge get a little tacky before you start filling in with the paint chips.

To stay organized, I had cut the chips up and put them in a divided tackle box container by color, and this made working super fast and easy!

Memory Quilts

So, my friend Jen asked me if I could make a quilt out of her kids' baby blankets. I figured, hey, why not? So, I worked out a design, since she likes the cupcakes and ice cream cones, I went with that...but added layer cakes since she is a cake designer.

As usual I started off by measuring and cutting squares, then I used all of the scraps to create the applique and borders. Keep in mind, I used ONLY the materials given to me by Jen, with the exception of some fusible web and thread...and this is what we have come up with as a result. No more wondering how to keep your kids blankets or even their baby clothes that are hard to part with:

Hope you like...and hope you decide that you can put those blankies to good use! Would be great to pass down for generations!

Guest Post: A Burp Cloth Makeover

In June, I received an email from Udeni Rosario, who told me that she had seen my burp cloth tutorial and decided to give it a shot. And she made them even better!! She used left over receiving blanket fabric and added a self-binding border with mitered corners. I am so very honored that somebody used my very simple idea and made it so beautiful!

So, thank you to Udeni Rosario for sharing her amazing creations with us! I know I've been absent lately, but I have definitely been crafting! I have several projects up and coming...especially since I have been working on my audition project for So you think you're crafty! Please make sure you go and vote. I will let you know when they are up. Vote for your fave! (hopefully it will be mine) :)

Under the Sea themed quilt

Well, my cousin Nate and his lovely wife Jo are having a baby...gender yet to be determined. I'm THRILLED they are waiting and it's going to be a surprise, but gift-giving in a gender-neutral fashion is definitely challenging!

So, I started off by checking out their Babies R Us registry. Urm...green? ecru? Not really what I imagined they'd be going for.

So I emailed both Jo and her sister, and the consensus was "bright, primary colors that could work for either a boy or girl."

Ok, so what do I do with that one?? I immediately thought circus. I sketched some lions and some seals balancing balls on their noses. It just wasn't working for me. Then I thought...Chatham, MA? Sailboats?? OOH. So I sketched two different sailboats. Then I thought about how I can't do anything "normal." It needed more than sailboats...how about fish?? Then I remembered Mr. Octopus from Tyler's animal quilt. I adore seahorses, so I threw in one of those...and a jelly. I was thrilled with how it looked on paper, but I had no fabric. Or did I? I remembered my mother in law had given me some blue flannel and striped flannel. Plus I had a ton of scraps. So I measured and cut squares, then I used the navy blue remnant I had picked up last week. Then I started cutting out applique pieces, and voila!! I had a quilt top. I don't do anything in a forward fashion. I took pictures of the squares after I had a tentative layout, and went from there.

I had it all planned out, but then I got to Joann fabrics and the one in Walpole had NO good flannel!! Oh my, what do I do?? Then suddenly this interesting circle-pattern caught my eye, add some bright yellow, red and aqua and I had my selection.

So final product was stunning, if I do say so myself. I was so happy with what I had come up with, and the parents-to-be seemed really happy with my soft, fuzzy, one-of-a-kind creation.

Front of Quilt:

Back:

Want to buy the pattern? Contact me and we can work out a deal:)
Want to buy a similar quilt, contact me via email.

I didn't make the cut!

So, I was in on one month to win it and thought my nice, original idea would make the cut. It didn't. I followed all the rules and wouldn't tell ANYBODY which project to vote for. I guess I should've made the first thing I wanted to...a purse. Because that's what won. Also, I had a terrible time editing the photos. Oh well, so here is my project. I think it's very nice. Apparently it wasn't well liked in the voters' or judges' minds.


BEFORE:

AFTER:

So, there it is! My mirror. Anybody want to buy it?

OMTWI

So, I FINALLY MADE IT!! Yes, I will be a contestant on One Month to Win it. You can see this fabulous competition at http://onemonthtowinit.blogspot.com

Go vote for your favorite there!! Also, I WON a prize from familylicious again! Thank you Debra:)

You should go check out www.familylicious.com I have won a red toolbox sample kit and a silhouette sd rhinestone bundle.

AMAZING!! Right now you can go and try win a petcakes, dinosaur train, eggo waffles, goddess garden product pack, a swaddle duo, and whole bunches more! It is super easy, just takes time. I usually enter when I'm lying in bed, or if we are out running errands.