more little gifties

Look what sweet Heather (formerly of Apples on a Stick) sent me:


Have I ever told you how much I love little gifties?
Ah, that Heather!

Is Project Runway new tonight? I better go check. Happy Wednesday Evening to you.

xoxo

WTF?

Or, What's the Fuss? (wink wink)

Okay, so here's the story behind my super secret quilt project (and this also explains why, even though this looks strikingly similar to the blankie I made for my nephew Leo this summer, this is a brand -spankin' new one):

A couple of months ago, the ever-so-darling Pip emailed me a link to a publisher's call for entries for a book on sweet baby things. I thought about all the projects I could make to submit for this publication for about a month, and then being the procrastinator that I've become (see previous post) realized that the deadline was fast approaching, and I hadn't actually made anything.


So on the last day to submit entries to be considered for the book, rather than sending in sketches of proposed ideas, I sent in pictures of projects I had already completed (and then sold or gave away). This was totally kosher with the publisher.

And they accepted more than one (!!!) of my projects for inclusion in this upcoming book (triple yay!!!).


And so now I'm in the process of re-creating a bunch of projects that I have previously made. And since I make up my own patterns as I go along, it's sometimes (usually!) hard to remember how I went about making said projects. And the hardest part is writing directions that others can follow along with. I'm totally stuck on the writing part.

Of course, I'm very excited that my work was accepted for inclusion in a book. I didn't want to tell you about it in case the book didn't end up being published, or worse, that it was published without my work in it! I didn't want to jinx myself.

But I realized that we often get to see the success stories of others', and maybe we don't get to see all the (sometimes failed) attempts that lead up to those successes. So, whatever happens with this book, whether it's published or not... whether I'm in it or not.... This is what I'm working on right now. I'll keep you posted.

xoxo

Procrastination

It appears that I've become quite the procrastinator. And so now, while I'm supposed to be working on something for that super secret project I mentioned the other day, I'm playing around in Photoshop and, well..... blogging.

I have to decided to divulge most of the info. on the super secret project later today, thus rendering it not-so-secret, but I figured... why not? So stay tuned for more information as it becomes available (hee-hee). Because right now I have to go pick up Jackadoodledandy from Kindergarten.

xoxo

thrifty

... a few finds from my latest treasure hunts. I was so thrilled to find anything at all (much less this wealth of goodness) because pickings have been exceptionally slim as of late. When I came home and laid everything out, I immediately thought of the Thrifty Color Themes Flickr group that Meg started. So I'm off now to share this photo with the rest of the class.

xoxo

QIP

(Quilt in Progress)

I've got something very exciting in store for this little guy, but for now, mum's the word. I'll show you some more sneak peeks as the week progresses.


xoxo

Hecho en Mexico

Had an amazing trip! Playa del Carmen was beau-teeee-ful, our travel companions were hilarious, and the resort we stayed at was hands-down, bar-none, the nicest I've ever been to (it was a work incentive trip for Jack and some co-workers). I give it an A+

But of course, it's always good to be back home. So, now back to the grindstone (or the sewing machine, as the case may be). Momma's got work to do!

xoxo

Sombreros Pequeños

Sombreros Pequeños
Originally uploaded by CasaDeQueso.

I'm headed south of the border first thing tomorrow morning. But I'll be back next week with stories of Riviera Maya and (hopefully) a few good pics. Probably not much of a tan, though, given my propensity for slathering on spf45 and wearing a hat in the shade.

I'll have a margarita for you! Have a great weekend.

xoxo

News from the Moon

I know I've mentioned Jennifer Davis before - (she's the Minneapolis-based artist whose work I just adore and collect). Well, she sent me an email yesterday announcing a show of her latest work (paired with fellow artist Amy Crickenberger Oeth) at Rosalux Gallery in Minneapolis. Their work is so lovely paired together (makes me want to buy a Lisa Solomon/Aurora Robson couplet as well!) You should go take a peek. But don't buy this one titled Laborers, cuz it's mine! I was especially thrilled when Jennifer emailed to tell me that she reads this blog - Yay! So, here's a special hellooooo to Miss Davis.

xoxo

You're full of scrap!

I'm moving!

I mean, not houses or anything... just my "studio". Remember I told you that we came home with another computer from Minnesota last week, and I realized it was all just too much for one little office to contain. Because we have a work computer for Jack (who is not allowed to use my Mac, even though computer stuff is what he does for a living), and then my new computer, and then my old computer, which the kids have taken over. So the office is now like some sort of cyber cafe without the espresso and the cigarette smoke (I bet you can't smoke in cafes anymore, but that's my frame of reference and I'm probably dating myself by saying so). And so it was high time that I moved the SweetJessie HQ outta there (more photos next week, as the move progresses). Which is another reason I had all of those damn fabric scraps to contend with.

I want to thank you all so much for your advice on the scrap fiasco. In the end, I came up with a solution that no-one else mentioned, but one that I think you should all consider.
Behold the over-the-door-(s)crap-station!




It turns out, I'm just way too lazy to do anything other than shove the scraps into a clear plastic pocket. This way, I can see what I'm working with, don't have to open or close any boxes or bags, and can hide the whole mess behind the door. Brilliant? I think yes.

But thanks again to all of you for your suggestions.

xoxo

a cry for help

I know I'm doing something wrong here, and I need your help to fix the problem. I currently store my fabric by color, but have in the past, tried to categorize it by function or style. The picture above is of my scrap stash, which seems to be growing exponentially. It's not a functional system because I can't find any of the scraps I'm looking for and resort to cutting from my big fabric pieces, which is wasteful. I also think I categorize a "scrap" as a piece much bigger than necessary. So I'd like to know how you store your fabric and your scraps. And what size piece really constitutes a scrap? What size piece is just garbage?
To reward you for your time and effort, I will randomly choose one response and send that person a nice size package of ... my scraps, whatever size we deem those to be. Thanks so much for your help, I truly appreciate it.

xoxo

little gifties

I love me some little gifties. Look what the ever-so-sweet Sarah sent me a few weeks ago:

I think the Collie is going to make his debut on my paint-by-number wall shortly. And how cute is her business card with those rounded corners? (Where oh where did you have them printed?) Sarah and I actually have plans to meet next month when she'll be in town for a visit. It seems weird to have not met someone whom you already consider a friend. But I guess blogland is funny like that.

I've been suffering from an extreme lack of thrift lately, so today I'm off to get my fix. I'm armed with small bills and a pack of wet wipes. Wish me luck!

I hope your weekend is delightful.

xoxo

How not to take a family photo

I quit.
xoxo

the best thing that ever happened to me

What a terrible, horrible person I am. I returned my Christmas gift from my husband. Well, one of them anyway. Apparently, my husband went to a certain store that rhymes with Billiams GoNoma looking for a pink stand mixer for me (how sweet is he?). But when told that the pink KitchenAid Mixer that they offer is actually less powerful that the one I currently own, he wisely pursued other gift options: namely, a juicer (YAY!) and a Margaritaville Margarita Machine (say what?!).

Jack thought the margarita machine was appropriate given my rather recent affinity for a good Patron margarita every now and then - or Tuesday evenings, or really whenever the fancy strikes. But the thing is, I like to enjoy my margaritas with a few salty tortilla chips in the comfort of a mexican restaurant, and more importantly, on the rocks. Blended margaritas are for college girls with fake id's. So I hemmed and hawed and then told him I was going to return it.

So tonight, I parked my car at the mall, and carried this big-ass box all the way over to said retailer, and was greeting with a sincere "What's wrong?" By a gal in the store. She proceeded to ask, "Why are you returning the best thing that's ever happened to you?" And I just about died laughing. My saving grace was that I was keeping the juicer, and the juice book, and the margarita mixes...and salt...and recipe book that my husband bought from there as well. So they couldn't guilt me too much.

The real prize of the evening was that the credit refunded to my AmEx was almost the exact equivalent of the next grade-up sewing machine I wanted from Husqvarna. Apparently, if you trade up your machine withing one year, you get the full purchase price you paid for it applied to the new machine. So guess what Jack really ended up buying me for Christmas?

(I pick up my new machine on Friday!)

xoxo

2007: a crafty year in review

...and a happy new year...

I don't believe in new year's resolutions. If I have a goal for myself, I think it should start immediately. To put it off until a new year begins.... well, that's just procrastination.

So it was just ironic that over the past week, I got a new computer (thanks, dad) and a new cell phone (thanks again, dad) and got to start the year out without excess files slowing me down. And then I purged all of my old emails. And spent the last two days cleaning and organizing the house. And I guess it's kind of like a fresh start.

We cut our trip to Minnesota short this year because Jackie was sick, but I still managed to sneak in a few photos to share with you:

The Walker Museum:

The Children's Theatre at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts:

(the best production we've seen there yet!)

Cold days:

... and bumper cars at the Mall of America:

I'm wishing you a year filled with health, happiness, and laughter.... and promptness in fulfilling your goals!

xoxo