A Room for Lil Hoot

Whew! It's been a whirlwind at our house. It seems that everything picks up quickly when school starts again, even for those of us that don't have kids in school. We've had extra church events, volunteer events, HOA meetings, semi-annual consignment sales, family visits - you get the point. The good news is that it is forcing us to create more routines and more organization. I finally feel like I'm getting into a groove and wrapping up some loose ends.

One of those loose ends is the room at the end of the hall that will soon belong to Lil Hoot when she's ready to move to a "big" bed. Some months ago I told you that we had started repainting and finally, oh finally, the last coat of wall color is dry. We choose a Tiffany Box Blue(ish), which I think will work nicely with orange and yellow accents yet still remain calming and conducive to sleep. Where you see the bookshelf is intended to be an accent wall. For quite awhile I was planning to paint diamonds or an argyle on that wall. The first attempt at drawing the lines didn't go well and the more I thought about it, the less it seemed like the hard geometric lines really fit Lil Hoot's personality. And since she will be the occupant of this room, shouldn't it be about her?

All this thinking led me to a large mural, at first I was thinking a large monochromatic flower/grass landscape, so it would seem as though her bed (which will be in this corner) is outside. I started searching for some ideas and it dawned on me - what about a large vinyl "mural"? Big Hoot got in on the search and we both really love this one from Ginger Jars' shop.

We love how the branches ascend into the ceiling and would drape over her bed. I plan to add a mobile of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, etc. Except...this tree isn't in the budget right now. I've been contemplating the idea of painting a tree instead...perhaps with stamped leaves? Or more abstract - hand prints from the family for leaves? Or we'll just start saving and add this beautiful tree at some point in the future.

jkn

Restructuring

Yep, I'm changing things up on the blog again. I have been reading and thinking about how to handle the blog, the business and Real Life. First, I don't want to create a post just for the sake of obligation - I want it to have content and be something I'm excited to show you. Second, I don't have that three times a week. Third, I don't want blogging to take away from what's really important, Real Life, designs for the shop, producing quality items. So...

For right now I intend to share with you on Tuesday and Thursday. Crafty things, bits of life, exciting moments, new concepts and designs, things of the like. I think I will be able to give you better content and more focus this way.

Happy Wednesday!

- Mama Hoot

My First "Published" Book!

Fabric Books On Sale NOW!

Flip the pages of Scout's Guide Book:

Click here to view these pictures larger

Sneak Peek - Fabric Name Books

I have been rather single minded lately, working on a pet project of mine. I should probably wait and unveil the completed book first but I can't. This idea has been in the planning stages for quite some time and to finally see it come to life is awesome! Besides, isn't it fun to see how something comes together? I expect to have the books listed in my shop next week.

The first sample book is for a friend's daughter, named Scout. These pages haven't had their final trimming and obviously aren't bound yet, but here's a glimpse at the first few pages:

The turtle "skin" is a slick taffeta.

The unicorn is a shimmering silver that is soft and satiny.

Mr. Cow has a fleece nose!

The strawberry stem has coarse threads.

And I've been busy with a few other projects as well, a few blankets::



And this Chameleon shirt:

A Peek in my Craft Room

I would love to be able to show you stacks of completed projects today, but I can't...not yet anyway. This is the 'before'...all projects begin as pieces and right now I'm getting all the pieces ready. I hit a huge sale this weekend and loaded up on fabric for new projects so right now my craft room is full of fleece for fall blankets and loads of freshly pre-washed designer quilting cotton, interlock/jersey cotton and canvas that needs ironing. I'm sure many of you can sympathize. Today, this is my view:

And I'd better get back to tackling it before Lil Hoot wakes up and tells me it's time to play!

Robin Hood Jacket

While on our mini-vacation to visit friends and family in Iowa I made sure we stopped at my favorite local yarn shop (LYS), Crazy Girl Yarn Shop in Coralville, IA. I am late to start Lil Hoot's fall/spring sweater so I wanted to take advantage of our drive time to start knitting. A couple years back I knitted the Robin Hood Jacket (from Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor) for a friend's baby and knew that I wanted that sweater for my own kiddo, so that's what I'm working on now.

I chose Cascade Superwash 220 rather than the cotton yarn I used previously. I wanted something with more structure to it, the cotton knit up quite limp, but I still wanted it to be washable and, of course, soft. After wearing a sweater of my own knit from the Superwash, I decided it was the right yarn for this project. So far, I'm really digging the color and the yarn. Based on my last knit of this sweater as well as some swatching, I found that I had to go way down on the needle size or I end up with a rather large sweater. I also chose not to knit each piece separately, and I'm contemplating knitting the sleeves in the round too. There was just way too much seaming in the original pattern.

I'm about 2/3 of the way done...or so I choose to believe.

Don't look too closely or you will notice some mistakes within the cables. When last I knit this pattern I kept meticulous notes...not this time. For one thing, it's impossible to keep a paper and pencil at the ready for marking without Lil Hoot stealing it. For another, it's impossible to just keep the pattern out without her stealing it. So I memorized the pattern as best I could and just took off knitting. It felt good to click the needles again, there's something so soothing for me in the repetition of the stitches.

I'm Back Baby!

Whew...I apologize for the sudden absence. As some of you know, I have had nothing but trouble with the new sewing machine I purchased in the Spring. It is actually in the shop, again, but I finally have a machine that will embroidery like a dream sitting here in my studio. I have been busy creating new designs and testing fonts, embroideries, etc. So the BIG NEWS - personalized embroidery is now available!

First up - fleece toddler blankets. I have to admit, when a friend first gave us this large, oversize blanket I wasn't real sure what I'd do with it. Lil Hoot was so tiny and the blanket was so overwhelming, but now that she's older it is wonderful. It makes the perfect blanket for quiet time spent reading or playing or picnicking.

The blanket is so wonderful that I just have to share it with all of you! It is a double sided fleece blanket, hand tied and personalized for free with the child's first and middle name. You can also make a commemorative blanket by adding the birth date and time in one corner, birth weight and length in another corner. Embroidery will be placed diagonally in the corner. Multiple color options and styles are available, each backed with a coordinating solid color fleece panel.

Blue Dot Blanket - $30

Available Prints - $30

Designer Fleece - $36

And of course, for the die-hard sports fans, I will have MLB, NFL and College Licensed Fleece prints available 8/11/2010. If you don't see your team listed, just Contact Me.