I have never made a quilt

But if/when I ever get around to it, it will most probably look something like one of these. I've been toying around with the idea of making a quilt by hand for a couple years but it's such an under-taking, that I knew I would only want to make one quilt. That being said, deciding on what your one and only quilt that you will spend countless hours on, is a very large decision. I suppose I put too much thought into it. The idea of making a quilt sort of ended up being foreboding, rather than exciting, until I saw these quilts at Anthopologie. I can make these. I will make one of these. And it will look like I made it. Being able to paint it and just sort of patch it together renewed the idea of a quilt being fun and unique again and now I think maybe I can do it. Below are photos of quilts designed by Fred Shand.

Inspiring Women

I read the website refinery29 quite often and today I found a post about "Stylish Old People." I thought it was pretty inspiring. The women featured are all around 70 and far more stylish than I currently am. None of them appear to have had face lifts, which is also very admirable. I plan on some day rocking all my wrinkles with pride. (I say that now, but we'll see how I feel when they start appearing...) Anyway, one quote in particular was really memorable to me:

"Says Mary, 'A good pair of sunglasses is better than a face lift. It hides the ravages of time and lets you spy on people.'"

I hope I'm that cool when I'm old!
Check out the rest of the post here.

stitch stitch stitch stitch stitch stitch stitch knot

Here's a sneak peak of the giant 30" x 60" embroidery I mentioned a few months ago. My mother started this in High School for her senior art project. Now I am tediously finishing it. I can't even imagine how many hours she spent on the completed portion.

Filling in a tree trunk with chain stitches.

Completed owley in wool crewel yarn.

Things I have that you can never have enough of. Spring Edition.

Socks. Happy Socks. I only have 3 pairs. This photo makes me feel like I need more.

Ice Cream. I have nearly an infinite supply of ice cream at my job. But you always need more. (Though I have to say the blue and green colors worry me a little...)

One Talented Lady

I went to school at CCAD with a girl named Emily Rickard. At this last art sale I finally bought one of her pieces after much admiration at Art Sales past. It's just a tiny collage, but some day when I make more money I intend to buy more of her work before she gets famous and I really can't afford it!

Today I love yellow

Brady and I are moving into a new apartment (we're really really excited about it.) It is about double the size of our current apartment so we've been on the hunt for new things to organize the stuff we currently have and old things, like furniture at the thrift store that we can loving fix up for cheap. Design sponge is always a huge inspiration. I am fascinated by the destroyed furniture that people manage to turn into designer pieces with a can of spray paint and some Amy Butler fabric....

Anyway, our new apartment comes painted light yellow. It's sort of a buttercup yellow with white trim so I've been looking for creative ways to accent without painting the walls and while searching Apartment Therapy I learned that I LOVE YELLOW.

Spring + Summer Fabrics!

I finally got a day to go fabric shopping for my spring + summer collection. I've got lots of designs ready to go, and the first size one of one style complete. Here's the new fabric for designs to come so you can get a glimpse of what it will feel like. I've been feeling a little retro with my color selection lately...

Spring Shorts

New shorts are coming! See the first pair on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/69198791/scallop-short-s-m-l

Embroidering-

The CCAD Spring Student Art sale is coming up soon. Registration doesn't begin until March 1st, but I  hope to have a table this year. I've been embroidering a lot lately and I decided to try making some beads. I bought pre-made felt beads on Etsy, since I don't felt, and I'm turning them into beads to string on chain. I have two necklaces done so far. Here are some of the beads I'll be using for Art Sale necklaces. You'll probably be able to find them on my Etsy site soon too.

Hello Australia!

I sold my first garment outside of the US to a lovely lady in Australia the other day. (Garment Pictured Above) Fortunately, shipping internationally is not as scary as I had imagined. I need to get busy and crank out some clothes but so many other projects seem to be occupying my time that I've pushed it by the wayside again. I'm going to start a quilt, but first I'm working on a 30+ year old embroidery that my mom started in High School and never finished. It's 30 x 60 inches!! I'll post a photo of it when it's done!

New Jewelry

I started making jewelry again! I'm trying to get geared up for the CCAD Biannual Student Art Sale  coming this spring. I didn't sign up for the Christmas one so I think I'm going to do it this time around. Take a look at the new jewelry and let me know what you think! I'm working on figuring out the best way to collage my own beads so more to come soon! http://www.etsy.com/shop/phyllisandhazel