Garden Prayer Flags

I've wanted to make something similar to the Tibetan prayer flags for a long time. This past weekend I spent some time doing just that. I just think they are really pretty and fun and meaningful. The following is a short explanation of what the Tibetans believe about the flags. 

Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to gods, a common misconception; rather, the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.The prayers of a flag become a permanent part of the universe as the images fade from exposure to the elements. Just as life moves on and is replaced by new life, Tibetans renew their hopes for the world by continually mounting new flags alongside the old. This act symbolizes a welcoming of life's changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle.

For me, as I worked on my flags, I prayed and thought about all the blessings in my life. You can see on one of them there is the verse from John 15:1 which says," I am the true vine and my Father is the Gardener." My plan is to add more verses to the flag thruout the spring and summer.

One of my goals for this summer is to spend more time in our back yard tending the garden. I also want to get some chickens, so I'll need to tend them often as well. I thought if I spruced up the yard with some craftiness, it would encourage me to get my behind out there more this year:)

Another casserole Carrier

Purple Baby Scale

For Sale: gender-neutral baby weighing scale.

$12.00 + 3.00 shipping =$15.00

Craft Room Pics....

Score!

Saw this sitting on the curb down the block:

Carried it home to find this inside:

It pays to garbage pick ;)

Stash Clean Up

I like gingham.

I Like my doggy.

I like all my fabric lined up in pretty colors.

I've been doing some straightening up in the craft room this week. I haven't felt very motivated to work on any projects so I figured I should clean the place up.

Sophie supervises from her throne.

How to make an ironing board cover.

My ironing board cover has taken quite a beating over the last year and a half. (not to mention it was ugly to start with)

 I've been looking to buy a new cover but couldn't find one anywhere. So, duh, I just made one.
 Here's my little tutorial.
Step 1. Pick out some cute fabric that is on the heavier side. The fabric I used was a light/med. weight canvas.
Step 2. Lay your board on your fabric and cut around it leaving a 3 inch or so boarder.

Step 3. Cut out some batting using the above method only this time cut the batting to the shape of the top of your board only.

Step 4. Quilt as desired. I just did a few simple lines.

Step 5. Pin edges inward 1.5 inches. Press then sew .25 inch from the edge leaving a few inches open.    

Step 6. Thread ribbon thru the pocket you just made with a large safety pin, place over ironing board, pull ribbon tightly so it gathers and tie.

Ta da! Beautiful new ironing board cover!

I love it! So much prettier!

Spring Bunting

• 

....sorry, I can't stop with the bunting...its just so cute.

My Peeps.

My latest obsession with Easter on the way is Peeps bunting. I don't care for the Peeps candy but I sure do think they are cute when made into bunting.

Vintage kids craft book...from 1953

My Girl

I taught Grace how to crochet yesterday. I only had a really small needle and skinny yarn so it was kinda hard. I need to bring over a bigger crochet hook and fat yarn for her to practice. She caught on really fast, tho. Look how sweaty her hands are. Oh, Stella, I'm so proud of you.

Christmas Stocking Bunting.

I'm making little xmas stockings. As I was chain-sewing the tops, I realized I made some really cute bunting! The pic below is how they look when they're done.

Somebody (MARY) needs a craft lesson......

PAPER TOLE or TOLLING(below) is the art of transforming a two-dimensional image - any drawing, painting, print or photo - into a three-dimensional image of great power and beauty. Between five and seven duplicates and the original are required to construct the tableau, which is then placed in a shadowbox frame.PAPER QUILLING (above) or paper filigree is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. The paper is wound around a quill to create a basic coil shape. The paper is then glued at the tip and the coil shaped, these shaped coils are arranged to form flowers, leaves, and various ornamental patterns similar to ironwork.

Now don't be making such foolish mistakes again, missy.

Again, you are so in trouble....

......but I sure am having fun! I'm going to have to work extra to support this new habit....wah. OMG....loving these bright colors. I want to make a quilt like the one in the last pic. The picture doesn't do it justice as the colors are so vibrant.

ATC's from October swap

Our theme was fabric.

Quilting Day @ Decorative Industries.

Auntie was very specific.....only cut the fabric....don't jump the ruler and cut your hand.Ironing....who irons anymore...quilters do, thats who.

Tools above, my first block below.

Thats how much I got done yesterday...every other patch will be a nine-block and then the tulip pattern. Below, aunt works on an adorable butterfly quilt.

So, yesterday I learned to quilt.....had I known there was math involved I may not have been so eager to learn. Fortunately, Aunt Kathleen just eased the math part in there and she made it easy for a dolt like me to understand. We had a great time. We laughed, we cried, we talked and talked and talked. What a wonderful person you are, my auntie, but then I always knew that you were. I'm hoping to spend more time with you on the 4th of November. Here are some pics of our time together.