A Whole New Nancy!

I've been playing with fabric a lot these days.  Especially Nancy Drew fabric, once I discovered there was such a thing.  You can imagine my excitement. 

A couple of months ago I decided I was going to teach myself to quilt.  The problem with this is that quilting is, of course, in essence, sewing--which has never been a talent of mine.  But I was determined.  I love quilts.  Love them.  And for a very long time, I have wanted to make them. 

I started small, with a little table-topper about the size of a large placemat.  I sewed the whole thing by hand.  It turned out pretty good, as long as you just look at the front.  Then I started making blocks for a nine-patch.  Really BIG nine patch blocks.  I quickly realized that piecing them by hand would take me the rest of my life.  I am not that patient.  Luckily, I bought an adorable used sewing machine from a friend.  A pale blue Kenmore Mini Ultra.  Which is surely not intended for sewing big quilts, but I've been using it for just that purpose.  The Nancy quilt was fairly easy to quilt, since it is a much more manageable size(31 inches wide by 39 inches long). 

I suspected that fabric was probably just as addictive, if not more so, than paper, and it turns out I was right about this.  I admit that I get overwhelmed by all the choices available.  The Nancy quilt was easier to design because I used the charm pack (by Moda Fabrics) to design it so it saved me lots of time and effort as far as rotary cutting.  It was rather like putting a puzzle together.  I would also like to mention that I bought my Nancy fabric from Fat Quarter Shop and was totally impressed with the quick shipping: I ordered it on a Tuesday afternoon and it arrived in my mailbox Thursday morning.  I will definitely order from them again!  You can check out their sweet selection of fabric at: www.FatQuarterShop.com. 

I have some Nancy fabric left over and I'm already having fun playing with those leftovers.  If my experiments turn out as I hope, I'll share.  If not, I'll just order more fabric! 

The Nancy quilt will get put to use as part of my show display, so if you're a craft-show shopper in Des Moines, you can come visit Nancy and I in person, if you like.  We'd love to see you. 

Handmade Shopping Showcase

You're Invited:

HANDMADE SHOPPING SHOWCASE

Craft Show

Sunday, May 5

The Randleman House

245 Pennsylvania, Carlisle

 

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Free Admission

 

Handmade items by area artists & crafters:

jewelry, original art, journals, accessories, & more. 

 

Presented by Papercake Creations & Groovy Planet Fair Trade.

 

 

This Sunday is "my" craft show.  I've been toying with the idea of putting on a small indie show for a while now.  And then I just thought, WHY NOT?  Heck, everybody else is doing it....so why not me? 

 

My friend Staci of Groovy Planet Fair Trade is helping me with this and we have assembled an awesome group of  makers/vendors who will bring their beautiful handmade items to my hometown of Carlisle, Iowa this Sunday.  We are setting up shop at a truly unique and wonderful venue: The Randleman House, which is owned & operated by the Carlisle Area Historical Society, who has done the most amazing job of restoring this house.  The house itself is something to see.  The house with awesome handmade stuff for sale inside?  What more could you ask for?  I mean, really? 

 

We would love to see you there.  We like to show people the stuff we make.  We like to talk about what we do and how we do it.  We like it when people buy our stuff, of course.  It helps us buy groceries and more craft supplies and stuff.  That's what this shopping local thing is all about.  It helps everybody, really.   

 

So, come on out this Sunday.  We would love to see you!  It is also a great chance to find a neat Mother's Day or graduation gift, of course.  Something the recipient will actually like. 

Bright April

Holy moly, I think spring has finally arrived!! 

I just finished this journal up this morning.  I love the bright colors inside and the beautiful illustration on the cover.  It's a discarded vintage book I've never seen before, but serendipity put it in my hands in a timely manner. 

We've gone a week without snow.  That's a record!  I am getting excited for spring flowers, craft shows, and playing outside.  Finally. 

What are you looking forward to this spring? 

Here are a few more spring-ish journals I've finished lately and will share:

This is an upcycled 1966 book about Iowa and it makes an adorable journal or scrapbook (I think.).  The whole book is included, so you can learn a little bit of Iowa history while you're filling the blank pages. 

I'm thinking about planting some flowers and also about garden journals; they're one of my favorite type of books to make.  Old agriculture textbooks make great garden journals too, as well as old garden books.  Here are a few:

The paper you see on the inside cover here is oil paper, and it is awesome.  I think it looks like a cross between a Monet painting and tye-die.  Love it.  Will definitely be getting some more. 

Big things are in the works here in Papercake world: May is going to be a fun and super-busy month.  I can't wait.  When I know all the details, I will share.  Lots to look forward to! 

Happy April and happy SPRING!

around here...

...we waited for a big snow storm.  It wasn't as big as the weatherman said.

...shipped out custom orders this week.  I have customers who have great ideas. 

...worked to get ready for my first show of the year.  I realize that I feel a little bit adrift without a craft show in my near future.  Although I enjoyed some relaxing weekends in January, I am glad to get back in the groove of having shows to look forward to. 

...read a really good book: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty (I've probably spelled her last name wrong.)

...kept the kitchen pretty darn clean for nearly a whole week.  For me, this is actually quite an accomplishment!  (it's the little things!)

...applied for two spring/summer events that I've never done before and really hoping I will get accepted. This is what constitutes excitement in my craft-obsessed life. 

...have been in bed by nine o'clock nearly every night.  Unlike a certain four-year-old, this tired mama looks forward to sleep.  This means I've been getting up pretty early, but I love my quiet mornings all to myself.  I think I get more accomplished before seven in the morning than I do the whole rest of the day. 

This is what we've been up to.  Today will be very busy setting up for this weekend's show over at the Fairgrounds (if you're in Des Moines and don't mind driving in a bit of snow, come and see me!).  Hopefully, we won't get too much more snow that people don't come out and shop.  If you do want to check out the show, it's at the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, tonight from 5 to 9, tomorrow 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 to 4.

Stay warm!

Some Are Small: mini album for my little man.

Yesterday was a special day, because Jacob was Student of the Week at preschool.  He'd been waiting for this day: a while back he'd expressed his worry that he would not get to be Student of the Week.  So we chose a couple of his favorite things to take to school to show the class (his Curious George storybook and his favorite board game, Candyland) and we were also supposed to send a few photos for him to share.  I decided he shouldn't just take photos to school, but rather a photo book. 

I had a stack of his paintings that I hadn't used on scrapbook layouts or calendar pages yet, but of course I couldn't just toss his masterpieces in the recycling bin.  So I used his paintings as the pages for his book.  For the album covers I used a 1950s reader called Some Are Small.  Perfect for a book about a 4-year-old. 

Here's a look inside:

This book is very simple.  I may go back and add some more journaling, but mostly it's just photos and his paintings.  I organized it by season with some leftover file tabs from folders.  I folded his paintings in half, secured them with double-stick tape, trimmed them to fit, and bound it.  Quick and easy.  Jacob really likes it.  He enjoyed sharing it with his class.  Nothing fancy, but something we will continue to enjoy. 

New for 2013.

Despite the lack of blogging going on around here, I have been getting some work done playing with all the ideas that chase each other through my head.  Here's a few things I've been working on lately:

8 x 10 collage on board: $35; available on my etsy shop.

handmade ribbon-tie journal, $24; available on my etsy shop

 

 Despite a leaky hot water heater that soaked the floor of my studio (luckily not much damage was sustained) a couple of days ago, I have more stuff in progress that I am excited about and having a lot of fun with.  More books, more collages, and more ideas.  One of the best feelings for me is to have ideas dancing around in my brain, just ready to be brought to life.  For me, January is a perfect time for creative experimentation.  I do some of my best work in the dark, cold month of January.  And believe me, this January is particularly dark and cold!  What better way to spend it than creating?

I am gearing up for another fun-filled year of craft shows, of course.  I've been wanting to try some new shows a little farther from home for quite a while, and this year I am determined to pursue that, even if it means taking the family with me.  I am happy to say that on March 9, I'll be in St. Louis for Green With Indie; it's an independent show with a focus on re-purposed, upcycled/recycled handmade goods.  Sounded like a perfect show for me so I got the hubby to agree that a little family trip to St. Louis would be oh-so-fun.  This will be Jacob's first really long car trip so it should be interesting.  Notice I didn't predict the car ride being fun, just interesting; trying to be realistic!

Best wishes for your creative endeavors in 2013. 

Thankful.

Here's a random list of some things for which I am thankful:

Thankful for my family.  Even when they drive me nuts. 
Thankful for our home.  Even when I have to clean it. Which is not as often as I should.
Thankful for when Jacob says "I love you, Mom!" out of the blue, for no reason. 
Thankful for pretty paper. 
Thankful for Amazon Prime free shipping.  Seriously.
Thankful for sunny days in November.  Like today.
Thankful for friends, old and new. 
Thankful my ten-year-old corduroys still fit.  Amazed, and thankful!
Thankful for my awesome new vintage chair and the wonderful friends who delivered it to me.

Isn't it awesome? 

And last, but certainly not least, I am thankful that Hy-Vee is cooking the turkey tomorrow so I don't have to! 

There's lots more, but suffice to say, I have much to be thankful for, every day of the year.  I do try to take time and remember that often.  Sometimes it's good to make a list.

Happy Thanksgiving.