Happy Easter!!

Hey there...so the boys and I have been crafting.  Ok, so mostly me, but Lane is very "helpful" and adds a whole new dimension to the process.  This time we were silk dying Easter eggs!

It's very easy, really fun, and the result is so much cooler than the solid color eggs that everyone does!!  We used blown egg shells, but you could do the same with whole eggs.  The only difference is that when you are done, the blown shells you can keep (at least until your 2 year old breaks them) and the whole egg will need to be thrown away, the silk dye is not food safe.  But that gives you a reason to have to do them again next year!
I took pictures of the process...if you are like me, you like to "see" the instructions.

Step 1: Find ugly silk neck ties.  They need to be 100% silk and not polyester, the uglier the better!  A great excuse to "spring clean" the hubby's closet!  I found mine at the thrift store for .50-$1.00 each.

Step 2: Cut them apart...which is amazingly easy to do!

Step 3: You will need a 5-6" square of silk to cover the egg.  Save the rest, you can sew the skinny strips together and make larger pieces to use.  Wrap the silk around the egg, with the right side (pretty side) against the shell.  Use a twist tie to close it.  Be sure to wrap it tight against the shell, you want as much contact as possible.

Don't wrap too tight!

Step 4: Wrap a square of plain fabric around the silk wrapped egg.  I used an old pillowcase.  Anything like that will work.  Same as before, use a twist tie...this time the fabric doesn't have to be super tight, just cover the egg.

Step 5: Place your cute little wrapped egg bundles in a large pot and cover with water and 1/4 cup of vinegar.  If you are using whole eggs they will be fine like that.  If you are using blown egg shells you will have to create a rig to keep them under the water.  I used a vegetable steamer upside down and a colander on top of that..has to be heavy enough to hold them under, but be able to withstand the heat.  Now boil the little eggs for about 20 minutes

Step 6: Take them out of the pot and let them cool.  If you are using blown shells watch out they will be full of very hot water!  After they have cooled you can unwrap them and see what you have.

These are some of my favorites!

 Finishing.  You can rub them with oil, or paint a gloss finish on them to make them shine.  I ran ribbon through mine so they could be hung.  If they are whole eggs, you will have to toss them at some point.
Now...go out and make 20 or 30 of these and shock the heck out of all your Easter party guests!!  Post some pictures when you get some done, I'd love to see how they turn out!
Happy crafting!!

The adventure continues!

So, the adventures with the 9 degree wedge ruler continue!!  This is a baby quilt that I made for some friends of ours.  Round seemed like such a good idea for a little floor quilt.  It ended up about 40" across, perfect size for throwing in a diaper bag or over a car seat.  The center was perfect for embroidery, so I used some verigated thread and added her name.  I think it turned out great, hopefully it will get lots of good loving!  I have to say, although I really love my boys and have enjoyed all the tractor and dump truck fabric, it was fun to make something PINK!!

Happy Thursday!

Art Show Entry

So, here is the long awaited art show entry.  The show was great, wonderfully talented artists in the area.  My piece took 3rd...not too shabby for something that I was just playing with!
I used my 9 degree ruler, flannel and homespun fabrics, then pieced it together with the raw edges out, and washed the heck out of it.  Gave it a lovely fuzzy look.
I have to say, Luke is really getting his moneys worth out of that ruler.  (He bought it for me to take the table runner class.)
Have a happy day!

Slow going these last few weeks.

So, maybe this wasn't the best time in my life to start a blog...unless posting once a month is how to be successful!
We've had a rough few days, but thankfully that molar has finally come through and my little boy is back.  I was a little tired of the cranky aliens that sucked him up and replaced him with a look-a-like!  Both are napping now so I have to get my art show entry finished up, and to the library this week.  I'll post pics as soon as it is picture worthy!
In the mean time...smile!

Table runner and Leif's something to smile about for the week.

So here is the picture of the table runner I made in Conrad.

It was really a great class, and I hate to admit it, but it wasn't as complicated as I had thought.  Luke was right!  And now he has stacks of fabric picked out, waiting in the wings, for the next ones!  Because I have SO much free time!

This is a picture of Leif's "something to smile about" for the week.  He just loves his big brother!!    Every time Lane gets near him, he breaks out in an ear to ear grin...and even giggles at times!  Hopefully the start of what will be a life-long friendship!
Gotta love 'em!

It's a first!

Ok...so, a blog.  Lots of people have told me I should do this, I guess I finally will.  Since I have both boys down for naps, and it's quiet (at least for the next 5 minutes) I will give it a shot!  I had no idea how hard it would be to pick a title for my blog...luckily it can be changed.  That took the pressure off.
Had a lot of reasons to smile this last week.  My babies are growing so quickly, and are healthy, beefy little guys.  I hate that they grow so fast, but love that they are such hardy little people!  Lane (our oldest, at 20 months) went to bed last night without his binky...a first for sure!  Unfortunately he was up twice in the night screaming, nightmares I think...or teething pain, not sure which.  Leif is now sleeping through the night (he's our little guy, not quite 2 months).  I am not all that sad to give up the 2am snuggle time...I don't feel particularly snuggly at that hour!  We laugh each time we give him a bath, he has so many little fat rolls to scrub!  Lane was the same way, no rolls now, just solid!
Ok...enough about my chunky monkeys!
This last week was also a great week for my creative personality.  (I have several...Mom, Wife, Crafter, Cook, Laundry Lady!)  Thursday night I went out with the local MOPS group (a great organization) and painted pottery...the crafting was nice, but the adult conversation was even better!  Then Saturday I went to a quilting class in Conrad.  Luke (my hubby) signed me up to make a Spicy Swirled Tablerunner...the Conrad General Store is a great quilt store, and they had that sitting out just waiting to catch his attention.  He loves geometric-style quilts...and this was right up his alley!  As soon as I get a chance I will add some pictures...it's very striking!  Leif went with me, and hung out in his sling...snug as a bug, and perfectly happy!  Amazingly enough I was able to get the whole top pieced.  It was a great class!  We now have 2 more sets of fabric ready to go for the next ones!
One of my classmates was talking about her blog, and that sealed the deal for me.  So, now I am a blogger...I'll add that to my list of personalities!
Hope you can find something to smile about today...