Happy 93rd Birthday Grandmom!

Grandmother
Teacher
Unconditional Love
Disciplinarian
Crafter
Baker
Gardner
Knitter
Reader
Story Teller
Lover of Life


Just a few words to describe my S.O.G. (Sweet Old Grandmother)

Fabric Fiesta continued

3rd set of quilt blocks to send to Humanitarian Center. I'll be finishing up this project at the end of the month so leave a comment if you'd like to donate fabric and I'll let you know where to send it.

Fabric Fiesta

Here's the next set of quilt blocks I've cut, thanks to a local gal's donation the count will really be something. Thanks Carrie!
Most of the extra fabric is going towards The Comfort Doll Project.
http://www.comfortdollproject.blogspot.com/
Here the link to the humanitarian center that I am send the quilt blocks too.
http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,6392-1-3260-1,00.htm


2nd phase of cuts











comfort dolls

A Great Start !

The start of cutting quilt blocks is really rolling. I've dug into my own supply and some donated fabric. I'm hoping to get plenty together by the end of the month before sending them out to where they will be used to make the double sized quilts that are most needed by the Humanitarian Center. If you would like to send fabric send a message to me and I'll give you my address. To give you an idea of needed fabric I am cutting blocks 10" x 10" and sewing blocks from four 5 1/2" square pieces. Thanks for your help!

Crafting for Good

******For every Embroidery Item sold on my etsy site I will take 20% to go towards supplies for an LDS.org Humanitarian Project-Buying fabric and cutting squares for quilts that are in great need.****

"can you describe the ruckus?" - The Breakfast Club

john hughes montage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOkNIUw0c2s

Alarm Clock

Eli: "Mommy, wake up."
Me: "Why are you up so early?"
Eli: "The sun is up."

Easter

Christ in a Red Robe
Minerva Teichert (1889-1976)

Oil on canvas, 1948

Let it snow, Let is snow, Let it snow & it did!

Here are some picture of the Blizzard we had around the end of March, it was quite stunning and beautiful.

New Shop

I started a new etsy shop roadstop.etsy.com here are a few examples of newer work

Mini Van Mama

It's official I'm a Mini Van Mama!
I actually really like it even though I'll never look cool rocking out in the car again :)
Thanks to those who helped it happen.

Hearts

The kids painted and then we collage cardboard hearts to give to friends and family.

British Invasion

Great British Actors on American TV

Hugh Laurie















Kevin McKidd










Tim Roth








Damian Lewis
















Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard












Rufus Sewell










Sophia Myles

New Series 'Circles'

I've been working on a new series of embroidered work, here are some examples. More to come!
They are also featured on my flickr site.

Like a Flower Bending Towards the Sun

Happy New Year

tis' the season to be jolly

Christmas is in the the air here and I've got the pictures to prove it!

Giveaway popularity

I have seen several blogging giveaways lately and think it is a great idea.
So I have decided to do one myself. I would like to pick randomly from comment makers a chance to win a set of handmade cards, nothing fancy, but a chance to get a little something to make the season bright.
Once the winner is chosen we'll email for address info. Nov 21st midnight deadline

AND THE WINNER IS DEB!

First Snow

Our Countdown to Snow

Etsy Mud Team MUG SWAP

So one of the cool things about being part of the Etsy Mud Team is taking part in the Mug Swap.
Here are pictures of the mug I sent and the mug I received.

Embroidery

I've been experimenting with the art of embroidery. I guess it started with my grandmother teaching me to hand sew and mend-first pull about an arms length of thread off the spool make a knot or three stitches together to hold the thread in place, then you are ready to go.
I remember as a teenager sewing random patches and then buttons and cleverly disguising holes with decorative stitches and ribbons.
In the last year or so I've started collecting hoops and 'painting' with thread. Here are some examples.

at it again

I had planned on keeping updated on my blog since I'm always willing to share my thought and doings.
Right now my focus is motherhood, sewing and my ceramic class.
I've been focusing on adding more to my etsy shop to display of my work, it's a lot of fun being part of the handmade movement. I'm trying my best to give handmade or second hand gifts this year for the holidays and I encourage you to do the same. It a great deal of fun to find just the right thing for those special people in your life and help the world by limiting consumption i.e. saving the earth!
I've had a blast keep track of an inspiring blogger, you might enjoy her blog too. I ordered the creative family book with great ideas of drawing closer as a family and sharing the the joys of discovery and art. http://www.soulemama.com

May you have many happy moments as fall begins. The changing of the leaves is a beautiful sight.

And did I mention my flickr site, it's my photo site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/artsyann/
If you want to see pics of the kids you have to sign up and get approved as a friend or family member for the safety of the children.

stuff going on

Eli is in preschool, Isabelle is talking up a storm and Derek is still trucking along in law school and I am managing our etsy shops and we have a new line of magnets that are super fun in Derek's shop.
magneticpersonality.etsy.com and artsyann.etsy.com
We are starting to gear up for the holidays with cards and gifts.

Albums that I have listened to more that 20 times in my life
and those who introduced them


Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots-The Flaming Lips(Derek)
Moondance-Van Morrison(Jay)
Hot Rocks-The Rolling Stones(Jimmy)
3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the life of...-Arrested Development(Michael)
Too Many Good Songs to Pick from several albums-Ween(Eric)
Bossanova, Come on Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa, Trompe le Monde & Doolittle-The Pixies(Meg)
Last Splash-The Breeders(Meg)
Flood, Lincoln, Here come the ABCs&123s-They Might Be Giants(Kate)
Nothing's Shocking-Jane's Addiction(Meg)
Rush of Blood to the Head-Coldplay(Derek)
Trainspotting Soundtrack
The Day the Country Died-Subhumans(Meg)
Cheshire Cat & Dude Ranch-Blink 182(Sarah)
Perfect Teeth-Unrest(John)
Something to Write Home About-The Get Up Kids(Ben)
The Best of Simon & Garfunkle-(Bonner Springs Library)
Bob Dylan Greatest Hits
The Blue and Red Albums-The Beatles and the Doors, Procol Harem (Dad)
Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits(Matt)
Metallica-Metallica(Mtv)
The Good the Bad the Argyle-The Bouncing Souls(Tom)
BoogadaBoogdaBoogada-Screeching Weasel(Meg)
KongoShock(Wade)

that's all I can think of for now

if you're wondering I don't listen to a lot of these bands now, but I needed to make a record
for myself

My sister makes cool stuff happen aka event manager

My sister played a major part in putting this great cd together. I'm sure the event will be great too, so if you happen to be in Delaware you should go!
http://www.winterthur.org/calendar/gardenfair_cd.asp?sub=gardenfair_cd

back to the swing of things

We've been to almost both costs and a mid west trip. First to Utah's Bear Lake, a trip to my home state of Delaware and then to Kansas. And many fun trips to Gran and Pa's(Derek's folks). So that's why I've been so 'speechless' these last few months.
But as adventures unfold I'll try to post interesting tidbits to the blog universe.
I'm finally back to throwing pots after a three year break. It feels good to be back and I'm looking forward to some new projects and techniques I've never done before.
I've continued with my crafting and am now 'managing' Derek's online shop as well.
Eli starts preschool this month and Isabelle is growing not only in size but also increasing in brightness.

This is one great girl

In the follow picture is me and my friend Melissa, she was my roommate in 1999 and was a great example to me as I first joined the church. Now it's many years later and we both have two cutie pies. This is the first time we've seen eachother in years and it was a joyous occation to catch up. So Melissa when you read this please know that I was so glad to see you again!

Robot Magnets at Comic Book Store

This is totally cool, Derek's Magnetic Robots are currently being sold at Time Warp Comics in Boulder, CO. They also have an awesome collection of new and vintage comics. Not that I spend a ton of time in comic shops anymore (yes in high school I had been in a few) but I was impressed with not only the comic book collection but the toys and memorabilia. So check out www.time-warp.com and request the robot magnets if you are interested or just to see what they have to offer.

To all my PA friends

Since I can't be there with you in Pennsylvania I hope you will take the oppertunity to vote Obama today!

day dreams

So back in the day I used to throw pots and then skateboard, I still have clay on my Element board from skating right after class. Boy I want to throw a pot so bad, so what holding me up? Maybe it's fear of taking the risk of it not working out, anxiety about not remembering how to do it. Is it like riding a bike?
I'm not saying that I don't love my dear little ones, but I wonder if they suffer because their mom isn't developing her talents and just going through the motions. I really enjoy our little adventures. Hanging at Gran and Pa's in the forest, walks around this town, crafts and music time. Have I said too much yet?
So how do I create my own adventures without neglecting my family? These are the many questions I ask myself. The mountain are right there and I don't even know what to do with them.
Ramble Ramble Ramble

So to end this post I encourage all of you to keep your dreams alive even if you have to wait a while to make it happen while working on the greates job ever, mommyhood!