Pulled Candy

John and I have a little saying that helps us keep our life simple: "What would Pa Ingalls do?"

Okay, since neither of us have read the Little House on the Prairie books (although we totally plan to), I must confess that when we ask this, we picture Michael Landon and his big friendly smile.

But still. It's a good way to remind us that just a few generations ago, people lived much simpler lives. They grew and canned their own food, they made their own soap, they lived in very cute small houses with a loft. And they made their own candy.

So, my sweet tooth and I decided to get in touch with the simple life and make some pulled maple syrup candy from this really cool book my sister gave me. It's full of interesting history about America and food and the Ingalls' experiences. My candy turned out pretty good, even though I didn't do it quite right. But I'm sure Karen Grassle messed up a time or two as well. I plan to try again in the near future.

Here's the fonz, letting me know the candy is ready to be pulled. Now that's something Pa Ingalls didn't have.

Easy Baby Toy

I made this for J because she didn't really have many gifts. I saw a tutorial for this some time last year, and I can't find it now. I'm pretty sure the original was a heart, and I think I saw it on WhipUp - anyone know where it is?

It looks complicated, but it's so easy to make, it really only took about an hour. I made mine in the shape of a kitty, although in retrospect, a simple shape would have been better. I filled two parts with wool, and the other two with dried peas because I thought she would enjoy the different textures.

I'll keep looking for the tutorial, and add it if I find it...

Lap Quilt Project

I'm starting a lap quilt project with some friends from my church. We're planning to make two quilts for two ladies at our local nursing home. I'm hoping they'll be finished by Valentine's Day, so we're giving ourselves plenty of time to get it all together. Our quilts will each have 20 - 10" blocks, and a general theme of hearts and love.

The women participating have varying levels of sewing experience so I put together some simple instructions for making four types of blocks: Iron-on applique, Sewn Applique, Embroidery, and Pieced Blocks. I found a surprising number of pieced heart blocks out there - surprising because I don't think I've ever seen one before. Although, with all those angles, I found them pretty tricky to make.

I'm sharing our pdf in case anyone else wants to start a project. If you print it front and back, each page will have instructions for one type of block on the front and some patterns, shapes and ideas on the back. The pieced block instructions are very basic, because each block is different. I think you'll need to already know what you're doing to do one of those.

Click here to download (1.2 MB).

Pattern Roundup and some other little bits...

I love Christmas. I mean, who doesn't. But I love the season, I love getting a tree, and cooking, and traveling, the parade, the parties, and making little gifts for the girls. I'm feeling especially domestic today - cleaning house, and making turkey stock and turkey tortilla soup from our Thanksgiving leftovers.

I just want to enjoy this season, so I think I'm done with all my big crafting for the rest of the year - not because of any rules this time. I just feel like it. I will be at Holiday House on Tuesday, December 8. Come out if you're in town - it's always fun, and there will be lots of door prizes.

If you're making Christmas gift this year, I thought I'd round up a list of my tutorials for you. Making a list of all the stuff I've made reminds me that I actually get a lot done, and that makes me feel pretty good. Don't forget you can still add pictures to the wewilsons flickr pool of any of the projects below to get the Smile Crocodile pattern free.

Free Patterns:
Kangaroo Apron
Swatch Frog
Bear Bag (these would make great gift bags for kids!)
Reusable Snack Bag
Knitted Market Bag
Airplane Bag
Spring Cleaning Dust Mitt
Terrariums (fun gifts!)

In the Shop:
Turtle who comes out his shell!
Giraffe
Smile Crocodile
Bunny and Fox Flip Doll an advanced sewing pattern
When Pigs Fly
Secret Messages
Fat Quarter Sling Purse
Fat Quarter Hand Bag
Printable Coloring Book (great stocking stuffer)

Thanksgiving Cards to color

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm feeling very thankful these days for my girls and my husband, and for adobe illustrator! I'm learning to use this software now, and it's just making me all kinds of happy. My pdfs will be much prettier from now on, and smaller files, too. That should make you happy, too!

And here's another something to be happy about. Thanksgiving cards to make and color with the kids. This pretty little pdf has four cards: a roasted turkey, a dish of sweet potatoes, a can of cranberry sauce (which some people seem to prefer over homemade - go figure), and a cherry pie.
Update: Cards have been updated and can now be found in my shop. 

I thought it would be fun to talk about being thankful while we color, and give them to our Thanksgiving hosts this year. Color and fold the pages in half, and write a note of Thanks! on the inside.

Smile Crocodile

There was initially some debate about whether he was a crocodile or alligator. I learned that crocodiles have skinny snouts, so there you have it. I've been eager to make a plush with a zipper mouth for a while, and a crocodile with teeth was just too attractive. I'm thinking I may need to make a shark version as well.

I put this guy off for a while honestly, because the zipper made me nervous. But once you start putting it together its really pretty easy - maybe even my easiest pattern yet. And perhaps my favorite, too. I don't know - I really like the turtles. But so far, these have been my girls' favorite.

The first one I made was a hit with the girls, even though I thought he needed a little shaping up. I cleaned up his body all over, but especially made his mouth bigger, and gave him a bit of a nose, so there's something to hold onto when you unzip him. The dark green one in this picture is the prototype.

Update:  The giveaway is now over, but the pattern is available in the shop.  

I know many of you have been wild about the reusable snack bags and the fat quarter purse, but I'm really hoping to see some turtles and flying pigs. This opportunity is open through December - so if you haven't gotten around to making something yet - get to it! Once you've added a photo of your brilliant sewing to the flickr pool, send me an email or flickr message, and I'll reply with the pattern. (see here for a list of all my patterns.)

As a side note, this pattern is for personal use only -but, because it has a metal zipper, its the kind of thing that the new CPSIA regulations prevents small businesses from selling. I guess that is a good thing, since I have no idea what my zipper's are made of. Anyway, I won't be making any to sell, so you'll have to make your own!

heads up

new pattern coming, tonight or tomorrow maybe - we'll have to see how naptime goes. This pdf was made all snazzy with adobe illustrator so it will be pretty and the file size will be reasonable. :)

Also, I'll be doing a little different giveaway this time. No scrambling this time, more sharing. Hmmm... seems like I've been saying that to L lately.

Well, anyway, here's a hint: you'll need a flickr account.

Sea Creatures

This is my latest set of Spoonflower designs. Spoonflower has been adding a lot of new features lately as they prepare to open the marketplace. My favorite new feature is this collection sampler. You can print up to 12 swatches in a sampler for only $15. This makes proofing your designs so simple, and way more cost effective (previously 12 swatches would have cost $60).

Update: Stephen of Spoonflower commented to clarify that samplers are still only available to the beta testers. Sorry for the misinformation - just one of many good things to come from Spoonflower!

Here is the same set of designs but with the color scheme required for the Spoonflowers "fish and colors" design challenge. I wasn't crazy about these colors, until I made black the background, and then it seemed to come together. (oops, there's a little coloring mistake in the sea horse's tail - good thing I proofed it first!) Go vote for my octopus!

When I began these sea creatures I tried about 20 color ways before I was happy. Ultimately, I think I had pink and orange in mind when I drew them. Here are a few others I tried - John liked these best.

If your collection is all one colorway, it seems it is just asking to be made into a simple swatch quilt. I'm thinking of making a little one with my pink and orange swatches. (adding it to the list, the tucking it away.)

Ta da!

my to do list:

my To-Day list:

I don't know if this will really make a difference, or if it's just another excuse to make another something - but it made me happy. And it only took 10 minutes. Just fold your to do list in half, slip it in the slit, and suddenly you have freed up your day to focus on one project - but you still have all your other ideas recorded and tucked away. Like horse-blinders. Okay, this isn't a great idea for your do-the-laundry-go-to-the-doctor kind of list, but it's great when your projects list is overwhelming you - like mine tends to do. Draw your own - or go to flickr and print mine.



John's best tip is to finish up some small projects to get them out of the way and off your mind. I did that last weekend. Here are the last of my bible school felt people. Adam and Eve, and some other people to be used in other stories. Have I said how fun these are? I need to make L her only little set - with a fold up doll house or something. (putting idea on list and tucking it away.)


And here is L wandering around the yard with my shiny blue bag. Just because.

Tip Jar

So, a week ago, I evaluated how I'm doing with balancing motherhood with making and designing. I saw that I wasn't doing well and tried to get back on track. Today, I realized I did it again. Suddenly, I've got three projects spread out on my work table again. sigh.

The first week, when this was the "no new projects" project, I felt relieved to take a little time off. Maybe there was something to that.

I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this. I gave myself three months to try to set some boundaries and bring a little peace and balance to my life. Somehow, I don't think three months is long enough.

I'm taking tips.