The Pole!

No, not that Pole.

(Gimme a break, Festivus only comes once a year.)

The other poll...the one you guys voted in.  41 people voted!  Thank you so much.  I really appreciate all of the support that everyone has shown me.

Drum roll please.

 The winner is:

A Hand Embroidered Piece- with 51% of the votes.

Now that I have the poll results, I'm working on something special to give to a lucky winner.  Although I have a lot of embroidered stuff already, I want to make something just for this :)  I think it'll be that much more special that way.  Cheesy I know, but I've got to get that warm, fuzzy feeling once and a while.

Since there was also so much interest in my kits, I figured I'll also include some supplies too.  The more free stuff the better right?

I'll be hosting the two giveaways after the 1st of the new year.   Be sure to check back so that you can have a chance to win.  In addition to the hand embroidered piece I am giving away, I'll also have a paper crafting kit, filled with stuff to make awesome ATCs.  I'll be running them as separate contests so that people can enter to win both.  That way, if you like both crafts, you'll be able to double your chances to win something!  I'll make it nice and easy.

Thanks again to those who voted!  To my fellow Americans, Happy Football Night.  (As, we are in Northern California- the 49ers are kinda big deal, so I can hear it on in my living room right now, lol.)  To everyone else, have a craftastic evening.  Thanks for reading.

 

Snapshot Friday!

I'll start this off by saying, I freaking love Pedro Almodovar.

His films are not for the faint of heart.  They're often filled with emotion, sexuality, controversy, and death.  All of which are pretty much taboo in American society today, despite being a part of everyday life.  Guaranteed to make you think-about yourself, life and your fellow human being- his film's are powerful.  Watch one!  For those of you who don't care for subtitles- run away...far away.

Most recently I watched this (for the millionth time)-

That's why I picked this one.  For those of you familiar with the film, you will see my connection.  For those of you who haven't seen it- watch it!

Please don't hate me or boycott me based on this week's photo selection.  I didn't take this photo.  Nor do I like, participate, or encourage blood sports.  This does not speak for my opinion on animals either.  It's just a thrifted photo that I happened to have in my possession. 

Don't like that photo?  Then use it to make a statement.  Remember, art is not always about being pretty. 

Don't worry, I've included a nice one too!

Labeled Rose Parade '62.

Because parades are fun and happy! 

So, I hope we're still friends after this weeks edition of Snapshot Friday.  My goal was not to offend or horrify.  Simply to make a connection with an awesome movie I watched yesterday.

Thanks and have a craftastic day!

Baby Stuff- Complete with horrible pictures!

My first taggie blankie ever!  It felt good to break into my huge ribbon stash (I don't use it enough) and fire up ol' Bessie, my sewing machine.  At first, I was a little hesitant about using the flower flannel for it, as it was for a little boy.  However, it's softness won me over.  It's like a cloud!  Besides, it's a baby, do we really need to start drilling in gender roles so early?  I think not.  Ok, yes- I made him a rocket onsie, but in my defense, it's darn cute.  And I assure you that if I have daughter someday, she will also wear rocket onsies and play with robots!

I used two different colors in the flames.  I really like the way that came out.  That's a little trick I picked up online thanks to Jenny Hart.  (Btw, both of the patterns for the onsies came from Sublime Stitching.)  I've been doing the mixed floss a lot lately, it always looks good! 

This was the first time I've ever crayon tinted on colored fabric.  I don't know how I feel about it, I think it's ok.  (I took this picture before I washed it after stitching, so ignored the pulled look of the fabric.  That went away in the wash!)

This is the other one I made for a different friend.  So many babies lately!  I also tinted it a tiny bit, although it's hard to tell.  I used rayon floss for the stork, it's super shiny.

Thanks for looking!  Now go make something :)

Another batch.

Sweetie

Watercolors, embroidery floss, glitter, bead, and vellum rubbing on Bristol.  I used a Sublime Stitching pattern for this one.  This was a special request from Jodie.  I love how this one turned out, nice and simple.  The photo is a bit dark...

Gold

Paper clippings, metallic embroidery floss, and beads on Bristol.

 Go Green

Newspaper clipping, ink and 3-D embellishments on Bristol.  I love how the little tool is removable from the fabric apron!  (I'll be honest.  I had the Captain Planet theme song in my head the whole time I was making this, lol.)  Seriously though...Go Green!

Thanks for looking.

Bummer.

This tray was fairly organized with buttons sorted by color, style and age.  However, it is no longer so pretty.  Yeah, an open-top tray probably wasn't my best decision but I was feeling adventurous at the time.  Hell, I'm surprised it took so long.  This was my first spillage mishap in almost a year of storing buttons this way!  I thought it was funny, so I grabbed the camera.  I give you Button Madness '09!

"Yep, that's going to slow you down," says Chunk.

Sure does look pretty though.

Ohhh, shiny!

My favorite button!!

A few good buttons managed to stay in the tray.

Little Natasha-"Don't worry Mama!  I'll help you."

Not pretty and organized like before, but at least they are in the tray.  I think I found them all...

I was laughing the whole time because all I could think of was this-

Snapshot Friday!

These two ladies are sporting the same hairdo.

I love this picture.  It looks like a such happy little family.  And just like mine, this dog looks like he loves to be the center of attention.

Since there are desks and typewriters on the left, this couple appears to be in some soft of office.  Hmmm, is this the naughty secretary/co-worker ?  Or wifey-poo?  Maybe both?  I'm not sure since this guy looks so serious while smoking on his pipe.

Happy Friday!  Have a craftastic weekend.

Upcoming Giveaway!

Right now I'm in the process of working on giveaways for you guys, my lovely readers.  There will be two- one for paper crafting and one for embroidery.  Since I love both, I couldn't choose just one.  However, I'm a little torn about the prize for embroidery.  I need your help!  It's such a broad category...
I want to hear from you.

Please take my poll.  

 Located above my bio, the pole will be open until Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 3:30 pm.  So think about it and get your two cents in.  Tell your stitchin' friends too.  The more the merrier around here.

Thanks for your participation!

Coupon ATCs- Part deux

After the last batch of ATCs, I figured I'd try the junk mail ones again.  There's an endless supply in the mail, especially around this time of year.  So, away we go!

Fall in Love

Junk mail, paper clippings and 3-D teardrop on Bristol.

A bit emo but that happens sometimes.  I love the balance created by the butterfly wings.

To Public Indecency

Junk mail and paper clippings on bristol.

I was thinking of a certain individual (not me) when I was making this, lol.  Don't worry, she approved of being the inspiration behind this one.  The working title being, DRI- Daily Recommended Intake.

Two Olives!

Shiny junk mail, paper clippings, embroidery floss and toothpicks on bristol.

Can you tell I really, really like olives?  

I love the look of 3-D embellishments on cards, so I've been trying to incorporate more into mine lately.  I figured it was the perfect way to blend ATCs with my other true love- embroidery!  Normally, I'm a bit particular about making my stitches tiny and neat, so this style was difficult for me at first.  (But I need to loosen up, so I'm experimenting.)  I think that this look works well for this card.  I couldn't resist the toothpicks.  The background became a bit distressed during the process but I guess that's to be expected from shiny junk mail paper.  Or maybe I just manhandled it?

As of now, all of these cards are available.

What do you think, do you like the "messy" or "free" style of embroidery? 

I do, but I don't know if I'm relaxed enough for that :)  I don't really know what it's called so I don't  mean messy as a bad thing!

Mas Mail!

I received two more cards in the mail today from Santa Clarita, California.  Thanks Veronica!  Check out her stuff, maybe she has a card perfect for you.

Feliz Voyage

This first one really has me thinking I need to get out my paints next time I make cards!

20 cents

Feeling Punchy.

After my recent "Oh la la" card (this) I thought you should know that I do have punches of other stuff too.  Here is a whole page of great ones.  Check 'em out.  There is one that looks disturbingly like Michael Jackson despite that fact that it is a cartoon red-headed female.  My top five are: Willy Wonka, the martini, the Eiffel tower, Paul Newman and the forks. 

(Click on them to enlarge)

Which one is your favorite?