Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gable Mini Quilt

Last month I had the privilege of create this little quilt for a friend on Instagram for The Green Gable Swap. Quilts are new to me, I enjoy(most of the time) learning new techniques. For this little quilt, I painted on the fabric my version of Anne ( She probably saw Gilbert and maybe( just maybe) hits him in the head with her book.).
Because of the color Green on the title of Anne's story, I decided that the edges of the quilt should all be green too.
This pattern is called the Drunkard's path block, no as hard as it looks, with a little bit of patient anyone can master this technique , there are lost of tutorials online also. The flowers were a little challenging...trying to master a invisible stitchs wasn't the easiest task. But all in all I was very happy with the end result and I would like to try making another one someday... In the picture also my hand painted Ikea doll bed , a gift I made for my daughter this past Christmas.
Are you new to quilts ? Have you master a new techniques ?
Linking with : I have to say.

                                                                          *JM*

The Cutest Christmas Ornament

This is one of my favorite Christmas Ornaments. It has been inspired by the one my sister-in-law made as a little girl, I always loved the simplicity and the vintage feeling to it.

 

 The process is pretty self explanatory and the materials are really minimum(scrapbook paper, ribbons, fine markers, ink). I made those with my daughter and nephew, I also made one with my husband ,daughter and my finger print and added the year to it. The possibilities are really endless... Wouldn't  be cute making one for a teacher with her pupils finger print?

 

Tip: Help you kids, specially the little ones with the finger print part, since it can be a little messy. Also let dry for a bit, before any writing.

Right now I am in the process to make a hand sewn one too, with some cute holiday fabrics.

What are you making for Christmas? Any simple ideas to make with the kids?

 

***JM***

Nature Tray

 

***

Our place is really small and any open space is a luxury right now. So to solve some of our desire to still have a little corner for nature. We are now using a small tray (14"x 8"). I found our tray in a craft store like Hobby Lobby or you can find it  here.

To add a unique touch, I hand painted it with acrylic paints, I used one main color so wouldn't take away from the beauty of our nature finds.

My inspiration for the little designs on the tray come from Nature itself but if you don't know what to do, maybe a collage would be easier, where you could select beautiful nature pictures and add to your tray, it would be a perfect project for little ones too. The idea for my Nature Tray come from a British magazine, from a article about  bringing back The Nature Table  to the classrooms, apparently in England the kids were encouraged to bring any seasonal nature specimens to the classroom to everyone to admire it. The idea to have a specific place for our nature finds was just perfect for us.

But because space is a issue for us right now to add a whole table for that purpose would be impossible, so the little tray was the next best idea.

 I love the simplicity of it and the end result.

I was just planning to write about my nature tray when I stumble is this little post about nature study.

Would like more ideas to nature study? Look here.

 

 

 

 

 

"The increase of scientific knowledge lies not only in the occasional milestones of science, but in the efforts of the very large body of men who with love and devotion observe and study nature."

Polykarp Kusch

Easter Eggs and Inspirations

  

I been collecting eggs for a little more then three months, just for the purpose of making something fun with my daughter, I was glad to have more then two dozens eggs, since my nephew joined was for the fun.

I love the end result, check out this post  for some beautiful and educational eggs.

New on my Etsy shop

  The family is growing. My 2012 collection of dolls, most available in my Etsy shop, except for Harrieta (2nd to the left), my daughter's doll.

Marie Antoinette

                                               Laura                       

                                                                   Miss Ingram

                                                          Blank, Handmade cards

                                                                    Small Notebooks

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Sewing up a deal

New in my Etsy shop

      I  love the look of old vintage suitcase and the many possibilities for storage. A few months ago, I was hurrying out of my driveway, when I spotted this suitcase. I couldn't pass this treasure out, specially that I have seen some for sale for more then 50 dollars. My treasure is in pretty good condition, so I just add a bit of color, without taking the vintage flair way                                                             

                                                               1.  Here is what I did:

                            Clean inside and out,  including letting it sit open outside in the sunshine.

                                                                 

        Bought  a variety  of scrapbook paper (on 50% off). To get the apperance of patchwork I used 7 different patterns of  the 12x12 in.  paper,and cut out each by 6x6 in.. That seem to work well for my project, my briefcase is about 28x21 in.

 

     I Started with the corner edges, and use modge pod. Is very important to keep smoothing over.

          For a nice  look in the edges, make little snips ,that will be overlap on the paper already in place. 

 

              The paper that is lifted, should be glue after the bottow part is glued. 

                                                            After working with the corners, start to work on the top, then all the edges. For the edges I used I sharp knife to cut the extra paper.

                                                                                                                       All done!