Has it really been almost two weeks since I last posted? I wish I had more to show for it. I decided to make a new quilt for cuddling up on the couch and looked at patterns on several different websites but couldn't quite find what I was looking for. I wanted something with lots of white background and blocks made from scraps. Oh, and something fairly easy since I'm impatient (I first typed "INpatient"-it's funny because it's true) and not extremely competent.

I eventually ended up in someone's flickr stream and saw this quilt posted.

Lucky for me, she posted a brief tutorial on her blog and I immediately got to work cutting scraps. I spent several hours cutting and piecing yesterday and thought I had made a good dent. When I counted, I only had 25 pieced scrap strips and I need 80. Yikes! Not even close. Luckily, I have tons of fabric so I sliced into a bunch more this morning and I'm now up to 55.

I'm loving the scrappy, random look and I think it's going to look great against the white. I also think vintage sheets would be an excellent choice for the strips but of course I didn't think of that until I had made 30 or so strips.

See my portable dvd player in the background of the picture? I think I mentioned before that I always watch something while I sew. Yeah, I already watch plenty of tv but trust me, 20 hours a week at the sewing machine would get lonely. So, I've been watching "Seinfeld" from beginning to end and am currently on Season 7 so it's coming to an end soon. Any other ideas for a long running series I could watch from start to finish? I was considering the "Gilmore Girls" but I really hated the last season.

In other news, I only have a few things left in my shop and am just about ready to close things up. I just reduced prices on what's remaining so take another peek and see if there's something you must have.

A New Day

I have to admit that I shed a quick tear or two last night after posting this. But, it was so nice to wake up this morning and know that I only have to put in 4 hours for my work at home job and then the rest of the day is mine (I mean, rest of the day minus getting kids ready, making meals, running errands, doing dishes, doing laundry, cleaning the bathroom...so like one hour of the day is mine).

I've been wanting to try Jona's pillowcase tutorial since she posted it ummmmm, 2 1/2 years ago! So, I made each of the girls a bright and fun and funky new pillowcase this morning!

And then promptly ran to Walmart to get them new pillows.

Crafty Papa and I have been saying for quite awhile that we all need new pillows but it became very clear today was the day once I put their puny pillows in these beautiful new cases and you almost couldn't tell there was a pillow inside!

They're both totally happy and I love that I used some of my favorite fabrics that I would normally hang on to for projects for my shop. No more! Now we get the "good stuff" too:)

Oh, and you're probably wondering how on earth these pillow cases match their room...or their bedding. They don't! Their room doesn't really have a theme, just lots of bright colors and lots of patterns so their new pillowcases work perfectly.

The tutorial was super quick and easy. I think it only took about 30 minutes for both of the pillowcases. And wouldn't this make a great gift with the recipient's name embroidered on the edge. Or maybe I'll embroider "Keep your booty in bed and don't even think of getting up again" on Matea's.

Party's Over

After several weeks of thought and lots of discussion with Crafty Papa, I've decided to close up the Crafty Mama Creations shop. I've been making and selling bags and such for almost 6 years and also working part-time for the last two. As I'm sure many moms reading this will understand, it's all just too hard to balance.

Something about having an Etsy shop makes me feel guilty about sewing stuff for myself. I have no idea why, but any time I'm at my sewing machine I feel like I need to be sewing for my "real" job or making something for Etsy. I have an opportunity for more hours with my work at home job and Crafty Papa and I agree that it would be best for the family for me to get in my part-time hours every week and then know that any extra sewing time can be for me (fun) and not my shop.

Big thanks to everyone who has supported my shop over the years - especially those of you who followed me from Ebay to Etsy way back when! I'll be updating my shop in the next few days with clearance prices and also removing a few items to save for gifts. I'm hoping to post on the blog more often now because I'll have more fun personal projects to share. Thanks again!

-Crafty Mama

Lets Get the Party Started!

My shop's 4th Etsy Birthday Sale has begun! All bags have been marked down to $20, $25 or $30. I'm also offering 30% off my entire shop with coupon code "birthday4". And, when you spend $50 or more, you'll get a free zippered pouch!

I'll be adding new items today and throughout the weekend so keep checking back!

Happy 4th Birthday!

This Sunday is my 4 year Etsy Birthday! Visit my blog or Etsy shop later this week to hear about special discounts and freebies in celebration!

All Things Vintage

We live in an old (1940's) and funky little house so I think it's sort of natural to be attracted to things that are vintage and funky. The majority of our furniture is from yard sales and thrift stores and is older than we are. Partly because we like the idea of recycling, partly because we usually only have money for used, and partly because old and weird is just our taste.

I'm sure it's no surprise that we frequent thrift stores. We're lucky that we have 7 thrift stores within about 3 miles of our house! Over the last few months I've been collecting vintage sheets with the intention of making sundresses for the girls.

Some of these sheets are HUGE. I could probably make sundresses for the whole family including Crafty Papa! Since I knew I'd have plenty of fabric, I decided to use some of the sheets to make some sweet tote bags. They're extra large so they'll hold a ton of stuff and I just love the ruffle down the front.

My current favorite thrift store purchase is our new dining set.

I know it's not everyone's taste. Hell, even Crafty Papa doesn't like it! But it works perfectly in our multi-purpose sewing/dining/homeworking/playing room and it's in excellent condition. There are 7 chairs and the vinyl is in excellent condition on all of them and there are two leaves for the table. The best part? I got all of it for only $75!

Now I just need to sell the two dining tables and 4 chairs that I already own!

Valentine's Day Sale

***Valentine's Day Special: 15% off your purchase with coupon code LOVE11.*** Just make your purchase, enter "LOVE11" in the coupon field and see your discount immediately! Good through February 14th, 2011.

www.craftymamacreations.etsy.com