Run Lori Run!

The Year In Review

What I've cooked.

What I've grown.

What I've made.

Another year is winding down. And this post makes me appreciate all my friends in blog land- thanks to you I always have great ideas for projects at the click of a mouse. I have enjoyed seeing what you all have created, grown and cooked over the years. You help me keep the creative juices flowing- whether I need a good book suggestion or a a recipe- I always know where to go. You guys rock! 

So here's to another creative year!

Bird's Nest Christmas Ornaments

I save everything.  Bottle caps, wine corks, plastic flowers, beads, paperclips, wire...birds from the dollar store...I never know when I'm going to need this stuff! Pack rat? Yes, but I always have junk when I need it!  

So I knew I had to get these nests when I saw them in the thrift store the other day. My grandmother made the nest there in the center and I always loved it. Mine, however, are bird's nests on steroids.

Glittery plastic flowers. Check.

Spray glitter. Check.

Butterflies and Birds. Check.

Hot glue gun. Oh baby. Check.

Things are starting to feel festive around here.  Glitter always helps!

I'm so inspired by all you crafty people, making such cool things this season. I love visiting you guys and seeing what you're making! So if you're in need of some crafty holiday inspiration yourself try this list.  And if you want to sneak away for a moment to recharge that warm & cozy holiday feeling, go here. Liesl's collage of photos makes me want to quit my job and move to rural Montana.

Cheers!

The Need To Make Random Stuff

I was going to title this post Crap I've Made but then I remembered there is already a nifty blog titled Crap I've Made too... So I will title this is Random Crap I've Made Recently instead.

I made this patchwork camera strap last week because I was sick of the bright yellow advertisement for Nikon on my old one. Blah, blah, blah is much better...

I made this oil cloth composition notebook cover for my mom for Mother's Day...

We made chocolate covered bananas...

And crock pot granola.

What are you guys making these days?

My New Love

Okay, I think I'm getting better at sewing straight lines!

I have several packages of charm squares and they really are good practice at getting these squares lined up precisely. But attaching binding, well that still needs some improvement...

I love these colors but they don't really go with my earthy-colored dining room...

Next up: a patchwork quilt for my bed. Maybe I can complete it before Beanie graduates from college!

Not Worth The Panic

 

Remember this scene from Castaway?  Well that was me this weekend:  "LOOK WHAT I HAVE CREATED!" You would have thought I created fire or something...

I have had packs of charm squares sitting by my sewing machine for months now.  I have masted the wonky log cabin block but anything that is supposed to be straight evades me.

I don't think I can call this a quilt technically since I didn't bind it...I didn't have time and binding is a whole new panic attack...

But I did piece it...sort of straight....and I did quilt it and all.  I used a 1/4 inch foot which helped but I still have problems keeping the whole dang thing straight. Know any tricks?

I used Punctuation Fabric by Moda. And yes, my neighbor hangs plastic bats in his tree.

In The Works

Lots of stuff in the works over here. I'm making a new banner for a baby shower in a couple weeks. 

And I'm making some pork stamps for my brother to celebrate the opening of his new BBQ restaurant next month.

And I'm digging up the grass- yay! More raised beds coming my way!

What are you guys making these days?

This Is Where I Admit I Like The Color Pink

I love Spring and Easter.

By the time we've had what seems like 11 months of grey and rain, I am more than ready for some pastel colors to come my way.

I want to dye eggs every color of the rainbow.

I want to buy big bags of compost.

I want to sew cute things for Easter Baskets.

I want big bunches of flowers in my house on a regular basis.

I want rhubarb.

Have any of you made hot cross buns?  I like Pioneer Woman's recipe because 1.) they look gorgeous and 2.) she gives you 500 photos in her step-by-step instructions. For some reason yeasty baking projects scare me.

So inquiring minds want to know: what are your spring/Easter traditions. Do you plan elaborate Easter brunches? Bake hot cross buns? Make crafty things?  Do tell...

Feelin' The Love

I admit it. I like Valentine's Day. For the sole reason that I get to make heart-shaped food.

And look, Martha Stewart validates this idea. So it must be cool.

And yes,  I keep my pancake batter in a ketchup bottle in the fridge. Doesn't everybody?

(Do these work for anyone out there? I find the ketchup bottle much more effective...)

                                                                    by Vegalicious

                                                                                         Bubble Chaser

However, I draw the line at heart-shaped meatloaf.

Sunshine and Mischief

Behold!  The sun showed up for a split second before retreating back into the grayness and fog. And it'll be about three more months before it comes back.

Let's see. Today I dug up these vintage Valentine's Day cards. I keep saying one day I'll make them into a collage or something but I can't bear to cut them up.  So I just dig them up every Valentine's Day, look at them, and put them away again. (You remember my hoarding problem, right?)

I keep hearing my Women's Studies professor in my head...

And I haven't sewn anything in awhile so I had the grand plan to make some catnip-filled mice for my kitties.

So I prepped. Filled one with catnip. Sewed it up. Went down to make dinner, with the intention of coming back and attaching a proper tail and ears to the fellow. But...

Alas, it has gone missing.

Guilty?

Fabric Addict

I had to buy this fabric.

But seemingly I have no trouble buying the cute fabric but then I need to actually use said cute fabric.

Luckily my friends have cute babies who are in dire (okay maybe not dire) need of cute clothing. 

I need this on a shirt my size...

These onesies are soooooooo tiny!  They say they're size 3-6 months but I dunno..... I think babies are getting tinier these days...

I found these charm packs at the Fat Quarter Shop but have refrained from buying them until I use all the other charm packs I have purchased for the quilt I have yet to make... Such discipline!

There are just too many cute fabric options out there and I want them all.  

What are you working on these days- sewing anything fantastic?