The new girl

Naked Lollie
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is what I have been working on like crazy now that the holiday madness is gone! Her name is Lollie, she is a goth lolita inspired poppet that will be traveling all the way to Germany! Here she is naked and unfinished. She is dressed now and just awaiting some final details, like eyelashes, shoes, and a couple other special things. She's made from white alova and very lean and tall. I also made her feet smaller and elf shaped ears. I'm off to work on her some more now! I'll post her finished after she is sent!

Where did these come from?

Where did these come from?
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

We were going to leave the house for a quick errand on Christmas Eve Day and what did we find in our front yard, but Santa and Rudolph flamingoes! There is a long running joke about me hating pink flamingoes and those tacky dressed up geese people put in there yards. I'm assuming this is someone's idea of a great joke! I'm not sure who put them there, although I do have a couple of suspects (ahem), but I'll find out! I was thinking of making them into Easter bunnies and putting them in my suspects yards for that occasion! Just too funny!

"A whole bowling alley!"

The greatest reward!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Nope, not a bowling alley, but Aaron's very own leg lamp! He got it for his Birthday this year! He's so proud of it shining bright in our front window, I just had to share. His love of "A Christmas Story" is obvious! Almost every year he gets something related to the movie. Last year it was a talking ornament from Hallmark, this year our very own "glowing piece of sex".

Just groovin on the holidays!

Pretty slow crafting the last few days! I have way to much stuff to get ready for our company that we will have both Christmas eve and Christmas Day. Cleaning, writing lists, wrapping everyone packages! I tend to wrap most of my families packages. Not just my own to them, I mean the ones they bought! I did all of mine, then everything my Grandparents bought, and then all of my Auntie's gifts. I'm a wrapping fool! I even enjoy it! If my Mom doesn't have all hers wrapped I'll be going over Monday to finish up hers! So while I'm off wrapping and going cleaning crazy, I hope everyone is having a blessed Holiday season.

I'll be celebrating Yule tomorrow night with the Hubby! Our usual pizza and cuddling! Blessed Yule to all!

Family Tree Quilt

Family Tree quilt
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just finished this lap sized quilt today. It is the 2nd one I've made this year. Aaron decided that each of his Grandparent's needed a special gift this year. I decided on family tree quilts. Each quilt is made in different colors, but the overall theme is the same. I wrapped the 1st quilt before I got a picture, so I have to wait for it to be unwrapped to get one!
This one goes to Aaron's Mom's parents. The Grandparent's names are on the birds at the top of the tree. Each one of their children have a leaf as does their spouse, children, and their spouses. The quilts were a lot of work, but I think they were really worth it. I guess we'll see how they are received on Christmas Eve. You can go to my Flickr to see more shots and a pic of the back to show off the quilting!
I think I am FINALLY done holiday crafting!!!!! Now back to my regular scheduled swaps!

Felt Taxidermy: the best kind of mount!

Felt Taxidermy 2
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Aaron is an avid hunter. I'm perfectly fine with that so long as it is done with respect and we use as much of the animal as possible, but I'm not about to allow a dead animal head to hang in my house! So after a friend showed me some wonderful examples of felt taxidermy on etsy.com, I knew just what to make Aaron for the holidays this year! I'll actually allow him to hang this one up! I can't wait to see the look on his face when he opens it.
I didn't have a pattern, so I started with a donkey plush pattern, modified the head, and did the rest with nothing but my imagination. I love how it turned out and hopefully I'll get a pic with Aaron and his new "mount" on Christmas morning!

A wonderful giveaway by a talented artist!

I just wanted to let the world know about a chance to win a customized portrait of your favorite pet by a very talented Etsy artist. Her blog where you enter the giveaway is here
http://www.sittingprettystudio.blogspot.com/ and you can check out her great Etsy store here
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5101750. Go on and enter! It would be great to have a portrait of your current pet or a memorial to a beloved pet that has passed! Check it out!

Grain Bag Project Bag

Grain Bag Project Bag
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

My Grandpa worked at a seed plant for over 30 years and he worked with these seed and grain sacks on a daily basis. He even mended them when need be. My Mom got a huge roll of them when they sold off the seed plant and had no idea what to do with them. Then she realized they'd make great bags. So I took a bunch, washed them like crazy, and whipped up this! My Mom needs a new project bag to haul around her crochet and I think this will be just great. Durable, washable, and even a bit sentimental seeing as her Dad probably filled this bag full of seed more than once.
I think I'll be making more of these with embroidery on them for my Etsy shop. I also think they'd make great reusable shopping bags!

Chef Tree

Chef Tree
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I shared our big Yule tree yesterday and thought I should also share the small tree that decorates the dining room / kitchen. Every year Aaron gets the chef Hallmark ornament from his Aunt for his Birthday. I found this perfect little tree a couple years ago so now they all have a home. The tree skirt is actually an apron. My Grama made the chef snoman for Aaron last year and he looks so perfect beside the tree!

Off to work on more gifts!

O Yule Tree!

Yule Tree 2008
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just had to share our beautiful tree. We just finished decorating it while watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Our traditional thing to watch while decorating the tree. We just love our real trees. They mean so much. Our ornaments are very eclectic. We don't like sticking to a theme. Each ornament has special memories and thoughts behind them and we like it that way. We have our first year in our new home ornament, our first Christmas together ornament, the hand made ones made by Aaron's Grama, some hand made ones made by me and Aaron, 17 puppy Hallmark ornaments in a series my Mom started for me when I was young, we each have our very 1st Christmas ornaments too! All so special and unique. It is like looking through a scrap book of memories each time we open the ornament box.

I'm ready for my close up

Bunny Close up
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just had to share this cute little bunny I made using a tutorial on Craftster.org. This is a gift for a soon to be born baby! It is so soft and cuddly. I put lentils in his feet and stuffed the rest of him. He's made from some really soft fleece and tweed for the inside of the ears. All parts are very secure so that baby can pull, squeeze, and gum away. I just love him and want to make one for myself. If you'd like to see a full body view go to my flickr.

Anyone for a check up?

Nurse Black Apple Doll
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just wanted to show off my first attempt at the famous Black Apple Doll pattern from the Martha Stewart website. I made her very small though. She only stands about 12 inches. I think most of them are much bigger. She's a little nurse with her stethoscope giving check ups! I made her for a friend for the holidays! I think I'll be making more of these dolls in the future!

More Presents Finished

Pillows
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I finished these 3 pillows today. They are for my mother in law. The two matching are for the couch and the larger one is for the love seat. Her current throw pillows are molting some strange fuzzy yarn all over the living room and the don't even match her color scheme, so I took it upon myself to right the wrong. I hope she likes them.

Santa is coming to town

Santa
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Tonight was our local parade of lights. As we do every year we bustled down to the tv station parking lot and parked our car and jumped out to watch. It is a very short parade consisting of some lighted floats sponsored by local businesses. At the end of the parade comes Santa a top the big fire truck, waving and sounding merry. I happen to know Santa personally. I've been telling my sister that I know Santa and she never believes me. This year she believes. When I saw Santa approaching I stepped to the curb and waved. He looked right down at me and waved just to me and let out a great big "Ho ho ho" and a little point of the finger. I swear my sister's eyes almost popped out. It is so fun to see that sincere look in a child's face. What a wonderful time to be a kid.

Monster time waster

Monster
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just had the inkling to embroider this guy today. Done on a scrap of muslin that I plan on turning into a patch for a onesie. I'm going to give it to a friends grandson. Just a little something that isn't a holiday gift. It only took about a half and hour to whip out and was so instantly gratifiying.

Just some progress

As you can see I've changed the look of my blog page. It may just be temporary for the holidays.
I finally was able to finish 2 more gifts in the last 2 days and I'm making progress on others. Handmade holidays are not easy! I would post pics of the 2 items I've finished, but the people that will be receiving them may just happen to read this! I don't want to ruin surprises. I will however be posting the first of the family tree quilts that I'm making for the Hubby's grandparents this year very soon.
I so feel like just crafting for the sake of crafting, but when gifts are needed I become a crafty machine with no time to really craft things just for the heck of it. I can't wait until the holidays are done and I can swap a few more times. Back to the craft dungeon and another gift!

Art Doll; a Tribute

Frida full body front
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

So a friend suggested I make a Frida Kahlo doll for my soon to open Etsy shop. I took her idea and ran! Techniqually she is still a prim doll, but I chose not to grubby her. So I guess she is more of an art doll. I used many of Frida's self portraits as inspiration. I'm very happy with how she turned out. As always more shots on my flickr. She was such fun to make, I may make others using different self portraits of her as inspiration. I'd love to make one of her dressed as a man. Off to prim #4! If anyone has any other suggestions for prims they'd like to see please comment.

Large Prim doll #2

Large skelly prim
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is the 2nd large prim doll. He too will be going on my Etsy shop when I get it open. He's big, something like 19 inches tall. I made him Day of the Dead inspired, because that art has really been inspiring me lately. He turned out great and is now drying next to Witch Hazel.

Prim #3 pattern is drafted and on the fabric ready to be sewn!!! I'm having so much priming fun!

Working Away

I managed to get 1 more holiday gift finished today. A set of Hello Kitty barrettes for my little sister. I also have another large prim doll drying and I drafted the pattern for the next. Tomorrows goal is to get at least 1 more holiday gift done, and maybe another prim on the way.
I'll post photos of the newest prim soon!

Sling Bag worthy of a pirate!

Sling Bag
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is what I made today! I know I'm supposed to be holiday crafting, but I just needed a new purse! It is inspired by a bag I've been drooling over on Etsy.com, but soooo can't afford. I'm really happy with how it came out and will be using it a lot now! Not bad for a self made pattern and a couple hours of my day. It fits around you like a messenger bag, but so much more comfortable. You hardly know you're wearing it. The rick rack sticking out of the bottom of the flap is actually 2 pockets that are under there. Now back to holiday crafting! I've been trying to get myself motivated and I just seem to want to make things not related to holiday gifts! I swear I'll get done!

Dead Ted; the last of the creepies!

Dead Ted
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just have to share Dead Ted with the world! He is my newest prim creation made for the mini creepy doll swap round 2 on Craftster. He's already been sent to his home, but dang I miss him. Yes, I must be the only person to ever make a zombie prim! Notice the flesh wounds and brain leakage!
I also realized I didn't blog creepy #1, but he is on my flickr account for those interested. It is a felt stuffie, Day of the Dead bear made from some inspiration on the receivers wist.
I swear I'm done with creepies now! On to blogging new things!

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel laying down
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is my latest primitive art doll. She is also the largest one I've made. She was time consuming, but so fun to make. My own pattern entirely. Priming is a wonderful process and so much fun. I would suggest everyone try it at least once. All the ribbon and lace used is vintage and tea stained by me. She has such a wonderful personality. I made her as a prototype of some prims I want to make and sell on Etsy.com. Do you think she is good enough to sell? I have a large skelly cut out and ready to sew and I have a new pattern in mind, I just have to get to work on drawing it out in between Christmas/Yule gift crafting. If you'd like to see more pictures and some close ups, as always, they can be seen on my flickr.

Creepies on the brain

zombie bunny
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

So after having so much fun with creepy doll swap round 1 on Craftster.org I decided to do round 2 as well, only this time doing less dolls. This is creepy #2 that I've made for this swap. Deranged bunny zombie, starving for brains. I've never done much with felt so I had a blast trying it out. He is also fully jointed and has a cute little white puffy tail on his little zombie behind. He'll be going to his new home soon so he can go infect others (with laughter).

Maman Marie's voodoo shop

Maman Marie's voodoo shop
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is what I got in return for my Day of the Dead embroidery! My very own voodoo shop mixed media collage! this pic is a closeup of the detail and doesn't show the very cool frame area, which has sheet music painted. The details in this are absolutly amazing. All the wax used in the collage is from her bee hives. The little bottles each contain something different, skulls, lavender flowers, peppercorns, dried moss, and what to me looks like corriander seeds. The little voodoo doll is made from clay and so detailed he even has pins. I'm so in love with it that I'm still trying to figure out the perfect place to hang it! I was going to save it for the library, but it is way to cool to hide away there so it will be going in the living room.
Thanks Acidtrix!

I've been tagged!

The rules of tagging!: 1. Link to tagger & display these rules on your blog. 2. Share 7 facts about yourself - some random, some weird. 3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blog. 4. Let them know they've been tagged by commenting on their blogs!

1. I love the color purple
2. I collect Buddha statues
3. I love watching those terrible reality shows ;)
4. I am a black belt in Hiayshi Ha Shito Ryu Karate
5. I love monkeys
6. I'm addicted to craft swapping
7. I always look forward to coffee with my friends

Yea off to tag some people back!

Until Death Do Us Part

Until Death Do Us Part
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just had to share this piece that I did for a personal swap on Craftster.org. I found the calveras image online and redrew it to make it embroidery appropriate. The flowers are a vintage transfer from the flickr group hoop love. I used so many different stitches that I've never done before. I just love how it turned out. My father in law made the frame from reclaimed wood. It has the best texture ever. I painted the banner on the bottom that says "until death do us part" in Spanish. If you'd like to see close ups of my stitching check out my flickr. Tomorrow I'll show you all the wonderful piece of art I got in return from Acidtrix!

The great kilt caper!

Man in a kilt pose 2
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I finally got the kilt finished and given to the Hubby! Last night at his Birthday party, never mind that his Birthday was last Thursday. Hahaha. It doesn't have the belt loops or cargo pockets on it yet, because we wanted his input on the placement and amount. He was really happy. He can't wait to wear it out, but he isn't sure when or were to wear it. Trust me our town isn't very open when it comes to things like that and I really don't want a fight on my hands. Anyway, me and my sewing sidekick worked extra hard on it and are very pleased with the outcome. I don't see us making another any time soon though! I'll post more pics when the belt loops and pockets are done and I can get some better action shots.
One happy man in a kilt!

Gypsy Quilt Block For a Great Cause

gypsy quilt block
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I was asked to make a quilt block for a wonderful charity called strive for life. They work with homless children in Romania. The quilt blocks will be collected from various artists and made into a quilt that will be auctioned off with the money going towards the charity. The theme is gypsy since the children they work with often are gypsy. The person putting it all together has a blog here.
http://myhidingplaceincyberspace.blogspot.com/
If you'd like to make a block post on her blog and let her know.
I found a block similar to this in a image search on google. I just drew it out a bit differently and cut away, but I have done away with the crystal ball, because it won't fit on the block size I'm doing. Now I just have to applique it on to the blue fabric and I can send it off and watch it get made into an awesome quilt.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween 002
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just wanted to wish all my bloggy readers a wonderful and frightfilled Halloween! Or Happy Samhain to all you pagan peoples! This is the pumpkin I carved last night. A witch on her broom flying over some buildings. I love to carve pumpkins and have not missed a Halloween! I'm off to inflate balloons for the community Halloween party (another of my Halloween traditions).

Have a spooktacular Halloween and a very blessed Samhain!

Craft Dungeon Finally Clean

Craft Dungeon
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Just wanted to welcome you all into my Craft Dungeon. So named by the Hubby who says I spend more time in there than Batman does in the Batcave. I spent 3 days cleaning, organizing, and in general straightening. I'm so proud I had to show it off. More pics on my flickr!

Bright and Shiny buttons

Bright and Shiny buttons
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I ran across these buttons in the bottom of a lot of sewing stuff I got at an estate sale. I have no idea what they are for, but I am assuming military clothing. They were wrapped in tissue and it looks like this isn't a whole set. The back of the buttons say D. Evans & Co. Inc. North Attleboro Mass. There is a pic of the back of the button on my flickr account. Any help in identifying what these were intended for would be a great help. I plan on making a sailor inspired pencil skirt and using these for a button detail on the front.

Album from Korea

Album from Korea
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

A while back I promised to blog some more of my vintage goodness. This is a yard sale find that is one of my favorites. I bought it from a little old man that told me he brought it back from Korea. Inside the 1st page says "Christmas 1951". The photos are long gone, but on a few of the velum cover pages there are love poems scrawled in a very hard to decipher script. So romantic! I can only imagine the woman that they were wrote for. I've managed to completely decipher 1 and part of another.
Going Away
When I'm gone and you're left behind
My love won't stop with the passing of time.
I may travel the ends of the Earth astray
But my love for you grows day by day.
The time that passes
The miles we're apart
Will only mean a lonely heart.

Isn't it just beautiful. Sappy I know, but the fact that a man wrote this for a woman is touching.
I will post the other when I get it figured out. It is even more romantic.

Kilt update!

So my help came over and we began the tapering process yesterday. I have to do the sewing now since it is all pinned up and then we will get the waist band on and pray that it fits Aaron! It is looking like a real kilt! I have until his party on November 2nd to get it done, but his real Birthday is on October 30th. He was almost a trick or treat! Any way it is close to done and I'm feeling so excited that I made it! I got a couple of blank kilt pins to decorate too!

This giveaway rocks!

I just wanted to alert anyone reading my blog about this giveaway!
Go to http://indiefixx.com/2008/10/13/indie-fixx-autumn-cornucopia-giveaway-2-ways-to-win-2-prizes/#comment-19680
and check out the giveaway! If you enter make sure you link to my blog so I can win too! This stuff in wonderful and what a great idea for a giveaway!
Good luck!

Roamy Gnomey's Adventures

Roamy Gnomey and his new glasses
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

My little buddy, Roamy Gnomey, that I got from bsonlytoots via Holstercobabe in a personal swap has been on some adventures lately! He went to Bismark, North Dakota with me and the Hubby. He had so much fun he wanted to share his adventures on my blog. Go to my flickr account to see his story in pictures!

What a riot!!!

I just returned home from a little road trip with the hubby! We went and saw Carlos Mencia live! It was such a good time! Everyone needs to laugh like that. My stomach and face hurt from laughing so much! He did 2 hours and 10 minutes on stage and there were also 3 other comedians that performed and a DJ that did a really cool set. It was fantastic and I'll remember it forever!
In other news, I took some fun photos of Roamy Gnomey at the capitol building that I will be posting tomorrow. It was exciting and I can't wait to share.
I also got to go craft shopping while I was there! I bought fabric for 2 family tree quilts that are going to Aaron's grandparents for Christmas, some sculpy for me to play around making creepy doll faces, some jewelry findings including some kilt pins to decorate, and some canvas boards for stretching some embroidery projects!
Look for the pictures of Roamy Gnomy tomorrow!

Halloween tree!

yea 003
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just had to post a picture of my Halloween tree! It is newly decorated with mini creepy art dolls from a swap on Craftster.org.
The witchy on the top is from knickertwist in Ontario Canada, the day of the dead skelly on the right is from Lmcbride in Vermont, the voodoo doll to the left of skelly is from koalascout in Georgia, the skinny little faceless creep on the left is from scotskipper402 in Virginia, and last, but not least the green wicked witch on the bottom is from Carrieme in Florida! I love all my creepies so much I've joined the 2nd round of the swap to add to my tree!

I'm dreaming of a green Halloween!

snow
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

So this morning I woke up and after the beautiful fall pictures I thought this was just down right depressing!
This pic is taken out of my front window, and yes that is my car covered in snow on OCTOBER 12th! We usually have snow on Halloween, or at least have had snow and it is miserably cold. I had to wear my costume over a snow suit or jacket more times than not. Oh well, happy winter!

Check out this beauty!

I just found this giveaway thanks to a friends blog and had to add it to my own.

Go to http://www.gabrieshop.blogspot.com/ To check out the beautiful necklace she is giving away!

Fall Beauty

driving 003
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

We went for a drive today and while Hubby was hiking around carrying his gun looking for some grouse to bring home for supper Merlin and I enjoyed the scenery. Fall is one of my favorite times. The colors, the smells, the coolness of the air. That beautiful time balanced between hot sun and cold snow. I try to take as many fall pictures and get outdoors as much as possible during this time, to store up the sun and beauty to last the long winter.
Enjoy the fall!

Who's behind those Foster Grant's

vintage 013
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This weekend I went to 1 yard sale and bought something that has brought me utter happiness, and for 50 cents no less! I found these vintage Foster Grant sunglasses and knew they were destined to be my "happy" time sunglasses forever! They just don't make em' like this anymore. Not a scratch on the lenses and in wonderful condition. Click on the picture to go to my flickr account and look at more photos of these and even one with me modeling (hair in a head band and all!) Okay so I wasn't prepared for a photo shoot in my "outfit" that these go perfect with. I'll get that shot someday.

More vintage goodness

So I've been on a vintage spree lately. I just bought some great sunglasses at a yard sale and I did score a couple great hats this yard sale season as well. I plan on taking some pics of my "new" vintage stuff to post on here. I love sharing pictures and I love having excuses to take pictures.
So look for vintage yummies soon to come!

What a great fall day.

merlin J 015
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is our newest family picture. I love it and I'm not usually a fan of pictures containing myself. I think this will be our new Christmas card photo for this year! Just had to share. Taken by my father in law under the tree in their back yard that we were married under.

Kilt Pin Anyone?

So I don't know how many people actually read my little blog, but I'd love to know if anyone out there either has a kilt pin that could be embellished or would want to embellish one for my Hubby.
The kilt is about 50% done and it is looking good. I realized tonight that he is going to need at least 1 accessory to wear with his kilt and he will not wear a sporran so I thought a kilt pin would be appropriate.
If anyone makes jewelry and would like to make a kilt pin I'd be happy to swap with them. If you have 1 that isn't decorated yet and just want to swap that I'll be happy to swap for something for that as well. Just leave a comment!

I can't stop making creepies!

fairy hood 002
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is my latest Creepy. A Day Of The Dead skelly. Done in the primitive style. He's being sent along for a personal swap, but I just had to share.

Just a lonely button

fairy hood 004
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I saw some great embroidered buttons on pimpstitch.com and had to try it. I turned this one into a hair tie to be sent along for a personal swap, but I will be making many more for sure. They are such a quick and fun project. My little sister wants some and I'd really like some to wear too. They even have patterns on pimpstitch in the tute area that you can use to make these. This is one of their patterns.
I hope to stitch up a few more of these tonight and maybe tomorrow.

The Count

creepy 011
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is Halloween Primitive #2! I love him so much it was hard to package him up. His cape has purple and red stripes on the back too.
Isn't he dashing?!

Halloween Primitives Rock!

creepy 007
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

So I found the new and exciting world of Primitive art yesterday. I saw a doll similar to this somewhere on the web so I made my own pattern and set to work. The process is so fun because you get to mess up and grunge up work you just did! I already have 2 other primitives in the works, both for swaps, and a little extra thing to send along with swap items. I don't care for the overly country style primitives, but I love the Halloween things. The primitive style just makes things that much more creepy.

I've been head hunting

creepy 002
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Meet my little shrunken head. He is going to go to a new home for the creepy doll swap. I love him so much I'd like to keep him so I'll have to make another or 3.
Well I just wanted to share before I have to get started cleaning house.

A kilting we will go

So not much new to report. I'm currently working on pretty big undertaking, making a kilt. My husband has been after me ever since I started sewing to make him one. So with the help of some instructions from the web and my trusty project runway side kick Auntie we have started kilting. So far so good, but a long way to go before it is finished. It is going to be his big Birthday surprise. I'll be posting pics when I get it finished. I'm sure I'll be really proud of it since it will be the most complicated thing I've ever made.

Back to kilting.

Meet Chuck

Chuck 005
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is Chuck, made for a personal swap. I love him and his personality. He is a very classy monster. I custom painted his eyes a gold color with streaks of green. His nose is very pronounced and shaped. His hair is faux fur. His horns curly and wrapped with gold thread. He insisted on having a bowtie and I obliged with a cool circle fabric. He also has the nifty little vest and short pants with a tail hole in the back. He is made from the poppet pattern that was modified to make the garden gnome body and then I went a little nuts and made the ears and horns my own. I love him so much and am sad to see him go, but I know his new boy will take great care of him. So long Chuck!

Crafty crafty

Poppet Day 002
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Well, not much to report, but I thought I'd share another one of my Poppet creations. This is Melville P. Gnome. I made him for the I love my poppet swap round 2. He is by far my favorite poppet I've made. I also made the tree stump he is sitting on and the birdy friend. The bird velcros to the branch. He is bald under that hat too.

I'm off to work on a poppet monster I'm calling "Goat Boy".

Lampy Love

lamps 001
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Okay so I've been going a little nutty lately over vintage lamps. Hubby isn't impressed with my new love, but he can just deal! This was lamp #2 of the summer of yard sales. I only paid $1!!!!! In perfect working order with glass light bulb reflector and original shade. The swirly part is made out of solid wood. The base is cast iron under what appears to be a tin plate. This sucker is HEAVY!!!! Perfect condition from top to bottom. Lights up nicely too. *I think I'm in love*
If you want to see lamp #1 go to my flickr account. why are the lamps from yesteryear so much nicer than today's garbage?

Shoot!

shoot 004
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just liked this picture and thought I should share. The hubby purchased a new recurve bow. This is the day he got it. We went out into the country to his Uncle's house and he practiced with it for awhile. The mosquitoes were so bad I took a few pictures and then retreated to the pickup to try to stay un eaten.
I don't know how I timed this picture right, but he has let go of the string and the arrow is leaving the bow. That bow is a work of art in it's own right. Hand made to his specifications. Cost a pretty penny to, but we won't go into the ruckus that caused around here. Let's just hope he can bring home something we can eat with the thing.

First Swap Organizer Jitters

Well I'm organizing my first swap ever on Craftster. org. I'm giving out partners today and I'm mortified that people will be unhappy with their partners. I think I'm doing a good job matching them up, but what do I know. LOL I hope this runs as smoothly as possible. It has been fun setting it all up and stuff. I love to make lists and organize names and things so this is right up my alley.
Off to obsess and see if I truly have partners partnered up right!

Odin's Tree Quilt

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Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

So I'm not really a quilter, but when inspiration hits I usually follow it. I made this for a swap, but I just had to share it. The tree represents the tree Odin was hung on for 9 days in Norse mythology. During those 9 days he learned the Runes, which are quilted around the edge of the quilt. On the tree is a bird, squirrel, and lizard to represent the different elements. I appliqued the tree, leaves, and creatures on to the quilt top and left the edges raw so they will fray a bit for texture. The back is the solid brown you see around the edges. The Runes are quilted in a very cool fall toned variegated thread. I'm super proud of this and can't wait to send it off.

For closer pics click on the picture to visit my flickr site.

Remembering those wedding bells

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Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Today is our 3rd wedding anniversary! I just had to share a wedding picture in honor of the day. We had a wonderful outdoor wedding with the perfect weather and no bugs!
The hubby grew out his hair on purpose for the wedding, but now he wears it short, and yes we are hippys of sorts, he is wearing birkenstocks. It was a wonderful day and each year that goes by makes it seem even better.

Getting up close

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Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I love to take pictures with my new camera that the Hubby and the furry boy bought for me for my Birthday. This is one of my favorties and I just thought I'd share.

Great News Today!

So a week or so ago I learned that a dear friend of me and the hubby's had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Today he had the thyroid removed and guess what, he's cancer free!!!!! What a relief. He'll stay in the hospital for a couple of days and then be home to heal up from the surgery. I even made him a little thyroid stuffie named Roy, which I posted on Craftster, to keep him company in case he misses his thyroid. I took it to him last night and he loved it!

In other news, I'm organizing my first Craftster swap!!! It is all about Kevin Smith and his movies so get over there and sign up people!!!!

Memnoch's Wings

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Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just had to share this with the small group of people that visit my blog. It is a purple skirt with black wings appliqued on the front and back . They look as if they are wrapped around the skirt. The wing symbolize Memnoch the Devil's wings from the Anne Rice book Memnoch The Devil. I made this for a special swap partner. I hope she loves it as much as I do. It isn't as huge as it looks. It has a draw string, but I had it opened up all the way to take photos. Over time and washings the wing edges will fray and look a bit more feathery. I can't wait for it to be received.

Children borrowing the sequel

I've been all about having my house filled with kids lately. After recouping from having my little sis and cousin here we asked my other 2 cousins to come and stay for 2 days. It was a blast. I really love spending time with them and I hope they never grow out of coming to stay at our house. If I can't have kids right now I'll just have to continue borrowing them. LOL

The Sampler is Finished

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Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Well I worked pretty much all day and finished this off. I'm super happy with how it turned out. I can't post it on Craftster yet because they are down switching servers so I thought I'd put it on here. I'm going to wait to give it to the hubby until the 13th. Hopefully I can hold out that long! It is a tribute to the late George Carlin. He is one of my hubby's biggest inspirations and it was devistating to him when George Carlin passed away. These are the "heavy 7" words you can't say on tv, one of Mr. Carlin's most famous bits. The hubby loves that bit so that is where I drew the inspiration from. I think George Carlin would be proud.

Crafty Crazy

Yet again I have buried myself under a mountain of crafts and I love it! I'm doing 2 organized swaps right now. I also have a personal swap in the works, but the time frame on that is pretty open. I am also going to be organizing my very first swap on Craftster.org. It is a Kevin Smith and related movies swap! I love anything and everything Kevin Smith so I thought this would be great for my first swap to organize. I'm not starting that until later in August though so I do have some time.
I've also started Christmas/Yule crafting. Each person usually gets 2 gifts. Some get 2 crafted items others get only 1. I also have those few people who don't take to crafted gifts so they get store bought crap LOL. Nothing is worse than a gift you slaved over getting that "uhhh thanks" and a roll of the eyes.
OOO I almost forgot I'm also embroidering a sampler for a Craftster challenge. It is going to be double duty as it is also going to be my Hubby's anniversary gift. It will be 3 lovely years married for us on August 13th!
Off to bed and then up bright and early for another day of juggling housework and crafting.

Whew!

So I'm completely worn out! I was kind enough to offer to keep not only my little sister who is 7, but also her dog, and our cousin who is 16 and special needs! Let's just say I don't think I'll ever have 2 kids and 2 dogs!!! I desperately need a nap, but the girls don't leave until this evening after supper. I may have to take all day tomorrow just to recoup (read sleep in). The girls are out running off some of their energy in the yard under the watchful eye of the hubby so I can have a couple minutes to myself. I still want to have a kid, but just not 2 and 2 dogs! Maybe I'll just have to stay in my jammies and embroidery all day tomorrow. Oh what a shame :)

Best Rummage Sale Find Ever

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Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

So I promised to blog the goods from our rummage sale adventures and here she is! I got this gorgeous antique trunk for $10! It is in really good shape. My Auntie and I cleaned it up and leather conditioned all the leather areas and it looks great. The inside is also nice and the stinky moth ball smell is just about gone thanks to baking soda and newspapers. If you want to see more photos and the inside of the trunk click on the photo and go to my flickr account. I think this is my new favorite living room accessory! I plan on using it to store my huge collection of vintage silk scarves.

A Great Find

So about every other weekend my Auntie and I go on a rummage sale binge. Today I scored a great vintage wall lamp that was begging to be re conned into something spiffy for my pirate themed bathroom that is in the works. My hubby has yet to build the bathroom in the basement, but this fall it will become a reality with a little help from some friends. Then it is all up to me to pirate the thing out! I have some great things all ready stocked up and paint colors chosen. I'll post pics of the lamp when I get around to re conning it. I'll post any other great finds tomorrow after we hit the "good ones".

Yea for Swap Goodies!

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Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

It has been like Christmas in July around here lately! I got a wonderful package from a personal swap a couple days ago and then today I get an awesome package from the Invite Your Partner round 9 swap!! Kittykill out did herself! I just had to post a pic of these great pillow cases she embroidered for me on my bed!! The quilt was our wedding gift from an Aunt and Uncle and family. We call it Celt-Asian. The fabrics are all asian inspired, but the quilt has the traditonal celtic knots. The long one in the center is the warrior knot (since we met in Karate) and the square type knots are the lovers knot. It has been on our bed since we recived it and it goes beautifully with the new pillow cases!! What a day!