Monster Mitts

Monster Mitts
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I made these for Knickertwist in the IYP. They were a bugger to make! That fur was everywhere! It also had no stretch so they turned out a bit snug, but Knickertwist said she can wear them so that makes me happy! I took inspiration from a few different monster creators on Craftster. I thought they turned out fun and may make a few more sets if I can find some different colors of fur. Even though it is a messy project the outcome is so great I'll put up with choking on that fur for an hour or two!

Peace Love And Twilight Scarf

Peace Love And Twilight Scarf
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Whew! No more holiday crafting so I had time to whip up this scarf for a special Birthday girl tomorrow. She is big into Twilight. I saw this applique online and thought it was cute, so I drew up my own version and put it on a nice warm fleece scarf. I made the scarf and then decided it needed a key hole like a few other scarves I've seen. It worked out perfect and I think it will be very loved.
I get to start making some fun stuff for Woodland_Faerie now! I have a few items planned for our personal swap. I also get to start embroidering on my quilt block for a flickr swap. Some fun crafting in the new year! If you'd like to see a close up of the applique you can bounce over to flickr!

Marie Laveau Prim and Happy Holidays!

Marie Laveau Prim
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

What you may ask, does a voodoo queen and the Holidays have in common? Nothing really except that I wanted to show off my favorite prim I've ever made and wish you all a Happy Holidays! I made Marie Laveau for Knickertwist in the IYP over on Craftster. She turned out so lovely I just couldn't resist showing her off. Marie is a muslin prim hand painted. Her clothes are coffee dyed fabric as is her headwrap. She has a little mojo bag that contains a wee hand made candle and a penny for good luck. A little voodoo doll is also her companion. I loved her so much it was hard to send her off, but I know Knickertwist loves her just as much as I do! If you'd like to see a close up of her face head on over to my flickr.
I wish all my friends out in blog land, Craftster, and flickr a wonderful holidays and give you each a huge holiday hug!

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I created this one of a kind home sweet home embroidery for Knickertwist in the IYP swap. She loves vintage sideshow banners. I scoured the net for inspiration and drew up something I was happy with. The tattooed lady, strong man, and two headed skeleton kid make up a wonderful family. I used watercolors to paint it on muslin and then stitched in the details. My father in law made the frame with reclaimed wood from an old abandoned house. It is the perfect touch to finish it off. I'm so happy it has arrived in it's new home and will hang by the door of Knickertwist's home!

IYP Package From Knickertwist

IYP Package
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I recieved a wonderful Yule gift today, a package from Knickertwist! So much wonderful goodness. A large shadow box shrine entitled "Whimsy" for me to hang above my craft desk, my very first altered book (if you'd like to see pics of the other pages check out my flickr), a decorated matchbox that contained a tiny robot man, a tiny altered tin shrine that says Wish, a tiny tin of whimsies that I'm sure to use in my assemblage art, and the cutest crocheted gnome! He's bald under that hat by the way. Such a wonderful package of art! Thanks Knickertwist!

Happy Holidays!

Family Photo 2009
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I decided it was time for another family photo this year. My father in law snapped some shots of us at the art center. Sadly none turned out good enough to put in cards, but I thought I would share one of the better ones. I made the skirt I'm wearing. I plan on wearing it on Christmas eve! Notice Merlin is wearing his tie as well. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Pepsi Memorial

Pepsi Memorial
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

My Hubby's Aunt lost her dog early this year. He got out of the yard and was killed by a pack of dogs a few blocks away. It was a terrible thing and I thought this would be a great way to keep him in her thoughts. I can't draw animals so I asked the fantastic I Sew Cute to draw the pattern up for me and she did a stellar job! I sent her a reference pic and she nailed it! It looks just like Pepsi! I used 9 different browns, metallic gold for the halo, and metallic silver for the wings. I framed it in a black frame with no glass to precent glare. I'm so happy with how it turned out and I can't wait to give it to the Aunt!

Sacred Heart Shrine

Sacred Heart Shrine
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Yet another holiday gift! I'm cranking them out! I only have 4 more to go! This is a sacred heart shrine for my great aunt. She loves Catholic imagery so I tried my best, even though I'm not Catholic. With some help from Digital Misfit (Heidi) I managed to come up with this wonderful design. The heart is sculpted from paper clay and then painted and sealed with clear spray sealer. The thing inside the heart is a rusty bit of jewelry and a ceramic rose taken from another piece of vintage jewelry. The flames are painted tissue paper with a little glitter. I can't make anything without a tiny bit of glitter. I made the tiny candles by hand and also made the itty bitty rosary that is hanging on two small holy cards. If you'd like to see a close up of the rosary you can check out flickr. I aged some paper for the banner and used my letter stamps for that as well. The shadow box itself was a plain one from the craft store that I painted in layers and sanded for a worn feel. I'm so happy with it and I hope the recipient loves it too!

Portly Little Narwhal

Portly Little Narwhal
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Another holiday gift done! I'm trying to get things finished up before the day arrives! It has been such a rush job this year! I made this sweet little narwhal as a gift for my Auntie. I can't wait until I have time to make myself one as well! I used a wonderful pattern over on Craftster. Off to finish up more gifts and get some grocery shopping done as well.

Christmas Inchie Village

Christmas Inchie Village
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is the sweet little inchie village I made for June in the IYP. It turned out so fantastic it was almost swiped by several of my family before it could get in the mail! A house, church, and sweet shoppe, along with 3 decorated trees in different heights. I found the origami tree tute online and ran with it. They are super fun to make! I want to make more inchie villages in the future. So much fun! If you'd like to see close ups visit my flickr.

My IYP Goodies from I Sew Cute

My IYP Goodies from I Sew Cute
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Yesterday I recieved a wonderful package from I Sew Cute (June)! The cutest little jewlery box filled to the brim with fantastic stuff! She also made me some homemade lollipops which are very delicious!
Two rings, a star, and a round one with a skully in it. Five necklaces! A purple glittler heart, candy sprinkle heart, little deer in the snow, one with my name in it, and one with my user name (AlwaysInspired)! I love them all so much! I 'm wearing the one with my user name in it tomorrow and I've already worn the star ring and deer. Thanks June, for making this a wonderful IYP!

For me! Awww, You Shouldn't Have!

I was doing my daily blog browsing when what do my wondering eyes do appear, but a little old blog award for me from KittyKill! I adore Pam's blog and read it almost daily to see what she is up to with her stitching, cocktails, and movie suggestions. Don't forget the scrappy pooches on Sundays! Pam is also the reason I started a blog! She was very encouraging.

You can find her wonderful words of wisdom here:

http://www.fasterkittykill.blogspot.com/

So here are the rules:

1. The the person who nominated me. ( Thanks Pam!)

2. Copy the award and paste it on my blog.

3. Link to the person who nominated me.

4. Tell us 7 interesting things about yourself.

5. Nominate 7 bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs I nominate.

7 interesting things about me:

1. I volunteer at my local art center teaching classes and am an active member on the board of directors.

2. I play darts on a dart league with my Mom, Auntie, and Hubby. Sometimes the Hubby has to work and then we have a friend that subs for him.

3. I can't choose a side in the ninja/pirate debate so my friends and family refer to me as the half ninja, half pirate. Ninja by training, pirate by choice!

4. I love vintage style. I think I should have been born in another era!

5. I have an 8 year old little sister!

6. I love working on my house and doing little things to make it better.

7. I'm a sucker for sweets!

Okay now nominate 7 blogs!

1. www.zuill.us/andreablog/

2. www.craftydame.blogspot.com

3. www.isewcute.blogspot.com

4. www.knickertwists.blogspot.com

5. www.myhidingplaceincyberspace.blogspot.com

6. www.odddollz.blogspot.com

7. www.brookowens.blogspot.com

Tree 2009

Tree 2009
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is our wonderful tree! We get a real tree every year. The hubby picked it out this year. I usually fuss over bare spots and needle loss, but this year he walked right to this tree and exclaimed, "this one!" I just couldn't argue, even thought I thought it was going to end up being way to big for the space. It cuts down the walk way, but I can get over that as it is so pretty! If you want to see it more lit up check out flickr.

Celia and Ralph

Celia and Ralph
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I Sew Cute got her package yesterday! I can finally share Celia! Celia is a fun little gnome. I created her with a heavily modified poppet pattern. Her eyes are a new technique I've been evolving after seeing a couple different tutes online. I'm so pleased with them. She has the best little fingers I've ever made and her toes are pretty darn cute too. I hand stitched her tiny little clogs from a ornament pattern. She has linen bloomers with lace under her skirt. Her apron is a gathering apron. If you'd like to see more pics of Celia head on over to flickr. I have a face close up, pics in her underthings, her apron gathered too.

JMAC Tree

JMAC Gallery Tree
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I just had to share a picture of the tree at the James Memorial Art Center. It was decorated by a fantastic guy that is also an art teacher at the high school. He made all of those tiny bird houses by hand! The theme is "every birdie's welcome". So cute! There are also tiny birds tucked in the tree witht he houses and lights. Even the green room was decorated with 2 smaller trees! You can see pics of those on my flickr if you'd like. The building is beautiful, but even better decorated for the holidays!

Merlin all dressed up!

Merlin in his Tie
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I'm not a fan of dressing up dogs, believe me! If it is necessary because of the weather I am fine with it, but dressing them up just for the sake of dressing them up is terrible in my opinion. I do however love clever little bandana's and such. I decided Merlin needed a tie to wear in our holiday picture this year! With a doll tie pattern as my base I set out with scrap taffeta left over from my skirt I plan to wear in the photo. He doesn't look to happy with me in the pic because I had just woken him up to put his tie on. I promise to have some great pics to share after we've had our holiday pic taken. Hopefully he'll smile pretty for the camer and be happy to wear his new tie!

Happy December 1st!

Still no new pics to share! I'll be sending out my swap packages soon and then I can share all the fun stuff I made, but until then you'll have to be content knowing that I really have been crafting! I finished my skirt for my Christmas outfit! It was definatly a learning process. I did make a practice one out of some fantastic vintage fabric that I love! I just need some fun tights and then I can wear it and share some pics!
Friday is the day for decorating! The Hubby has the day off and will get roped into helping me clean the house before I decorate. The weather is turning winter like here finally so I will be in the mood for some decorations and hot chocolate!
I've also started some of my gifts for the season. My little sister's American Girl doll showed up today so I started making her a few outfits to include in the case we bought for her. I'll have pics of her in some outfits soon!
Happy December!

Ralph the Happy Snail

Ralph
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is Ralph. He's a special snail. He's going to be snail mailing himself off to a certain someone very soon. He will also be bringing along his best friend and some other goodies. ;) He wanted to stop by and tell everyone Happy Thanksgiving!

So, Happy Thanksgiving, from me and Ralph!

I've Got My Eye On You!

I've Got My Eye On You!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I bit the bullet and tried a new eye technique on a poppet! Well, actually it is a modified poppet, but I still use that pattern as my base! I just love how they came out! So realistic looking. The eyes looks uper creepy laying on my desk too. This doll will be going to a new home soon. She's for the IYP. Hope this makes you squirm with delight I Sew Cute!

Feeling Foxy

Me
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I don't normally condone putting pics of myself anywhere. I've never really liked pics of me, but this one makes me happy! I couldn't waste a good hair and make up day! I'm sporting my new glasses that I only have to wear sometimes. New red lips as well. I was always too shy to wear the red lipstick, but now I can rock it! Just a little snippet of me.

I did get more things added back into the dungeon today as well. I also finished up the skirt to go around my art desk yesterday. I'll have a pic of that after I get my desk back in order. Tomorrow night is creating time. Hubby works until midnight. I get off work at 4 which is when he goes to work so I plan on spending time from 4-7 crafting for the IYP. I have to play darts tomorrow night, but I can do a lot in a good 3 hours!

Dungeon Day 11

Dungeon Day 11
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Things are returning to the room! Mom came over today and helped me fold and sort all my fabric! We set it on the shelf for now, but I'll be getting clear totes with locking handles like you can see on the top shelf there to put it in. I should be able to put 2 or 3 colors per tote. It will make it so much easier to find! Now to return all the other stuff to my desk area! I also have bias tape and lace to sort through! I think I may take a break from the loading of the room tomorrow to actually create something!

Dungeon Day 10

Dungeon Day 10
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Things are moving back in! It is a slow process, but well worth it. I'm starting with all the totes of decorations and such that belong on the large shelf. Once that is done I'll start bringing back in the crafty goodness and sorting and organizing as I go. Aaron put up a new light fixture today! Right over my new sewing table! It is so fantastically bright down there! I'm calling it quits for tonight, but I'll be back at it early in the morning. If I work really hard I can have a sewing machine up tomorrow to make the "skirt" for my art desk. It will hide those bins with drawers you can see that are under the desk. I also have to hang up the inchie display that are setting on top of my desk. Lots of finishing touches, but I should be back to full crafting mode in a couple of days!

Dungeon Day 9

I finished painting the floor today! No pic because I can't get over to the other side of the room to turn the lights on and without lights it wouldn't be much of a picture! You'll just have to take my word for it! I had planned on starting to move things back in tomorrow, but I think I may end up working. This weekend thought I should be fully settled in my new space! That makes me truly happy!

Dungeon Day 8

Half the floor!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This morning Aaron helped me move all the shelving to one side of the room. I got busy with the paint and did the half concrete wall and half of the floor! I worked myself right onto the bottom shelf of the green shelf that you can see in the pic! Now for it to dry enough so I can walk on it to turn off 2 of the lights! I must run to the store tomorrow to get another can of floor paint and then I can move furniture back and do the other half! I'm in the home stretch!

Dungeon Day 7

Orange is finished!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

The orange is done! All the walls are painted now except the portion of the concrete one. If you look to the left the top of the concrete ledge is painted the gray that the floor will be. Now to finish the concrete wall and the floor! I can start loading it back up after that! I'm so excited! I need my space back!

Dungeon Day 6

Purple is done!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

The purple is done! I'm really loving how the colors go together. It has made it so bright and cheery down there! You can't help but smile when you walk into the room. I can't wait to get it all done and get my stuff back in there! I did the 1st coat of orange today as well, but it wasn't dry enough to do the 2nd coat before I took the pic so I'll save that for tomorrow. Tomorrow I hope to get the 2nd coat of orange done and paint that bottom concrete portion of the purple wall with the concrete paint, which is gray. The floor will be that color as well. It will seal the concrete and make it easier to clean.

Dungeon Day 5

The green is finished!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Color! I'm so excited! I painted the ceiling white today. Everything that needs to be green is now green as well! I love how it is coming out. I know the other colors and the gray of the floor will tone down the green a bit, but I love it just the same. Tomorrow I hope to get the other 2 colors on and start preping the floor. More pics tomorrow!

Happy Halloween!

Prim Halloween Wall Hanging
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

A big Happy Halloween or Samhain Blessings to all!
I thought today would be a good day to share the prim wall hanging I made for Woodland-Faerie! All my own pattern. I just love making prim things! Especially Halloween releated items. To me they just scream spooky, or spooky cute anyway. :) Off to carve a pumpkin and wait for the little ghouls and goblins!

TTT 5 Finished Towel

TTT 5 Finished Towel
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

My towel is home from it's travels. From top left corner: ThirdMargaret,Sonjabegonia,Paleangellex,me,Zombie_Queen, and center Lilivanilli. Thanks to all the great stitchers! I love my new towel and plan on putting a back on it and using it as a wall hanging in my new crafty space.

Dungeon Day 4

Crafty space progress
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

A progress shot! Just got things all primed up today. The shelf and desk still need primed and the shelf you can't see in the pic is half primed. More priming ahead and some actual color! Woot!

Cookie Message

Cookie Message
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Aaron (the hubby) has been looking for a job with more of a future for awhile now. He has always wanted to try law enforcement and had applied at the Sherrif's department a long time ago. The other day they called him! He went in for the first interview and came home filled with hope. After the 2nd interview he was pretty happy and hoping like hell he had got the job. On Wednsday the person who was doing the hiring called! Aaron was at work, so I offered to leave a message. The man first asked me if I'd like my hubby to work for him. I said "YES!!!" Then he said, "well tell him he has the job when he gets home." I was so excited! I was already in the process of baking Aaron cookies so I thought it would be a fun way to tell him the good news. He walked in and could smell the cookies, he went straight to the bathroom to wash up and when he came into the dining room and saw the cookie plate he just grinned and said, "that's cool!"
So here's to a job with a future and good cookies!

Sweet Little Birdies

Sweet Little Birdies
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is my last Tea Towel Tour stiching to do! It goes in the mail today. I stiched it on PaleAngelLex's towel that was themed with birds. I found this sweet little pattern on the flickr hoop love pool. So many fantastic patterns on there! I could stitch for a life time and never get them all stitched up. Sad to see my last towel go, but so excited to think that my towel will be on it's way home soon!

Dungeon day 3

Crafty space colors
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Whew! The ceiling is all sheetrocked after a couple of hours of work yesterday! It just awaits a couple of coats of mud on the seams. That will be done Tuesday along with the screw holes in the ceiling and walls. Then the painting can begin! We will start with the ceiling. It will be getting a coat of white to keep it bright and clean looking. Next will be the walls. I really only have 3 walls and 1 of which is only a half wall as the bottom section is the basement footings of concrete. The wall behind my desk will be Plantain green. The wall that is half a wall to the right will be Purple Majesty. The wall at the back of the room will be Mandarin Orange. The support beams, I think there are 4, will all be orange as well. I need bright happy space colors and nothing makes me happier than purple, green, and orange! I don't want relaxing or dull. I had thought of using brown and green, but that just isn't the vibe I'm going for so bright it is. Things are looking up!

Dungeon day 2

Uhg! That is really all I can say! I finished getting things moved out now or at least boxed up and out of the way. I started to paint the rafters and things just got worse! It just wasn't working out. So I called in reinforcements and we're going to hang sheet rock over the ceiling and then paint! It will look actually finished that way. Not a slap dash sort of paint job. It is turning into a bit more work than I thought, but I just keep telling myself it will so totally be worth it. I'm off to have lunch and then start on hanging the sheet rock.

The Butterfly Project #2

The Butterfly Project
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here are the 10 butterflies that the older group made in my class at the art center. It was grades 4-8. The kids had a great time. The older ones are so quiet compared to the younger kids! It was crazy! I plan on making my sheet and sending them off to the Holocaust Museum in Huston on Thursday. We will have 35 total to send off. It was a great project and the older kids understood what it was for. The younger kids just think it is great that they are sending some of their art to a museum. Over all a great experience.

dungeon day 1

dungeon day 1
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I started on the dungeon today! The pic is actually just after I'd started removing stuff from the far right shelf that you can't see in this pic. There is more, but this is just what I saw when I got to the entrance. I have almost everything out of the room. Probably a couple more hours and it will be empty except for the huge shelves, my desk, and my sewing table, which I can't take out of the room. The painting will begin after that! I've made the Hubby carry out about 10 tons of trash! It feels so good to purge all this junk that has been holding back my creative space! I can feel the negativity leaving already!

The time has come.

So long ago Aaron (the Hubby) made me a nice little space to craft in the basement. It was all wonderful until the mess crept in! I've tried several times to clean it up and organize and nothing works! It just isn't a usable space right now. It makes me so sad to look at it! I've posted pics of it on here before after I've "organized" it, but it just doesn't work. So I've decided to start over! I'm going to remove everything and put it in another room temporarily while I redo. It is a wonderful space, just needs some improvements. First off, it feels like a dungeon! No windows at all! Dark rafters and this terrible ugly carpet that the Hubby got for free from work. The carpet keeps my feet warm, but it also holds onto things dropped on the floor like pins and needles. I think it is time to remove it and paint the floor. I'll add some rugs in the spots that I stand or sit for long periods of time. It also has 2 giant, hulking storage shelves used to store holiday decor and such. I plan on going through the totes and labeling them. This way I can possibly get everything on one shelf and use the other for my crafty storage for fabric and such. I also plan on painting the ceiling white to brighten it up a bit. I also want to add some color to the small bits of wall you can actually see. I need it to feel a little more like a creative space and less like a dungeon. Here's wishing me luck! I'll post some WIP pics as I go!

Wagons turned homeward.

Wagons turned homeward.
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Well, summer has come and gone and the snow is flying here. What a perfect time to end Roamy Gnomey's Glacier adventure. This will be the last Roamy Gnomey post until he goes on another adventure.
Our final night's stay on vacation was in Three Forks, Montana. We stayed at the little hotel there before driving the rest of the way home the next day. Gnomey was very glad we didn't have to ride in this all the way across Montana! I uploaded one more pic of Gnomey at the Montana state capitol. If you'd like to see him on a big skull giddy up on over!

My 1st Stained Glass

My 1st Stained Glass
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I took a fantastic class at our local college in the adult education area. It was 5 nights to learn how to make a stained glass piece. I even had homework! This piece probably took me about 7 hours total. I'm so proud of it! Playing with glass is a lot of fun! I hope to get to make many more. I may be getting someone's stash of stained glass tools to work with. This pattern just drew me in and after I started picking out the glass I knew it would be fantastic. If you'd like to see a pic of it laying flat jump on over to flickr. I want to try to get a better pic of it in the sun, but that will have to be after the SNOW melts! Uhg!

Bueller....Bueller.....Bueller

Ferris Bueller
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

When I found out that one of the towels I would be embroidering on for the tea towel tour was John Hughs themed I squeeled! My all time fave 80's movie is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I used to torture my family by making them watch it over and over again. I drew up the iconic image of Ferris laying with his hands behind his head and added my fave quote, "Ferris Bueller, you're my hero."
I think John Hughs would be proud!

The Butterfly Project

The Butterfly Project
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I was sent this link by a friend who suggested that I should teach a class at my art center for the kids to make butterflies for the Holocaust Museum in Houston. http://www.hmh.org/minisite/butterfly/index.html
I thought it was such a great idea! I found a butterfly template online and made them for each child. My first group was grades 1-3. They each made 2 butterflies. 1 to take home and 1 to send to the museum. They did many different techniques as well. Watercolor painting, paper collage, stamping, colored pencil, crayon, and marker. The 4 over on the right were made by my Auntie and I as examples of different ways to make your butterflies. Next week I am doing the same class with grades 4-8. I should have about 35 butterflies to send to the museum!

Montana State Capitol

Montana State Capitol
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Oops! I missed Gnomey Sunday again! I was busy baking apple pies from the apples we picked on Saturday!
We stayed a night in Kalispell Montana and then moved on to Helena. (For pics of Gnomey in Kalispell visit flickr.) Right when we got into Helena Gnomey insisted we find the capitol building so he could have his picture taken out front. You may have to squint sort of to see him way up on the hill, but he really wanted me to get the flowers in the pictures.

Bonnie

Bonnie
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is the latest poppet I've made. It was for a personal swap on Craftster. She is in her new home now so I can share! The person wanted a mini version of themself so I tried my best! I think she turned out super cute. She has a pony tail and long bangs, pierced ears, posable fingers with painted nails, painted toenails, and 2 outfits! She also has panties and a strapless bra. I think she turned out pretty sweet. There is a pic of her other outfit on my flickr account.

Happy Fall!

The house is now all clean and tidy! My decorations are getting put out slowly! I normally like to take 1 day and do it all, but between working and stained glass classes I haven't had time to get them all up at once! Someone suggested that I post a couple of pictures of my fave decorations, I think I will when I get the house done. Some of my fave things are hand crafted.
In other news, my stained glass class is a blast! I'm doing a simpler geometric shape to get the hang of cutting the glass and stuff. It is turning out beautifully. I have to grind tonight at class. I'm already looking for the supplies online so I can do some at home after the classes end.
Oh, and on a bit of a bummer I saw SNOWFLAKES today! Uhg! We never get much of a fall, but I'm just hoping to not wake up to a white ground tomorrow! If it snows this early it usually never stays, but seeing snow now will NOT make me happy!
Off to grind some glass! I just keep thinking "Happy Fall"!

Little Pumpkin Girl

Little Pumpkin Girl
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

My latest tea towel tour stitching. I just finished it up last night. I took a vintage Halloween postcard from flickr and drew up this design. It hought it was just too sweet. The owls eyes and my initials will glow in the dark too. I hope ThirdMargaret likes it!
In other Halloween related news, today is cleaning day so I can start to decorate! Halloween is my favorite time of year and I just love to decorate for it! I promised myself (and my hubby) that I'd do a deep cleaning before I put up the decorations this year. Off to get some dirt out of my house!

River Rafting!

River Rafting!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Roamy's adventures continue today with a little tale about our rafting adventure. I wanted to go rafting so badly! My MIL also thought it sounded fun. The guys were chicken! They did end up coming along, but instead of white water rafting we went on a "scenic float". It turned out we went through a couple spots of rapids anyway, which was fun. We didn't have to do any paddling. The guide did it all. It was about a 3 hour float down the Flathead River. Roamy stayed safe and dry tucked into the front of my life jacket. The guide thought it was odd that a gnome wanted to come rafting. It was so pretty and peaceful just floating along the river in a big boat. Until I got splashed with water! When I got out of the boat it looked like I had wet my pants! As always there are 2 more Roamy Gnomey pics on flickr!

Another TTT5 Stitching

Day Of The Dead Lady
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is the Day of the Dead lady I stitched on Zombie_Queen's towel. I made her to match the gentleman that lilyvanilli had already stitched up. Lily found the large headed man on wikipedia. I couldn't find the matching lady so I took the original lady that I had already stitched up and altered the pattern. Did some drawing, tracing, and re drawing and came up with this. I love how it turned out and they match perfectly. I'm also proud that I used metallic floss! I bought some thread heaven and it makes the metallic floss a dream to work with! I used it for the seed stitching to fill in the dress. Gives it a great bit of sparkle. Her shoes are also metallic black to look like patent leather.
I'm stitching something Halloween inspired on the new towel I got. What fun! Can't wait to share.

Art Fest Was A Hit

Art Fest went well on Saturday. We made a killing at the art auction! My doll went for $65 to my Grama of course! I hope to have some pics of the art fest soon. I was too busy to take pics, but a friends son took some and he is going to email them to me soon. The vendors all had good days as well. I think many of them will return for next year. I bought a fantastic bracelet from one and a necklace made my the aids women from Uganda. I got heat exhaustion. It was terrible, but I survived. Lesson learned for next year; take time to sit down out of the sun!

Gnomey at Lake McDonald

Gnomey at Lake McDonald
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I missed yesterday so Roamy's adventure's are a day late!
Here is Roamy Gnomey at Lake McDonald. It is a huge lake. So pretty and serene. We had a fantastic BBQ by the lake this day for supper. There are pics of Roamy with his meal on my flickr. I like to call this pic "little Gnome, big lake."

JMAC Art Fest!

Sunflower Art
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I've been working like crazy to get our local art center's art fest to be a big deal this year. We were in danger of loosing it because of poor turnout last year. This year my wonderful committee has managed to turn it all around! We will have 24 vendors of different art and ethnic food. We will be having a live auction for the sunflower themed art as well. That part of the art fest has always made us a nice amount of money. With the wonderful variety we have had this year I think we'll make a good amount. The picture isn't all of the pieces, but a pretty good over veiw and all that I could fit into the frame. The next few days for me will be super busy. I have a taping for the local news tomorrow, a normal board meeting on Thursday, Friday night we are marking out booth spots at the park and getting tables and chairs ready to haul, and Saturday morning is set up and show time! I'm so excited and nervous as well! Here's hoping for a sunny day, lots of art buyers, and fun for all!

Waiting for the boat

Waiting for the boat
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Gnomey waited for the boat on the shore of Two Medicine Lake. We took the boat across to hike to see Twin Falls (pic on Flickr). Gnomey was ready to see our next cabin we were to stay in. It rained on the boat ride back. Gnomey was so glad to see the next cabin! I swore it looked like a garden shed with a bathroom, but he thought it was just right! Go figure!

All Hell's Gone To Hell

All Hell's Gone To Hell
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is my first design for the TTT5! I stitched this on Lilyvanilli's towel. Her theme was words. I chose the saying "all hell's gone to hell". A very wise, be it intoxicated, friend uttered this in a moment of frustration and we all latched on to it. It has become somewhat of a catch phrase. I drew the pin up and banner looking at reference pics of Sailor Jerry art online. He didn't have any devil girls that I could find so I made my own in his style. The only thing I didn't draw was the lettering. I used stencils for that. Look for my next designs on the TTT!

Love Is Shrine

Love Is Shrine
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I'm so proud of this! It is my first go at a large shrine. I made it for the IYP swap. I'm very new to paper crafting, but this was so much fun to make. I see many more shrines in my future. I distressed a plain shadow box. I also hand tinted the heart image. I made the nest from some crafting grape vine I had laying around here. The wings are feathers from a pheasent we ate last year. I watercolored the rainbow on a dictionary page. If you look under the left wing you can see the word Sapphire, that is why I choose that page. My partner's online name is TheSapphireMoon. I made the candles as well. The egg is real. My hubby's grandparents raise chickens of all kinds and they have some banty hens that lay tiny eggs! Perfect for my projects. Anyway, as you can tell I'm super happy with how this came out and can't wait to get started on my next shrine.

AlwaysInspired's House Of Whimsies

AlwaysInspired's House Of Whimsies
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Here is my whimsy jar I received in the swap on Craftster. Isn't it cool? It was chock full of goodies too. Tons of reclaimed jewlery bits, paper goodies, and plastic flotsam! How I love whimsies!

Running Eagle Falls

Running Eagle Falls
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I'm a day late posting Roamy Gnomey's adventures for this week, but I was off camping! This is Roamy at Running Eagle Falls. It was a wonderful hike and such a great falls at the end. Two other Roamy pics are up on Flickr as well.

MMMM wanna bite?

MMMM wanna bite?
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I made this cake box for the jar of whimsies swap on Craftster. My partner received so I can share! It looks good enough to eat right? If you want to see more pics hop on over to my flickr. I have a top view and an open shot there.