Calamity Kim

A Year of Chairs

A Year of Chairs, originally uploaded by lucyellen06.

from my friend Lucinda.
She takes the chair and quilts it into artful images that evoke memories of sitting in thoughtful solitude while daydreaming, eyes wandering off toward window vistas filled with birds singing and carrying on their wormy work a day.
I love small chairs- tiny chairs- wooden and metal chairs...I hang them on walls and make dolls perch on high- looking down from their towers so serene and magical..
I love the way she has pieced these bits of fabric, building sturdy, safe chairs to sit, ankles crossed, busy hands making new quilts; needle to cloth...
chairs with worn arms where loving hands gently soothed the grains into place while sighing, hands careworn and wrinkled with age...
small red chairs painted with flowers and seats of woven rush, small, quick, impatient hands grabbing the arms and dragging it to the toy box where books are buried deep in the dark downs...
chairs as different as the people who own them...
as different as the people who sit on them...
gathered together to celebrate...
a year of chairs...

look what I found on Flickr...

Picture 950, originally uploaded by Vintage by Crystal.

Just popping in to say that I feel better everyday and will be back soon with more crafty goodness...

Beware: Sneezing, Vampires and Ramblings Ahead!

For the last few weeks, I have been dragging and pulling 2008 by the arm, outta my house and down the sidewalk and toward the fence-
 It's hanging on tight with both hands on a gate post and even with my feet square in it's back I can't seem to shove it out the gate, fast enough, to make room for 2009!
Yes, dear Reader, I want a new year!
Don't we all?
A chance to begin again, artistically and spiritually, with renewed vigor and enthusiasm for creating things to brighten the world and spread Joy. Maybe give some comfort- which would imply larger quilts or some knitting on my part, eh?
I do have a plan for this Blog to become a place to view my work- somewhat like a virtual gallery- filled with images of aprons, handbags, pincushions, dolls, needle felted items and maybe a quilted book cover or doll quilt too!
The challenge of just making an apron, a handbag and a pincushion each week sounds heavenly to me- focusing on a priority instead of being so all-over-the-place, like a container of beads spilled on the floor- sometimes I don't have the energy to follow through and I get bogged down in daily domestics and don't have the time to work on anything.
This new beginning will allow me to finish up projects that are long overdue and then get to the new stuff- like Wizard of Oz aprons and Yeti purses and Wilbur pincushions!
*sigh
I have been gone- I went to visit my son and then we took a whirlwind trip up to Ga to visit my parents and then went back to Tallahassee and then came home in time for Christmas with the Mr.
I wish I could be the rest of the family in Tn and Pa but that will have to wait until next year.
We don't always get what we want, but I do get what I need and I am content with my new books, needle felting supplies, a new pink laptop and some new clothes. I have been reading the Charlaine Harris books about Sookie Stackhouse and her vampire (and were) adventures in Bon Temps, Louisiana. I just finished book 8 and in some ways it was the best. I won't spoil it by saying what happens, but Sookie grows up through the series and learns a lot about human and vampire nature. You care about her and her friends in this well written and easy to read series. The True Blood HBO series is based on these books and I look forward to the next season of shows.
***I had read all of Laurell K Hamilton's Amanda Blake Vampire series also, and you can't compare them, really, because the Amanda Blake books take a dramtic turn towards less zombie raising (she is a  necromancer)at the cemetary and more sex in the bedroom (how many times can you describe it Laurell? It gets a little old after a while- she is so conflicted- please! blah, blah, blah- ) I won't read another one I can tell you!
The Sookie Stackhouse books have an interesting landscape of vampires, werewolves, werepanthers, witches, shapeshifters and you become very involved in helping Sookie sort out her endless adventures with all these creatures while just trying to deal with her mind reading ability (due to some fairy blood in her gene pool) and be a waitress in a little bar.
You never know what will walk out from the woods surrounding her home and if it's going to be nice to Sookie or cause her to grab the nearest stake and defend herself!
I read them on the trip and once I got home,  I only needed the eighth book and after fnding it at the library- I found another copy at the G-will while searching for wool sweaters! That's the sure sign that I need to read it- at least to me- when it's at the G-will, just waiting for me!
I picked up a bug somewhere and haven't felt well enough to do anything else except lay down and read or complain to anyone who will listen, so I wasn't writing here either- you know when your eyes hurt when you look at the sunshine and you don't have any energy? That's a pretty bad feeling and I hope to feel better each morning but it may take a few more days before I am back to my old self- or maybe my new 2009 self!!!
I have a few art books to share with you and will do that soon- I just wanted to let you know how it's going here at Calamity Kim Central- aaaahhhhhhchooooooo!
its nice to sneeze and wheeze and cough and ugh...I really don't feel so good.
I gotta go take something and then get a nice warm shower and try to rally for the Surface Design Play day is today...
maybe I can make myself work on something and get back in the groove...
did I tell you I also read Tales of Despereaux and loved it with all my heart? What a wonderful book that is!
Now I am ready to go see the movie!
I started Inkheart also and The Book of  Lost Things too-
I have books all over the house!
 Too bad I don't have any new pictures to show...
here comes another sneeze-
I love ya and I hope you are all well and happy and content with your Holiday bounty...
I'll be back in a few more days when I can hold my head up...
Pass the kleenex!
xxxooo,
calamity kim

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Twelve Tourists Taking Pictures,
Eleven Seminoles Tailgating,
Ten Sharks A Swimming,
 Nine Sandy Flip-Flops,
Eight Beach Balls Bouncing,
Seven Surfers Surfing,
Six Hibiscus Blooming,
Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
Three Sandpipers running,
Two Seagulls Snacking
and a Flamingo In A Palm Tree.

Bottle tree that I saw on Flickr

Bottle tree that Mike made for Eileen, originally uploaded by hayley + thayer.

Merry Christmas!

Bottle Tree (Austin, TX)

Bottle Tree (Austin, TX), originally uploaded by PATierney.

Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Eleventh Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Eleven Seminoles Tailgating,
Ten Sharks A Swimming,
Nine Sandy Flip-Flops,
Eight Beach Balls Bouncing,
 Seven Surfers Surfing,
Six Hibiscus Blooming,
Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
Three Sandpipers running,
 Two Seagulls Snacking
and a Flamingo In A Palm Tree.

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Tenth Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Ten Sharks A Swimming,
Nine Sandy Flip-Flops,
Eight Beach Balls Bouncing,
Seven Surfers Surfing,
Six Hibiscus Blooming,
Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
Three Sandpipers running,
 Two Seagulls Snacking
 and a Flamingo In A Palm Tree.

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Ninth Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Nine Sandy Flip-Flops,
Eight Beach Balls Bouncing,
Seven Surfers Surfing,
Six Hibiscus Blooming,
Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
Three Sandpipers running,
Two Seagulls Snacking
and a Flamingo In A Palm Tree.

Try

Yesterday I had a million things to do;
 finishing up-books back to library, oil changed in the car, gas in tank, picking up, putting back, packing up.
Today I put bag in freshly washed monster and hop in big red beast to roll down the road to a different place.
I've been there before, but Map Quest guides me again.

At the end of the year I always look back and relive the months,
ticking them off one by one, large glaring holes absent with memory, like a brain carved from a block of swiss cheese or maybe one of those candles we used to make with ice.
Remember heating the wax, pouring it into the milk carton filled with ice? The wax hardened to create a candle with holes and caverns- interesting but not very practical.

That's the way my brain is- if you were telepathic and could overhear my thoughts you would quickly get out the silly putty and start plugging those empty spots.
Has it become atrophied from disuse?
Do I need a suduko book of puzzles to exercise the flabby gray matter that only concerns itself with what to make next?
Little happy crafter kimmie, on to the new year...full of promise and clean slates...
I used to think deep thoughts and ponder them here, then so many people were reading over my shoulder that I soon simplified it down to the basic, cold, uncaring craft project recital.
Look at me!
Look at what I made!
I did this!
Mememe
well, isn't that what Blogs are for?
I read back and see that I am fluff and lacking in substance. Like a quilt purchased at Ubermart; no texture, no contrast, no intoxicating design or unique originality.
Or so I feel, as I write this.
 I know, I know.
I show cool stuff and wake you each day with something funky - or try to anyway.
But what of next year?
The year of the 3 things.
3 things I love to make doesn't include dolls and doll quilts.
It's all about:      Aprons
                             Handbags
                             Pincushions
I am plotting and planning and am taking my blank notebook with me to jot down ideas as they race through my noggin as I drive. Something about flying through space- travel- that conjures up visions of creative endeavor.
I want to make.
I want to do.
I want to share.

I want to let down the ladder of my fort,  in the tree,  tempting you with bits of colored yarn, bowls of buttons and sequins that sparkle and shine.
I want to bake cupcakes filled with sunflower seeds and peanut butter to feed the squirrels who happen by.
I want you to suspend your disbelief and see elves and hear the music of the gnomes as they whistle while we work.

A new year ahead.
lets lift our faces to the stars and say thank you.
it can be what we want if we work hard and just try.
try to reuse, repurpose, recycle.
try to be creative everyday and feed our souls with beauty and color.
try to treat people the way we want to be treated- with kindness, patience and compassion.
try to stay focused and on track until the projects are done and the glitter is swept up and everything put back neatly until next time.
try to say hello instead of looking the other way.
try to spare a dime
try to color what is gray
2009 the year of trying not crying
hope springs eternal
try

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Eighth Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Eight Beach Balls Bouncing,
Seven Surfers Surfing,
Six Hibiscus Blooming,
Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
Three Sandpipers running,
Two Seagulls Snacking
 and a Flamingo In A Palm Tree.

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Seventh Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Seven Surfers Surfing,
 Six Hibiscus Blooming,
Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
Three Sandpipers running,
Two Seagulls Snacking
and a Flamingo in a palm tree!
 

Catherine Martinez with her mad surfin skillz!!!!

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Sixth Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Six Hibiscus Blooming,
 Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
 Three Sandpipers running,
 Two Seagulls Snacking
and a Flamingo In A Palm Tree.

"A Lovely Afternoon at Hart Hill Farm"

"A Lovely Afternoon at Hart Hill Farm", originally uploaded by lucyellen06.

Lucinda finally received her doll quilt and I can finally show it to you.
I printed some of her photos on silk and wasn't sure it was what I wanted but in the end it worked and she likes it and that's all that matters!

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Fifth Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Five Golden Tans,
Four Alligators Napping,
 Three Sandpipers running,
Two Seagulls Snacking
and a Flamingo In A Palm Tree.

cereal killer

You know it's time to go to the grocery store when you run out of Rice Dream and you have to put eggnog on your cereal.
I know you want to hear all about Atomic Holiday Bazaar- and I want you to know it was a BLAST!!! But, I have to go run some errands and rest up a little- I seem to be worn out and there is still much to do before I can sit still long enough to write about the show...
It was raining and now, suddenly, the sun is out!
Still Bazaar today, eh?

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Fourth Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
Four Alligators Napping,
Three Sandpipers running,
Two Seagulls Snacking
and a Flamingo in a palm tree.

Christmas Wallhanging

Christmas Wallhanging, originally uploaded by pumpkin cupcake.

Hope your day is Merry & Bright!

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Third Day Of Christmas,
 My True Love Gave To Me:
 Three Sandpipers running,
 Two Seagulls Snacking,
 and a Flamingo in a Palm Tree.

12 Days of Christmas in Florida

On The Second Day Of Christmas My True love gave to me:
 Two seagulls snacking, and a flamingo in a palm tree.

Hamster without a name...

I should have explained...I thought I could sneak some pets over here and no one would notice...a girl gets lonely sometimes and needs a few pets to make her feel loved and needed...the hamster is running on his wheel- he gets hungry- he's an emotional eater, like me...just put your curser on his cage and click a few times to drop some pellets...he'll munch and take a drink of water and then he'll hop back on his wheel after while...then you can feed the fish and maybe even the frog way down there at the bottom of the sidebar... check out aBowman to see all the critters and games they have in widget form to add to your blog, facebook or myspace...

The 12 Days of Christmas In Florida

On the First Day of Christmas,
My True love Gave To Me:
                                                A Flamingo in a palm tree.

making flower fairies

making flower fairies, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

I have been water coloring the white floral leaves for days and putting the fairies together for Atomic- I will put some in Etsy if I have any left over.

Surface Design Guild of Sarasota Welcomes The Holidays!

Oh what a glorious week of festivities I'm having!
Tuesday night was our Surface Design Guild Holiday Party and we had a brief meeting and then enjoyed all the various dishes that everyone brought- from meatballs to brownies it was wonderful!
Everyone was supposed to bring an ornament also to display and I was too late to get a snapshot of the spider (made from beads) on a wire web,  but I did get pics of a few.

These were beaded and then draped over the frosted glass balls-
they were so lovely and elegant.
My friend Cheryl made the peace crane ornament- she is so creative and I love her crane mobiles (which will be available at The Atomic Holiday Bazaar this Sunday) made from water colored junk mail and magazine inserts.
There was a variety of different ornaments and I wish I had taken my pictures sooner- I could have shared more-
The snowman was made by my friend Laura and she used the clover pompom maker that helps you make perfect pompoms in several sizes- isn't he darling?
I love him!
 The fabric house was made by Judy and I just loved the wrapped binding- she sewed the layers of top and bottom fabric with batting in between and then wrapped the edges and stitched them all together- very cool!
It was stuffed with love and fiberfill.
Each side was a bit different and I really thought the yoyo flowers looked great!
My hasty pictures don't do these sweet ornaments justice- I was in a hurry, and full of meatballs and creampuffs so I might have been a little shaky! I should have taken pictures first but I didn't think people would be leaving so soon!
If you live in Sarasota or close enough to do the drive, our Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm at the Fire station on Waldemere behind Wendys, right off of hwy 41. Look for the hospital and it's the street directly across from it.
The Surface Design Group is about embellishment, I suppose, and our members do so many different forms of Art & Craft that it's difficult to explain. I often say anything that can be done to alter the surface of anything else- that pretty much includes everything from beadwork, painting, stitching, knitting, felting, embroidery, well you get the picture!
If you would like to join us,  we would be delighted to have you visit us. Our next get together is a Play Day on Sunday, Dec 28th at 1 pm and our next regular meeting will be January 13th at 6pm.
The Play days are when we get to do whatever project has been demonstrated at a meeting. January's program will be Dimensional Art and we will be learning some simple techniques to create beautiful 3 -D painted designs on glass, fabric or wood.
Email me at [email protected] if you need more information or would like to join.
I need to get back to making stuff for Atomic Holiday Bazaar- y'all have a nice day, y' hear! ( Sorry, I just saw Paula Deen on the Bonnie Hunt Show and I can't stop the southern twang from coming out!)
Good Lord!
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim
ps: we have a tornado watch! Look out Oz- we might be headed your way!

Sticks and Stones 6-12" mini quilt

6-12" mini quilt, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

The Mini Quilt Swap Group on Flickr has several categories for the theme each month- either Plain Jane (I am not ) so I always choose the "other" category and this time the theme was: Words.
Of course Sticks and Stones came to mind first off and I put the background tree fabric with an embroidered piece from Lucinda and scanned that and then put it in Flickr to add the text and then printed it on fabric.
I use my HP Photosmart 8250 to print on to June Taylor Colorfast fabric that can be found at Joann's or Walmart or online.
I appliqued the stones and then stuffed them trapunto style by cutting a small slit in the back and filling with stuffing. After layering it with batting I machine stitched around the piece and finally I bound it using a wrap stitch with perle cotton.
I will probably not get to the Post Office today, but tomorrow and it will be on it's way to a gal in Canada! 

Please use the link above to check out the Group pool of pictures at Flickr- lots of wonderful, tiny quilted blocks!

***

Last night was the Christmas party at the Surface Design Group and it was great fun! I have a few photos to share so check back later, I have to get over to Knit & Bitch for now!!!
Y'all have a great day!
love & stitches,
Calamity Kim

a new mermaid

a new mermaid, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Early this morning I was walking along the beach, when I thought I heard someone crying.
I walked until I came upon this tiny little mermaid, all alone and grieving, beside a long abandoned wooden boat.
I knelt down beside and her and said- sweet maiden from the sea, why are you so sad?
And she looked up into my eyes and said- I had a dream that my tail fell off and I grew legs and could never again swim like a fish and dive deep down into the beautiful water to search for pearls and glow in the dark fish!
I assured her that it was just a dream, because her tail was right there and offered to carry her back to the water, for low tide had left her high and dry, almost in the dunes.
She waved good bye and said I'll look for you in days to come and her splash let me know she was gone- diving deep into the sea...
wish I had a tail I thought as I walked back along the shore...
hearing a sweet song, just off in the distance....

Feeling Felty? Warm and Wooly? Felt Like Making Wool? Keeping Reading For More Calamity Cornballs like these...

Last night before going to bed, I researched felting vessels on the internet and then promptly dreamed of making felt all night long! I woke up several times to go to the bathroom, having drank way too much water during the day ( I guess?) and each time I woke remembering my dreams.
I feel tired and I've only just begun today!
Yesterday, I walked around the American Craft Council Art Show with my friends and we had a wonderful time- we all appreciate Art & Craft and it was great fun to have people who are as enthusiastic about handmade as I am!
My "art place in my head" was full to over-flowing with creative input and after I got home and we ate I tried to nap.
 I felt so tired, and yet excited by all the unique and original ideas I had seen at the show.
 I want to felt some vessels and even as I looked for tutorials online I thought- what am I going to do with them? If I continue to diversify my work I will never get anywhere because it just scatters me,  to add more and more to my already heaping plate of crafty goodness!
But, I have an overwhelming urge to explore this medium again- I used to wet felt back in the 80's and 90's when I wove baskets and I cut it into strips to weave with.

There were weaving shops around here then that supplied roving, and basket materials and now I have to order it online.
The wool, that is! I rarely feel like making a basket these days but with the advent of needlefelting and my embellisher machine- it certainly seems
 like the sky is the limit!
We saw felt jackets and scarves yesterday that were as light as cotton batting and very wearable- even in Florida.
 I only asked one artist if I could take pictures and I have used them to illustrate this post.
 Rebecca Welsh, part of the Hansard Welsh Design team graciously allowed me to photograph her space displaying work by her and her partner Lesley Hansard. I loved the "blooming vines" and small birds and flower pins. I couldn't afford them, but I sure appreciate the work involved to turn the raw wool into works of art like these.

Today I will be at Picasso Moon again until closing and then tomorrow and the rest of the week I will be cranking out the ornaments and paper dolls for the Atomic Holiday Bazaar Cavalcade of Crafty Chaos that happens Dec 14th at the Sarasota Municpal Auditorium on hwy 41 Noon to 6 pm! Be there or be square, baby!

Felt Like A Mongolian

Just doing some research on felting and came across this at You tube- What would it be like to spend your day making felt this way?

how does your garden grow?

how does your garden grow?, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

After my Dad retired from the Army we moved back to Black Mountain, NC, where my Mom was born and raised. My Grandfather had large gardens where he grew corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, peas and the dreaded okra.
I can remember long days hoeing and filling the wheelbarrow with rocks, weeds and other debris from the garden and how the sharp edges of the corn leaves would cut me as I went down each row, breaking off sucker plants from the base of each plant, looking for any bugs to be pinched as well.
Of course all that hard work was always rewarded with some sweet tea or a piece of my Grandma's cobbler or custard pie.
Fred and I were having breakfast at Word of Mouth the other day and he ordered grits and I suddenly remembered that's what we used to call the boys who were a bit sunburned on the neck. Grits! I giggled and told him but,  he didn't really get what was funny about it- after all he is a geek, not a true grit!
I am a long way from NC and the garden now, and sometimes I really wish that's where I was- living in Black Mountain with the 7 Sisters Mountain range all around you is like the safe arms of a Mother when you are an orphan.
Florida seems so flat to me at times because of those memories. Unless I go to the beach and then the joy of the water makes me so happy and content, I feel quite at home.

Home is where the heart is and I believe that.
My heart is with this little girl setting down her wheelbarrow filled with posies ready for the ground.
I am fairly certain that this quilt is finished. Sometimes I work on them so long that I lose all sense of perspective! Maybe Lu can add some more embroidery if she wants- I like the idea of that- she can add her own touches to make it more personal. A button from her Grandmother's jewelry box, a memento from one of her daughter's childhood days...
Doesn't everyone of us have a small box of treasured items that would be so much better on display where we can see them and allow their memories to perfume the air with the scent of days gone by?
My Grandmother smelled of rosewater and I always associate that smell with her. Even as I write this, I think about the flowers in her garden and the huge hydrangea that grew between the house and the garage my Grandfather built.
My nostalgic trip down memory lane is always during the Summertime of my youth- rarely during the winter- maybe things don't smell as much when you are so cold!

Anyway, I am taking some pictures of this whole quilt and then it will be off into the postage system to it's new home in upstate NY. It feels so good to be finished.

A sigh of relief.
There's still the other I owe her from the 4 Way Swap- I am working on it today- 

***
This weekend we have the American Craft Council Show here in Sarasota and I am going tomorrow- I can't wait! I hope there is some good stuff! I know there will be- there must be- its all Art & Handcrafted so it's bound to have something breathtaking!
I will take pictures if they allow it- you never know until you ask.
So Happy Saturday and I hope you are all having a wonderfully creative day!
If not, get that laundry done and then go entertain your muse- she is like a living thing that must be fed, watered and loved in order to produce the maximum amount of inspiration and creative juice.
Be kind to yourselves and everyone around you will benefit from that happier you!
I recently found this quote:
There are two ways of spreading light:
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Wisely said by Edith Wharton
So, whether you are the candle or the mirror- just shine today and push the darkness back to the corners where it belongs.
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Happy Thurday!

Agatha Barnswallow and The Desert Rose Tea Cup, originally uploaded by calamity kim.

Just a quick note to say hello- what are you doing today?
I am hand stitching the final touches on a doll quilt.
Have a great and creative day!
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Flower Fairy Factory opens in Sarasota!

Good Morning!
Happy Dec 3rd!!!
Yesterday I started up the old fairy Factory and started painting wooden beads to make heads and I used the last 4 made in Japan heads that I had to create some new flower fairies.

I used to be able to buy white leaves in the wedding dept at Michael's but now they only stock green. I tea dye the white chenille wire and the leaves and then glitter them up after twisting them together. edited to add: I just founds some at Hobby Lobby and ordered a whole bunch! They are lovely when watercolored! Yeehaw!!! I'm doing the happy dance for white leaves!
I love the aged, vintage look- well, you know that, right?
The green leaves aren't too bad- very forest friends like!
I think they are so cute! I keep saying that, as I make them- talking to each one saying: Hello, cutie! You are so sweet! and they just giggle back at me!
I painted a bunch of beads but they need a second coat and then their features and a top coat of satin varnish. I also made some cupcakes to take to Knit & Bitch- with marshmallow flowers.
I was thrilled to have a new book in my mailbox when I got home yesterday too! Mixed Mania by Debbie Crane and Cheryl Prater. I have a paper doll on page 122!
I was invited by the authors to be in the gallery of the book and used a Cyndi Lauper album cover to create my paper doll. I cut her out and then used the album to make her apron- it was fun and the album melts easily with the heat gun normally used for embossing.
I could cut it with scissors too while it was still warm and the "wax" record waved nicely just like a skirt/apron would if she was dancing!
I added a beaded tulle skirt underneath for color and she had a fabric dress on underneath the apron.
 I am taking the book to Picasso Moon today to show the girls and will read more of it and review it soon- I think it has some excellent projects inside- especially the quilted book and art quilt and the cute little cottage cards that look like houses!
 I must say thank you to Debbi and Cheryl and Interweave Press for inviting me to be in the book- it sure has been a long wait- I can't imagine the Joy that they must feel over this accomplishment! I'm really proud of them!
I need to get going so I'll leave you with another look at the flower fairies...
 have a great day!
 Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Spilling the glitter...

As I stare down at my keyboard, gathering my thoughts I notice how smooth the center of the keys have become...worn by my constant tapping...I hear the sound of the garbage truck outside and catch a glimpse of the squirrels chasing each other round the tree out back and think about today- ahead of me still- what will the day bring?

I used to do lots of tutorials here and I haven't for a while-
I have been doing the doll quilts  and can't spoil the surprise, so I haven't shared them...
Next year I will start of fresh with at least 3 projects a week- and then I will list them in Etsy.
An Apron.
A Quilted Bag.
A Pincushion.
I am trying to get all my projects finished by the end of this year so just bear with me while I work towards that goal-

I am going to make a few chenille wire glitter fairies and for Atomic and I might make a tut for them-
we'll see- maybe today or Friday....
I need to check my glitter stock- I just bought some more red and aqua
MS from Michaels...

I used glass glitter on the ones I made last year and I got cut up a little bit- it's pretty and old fashioned authentic but it hurts!
Crafts shouldn't hurt- right?
I need to get cracking on some ornaments for Amy Lyons swap too...
so busy! so much to do!!!
anyway... happy Dec 2nd!
Get that glue gun hot and start spilling that glitter, cowgirls!
Love & Stitches,
Calamity Kim

Felt like a rose

This incredibly lovely scarf is made by Jenne Giles of Harlequinfeltworks and I just had to share it with you- I would love to have one of these if only I lived in a climate that I could wear it! It is made in the "nuno" wet-felting style, which uses both wool and silk chiffon, binding them together by the use of heat and agitation. Here is her Etsy site.

 I was going to say that I had a great weekend- very busy! I went to Kinko's and enlarged some of the patterns in Vicki's book and then went to see Twilight by myself on Sat. It was exactly like the book! The special effects were pretty good and "Edward" warmed up to me- his eyes are pretty but I really pictured him in my mind as more handsome- but the actor did a great job- they both did, really.

Yesterday, I went to an antique sale at the Rusty Spur with a friend and then had a nice lunch before going to Play Day at our Surface Design Guild. It was nice (except for my constant hot flashes making me sweaty and uncomfortable) to be with my friends and watch everyone else making stuff. I worked on doll quilts and I finally finished Laura's doll quilt and will get it mailed today!Now, just Lucinda's and the small 6-12" mini swap which is almost finished and I can move on to other things- The Atomic Holiday Bazaar show is Dec 14th at the Municipal Auditorium and then after that I will be working on some mermaid stuff for a shop in Ellenton and then once the new year begins I will be focusing on an apron, a purse and a pincushion each week. I can't wait!

so- here is a  sneak peek of Laura's quilt-

it's on it's way to Canada!-

Happy Monday of another busy week!

Let's get back to work!

xxxooo

Calamity Kim