Creepy Ornament Party + Cute Doxies!

We got a late start on our annual tradition of creating ornaments this year. At last count, we were going to make one for each of our 8 years together. Last year we made a blue bird, fried chicken drumstick, pink snuggie, christmas tree, star, and yellow popple. For other people, I made a fly fishing vest, a leopard snuggie and a candy cane.

Our good pals came over last night for pizza, ornament making and eggnog spiked with Snap liquor. Mike rounded out our count of 8 ornaments with the creepiest elf ever (and boyfriend to Shona's scary ornament), and a sweet pink and white candy cane. Olivia made a cute ornament of her greyhound Salty, and inspired me to make canine ornaments for my cousins in NYC.

They have 2 rescue daschunds named Mr. and Mrs. Beasley. I adore my cousins and the dogs, so thought they deserved their own ornaments. Mr. B had a health scare too, so I thought this could cheer them up a bit.

Here are their names with some holly (inspired by ornaments my Mom and Godmother made with felt back in the 70s!).

And the back! I will not lie. I am damn proud of these ornaments. The colors are lovely, and they're just so cute!

I may have a few more ornaments left in me this year. Here's hoping!

Oh, and the fourth member of our group made his own creepy ornament to put Mike's to shame. It may have been my idea, to commemorate a Halloween costume that our friend made to document the trash and chicken bones that are constantly littering our street...

Ah, Christmas cheer!

Quilt for Gavin

The last thing on my 2009 To-Do List was to make a quilt for my friend's new baby. He was due January 1st, but arrived a little early, healthy and gorgeous.

This was the perfect opportunity to use a portion of the giant Box O' Fabric from Heather Ross. I love her fabrics, and they're perfect for new babies. No pastels for these artist parents!



A little bit of washing.



A little bit of drying. Some cutting and a lot of ironing. I kept it simple, and made 6" x 6" squares, 4" wide strips and 2.5" strips. Then I ironed it fastidiously, but didn't agonize over uneven lines. You know that I'm a lazy quilter!



I wanted to make sure that the colors were not all lumped together, especially with the squares. The strips were put together more haphazardly. I have a tendency to put certain colors together, so tried to break it up a bit.

I made it on the generous side, clocking in at 45" x 60". The front is pieced together with a thick batting and soft chocolate brown fleece. The green cordury edges are not perfect, but the new mama is not one to notice. So I let it go and didn't worry about it. Plus, I had a deadline! I was co-hosting the baby shower with friends.



She loved it, and I'm really happy with the results. The baby is using it already, I hear!



Happy New Year, by the way! Wishing you all health and happiness for 2010. Twenty Ten? Veinte Diez? Whatever you'd like to call it...

Fried Chicken Ornaments

Last year, Mike and I started an annual tradition of creating handmade ornaments for each other for Christmas. This year, I started early by ordering a sixty color mini bundle of felt from Lupin Handmade.



We started off normally. Mike made a Christmas tree ornament for our Christmas tree. I made something that I fondly remember. My yellow Popple stuffed animal from 1985. Andrew and I both had one, and they were the best toy. The Popple ornament has a seam on the back (for it's head to pop out), and a miniature pom-pom that I made with tufts of yarn in my stash. Though small, it was a mighty effort! Ha.



Then things just got silly. The big stash of felt started to beckon us. "What is ridiculous that needs to be made out of felt? I have your perfect color right here!"

Uh, obviously a pink Snuggie ornament had to be made. Mike bought one for me as a joke for my birthday. It is not perfect for an outdoor sporting event, by the way, because my butt would freeze! That is why I will be developing the "Snoncho" in 2010. That's right, it will be a poncho with sleeves, and perhaps a beer cozy. I cannot wait to act in my own infomercial.



Mike crafted a Frankenstein-looking fried chicken leg. I love it.



We've also decided to make up for the past 8 Christmases where we did not partake in this tradition. Hilarity to surely ensue... Our new fake tree loves us.

White Nest

When I was in school for interior design, we had grueling schedules.  One semester consisted of four all-nighters per week.  Needless to say, us students truly bonded.  

One of my closest friends in the program was Meg.  Completely talented, dedicated, detail oriented, and humble and fun as heck.  She's an uber-successful designer these days in Chicago, but also keeps up with her crafting.    

I just found out that she opened White Nest on Etsy.  Meg  combiness her attention to detail, excellent craftsmanship and refined taste to create these gorgeous and understated pillows.  

I really love the geometric design in the top one, and the subtle colors.  (I know that Marissa and "subtle colors" don't tend to go together, but my tastes are changing slowly).  

The flock of birds is cute. I like how it is a looser graphic of the birds, rather than so detailed.  It can read as a pattern or be a literal interpretation.

And lastly, stripes with a slight pop of her signature color, hot pink.  This is a classy lady who included a monochromatic candy bar at her wedding, complete with jars of hot pink sweets.

So go check her out, and tell her I sent you!  I realize that my opinion is completely biased, but trust me, she's truly that amazing!


P.S. Meg, you need a blog.  Get on it, girl.

Do Gigantic Alligators and Toddlers Mix?

Something about being Aunt Merce to the cutest two year old boy in existence just makes me want to give him outlandish things to play with. Toys like the giant fabric snake my Grandma Craine got me when I was 11. Impractical, but awesome and completely memorable.

Enter a huge scrap of bright green soft corduroy that was not used for Axl Rose stenciled tote bags for two friends. What can one do with 35 square feet of green fabric?

Originally, I thought that a giant stuffed alligator (with a non-scary grill of course) would be a wonderful present. But that would be extremely cumbersome and could possibly frighten the cutest boy in the world. Perhaps giant toys will wait until he's four.

After all, I don't want to be the well meaning lady who gives her granddaughter a clown shaped hamper with pointy diamond eyes which needed to be stuffed in the closet each night before said granddaughter could go to sleep. And lets face it...I still knew that clown was in there, plotting to kill me if any of the barriers of pillows fell off the bed!

I loved that my Grandma Huber bought it for me though. She was pretty amazing.

So, the 35 square feet of green fabric will turn into a Christmas tree skirt. Mike is using his crazy math skills that relate to art to create a perfect circle. Thank goodness that man is creative and handy and can destash some fabric for me!

I think we can settle on an eighteen inch tiny and happy baby gator instead.

P.S. When I say 18 inches, I do not mean 18 feet, which would be the exact opposite of the miniature Stonehenge in one of my favorite movies, Spinal Tap.

P.P.S. Merce is my nickname with high school friends. It's the way my name sounds when said lazily by a good friend with a thick Puerto Rican accent. It's my favorite nickname.

Box of Sunbeams + Rainbows

Remember how I entered Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing Design Challenge last month? Well my entry won! It really made my week. It was a fun challenge, and there were so many wonderful entries. The prize she had offered was a box of fabric and a copy of her new book, Weekend Sewing.



As my family knows from getting presents returned to them, my street and packages requiring signatures are opposing countries in a hundred year war. The mail that does make it, such as certificates stating my achievement as a LEED AP, arrive folded in half on the floor. So you can imagine my surprise when the stars aligned and I was home on the final attempt that the package was delivered. It was a Saturday. I don't even want to think of how embarrassing it would have been to have it sent back.

It was a simple Fed-Ex box. Matte brown, undamaged, unremarkable. I stared for a moment in anticipation before opening it, then ripped that box wide open. The contents were amazing. And it kept pouring out of the box in neatly folded piles in big ziploc bags. I can't even explain it in words. Instead, I have sketched something quickly that conveys the point better.



I think you know what this is. It's my version of the archetypal suitcase or box that is glowing gold, without the evil. My version is a box full of sunbeams, gold coins minus the leprechauns (they're scary), rainbows, angels singing, glitter, sequins, shooting stars, balloons, a house, hearts, fabric scraps and girlish dreams.

Do you know what the coolest thing was though? I've always loved her fabric with little fishes, since they have names and one of them is named Andrew. When I opened up the note she sent, this was the front of the stationary. The exact fish with the exact one that shares the name of my sweet brother. Just a nice coincidence, you know?



There is a ton of yardage nicely folded under her pretty fabrics. She included another lovely book and five skeins of gorgeous yellow yarn with a note reading, "I think I remember you knit".



Heather included a plastic bag bursting at the seams with scraps of fabric, including this swoon worthy Japanese beauty.



Mike heard me gasping (or possibly cursing), and issued his own curses under his breath when he saw the contents. In utter awe! Which was quickly followed up by, "I think we need to make another quilt."

I tried to lift an eyebrow, gave him a quizzical look and replied, "You can make your own quilt. I'm making garments."

Anyhow, what a generous lady. Thank you so much, Heather!

Pennant Banners

I'm not the first person to catch the fabric banner epidemic that has been going around. But who can resist them? They're festive, make people smile, and enliven any party, wedding or event.



Ever since I made the First Birthday Banner for my nephew, I can't stop thinking about them. It doesn't help that I'm peeking at all the gorgeous wedding blogs, and know that I want some type of hanging features involved in my own. Let's face it, it will probably be embellished with lights, sequins, bobbles, fringe, pom-poms, but you will all love it. (wink) Would it help if I stuck to a color palette of reds, pinks and melon...with room to spare?



Even though I was already enchanted with banners, I heard of something that makes all previous banners mundane. What is this, you ask?

Miniature banners. You heard me. I saw this one on Parallel Botany and immediately felt my fingers twitching to make my own. Her embroidery is amazing as well, but I'll have to learn that skill another time.



Miniature banners, it makes so much sense! The miniature version of anything is always eleven times cuter with the exception of cockroaches.



Note to self, procure some non-ghetto felt and learn to embroider semi-properly.

P.S. Thanks for everyone's sweet and inspiring words from my last post. You all are amazing, courageous and wonderful friends. Everything went fine. I'll tell you more about it as time goes on. xoxo.

Eggteeth + Wings + Rings

As I mentioned before, Mike and I decided to keep it simple in our Christmas gift giving this year. We each made an ornament for each other, and decided it would be a sweet tradition to start.



You've already seen my bird ornament, but Mike made a little monster that he named "Eggtooth Goobles", since all creepy-cute beings need ridiculous names. Those green things are supposed to be wings. But bless his heart, he sewed it inside out and flipped it so he wouldn't have stitches showing. He started before as a surprise, otherwise, I would have gladly shared my easier to sew felt with him!

Mike has always been drawing funny little monsters, and this one is a spoof on me, since my dad calls me a "Turkey" and I bit two little girls when I was a baby. That's right. I broke the skin too.



I couldn't stop sewing, so made one to start make up for the six Christmases without ornaments. I put our initials and made it look like an old school Victorian Valentine.

Mike must have really loved my ornament, since he gave me an extra present of his own when I returned in January. It's in there with the other rings he's given me over the years.

It took me almost 2 weeks to come out of shock, but yes, he asked both of my parents and of course they said yes. Granted, if Mike had responded differently when talking to my mom about Florida Gators football, she may have said no. Ha!

P.S. I said yes too!

Lunacy + Fabric Scraps

The urge to create fabric flowers struck me when I was inspired by Ambika's on (Into) the Fray. Wanting to make some little presents, having a quick deadline before Christmas and facing a heap of fabric stash, I got straight to work.



I used scraps of fabric from my stash (gasp!) and some denim from old jeans. They weren't fraying enough, so I hand washed my hundreds of circles and took them to the laundromat to dry them. They thought I was a lunatic (which believe me, is nearly impossible with the shenanigans that go on in there).

I showed up with nothing but a plastic bag and stared at the dryer while scraps of fabric spun around and around. It was fascinating and meditative to watch them cascade repeatedly with each turn.



I did them my own way. I cut some circles in a flower shape, others in circles and did all different sizes. I then stacked them together from largest fabric scrap to smallest, sewed them together and messed with the back to make them pouf out a bit. I added some beads in the center to keep it together. You know me, very technical. I found pins and sewed them to the back. I think they'll look cute on a jacket, a hat or a tote bag.



In my pre-holiday sewing and baking frenzy, I had to laugh when I realized I was wearing the pants I had sewed for Mike, an apron I made and taking a break on the quilt we sewed. If that isn't overkill, I don't know what is.



Oh! And Happy New Year, everyone. I'm still working on my goals for 2009. And laughing at ones from previous years in my journal. Perhaps I'll have to share some of the funnier ones...professional surfer anyone?

Apartment Pants

Secret projects are no fun for people like me who tend to be impatient. I want to show you right away the amazing feat I accomplished! I sewed pants! And they did not fall down when I stood up!

Aimee needed someone to test sew a new pattern for her. I needed an excuse to suck it up and get over my phobia of following a pattern. So, I ended up sewing a pair of Apartment Pants, which is now available on Betsy Ross Patterns.



I consider myself a newbie when it comes to sewing garments. I was pleased to find that the instructions were simple, intuitive and delightfully charming like my friend. Mike and I had agreed to model for her pattern as well. However, I was in New York for the weekend, so Mike did the shoot with Aimee and MB. What a trooper! I don't think he minded hanging out with two cute gals (wink).



You can see the photos from their shoot and the two (count em') pairs of pants I sewed on Junkdrawer.

Sonny's Birthday Banner

As promised, pure saccharine. First, my notes, measurements and sketches. (The scraps were actually glued on later, I couldn't help myself.)



My nephew Sonny turned one today! My best friend (his mama) fully admitted that she went Momzilla, which is hilarious because she's not like that at all. They rented a moon bounce, are having it at a park, with catered Cuban food and a friend who is bringing her own ponies. I'm allowed to make fun of her about this for years to come, and thought a party like that needed a special birthday banner!

I picked up these Heather Ross fabrics, this Sunday.



Cut, cut, cut. Ironed, ironed, ironed. Sewed, sewed, sewed.

And voila!



Remember that it is winter and the lighting is dreadful, but you can get the jist. I shipped these babies out on Tuesday and Brooke already received it and loves it!


I did "Happy Birthday" as one banner and did "Sonny" separately, so she can hang that one up year round if she wants. I placed banners with a star between the words to break it up.

I wish I could be there to celebrate, but will be home in Florida to see them soon. Because, I love moon bounces. Oh, but I really love Sonny so much more.

Happy First Birthday, kiddo!

Back to Normal

Thank you to everyone for your good luck wishes and positivity. I passed my LEED Exam, which is a huge weight off of my back. It was tough, and I'm pretty damn proud of myself. I feel like a kid on Christmas vacation, I didn't realize how much of my life it was consuming.

Now I can work on my knitting and crafting again. Below is some flamingo pink Manos Silk Blend from Rosie's. When it grows up, it's going to be a Lace Ribbon Scarf (yes, my third...) for Mike's mom.



I've also been sewing my little heart out! I'll show you very soon, but need to wait a couple of weeks. In the meantime, here are some of the swatches of fabric. They're all illustrated by Heather Ross of course. Seriously, do I buy any fabric besides hers prints? No. And that is why I should probably become the president of her fan club...



Enjoy the cuteness...and just wait for tomorrow. Something so sweet you'll get a toothache...

June To-Do List

Why is it that the small odds and ends of projects to wrap up can be more daunting than a monstrous project? As a recovering procrastinator, I think that my mom was right. If I would just sit down and get it done, the task would be completed in no time. I waste more time dreading finishing something than actually doing it!

I created an illustrated to-do list in order to delay the completion of said tasks further. (Perhaps I'm a ex-procrastinator in training...)



The most daunting of my small tasks was sewing the bottom of the quilt Mike and I nearly completed in 2006. We've been using it for two years, mind you. I did not understand the concept of a quilt sandwich at the time (it's called the Internet, why didn't I use it?!). I thought it made the most sense to create a duvet and sew the batting inside. Yes, I now know that it was the worst idea in the history of the world. You all are quite smart, and I know that none of you will ever do that! Lesson learned, and the quilt is still great. I fixed it the best I could, and am okay with it not being perfect.



My long term goal is to become a LEED Accredited Professional. I spent this past Saturday taking an all day course to learn about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). I have a lot of studying and memorizing to do this summer, but I'm looking forward to learning, and hopefully taking the exam in the fall.

I may have completed some other small projects that I hope to reveal after some drying and daylight.

Knitting Mojo and Lost Voices

There are three months until my mom's birthday. I think that I can finish a shawl for her in that amount of time. Muir, although beautiful, was a bit challenging for this novice lace knitter. I'm making her a wider version of the Lace Ribbon Scarf instead. It's coming along nicely, and I think my mom will really love it.



With warm weather approaching, I'm interested to see if my knitting mojo will leave me, as it does each summer. Or am I officially a knitter now?

Speaking of warm weather crafts, I can't help thinking of spring and summer skirts. I'm very excited about the new fabric store in Philly, Spool. We attended the grand opening last weekend, and the fabrics are gorgeous. The lovely Aimee, is working there, too. Perhaps I'll make a skirt with one of her patterns...



Mike said thank you for all the well wishes and compliments on his website.

Now could somebody please find me my voice? I lost it last Wednesday in the elevator at work. This is the longest case of laryngitis I've ever had, and I'm beginning to feel like Ariel, the Little Mermaid!

And you know this is killing me. I'm not the most quiet of people. (wink)

Sonny's Quilt

Sonny's Quilt is finished!


I wanted it to be machine washable, so I stitched the heck out of it and tested it out in my mom's washer and dryer.

Luckily I did that, since a small part opened up. My awesome Mom stitched it up while I did a janky embroidery job. It was very quick because I was so excited and impatient to see Brooke and Sonny.



My highschool friends call me "Merce", which is the mumbled form of "Mah-riss" created by an old friend with a thick Puerto-Rican accent. It's probably my favorite nickname.

Here's the photo shoot on my front lawn in December no less!



Here's the finished product! It's not perfect, but Brooke and Lou loved it.



It's the perfect size for Sonny to roll around on the floor and play, when he gets a wee bit older.