Apparently, I am a Vintage Pin Collector

In my never-ending pursuit of a clean, organized, and functional sewing studio I began placing all of my pins and brooches into one box. I have been uncovering them here and there and tossing them into the box watching as the collection grows. Suddenly I realize that I must have over a hundred. How did this happen?

The enamel flowers are my favorites. I have lots of rhinestones too, and somehow, bugs and butterflies.

I love the robin's-egg blue pottery. This collection is intentional.

Happy Spring!

Woven Necktie Bag

My girlfriend Barb over at The Purse Project introduces and hosts various purse-making challenges and I enjoy seeing what everyone creates. The current challenge is to make a bag from neckties....

I thought I was finished with the neckties, but how could I resist - especially when Barb considers me an "inspiration!?"

So, for something new, I tried weaving neckties for this basket-shaped bag. It was not entirely successful and if I ever made another one I would do it a little differently, but it was fun to get the ties out again.

Thanks Barb!

I Heart Susan Boyle!

Brothers

James is 16 and Dan is 20. They still haven't grown out of the "Hey, let's punch each other" stage.

Congratulations to Scott MacIntyre!

Scott has made it into the top twelve on American Idol! UPDATE: Now top ten! Click here for an in-depth profile from the Arizona Republic.

What's in the Bluebird Bowl?

Bluebird Heart Sachets.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Guess Who Was Interviewed by the LA Times?

Tim Gunn and I in Los Angeles.

It's an article about how much the fans are missing Project Runway. Click here to read.

Necktie Owls

In my ongoing effort to use up every scrap of every necktie, I'd like to present my version of... The Necktie Owl!

This was my first effort - looked a little sinister...

This one was not quite right either, and I wanted more of the tie to show on the front so I tried using skinnier sections and more pieces for the next one.

Definitely too fat...on the other hand, I feel a necktie pumpkin is in order for the fall...

I messed up on the wings for this one and then decided that maybe he didn't need wings.

I tried outlining the eyes in black. Not entirely happy with the result.

A search for "necktie owls" turned up this listing on etsy as well as Barb's version here.

Back to the drawing board!

Watch American Idol Tonight!

The very talented MacIntyre family attends my church in Scottsdale. Scott is the oldest and it is my understanding that he will be on the first episode of American Idol tonight!

Here is his website. I have a feeling that Scott will go far in the competition.

Good luck to all.

I Love These Guys!

Jay McCarroll's Fabric Available at eQuilter

As a huge fan of Project Runway, I enjoy following up on all of the designers and everything they are doing.

I've been looking forward to the release of Jay's fabric line ever since it was announced. The line is now available at eQuilter. Yes, I have placed my order - stay tuned to discover if I actually make anything from it!

What Are We Making?

What are we making? Something from red felt and white beads....

...jingle bells, green felt hats, gold tinsel...

Jingle Bell Elf Ornaments! Kaitlin and I made twenty of these for gifts this year.

Thanksgiving 2008

Once again we traveled to San Diego for Thanksgiving. We did the "Run For The Hungry" in the morning and then enjoyed a delicious buffet in the afternoon.

We were especially happy that "Auntie Roz" joined us on Thursday evening! Roz is a friend who feels like a member of the family.



That evening we headed to the movies as usual. The boys saw the new James Bond. The girls saw "Twilight" which was a big disappointment. Kaitlin and I have read the books and were expecting great things. Oh well. We had a couple of good laughs. Roz was a good sport, not even complaining until I remarked, "Wow this movie stinks..." I only confirmed what she and Kaitlin were thinking.

On Friday morning we went shopping at the local mall. Had to do our part for the economy of course! Afterward we said goodbye to Roz and headed home.

It was a great vacation and the kids hardly even fought.

Kaitlin is a College Graduate!

Congratulations to our precious daughter!

Kaitlin has a degree in Elementary Education. Her future students are very lucky.

After her graduation she took off on a 19-day tour of Europe. Here is her itinerary!

Kaitlin's Dance Class

Click here to watch a short clip of Kaitlin's dance class at ASU. She is the teacher/choreographer in black. Thanks Liz!

V is for Vintage Linen Bag

I made this for Barb's Recycled Linens Challenge. I wanted to further challenge myself to create something with an element of "randomness." So I reached into a bag of vintage lace and just used whatever I pulled out. Not EXACTLY of course...but I tried. I love seeing the creative work of designers who don't seem to mind when things aren't exactly straight or perfectly matching.

The base fabric is embroidered linen (not vintage) and then I appliqued some motifs from a linen upholstery fabric onto it. Then I added the lace, buttons, MOP buckle and doily. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for the challenge, Barb. Sorry I am late!

I'm in The Arizona Republic Today!

Click here for the full article.

Where's Laura K?

The 2007 Christmas concert has come and gone. Can you find me? (Click on the photo to enlarge.)

Here is last year's post.

Q is for Quit

I apologize to my legions of faithful readers for neglecting my alphabet.

I have been spending all of my blogging energy at BPR.

R is for Runway - my favorite television show - Project Runway

S is for Sewing and Singing - my favorite hobbies

T - is for Thanksgiving. We had a blast in San Diego and even did a 5K Run for the Hungry!

U is for Unraveled. I attended Art Unraveled in Phoenix in August. Here are some photos:





V is for ???? I'm stumped.

W is for William - my youngest!




X is for X-rays. James broke his arm in April requiring several surgeries and a long recovery period. (He fell off his skateboard.) A couple of weeks after his final cast was removed in August he decided to play rugby with his friends and broke the same arm again - both bones. No surgery required this time, but another long recovery. He is out of the cast and had a final x-ray yesterday. The doctor says he is looking good and we don't have to go back for another three months. Unless we have another rugby game.

Y is for you. Thanks for reading!

Z is for Zoo. Kaitlin and I had a blast with our friend Roz at the San Diego Zoo.
Kaitlin loves the elephants.

P is for Petting Zoo

Kaitlin has been student-teaching at St. Theresa's School in Phoenix.

For several weeks she has been saying that we HAD to go to the "Fall Festival" which was on Sunday. Of course I was dying to go. What fun! I would get to meet her 7th and 8th-grade students and her "mentor" teacher, Mrs. Drummey.

Daniel came along as well. There was tons of great food and drinks, (a bar even! Catholics sure know how to party!) and a great line-up of live entertainment. There was a cake-walk and rock climbing and the usual fun and games, but I was most enchanted by the petting zoo.





This chicken climbed into everyone's lap!



Honestly, Daniel was a little bit afraid of the goats. "Dan, just put your arm around it - like a DOG!" "Mom, it's NOT a dog...it has HORNS!"



Which one is the teacher?



I couldn't resist the chance to lock these two up in jail. It only cost me four tickets!


More of Kaitlin's students.


We had a great day!