Biscornu

Things are humming along. The book contract has been signed and I have the fabric being delivered as I am writing this. We have had visitors so it's been quite busy. Reno and I dropped the kids off in Canada and they're staying there for a little while!

Oh, I love the bridges that we have to drive over along the way. There are lots of interesting lines and patterns.



There's a lovely cross stitch and needlepoint shop very dangerously close to my mother's house. I have been going to Gitta's for years and I love her product selection. The first thing that I wanted to make was a biscornu. What is a biscornu? Biscornu means skewed, quirky and irregular in French. So essentially, in this case, it is a quirky little pincushion. I'm so excited. You can find the free pattern here on her blog. As my little one has been saying lately, O.M.G.

She has a lovely collection of European patterns as well. Look at this lovely.

  

I don't think that this one is from Europe but they did get permission to chart it. Gorgeous!

Back to business now. I have some writing to do. Come back tomorrow though. I'll introduce you to Miss July for the Aurifil Designer of the Month Event.

xo, L

What It Takes To Be "It"

I discovered this funky camera bag recently. I. SO. WANT. ONE. I haven't seen it in person but the ads are so my speed. I love the edgy feeling of the photos. So gorgeous yet so practical. You can't beat that.

Look at all the space in the bag. This looks like a fantastic bag. It's so stylish and so fashion forward. No more nylon bags!!

I love it when something has that "it" factor. Looks, branding, and functionality all tied into one. They're having a giveaway too! Oooooooh! When is Christmas? It can't come soon enough.
xo, L

Shop, Eat, Shop, Eat

Did you have a wonderful holiday weekend? I sure did! We ate and ate. Then my girlfriend, Roopa, dragged me out of bed at 2:30 a.m. to go shopping. Ok, husbands can stop listening now. Yes, we shopped and shopped. We didn't get carried away. In fact, we got all of our holiday shopping done and we got great deals.

After Black Friday was finished, I was done shopping. I was in browse mode. You know,  looking for inspiration. I found it in Anthropologie. They're so innovative and creative. I saw a lot of rosettes.

More rosettes. Are you liking them yet?

Ruffles are still hot.

One bored but patient husband! Sorry the pics aren't so great. I forgot to charge my camera so I had to use my cell phone camera. You get the point.

I love paper chains!

Leave it to the folks at Anthropologie to have a larger-than-life turkey. Did I ever tell you that I had a nightmare of an egret attacking me when I was pregnant? Ok, I digress. Another day perhaps. Well, this bird reminded me of that egret.

Over at Platypus, I saw lots of curly toes but we don't need to buy one, right? I know that you're going to make my  Sweet Stocking.

Hurry up and finish up your shopping so that you can slow down, relax and enjoy all that this inspiring season offers us. xo, L

Distractions

As I was sitting at my desk trying hard not to think about the cold and all of the work that I have ahead of me in the next week, I started playing with Picnik.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the site, it is a photo-editing website where you load up your photos and have some fun [for free!]. Well, you can buy into the premium package but the free one is just as fun.  There's lots to do. There are greeting cards and collages like the one above and you can add text and stickers to your photos.  Try the Polaroid frame like I did below. [How sad that Polaroid film is no longer being made. However, some enthusiasts are trying to make new film fit for the old cameras. I digress. Read about it here.]

A simple drop shadow frame is cool enough.
Wait a minute, what does this have to do with quilting/sewing? Pick any or all answers below.

a) Not a lot.

b) I did buy 7 Polaroid instant cameras from a lady who was having a garage sale as I was driving back from a quilt shop in Pennsylvania a few years ago.

c) You can print these cool pics onto photo transfer fabric paper and make wee gifts for Valentine's or any other special occasion.