Some of you were wondering how I would finish off my 39 Squares sampler project. I decided that a shadowbox frame on my sewing shelf would be the best way to display it. If you want to see a close-up of each square just click here.
In other news, get your crafting supplies ready because the Joli Paquet team is starting up a new round of wonderful tutorials and kits just perfect for all the Spring Holidays. The Spring Fling event starts the week of March 15th and you can read all about it here. 
I'm continuing on with my spring sampler and it's coming along nicely. I hand-dyed some laces to incorporate in yummy colors of peaches and pinks.
They all were in the dye bath for the same amount of time and it's fun to see how differently they all turned out.
Wow, I just realized it's been a week since my last post! Where does the time go? I've been busy following along with the gals in Teresa McFayden's Freestyle Embroidery class making this spring sampler and I really, really am enjoying it. Hand stitching is one of the most restful, peaceful, types of crafts to do. You can do it anywhere; take it with you anywhere. So portable and so satisfying. I was re-introduced to it last summer in Charlotte's class at ArtFiberFest where I made this. We had a bit of a distraction in the class (those of you who took that class with me know what I am talking about) but it didn't even matter because we were all so busy concentrating on our hand-stitching.
Have you seen this magazine yet? It is officially due out tomorrow, but copies have been popping up little by little all over the place. Flea Market Style is a collaboration between the amazingly talented Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer (formerly of Junk Market fame). Like me, many of you have been following along with Matthew and Ki during the entire inception of this magazine, which I liken somewhat to waiting for the birth of a new baby. Well let me tell you -you MUST get yourself a copy when you see it, because it is definitely worth the long wait.
This heart is dedicated to my grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa met on a ship coming to the U.S. from Scandinavia. Grandma was coming from Norway accompanied by her sister, who was trying to mend a broken heart after a broken engagement. Grandpa was coming from Denmark to America, like many others at that time, seeking opportunity in the land of the free. They fell in love and were married within the year. "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" was written in 1910 (the year they were married) and was their favorite song. I can still remember my grandma singing it to me.
I told you that I have been making a new journal as a part of Mary Ann Moss' Remains of the Day class. These are some pages I made for a class swap. Everyone seems to have a different style, so it's fun to stir the pot and mix it up a little to add some variety to our journals.
The new year is here (yay!) and things have been flying every-which-way in the studio. I went in there to tidy up after all my Christmas crafting and I sort of got side-tracked. Pictured above are some little lace cakes I am in the process of making for a swap I am in.
They will look something like this. I haven't attached them yet as I am still trying to figure out what to put on the background.
These are for a Marie Antoinette swap I am in ~ who else would be eating lace cakes, right?
I'm also taking Mary Ann Moss' Remains of the Day journal class and this is my journal cover sewn "guerilla-style" (Mary Ann's terminology) with fabrics, textures and colors that I love. The green and brown leopard print upholstery fabric was an after-Christmas find in the remnant bin at JoAnn's for 70% off! Woo-hoo - I love a good deal!
