modern myrtle

And, the snow days continue...

2011-02-07T09:09:00.001-06:00

{the view outside my kitchen window}

And, the snow days continue!  I'm actually confused as to what day it is. I'm pretty sure my kids will still be going to school on the 4th of July in order to make up for all the days of school they've missed due to Snowmageddon 2011.  We are due for another several inches this week, so even if my kids are able to go to school tomorrow, I doubt they'll finish the week.  At what point will the powers that be realize that Winter actually does happen, and invest in some plows?  Anyway, enough of my venting.  I have actually had a fantastic time being snowed in with my family.  We ate a lot, watched a ton of movies (I heart Netflix), and surfed a lot of internet.  I'd like to report that I did a lot of laundry, reading, or cleaning, but that sadly wasn't the case.  I did get a fair amount of sewing done.  My favorite piece has to be this shower curtain.

I was so impressed with the fabric when it arrived.  It has an organic texture, like a fine textured linen or burlap, and the scale of the print is perfect.  A dandelion print can go cutesy and precious real quick.  The fact that it's graphic and large keeps this feeling modern.  I really love it.    

Did I mention that we ate a lot? It's true. That's probably because I cooked a lot. I tend to do that when boredom strikes. I posted my favorite bread recipe over at Myrtle Eats. It got us through one particularly munchy snow day. Try it even if you think you can't make bread. You will thank me.

Closeted Inspiration : blazer and baubles

2011-02-04T20:02:00.000-06:00

Closeted Inspiration, by way of introduction:

I've noticed a recurring theme over the years when talking with friends about the designs of their homes. So many of them say, "I have no idea what I'm doing. I don't know how to put things together." As they talk, I look at their fabulous outfit, and scratch my head. See, it's no different. There's color, pattern, texture, scale. You do it every day, maybe without thinking about it. I really believe that your home should feel like you. Take a cue from your favorite outfit, whether it's hanging in your closet, or dogeared in your favorite catalog.

I love design. It makes me tick. My favorite part of Modern Myrtle has always been the initial design phase with clients. I often get emails like this: "Here are some pictures of my bathroom/kitchen/living room. What would you suggest?" Many a client has followed this request with an apology for intruding on my time. Let me assure you, there are no apologies necessary.

This "Closeted Inspiration" series gets my design wiggles out. Indulge me?


{source: Anthropologie}

Anthropologie dubbed this outfit "blazer and baubles".  I loved the mix of the metallic necklace, with the rough, natural belt, and the contrast of the tailored black blazer with the textured ivory sweater.  I'm a sucker for juxtaposition.  Here are the elements of the virtual room it inspired:

{sources: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.} 

Snowed In: Day 1 in pictures

2011-02-02T16:28:00.000-06:00

I grew up in Utah which means I am accustomed to snow. A lot of snow. My hometown was basically at the base of a mountain. A foot of snow was par for the course. I used to trudge down the unplowed dirt lane every day after school as a kid in my purple striped moon boots. That snow would stay until April. Now I live in a place where snow shuts everything down. Monday night was spectacular. Thundersnow. Who knew that was a thing? It brought over a foot of blowing, blustery snow our way. It really puts to shame the two inches we got two weeks ago, (needless snow day, anyone?) This time we are legitimately snowed in. Mr. G just left on foot for the CVS. I think he really needs caffeine or chips, I'm not sure which.

Yesterday was filled with good food, great movies (Rocky IV, Rocky II, & Rocky Balboa, at the girls' request), some sewing, and lots of lounging. My girls finally turned the corner of their various sicknesses. A big relief there. Birdie, of course, is our houseguest for the duration. I am glad for the housetraining of a few months back, and the bath of last week. Very glad. She's been a joy.

* Mr. G just now returned, without caffeine or chips. He didn't make it. Too cold, my friends, too cold. And I didn't marry a wuss.

Thrifty Spruce Up: Miss E's room

2011-01-30T11:09:00.000-06:00

I am a big believer in using what you've got. We all have things around the house that can be spruced up or repurposed in some way. I really love seeing things used and reused in inventive ways. Those are the spaces that inspire me more than any others. Anyone can order from a catalog. That's design at it's easiest and least inspired. But, what can you do with the randomness on hand when your space needs a little sprucing? Do you have an open mind? What about that cool piece you saw at the thrift store, thought was interesting, but passed on? I bet you money, it could have been an envy-provoking piece with a coat of paint and new hardware. I also bet that Amy next door doesn't have the same thing. I'm just saying.

So, on to Miss E's room. It was in need of a little sprucing. She was sharing the other half of my sewing space, and because of that, an extra dose of identity was in demand. It needed to say, "This is my side!" The sprucing urge hit mid-morning on a lazy (read: avoiding laundry and dishes) day , as it usually does. I started looking through my fabrics and closets. I started cutting, sewing, and painting. Before I knew it, Miss E had an after school surprise waiting for her. As you'll see, it really helps to have a yard of fun Ikea fabric lying around. But, what about an old shower curtain you still like the pattern of, but have gone a different design direction in your bathroom? There it sits in your linen closet. It would probably make a cute pillow or two. What about that favorite print dress you love that sadly got a nice stain down the front? (I know of which I speak) A piece of that fabric might be lovely framed, and just what you were looking for.

So, with that, here's Miss E's space:

Popcorn and a Movie: Birthday Edition

2011-01-25T13:22:00.004-06:00

My oldest daughter, Miss H, is turning the big 1-1 this week. And yes, I feel old. Thanks for asking. We have a deal in our house. One year = friend party, next year = family bash. This year it's a friend party, and we've got a plan. A favorite movie, cute craft, and some really good food (a popcorn bar to be exact). Oh, and maybe an age appropriate game or two. This girls aren't kids, you know.

Here are a few things I've found while surfing for ideas. Don't they make you want to throw a little party of your own?

I am so happy to have come across Megan Hunt's blog, Princess Lasertron. These photos are from the Popcorn & a Movie party she did for friends. She was kind enough to include printables of all the labels she used. I particularly love the invitation around a soda bottle. I'm debating on whether I'll offer the melted chocolate option (messy) or the Nutella (seriously, who shares Nutella?).


I have a serious thing for cake stands. I love the way they are stacked here. I'm also not hating the idea of a fabric backdrop and tissue pom poms. The butterflies aren't invited, though.


(from: in the little red house, a new favorite blog of mine) I love these simple signs, and these drinks are definitely on the menu.


I'm all about giving these tween guests a little something to do with their hands while the movie plays. Button bracelets it is. I did these with the teenage girls at church and they were a big hit. My girls love making them, too. These are very low maintenance on the hostess end. Put out a load of buttons, stretchy cord, and stay within earshot for when they yell, "Can you tie my knot!?!".

Got Chain?

2011-01-24T14:19:00.002-06:00

Raise your hand if there is a large rusty chain on your coffee table. Come on. Raise 'em up high. No? Didn't think so.

I really like Restoration Hardware. I really, really do. I had to chuckle at this room, though. Some things just need to live in the land of catalogs, and not play out in real life. I can hear Mr. G now. "What's with the big chain?" I have to admit, I don't get the chain. But, I am loving that pillow on the right.

So, to prove I really DO like Restoration Hardware, I share with you this divine small office solution. Is that old steamer trunk turned office armoire not the coolest thing? Love it.

On a completely unrelated note, we are finally back to normal around here. The "snow" has cleared, and Miss H and Miss E are back to school. They both have bouncy new haircuts that have had them staring into the mirror with huge grins since Saturday. I also have a new haircut, just a trim really, but I think the final evidence of the bad haircut of 2009 is finally gone. Hallelujah. I think I'll throw a party. Speaking of a party, Miss H is turning 11 this week, and the party planning has begun. Can't wait to share!

Happy Monday!

color envy: dark espresso wood and stark white

2011-01-22T09:40:00.001-06:00

Do you poor over design blogs and sites like I do? It's very inspiring. I find it's the colors that get me more than anything else. Here's a taste of what caught my eye today. (Please click the photos for sources.)

strawberry ice cream, lemon yogurt cake, and other snow day nonsense

2011-01-21T09:08:00.005-06:00

Thoughts.

-Why am I still surprised that 2" of snow cancels school here in "Green Country"? I'm not sure, but I am.

-All three girls home. My youngest had been sick with fever since the day before. GRRR.

-Can't send them outside because the little one would want to follow. Cabin fever ensues.

-Little one won't eat. My food friend won't eat! This is worse than I thought.

-Mr. G is working from home. Really working. Trying not to remember he's home. Hard!

-Me and the older girls are getting munchy. I make this:

-We decide, once again, that Ina Garten is ALWAYS right.

-Later in the afternoon, Little One turned a corner.  "Strawberry Ice Cream" she mumbled. Three little bowls later she proclaimed she was done.  Her fever was soon done, too.

- Biggest laugh of the day is thanks to George Flickinger who showed the viewing audience how to take a yard stick outside to measure the snow fall. All 2" of it. I'm sorry. Laughable. This looks like a nice day in March where I'm from.

-Discovered that watching the Nate Berkus show only serves to make me feel antsy about changing my decor. Not helpful to my psyche.

-Snow melted yesterday--most of it. Still no school today. What?

-Mr. G still working from home. Yea!

-Mr. Mambo for lunch today.

-I love snow days.

Ever seen this in full?

2011-01-17T11:08:00.002-06:00

You owe it to yourself to spend 17 minutes and 28 seconds this Martin Luther King, Jr. day watching this most beautiful and powerful speech. I never can watch it without a kleenex. Enjoy.

FABRIC CHOICES

2011-01-16T22:43:00.016-06:00

"How do I go about choosing fabric for my custom Modern Myrtle purchase?" ...

...you might ask. Well, the nice thing is that I order in the fabric specifically for every project. That means that your selection is virtually unlimited. But, don't let that overwhelm you!

* If you already have a specific fabric in mind, that's great. You're all set!

* If you love to browse fabric sites, and know just what you're looking for, then check out the fabric sites and links I've included further down on this page.

* Want my design input? Helping clients choose fabrics to compliment their existing interiors is my favorite part of my work! You can contact me anytime at { modernmyrtle@gmail.com }. Any pictures or decriptions of your space, favorite fabrics you may have found (see below), inspiration images, along with your tastes, likes and dislikes are all very helpful.

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Favorite Fabric Sources & Designers

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Hawthorne Threads: has (in my opinion) the best way to hone your search. On their sidebar, you can search by designer, pattern, theme, etc. And the best? Their Color Grid feature. If you are looking for a specific color, this is your ticket.

Fabric.com : by far the largest selection.

Quilt Home

Below, you will see a sampling of fabric designers that my clients request most frequently. Click the headings for available fabrics.

X-Stitch Love

2011-01-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

I need a new project to do while watching TV (aside from folding laundry). I'm thinking of trying my hand at a little cross stitch. I've never tried it, and would like to. (Please deter me in your comments if I'm in for a mound of frustrations!) There are several talented Etsy sellers that offer their patterns very inexpensively as PDF patterns (love that). These are the front runners. I'm seriously leaning towards the bathroom one. Too stinkin' cute.

click on images for source

For the love of Goodwill---A Simple Ruffled Tee Tutorial

2011-01-13T09:11:00.013-06:00

Don't even get me started on how much I *love* the Goodwill. The reasons are many. Very many. I have found many a treasure and steal there--some with tags still attached. Occasionally I am in the mood for a little clothes crafting. Last Tuesday was one of those days. I headed out to the Goodwill with my 3 year old shadow in tow. I promised her a pick or two from the $1 VHS bin, and she was in.

I have a few Ann Taylor LOFT and J. Crew shirts that are my absolute favorites. They, for the most part, are very simple , but are ruffled or embellished with fabric in some way. I wanted to try my hand at recreating that in a tank. I set out to find a simple neutral-colored tank and a neutral colored sheer blouse on my Goodwill trip. I planned to cut and ruffle strips from the sheer blouse and embellish the tank. I failed to remember the #1 rule of thrift store shopping. You should never go in looking for something SPECIFIC. You'll rarely, if ever, find it. That was to be the case. But, as is also often the case, you find something just as great, if not better. My Goodwill is the recipient of Target close outs, which the two dark teal tees that I eventually purchased happened to be. I really lucked out to find two of the same color. One to embellish, one to destroy. You could, of course, do an embellishment out of a contrasting fabric, but I was going for subtle here.

Simple Ruffle Embellished Tee Tutorial

1. Start out with one shirt to embellish, and one to cut up for the ruffles. This is a great place to make use of a shirt that has seen better days.

2. Cut a long strip, about 2" wide. I took advantage of the shoulder seam to get an extra long piece. You can always piece strips together to get the length that you want. The longer the strip, the rufflier the ruffle.

3. Using your sewing machine's longest stitch, sew the length of your strip about 1/8" from the edge.
4. Ruffle your strip by pulling the bottom thread.

5. Distribute the ruffles evenly along the thread. Center it on your shirt in a "U" shape , beginning just beneath the neck seams. Turn the top edges of the strip under. You can tack these down with a small stitch after stitching the entire strip down, if it doesn't lay down the way you'd like. Adjust the length of your strip so that it measures about 6" down. Pin in place.

6. Stitch in place using a normal stitch length. Because both my material and thread were dark, I didn't feel that I needed to take out the original stitches used for gathering the strip. Now would be the time to take those out if they bother you.

7. Results! A slightly more fancified shirt than you began with. I'm quite happy with mine.

2011 Goals : Free Download

2011-01-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

I came across this printable for the New Year and had to share it. You can customize your goals in the pdf, print it out, and place it where you'll see them often. I plan on doing one for me, and having my older girls each do one of their own. Wouldn't it also be great to do a combined one for the family's goals, where each member has input? FHE done and done.

*Click the image below to go to "Joy Ever After" and download*

And...I'm back

2011-01-04T12:55:00.006-06:00

Happy New Year! I'm back in the saddle. The girls are in school again. The house is back to its usual cycle of clean, messy, messier, almost clean, messy, clean. Jet lag is a (not so) distant memory. The sewing machine is dusted off and whirring. The Etsy shop is fully stocked and operational. Resolutions of spending more time with my family and friends are made. 2011, here we go.

I hope you had as nice of Holidays as I did. We spent 9 beautiful days in Southern California with family. Even when it rained it was beautiful. It was entirely rejuvenating. I wish every Christmas Eve could be spent feeling the sand on my feet and hearing the squeals of my girls in the waves.

Like I said, my machine is whirring again. I've whipped up a couple of reversible table runners for my shop. The green/grey one is my particular favorite. I have been hanging on to this grey lacework fabric like a greedy little hoarder. It was nothing short of the remaining glow of Christmas generosity that persuaded me to actually use it.

Yeah, I know it's not Halloween yet, but...

2010-10-25T22:44:00.004-05:00

I still have Halloween costumes to make, but I'm thinking Christmas. We took the girls to Macy's to pick out their ornaments for the tree this year. My 7 year old picked out the cutest lion you've ever seen. I'm not sure how that works into my current Christmas tree theme, but it's so darn cute, it's going on anyway. I think I may go back this weekend to get it some friends.

So, speaking of Christmas, here's a little shop bulletin. Sunday, Novemeber 7, is the last day for custom orders for 2010. After that date, I will be closing up shop for the year. (woohoo!) My schedule is nearly full of orders to be shipped before the arrival of the big day. I can hardly believe that this time is here already. All I can say, is I am wising up this year. I'm not spreading myself too thin. There will be NO sewing rush orders to be overnighted on Christmas Eve. When clients say, "I will pay you double", I will say "no". Yes, I will. (I say this to convince myself, not you.) So, if you have been eying a tablecloth to grace your Thanksgiving or Holiday table, or a shower curtain to spruce up your bathroom for incoming guests, get your order in soon. It's possible that I will close it down sooner. I only have three spots left.

So, with that out of the way, here is a little something I have been meaning to blog. I love when clients take the time to send a picture of their item. It is the best thank you. Check out this darling baby nursery created by a client of mine in Canada. She blogs about it here.
I had an ever small part in it.

Here's a taste:

A winner and a pillow or three

2010-09-27T12:33:00.005-05:00

First of all, let's get the winner stuff out of the way. By virtue of the random number generator, the winner is...

.

BrudFam

(I'll be emailing you today to discuss your new curtains!!)

Boy, what a week! Mr. G was sworn in at the Oklahoma State Capital last Thursday. It's now official : I now take offense at lawyer jokes. He sadly broke his wrist two days prior to the swearing in. (Dear Family, He's going to be just fine. No golf for a while though...) Somehow him raising his bandaged hand was fitting to this crazy roller coaster that has been the Gardine Law School Experience. It's over and I am thrilled and beyond proud of Mr. G and our entire little brood. We did it!!

The inside of the Capital Building is beautiful. I was kicking myself the last time we were there for forgetting my camera. I was sure to remember it this time.

I especially love the rotunda...

Do you remember a post a while back about the cute Peter Pan fabric I came across for my daughters' bed pillows? I am so happy with the way they turned out, and have decided to add these cute euro shams to my Etsy shop. Not the actual shams by the way. I'd have a riot on my hands.

A giveaway of sorts

2010-09-17T13:17:00.007-05:00

Another new item to my Etsy shop today. Thoughts?

Now for the giveaway...of sorts. I am looking to do a sample set of curtains for my Etsy shop out of a certain line of fabric. If you are in the market for new curtains, listen up. I am giving away my labor to one lucky soul.

Here's how it will work:

If you are the winner, you will be responsible for the price of the fabric, but the labor, shipping and everything else is on me. You choose the fabric from this one particular fabric line (and trust me, if you don't see something you like, you need to look again...). All are very affordably priced--$6.98-9.98 per yard not including my 20% discount, and all are a nice home decor weight. For two full length panels, it's approximately 6 yards of fabric to give you an idea of cost. I'm happy to do whatever length you need for your particular windows, but the width would be 50" (standard). There would be a 3" rod pocket at the top, giving you the option of sheering them onto the rod, or using drapery clips (my favorite).

If you are interested in sprucing up your home with some fabulous new curtains (at a fraction of the price), please leave a comment below. Take a look at the choices on the Premier Prints fabric page on fabric.com, and include your favorite(s). Blog, tweet or facebook this giveaway for extra entries (enter each in a separate comment). I'll choose the winner at random one week from today, Friday, September 24.

Here are some of my favorite fabrics from the line:

Questions? Drop me a line at modernmyrtle@gmail.com.

indecision is a good thing*

2010-09-15T20:03:00.006-05:00

Long time no post, eh? Boy, it's been nice. But, I thought I'd pop back in to post something I've just added to my Etsy shop repertoire.

I've decided to start adding the things that I am asked for daily, but don't have advertised. Give the people what they want, right? Namely, pillow covers, curtain panels, and table runners. This table runner is first to the party. I love its reversibility. It lets you change up the look while still staying within your color scheme.

I have the feeling I'm not alone when it comes to indecision in home decor. I have "decided" on three different drapery fabrics for my living room this week alone. That being said, I know if I were to buy a table runner, I'd probably have half a dozen in my shopping cart, and spend much too long trying to commit to one. See, it's a service I'm doing. It really is. You can check it out here.

* Incidentally, this post title is courtesy of the song I have irreparably stuck in my head. The tune came blasting out of a large Okie truck in the Walmart parking lot today.
"Rain makes corn. Corn makes whiskey. Whiskey makes my girl frisky. Rain is a good thing."--or something to that effect. Nice logic all set to a stick-in-your-head-for-three-days type of tune. Chalk that up to the reason I hate Walmart today. But I digress.

hiatus

2010-08-13T14:02:00.003-05:00

I'm writing this to take one more thing off my overflowing plate. When this post is finished, the nagging little voice in my head that says, several times a day, "You should blog that!", will be silenced. See, I have no time for blogging. Who are these people who have the time to do fabulous things, and also have the time and motivation to then share them with the world? (And keep their family happy, home stylish and straight-ish, etc.) I'm not one of them, and I'm totally fine with that. I'm also trying to get back to being more authentic, and enjoying a moment, without thinking of a way I could photograph it, or how I could spin it into something clever for a blog post. That's kind of a strange way to live if you think about it. I just want to be in the moment more, enjoy my family, and not worry about things that I don't have a place for.

Over the last eight months, my norm has become: wake up, get in my hamster wheel, and start running. I don't enjoy being crazy busy. Who does? Things slip. Something always gives. A couple of weeks ago, I was in a car accident. I'm still dealing with the pains of whiplash, but at least I'm able to function now. My car was totaled in the crash. My favorite, paid for, only had since April, car. I was in serious pain. I was stuck at home with cabin feverish kids and no transportation. I had a stressed out Mr. G who was taking the bar exam the day after the crash (nice timing, fate). I watched as orders mounted, while I was unable to sew. I had to rest. I panicked. What happens if these clients don't get their orders on time??????? (heart pounding, blood pressure rising...) I emailed the clients that I knew would have their orders delayed, and guess what? There were no demands for refunds. There were no annoyed, impatient responses. To my surprise, every one, with out exception, was gracious, kind, and wanted me to get to their order when I could, and no sooner. I realized that all the pressure I have been feeling has come from one place, and one place only. ME. No one will burn me at the stake for being a few days late on an order, if I have to be. I realized that I am much more in control of the speed of that hamster wheel than I thought I was. Over these last couple of weeks, I've been doing some editing of my life, and all the things I try to cram into it. Regular blogging, at this point is not one I'd like to keep. I often have small little thoughts, or a quick project I'd like to share, but the thought of sitting down for two hours, and trying to come up with a clever post is mind numbing for me. Every pearl has its price, and for me, I'm not willing to pay it. I'm sure I'll post again, on and off, but not on a regular basis. Writing this helps me put the internal nagging to rest. I have, however, started a Twitter account, where I can share quick project shots, links, or a random thought or two, when I feel so inclined. Feel free (please) to follow me there. And, as soon as I figure out how to get pictures off my phone, onto my computer, I'll share the Peter Pan pillows in all their glory. They are cute beyond cute.

and a little bit of pixie dust

2010-07-05T10:40:00.006-05:00

There's a small obsession going on with my soon to be 3 year old. Peter Pan, and everything to do with Peter Pan. It's rather cute, really. Except when she sprinkles powdered orange Gatorade all over E V E R Y T H I N G in sight, including herself--no, especially herself. It's pixie dust, you know.

Since we did a little room switch-up with the girls, I've been trying to make their spaces a little more personal to them. As part of that, I'm making euro shams for their beds out of fabrics they love. Cue the cutest Peter Pan fabric ever:

Can you stand it? I laughed right out loud when I pulled it out of the package. I found it on Etsy. (As a side note, the seller was in Japan, and it arrived quicker than my other fabric shipments in the states. Curious.)

I have an old Disney Storybook Treasury from the 60's.  I found it in an antique store a couple of years ago.  The pictures are to die for.  I plan on copying and framing a couple of them for the room.  

The pictures in this book kill me. I think these from Cinderella are especially fun.

I'm full of orders. Lots and lots of orders. But, I'm at a good pace. I'm definitely not so busy that I'm stressed, but I am too busy for personal projects to take a front seat. Sigh.

Does pixie dust make you sew faster, too?

function over form over function

2010-06-15T09:45:00.009-05:00

Are you form over function, or the other way around?

Are you a fan of lots of pillows on your bed? The more the merrier? As in, you have a virtual mountain of pillows to the side of your bed as you sleep? Yeah, I use to do that. I am no longer a fan of that, and Mr G. never was.

(Though, I love this bed,

and this one. Don't you?)

We recently got a bed. A real bed. You know, with an actual headboard and footboard. We have been married nearly 12 years. We were due. With that new bed came the promise of new bedding. My white duvet was white no longer, and after having it for 5 years, I was bored. I was searching for a duvet with some color, either a mustard yellow, gray, or green. Something with a subtle pattern. I wanted texture while still being neutral. See, I'm a little finicky. I change my mind a lot. It's a curse. I know that next year, I will probably want to change the look of my bed, and not want to change the pricier items, like the actual bedding. I found this duvet set on Ikea. It fit the bill perfectly. Sadly, though, my nearest Ikea is in Dallas. A little far. And Ikea doesn't ship it's textiles (Why exactly is that? They will ship me a chair, but not a placemat. Strange.). Ebay to the rescue!

I knew I wanted gray and mustard in my bedding as well. Remember these pillows?

I thought, "PERFECT!!" Three of them along the back of my headboard, with a long bolster in front would be gorgeous. Yeah, not so much. Come to find out, they are prohibitively large. Bummer. Somehow, the decorative pillows, and bed pillows, taking up half of the bed seemed a little overkill---even for me. Back to the drawing board.

While I was in Calico Corners ordering fabric for another project, I saw this and thought the colors and design were perfect.

I still loved the bolster idea, and found a 54" bolster pillow insert on Ebay for a good price. To tie in the green of the duvet, I added some vintage trim from a stash of my Grumma's things.

To my surprise, I loved the simple look of only the bolster, and so did Mr. G. More and more, I am seeing the virtue in function over form. See, when something functions, and is easy to maintain, well, that is a beautiful thing. So, maybe someday the bed of a thousand pillows will return, but for now, I'm loving the fact that it takes no time to make, looks the same every time, and I can lounge away on it all afternoon (I wish...) and not have to fix a thing when I get up.

* side note: I searched the internet for a good bolster tutorial to share. They really are a cinch to make, but even a good sewer can use a little how-to when trying something new. I came up short. They were all capital L-A-M-E. If enough of you are interested, I'll come up with one and post it here.

what is it they say about imitation?

2010-05-31T19:37:00.007-05:00

Recently, I had a request from a client. Could I make a patchwork shower curtain? I was excited to try something different. I came up with a large blocked design based on this Nautica one I found online:

She chose four different fabrics from both Heather Bailey and Amy Butler that resulted in a bright and fun shower curtain.

I lined it with a white poplin, and bound it with a wide 2" border. It was definitely a more time consuming project, especially the border. While I was working on it I thought, "this is cute, but not really me." That is, until I put it up to take pictures. That's when I got jealous. Real jealous. I did send it off, and the client loved it as much as I did. I was glad for that.

I had an "irregular" shower curtain hanging in my hall bath.  One that I made with the intention of selling, but it turned out too short.  I had been wanting to make a new one for a while, but could never decide on the design.  I had a stash of large scraps from Amy Butler's August Fields line leftover from other shower curtains.  That line is a home decor weight twill, and I love it.  I have been hoarding those scraps for something great.   This was it.

I was especially happy to finally find a place to use this piece from Amy Butler's Forest line. I have been hanging on to it for five years now, waiting for that perfect project. It works so well with the coral in the other fabrics, and is the same home decor weight twill.

So, a big compliment to my client who is enjoying her patchwork shower curtain right now (and I guess to the Nautica people, too). Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

by special request

2010-05-28T07:09:00.003-05:00

A client contacted me recently with a special request. She asked if I could help her with a special gift for her yet-to-be-born niece. The client's mother had passed away, and this baby was to be her namesake. The request was to make a minky quilt using her late mother's baby blanket, to be given to the new baby. Isn't that the sweetest thing? I thought it was. There is nothing better than a gift with sentiment.

My first inclination was to use several different fabrics along with the squares of the soft pink blanket. I didn't think it did the sentiment justice. I came across this Alexander Henry Birdsong print in my stash and thought it was the perfect choice on its own.

I hope the family loves it! Thanks for letting me be a part of such a special event.

weeks in review

2010-05-22T09:11:00.002-05:00

So, I haven't posted in a while. What have I been up to during my little blogging hiatus? A heck of a lot. Basically, 2010 has been a blur. Since the graduation, I have felt the cloud, and the anvil on my shoulders lift. I have Mr. G back!! Needless to say, blogging has been near the bottom of my to do list. Somewhere above making my graduation dress (which never happened), and below tackling the laundry (which barely happened). So, here are a few random things from the last couple of months in absolutely no order at all:

_________________________________________________

Now, more than any other time, I wish I could post some pictures of my daughters and my husband. I have such beautiful pictures from Mr. G's law school graduation. We tend to be pretty private when it comes to our kids and family. Which I guess, at times, makes me a very boring blogger. Anyway...you'll have to settle for the ones of me, showing various expressions of joy, elation, and relief. What a perfect day it was!

in disbelief -- is it really over?

joy and pride

how soon until I can take these heels off?

Quite possibly my favorite shoes. Ever. But, that graduation day they hurt like a banshee. I have designed a creative method of stretching the top out j u s t slightly. Now they fit like a dream. Hooray for ingenuity.

_________________________

A towel set I did for a client. I think my favorite, to date.

______________________________

I have been doing some window treatments for a friend of our family. It is something that I am learning as I go! It has been both fun and challenging. The valances for Miss Belinda's breakfast room turned out beautifully. I made my own pattern from a picture she loved. I am pretty proud of them. I wish I had some better pictures, but that sun just wasn't cooperating...

___________________________________

My Mom-in-law sent me this book series in the mail, and I was buried in all five for a month. They arrived in March, on the day we were strangely snowed in. She has a knack for perfect timing, so I shouldn't have been surprised. (Like the day a new wallet arrived in the mail from her after mine had just broken that morning. I could go on...) I had read the first part of the first book LONG ago when I was in college, so I knew a little bit about the story. For whatever reason, it didn't grab me then, but it did now. I was hooked on these books. Every extra second I had I was reading. They are historical fiction about an LDS family during the World War II years. I wished so much that my Grandma was still alive. I have a whole new batch of questions for her! (She was a rivieter during the war, and her husband fought and was wounded in the Pacific.) I would highly recommend these books--and I am not one for LDS fiction as the genre goes. Now I'm searching for something to fill that reading void. Any suggestions? (no Twilight, please...)

_________________________________

My kitchen stool received a bit of a facelift. It needed it! I bought it from an antique store last year and had left it in its original state.

Much better, don't you think?

_____________________________

Some friends of ours had their first baby recently, and they deserved something special. The new mom wasn't partial to pink, or anything too cutesy. I thought this grey and mustard combo fit the bill perfectly.

______________________________

Scraps, anyone? I am now happily sharing my sewing room with my oldest daughter, which forced me to DOWNSIZE my fabric stash. I had every intention of sorting them into packs and selling them on Etsy. Since I've had that intention for a year, and nothing came of it, I decided it was time to get them out of here. I threw out two large contractor trash bags full. I am pretty proud of myself. I am always hanging on thinking that someday I will be looking for just that scrap, in just that size, for just that project. Yeah, I'm over it.

_________________________________

And, I turned 32 last week.

A little picture of me turning the big three two.

I knew it was my day when I found this in the bargain movie bin at Reasor's. One of my favorite movies of all time. Happy Birthday to me. After I took the girls to school that next morning, I popped Rocky in, snuggled back in my bed, and watched while the thunder crashed outside. It was fabulous.

_______________________________

Blogging more regularly almost seems doable now. I have so many other projects to share. Dresses, shower curtains, more projects for Miss Belinda, and orders out the wazoo. Law school is done. The girls' school is, too. Now it's bar study for Mr. G, less driving for me, and long days of trampoline jumping and otter pops with my girls. I'll take it.

Redhead Recipes Apron Giveaway

2010-04-30T17:46:00.003-05:00

Click on the picture above to enter to win this cute apron at Redhead Recipes. Spend an extra minute and check out her fabulous blog.

I know I have been MIA lately. Was my last post seriously a month ago? I've begun to look at these last three years like a marathon. April was the final stretch. You know, the part where you don't think you can go another step and wonder why you thought this race was a good idea in the first place? (please don't think I've ever run a marathon, but I've been told...) I am VERY excited for next Saturday when we cross the finish line and get the euphoric rush of accomplishment. We're almost done! I have been functioning, and that is all. I never knew I could be stretched so thin. One of these days I'll post some of the great things I've been working on. In the meantime, I'm going to catch up on my orders, sew a dress for graduation, finish some home sewing projects, move some furniture, do some overdue laundry, clean for company, and work on sleeping in---just a little.

Good luck in the giveaway!!

thank you a dozen times over

2010-03-17T07:54:00.005-05:00

I have the most thoughtful, wonderful friends in the world. Thank you for making an especially hard day a little easier. I love you all. You don't know how much your gesture meant.

the girl in 14g

2010-03-03T13:10:00.004-06:00

I woke up this morning at 3 am feeling sick as a dog. "I had plans for today!", I thought. Big "catch-up-on-all-those-mounting-orders" kind of plans. That will have to wait until tomorrow. As Scarlett O'Hara said,"Tomorrow is another day." That it is. Armed with my trusty "barf bowl" I carted my daughters to school. I didn't need it--lucky for everyone involved. I have spent the day laying on the couch browsing houses online and watching Kristin Chenoweth clips on YouTube. Have you ever witnessed someone with such amazing talent? Her happy attitude is contagious. I hope whatever bug I have is not.

A couple of weeks ago I bought an exercise DVD from ebay (which is why I may write a post in the near future entitled "Why it now hurts to get dressed". But I digress...) At checkout I noticed that the seller had a Kristin Chenoweth CD for $3. I snatched it up. A dollar per reason: 1. My girls and I love her. 2. We could use a little variety in the car (Side note: my ten year old actually asked me the other day if it was time for "The Story" on NPR. She's either going to grow up very lame or cultured or smart, or some combination of wonderful...I haven't decided.) 3. It was $3. The second I heard track 6 on the CD, I knew all three of my girls would get the biggest kick out of it. I was right. Even my shy girl who would rather eat a bug than sing, gets into it. My oldest belts it out loud. My baby bops her head and sings in her car seat.

Here she is performing it live. See what I mean?

By the way, sitting here at 1:40, I am feeling much better. Maybe it was something I ate? Whatever it was, I'm glad it's gone. Tomorrow's another day. ;-)

one down

2010-02-25T18:03:00.005-06:00

One down and three to go. This took me four days of sitting in the carpool line. At this rate, my spruced up couches are going to have to wait well into March! I'd better speed up production.

Hooray!

2010-02-24T12:48:00.005-06:00

I made the front page of Etsy!

(screenshot courtesy of a kind fellow etsian)

That means big exposure for my little business, and I couldn't be more thrilled. The views on my tablecloth listing are going through the roof. (I'm just a little but excited.)

A big thanks to Ruth of The Enchanted Square for featuring me!

3 things about 320 felt fortune cookies

2010-02-19T12:57:00.006-06:00

I cut 320 3" circles out of charcoal gray felt. I then folded and hand-stitched each one until it looks like what my daughter dubbed a "fortune cookie". Here's what I'd like to say about that...

1. I have been in need of new couch pillows for a good while now. Every time I found a fabric that I loved, it was too cost prohibitive. ( I have four big 24" down pillows to cover.) I also wanted something with texture and interest, while still staying fairly neutral, so that I could pop it with less expensive accent pillows (easy to change whenever I get that switch it up decorating urge). These charcoal felt "fortune cookies" are going to grace those pillows. I'm so anxious to have them done! I have moved the previous couch pillows to their new home on my bed. The sad looking bare couches are a great motivation. And, did I mention these pillow covers are costing me a whopping $10? Love that.

2. Do you sit in the carpool line? A lot? What do you do while you wait? I have read, played Brickbreaker on my Blackberry (high score:15,260...pretty proud), listened to Dave Ramsey, and stared at the strange phenomenon that is the Oklahoma parent. (Since when is the car door with the rolled down window a good seat for your children?) Anyway...I have been keeping my eyes out for a hand-sewn project I could work on while I wait in that l o n g line. How long as it been since you have made something with your hands? I had completely forgotten how relaxing it is. I was actually disappointed when my last "cookie" was sewn.

3. Have you ever felt like just thumbing your nose at something that was hard? Sometimes I feel that way. I am a "go with the flow" kind of girl most of the time. If something is hard, I work AROUND it, not through it. Well, most of the time. I have a health condition that at the moment is affecting my fingers. It makes doing small, fine motor things, well, difficult. Sewing a large thing like a shower curtain or tablecloth is a cinch. Doing a button on a shirt can sometimes be tricky. I really wanted these pillows, so i toughed it out. It actually got a little easier the more I did. Yeah, me! (please no sympathy comments...I'm doing awesome!)

Here are a few other things I have been working on:

I tend to advise my clients to stick within a particular collection to be sure that the colors will work together nicely. I get the biggest thrill when a client totally goes against the grain and picks and chooses from different collections, and lo and behold...it turns out fabulous. I couldn't believe how perfectly these three fabrics worked! It turned out so pretty.

About every other tablecloth order is accompanied with the question, "Do you make matching napkins?". To which I reply, " Of course!" I'm finally getting around to adding them to my shop.

I also get the question, "Do you make shower curtains out of only one fabric?" To which I reply, "Of course!" This one was made from a very interesting Alexander Henry print. So fun.

I sincerely hope I am posting a picture of my new pillows this time next week! Wish me luck.

the day I was a cool mom

2010-02-12T17:06:00.004-06:00

When my 4th grader informed me that she was, and I quote, "Soooooooooo, over the character valentines", I consulted my friend Google, and found this great site.

For my music-obsessed girl, there was no contest. We had to do the ipod valentines! Only, see, I'm the kind of Mom that likes to go the easy route. I like the Fun Dip valentines that my 1st grader opted for. I hand her a pen and her class list. Done. I've got dinner to cook. I am learning (finally) after being a mom for a decade where to get the biggest bang for my buck. For my 1st grader, she couldn't care less what valentines she gave. For my oldest, though, well---she'll talk about these valentines for years. Silly? Yep. But this kind of thing is a big deal to her. And you know what? These valentines were a blast to make, and didn't take much time (me and the girls worked them out assembly line style).

They are each made from a box of Sweethearts, with two bite-size Reese's peanut butter cups for the earbuds. There was a PDF file with all the songs filled in, but you could change them in the file if you wanted. Wouldn't these be cute with Christmas paper, and Christmas carols? Darling.

So, at least for today, in my 10 year old's eyes, I am a cool Mom. It hasn't gone to my head. I'll surely be back to boring by Monday.

Framed

2010-01-21T18:18:00.005-06:00

I recently made a shower curtain for a client. She had gotten her hands on two yards of this very hard to find fabric. <----- In an effort to get the most impact from the two yard piece, we came up with this design.

There are times when I really wish I could keep something for myself. This was one of those times. I'll be adding this design to my Etsy shop as well. I love it!

Speaking of my Etsy shop, I will be extending custom order times to 3 weeks in an effort to balance my life a little. In my heart I am a wife and a mom first, but lately the time I've had to spend sewing hasn't reflected those priorities. Things just need a little tweaking, that's all.

In a totally unrelated matter, has anyone seen Julie and Julia? Remember the scene where she has to "man up and kill the lobster"? And her husband taunts her singing, "lobster killer"? Well, today I was the mouse killer. Eww. Mr G and I have an unspoken deal. I catch the mouse, he kills and disposes of it. But, today I decided to man up and kill the mouse .I was afraid if I didn't he would escape from the glue trap. I used a paint can. I'll go no further. I'll just say that I had the worst heeby-jeebies of my life. I hope now the deal with Mr. G isn't off--now that I've proven I can man up, and all.

This is how I felt. Completely...

What can Brown NOT do for you?

2010-01-16T09:36:00.004-06:00

Apparently, deliver a package to the correct address. For some odd reason, the fine people at the UPS Store where my package containing time sensitive fabric was mailed, decided to type my name into the computer and use the outdated address they found there instead of using the address that they were asked to. Does this make any sense to you? Me either. Thankfully, I have a good friend that lives just around the corner from my old home. She was able to track down the package for me just in the nick of time. The "Grrr!" of three days of stressing about my lost package quickly turned to "Phew!".

The fabric was ever so swiftly made into a shower curtain and three pillow covers for a client. Here are two of the pillow covers:

I really love the gray/ivory floral of the smaller pillow. I have a serious thing for gray lately.

This is what I have my eye on to spruce up my couch pillows:

It is from Anna Maria Horner's Drawing Room collection. If you are unfamiliar with her, take a look at her blog and website and check out her many amazing creations. I am always in awe of those who have developed their talents so well. She's pretty amazing.

Anna Maria's booth from Quilt Market. Do you want that dress as bad as I do?

Have a happy Saturday!

MIA

2010-01-13T20:07:00.008-06:00

MIA, I have been. And honestly, happily so. Christmas was fabulous. Nice and mellow, unexpectedly snowed in. Perfect. Christmas orders were even more insane than last year. In hindsight I am glad for every rushed order I was able to get out by the big day. I was waking up to sew at 4:00 am most days. I had to squeeze those extra hours out of somewhere! There's nothing like that to make my usual 6:30 feel like sleeping in. While I was crazily sewing Christmas Eve morning, I told myself that I wasn't going to make one single gift next year. I was going to be one of those people I envied all season long who simply clicked on Amazon, or called into the Q and were done. Quick as that! Somehow I think I will forget the long and early days, and all the stress and do it all again next Christmas. I guess in the end there's something about a homemade gift that no store bought thing can touch.

Well, here are just a few of the things I whipped up last month. I regret that in my frenzied state, I was all to quick to ship the orders out the door and didn't reach for my camera as often as I should have. I did manage to snap a few. Here they are:

This bag was made for my dear friend Becky's Mom who has gone above and beyond the call of duty this year. And beyond and beyond...

Are these not the cutest? I know. I was dieing, too.

I love when a client wants something totally different. I thought this shower curtain design that she came up with was spot on. I'm going to be listing this as an option in my Etsy shop soon.

I was so thrilled to make this large minky throw at my Mother-in-law's request. I young lady close to her recently lost her mother to cancer. Is there a worse time for a girl to lose their mom than as a teenager? I can't even imagine. There's something about a quilt, especially one as soft and cozy as this, that is so comforting. I was so happy to put my large stash of Heather Bailey Pop Garden fabric to such a good use (with a little Amy Butler thrown in for good measure). It is certainly bright and cheerful. Just what I was going for.

We've spent the last couple of weeks with family we rarely see, which has been lovely. But, now it is back to the routine of life. I'm thinking of making a l - o - n - g construction paper countdown chain (you know the ones) to countdown the end of the school year for both Mr. G and the girls. For Mr. G it will mean the accomplishment of a goal we have talked and dreamed about for nearly 13 years. For the girls (and me) it will mean days without 2 1/2 hours spent in the car. Almost as great. Here's to a wonderful New Year! I'm excited for it, are you?

a pretty tablecloth and a little fabric gripe

2009-11-21T17:16:00.003-06:00

Don't you wish this was on your Thanksgiving table?  Me, too.  I just sent this tablecloth off this morning,  If the postal service does it's job, it will get to it's destination by Tuesday.  Arriving in plenty of time to catch those inevitable gravy spills.

I was lucky to get this Joel Dewberry sparrow fabric.  The day after I placed my order I received a phone call from the nicest lady at Quilt Home.  She was calling to tell me that the fabric had been discontinued ( I knew that---this was the only place I could find any), and that they only had 3 yards and 11 inches of the 4 yards that I had ordered.  Luckily they had a 3/4 yard piece as well, that was added, and all was well.  She told me this was one of the most popular fabrics they've ever carried, and was surprised they still had any at all.  Thank goodness!

This leads me to spout off on something that irks me a bit as a major fabric consumer.  Why oh why don't designers keep producing fabrics that are insanely popular?  I'm no business genius, but doesn't this make sense?  Amy Butler, thankfully, is continuing to produce some of the most popular prints from her discontinued Lotus line. Nothing is more frustrating than finding the perfect fabric for a client's project, only to find that there is none to be found , and if there is, they want $30 a yard plus your first born.

My favorite discontinued fabrics:

Amy Butler's entire Forest & Sunbloom lines.

Heather Ross' gnomes, bikes and VW's.  They were the best for kid's items.  Vintage, fun, and perfect.  

And this one, well, I had better get it while I still can. My couch needs two more pillows.

myrtle eats

2009-11-19T22:58:00.000-06:00

My cooking journal/blog is up and running.  A big thanks to Brianna for my headers.  She was amazing to work with.  She designed a fun header I'll be happy to see greet me whenever I wander over to enter a new recipe.  Follow her link over to her Etsy shop.  Her prices are extremely reasonable.  I hope you give her a consideration if you are in the market for such a thing.

I am drowning in orders due to the dreaded flu hitting our house last week.  I am grateful for tamiflu, understanding clients, a two year old who naps, and the fact that I am a major morning person.  Just a few of the things that are allowing me to get back on track.  The start of the Holiday season is no time to be behind!  

I was rereading last year's post about simplifying Christmas.  Thank goodness I started that last year, because this Christmas, and the ones to follow are going to be a comparative breeze to the years pre-2008.  My kids are really excited about our second year of the "want, need, wear, read" tradition, and I'm almost done shopping.  Love it.  Bring on the Holidays!

swimsuits in November

2009-11-15T19:06:00.005-06:00

You are likely well acquainted with the "modest t-shirt companies". Sadly, my favorite is going out of business. They are having a great going out of business sale that is not to miss. Check it out. My recommendation: the swimsuits. The one I purchased from Modbe two years ago is still my favorite and going strong. That is no small feat, because I am beyond finicky in the swimwear department. Who doesn't like shopping for swimsuits in the middle of November?

And no, Mr. G. (If you're reading this) I did not buy another swimsuit. Nope. I have restraint. I'm just recommending that others do not. ;)

Happy bargain shopping!

in full disclosure

2009-11-08T17:38:00.006-06:00

Lest anyone think I am anywhere near perfect, or that my seam ripper doesn't get much use, I offer this post. I had a couple of flubs this weekend. Luckily, they weren't on orders--just projects of my own. I'm less upset when I mess up on my own dime.

The first flub was a bag that I thought would be a cinch. I free styled this, and in the end my free spirit bit me in the butt! In theory the design worked, but in the end, it was far too bulky for my machine. Sad. It had such promise. I'm sure I'll pick it apart one of these nights and try something new. At this point though, I don't want to look at it ever again.

Flub number two really gets me. I do so many shower curtains these days, I feel like I could almost sew one with my eyes shut. I was making one this afternoon, and didn't double and triple check my measurements like I always do. As a result, I ended up with 11 slots at the top instead of the standard 12. Not a huge deal, it just won't match up with the holes on a standard vinyl liner. It is currently selling at a discount in my Etsy shop. Personally, the one less slot wouldn't bother me a bit, so I figured there would be someone that would love to have it.

While you are over in my Etsy shop, ( if you are inclined to visit), you'll notice a couple more additions:

A Custom Tablecloth:

Aren't these colors beautiful together? This particular one was a client order. I love it when someone orders something that I love so much, I want to keep it for myself.

and Custom Wide Legged Lounge Pants:

I'm excited to get working on some of these for Holiday orders.

Speaking of the Holidays, I'm taking my two flubs this weekend as a sign that I need to slow down! If last year is any indication, things are about to get a little bit crazy.

FABRIC CHOICES

2009-11-08T08:01:00.057-06:00

PLEASE SEE THE UPDATED FABRIC CHOICES PAGE HERE

Please choose from the swatches below for your custom
Modern Myrtle purchase.

*Don't let the amount of fabrics overwhelm you! Look through and make a note of the ones that jump out at you. Once you've found a main fabric that you love, the rest is a cinch. I am always happy to help you pick the coordinates. I know that the small swatches can sometimes be difficult to match, so please email me for help if you need it. When in doubt, choose within a particular collection. They are designed to work together.

*If there is a fabric you'd like used in your custom project that you don't see here, I would be happy to order it in for you. This won't take any extra time. If you are in the browsing mood, take a look at my favorite fabric sites: fabric.com, and quilthome.

*Please, feel free to contact me (modernmyrtle@gmail.com) if you would like some ideas for fabric combinations, or with any other questions you may have

Looking for a specific color? Try this Color Grid feature at Hawthorne Threads! Any fabric you see there, I can get for your custom project.

(* = home decor weight, good for all projects)

love 1 _ love 2

love 3

love 4* _ love 5*

love 6* _ love 7*

love 8* _ love 9*

love 10* _ love 11*

love 12*_ love 13*

love 14* _ love 15*

love 16 _ love 17 _ love 18

love 19_ love 20 _ love 21

love 22 _ love 23 _ love 24

love 25 _ love 26 _ love 27

love 28_ love 29 _ love 30

love 31 _ love 32 _ love 33

love 34 _ love 35

nigella 1* _ nigella 2*

nigella 3* _ nigella 4*

nigella 5* _ nigella 6*

nigella 7* _ nigella 8*

nigella 9* _ nigella 10*

nigella 11* _ nigella 12*

nigella 13* _ nigella 14*

nigella 15* _ nigella 16*

nigella 17* _ nigella 18*

nigella 19* _ nigella 20*

nigella 21* _ nigella 22*

nigella 23*

af 1* _ af 2*

af 3* _ af 4*

af 5* _ af 6*

af 7* _ af 8*

af 9* _ af 10*

af 11* _ af 12*

af 13* _ af 14*

af 15* _ af 16*

af 17* _ af 18*

af 19* _ af 20*

af 21* _ af 22*

af 23* _ af 24*

af 25* _ af 26*

af 27* _ af 28*

af 29*

daisy 1 _ daisy 2

daisy 3 _ daisy 4

daisy 5 _ daisy 6

daisy 7 _ daisy 8

daisy 9 _ daisy 10

daisy 11 _ daisy 12

daisy 13 _ daisy 14

daisy 15 _ daisy 16

daisy 17 _ daisy 18

daisy 19 _ daisy 20

daisy 21 _ daisy 22

daisy 23 _ daisy 24

daisy 25 _ daisy 26

daisy 27 _ daisy 28

belle 1 _ belle 2 _ belle 3

belle 4 _ belle 5 _ belle 6

belle 7 _ belle 8 _ belle 9

belle 10 _ belle 11 _ belle 12

belle 13 _ belle 14 _ belle 15

belle 16 _ belle 17 _ belle 18

belle 19 _ belle 20

lotus 1 _ lotus 2 _ lotus 3

lotus 4 _ lotus 5 _ lotus 6

lotus 7 _ lotus 8 _ lotus 9

lotus 10 _ lotus 11 _ lotus 12

lotus 13 _ lotus 14 _ lotus 15

lotus 16 _ lotus 17 _ lotus 18

lotus 19 _ lotus 20 _ lotus 21

lotus 22 _ lotus 23 _ lotus 24

lotus 25 _ lotus 26 _ lotus 27

lotus 28

midwest 1 _ midwest 2 _ midwest 3

midwest 4 _ midwest 5 _ midwest 6

midwest 7 _ midwest 8 _ midwest 9

midwest 10 _ midwest 11 _ midwest 12

midwest 13 _ midwest 14 _ midwest 15

midwest 16 _ midwest 17 _ midwest 18

midwest 19 _ midwest 20 _ midwest 21

midwest 22 _ midwest 23 _ midwest 24

midwest 25 _ midwest 26 _ midwest 27

midwest 28 _ midwest 29 _ midwest 30

midwest 31 _ midwest 32 _ midwest 33

midwest 34 _ midwest 35 _ midwest 36

midwest 37 _ midwest 38 _ midwest 39

midwest 40 _ midwest 41 _ midwest 42

midwest 43 _ midwest 44 _ midwest 45

midwest 46 _ midwest 47 _ midwest 48

midwest 49 _ midwest 50 _ midwest 51

midwest 52 _ midwest 53 _ midwest 54

midwest 55 _ midwest 56 _ midwest 57

midwest 58 _ midwest 59 _ midwest 60

pop 1 _ pop3

pop 4 _ pop 5

pop 6 _pop 7

pop 8 _ pop 9

pop 10 _ pop 11

pop 12 _ pop 13

pop 14 _ pop 15

pop 16 _ pop 17

pop 18 _ pop 19

pop 20 _ pop 21

pop 22 _ pop 23

pop 24 _ pop 25

pop 26 _ pop 27

pop 28 _ pop 29

pop 30 _ pop 31

pop 32 _ pop 33

pop 34 _ pop 35

pop 36 _ pop 37

pop 38 _ pop 39 _ pop 40

pop 41 _ pop 42 _ pop 43

pop 44 _ pop 45 _ pop 46

pop 47 _ pop 48 _ pop 49

pop 50 _ pop 51 _ pop 52

jane 1 _ jane 2 _ jane 3

,jane 4 _ jane 5 _ jane 6

jane 7 _ jane 8 _ jane 9

.jane 10 _ jane 11 _ jane 12.

.jane 13 _ jane 14 _ jane 15.

.jane 16 _ jane 17 _ jane 18.

.jane 19 _ jane 20 _ jane 21.

.jane 22 _ jane 23 _ jane 24.

.jane 25 _ jane 26 _ jane 27.

.jane 28 _ jane 29 _ jane 30.

.jane 31 _ jane 32 _ jane 33.

.jane 34 _ jane 35 _ jane 36.

.jane 37 _ jane 38 _ jane 39.

,jane 40 _ jane 41 .

amh 1 _ amh 2 _ amh 3

amh 5 _ amh 6 _ amh 7

amh 8 _ amh 9 _ amh 10

amh 11 _ amh 12 _ amh 13

amh 14 _ amh 15 _ amh 16

amh 17 _ amh 18 _ amh 19

amh 20 _ amh 21 _ amh 22

amh 23 _ amh 24 _ amh 25

amh 26 _ amh 27 _ amh 28

amh 29 _ amh 30 _ amh 31

amh 32 _ amh 33 _ amh 34

amh 35 _ amh 36

amh 37 _ amh 38 _ amh 39

amh 40

amh 41 _ amh 42 _ amh 43

amh 44

amh 45 _ amh 46

amh 47 _ amh 48 _ amh 49

amh 50

amh 51 _ amh 52 _ amh 53

amh 54 _ amh 55 _ amh 56

amh 56 _ amh 57 _ amh 58

amh 59

amh 60 _ amh 61 _ amh 62

amh 63 _ amh 64 _ amh 65

amh 66 _ amh 67

amh 68 _ amh 69 _ amh 70

amh 71 _ amh 72

amh 73 _ amh 74 _ amh 75

amh 76 _ amh 77 _ amh 78

amh 79* _ amh 80*

mm 1 _ mm 2

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mm 12 _ mm 13

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mm 18 _ mm 19

mm 20 _ mm 21

mm 22 _ mm 23

mm 24 _ mm 25

mm 26 _ mm 27

mm 28 _ mm 29

mm 30 _ mm 31

mm 32 _ mm 33

mm 34 _ mm 35

mm 36 _ mm 37

mm 38 _ mm 39

mm 40

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mm 42 _ mm 43

mm 44 _ mm 45

mm 46 _ mm47

mm 48 _ mm 49

mm 50 _ mm 51

mm 52 _ mm 53

mm 54 _ mm 55

mm 56 _ mm 57

(see more from this collection here)

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elephant crossing

2009-11-05T13:55:00.000-06:00

I have seen my share of roadkill here in Oklahoma (and your share, and yours and yours). I've seen possums, skunks, squirrels, and the occasional raccoon. And that was just on my way home from Target today. You think I'm kidding?

Speaking of roadkill, when I saw this story in the Tulsa World today, I laughed right out loud. My favorite quote from the article:

Carpenter joked about being involved in such a bizarre accident on what is usually a peaceful church night.
"I don't know what was in the wine, but it must have been pretty strong," he said.

Only in Oklahoma.

bloom and such

2009-11-04T11:32:00.008-06:00

Anne over at BLOOM asked me to do a little sewing post and I was thrilled to do it! I decided to share a tutorial for a quick and easy embellished towel that makes the perfect teacher's gift, thank you, or hostess gift. Heck, a stack of these would be the cutest bridal shower gift of all. Speaking of teacher's gifts, am I alone in giving the understated, if anything at all? I'm not kidding when I say that I have seen LARGE Saks Fifth Ave or Nordstrom bags being given to my daughter's teachers over the years. Again, not kidding. And what does that say about these mothers that they didn't put their gift in a regular gift bag? Or, maybe they felt the need to put the perfectly fine modest gift in the fancy-shmance bag. What does THAT say? Oh, I am digressing aren't I? I have way too much sewing to get done today to be doing this. Anyway, this is what my girls' teachers will be receiving this Christmas. And I'm not putting them in fancy bags, either.

Check out my tutorial here, and have a lovely Wednesday!