An announcement and 2017 goals

Lets ignore the fact that we are in the second month of 2017 and I am just now posting my 2017 creative goals. Alright, good.

Last year (2016) I rung in the new year by myself, making a list of all the crafty/sewing type things I wanted to explore in the new year. I didn't plan to do that, it just poured out of me. It was like I was re-energized to pursue all sorts of creative endeavors that I had been telling myself were for people more talented than myself.

This year, as we have entered into this new year, I am much more exhausted. I still have creative drive, but it's on the back burner once again. This is in part because I am creating something that is taking a lot of energy. We are expecting a new little one summer 2017. This is worth being fatigued for. :)

In the last year I have gathered things to expand some of my creativity in new directions, but haven't ventured into them yet. I have a screen printing kit, and for Christmas I received a batik kit and a tjap. Starting up a new thing can be really intimidating to me. Also, I'm running into the problem of having a place to play with these things. My sewing area isn't the best place to get things messy (with paint and dye at least, it's not very accessible to an appropriate sink), and I'm not sure where to set up these very messy things. I really want to dig in though!

So, my goals for 2017 are to play with screen printing and batik, finish some of my WIP, consistently work on my penny sampler, get in some baby sewing, and birth a healthy baby.

Here's hoping that I am able to meet some of these goals!

Gigantic Tote Bag FINISH!

I have a finish this week! (actually late last Friday night, but I just got photos this morning)

I made a (unintentionally) huge tote/crossbody bag.

My new phone takes "eh" pictures

So, it's pretty huge, and I guess that's the advantage of using a pattern that has already been tested instead of trying to make your own. However, I am not deterred, I'm still pleased as punch, although it's too big for it's original purpose, it's a great overnight bag. I've already tried it out!

A better representation of the colors

Something that I'm proud of with this bag, is the quilting. I actually took the time to mark diagonal lines, and it turned out great!

'Eh' colorization... 

I'm so glad I have something to share today!

I need to figure out my camera situation. Any suggestions for a relatively inexpensive cell phone that takes GREAT pictures?

In other news, Google tried to redirect my questionable parenting yesterday...

Linked up at Crazy Mom Quilts and My Quilt Infatuation

Cathedral Windows Mosaics

So, I've put together some online fabric pulls for the mosaic contest running over at Stitched in Color. The prompt was  Cathedral Windows, and it was really challenging for me.

Mosaic 1

I really struggled to get across the brilliant colors with the darkness and shadows...

Mosaic 2

So, I tried solids, with 'eh' results... 

I really prefer playing with fabric in person!

My first Sampler quilt

I've decided to join along with the Penny Sampler over at Stitched in Color this year. I hemmed and hawed a bit, since I'm not sure I should be adding to my commitments, but the Penny Sampler won out. I've loved this quilt for a long time and I didn't want to miss my chance at making it. I've joined in the 12 month plan, so I could go slow and (hopefully) steady.

This weekend I've been playing with my color story. I decided to play with a vintage scrapy look. I made this pinterest board to get a feel for what I liked and didn't like.

Some of my favorites surprised me.

Found here 

The scrap factor on this quilt is crazy! But I really loved it. I like the pops of red, and all of the saturated colors. 

Found here 

The red on this one delighted me even more!

found here

The dark colors mixed with brights drew me to this one. 

So I went though my fabric and pulled out anything that read vintage to me on first glance. 

The photo is kinda crummy but you get the idea.

I need to figure out solids to pair with what's I've pulled. I'm leaning towards some very light pastels, and some more 'faded' saturated colors in blue and green. I'd like to hear what anyone thinks! I'd love some input. 

A Creative Lull

I haven't been sharing here much lately, because I don't feel there is much to tell. My creative life has been buried under other duties and interests.

Over on Instagram (@teagancarnes) I've shared some of my fabric/creative life over the past couple of months, including participating in #30daysofquiltdesign hosted by @stitchedincolor. It's worth a look for sure. So many interesting and different designs, from modern to traditional. It was a blast to see everything that people posted.

Also, I did a holiday craft show back in November which monopolized much of my sewing time.

My vintage suitcase displaying my logo

 So much time was spent sitting and waiting for people to come to my booth, in a cold and dark hallway of a local high school. I didn't lose money on the show (like some of the people around me) but it was not worth my time.

Reusable Gift Bags

The main item I was trying to sell were reusable holiday gift bags (simple drawstring bags). I did sell out of one of the sizes, mainly by one buyer. So at least someone appreciated the idea.

Reusable holiday gift bows! (Christmas pins)

I also made over 100 of these Christmas pins, marketed to go with the drawstring bags. I sold around 25 total, which is probably because I had them under priced at only 1$. It is fun to get out the hot glue gun from time to time, and play around ribbons and trims. Unfortunately, most the people who would wear a Christmas pin, already have quite a few (since they tended to be older ladies with many years of shopping under their belt) and these did not sell as well as I hoped they would.

So, after this show I made the decision to call it quits. I'm not going to do craft shows. Mass producing one item is not my thing. I may try another holiday show next year, just to unload some of my current inventory, but overall I'm not going to be putting any more energy into this venture. I want my sewing time to be filled by what I like to sew, not what I think other people might like. 

It has been so freeing for me to give up on the idea of craft shows being profitable for me. I'm so glad that I decided to move on. 

Mosaic Contest Entry: Dreaming at Dusk

I love playing along with the Mosaic Contests at Stitched In Color. Here are my entries for the one running now, inspired by dusk. :) What do you think? I was disappointed with the selection of brown available, but overall I'm happy with how they turned out. I love the blue's I found. :)

Number One

I think of the first as a snapshot as the sun is sinking, and then of number two a snapshot taken just a few moments later as the sun is even more gone. 

Number Two

Video Game Mishap

Oh, I've been feeling drained lately.

I've been getting my household in order (something I'm not very good at, or interested in) and it has been taking it out of me. I also have been dealing with a new medication that makes me sleepy (I seemly randomly came down with hives). This means my energy for playing, and creating, has been seriously depleted.

I did however manage to try out another folk flower idea, this time as applique instead of a linocut.

Folk Flower

I up cycled a beat up red sundress for the petals. Once I got it all together and stitched up I realized what the flower looked like. It resembles the flowers that try to eat you when I go down pipes in the Mario Bros video games. Oops. My hope for this project was to enjoy the act of creating and trying something new. That I succeed at. My future hopes for this little art quilt are currently unknown, since I'm feeling a bit deflated about it's unintentional connection to Mario and Luigi. 

I've been doing some thrift shopping this week, and I was excited to find two yards of adorable vintage corduroy. (For 1.50$ !!!)

Frogs, and bugs, and flowers, oh my!

I am hoping to find the perfect project for this delightful fabric soon. It's super soft, and the creatures are beyond delightful. Idea's welcome!

Hopefully I'll get back into a routine of creating regularly soon. I really miss it. 

Linked up at Off the Wall friday.