pixl-r-matic

When I’m not quilting, designing or creating I love taking pictures.  I loved taking pictures as a kid on an old box camera that had been my grandparents.  I have albums of pictures I took as a kid.

I’ve never stopped taking pictures.  Boy have things changed over the years.  Today there are such fun programs and applications that can edit and enhance photos.  I’ve been playing around with one that’s available as an app for the ipad and also an online site that you can go to and play with your photos.  I love that I don’t have to download anything to my computer to use the product.

I took pictures this past weekend at a family gathering.  My daughter had a beautiful bouquet of yellow tulips on her table.  thought I’d show you the original and a few of the enhanced versions.

original photo

 

 

 

 

 Here’s a link if you’d like to give it a try. pixlr-o-matic  Sometimes these little tweaks can really enhance a photo or add a little “umph” to an otherwise dull photo.

Hope these yellow tulips bring a little spring into your day!

Thanks for visiting!!

Blessings ~ Terri

 

Bag LOVE!

In the studio this weekend we had one of the monthly “Sleep in your own Bed Retreats”.  Among all the fabulous projects being worked on there was a lot of bag stitching taking place.

A group of us made the "Tango" bag by Silk Road Creations.  Love the bag!!  It goes together smoothly and we all loved the finished product.  What I personally like about it is my ipad fits in the interior pocket perfectly and there’s plenty of room left for anything else I want to carry.

Here’s a peak at our “Tango” bags.

From left to right the bag creators are Julie, Terri (me), Jeanie, and Sandy.

 

 

 

 

Shirley’s bag (not pictured in the line up above).  Shirley was leaving and threw her bag over her shoulder and I just had to take a picture.  Is it not adorable on?  Thanks for modeling Shirley!

Did you happen to notice a theme in the bags?  There was a lot of Sweetwater Love going on when we made these bags.  5 out of 6 of the bags were made with fabric by Moda designers Sweetwater.  This happened just by chance, we just showed up with our fabric and ……. you saw what we had!  They’re such fun fabrics and they make great bags.

Julie not only finished her “Tango” bag but made this adorable "Pocket Parade Tote" by Penny Sturges of Quilts Illustrated.  She made it to be used as a diaper bag. 

Sandy also finished 2 bags this weekend.  Along with her “Tango” bag she finished this "City Zipper Tote" also by Penny Sturges of Quilts Illustrated.  More on this bag in my next post.

Hope you enjoyed the “Bag Parade” and that we’ve inspired you to give one a try.

Have a great week!  Be sure to take some time nourishing your creative side this week!!

Blessings ~ Terri

Parquet Tablerunner

We had another fun day of Christmas Club classes in the Sweet Treasures studio yesterday.  I have 14 women who come to the studio the second Monday of each month to make something for gift giving or decorating with. 

This month we were working on tablerunners.  I try to plan projects that we can get close to finishing in the three hour class.  Most of the time we’re not completely done but just about.  Depends on how fast we work ~ or should I say….. how much we talk!

Two tops were finished in class and I thought I’d show you their runners.  Barb and Maridell were very good sports.  They were so close to finishing and dare I say, umm….. I cracked the whip a bit and encouraged them to push on through and finish.  I love their runners!

Barb’s pretty in blue, “Parquet Tablerunner” ~

  

Maridell’s Valentine candy, “Parquet Tablerunner” ~

 

Here’s mine that I made out of  Sweetwater fabrics ~

I’ll be using mine in my newly remodeled family room/personal studio.  Soft yellow’s, gray’s and blue with a touch of red or pink at times.  This fabric is PERFECT!

“Parquet Tablerunner” will be in a new book coming up!

Happy Stitching ~ Terri

Hello ~ my name is Joe!

Well it’s about time my grandma introduced me here.  She’s been helping care for me and taking all sorts of pictures so here goes~

My name is Joseph Emmett (Joe for short)

I ~ was born 5 weeks early ~ SURPRISE!!

    have blonde hair and blue eyes

love my big brother Sam (I look a lot like him)

grunt and squeak a lot

smell really good

really love being held while I sleep

don’t like having dirty diapers

don’t like having my diaper or clothes changed.  Exposure’s not my thing!

really don’t like baths!

Well that’s a little about me.  I’m thriving and adjusting to this, out of womb life.  Everybody seems to think I’m pretty perfect.  I’m sure you’ll hear more about me as I grow and change.  Grandma’s are kinda that way.

 

Sleeping ~ one of my favorite things!

I do have my awake times.  This was from my midnight photo shoot with Grandma.

Yes I have 10 toes and 10 fingers.

 

This is my big brother Sam and I.  He loves me so much.

Nappy time again.  Signing off for now.

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings ~ Terri (and Joe)

Free Valentine Pattern

For me Valentines Day has always been a day to show those I love how much they mean to me.  It’s never been a mushy “couples only” day.  My Mom always made the day special for us and I’ve tried to  continued that tradition with my kids.  We’d have heart shaped Calzone for dinner, maybe some red jello and a special Valentine themed dessert.  At each person’s place, a small gift to show my love. 

If you receive my newsletters you’ve already seen this project if not ~ here we go.  Valentines Day is quickly approaching and I thought I’d share a little project with you.  I call it the “No Wilt Valentine Bouquet”.  It’s a bouquet of fabric heart “flowers”.  Make single stems to give away to special friends on Valentines Day or a bouquet for your home. 

Charm squares are the perfect size and a charm pack gives wonderful variety to your “flowers”.  Take a look~

 

 

Click HERE for the free pattern. 

Hope you enjoy.  I’d love the hear about your “flowers” when you give them a try.

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings ~ Terri

P.S.  Don’t forget that Valentines Day can be difficult for some people so be sure to look around for someone that might need a little lovin!

And the WINNER is!

Linda D.

I loved reading about what you’re doing at the beginning of this new year!  Thanks so much for taking the time to write.  You’ve inspired me.

Reorganizing seemed to be the theme.  From crafts, sewing, even priorities (loved that).  Some were looking forward to travel and some just trying to survive. 

Thanks to those who talked about reflecting and rearranging priorities.  Often I’m just “full steam ahead” and need to be quiet and reflect and reorganize priorities.  That’s just  as important as all the reorganizing of stuff!

Here’s what Linda our winner had to say~

Hi Terri. I was having pain and hip problems the last few months, so I mostly stayed in and sewed-easier to make the gifts than shop for them. I bought a new cutting table and I am in the process of reorganizing all my sewing stuff before I start on a new project. Have a happy new year, and congrats on the new baby.

Linda ~ I hope you enjoy your new project!  Your kit will be in the mail as soon as I’m back from helping with Baby JOE!

More coming on him soon.  :-) 

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings ~ Terri

New Year Giveaway!

Have you started a new project yet!  The beginning of a new year just seems like the perfect time to begin a new project.  I know it is for me.  I thought I’d show you my first little project.

A tablerunner I’m calling “Parquet Tablerunner”.  We’ll be making this tablerunner for our February project in the Studio’s Christmas Club. The focus of the Christmas Club is projects for our home or gift giving that isn’t to time consuming.  This little guy will fit the bill!

(Click on the “Studio Classes” button on the right side bar for more information on the Christmas Club).

I love these fabrics from the Sweetwater gals.  They’re designers for Moda Fabrics.  Their fabrics and designs are fun, fresh and simple.

Would you like to make this for yourself?  I’m having a GIVEAWAY for a kit featuring the same fabrics as I’ve used in my tablerunner, pattern included.

What you need to do~ leave a comment on this post telling me what you like to do at the beginning of the New Year.  Do you start new projects, organize your home, go on vacation after the holidays?  Tell me about it and you’ll be entered in the drawing to win the “Parquet Tablerunner” kit.

The contest will run until next Friday, the 13th at 12:00 am.  (Friday the 13th will be lucky for someone)!

Thanks for visiting!

Blessings ~ Terri