Good thinkin’, Jenn!

Here is what I was thinking about three days ago:

“I know! I’ll jot down some ideas for a blog post,
so that I don’t forget them! Damn, I’m on it!”

Here is what I was thinking about three minutes ago:

“Where the heck did I put the book that I wrote those ideas in?!?
Is this how my life is always going to be???

Will this confusion ever end????”


Ah. Rant over.
I still haven’t found the notebook I wrote those ideas in.
But I think I can manage to cobble together enough randomness to fill out a modest blog post. (I’m sure there wasn’t anything earth shattering in that notebook anyway.)

As you’ve probably read here before,
I have lots of new things in the works for my Etsy shop.
Like new select sewing sets. Here is a sneak peek at one of the bunny taskets:


But today I had deadlines for two projects that had to be done,
that weren’t new items for my shop. So, I’ve spent the past week
and all weekend getting those done. One project was creating three Good Things
items for Frank, my partner in the Martha’s Good Things Swap.
(Organized by Katie.) I took photos of what I made last night, but I’m going to hold off on posting them until Frank has rec’d his good things.

The little acorn above has been in my studio for some time.
Occasionally I bring home bits of little things that I find while I’m out walking.

I got to looking at this little acorn awhile back
and spontaneously decided to make two little squirrel themed quilts.

Back in January I was at Joann Fabrics and found myself (once again)
in the quilting aisle, looking at the Clover mini irons. I’ve read many recommendations for getting one of these little gadgets.
I think I read that Betz White has one (love her blog!)
and Amy Karol mentions them in her book “Bend-The-Rules Sewing”.

So far I’ve been able to live without one of these,
but every once in awhile I wonder how handy one would be.
So, there I was, with a selection of irons infront of me and a 40% off coupon in my hand…. so I got one. I got the basic one, which runs about $25.00.
And then as soon as I left the store I started to think that I should have gotten the next one up. The one that has attachments that you can switch out depending on the project. By the time I was back home I had decided to get the other one.
So the next day I went back to Joann’s and did just that!

See the rounded attachment, there to the right?
I think that will come in very handy when I get back to working on plushies.
I’m glad I made the upgrade. This mini iron is also made by Clover
and costs about $35.00. The attachments are extra.

(Boy, I love those 40-50% off Joann’s coupons!
Talk about a Good Thing!)


I used it recently to iron the tiny squares of my squirrel quilts.
I really like the extra control the iron gave me.
I’ve gone a long time using my regular iron, but I highly recommend
getting a mini iron if you make small things.

******************************************************************

And finally…

As of Friday the 22nd, I am on the “Use What You Have”
one month fabric diet plan. I will only buy what I absolutely need to finish up
the projects I’ve started. No new fabric. No new wool or felt.

I did this last year and survived, I can do it again!

Hope you are all doing well and being creative.

I’ll be posting the next Lake Resort Nurse installment on Wednesday.

And hopefully a shop update soon!

Jenn : )


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10 Responses to “Good thinkin’, Jenn!”

  1. Lucy Says:

    that mini iron is so dang cute!! I want one and I don’t even sew :) (barely anyway) Don’tchya just love those 40% coupons???

    Cool that a guy joined in on a swap, can’t wait to see what “good things” he makes for you!

  2. LeeAnn Says:

    I bought a mini iron last year with my 40% off coupon. I used it a few times but then kept burning myself because that sucker gets hot all over! So it’s been sitting in my drawer for a few months now. Darn it!

  3. brandianndesigns Says:

    i love joanns! i just wish you could get around in ours without turning sideways to go down the aisle. not to mention – leave the kids at home! they have too much stuff for their store.

    coupons rock!

  4. Christina Says:

    What a sweet little acorn!

    And I love your rabbit tasket.

    The iron is awfully cute.

  5. iSew Says:

    I’ve got a mini iron too! I haven’t really used it since I’ve been back in the US. Don’t ask me why. Maybe because it’s in that messy crafty box I don’t like to look in. lol

    Your squirrel quilts will fly from the shop, I’m positive.

  6. Katie Jean Says:

    I totally need to catch up and finish my Good things. I am after all the swap hostess.

    I’ve been thinking about getting one of those mini irons, but I wasn’t sure if it would make a huge difference or not.

  7. Felicia Says:

    I have GOT to get one of those little irons!

  8. Rebecca Says:

    I’ve been pondering a mini iron, hmmm. Not that I really need it but when I do what to iron in my craft room I either have to take everything down to the basement or big up the big iron or use a rather sketchy travel iron that smells like melting plastic. Hmm. I may have just convinced myself right there LOL.

    Love that bunny fabric in the tasket, too cute!

  9. Mrs.Kwitty Says:

    Soo funny–I was at Target the other day and saw the easter baskets and thought to myself “self, you should tell JennMaruska to make some easter taskets”. Of course, you already thought of that!! lol They are adorable.
    And don’t even get me started on that adorable little squirrel in the middle of your little quilties! Sigh.
    Smiles, Karen

  10. Frank Says:

    I got my items Jenn! They are SO SO beautiful! I love everything, but am particularly smitten with the coasters! Thank You!

    Will you give Oliver a stern talking to? He consumes so much of my time that I can’t get your items done. But soon, I promise! (Although methinks it’ll require some late-night crafting!).

    xo

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