Jenn fact: Whenever I make a sale and need to go to the post office, or I need supplies and need to go to Joanns = I walk. Walking is really my main (and sometimes only) form of exercise. And I walk ALOT.

I just recently replaced my sneakers and I was pretty shocked by the difference in condition of the old pair vs the new pair.

(Click on photo for a horrifying close up - eeek!)

See where the heels have worn away? I sure knew when I’d stepped in a puddle!

Poe gives the new pair her seal of approval!

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In other news…

I was very flattered recently to be asked to do an interview by Suzanne (her Etsy shop is BlissCandles).

I hope you’ll check it out *here* and also take a look around her blog: MustLoveEtsy, where Suzanne has interviewed many Etsy artists and craftspeople, who create a variety of handmade items.

A big thanks to Suzanne for inviting me to do this fun interview!

I hope you all have a terrific day!

Jenn : )

This year, I’ve gotten it in my head to start preparing for the holidays early. I know that I’m going to be very busy as it gets closer to the end of the year, who knows what the economy will bring, and with many friends and family on the other side of the country - it wouldn’t hurt to start setting aside gifts now.

Last year, in keeping with the Buy Handmade pledge, we did alot of our shopping on Etsy and local small businesses. This year I’d like an even greater percentage of our gifts to be handmade - including some made by me!

Not too long ago I posted about this great canvas fabric that I purchased at The Quilting Loft.

The one on top is called “Sprig Canvas Green: 2007 Jessica Jones for J. Caroline Designs”.

The blue and green is called “Peapod Blue/Green Circles: 2007 Jessica Jones for J. Caroline Designs”.

Both of these fabrics had washing instructions on the bolt,

and the clerk recommended serging them before washing.

Here is what I did with them:

I cut them…

I stitched them…

I ironed them…

I pinned them…

And by the end of the day I had made four Market Tote bags!

Two will be Christmas gifts for my mom and two will be gifts for my grandparents.

They hold alot!

Two in this gorgeous green sprig pattern.

And two in this eye-catching peapod pattern.

The pattern I used was fantastic.

The bags were fun to make and not difficult at all.

These bags are reusable and washable, so my relatives will not only have a handmade gift from me, but they will be helping the environment by not using plastic or paper grocery bags.

By following the easy, step-by-step instructions, before I knew it - I had made French seams! That’s a technique that I’ve been hearing alot about but I had never tried before. Now I know how to create them and they are wonderful!

I got this great pattern from my friend Ginny and she has made it available to everyone through her iSew shop. I made the very basic bag, but her pattern also includes instructions for various pocket sizes and an additional exterior decorative band.

So, if you’ve been looking for a gift for that hard to buy for person - well, get ‘em going green with a gift of a reusable Market Tote. They’ll thank you, and so will the environment! : )

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Just one more quick note: I am getting ready to send out Issue #1 of my e-newsletter,so if you haven’t already, be sure to sign up!

Cheers!

Jenn : )

I love this time of year,

when the little pumpkins make an appearance at the grocery store.

I always buy some, and I look for the littlest ones.

Do you remember The Great Pumpkin from the Peanuts comic strip?

Have a great day!

Jenn : )

I recently received my September 2008 issue of Cotton Time magazine.

Cotton Time is my favorite Japanese craft magazine.

This latest issue is filled with pages and pages of patchwork projects!

Here, you can take a peek!

Even the cover is cute!

Sorry for the shadows (afternoon sun).

There are pages of pretty quilt blocks.

A patchwork purse.

Teeny, tiny yo yos.

This last photo is from My Patchwork Time Vol. 3.

I may try to make this little basket… or a hundred of them!

: D

Cheers!

Jenn : )

I know this fabric just came out of the dryer and it’s still warm…

…..but it’s for making tote bags tomorrow.

Oh, okay….

…but just for a little while.

; )

Jenn

I was planning on doing a post today about how I re-organized the little closet in my studio.

That was a big project that I tackled right before Josh and I took our vacation back in August. I have photos of the before and after, and how much more organized it is now.

I’ve always said that if nothing else, this blog would be truthful. And the truth is that sometimes our days don’t go the way we anticipate. Today, for instance. I won’t go into the gory details…. but let’s just say that my day began with:

Cat + Throwing up + First quilt I ever made.

So, instead of showing my tidy workspace, I’m more in the frame of mind to blog about what my To-Do list is for today. Along with the truths behind each task.

So here it is, my To-Do list, in no particular order:

1. Return emails.

(I read an article recently that said that proper etiquette is to return emails within 24-48 hours. Oh dear.)

2. Do a blog post. (Done!)

3. Finish sewing up these pouches. (For a project I started back in March.)

4. Decide the final image placement for an embroidery piece I’m going to frame and put in my shop.

5. List a new item in my shop. (Done! You can see it *here*.)

6. Come up with a solution to finally organize my embroidery floss, with wool/felt, dowels, and using this rudimentary sketch as a guide. (I started this project back in May.)

7. Call Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel to see if I can track down a bowl that says “Popcorn” on it for my friend Tammy’s birthday gift.

(Her birthday was last week.)

8. Decide what day I’ll test a tote bag pattern for Ginny. (Done! Thursday it is!)

9. Dust and swiffer livingroom.

10. Mail bills. (Done!)

11. Email Josh list of dinner ingredients to pick up on his way home.

(Done! Discovered I have all the ingredients already.)

12. Pick up all the fallen crabapples in the back yard.

(Done!…..but look how many are still on the tree!!)

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So, that is what’s on my plate for today.

If I can get all of that done, I’ll feel very accomplished!

Oh, and truth be told, my quilt has been washed and dried and looks good as new.

I’ve even forgiven the cat. ; )

Enjoy your day,

Jenn : )

Here in Seattle we are still having sunny days and warm afternoons.

But I can tell that the season is getting ready to change. There’s a certain feeling in the air, the way the light falls through the windows. My morning walk calls for a light jacket now. I love the Fall - it’s my favorite time of the year. Here in the Northwest we anticipate the leaves changing colors and more rainy days. I enjoy the colors of Fall, the delicious comfort foods, wearing sweaters, and chilly nights with blankets on the bed.

A few months ago I joined the Etsy Quiltsy Street Team. The Quiltsy Team is a group of Etsy sellers who enjoy quilting, sharing their ideas and knowledge and selling their handiwork. Right now I have two mini art quilts in my shop, which you can see *here*. Today I’d like to introduce you to a few of my fellow Quiltsy Team members and show you examples of their wonderful creations.

Did you know….?

* The technique of quilting dates back to ancient Egypt, and may be even older than that.

* A quilt made of a solid piece of fabric is called a “Whole Cloth” quilt.

The textures and patterns made by the quilting stitches are the decoration of the whole cloth quilt.

* The Log Cabin pattern consists of strips of fabric (which represent logs) sewn around a square center. Traditionally, this center square was red to symbolize the warm fire on the hearth of the cabin.

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Here is a great example of the beautiful colors of Fall, in this wall hanging created by Doodlebugquilts.

“Quilted Fall Leaves Wall Hanging”.

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I love to cook for family and friends this time of year.

Wouldn’t this look pretty decorating your dinner table?

This “Fall Tablerunner” was created by lmkquilts.

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Need a new bag to go with all of your Fall outfits?

Kimbuktu creates pretty pieced and quilted bags.

“Judie Black and White Quilted and Beaded Patchwork Bag”.

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This lovely pillow cover was created by Warmnfuzzies.

She made the top of this pillow completely by hand!

Wouldn’t this pillow look amazing on your favorite chair?

“Changing Seasons Hand-Sewn Cathedral Windows Pillow Cover”.

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After spending the summer out-and-about, Fall is all about gathering together again.

Nesting. Being with family and friends. Home.

Nelliej13 has created this beautiful heirloom lap quilt.

I think she sums up the spirit of home very nicely.

“Mary Engelbreit Tall Houses Quilt”.

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Enjoy your day!

Jenn : )

Right before Josh and I took our ten day whirlwind trip back east, I was the lucky winner of a birthday blog give-away from Kristi. Her blog is called Sunnypond Home and she is a fellow sew-er and maker of all things pretty! This thank you is long overdue.

This is the cardboard suitcase that she used to package up all the goodies for her give-away.

Can you believe that all of these things were inside?!?

(Neither can I!)

Soap, a make up bag, a little bear, cards, a little book, fabric scraps, candy…etc.

Many of these things she made herself.

I am overwhelmed by how generous she is and what a pretty collection of items she put together.

Thank you, Kristi!

Kristi is also a fellow Etsy seller and her shop is called SunnyKristi.

And if you haven’t seen her blog - I hope you’ll stop by and say hello. : )

(Pssst! Check out this adorable plush owl she made!)

Jenn : )

Gosh, it’s been a while since I’ve posted!

There’s lots going on over here at the Maruska house… I keep meaning to do a blog post.

I now have a list of things to remember to share with you guys.

So.

Let’s get this party started!

Here are a couple of sewing projects I’ve been working on.

I have 22 of these little flower needlebooks that I’ve been creating.

I’ve made so many of these books in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

I hope that folks like them as much as I do. : )

Right now I’m a bit obsessed with these wee tiny flower buttons - aren’t they cute?

You’ll see those in many of my new embroidery designs.

Here is a WIP that I’ve had for ages: these bunny embroideries.

These will eventually be needlebooks for my select sewing sets.

There will be a needlebook with matching tasket and pincushion.

I’ve very happy with how these came out. : )

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Conversation in our kitchen yesterday afternoon:

Josh: “Hey, have I shown you this computer game that I’ve been playing?”

Me: “No.”

Josh: “It’s pretty fun. And really cute. I bet you’d like it.”

Me: “OMG! I HAVE to put this on the blog!!!!!!”

This game was created by the California Milk Processor Board (the “Got Milk” people) as a cute way to promote… milk. The graphics are fantastic. The story is fantastic. And I am completely head-over-heels in love with this game.

It’s been out since 2007, so maybe many of you have already heard about it.

But for those of you who haven’t, I introduce to you:

“Get The Glass”

Simply click on the dice to roll them.

Keep your wits about you.

Try not to get sent to Milkatraz!

And enjoy!

I’ll see you again soon!

Jenn : )

Here are a few more photos from our trip back to PA and NY this month.

In NY we celebrated my dad and brother’s birthdays (they are both on the same day!).

Grandma made a cake with half vanilla frosting and half mint.

In the center was this adorable little wooden bird to hold one of the candles.

I don’t recall seeing this little bird before.

She said that her mother decorated her birthday cakes with it when she was a little girl.

She put pretty sheets on our bed.

While we were in PA, we stopped by International Fabrics.

As the name implies: they have fabrics from all around the world.

They have something for everyone….

…even a comfy chair for dad to sleep in while the women shopped.

: )

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I’ve been asked to make another moose needlebook, so I’ll be embroidering this afternoon.

Right after I order one of these,

(despite the snarky review)

for EVERY ROOM OF MY HOUSE!

Jenn : )