Three Kitchen Fairies

It's alive!!

 

I would feel flattered if I could tell you that I created this little guy, but I didn't. Meet "Ed," he was created by my six-year-old daughter during one of our weekend outings to our local downtown pub. Most weekends we have our own version of the Kinder-bar-ten. We go for dinner and a drink while the girls eat and draw right there with us. Since they are well behaved, we get to enjoy the moment as much as they do...Obviously we go at 'children allowed' hours. After 10 pm kids are out of the question, at least at that specific pub.

 

Where does Ed comes from? From Ofelia's imagination I guess...She's draws all the time; she carries a bag with a notebook and some crayons every time we go out. She fell in love with this creature and asked me if we can make him for real.

 

Shake your bootie Ed!!!

Sunday Stash

 

My new addition to my fabric treasure box. I got these three fat quarter canvas from Staci's Boutique at Art Fire. I'm planning to make some pencil cases for the girls and for myself. So every fairy can keep their favorite pens and pencils stashed away...I have no idea about the names of the fabrics, sorry. I'm not so much into who is who in the fabric making industry.

More Sunday Stash here

Because of Winn Dixie and embroidery hoops.

Last week the fairies were on Spring break. It felt so good to get out of the routine for a while and just enjoy being together. We woke up late, and had yummy children-made breakfast. From our weekly trip to the library, we got a bunch of books and only two movies. We ended up watching only one: Because of Winn Dixie. We love that story, both the book and the movie. For instance, I had to come to terms with the idea of not coming any closer to my sewing machine. Still, I found something to entertain myself and the fairies at the same time.

 

I made some embroidery...

 

..and the fairies made some embroidery too!!

I know all of us think the best about our own children. What I'm trying to share here with you, is that special feeling of togetherness that these little crafts left us with. The four of us working with our embroidery hoops, watching "Because of Winn Dixie" every afternoon, and talking, talking, talking at the same time. They were so looking forward to the afternoon to embroider again, proud about how their embroidery was coming along as any little girl can be.  Last Monday morning everybody went back to school, and these little works of art remained on my night stand.

"Because of Winn Dixie" and embroidery hoops... it couldn't get any better.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

I'm feeling like in a stage showing my quilt to all of you: lovely quilters and people with the same crafty interest. I'm thrilled about Amy's quilt festival because it's not just about showing a beautiful finished quilt but also about sharing the story behind it. And although most of us go around blogs looking for our daily eye candy fix, this is a good opportunity to share a bit more than that. 

Long ago I used to work in my art studio as a painter and printmaker, I really loved being an artist. In my mid twenties I fell in love with the idea of having babies and becoming a mom. My idea of motherhood was so lightly taken at the time... After my first baby girl my husband and I decided to have more children. To make this story short: in four years I gave birth to three girls. I know it's not unusual but you get the idea of how much work it takes. I gave myself totally into the task of raising my girls; literally in body and soul without noticing that I was loosing my individuality as a person. By the time little Isabel was twelve months I had no idea where I was standing as an individual. My whole self was overflowing with obligations and endless lists of things to do in which I never found time for myself.

Don't take me wrong, I love every day with my family but sometimes I felt like there was something I was lacking. At that time I met a girl who moved into town, a great friendship was born. She's an amazing quilter, not only talented but also a generous person. She convinced me that I have to make time for myself , and with that idea in mind she taught me the art of quilting. With her help and my new found love for quilts I learned to find time for myself, I regained my sanity, and I started a creative process without end. And of course I found an amazing friend that I will treasure forever.

 

This is the sampler quilt we made together two years ago, it's full of memories, endless conversations, laughter, and a few tears. I could go on and on talking about how meaningful this quilt is to me ...but I think you get me, right??  I think I'll never stop in this my 'creative journey' again, not only because it makes me a better person but because it also makes me a better mom.

Thank you for stopping by, and to Amy for such a wonderful idea. Now I'm off to visit this parkcitygirl to sign up in the Mr. Linky, and them to visit all of you! XX

Bloggers Quilt Festival!!

Amy the girl behind Park City Girl has come up with a brilliant idea. She's organizing a quilt festival on-line!!The idea is that on April 17th we'll have a chance to post about a finished quilt project, and share the story that goes with it. Imagine that, tons of inspiration!! Amy will have a list of the lovely bloggers participating so we can go around and take a good look at wonderful works of art. You can sign up here, and I will add her button on my side bar ...Oh!! I almost forgot the festival includes 7 giveaways sponsored by various fabric stores. Way to go Amy!! I'm looking forward to it!!

Sunday stash on Monday.

 

For this week stash, I have weavers cloth and embroidery floss. My hands have an itch for embroidery this week, hopefully I'll get to it soon. In the meantime I'm going back to my child, the one that ate too much candy yesterday and now has a stomachache.

More Sunday stash here.

Thank you note and Easter Bunnies garland.

Before I start telling you about the garland we made, I want to say THANK YOU!! for all the comments on my "quilt top: almost done" post. I realized I was about to mess up with the few possibilities I myself had for this quilt. Just for starters, I will add another row of blocks to the width. I'm seriously thinking about hand quilting the whole thing. I know it will take forever...  but since it's mostly sewn by hand I will feel terrible to 'diminish' its craftiness by machine quilting it.  Libby said: "this piece is certainly worthy of the time that would take if you made that choice." I agree. So thank you girls!!XX

Now I want to show you this garland the fairies and I made in the style of Mayamade. She made one with hearts for Valentines. I just made kissing bunnies stencils that go better with the Easter theme. I loved that we  got to recycle newspaper, and to talk about the importance of it. After our trip to Puerto Rico they really think about the preservation of the rain forest and how we can contribute. 

 

 

Since we spend most of our time in the kitchen I decided to hang it by the kitchen table. This way we can enjoy it as part of the crafting corner of our home.

Wagon wheel quilt top: almost done.

In January I started this quilt for my youngest one. The wheels are made entirely of scraps, left overs from many different projects made during the last two years. After cutting each piece, mixing and matching, and appliquéing every wheel and its center by hand, I realized that my forty wagon wheels where way too many…

Anyway, I enjoyed every stitch of it, scrutinized every piece fabric, and rejoiced in every happy memory of my life with this little one. She’s my lovely third child, the one I wanted so bad to have even after knowing what it takes to ‘have’ a child. I always say that this third child is a dessert, someone to just enjoy, and of course to love enormously. And after so many parenthood lessons given by the two older girls, we have the feeling that we’re raising this little one in a [somehow] worry-free mood.

Back to the quilt. The blocks are done and pieced together. Still at this point I have doubts about adding more blocks to it or just adding a nice border.

Take a look at her bed. It has the drawers underneath so the border of the quilt will be mostly tucked under the mattress. I think itdefinitely needs to be a bit wider in order to do so. If I add a row of blocks on the side it will add 6in. more to the width. But if I add a thin border ( 4in.) it will be ok, I’m guessing… Then, what kind of border should I make if this is a scrappy quilt? I don’t even have more scraps to make a border if I decide to make one. So people, help me out with this one, would you? Extra row of blocks, or border? Then, what kind of border?

Inspired

Today I found the time to get out of the house. It was sunny and warm enough to go for a walk. I took my camera and my preschooler and headed down town.

I underestimated the power of spring getting into my head, the sun light was amazing, and there was color everywhere. Thanks Nathalie for the tip about the filter, I used it this time!

I took chances with the camera lens that I fear the most: the macro…After all, I need to learn how to use it.

 

 

I found tons of inspiration for quilting, and some paper piecing maybe??

 

Fabulous red, my favorite color; and well organized jars of marmalade.

I even had time to chase after her.

p.s. For more pictures click on my flick badge.