Pretty Oven Mitts for Holiday Baking or Gifting

It's shameless commerce Tuesday.  Today I'm featuring a pair of oh so pretty oven mitts made with a gorgeous floral print from the Amy Butler Love fabric line, with whimsical pink on red polka dots for the lining, binding and hanging tab.  The polka dot fabric is also from Amy Butler's Love fabric line.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85083235/pair-of-pretty-oven-mitts-floral-and

I've loved Amy Butler ever since I made a duvet for my daughter using Belle fabrics when she headed off to college.  She's graduated now, and is in her first year of a Teach for America fellowship. 

There's something about Amy Butler's vibrant colors and bold designs that just exudes positive energy. 

You could do your holiday baking in style with these oven mitts.  The 13" length allows room to reach WAY back into the oven for those pumpkin pies or cookie sheets without burning your wrists.  The mitts have InsulBrite heat-resistant batting machine quilted to the outer fabric.  The mitts are fully lined--no scratchy seams.  

Need a hostess gift, housewarming gift, or gift $20 or under for someone on your list?  These cheery oven mitts might just fit the bill.  (I'm actually tempted to keep a pair for myself!)

To see other kitchen friendly items, visit the Kitschy Kitchen Stuff section of my Etsy shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower?section_id=10144150.

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/pasqueflowercreations

Creation Energy: Artist Glenda Dietrich Moore

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, I spent a delightful afternoon at an artists' open house co-hosted by Glenda Dietrich Moore, painter and illustrator (http://glendadietrich.com) , and Tamy Burnett, fiber artist. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/rockstaryarns).

 

Today I will introduce you to Glenda, my long-time friend.    Her Flowers in Vase painting is my favorite piece of artwork in my Girl Cave:  http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com/2011/05/girl-cave.html.

Glenda is a visual artist by training, and also an ordained pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  She often combines her passion for art and spirituality in her paintings, and her work was recently featured on the cover of Imagine the arts ministry magazine of Imago Deo.   Her Creation Energy series was one of my favorites. 

 

Glenda also does incredible line drawings, still life floral paintings, and paintings of cats.  (She has a Cat Rescue sticker prominently displayed on her front door.)  And she illustrates books and teaches art classes to students of all ages in her studio.

 

The photos above show: 1)Glenda in her studio; 2) one of her works in process inspired by a trip to the Southwest; 3) a beautiful little landscape; 4) the cover art for Imagine magazine; and 5) two of the beautiful and inspiring note cards I purchased.  I especially love the image of the women sheltering other women.  Glenda and Tamy are coworkers at the University of Nebraska Center for Women and Gender Studies, and another one of Glenda's paintings of a young girl dancing is used in publicity photos for the Department.  The dancing girl is also one of my daughter's favorite art prints.

 

On Wednesday I will introduce you to Tamy Burnett of Rock Star Yarns.  I could do some serious Christmas shopping in her shop!   In fact, I've already purchased a beautiful teal scarf for someone special on my Christmas list: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84336869/teal-fuzz-scarf.

Happy Halloween!

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

Craft Fair Survivor

It was a L-O-N-G day on Saturday, but before the doors of the craft show opened to the public, I was able to do some window shopping.  Some of my favorite "finds" are pictured above.  

We crafters were competing with a home Nebraska Huskers football game—never a good thing!  But I made a small profit and had an enjoyable day.  My quilt buddy, Leola, helped in my booth in the morning (before kickoff).  The time went quickly, and we were quite busy.  Little inexpensive items sold very well.  But I did not sell any items priced over $15.00.   The good news is, I still have inventory to reactivate in my Etsy shop.   I'm trying to get to 100 listings before Christmas—I'm only half way there.

I bought a cute handmade puppet for a grandson Christmas present from a vendor in the next booth.   The vendor on the other side of my booth, The Mustard Seed, was selling big flower hair clips and headbands: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mustard-Seed/228598367173374.  She was busy all morning, but most of her sales were also smaller items.  She also sells adorable leggings, appliquéd shirts and knit hats.

Things slowed to a crawl during the football game.  But I had the foresight to pack along my Pies & Tarts paper piecing project: http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com/2011/06/ugliest-quilt-in-world.html.  I finished three more pies.  Only five more and I'll have my 100 hand pieced blocks completed. 

Now, it's time to tackle some projects that were put on the back burner until "after the craft show."

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

 

We Plan, God Laughs

As some of you may know, I've been sewing in overdrive trying to get ready for a big craft fair this weekend while also increasing pre-holiday inventory in my Etsy store and juggling several custom orders.   SO---I have To Do Lists appended to my To Do Lists in an effort to stay focused and IN CONTROL.

 

Ha!

 

Yesterday after I got off work at my day job (and it had been an incredibly difficult day at work), there sat my old gray Taurus with the flattest of flat tires.  I was supposed to be at a meeting at 5:30 p.m.---clearly THAT was not going to happen!   It was a nearly new tire that had less than 1000 miles on it that I had just replaced a couple of months ago after a blowout. (The photo is not my car, but it is the same color --- I didn't have the presence of mind to take a photo of mine.  I need to start carrying my camera everywhere.) I'll have another new tire installed today.

 

After dealing with that little crisis, I got home and decided to pop open a Diet Coke (my drug of choice) and check my email and Etsy shop …. and the pop tab broke off!  I had to chisel my way into the Diet Coke can (not having an old-fashioned can opener handy).  

 

I saved the pop tab for Ronald McDonald House, though. I stayed in a Ronald McDonald House(RMH) with my two young sons when my daughter had two of her four eye surgeries during the first 18 months of her life.  And I volunteered at RMH when I lived in Sioux Falls, SD.  But I digress….

 

When I finally opened my email, the Scoutie Girl blog post said in bold print in the middle of the post, We Plan, God Laughs.  http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2011/10/reviewing-the-final-step.html.

 

Okay, already!  I'm getting the message.   God may have been chuckling as I stumbled through yesterday until I finally got the hints:  It's time to slow down, breathe, pare down the To Do Lists, maybe go for a walk to look at the beautiful trees, and GET SOME SLEEP.

 

I also visited Amazon.com and ordered a used copy of the book We Plan, God Laughs by Sherre Hirsch:  http://www.amazon.com/We-Plan-God-Laughs-What/dp/0385523629.  The title is from an old Yiddish proverb.   I'll read it after the craft fair. 

TTFN
LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

Fabric Roses

Look at the latest fun project by Kim and Kris at the DIY Dish.  Watch their online video and learn to make these cute fabric roses—their project for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

http://www.thediydish.com/2011/10/how-to-make-fabric-roses/

 

Crazy busy getting ready for the craft fair this weekend!  So many projects, so little time!

 

Today (Wednesday, October 26, 2011) is the last day for the 30% discount on Fall and Halloween items in my Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower.  Use Coupon Code :  BOO11.

 

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

More Walker Bags

It's shameless commerce Tuesday.  (How can it be Tuesday again already?!) Today I'm featuring walker bags.  Although I always have an Etsy listing for made to order walker bags, I've decided to stock more ready to ship (RTS) walker caddies for the holidays in my Etsy shop.  I'm adding both masculine and feminine versions.  Most are made of decorator weight cotton fabrics.  When quilter weight cottons are used, I reinforce them with mid-weight fusible interfacing. 

Here's a preview--my latest RTS.  I loved the colors and the fun vintage buttons with little rhinestone centers. I'll be taking a batch to the craft fair on Saturday.  The unsold ones will be listed on Sunday or Monday, and I have fabric for several more that will be added to my shop in November.

 

A walker bag or caddy can assist elderly or disabled loved ones who rely on a walker for mobility.  This practical gift would brighten the day of an aging parent or grandparent, disabled veteran, or anyone battling a serious injury or illness.  With both hands on the walker, the user will be able to have frequently-used items at hand, and be able to "carry" items when on the go.  This would make a thoughtful Christmas gift or holiday gift for an elderly friend or relative. 

 

The standard walker caddy measures approximately 16.5" wide and 11.5" deep.  There are two large pockets on one side, and three pockets on the other side.  The pockets provide ample storage for reading materials, glasses, remote controls, cell phones, photos, cards, or medic alerts. Straps are reinforced with extra stitching.  Outer pockets are double stitched and reinforced at stress points. All seams are serged or finished with French seams for a finished look and extra strength.  Buttonholes are machine stitched and buttons are securely sewn and thread-shanked.  The roomy center compartment is large enough to accommodate newspapers, magazines or puzzle books. 

 

The walker bags are machine washable, gentle cycle, no bleach.  Line dry or tumble dry low. 

 

Check out the Walker Bags section of my Etsy shop.  New items will be added as we head into the holiday season:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower?section_id=8095396.

 

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

 

Boo! 30% Discount on Halloween and Fall Items

Boo!

Halloween is just around the corner, and I'm offering a 30% discount on all Fall and Halloween items in my Etsy shop now through Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

  

Use Coupon Code:  BOO11.  

For treat bags, look here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower?section_id=8113593

For seasonal table runners, look here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower?section_id=10144150

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower