Monday, November 12, 2012

Please give.

As I mentioned in my last post, we were very fortunate during Superstorm Sandy and didn't even lost power. So many others were not nearly so lucky. I wanted to help, but what could I do?

Hippo for donation
Enter Gather Here. The lovely and generous Virginia and Noah have organized a fundraiser. All funds go to the Red Cross, BUT! there are a ton of amazing prizes donated by lots of amazing makers. For every $10 you donate, you're entered into a drawing to win one of these fabulous prizes.

Hippo for donation
I am of the belief that we should do good without expecting something in return (the good deed is all the good we should need, no?), but sometimes it's hard to know where to give or how much to give. So, in addition to making my own donation, I've made the hippo you see in this post especially for this raffle Gather Here is hosting.

Hippo for donation
If you haven't given any money yet, please do consider making a donation to the Red Cross. And if you have, feel free to enter yourself in the drawing to win something awesome. The fundraiser is open until 11/19, so there's still time! You can see how much has been raised HERE. So many people have given time and talent and amazing handmade goods; it's a wonderful community, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Bonnie Quilt

Bonnie quilt
Oh my. You know how it is when your to-do list is so long and overwhelming that instead of diving in and doing ALL THE THINGS you just come home from work, drink vegan white russians, and collapse on the couch? Yeah, that. For me, it's not really a lack of crafting, though there is some of that; it's more a lack of photo-editing and uploading and blogging and linking. It just feels like so much effort; I've been skipping it.

Bonnie quilt
BUT! This is my attempt to return! And catch you up on some un-blogged project, plus some goings-on. First: the Bonnie Quilt! This is a wallhanging that finished around 44" square. It was commissioned by Bonnie, who lives next door to my parents (and has for my entire life) and just did a lovely living room remodel. She has a wood-paneled wall behind her couch, across from a big bay window. When she removed the old art she had on the wall, it was discolored, so she ordered a quilt from me to fill that space.

Bonnie quilt
The colors she's using for her new living room are a dark brick red, tan, and some deep green furniture. Not my usual palette, but she wanted lots of colors in the quilt, and I knew that Civil War repros were the way to go. Luckily, my LQS MarketPlace Quilts carries a wide variety of gorgeous repros, so I got exactly what I needed: cranberry, deep purple and blue, and a little teal.

Bonnie quilt
I drafted my own string blocks so that the secondary diamond pattern in cream would be created, and I just love that effect. The cranberry border has a narrow flat-piping to set it off, and I like the end "framed" result. I quilted a diagonal grid through the center bit, and carried some of the lines through on the border as well. When I was in Wisconsin in June (yes, this has been finished since May but is only just now hitting the blog), my mom and I helped Bonnie hang it up, and it was the perfect addition to her new room. Success!

So, here's a quick rundown on what's up with me these days:
  • First, we survived Sandy without even losing power. We are incredibly lucky and feel so very grateful to have been spared the worst. I'm doing a bit to help those who weren't so lucky, and will have more info on that next week.
  • New photos in the shop! I finally got around to some props and styling and re-photographed ALL of my inventory. Take a peek, and let me know what you think! I have a half-dozen more manatees to add once I get them photographed!
  • Impending Dear Jane update! For REAL; I'm on row H now, guys! I've certainly fallen off my block-a-week schedule, but when we were fearing we'd lose power during Sandy, I heated up the iron and prepped 5 more blocks, so I have some catching up to do.
  • Rob's book is coming out SOON! We'll be in DC and Baltimore in less than 2 weeks for a mini book tour, and I couldn't be more excited or proud. You can pre-order here, and check out some amazing art created in response to the book here, at Sundog Lit. There's a lot more coming, so stay tuned!
  • Last but certainly not least, I'm going to be an auntie! My brother and sister-in-law, who were married last October, are expecting Baby Swenson in March. I'm knee-deep in nursery decor right now, and the baby handmades haven't begun yet!