Just ridin' them waves...shootin' the curl...havin' a good old time. I'm so stoked.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha,
Mousie
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Surf Kitty, U.S.A.
I couldn't make it to Waimea Bay this past week to catch the 40-50 foot momboosa waves so I thought I'd hang ten at home.
Just ridin' them waves...shootin' the curl...havin' a good old time. I'm so stoked.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha,
Mousie
Just ridin' them waves...shootin' the curl...havin' a good old time. I'm so stoked.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Aloha,
Mousie
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Faux Boxwood Mini Wreath
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
I haven't had the time to make new tutorials lately so I thought I'd take you along for the ride as I create one of my own Christmas decorations. This little wreath can be hung on a wall or on the Christmas tree. It reminds me of the beautiful and delicate boxwood wreaths that you often see in country decorating.
To make the wreath base, you will need two 6-inch green felt circles with a 3-inch circle removed from it's center. You will also need a 5-1/4-inch circle of cardboard with a 3-3/4-inch circle removed from it's center.
Join both felt pieces together along the center circle using 6 strands of embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.
Add the cardboard circle between both pieces of felt, creating a "donut sandwich" with the cardboard acting as the filling. It is vital that you add the cardboard before you begin sewing the outside perimeter.
Begin blanket stitching the outside perimeter of the base. Lightly stuff with fiberfill as you go along. The stuffing should be placed only on one side of the cardboard. This will keep the back flat and the front slightly domed in shape.
Continue sewing until you have gone completely around the perimeter.
To make the leaves, begin with a 2-3/8-inch circle of green fabric.
Fold in half, wrong sides facing each other.
Folded both ends toward the center.
With needle and matching thread, take a running stitch close to the raw edge.
Gather, and tie off with a secure knot before cutting thread.
Make lot's of them.
To begin assembly, hot glue leaves onto the front (domed side) of the base. Stagger leaves for a more natural and eye pleasing look.
Continue gluing leaves around the base until it is completely covered.
Add decorations if you'd like or leave it plain. I decided to use mini red pony beads. Add a ribbon for hanging and it is ready to enjoy.
This wreath would look wonderful in an assortment of green fabrics. This is the perfect excuse to dig into your scrap bin and use up all of those tiny scrap pieces that you've been stashing away.
The holiday's are upon us and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the madness, especially when there is so much to do. Don't forget to take the time to sit back and enjoy the season!
Aloha!
I haven't had the time to make new tutorials lately so I thought I'd take you along for the ride as I create one of my own Christmas decorations. This little wreath can be hung on a wall or on the Christmas tree. It reminds me of the beautiful and delicate boxwood wreaths that you often see in country decorating.
To make the wreath base, you will need two 6-inch green felt circles with a 3-inch circle removed from it's center. You will also need a 5-1/4-inch circle of cardboard with a 3-3/4-inch circle removed from it's center.
Join both felt pieces together along the center circle using 6 strands of embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.
Add the cardboard circle between both pieces of felt, creating a "donut sandwich" with the cardboard acting as the filling. It is vital that you add the cardboard before you begin sewing the outside perimeter.
Begin blanket stitching the outside perimeter of the base. Lightly stuff with fiberfill as you go along. The stuffing should be placed only on one side of the cardboard. This will keep the back flat and the front slightly domed in shape.
Continue sewing until you have gone completely around the perimeter.
To make the leaves, begin with a 2-3/8-inch circle of green fabric.
Fold in half, wrong sides facing each other.
Folded both ends toward the center.
With needle and matching thread, take a running stitch close to the raw edge.
Gather, and tie off with a secure knot before cutting thread.
Make lot's of them.
To begin assembly, hot glue leaves onto the front (domed side) of the base. Stagger leaves for a more natural and eye pleasing look.
Continue gluing leaves around the base until it is completely covered.
Add decorations if you'd like or leave it plain. I decided to use mini red pony beads. Add a ribbon for hanging and it is ready to enjoy.
This wreath would look wonderful in an assortment of green fabrics. This is the perfect excuse to dig into your scrap bin and use up all of those tiny scrap pieces that you've been stashing away.
The holiday's are upon us and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the madness, especially when there is so much to do. Don't forget to take the time to sit back and enjoy the season!
Aloha!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hexagon Flower Ornaments
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
I am in love with these rainbow hexagon blooms. They're so yummy and petite and measure just under 2-1/2 inches.
To create these ornaments, I hand stitched hexagons together to form two 6-petal flowers.
With wrong sides facing each other, the hexagons were joined together using a ladder stitch.
I lightly stuffed the flowers with polyfill before closing the final seam.
A button was sewn to both sides of the flower center. To give it a slightly tufted look, the thread was pulled tight as the buttons were being sewn on.
They look so cute tucked between the branches of the Christmas tree.
Hope you're enjoying the holiday season!
Aloha!
I am in love with these rainbow hexagon blooms. They're so yummy and petite and measure just under 2-1/2 inches.
To create these ornaments, I hand stitched hexagons together to form two 6-petal flowers.
With wrong sides facing each other, the hexagons were joined together using a ladder stitch.
I lightly stuffed the flowers with polyfill before closing the final seam.
A button was sewn to both sides of the flower center. To give it a slightly tufted look, the thread was pulled tight as the buttons were being sewn on.
They look so cute tucked between the branches of the Christmas tree.
Hope you're enjoying the holiday season!
Aloha!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Snowflakes in my Holly
**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**
It is exciting to add a new ornament or two to the tree each year. This is a quick and easy project that can be whipped up in no time flat and is sure to leave you with oodles of spare time to bake up those cookies and wrap up those presents.
This project requires small pieces of green and red fabric, white felt, Heat 'n Bond Ultra, cardboard, 2 white buttons, 8" piece of gold thread, pencil for tracing, hot glue, sewing needle and red thread, an iron and pressing surface, and scissors.
To create the large leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 2 inches in length by 7/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
To create the small leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 1-1/2 inches in length by 5/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
Cut the shapes from the paper and transfer the shapes to carboard. This will become your leaf patterns.
Along with the holly leaves, you will need a 3" circle and two 1-3/8" circles with a small hole in the center.
Trace 8 large and 8 small holly leaf shapes onto the non-glue side of a sheet of Heat 'n Bond Ultra. Iron the Heat 'n Bond onto the wrong side of a piece of green fabric. Cut out all 16 leaf shapes.
Remove the paper backing and iron 4 large and 4 small holly leaf shapes onto white felt. Be sure to leave a minimum of 3/8" between the shapes.
Cut around each leaf shape leaving a scant 1/8" margin of felt around the edges.
Turn holly leaves over with the plain side of the felt facing up. Fuse the remaining fabric leaf shapes to the felt. Bonding both sides adds stability to the holly leaves and also adds a finish to both sides.
To make the holly berries, use the 3" circle template to cut two fabric circles from red fabric.
With needle and thread, take a 1/4" running stitch around the perimeter of the fabric circle, folding in the raw edges approx. 1/8" as you sew.
Place cardboard in the center.
Gather and knot securely.
Sew a white button to the center of the holly berry. The hole in the cardboard is there to make sewing on the button easier. Repeat this process with the second fabric round.
Glue the eight holly leaves to the wrong side of the first holly berry, alternating large and small leaves as you go around. Glue the second berry on top to hide the mechanics.
Sew an 8" piece of gold thread into the felt portion of one of the large holly leaves, approx. 3/8" from the top.
A quick and easy Holly Leaf Snowflake to brighten up your tree. Imagine a white Christmas tree with nothing but these snowflakes, shiny red bulbs, and twinkling white lights. Not exactly traditional, but it works for me.
Enjoy!
Aloha!
It is exciting to add a new ornament or two to the tree each year. This is a quick and easy project that can be whipped up in no time flat and is sure to leave you with oodles of spare time to bake up those cookies and wrap up those presents.
This project requires small pieces of green and red fabric, white felt, Heat 'n Bond Ultra, cardboard, 2 white buttons, 8" piece of gold thread, pencil for tracing, hot glue, sewing needle and red thread, an iron and pressing surface, and scissors.
To create the large leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 2 inches in length by 7/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
To create the small leaf pattern, start with a piece of paper that is 1-1/2 inches in length by 5/8 inches in width. Divide into three parts as shown in the diagram. Draw a holly leaf shape within the space as shown. Both sides of the leaf should be a mirror image of the other.
Cut the shapes from the paper and transfer the shapes to carboard. This will become your leaf patterns.
Along with the holly leaves, you will need a 3" circle and two 1-3/8" circles with a small hole in the center.
Trace 8 large and 8 small holly leaf shapes onto the non-glue side of a sheet of Heat 'n Bond Ultra. Iron the Heat 'n Bond onto the wrong side of a piece of green fabric. Cut out all 16 leaf shapes.
Remove the paper backing and iron 4 large and 4 small holly leaf shapes onto white felt. Be sure to leave a minimum of 3/8" between the shapes.
Cut around each leaf shape leaving a scant 1/8" margin of felt around the edges.
Turn holly leaves over with the plain side of the felt facing up. Fuse the remaining fabric leaf shapes to the felt. Bonding both sides adds stability to the holly leaves and also adds a finish to both sides.
To make the holly berries, use the 3" circle template to cut two fabric circles from red fabric.
With needle and thread, take a 1/4" running stitch around the perimeter of the fabric circle, folding in the raw edges approx. 1/8" as you sew.
Place cardboard in the center.
Gather and knot securely.
Sew a white button to the center of the holly berry. The hole in the cardboard is there to make sewing on the button easier. Repeat this process with the second fabric round.
Glue the eight holly leaves to the wrong side of the first holly berry, alternating large and small leaves as you go around. Glue the second berry on top to hide the mechanics.
Sew an 8" piece of gold thread into the felt portion of one of the large holly leaves, approx. 3/8" from the top.
A quick and easy Holly Leaf Snowflake to brighten up your tree. Imagine a white Christmas tree with nothing but these snowflakes, shiny red bulbs, and twinkling white lights. Not exactly traditional, but it works for me.
Enjoy!
Aloha!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Kindness and the Blogging World
Travelling to a location that you are unfamiliar with is exciting. Just think of the fun you will have exploring new and exciting places. Travelling to a location that you are unfamiliar with for major surgery is darn right scary and stressful. It can leave you feeling lonely and vulnerable at a time in your life that you need the most support.
A few days into our trip to North Carolina, I received an invitation on my blog from two lovely ladies living in the Raleigh area asking if I would like to get together for lunch. What an exciting and thoughtful gesture it was and of course we did!
Not wanting to venture too far from hubby, Kristen of Dragondreamer's Lair and I had lunch at Denny's near my hotel. In my usual fashion, I forgot my camera so I do not have a picture of the two of us. It was wonderful meeting her in person. We chatted about all kinds of things and it was loads of fun. She's very sweet and easy to talk to. Thank you, Kristen, for a fun lunch and a much needed break from the craziness of the moment.
Kristin brought me some beautiful yarns and some yummy chocolate chip cookies. Of course, the cookies are not pictured because we ate those up in a snap.
Meeting Thearica of Pigtales and Quilts was almost not to be due to the terrible stormy weather that came through Raleigh. She persevered and we were able to do lunch the day before I left for Honolulu. Karen, a fellow board member of Thearica's on the HGTV quilting board, came in from Virginia that day and joined us for lunch at the Olive Garden. We do not have an Olive Garden in Hawaii so it was a real treat for me. The stuffed chicken was divine. Both gals were so sweet and I felt so welcomed and right at home.
Here we are, Karen, me, and Thearica on a bench fronting the Olive Garden.
We wanted a picture in front of their sign so Thearica and I had to romp through the Olive Garden's garden to get this shot.
Thearica and Karen are quilters and they offered to take me fabric shopping. Of course, there was no way that I was going to say no because you all know how much I love fabric. Our first stop was at Wish Upon a Quilt! What a wonderful shop filled to the brim with everything a quilter could desire.
These are some of the things that I came home with. Best Press, a layer cake, charm pack, Bias Tape Makers, and a quilting book.
Of course, fabric.
more fabric....
and more fabric.
We headed to JoAnn Fabrics where I purchased, you guessed it, more fabric. We don't have JoAnn's in Hawaii, so this was a real treat.
Beautiful red fabric that reminded me of our Hawaiian prints.
Thearica's hubby, Butch, is a woodworker. I was very touched when she presented me with a momento of our trip to Raleigh. A beautiful pen made by Butch. The wood used in this pen is from wood that was being replaced in his mother's house. The wood is very old and from the 1700's. I am very appreciative of anything with age and I can only imagine if this piece of wood could talk, it would probably have some really beautiful and touching family stories to tell.
Although our trip to Raleigh was for surgery, I did have some really good times spent with some very nice people. Thank you, Kristin, Thearica, and Karen for making me feel so at home and for showing me a very good time. A time that I shall never forget.
A huge thank you also goes out to Stephanie of Scraps for lending me support through email even though she herself was going through a lot with her own hubby's health. She's also from North Carolina, but too many hundreds of miles separated us from meeting each other in person.
To Becky G. for offering to put me in touch with her very dear friend in Raleigh. Thank you. This meant more to me than you will ever know.
And to all of you who offered support in prayer and well wishes, thank you. Each night before I put my head on my pillow, I would read your comments. I was far from home but I never once felt all alone. Thank you for making us feel so blessed.
I would also like to thank you for your get well wishes. I am finally feeling better and am no longer bed ridden. I took my seasonal flu vaccine, so by process of elimination and comparing the symptoms, I believe that I had the H1N1 virus. I checked with my doctor before I left for North Carolina to see if I could get vaccinated for H1N1 but they weren't available. Her advice was to check with Wake Medical in North Carolina to see if they were holding shot clinics. I was told by the nurses there that they were experiencing a shortage and had barely enough vaccine to go around for their own staff.
My advice, if you are one that was thinking of exposing your children to H1N1 to build their immunity instead of getting them vaccinated, I am here to tell you not to do it. This is a terrible strain of the flu and made me so miserable that I actually wished for death. It's that bad. I would have chosen to be vaccinated over having the flu any day. And I speak from experience.
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, everyone. I have lot's to be thankful for this year. And now that I'm feeling much better, lot's of turkey to eat too!
Aloha!
A few days into our trip to North Carolina, I received an invitation on my blog from two lovely ladies living in the Raleigh area asking if I would like to get together for lunch. What an exciting and thoughtful gesture it was and of course we did!
Not wanting to venture too far from hubby, Kristen of Dragondreamer's Lair and I had lunch at Denny's near my hotel. In my usual fashion, I forgot my camera so I do not have a picture of the two of us. It was wonderful meeting her in person. We chatted about all kinds of things and it was loads of fun. She's very sweet and easy to talk to. Thank you, Kristen, for a fun lunch and a much needed break from the craziness of the moment.
Kristin brought me some beautiful yarns and some yummy chocolate chip cookies. Of course, the cookies are not pictured because we ate those up in a snap.
Meeting Thearica of Pigtales and Quilts was almost not to be due to the terrible stormy weather that came through Raleigh. She persevered and we were able to do lunch the day before I left for Honolulu. Karen, a fellow board member of Thearica's on the HGTV quilting board, came in from Virginia that day and joined us for lunch at the Olive Garden. We do not have an Olive Garden in Hawaii so it was a real treat for me. The stuffed chicken was divine. Both gals were so sweet and I felt so welcomed and right at home.
Here we are, Karen, me, and Thearica on a bench fronting the Olive Garden.
We wanted a picture in front of their sign so Thearica and I had to romp through the Olive Garden's garden to get this shot.
Thearica and Karen are quilters and they offered to take me fabric shopping. Of course, there was no way that I was going to say no because you all know how much I love fabric. Our first stop was at Wish Upon a Quilt! What a wonderful shop filled to the brim with everything a quilter could desire.
These are some of the things that I came home with. Best Press, a layer cake, charm pack, Bias Tape Makers, and a quilting book.
Of course, fabric.
more fabric....
and more fabric.
We headed to JoAnn Fabrics where I purchased, you guessed it, more fabric. We don't have JoAnn's in Hawaii, so this was a real treat.
Beautiful red fabric that reminded me of our Hawaiian prints.
Thearica's hubby, Butch, is a woodworker. I was very touched when she presented me with a momento of our trip to Raleigh. A beautiful pen made by Butch. The wood used in this pen is from wood that was being replaced in his mother's house. The wood is very old and from the 1700's. I am very appreciative of anything with age and I can only imagine if this piece of wood could talk, it would probably have some really beautiful and touching family stories to tell.
Although our trip to Raleigh was for surgery, I did have some really good times spent with some very nice people. Thank you, Kristin, Thearica, and Karen for making me feel so at home and for showing me a very good time. A time that I shall never forget.
A huge thank you also goes out to Stephanie of Scraps for lending me support through email even though she herself was going through a lot with her own hubby's health. She's also from North Carolina, but too many hundreds of miles separated us from meeting each other in person.
To Becky G. for offering to put me in touch with her very dear friend in Raleigh. Thank you. This meant more to me than you will ever know.
And to all of you who offered support in prayer and well wishes, thank you. Each night before I put my head on my pillow, I would read your comments. I was far from home but I never once felt all alone. Thank you for making us feel so blessed.
I would also like to thank you for your get well wishes. I am finally feeling better and am no longer bed ridden. I took my seasonal flu vaccine, so by process of elimination and comparing the symptoms, I believe that I had the H1N1 virus. I checked with my doctor before I left for North Carolina to see if I could get vaccinated for H1N1 but they weren't available. Her advice was to check with Wake Medical in North Carolina to see if they were holding shot clinics. I was told by the nurses there that they were experiencing a shortage and had barely enough vaccine to go around for their own staff.
My advice, if you are one that was thinking of exposing your children to H1N1 to build their immunity instead of getting them vaccinated, I am here to tell you not to do it. This is a terrible strain of the flu and made me so miserable that I actually wished for death. It's that bad. I would have chosen to be vaccinated over having the flu any day. And I speak from experience.
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, everyone. I have lot's to be thankful for this year. And now that I'm feeling much better, lot's of turkey to eat too!
Aloha!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
