Busy bee

For the past few years I've spent a large portion of my time in April and May to assist with a music festival,  Roots Fest.   This year is the 8th annual festival and my 7th one attending to help promote local and regional performers and artists.  If you happen to be in the Chattanooga/North Georgia area swing by Cherokee Farms in LaFayette, GA this weekend ... tickets are discounted currently on www.roots-fest.com.

Anyways this year I have finally felt completely aware of all weather types to be prepared for and have done as much crafting as possible in preparation ... thrifty should be my middle name.  Since last year was a flood, quite literally, I have had to come up with tarp designs to prevent soggy tent and allow standing room outside of my tent and even worked on a rug, of sorts, to allow muddy shoes to dry.  I have also attempted to be a healthier camper this year so much cooking will be happening this week ... roasted chickpeas, kale chips, baked tortilla chips, granola, and who knows what else I will find the time to make.  There is also the thing of needing much sleep while camping, which the DJs playing until 4am and the sun rising at 6:30am doesn't allow. So of course some more crafting was done ...

crocheted rope rug

tore my hands up and isn't perfect but it'll do

padded extra thick eyemask for a friend

and one for me

What kind of must have crafts do you take with you camping?  

I'm alive

And I still make things too!  I have been rather busy social wise recently, which the warm spring days require, so I have been slacking with the blogging.   Many apologies to everyone out in the blog-o-sphere.

Recently a friend of mine, whom I've known a lifetime, set the date to get married to this awesome lady.  I knew I just had to make something but had the hardest time deciding on what.  A quilt? Matching scarves? A picnic blanket? His and hers booty warmers for those cold nights watching soccer? Finally after a few weeks of drawing up possible ideas I decided simple was perfect for these two and began sewing away.  Of course the design ended up not looking as well as I had hoped but I had run out of time to draw up a whole new design!  Thank goodness for trusty seam rippers because I removed half of the embroidery I had done, erased the template,  and decided to use my fabric piecing skills.  I searched the internet for free Union Jack templates finding one on Craftsy ( http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/union-jack-quilt-block/52747) only it was way too big!  I tried editing it down to the size I needed but could not for the life of me get it right.

Sometimes when things are just getting too complicated you are forced to simplify ... and so I wung it.

Eeek, hello there

I've been a very bad blogger *hangs head in shame.*  To be honest I've been slacking on the crafting as well but not entirely ... just not feverishly creating.

Let's see there was that mug rug I finished and the panels for the back of MINE and finding some old items I made back in high school and oh yes getting ready for Spring by fixing up my garden and sadly without picture the blanket I'm crocheting for charity.

Probably my favorite mug rug thus far

80% done with the back piecing for MINE

Completely hand sewn back in 2001 from a pair of capris

Growing plants is creating so it is kinda crafty, right? If not, that rock edge is lovely and (not pictured) the rock pathway I added yesterday certainly made me feel creative.

Just a little bit

I swear I've been a good little crafter,  I've just been a horrible blogger.  It is a new year though so I'm going to try to be better.  For the most part I've been keeping up with the posting on Instagram and so the majority of the below pictures have already been posted there ... ok so maybe all of them.

Aside from all of that I am in the works of collecting fabric for a new quilt.  Bright, bold, crazy, eye catching,  and colorful has been my signature with quilts thus far as I am a spring person who believes neon yellow is a staple in anyone's wardrobe but for a special someone (my sister) I shall be making a pre-technicolor quilt.  The lack of color will be a new challenge for me (as will the surprises I have up my sleeves) but I'm excited by it all.  Thus far I've gotten about 5 different patterns and fabrics with my eye on about 27 more ... isn't that every quilters plight?!

But here's what I have been occupying my time with ...

Crocheted ornaments

Hand quilted mug rug

Crocheted pot holder

Crocheted fingerless gloves/mittens

Crocheted ear warmer

Granny square that keeps growing

coin purse made from vintage fabrics