chimesblog

Yesterday I signed up for a new project on a whim.

I know. I swore off new projects last week.  But … I came across some gorgeous imagery on Pinterest and it lead me to The Sketchbook Project 2011 by the Art House Co-op. The name rang a bell because my friend, Kim, had done the project last year and it was really interesting.  So, for $25, I decided to give it a try.

Here’s the image that did me in …

So, I picked a theme (apparently it’s important to have a cohesive sketchbook) — “It’ll be fun, I swear” is my theme. This could be interesting …

Wish me luck. I will let you know when I receive my sketchbook and I will keep y’all updated.

Also, if you’re artsy or craftsy, you should sign up for this project as well. I’d love to see what you come up with.

Just for fun … here are some lovely images of other sketchbook pieces from last year …

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This past weekend I realized I have an awful lot of projects that are WIP, unfinished or just plain sitting around — UFOs (unfinished objects).

So, in effort to finally finish up some of these, I present to you in no particular order (and when I started the project):

My Embarrassingly Long List of UFOs

1. Mug for a friend’s birthday present (2 weeks ago)
2. Tattoo Dish Set (July 2009)
3. mom’s pleather jacket restyle (September 2009)
4. quilt for my mom (March 2009) — in my defense, I just haven’t had the extra $75 around to get it professionally quilted.
5. coin stack quilt (March 2009)
6. Thea’s Puzzle Quilt (April 2010)
7. Roseanne Afghan (November 2007) — this project is to work on when I don’t have any other projects to work on
8. fabric scrap greeting cards (May 2010) — I have 45 blank cards left to create
9. camera cases (July 2010) —  I have 10 cases left to sew — just need to buy buttons and elastic to get them done
10. fabric scrap flowers (July 2010)
11. jeans into summer pants/shorts (July 2010)
12. Map of the states quilt (April 2010)
13. Yellow fake-esta ware dishes (July 2010)
14. Nerdy cross stitch (April 2010)
15. cookbook (December 2009)
16. Portfolio/website/resume revamp (May 2010) — don’t worry — just time for a refresh.
17. Wonky Log Cabin Quilt #1 (February 2010)
18. Wonky Log Cabin Quilt #2 (February 2010)
19. Workout/Recipe/Craft project binders (February 2010)
20. Family recipe book (January 2008)
21. ironic greeting cards (May 2009)
22. T-shirt quilt for my cousin (August 2009)
23. Fabric Frame (June 2010)
24. touch up painting my kitchen (May 2010)
25. recycled t-shirt rug (September 2009)
26. Black and white quilt (March 2009)

I’m sure there’s way more UFOs than what’s on this list,  but this is what I’ve got so far. Problem is, I don’t have deadlines for any of these, except maybe the stuff I make for Market Day, but those are rolling deadlines at best.  Gifts always have deadlines, so there’s 3 on here I know I can mark off for sure.  Mom’s quilt is getting done next month so I can have it ready by September.  The birthday mug is going to get done this week.  And there’s one more on here that’s going to be a wedding gift for a friend.

Anyway, in an effort to demolish this list, I’m going to present one finished project (or at least progress on something) each week.  Obviously, the granny square afghan and other projects (like quilts) take a little time, and some take some funds I don’t have.  But I promise (girl scout’s honor) to work on this list as best I can before starting any new projects.

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I always have something cooking.  So I’ve decided this is the year that I purge. And by purge, that means I honestly use all of the stuff that I’ve hoarded (ie. art and craft supplies) or they go to a good home or good will.

So, to start the year, I’m going to go through my apartment once a week with three bags (or boxes).  One bag for things that are recyclable. This will go to work with me so I can put it in the bins that don’t need sorting (cuz I’m lazy and apt to get rid of more this way).  Another bag for things that can go to Good Will.  And the final is for anything that doesn’t fit into either of these categories but that I do need to get rid of.  Hopefully it won’t be anything, but just in case.

In addition, I’m going to finally FO all of my WIPs.  For you non-craftsters, that means finish off all my works-in-progress.

This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Travis’s t-shirt quilt (ie. I need to start it)
2. the black and white quilt — still in piecing mode
3. coin stack quilt — needs quilted
4. Hello Betty quilt — needs quilted
5. tattoo dish set — 8 dishes left
6. Roseanne afghan — this could continue to be a WIP since I just pick it up when I’m sick or bored
7. quilted potholders

Also, I realized I have a lot of stuff that I can do things with that I have just been hoarding. Example — jeans.  I refuse to throw away jeans.  I need to get rid of them.  Good will? Likely.  BUT I could be crafty.  I could cut them up and make some patchwork things out of them. Patchwork pillows? Patchwork wallets?  How fun.  I could have a whole jeans line this year.  That would be fun.  Maybe I shall.  But I need to figure out some sort of twist so it’s not just the kitschy “let’s make things from jeans” look that everybody else has.  So maybe I’ll master wonky log cabin patchwork and create potholders, pillows, coasters and the like.  We shall see. Instead, I’m going to blog about it.  But maybe I move my jeans from the random spot they’re living to my fabric pile so I at least have a head start there.

So I guess that’s it for projects.  I have a few other freelance pieces that are in the works.

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So I recently got a hold of my hard drive that has ALL of my projects on it from college. My ex-boyfriend had it because he was trying to fix it for me, but didn’t succeed. Well, maybe he did because I got it to work again.

Anyway, I found a lot of my old stuff that I just love and I posted it online. www.chimesdesign.com/2007 if you’re curious.

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I’ve got a TON of stuff I have to do this weekend! It’s crazy, but I’m staying in and getting it done!

1. I’ve got a couple of paying freelance projects so I’m going to blow their minds and try to get a chunk of work done on them this weekend (one of them that’s not due until Sept. I’m pretty sure I can actually finish today).Kim‘s friend, Lisa Inman, and I are working together to update her website. She likes her current one, but she doesn’t like that she can’t do the updates (or atleast that’s what I’ve gotten from her so far).  She’s supposed to send me the original artwork today so I can work from those files since she likes the current design of her site.

   I’ve got an order for some customized wedding rehearsal dinner invites based on the sunflower invites I listed the other day.  It’s going to be a whole package: invites, envelopes, mailing labels, table place cards and tags for favors. I’ve got the invites and labels done. I need to pick an envelope and order it. I am designing the place cards and tags today.

2. I’ve got an awesome album cover project I’ve been working on since February that I need to throw together a press kit before the end of the weekend.  I’ve been working with The Half Hearts — who will actually be coming to Des Moines on August 19 if anybody’s interested — on their album art for their very first album.  My friend Kim did the painting that’s the basis of the album cover.  The album’s finished mastering and they’re planning to send a press kit August 1, so I’ve got to get a few things together for them to print.  That’s the first thing I’m doing when I’m done blogging here (important things first, right? hehe).
3. I’ve got an order for 2 custom tattoo mugs for my co-worker, Tory.  She’s the one I did the cute sunflower wedding shower invites for the other day. I don’t think she needs them right away, but I told her I’d do them this weekend, so I best stick to that.
4. I’ve got some dishes I started working on last weekend that I need to finish and bake. It’s a set of 8 — 4 bowls and 4 plates. I’d like to get that done today. I only have 2 more bowls left to paint, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
5. I need to paint a set of 16 dishes before Market Day next weekend.  I’m doing an entire set with the tattoo theme. I haven’t completely decided what’s going where…but I’m thinking mainly swallows and flowers on these dishes.  I might pick up a few more colors of paint before I get started on these.  It’s kind of a time-consuming project though, so I might not try to push it for before Market Day.
6. Speaking of Market Day … I need to blog about my deals that I’ll be doing — including a special deal if you advertise or blog about me somewhere.  Details to come!
7. I’m doing a Michael Jackson Craft Swap. Yes. For real. Go ahead and groan.  Unfortunately, I got paired with somebody in Australia, so that limits what I can make because of the price of shipping. I had some really cool things planned before we got partners, but I can’t afford to ship there and I’d rather spend money on the things to swap than on shipping.  I’m completely lost for ideas, which is not good.  I was originally going to make a 16-piece dinner set with silhouettes, but, not shipping that to Aussie for price and fear it will break.  Anyway, I’ll be brainstorming this weekend and purchasing supplies. I have until 8 PM to figure it out since Hobby Lobby closes at 8 and isn’t open tomorrow. I guess I can go to Michael’s but I like Hobby Lobby.
8. And … I have a few backburner projects that if I have time I’ll get done this weekend.  I was hoping to make a bunch of fast t-shirt bags to sell for $1-$2 at Market Day since it’s a BYOB sort of deal. A few people were upset last time that I didn’t have bags, but it’s like Farmer’s Market…bring your own bag.

I’ll probably put my string quilt away. I’m getting sick of looking at it and I know I’ll just end up working on that instead of these projects that need to get done.

Anyway, wish me luck.  I also need to run sometime today, so hopefully the weather cooperates. I had a bad week for working out and I ate terribly the last 2 weeks…so I’m definitely feeling like BLAH right now.

AND … I’m off!

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I haven’t updated much lately because I’ve got way too much going on!

Quick updates:

1. The other designer I work with is leaving next Thursday, so we’ll be down yet another person at work. I pride myself in saying that we hardly ever HAVE to stay late and when I do it’s of my own volition to save myself or somebody else a headache and it’s not very often; however, that may change. Hopefully not, but it may.  Either way, I’m trying to take vacation tomorrow through next Tuesday, so I have been sticking around later this week to prepare for that
2. I have a LOT of projects I have to finish TOMORROW before leaving town. I’ve got a few things I have to finish for the Chicago trip … not to mention PACKING for the trip, some onsies that have been ordered after a few of my tweeps saw my blog post about them, a t-shirt recon for my co-worker who’s leaving next week, a teacup for a custom order on Etsy and 2 more things for my metal swap.  Hrmmm.. how much stuff can get done in ONE DAY???  EEEP!
3. Also, I have a half-day photoshoot today, but for me, it’s an all-day event. I’m directing the shoot and we’re doing 12ish still-life things, so I have to spend most of the day setting up so hopefully when our photographer gets there he can move from place to place, set up lighting, and go.  One good thing — no people in the shoot, which makes life SO much easier.
4. I’m doing a 50% off deal on Mary Kay right now, so I have to place my order for that today or tomorrow to get my discount. It expires on the 30th and I’m going to be out of town… So add THAT to the list.
5. there’s gotta be something else. I know there’s something else. Oh well.

As you can see, I’m super busy!!  Soo I probably am not going to update again until next week or even the week after that. I’m going out of town for 4th of July and may not bring my computer again.

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I realized that I’ve kind of taken on a lot of projects this month…

Just to keep myself sane and to have some ppl hold me accountable (ie. my oh-so-loyal blog readers), I’m listing them and will hopefully remember I have this list so I can add to it and cross stuff off as things are completed.

1. INK Tattoo Studios Website: Change out logo, change up colors, add a flickr widget and make some more themes… most importantly — get Mark to add content (it’s naked now, and the website is on the business cards I just had printed for him!)
2. Kim’s Website/Blog: Get a gallery of some sort up and running (flickr is ideal) DONE!
3. Half Hearts Album: Get final files to the band or vendor for printing (waiting to hear back as to where we’re at)
4. Bras For the Cause: Collaborate with Kim to make a very unique and artistic bra for the event in September
5. Craftster.org’s heavy metal swap: not sure what I’m doing yet since I don’t have a partner, but will know tomorrow who my partner is so I can get ideas of what to do. I’m doing 4 crafts.  I got my partner on 6.10.09!  I’m sooo excited. Got lots of ideas!
   • I have 2 of the 4 done as of 6.12.09!
6. Personal swap of a charm pack on craftster.org: cut fabric, waiting to hear from other person..
7. Yellow dish set from @shanereiser: come up with a design for a set and paint it up
8. craft swap with Tim from work — I know exactly what I’m doing, but I’m not going to blog about it just in case he’s reading it — I don’t want to spoil the surprise! It’s going to be super cool! I just have to get the supplies rounded up for it yet.
9. Lava Flowers mug for Adria, as per her request a LONG time ago
10. Jolly Jabber Quilt Block Lottery: create a block and mail it in. DONE!
11. Father’s day mug and/or baked stuff for my dad and grandpa (need to do this very soon)
12. Baby shower gift for my friend Lindsay: I’ve got booties I need to add buttons to and I’d like to make a couple of other things as well as pick her up something to enjoy since she’s been a mommy for about a month now and probably hasn’t had much time for fun non-mommy things.
13. Wedding gift for my friends Ryan and Steph. I think I might do something similar to the Rocketship Mugs (as in a Mr. and Mrs. mug — not the same design!).  I have no idea what their wedding colors were since their invites/save the dates didn’t coordinate at all.  I’ll have to figure that out. I’m going to do a fleur de lis pattern on it for sure since that was on all their materials (probably has nothing to do with their wedding/tastes…I’m sure their “designer” just randomly picked it — either way… I like it and I’ll go with that). I might just pick colors based on the colors that are in their kitchen items they picked in their registry.
14. Several possible alchemy things…I bid on a LOT of stuff today and am hoping to get a couple of things — especially one that has a cute little teacup logo that she’d like elaborated upon.
15. Finish my mom’s quilt top (add a 4-inch cream/oatmeal border to it), get it quilted (September)
16. Emee’s 1st birthday quilt — coin stack pattern — cut blocks, sew, figure out backing/binding (October) — get it quilted!
17. Finish my mermaid bags (I have 2 of them left)

There’s no way that’s the entire list. I’m so swamped with random projects right now!  I can get them all done since a lot of them don’t have deadlines or have far away deadlines…but a lot of them this month are for occasions.  It’s actually good that I have this many projects right now I think because Kasey’s back home and it will give me something to do.

eeeeee. so here I am blogging again!  I did get my Jolly Jabber block done tonight.  I shall blog about that in about 10 minutes (aka 7 minutes past my bedtime).

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I can’t ever wait until a project is completely finished OR until I have good pictures of it…I guess I’m super impatient (how I do quilting…don’t ask!)…

I’ve been hoarding this jelly roll of Hello Betty fabric for over a month. I’ve been looking for an easy pattern for a jelly roll (since it’s pre-cut into 3ish” strips).  I decided on a rail fence pattern…super easy! (also, did I mention that pretty much all quilting websites and fabric websites look and navigate like they were made in the mid–late nineties??)

Anywho, I got to work and finished the top. There’s a couple of crooked areas, but I zipped through it because I knew if I had to put it down then I wouldn’t finish it!  I had a few block parts leftover and one entire strip of the checkerboard in brown (I hate the checkerboard fabric!)…so I made a pillow for my friend Adria out of those.  I had 2 full blocks leftover, so I’m going to make 1–2 pillows out of that.

This quilt is for my mom who likes these retro fabrics (heck, granny used the original version of some of these in a quilt we have at home!) and she loves browns with blues and oranges and pretty much browns with anything.

Anyway, here are a few really crappy photos of what I’ve got. I will post better ones later… when the thing is finished. I need to get batteries for my camera (aka find my rechargables!).  

the colors are really off because my flash wasn't working...but this is a better picture.

again, colors are off. It's more of a red orange and the green is more turquoise...it's brown, not black too!

I’m planning to use the above fabric as the backing piece…not cheap, but I have to buy 4 or so yards of it, and fast! I can only find this in one store, and I LOVE this one! I’m also going to do a 4-inch cream border on the front of this quilt and I haven’t decided what the binding will be… most likely it’s going to be that solid red/orange, which I will also have to buy up rather quickly!

Also, here’s the pillow I made…. I need to finish the seam on the side where I stuffed it, but like I said…I can never wait to post projects!

I also cut most of the fabric and pinned most of my mermaid bags tonight… yay!  

andddd…. SLEEP!

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I posted a photo of one of these a while back, but here’s a couple of better photos. I think these do the tops better justice. I made these from 5 charm packs I bought from fatquartershop.com. 

I’m scared to death to quilt these myself! I don’t want to ruin them. I want them quilted with fuschia thread. I have the fuschia dotty fabric and pink dotty fabric for the binding and seafoam green and a dusty pink for the backing fabrics…just need somebody with the skillz to finish them for me!

I want to keep this one for myself. I love the butterfly squares with the butterfly on the side flying away.

this one is cute too, but I might have to part with it.

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