MEET CAROLYN – Craft Guru

Carolyn had an impressive resume of work in tourism before taking over the management of our publications and marketing 8 years ago.  She’s got quite a flair for the written word (loves alliteration) and gives Martha Stewart a run for the money when it comes to being creative and resourceful. And, when it comes to concepts and content, Carolyn cooks up a seemingly endless supply of project ideas for our books and website. Photo planning and styling, writing, editing and a lot of hands-on creation all come under the heading of Carolyn. I’m sure you’ve enjoyed some of her “romance” copy in her years of coming up with clever ways to describe our latest quilt.

Carolyn always has big plans.  In fact her husband claims she has ADD – Attention Deficit Decorating Syndrome. In her house, she is perpetually in the process of something and may have several irons in the fire at any given time.  At the tender age of 7, she redecorating something and may have several irons in the fire at any given time.  At the tender age of 7, she wallpapered her playhouse and hasn’t stopped painting, sewing, reupholstering since. (not to mention shopping – on any given day, she can recite the inventory at Pier One and Pottery Barn) On the rare occasion that she does take a break from her own projects, she “sticks her nose” (self-described) into my decorating.  We have very similar taste and we only live two blocks apart – so we love sharing our opinions with each other. Monday Night is Craft Night and she’s part of a group (also includes Jackie) that have been meeting religiously for a few years.  However, most of the stories I hear are about the food and wine!

Carolyn occasionally partakes in stage productions and even treated me recently to a fantastic production of “Phantom of the Opera.”  When she’s not glued to HGTV, she enjoys traveling with her husband to exotic locations like Thailand. She enjoys participating in a book club. She looks forward to weekends at the “cabin,” and even occasionally finds a Saturday to take a paddle in her kayak. Carolyn is the proud mother of one son, Chase, who is currently working on his graduate degree in film in sunny California. Perhaps missing him so much explains her new fondness for the quail who regularly visit her backyard. She has now taken to buying birdseed in bulk. Best of all, Carolyn laughs at nearly every attempt I make at humor. Now that’s endearing!

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Pocket Full of Love

Wondering what to make for all your Sweethearts this Valentine's Day? Fill this simple-to-make heart shaped pocket with chocolate hearts and kisses and hang it on the doorknob for a special surprise. Don't forget to treat yourself ~ download one of our NEW Valentine's Desktop Backgrounds and you'll really start to feel the love!

HEART POCKET
Supplies:
Two 8" x 8" squares of Red Wool or Felt
Valentine Fabric* - Scraps or 1/6 yard
Lightweight Fusible Web – Scraps or 1/6 yard
Perle Cotton for Embroidery – Red and Ivory
Scissors and Pinking Shears
Red and White Ribbon – 1/2 yard each color
*Fabric shown is Debbie Mumm for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

Make your own heart pattern by folding a sheet of paper in half and cutting a half-heart shape then unfolding; tracing a heart you already have; or search for heart templates on-line. Pattern should be approximately 6" x 6".

Using pattern, trace two hearts on paper side of fusible web. Cut around traced hearts approximately 1/4" outside lines. With paper side up, position and press fusible web hearts to wrong side of Valentine fabric, following fusible web manufacturer's directions for iron temperature and fusing time. Cut our each heart on traced lines. Remove paper backing from hearts, a thin film will remain on wrong side of fabric. Position and fuse each heart, centering the appliqué in the center of each 8" x 8" wool or felt square.

Finish edges of each heart using hand blanket stitch and Perle Cotton, or machine stitch as desired.

Position appliquéd squares together with hearts to outside and carefully align heart points and pin together. Starting at the top curve of the heart, use a Running Stitch to outline the hearts, going through both layers until you reach the top curve on the opposite side. Continue with the running stitch on one heart only so that the top of the heart will open. Secure end of thread, then finish outlining the other heart. Use pinking shears to trim red wool or felt following the heart shape and  leaving about 3/4" showing.

Sew ribbons to inside of heart and tie as desired. 

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POOCHIE PARLOR

That’s the cute name of one our new fabric collections (available at Jo-Ann’s and www.joann.com.) All breeds enjoy a day out at the Doggie Spa to have her nails filed, a shampoo and fluffing or just a little TLC! (wait a minute – that’s sounds pretty good to me too) This cotton assortment comes in pink or blue combined with chocolate brown and tans. You’ll find a few cozy flannels in the pink color story too. If you need a little project inspiration – consider a new sofa blankie for the family pooch or it may be time to recover the dog bed cushion. But, doggone it, this fabric isn’t just for canines! These fabrics would be darling in a baby quilt, as laundry room curtains or a patchwork totebag. And don’t forget how scrumptiously soft a pair of jammie pants would feel made out of one of the flannels. (by the way, they wash up beautifully)

Wouldn't it be just the coolest if the official White House Seamstress could get her hands on this line and made something special for Sasha and Malia's new pup?!

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Cabin Fever Cure!

Instead of complaining about the winter weather (which has sort of become a pastime around here), I thought perhaps a productive and entertaining activity may be in order. I personally have a hard time tossing magazines and catalogs because they can be such a great source of decorating and project inspiration. But my piles can get a little embarrassing and overwhelming. So this is really the perfect time to attack those piles and mill out all the morsels of ideas and get rid of the rest. Sit down with some of your favorite background music and just start going through them.

For starters, just rip out your favorite clippings into one big pile. Don’t think too hard, just rip out everything you might want. The next step is to sort out the clippings. You may decide to toss some of those or keep them all. Depending on your volume of clippings, you can sort them into labeled photo storage boxes or start folders with the idea categories that you’re seeking. My favorite topics are Decorating, Quilt Projects, Color Inspirations, Paper Crafting, Home Organization, Recipes, Great Quotes, Gardening Tips.

You also might be collecting tips for being more “Green?” If so, there’s a great website www.freecycle.org. They will come and collect your old magazines so you don’t have to dump them in the garbage! It’s amazing how clearing out and cleaning up can be such a mood lift and a great way to spend a winter day.

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Try Something NEW!

January is National Craft Month and isn’t that just the perfect time to try something NEW? I keep hearing Dr. Oz say “new year, new you.” So if you’d rather skip the diet, maybe trying a new craft can be your resolution.

Mosaic gives you the opportunity to work with different materials like glass and caulk. For a first project, you can use all glass gems which makes it quick, easy, and inexpensive. Try a stepping stone or decorate a glass vase with colorful gems.

Making Dangler’s has become a favorite craft project amongst our group. It’s a multi-media project that gives you the chance to string together a whole assortment of fun trinkets.

Decoupage is really fast, and really easy and can be used to treat paper, paint or fabric. I love our fabric covered tins that were coated with decoupage. The new you might enjoy dabbling in a new craft.

“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” ~ Pablo Picasso

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Calling all Quilts!

Were you one of the devoted who made our 2008 Christmas Wishes Block of the Month quilt?  If so, please send us a photo of your finished quilt top by the end of January. I’d love to see your work and share photos on the blog. Please send it via email to contactus@debbiemumm.com so I can admire your efforts. Thank you!

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Meet Mandie – Roller Derby Mama!

After more than 3 years of working as our CPA, Mandie "claims" to have never had a bad day at work - now that's impressive! She is certainly beloved here at the office because she is the one who makes sure that payroll happens on time. (she has never let us down) 

The mother of one 6 year old daughter (Brielle), Mandie is also a newlywed. She had a glorious beach wedding this summer on the Oregon Coast and they are expecting a baby together around Memorial Day.  She's enjoying being able to wear loose maternity clothes so she can enjoy all the goodies she wants this Holiday season. Described by her husband as a "Tree-hugger," she has impressed us as being somewhat of a "daredevil." Within the first year of working with us, she broke limbs in a motorcycle skiff and in a tumble she took while doing Roller Derby! (I personally haven't been on roller skates since Jr. High)

A supporter of the Spokane Humane Society, Mandie surrounds herself with a mangerie of pets. Jaeger is a Bengal cat and Malibu is a mutt tabby. She also has 2 dogs – Tonka, a 3yr old Bullmastiff (who she describes as a big, dumb jock). He is about 130lbs and thinks he still weighs 15 and should be able to PLOP down on her lap at anytime. The sweetheart of the family is Kona, a 2yr old American Bulldog (no…she isn’t even indirectly related to a pit!). Last, but not least is a beta fish named Mar-Teenee – mainly because he lives in a giant martini glass on the dining room table.

When not working at "Mumm" she volunteers at school (naturally, she is number one choice for Skate Night), has her own part-time CPA firm, helps organize her husband's business, does DIY projects at home, and all that other “life” stuff. She looks forward to the day she has time to scrapbook, stamp, cross-stitch, sew, organize her photos, train the dogs, and phew.......relax a little. Mandie loves to vacation anywhere especially if there is water involved and has the motto, "Attitudes are contagious…is yours worth catching?" 

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New Book!

I'm so excited about my latest project book, Cuddle Quilts for Little Girls and Boys! Babies and little ones certainly have a way of making hearts melt and it was so much fun to design a collection of quilts and projects for those precious little ones. Cuddle Quilts has just been released and it should now be on the shelves of your favorite quilt shop or Jo-Ann Store or you can find it in my online shop.

For the babies we used a whole bunch of nursery themes ranging from Stars and Moons to a Silly Safari to a whole group of pink and purple flowers.

We all know that little girls go crazy for hearts, butterflies, and flowers and our chapter for toddler girls provides lots of inspiration for cute quilts and accessories.

Cars and trucks, turtles and frogs will spark the imagination of your favorite little boy and our quilts, organizer, pillows, and wall art designs will give you plenty of sewing fun.

I was especially pleased to work with my friend Crystal from Dream Catcher Photography to add photos of cute kids to the pages of this book. 

I hope you enjoy this extra peak into the pages of this book and hope all you “Nanas” & “Aunties” find just the inspiration your looking for to surprise your favorite little one.

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2009 will be Fine

We are so bogged down in SNOW, SNOW & more SNOW here in Spokane that it's hard to not be just a little bit grumpy.  We've broken all our weather records and roofs all over the city are collapsing from the weight of the snow.  My list of resolutions is designed to help with this winter funk and maybe not take it "all" so seriously.

In 2009, I plan to partake in more guilty pleasures:
Spend more Saturdays in my PJ's
Eat more chocolate
Go on a spontaneous vacation
Get more laughs - Watch back to back funny movies for a whole day
Ignore my pile of self improvement books and read People magazine in the bathtub instead
Get a pedicure even though my toes won't see the light of day for months
Remind myself that American Idol will be starting in 2 weeks
Go online and read the "Mad Men" blogs and interviews
Stop freaking out about driving in the snow!
Happy New Year - Be sure to have some whatever you call fun!

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