Spring Fleece

Fleece isn’t just for winter projects. I don’t know about you, but I’m on the lookout for the colors and signs of spring, but I still need a cozy throw to keep me warm in the evenings. This comes especially handy when I’m curling up with a bowl of popcorn and watching the latest installment of American Idol. (even if you live in Arizona or Australia – you need to keep that cool air conditioning at bay) Luckily, we have a great new assortment of fresh and lively spring colored fleeces coming out. These cheery colors and designs are also great for a baby or toddler blankie too. A friend of mine is home convalescing after hip replacement surgery and I know it will make her day (and the many days to come) when I deliver her a new springy fleece blanket.

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Hug, Love, Save, WIN!

Our seamstress, Nancy recently came to Monica with an offer she couldn’t refuse. Nancy (whose Mother is a Breast Cancer Survivor) volunteered to make a Quilt to help raise funds for Breast Cancer awareness in collaboration with Monica’s Non-Profit Organization, HUG LOVE SAVE. Monica, said "YES, by all means!" Friends of Nancy and all of us at the office donated dollars so Nancy could purchase lots of pretty Pink and Brown fabrics. She used The Buggy Barn's "Heart Crazies" pattern and we all fell in love with the quilt when we saw it.

HUG LOVE SAVE is selling raffle tickets at two upcoming events. Just in case you’re in the area, see them in Booth 326 at the Northwest Women's Expo in Seattle, WA on March 27th-29th. Or if you're in Spokane on April 19th for Race for the Cure you can also purchase $1 tickets in their booth at the Spokane Women's Show. Nancy who doesn't let a scrap go to waste made four tote bags for Hug Love Save team to carry to all their events. The winner will be notified April 20th. All money raised will be donated Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Eastern Washington Affiliate. Isn't it great to know that savvy and talented girls like Nancy and Monica are getting together to make great things happen!

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Easter is Coming!

Are you ready? These eggs are a variation of the Decoupage Tissue Paper Eggs we did previously by using origami papers on top of colored tissue.

It’s fun to experiment with different materials. If you have time for a little craft session or your Craft Group is looking for an easy project - you can whip out a whole basket full of eggs in no time! See how sweet these eggs are when you combine them with artificial flowers and greenery in a wall pocket. Decorate your front door with this Flourished-Up wall pocket to greet your Easter guests. Happy Spring! (it’s finally here)

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What are your plans?

March is National Craft Month. I was curious to know how it was being celebrated. We checked out JoAnn Fabric Stores Facebook page and learned the plans of fellow crafters -  Pretty impressive.         

Jennifer Anderson Christopher "I'm taking a sewing class to make a reusable shopping bag" :) :)

Great idea Jennifer – you can create your own customized bag that you’ll be proud to carry. 

Melody 'Chaffin' Coehoorn "Work on Christmas gifts"

You’ll be way ahead of the rest of us!

Brenda L Thomas "I'm trying a new craft and picking up an old craft again. Making my first no sew fleece throw and going back to cross stitching!"

Once you make your first fleece throw, you’ll be hooked.

Lois Dwyer "Turning an office into a den/crafting room. Can't wait to have a permanent place for my sewing machine. It won't be hiding in the closet any more!"

Time to come out of the closet!

Sandi Alcantara "I actually want to sew some spring and summer outfits for me! i am also working on some layette and receiving blankets for our local pregnancy center and I am working on some other items for a few nursing homes in the area.

Sandi – You’ve got great plans to build the spirits of others along with your own all in one month – more than most of us can say.

Sonya Young Quertermous "I'm taking the Sewing 101 class this Saturday! I'm really excited and I have my eye on a machine already :)"

You’ll never regret learning the basics.

Jenny Fendt "I would love to try the one stroke painting class, always wanted to never had the time."

There’s no better time than now.

Debbie Kinnamon Chapman "I got some things to put my organized photos in...and then going to scrap all weekend (hopefully while my husband finishes the drywall in my craft room)."

Kudos to your hubby.

Jen Fox-Williams "Online patterns!"

I hope you check ours out – we’ve got lots and they’re all FREE.

Amy Sumner Sessions "By making homemade items for our brave men and women overseas in the Armed Forces!" www.hats4heroes.org

I commend you. Your efforts will be so appreciated.

It’s National Craft Month, what are your plans?

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Meet Gil Jin - An Inspiration!

Gil-Jin has been part of the team for over seven years and is a very talented painter. She is so focused and can spend hours painting without a peep, except for the occassional chuckle. Because she is quiet and so focused you don't realize that she hears every word. When you hear that chuckle from Jin (that's what we call her for short), you know you've made a good funny.

 Jin has a very interesting story. She was born in Seoul, Korea and married as a young woman. After 3 years of being married, she lost her husband to a serious illness. With her 2-year-old daughter Susan in arm, she made the brave decision to move from Seoul to Spokane, WA. Jin could read and write English but spoke only a few words. With little financial means she came to America in search of an education in art and to make a better life for herself and her daughter. She didn't receive a lot of encouragment and was told that she would probably fail. However, she was very determined. With language barriors to overcome, she found school very challenging, but she persevered and graduated from Gonzaga University. Unfortunately, her degree did not immediately garner her a job. She said it was her little daughter that gave her the strength to keep on going.

Next, she moved to Seattle where she attended The Seattle Art Institute and learned computer graphic skills. When she returned to Spokane she landed a job for a Printer and also got married. It was several years later that she came to work for me. At the Art Institute and Gonzaga she learned everything but watercoloring painting. The position that she was applying for with me was as a Watercolor Painter. That wasn't going to stop her. Because of her natural talents, she went home and did three watercolor paintings and proved she had the skills for the job. Everyday she continues to hone her skills and has become an invaluable member of the team.

When Jin isn't chained to her drawing table at the office, she is very involved in her church. It is primarly a Korean congregration which brings wonderful cultural familiarity to Jin. As a Church Elder, Jin helps newcomers integrate and uses her skills to create Power Point Programs and has the daunting job of updating the Directory every year. That doesn't leave her much free time, but she does manage to keep up on her favorite TV show "Lost" whenever it's airing. She is naturally a very humble person, but she is so proud of her accomplished, well educated and not to mention, beautiful, grown daughter. And she is also so rightfully proud of herself for changing her destiny and making a good life for herself. Jin has only been back to Korea for one visit since she left 25 years ago, but dreams of going home for a visit again someday. 

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Get Organized!

It’s snowing like the dickens out there today – but I’m still thinking about Spring, Songbirds and National Craft Month! In honor, I wanted to share some new Craft Storage items available at JoAnn’s. A couple of the items include this Carry-All tote with a subtle Robin’s Egg blue paisley with a scattering of sweet little orange flowers and a great little Organizer with a lovely bird pattern in coordinating colors. Get ready for a class, a crop or just to tote your projects from one room to the next with these great new products. Happy (almost) Spring!

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Top 13!

Yeah~~ Finally!…….we are through the audition process and onto the real competition. I found my interest waning a bit throughout the last couple weeks with so many mediocre performances. I did keep reminding myself that this was still auditions. The Wild Card show last night was the best so far, probably because this group had risen to the top through the process. Well, with one possible exception. I think you know who I mean ~ Tatiana, of course. I can’t decide if she had “upped” her medication or if she forgot to take it entirely. Certainly, she was there for the drama of it all. And that girl’s got drama!

I’m happy that my favorite from last night, Matt (the bluesy guy) made it. And I did love the twist at the end when Anoop, with head down started to depart the stage when Simon called him back and announced that this year it was going to be a Top 13 and Anoop was in. He’s so cute. They did say they were going to change it up this year and it does make it more fun to have a few surprises. We’ll start our Office Pool next week which always adds to the fun. Hope my FAVS do well.
Go Danny! Go Matt!

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Crappy Crafter!

As an addendum to the hand-crafted Bra Blog that I posted on Feb 23, I thought you needed to see this hysterical birthday card that Carolyn received for her birthday today. LOL!

Click image to enlarge!

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