So Busy! And a Giveaway!

Hey Everyone,

I know it has been a while since I have added any kind of interesting content here. I decided a long time ago that I would quit apologizing for blogging absences, but really, I have been gone way too long. Let me tell you a bit about what is going on in my world :)

My child started college in January. She has finals this week and she is getting straight A's... super proud of her, but she doesn't drive yet.

For those of you in places like where I grew up that don't have a lot of traffic and craziness on the roads, it might seem strange that a 19 yr old would not be driving already but it is pretty common here. Add to that the fact that we only have manual transmission cars and you see my problem. I drive her to school which adds an extra 2 hours to each day for me. She will be driving by the time Fall semester rolls around LOL

I did a 30 day challenge with Creative Bug to learn brush lettering and I am practicing every day. It is super fun and I have used it in some projects which you will see below.

 I made this Zip-up Tray Pouch for my friend and roomie at Sewtopia, Jaime.

 We were in Denver and this is the gift that Jaime made and brought for me.

This is my Traverse Bag that I made at Sewtopia with Anna Graham (Noodehead) I use it ever day and LOOOVE it!

Had a great class with Lizzy House, who reminded me that being intentional about the items that I make and buy is what will keep my passion alive.

This is the quilt I made in Lizzy's class out of lawn fabrics designed by Heather Ross. I am going to hand quilt it with a lawn backing.

My child made these adorable origami bunnies for me for Easter.

I made the new Sorbetto Tank from Colette for Sally and Amy Sinibaldi's lookbook for Charleston.
Art Gallery didn't use it but you will see more of it once it gets back to me and I send it to Sally :) It is probably the most technically perfect clothing item I have ever made.

I went to Planner Con in March and came home with all kinds of swag. I love my planners and it is my new passion. Arting up the planners has gotten my creative mojo fired back up.

This is a picture of my three planners. The Marigold one is my daily planner for life, the Ballerina Pink one is my Faith planner, and the fabric one is my art journal/ listing planner.

I made the fabric planner as a tutorial for my new blog venture with Sally. It is called I'll Take Jesus, we do crafts and tutorials, give away fun printables, and do weekly Bible devotionals on Fridays. We post daily. So that is where a lot of my time is spent. Can I just say you don't have to be a believer to come over and see our arts and crafts tutorials? Here is one that I posted this week:

 It is a perpetual calendar. You can see I used my brush lettering technique for the month tags.

Speaking of paper crafting it is where my heart is right now and I am starting a new paper crafting club. (Yes, you all that have signed up already through the Scrappy Stash Buster Club I am finally getting going.) If you would like to sign up for the newsletter for paper crafting click here.

About the shop.... I mentioned a few months ago that I am changing the trajectory of the fabric shop. I am choosing small collections that not everyone else is carrying and only things that really speak to me. I found it soul crushing to have so much fabric coming in all of the time and to just cut fabric all day long and have no time to create with the beautiful stuff passing through my fingers. I am working on downsizing enough to move everything back home. I have enough room for about 1/3rd of what I had in the shop. So I might still be a bit quiet while I finish up with the warehouse and get things moved. If you wanted any of our shelves or classroom tables please email me because I am ready to give them up now. We did great with Neptune and the Mermaid and Charleston ... there is a bit left of both. I am still on the look out for small sweet collections and, of course, I have the Tilda coming.

Now for the giveaway. I am giving away one of my prototype Traveler's Notebooks that I made a month or two ago (I will let you choose your favorite). If you would like to win a notebook cover with an insert already installed for you to start with right away.

Please leave a comment on this post. I am also including a bunch of sticker swag from planner con and my own stash.

For a second chance, you can sign up for the newsletter and leave a second comment letting me know that you did. Don't forget to leave an email where I can reach you if you win. I will use Random.org to choose a winner next week on Thursday morning.