Ink blot on top of ink blot t-shirt!

For those of you who followed my string of Ink Blot Designed T-shirts, I have news for you.  The obsession is far from over!

Tonight as I was day dreaming about making more blotty designs, I glanced over the ink blot t-shirts I've done so far. I've named them. I know, that's so creepy fun.

Grease Monkey

(no, it doesn't look like a monkey. Just looks like I've been playing in the garage. Here's why)

Raging Bull

Senior Froggy

Space Invader
a.k.a paint spatter

My favorite so far is probably raging bull, because I'm so in awe of that design. Who knew that's how it would turn out? A few random blobs of paint and a simple fold. The bull was born.

Okay, back to my original though. I decided there was one design I wasn't thrilled with. Remember the whole spattered paint controversy I had with my husband? He likes spattered because it's random, I like ink blot because it's not random...yadda, yadda, yadda.

Well, I wasn't set on spattered/space invader look so I decided to see what would happen if I added a little more paint and did ink blot on top of ink blot! I know, right?? Livin' on the edge.

Here's the before...

And after adding a little turquoise...waha!!

I actually kind of love it now. There's almost a heart in there or flowers? Or both?? Hard to say, but there is a little extra touch of love adding the aqua. Now I can rest easy. That shirt is officially finished.

But am I finished with ink blot designs??
Now that's funny.

{*I have the kids at school making ink blot designs with paper and paint. A little different experience, but they're loving it! I'm planning on doing t-shirts with them this spring. Can't stop the madness!}

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What's your story?

I've been wondering lately, about you. 


I'm always yammering on about my obsession with ink blot t-shirts, what socks I'm picking out, and other ridiculous important things like that, that I haven't given you time to get a word in edgewise.
I promise, I'm really not that bad of a date.


So, I'd like to pause from my usual ramblings and find out more about YOU.

I often wonder, how many of you...

are crafters and/or seamstresses yourselves?

have your own etsy, or other online shops?

have your own blog?

like to sew or craft but just don't have the time?

enjoy other people's craftiness but aren't interested in doing it yourself?

just enjoy reading blogs?

or none of the above??

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What's your story?

I'd love to know.

{The poll is located in the upper right corner of my blog} 

::through January 31st::

click as many as apply

Nice to meet you. :)

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Adventure Pass for 2 please

{photo credit}

This past weekend my husband and I got really adventurous. We got off the couch and actually went out on a Saturday night. I know!

Yes, it's true. Sometimes you have to give adventure a kick in the pants, or in this case, yourself and your spouse.

"It wasn't like this when we were dating", I said, "we had so much more fun."

 Current online profile:

"Enjoy watching other adventurous people travel and take long walks on the beach while sitting on the couch flipping through t.v. channels and searching for random things online for hours." 

hahaha It's not really as bad as that, but you catch my drift. It's so easy with life's routine to get stuck. And get boring.

Anywho, it was time to break the vicious cycle. So we got off our duffs and had a little fun. A new place to eat and a drive into the city (finally got our car back from the shop). We've got to start somewhere.

My husband heard about a place on Mercer Island (my home town; and a short stretch away from Seattle), with a new walk-up Fresh Seafood Market, with rockin fish and chips. 

While we waited for our fish to fry, we browsed their fresh seafood market.  It had that cool, Seattle fish stand vibe, like going down to Pike Place Market.

And when our order was up, we hopped back in the car to eat (the only draw back to a walk-up fish n' chips stand on a 35 degree night). But we managed.

Rod got the clam chowda (I just like saying it that way b/c I secretly wish I had an accent)

And I got the 2 piece cod fish n' chips

Mmmmm. It was really good. Their tarter sauce was extra good. Lots of dill.
I have to say though, my fave fish & chips is still last summer at Ivar's in Mukilteo by the ocean...

I'm so going back there the minute summer hits!

Anywho, after our delish dinner, we decided to take a drive into Seattle. I love going to the city at night. The nightlife can be quite colorful, along with the glittering city lights. I guess people really do go out on the weekend. hahaha

Sorry for the very blurry photo. In the car. No fancy iphone.

View from one of my favorite places in Seattle. Kerry Park in Queen Anne.

The houses and apartments are so quaint up there.

Not trying to sound all self-help or anything, but I told my husband the best memories I have of us are when we are both present. No computers. No tv. No phone calls. Taking a walk, going to a park, playing frisbee, flying a kite, going to the beach, exploring a new place, trying something new.

And now I've got one more memory.

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Post-accident update

In case you're wondering, we were finally able to get our car back Friday (since December 19th's accident).  And so far, it seems to be as good as new.

I'm so grateful the insurance and shop were easy to work with and did such a good job for us!


Whew!!

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How to use a Hemmer Foot a.k.a how to sew a rolled hem

Okay, so as promised, I'll tell you a little more about using a hemmer foot to produce that lovely ruffly pillow I bragged about (the one I made my mom for Christmas).








I posted a while back about sewing with a hemmer foot to make this lovely pink frosting-like pillow case back in August.

But I have to admit, since that time I've gotten even better at using a hemmer foot and found a few tricks that help make practically perfect seams every time. I know, there I go bragging again. Bear with me.

I found some great tips on this video. I'm so much better at learning something when I can watch it and practice it. I watched another video and gleaned some goodness off of hers too, but for the life of me I can't find it again. Sorry nice lady!

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Three of the best tips I found

for using a hemmer foot for a rolled hem-

#1. SLOW AND STEADY (take a chill and slow it down)

#2. Fold over material and finger-press to create a starter seam

#3. Help your hemmer foot do the work by continuing to fold over your seam & hold fabric taut

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Okay, lets put these tips to work:

• I folded over and created a start to the seam the same width as the groove in the hemmer foot (I used a 4mm).  This is cotton fabric, so pressing the seam down with my finger held it well.

• I folded it over again and finger-pressed it. This became the start to the seam.

• I put this seam directly under the hemmer foot and stitched a few stitches to secure it

• Next, I pulled the fabric up and in the hold of the hemmer foot.

• I continued to fold over the material as it feed through, while holding it taut (slightly-tight but not too tight). It helped guide the material through the foot neatly.

• Here's me in action. Keeping the continuous fold, while guiding the material and holding it taut. (You have no idea how tricky it was to get this shot. What I won't do for my blog.)

• Check out the left seam. Straight, straight, straight!

• So precise. And practically perfect. What'd I tell ya?

• Gotta love this technique!

It made sewing these ruffles so much easier.

Don't do it the hard way, give those sewing feet a try!

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Out with the old, in with the new

One of my favorite parts about starting a new year is hanging new calendars. I don't know what it is about choosing a new calendar that's so exciting to me, but I look forward to it every year.





A few years back I fancied calendars with the art of Jack Vettriano (still love his work)

More recently, scenes from The Porch
So relaxing and serene

But this year, it's all about travelling to distant lands...
Maybe my husband will get the hint hahaha, or maybe I'll just keep daydreaming.

I SO want to go to Paris.

I had a trip to France planned for this coming spring but I'm not able to go. So disappointing.

I'm hoping one day I'll walk the streets of Paris.

But for now, pictures will have to do.

Now on to getting more organized, setting goals and finishing projects...
Welcome 2012! Let the fun begin!

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