I shot this picture a few weeks ago and just loved it.  I didn't do a thing to it (except add my logo).  I didn't even play with it in Photoshop.  It was a bit windy and because of the aperature I chose, everything in the background has a nice painterly effect.

Sometimes you just get lucky!

And, sometimes you don't!  I have passed by this great barn a million times.  Seriously, a million.  Every single time (a little exaggerated) one or both of the resident longhorns are standing in front of the barn... mocking me.. "Ooooh, why don't you  have your camera, Mona?  Too bad for you!  Hahahahaha!"  They mock me.  So when I went to actually shoot this picture, where were the teasing longhorns?  NOT in front of the barn.  No, they were in the shade AWAY from the barn.  I'll get you two, you just wait!  (Fist in air.)  In the meantime...

FYI, I passed by this barn today... yep, in front of the barn... mocking me.

Mona Pin It

Leftovers are good!

I used the leftover fabric  from this little dress to make another one.  I just love this pattern  (Simplicity 2377).  Easy, simple, and easy.  

 My four year old daughter spied this one and decided she would rather have it instead of the other one.  "Make up your mind, little girl!"   I think it was the cupcake and pie that did it for her.  Shiny beads or an apron?  You do the math.

I'm working on another little project (something fun for the kids) that I hope to have finished soon and I have some ideas in mind for another little outfit, too.  And somewhere in there, I need to put it all aside and enjoy my kiddos.  I only have one more year until my youngest starts kindergarten and we all know how fast that goes.  Too fast, that 's how fast.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.  Special vibes and prayers to all of you who are stressed and not feeling well.  Take care of yourselves - your loved ones need you!

Mona Pin It

A cushie for the tushie!

I decided my pretty little chair need some cushion.  Sew up a circle, stuff it up, and voila - cushie for the tushie!

It looks better, too.  Bonus.  (Except for that very obvious STAIN on the seat!  My kids have been banned from the chair!  I'm not even joking.)

Here she is, just waiting for more sewing adventures!

And, I found out that my little chair has a twin sister out there!  Isn't she all chippy and pretty?  An Etsy seller sold her to some lucky person.  By the time I saw the email, it was a done deal.  And red!  Would have been mighty cute in my kitchen!

Have a great week!

Mona

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Shhhhh, it's a cover-up!

I was working like a mad woman to give my studio a little makeover for the "Where Bloggers Create II" party and decided to cover my sewing stool.  Good news - the stool has a pretty little dress to wear.  The bad news - my buddy Harriet informed me that I had already missed the deadline to enter the party!  Sigh.  Oh well, next year, right?

I have never tackled an upholstery job or anything of this sort.  Covering a pillow is quite different!  But, I enjoyed it all the same and may have learned some things along the way.  It isn't too bad considering.

The fabric is duck (I believe) and I bought it at Garden Ridge a while back - $5.99 for 3 yards!  I was rummaging through my stash and thought it would make a nice cover.  While it has that shabby look, it may be too heavy and bulky for this little stool.  I also wanted to tint it pink and tried to give it a bath in a mixture of water and pink acrylic paint.  Nope.  I don't know if it is because of the nature of this material or it was treated, but it didn't take.  So, maybe Rit Dye.  Later.

Here she is in my office.  She looks so little now.  Huh.  Instant weight loss.  I wonder if I wore that.... Nah.

I have another little chair in my office that I would like to make a "dress" for but with lighter materials.  That's another project for another day!

See you soon!

Mona Pin It

Gawking & blog stalking!

I'm sure I am like many of you bloggers out there..... find a quiet moment to visit Bloggy World, scroll through the blog list of recent posts, stroll through others' fave blogs, etc.  Well, I found a new blog (thanks to my buddy Harriet) and I cannot, seriously - cannot stop gawking!  

Check out Paulette's work at Beedeebabee.  She has beautifully and creatively combined many of my favorite techniques - silk ribbon, embroidery, crazy patch, felt, beads, etc.  

I haven't seen anything quite like her work and I am so inspired!  She sells many of her lovely creations in her Etsy shop, too.

I didn't ask permission to publish her photos, so Paulette - don't be angry!  I just had to share!  (I tried to grab photos with your name!)

These are just a few examples, so don't waste any time - go visit Paulette!

Mona Pin It

I {heart} Photoshop Brushes!

I really need another 24 hours in the day... and alone time... and my own personal Photoshop instructor.  Then, I would have it made!!  I've been playing with Photoshop and trying out brushes.  It is just so much fun.  I know there are a million things I'm NOT doing that I could be but don't know how to do yet.  Just gimme more time, right?

Anyway, I played with this pretty brush/frame and worked on a logo/watermark.  Click on the photos to enlarge and let me know what you think of the logo.  I don't want to spend numerous hours on it, but at the same time I want to be happy with it.  Again, "simple and to the point" is what I am aiming for, but with a little flair!

Well, I'm off to play some more!

Mona Pin It

Photo 101

I've been taking photography classes this year and wanted to share a few photographs with you that I recently shot during field trips and for class assignments.

And my fave of the day:

It is kind of scaring having your images thrown on the big screen for all to see and critique, but it is actually quite helpful.  You know what I mean.... you see work by other people and say, "Wow!  I love that.  Awesome!"  And then some make you say, "Whoa!  I'm not sure what they were aiming for, but nice try.  I've already totally nailed that!"  Right?  It can be a boost, or take you down a notch!  Besides, I'm certainly not above needing all the help I can get!!

This Sunday we have a field trip at 6:00 a.m.  Despite the hour, I'm actually looking forward to it.  I probably wouldn't otherwise make myself get up that early to shoot!

I would like to shoot Senior pictures this summer and decided I better work on a name for my bidness!  Since I have four kids, I wanted to have the name be related to my kiddos.  So I thought of... are you ready?... "Four-tography"!  Ha!  Ok, not really.  How about "Miss Mona's Photography"?  Everyone around here knows me as Miss Mona.  Kind of simple and to the point!

I'm also getting to know Photoshop CS4 a little better.  I love it!  It is addicting.  I seriously have so much to learn there as well. I've been playing around with making a watermark and will post some of those images soon. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Mona Pin It

Handy little gadget

I decided to add trim to my latest project so I whipped up some bias using this handy little gadget.  So fun.  Turned out mahvelous!

Now, please note the box sitting behind the handy little gadget.  See it?  Yeah, I love it.  I can use it.  But not for this project!  Apparently I'm going to have to run down to JoAnn's and get the rest of the tips - including the one for 1/2" bias!  I just had to laugh.

That just proves that you can NEVER have too many sewing toys tools!!! Pin It

Suh-Weet!

Yay!  I finally finished this cute little dress.  And, despite it taking forever (okay, about four days off and on but who's counting?) - this was an easy little project.  For me.  'Cuz I have a disorder called "Pattern Challenged".  That's right.  Look it up.

I was even so bold as to modify it... on my very own!  Yeah, I'm quite pleased with myself.  Ha!

But, the bestest part?  It actually fit my 4 year old daughter to a TEE!!!  She wears a 3T but really needs a 4T length so I have to adjust for her and I'm not great at doing it.  That's one of the things I loved about this little dress - with the elastic neckline, just slip it on and go!  It hangs loosely and is kind of twirly!

When I asked her to try it on, she actually had the nerve to kiss the apron.  With her little Spagettio lips.  Ack!  Thank goodness it was dried on already.  Whew, close call.  On second thought, I may not let her wear it.  Do I take that chance?  Eh, you know it.

Do you like my apron?  We took a road trip a few weeks back and I decided to stitch in the car.  Don't worry, my husband was driving - not me!  Anyway, I was just playing around and having fun.  Then it dawned on me that I really didn't have any fabric to match the colors or design of the stitching.  Huh.  Oh well.

Then, during my very necessary weekly trip to JoAnn's, I found the perfect set of fabric!  "Hallelujah!"  Don't you just love it when that happens?!!  I just feel so complete.  All is right in my little world!  I just added one last little touch and voila!  Done.

Thanks for stopping by while I gloat.  I appreciate it!  Have a great weekend!

Mona Pin It

Am I the only one?

Is there anyone out there like me?  Slow?  Calculating?  Precise? and.... ORGANIZED to a fault?  Its a curse, I tell you!

I love sewing - you know that already.  It gives me much pleasure and I learn so much every time I make something.  But, I swear declare, I am the slowest!  I see others whip up stuff in just a few hours.  Will I ever do that?  I always thought it was because I was a novice.  I am beginning to think I will always be slow!

After days of deliberation, staring at my stash of fabric, deciding which pattern to use, etc., I finally make my choices and start "the process".  First, I use paper to trace out the pattern in the size I need.  (I have friends who just buy the pattern multiple times and cut out what they need - lucky them!)

Then, I have to write all that pertinent information on my traced copy.  (I actually do that quickly - it doesn't need to be purty.)

Next, I write notes as to what I am going to cut out and assemble so that I don't mess it up.  Why? 

"Mommy?  Can you help me?" 

"Mom, have you seen my...?"

"Ack, time to pick up the kids!"

"Mommy, someone's at the door!"

"Crud, we're late for baseball practice - get your stuff!"

"Mom?  Phone!"

Get it?  So, after all my notes, I start laying out and cutting.

And guess what?  ALL that careful planning.... and I cut out the wrong piece anyway!!!!  Arrrrrrrgghhh!  Deep breath.  (mumbling to myself.... "Label that and put it aside.  You can use it for another dress.  Maybe in reverse of this one.  This should go quickly and maybe you can whip that one up, too.)  Really?

Okay, so finally I get to the point of actually sewing.  Two days later.

Again, am I the ONLY one?  sigh

Mona Pin It