Inspirations and Confessions

I love to create and I always have a new idea for a project. So I decided to keep a list of my ideas so that when I get a moment (between laundry, dishes, and never-ending requests for water) I will know what I want to work on. Unfortunately, my list of intended projects grows ever longer while my output is at the pace of a molasses going up a hill on a cold day with a head wind. But a girl can dream and in my dreams I see dances of fabric and paint. But until I actually produce something tangible, here are a few projects that others have created that have inspired me.

For some unknown reason I am incapable of throwing out scraps of fabric. Regardless of the size of fabric I am certain there will be a use for it. A few months ago we moved and as I was packing my sewing area I became a little aware of how out of control my saving had become. And I actually brought myself to throw away a bag or two of scraps. Now, one would think that by getting rid of so much the problem would be brought down to a more manageable size. But then I started unpacking in our new place and I continued to bring box after box after box of fabric into my new sewing room. I felt like standing up and saying, "Hi my name is Emily and I am a fabricaholic." But, since I can't bring myself to get rid of it, I have to find a way to use it. And what better way to use scraps than to make a quilt. I am not much of a quilter, I find it rather tedious and boring and wonder as I am making it, does the world really need another blanket? But, I found this quilt, and I think we can be friends. I was hoping to find a free tutorial, however this was not. But, because I am cheap and clever I decided to not pay for the pattern but make my own. I have drawn up the pattern and with a little determination and plenty of outside time for the little ones, I will hopefully be able to produce a finished product soon.

Twirling. I loved to twirl when I was little.

And a dress to twirl in was essential. A dress that could be twirled in became magical, I became a princess at a royal ball or a ballerina

on stage performing in front of large audience. When I went dress shopping for my bridal gown my goal was to find a dress with a large skirt that I could dance in. Even now when I make dresses or skirts they have to pass the twirly test. So when I saw this dress at IndieTutes I knew that it would have to go on my list of projects for my princesses. And it doesn't hurt that I can use the aforementioned fabric stash to create this little beauty.

Nothing says tacky like a vase of dusty, fake flowers. You know what I'm talking about. The ones in the faded vase on the slightly yellowed doily on Aunt Ida's mantle.

But I love flowers, especially bright and colorful ones and have been tempted once or twice to buy some of those awful fake flowers, they look so pretty in the store. But then visions of dusty, faded flowers float across my memory and I quickly walk toward the fabric section where I usually end up buying several yards of $1 dollar clearance fabric that I just know I will think of a project for. So my sewing room is shrinking from the yards of intended projects and my house remains colorless and flowerless. And then I found this tutorial from "Between the lines" and I felt the stars in the universe align. I am thinking of taking it up a few notches and making a large wall hanging for my bedroom.