From Cardinals to Peacocks

I have been working on Christmas items for my Etsy shop since September. Now the fabric is gone. Yay! Happily, sales are going well. I feel I can sit back for a few moments and enjoy the fruits of my labor. The other day I received a request to elaborately bead another peacock pillow. Because I bead all the feathers, these pillows are very time consuming...but...this wonderful customer has given me no deadline. I can work on this extravagant pillow at my leisure. Ahhhh.

 

A belated Happy Thanksgiving...and best of luck as you head into the hectic Christmas season.

Autumn Inspiration

Remember me? I have been away too long with no good excuse other than I have been in the craft room and back and forth (and back and forth) from the lake. This is such a beautiful time of the year in SE MN and NW WI. The leaves are changing and the “tourists” have gone home. The drive to the lake is a blessing and I do not mind traveling the 140 or so miles there and back as often as my life allows.

 

On my way down Salem Road.

Giant pumpkins in Wabasha, MN.

Beautiful sumac along Highway 53 in WI near New Auburn.

No, I do not have enough pictures of the moon rising over the point at the lake!

Bountiful fields of corn near Plainview, MN.

These road trips have inspired me to create a new beaded pillow: Pumpkin pillows! Some are already available in my Etsy shop and others have been created for a local boutique (look below). These pumpkin/gourd pillows are another excellent way for me to upcycle my fabric scraps.

It Was Christmas on Thursday!

In my last post I mentioned buying wonderful fabric at the Quilter’s Convention held this week in Rochester, MN. I’m like a kid at Christmas with new fabric and have already started (and almost completed) a pillow from the peacock fabric. It has a pattern of 6 so you’ll be seeing more of the brilliant blue bird in the future, never fear. I have inklings of how I want to use each piece of fabric, but I’m always happy for you to share your opinions as well.

This is the fat quarter I purchased from the Africa booth; I thought coasters from this would be fun.What do you think?

Birds are always popular, especially cardinals..you'll see them in time for Christmas in one form or another!

Too pretty to pass up...pillow for sure then what?

I plan to bead the edges only, not the "paintings. Won't these make cool pillows?

The Ballerina has already been reserved!

Here you can see how I've already made one peacock into a pillow. I found some incredible beads for the tail feathers...stay tuned.

3 Little Pillows ~ WIP

These little pillows are from the same panel as Chocolate and Citrus Spring Birds . I've decided to offer these 3 as a set ~ a perfect little trio to brighten up your home for spring and summer or to give as gifts. This set will be available in my Etsy Shop soon.

Queen for a Day

I sure feel like a Queen today. I'm a Guest Blogger and that's very cool. My sincere thanks to Kim for allowing me such a wonderful opportunity!



Opportunity

Now where's that crown......

Pillow Pendants

What to do with those tiny scraps of material left-over from creating lovely beaded pillows? Create tiny beaded pillows, of course! And attach a ribbon. And call them pendants. So this is what has kept me out of trouble the past couple of days. The little owl and the butterfly are available in my Etsy shop. The shell will be completed and listed there soon.

Speaking of shells, I must thank Della of Del's Shells her blog for the short but productive brainstorming session at the Cracker Barrel!