Tutorial tried and loved...

 So many times I see some wonderful inspiration and tutorials while blog hopping and I always want to try so many of them that I save them in a "tutorial folder".  Do I ever get back to them and actually try the technique?  Well...honestly...very seldom.  All good intentions and time or laziness or busy or whatever and I just never seem to get back to that folder to really try such wonderful ideas and techniques.  Well...this one was so simple and doable that I actually dropped everything and did it.  Let me link you to Lori of elvie studio whom most of you already follow.

This is my completed piece and I am so thrilled with it.  This really is a "hand drawn look".  Thank you Lori.  You are quite an inspiration to me!
I will definitely be doing this technique again.  Maybe now I will go take a look into my elusive "tutorial folder" and see what else I can accomplish.  It is such a great feeling to actually make and finish something. 
I am busy making my lists.  The holiday season is upon us and I want to at least keep up this year.  I was hoping to be ahead of the game this year but somehow November is here all too fast and I wasn't prepared like I thought I would be.  November is also a busy birthday month in our family.   Not to worry...I will get it all done and what I don't get done I suppose was not really necessary.  This is my coping story and I am sticking with it.  ;o)
Now lets go make something and maybe try a new technique from the amazing array of tutorials available to us here in Blogland.  There are such generous sharing souls here.  Thank you each and every one of you.
May you have a week of serenity and checking off your lists...

NOW is working for me...

I love learning new techniques for handmade things. It is part of what I truly enjoy. However, I usually see a tutorial and think "Hmmm...that looks really cool and I could make that". So I save the tutorial over in a file and usually never get back to it. Therefore I miss out on so many great techniques. Always thinking I will get to it when I have time. Alas, my 2011 word NOW is actually working for me as I decide to try that new technique now instead of waiting.
For those of you who follow the extremely talented Jillayne of A Fine Seam you have seen her amazing unique ruched flower. Please visit her blog and try her great tutorial.
This is my first that I tried and feel it turned out pretty well. I used an inexpensive muslin fabric. I know I will be making many more of these fabulous flowers.

This is the same flower as above but with an antique button in the center.

Thank you so much Jillayne for so generously sharing your talents and techniques with us.

Now my mind is busy thinking of the many colors and combinations that this flower lends itself to. All of the many uses for embellishing is also taking over my thoughts. Try this for your Mother's Day gifts.

Once again my creative muse is fueled by the wonderful people here in Planet Blog.

Will you try this technique? What will you do with a beautiful ruched flower?

A very happy and creative weekend to all...

Whew!!!

Whew!!! I have been wanting to change my blog banner to a collage of items I have created. Not being a computer person or software programmer or even remotely familiar with this type of activity I have been putting this task at the bottom of every list for quite a while now.

Well!!! Here is my new blog banner and I am so happy with it. Of course I had lots of help from Mr. C who is very familiar with computers and their nuances. Thank you honey!

I also had help from this wonderful blog tutorial http://memoriesoncloverlane.blogspot.com/2009/08/tutorial-on-how-to-make-blog-banner.html

Thank you so much Sarah for your help even though you don't know me or my blog. Your tutorial was the boost I needed to get started and spend the energy and hours with Mr. C to accomplish something I have been wanting to check off my list.

As 2010 comes rushing to a close I am reflecting and trying to finish some of the items I feel will help me most in 2011. Maybe my word of 2010 "Focus" really wasn't in vain after all.

What are you reflecting on at this time of year?

Are you completing tasks on your list before the new year arrives?

My grandmother (and now me) always had to have all the ironing completed before midnight New Year's eve even if it meant ironing frantically until 11:59 pm. The thought was that if it weren't completed it would merely continue to pile up all year long and it would never get done. So that is how I function and this week is my week to try to complete things before the new year. Hey...what ever works...right?!!

May you have a very relaxed and rewarding week...