I love Crayons

I love crayons. Love the smell of opening a brand new box....the combination of the crisp paper wrappings, cardboard, and new crayon smell. Maybe I'm just a weirdo. :) But I know that crayons will be a hit at Titus' birthday party next weekend.

In lieu of store-bought trinkets and candy, I decided to try those handy crayon rolls that I've seen in some of my favorite shops on etsy.

Thanks to a super simple tutorial found HERE, I was able to make these rather inexpensively, with fabric I already have in my stash. I substituted wide braided elastic in place of the ribbons that hold the roll in place. Hopefully, I can whip up a few extra to give in Christmas stockings this year...

Speaking of Crayons, if you love crayons like I do, please check out Sarah Costa's work here. She has an incredible etsy shop that I love to stare at. Sarah is a very talented photographer and sewer, so deck your walls with some of her artwork this season!

Happy Saturday to you....I'm off to finish scraping the cereal treat/marshmallow goo from the bottom of the pan after making a batch for a fall party this evening....and yes, I scoop the leftover goo out with my hands and shovel it into my mouth....'cause that's how I roll.

Papercraft PARTY Hat Tutorial

Boy, have I been racking my brain lately to pull off a "cute" Robot-themed birthday party for my soon-to-be TWO little guy. I could not find robot party stuff to save my life, so I decided to make my own. Here is a super easy tutorial to make your own, customized party hats....using basic scrapbooking supplies! ENJOY!

(You will also need: tape, a large dinner plate, and a slit or hole punch)

Craft Night Success

pincushions, originally uploaded by ariel quilts.

This weekend was great fun! Friday evening was our Ladies Fall "Fun-due" fondue night at church. I serve on the committee and was given the task of coming up with the evening's craft.

I stewed for awhile on what would be crafty fun, yet "grown up" enough for ladies to enjoy. I had some good suggestions from friends and family, but decided on an easy felt flower brooch pattern from mmmcrafts, thanks to an inspiring blog post by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew. My friend Jamie then suggested we encorporate Allison's teacup pincushions at each table as giveaways.

The evening was so fun...full of chocolate, cheese, goodies, and great fellowship. It's so good for women to enjoy each other's company and grow spiritually together! (and eat, laugh, and create at the same time!!)

So, take my advice and make some time to get together with the girls this month. Whether you shop, watch a movie, or just have a play date with the kiddos, good friendship is great for the soul.

xo

Polly Pinwheels

Polly Pinwheels, originally uploaded by ariel quilts.

Dear Wacom Tablet,

You are like artist's heaven with a technological twist. I love you. You make illustrating on the computer a giddy experience. You can stick around as long as you wish....or until my friend Mandy wants you back....

xo,
Ariel

P.S. Here is a peek at how we've been spending our time together late at night after my little guy is in bed...

Robots on the Brain

1. build a ROBOT cupcakes!, 2. emmett's robot, 3. Robot Lovers, 4. robot needlebook and pincushion, 5. robots_01, 6. I Robot, 7. Kokka Trefle Large robots, 8. Robots Crayon Roll, 9. 3rd grade portrait, 10. Robot Love Valentine Card, 11. I'm Awesome!!!, 12. Robot Red-Rover, 13. Robot Party 414. Not available15. Not available16. Not available


There's a sweet little guy at our house, about to turn 2! Guess what theme we're going with for his birthday party.....

CONGRATS to a Winner and Runner-UP!

Weeeelllll, I'm a little late posting the winners of the giveaway because I was, ahem, hunched over my new sewing machine :)

Thank you to all my creative bloggy friends who came up with super cute names for miss Janome 6500. It was so tough to choose one, so I picked TWO!

The first winner suggested the name that I plan to use...Angie suggested, "Matilda". I like it. I think I'll call her "Tilde" for short :)

The second winner cracked my stuff up with his suggestion. Thanks, John for the clever name, "Ja-Gnome". Makes me think my machine is a rapper gnome from da hood...okay....you're right...I'm just a goofy white girl with a sewing machine, but I loved his idea.

If I selected your name, email me at ariel_eldridge@hotmail.com to claim your prize!

Wanna see what I've been working on?

I was just itching to use my red, aqua, and pink fabric from Sew Deerly Loved! It's time for something really girly for a change, and it gave me an excuse to use some of my Lollies and Hedgies, Storybook Mushrooms, and Willard Gnome fabrics.

It's HERE, let's celebrate!

Cue the music! At long last, my new sewing machine has arrived! What a relief! Today was the last possible day that it could have arrived before I would have had a meltdown of worry. I'm always a little leary of purchasing large items on ebay, but I spoke with the seller on the phone and she is a fellow quilter and teacher. Always a soft spot for you gals who are quilters AND teachers....how do you find the time?? Anyhoo....at long last, here she is...

I've obviously not had a chance to get acquainted with her yet, and she doesn't even have a name. This is my first computerized sewing machine, so it'll take me a minute or two to read the manual and get her up and running ;)

In honor of my new friend, let's have a little contest, shall we???

*Leave me a comment with your best name idea for my Janome 6500. I will select my favorite comment by Sunday evening 9/27.

* The winner will receive a generous fabric remnant from one of my new fabric designs, "Storybook Mushrooms" and the bragging rights of being the most creative name-giver ever...

BEST OF LUCK! xo, Ariel