He's Here!!!

He's Here!!!, originally uploaded by pocketful of pinwheels.

Baby "Clayton James" was born Friday, July 23rd.

8lbs. 2oz. 20.5 inches long

Knit Treasures

Look at this hand-knit loveliness... These are treasures that I received in the mail this week from my dear friend, Lynsey. I've never learned to knit and am just amazed at the craftsmanship! That Lynsey is a crafty gal...she actually JUST gave birth to her baby boy about 3 weeks ago, and SOMEHOW found time to make/send these to me!

I can't wait to put them on a little newborn punkin' head and pair of tootsies. Won't these make for sweet newborn photos?

They're made with 100% baby Alpaca wool, and are they ever soft! I told Lynsey that if all baby alpacas are that soft, I want one for my backyard.... ;)


So, "D-Day" is quickly approaching, as we are discussing induction with the doctor for next week, just 'cause I'm ready and we make some big baby boys around here :) If you don't hear from me for awhile, please know that it's not you,....it's me. :) Not that we're breaking up....I'll get some photos of our new little bug up here before you know it. In the meantime, ......Titus and I are lazying around....

xoxo,

Ariel

Carve your own Rubber Stamps...HOW-TO

I've been sittin', waiting, wishing.....

What else can a fully-preggers momma do in the heat of the summer and no physical energy? Why not carve some stamps? I took some printmaking classes during my time at Purdue, and have been dying to try these handmade rubber stamps. Want to try it too? Here's some help:

You'll need:

- Mastercarve block

- blank scrap paper

- soft-lead pencil

- Speedball hand-carving tool with tips sizes #1 and #2

- stamp pad and/or markers

Start with a Mastercarve carving block in your size of choice. I found mine (approx. 1.5" square) at United Art and Education stores.

Trace the outline of your carving block onto a piece of paper, to give you an idea of how large your design can be. Using a soft-lead pencil, draw your stamp design within the outline.

When you've rubbed the back of the drawing on top of your carving block, it should transfer like this...(any words will now be in mirror image)

The next step takes some practice...Use your carving tool to outline the design and carve away the excess rubber.

Try stamping it a few times to see which areas need to be carved further...

Did you also know that you can color the stamp by hand with markers?What's the next step? Make some handmade cards or use fabric ink to hand-stamp some linen!

Enjoy!

Pillow {Talk} Swap...Received!

Pillow {Talk} Swap...Received!, originally uploaded by ariel quilts.

I received the most amazing pillow from the Pillow Talk {Swap} on Flickr a few weeks ago, but I'm just now placing it in our newly-painted nursery!

This awesome piece of work came from "Little Miss Shabby"! I love the color scheme and hexagon choices...her embroidery is to die for!

Go ahead and be jealous of this cutie pillow! ;) xoxo

More from the World of Illustration

I've been hurrying to complete projects as my due date quickly approaches for baby boy #2.

While there has been a lot of sewing going on, I've also been up to my eyeballs in some illustration projects. I wish I could share more, but for right now, I'll give you a hint that one project involves fabric design for someone else and another is some possible book illustration...I couldn't be more excited about these opportunities!

I CAN share what Kerri and I have been up to lately as she is getting ready to set up a new website for her fabric shop, Sew Deerly Loved. Kerri has had all kinds of positive words to offer as I joined the quilting/sewing community, so when she asked me to design some graphics for her new site, I was more than excited.

Here is the latest "Little Red" illustration that Kerri asked for. (In the appropriate colors of red, pink, and aqua, of course!). She will be offering this design (minus my shameless plug text) on fabric very soon...you can visit her blog for a glimpse.

I would love to make some additions to my etsy shop, Pocketful of Pinwheels, in the near future. Would you like to see something specific? I've been tossing around the idea of fine art prints and notecards for awhile...what would you like to see??

Fabric Giveaway!!!

Miss Kerri is giving away TWO fat quarters of the "Sew Deerly Loved" fabric I illustrated for her! Don't miss it! GO HERE to enter! xoxo

Kerri has so many CUTE red and aqua fabrics in her online shop! Don't you love her picture above with the little suitcases?? adorable.

Pillow Front

Okay, my super awesome partner has received HIS pillow from the Pillow {Talk} Swap on Flickr...here's a peek at the front. I had the coolest partner, John of Quilt Dad, so I wanted to think of something "manly and fun"...

I whipped up a swatch of Spoonflower fabric that features John's new family pup, "Tula". She turned out to be just the right size for little hexie sewing. Now you know why I was so reluctant to show the front ;) Little Tula would have given away the surprise!

We're off to see "Gordon" from Sesame Street in-person tomorrow at our PBS Kids in the Park day....Titus is super stoked to "meet" Super Why! (If you have a toddler, you probably understand this completely, right?) Happy weekend, all!