Happiness is A Quilt

How can I even begin to express how happy this quilt makes me?

Maybe I should just show you instead.

Because I went a little bit crazy taking pictures, and this isn't even the tip of the iceberg.
No joke.

But really, what's not to love?

The sock monkeys, the polka dots, the stripes, the sunflowers, the swirls, the stars, the patchworkiness and wonkiness of it all makes it so perfect to me.

It is my second quilt I have made in my entire life, and this one was all by myself (as in no help from my mom)... I love it!

This is my happiness quilt.

Have a happy happy Valentine's day!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

My gift to Kristie

This is what I sent to Kristie....

The little panda head is a pouch...
Here is what it looks like on the inside.

I drew this little monster on her card...
I decorated a moleskin notebook with my hand carved mushroom stamp.

I am so happy she liked it! :)

Been busy sewing, getting ready to go back to school, trying to find a job, and have been feeling rather uninspired as of late....

Hopefully things pick up soon.

I've been loving listening to Laura Marling lately.

This one is a current favorite: Rambling Man.

Vintage Quilt

While perusing an estate sale a bit ago, I came across some really great finds. Two of which were these really great vintage quilts that were from the 30'S or 40's. I loved them right away, and since they only needed minor repairs I inquired as to what they cost, since I couldn't find a price tag. It turns out they were a steal... so I bought them and came home quite elated.
So in the mean time I have worked on repairing them.

This is the first one I have finished. It only had one real issue with it and was that the binding was totally ruined. My mom helped me to pick out some reproduction fabric from that around that time, and I worked on it in between riding in the car and watching movies.

The finished product really makes me happy.

I love the colors and the fact that it was entirely hand stitched.

This is the material that we chose . It has these little bunnies on it flying planes.

I really love all the fabric from the 20's, 30's and 40's.

The bright yellow shapes are what really drew me to this one. It reminded me of these cookies I made for a cultural project in my Spanish class called Alfajores. Probably since it looks like a cookie shape cutter to me, or a flower. Either way I love it.
(Photo from here)

I really have an urge to make these cookies all of a sudden.

Happy Friday!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Quilted Portrait

One project I am particularly proud of is a quilted portrait I did for my drawing II class. The assignment was to make an non-traditional portrait, so I chose quilting. For years I had seen some really amazing art quilts in the magazine Quilting Arts. I had always wanted to try my hand at making one, and so when the chance presented itself I jumped on the idea. After conferring with my teacher, who gave me the go-ahead, and my mom who helped me decide how to go about doing it. I got started!

The final result really makes me happy.

I based my quilt off of an amazing photograph I saw on flickr. The photo was taken by a phenomenal photographer, whose user name is LJ. Click here to visit LJ'S profile.
Click here to visit LJ's photostream.

1. Untitled by flickr user LJ.

The resulting quilt only somewhat resembles the original photograph. Basically what I did to make it was to cut out varying shades of colors and then glue then down, putting them layer by layer on top of one another. Finally I have my mom to thank for the actual stippling of the quilt. She did an amazing job, in my opinion, and I felt very proud of how it looked. Thread painting, is what I think it's called. She zipped along, sewing the contours of the face, added wrinkles, and some extra hair. She really did do a swell job! Thanks mom! We chose some variegated brown/tan thread as well as some black and white.
I then hand sewed the binding... and turned it in the next day.

Here's a little close-up of the eyes.

The back looked like so...
All the white thread makes it seem kind of ghostly, no?

When I was photographing it, I switched the position of the portrait for a moment, and by some chance the light shined through for a moment and this is what I saw...
Old man illuminated.
Made me smile.

Can't wait to do another!
Happy Thursday,
xoxo, Callie
the magical bean

works in progress

This is a little sampling of my projects in progress. There are many more, although I don't care to admit it, but I am finishing up more and more, so there is hope! :)

This doll was started a long time ago and finished but she never felt 'right' to me. I decided to go back and change her up a bit. I repainted her face, crocheted her a hat, and am finishing up hand sewing her dress. I also have to make her some shoes, but for the most part she is almost done.

I really like how happy she looks now :)
The next project are socks!!!

This is the shawl I am making for my mom.

I actually have more done now but you get the idea.

I really love this yarn from Sweet Georgia, so soft and the colors are so vibrant!

I bought the yarn below while living in Germany after first learning to knit and loved it.

I haven't ever used it because partly of its sentimental value. Recently however I was missing living there and decided to give it a go.

I am just making a really easy cowl....

It is so fuzzy.
Really. You have no idea how soft and fuzzy it is.

I am making some bright yellow coasters. They make me happy!
I have one side done and the second started.

And finally a crocheted butterfly!

Might make this one into a pin.

Just winged making it.

Get it?

Winged!

Heee heee :)

So many projects, but almost done with many.

Here's to a great Wednesday!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Owl Purse

Well, as school was egging closer and closer I realized I needed a new purse.

Almost every year, since middle school I have made a purse in honor so -to -say of the new school year. This year I had this idea bubbling around in my head about a purse shaped like an owl. I wanted mine to be very specific, with many pockets, which is something I need to keep organized.

I used a purse my sister had as a jumping off point, and sewed away!
I didn't use a pattern or anything, just kind free-styled it :)
I hand stitched everything on the face.

I added pockets for my phone, for pens/pencils, one on the front for my sketchbook, a key holder, for my mirror, and one for chap stick.
So many pockets, so little time :)

To make it all better, a while ago I found a black wallet with two little owls perched on a branch. It suits my bag and me perfectly.

I love it when a project comes out so wonderfully!

Recently, my mom rescued three abandoned kittens. They are the sweetest things ever! Can you blame me for falling head over heals for the them?

Stop by my mom's blog Maria's Secret Garden for the full story or my sister Jessica's blog as well...guess it seems that everyone is writing about them :)

I made some Sunny Day Cookies today, the easiest cookies ever to make, they are sweet and soooo good!!!

Well, I'm off!

I've got to go attend a meeting, get some painting done, and work on some one's shawl...

Have a happy Thursday!

Callie