Hot August- Welcome

August is already a scorcher!

I feel like I am watering plants night and day. 

Summer is great, but I love temps in the 70's and 80's....right?

I have been so busy working on a new big project, that I couldn't work on much that I can share with you. I wish I could. It's been a tough year so far for everyone. My father is in independent care now, it is hard to lift his spirits. Seems like everything is so different. 

I like to turn to comfort like creating and playing with art. 

I made these flowers on the calendars to represent the summer sun!

The above phone/table calendar is ready to download. 

Click here!

The desktop calendar is available here.

The orange side bar was made for your computer icons, so that you an still see them.

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All 12 of my monthly cat designs are now complete. 

Each month has a theme for the look of it. 

My favorites (for fun) are July and October. 

The digital/instant downloads are in my etsy shop.

The printed and mailed versions are on my website.

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I found an evening where I could play with pastels.

I decided to make a witch, so I started with a sketch and the face basics. 

I love doing the face and hair the most. Purple hair is a fun choice.

She is a blue eyed witch.

I added some shimmer to the drawing.

Not only did I have a fun time creating this and now I have a new piece of art.

I use cheap cray pas pastels, a pencil and Jane Davenport' mineral eyes for shimmer.

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I am having a book signing at the Quilting Bee in Spokane.. August 3rd.

From 10 am - 4PM.

Come out and see me and my daughter Selina!

This is my September design in my book

"Lovely little hand embroidery".

Sweet mice living is a pumpkin house. 

I added blush on the mice's cheek using makeup blush and a cotton swab.

Here is a little video showing projects in my book

Please take a look!

You can also order it on C & T Publishing,  Amazon, Search Press, EE Schenck,  and Checker Distributors.

You can find it at the Quilting Bee and Barnes and noble too.

There is 30 different projects in the book!

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I love making Halloween anything...

These are Halloween ornaments...which will be in my etsy shop soon.

Spooky! 

Dracula's eyes are transfixing you!

Look at the tiny teeth.

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I have loads of flowers under my patio this year.

Since we are all limited about where we can go... I find it very important to try to make the outdoors a sanctuary. 

I got this fun crow water fountain ... the beaks fill up with water and it comes out both mouths.

I find myself watching it a lot. lol.

You know its a good purchase when just looking at it makes you happy.

When I think of August...the first thing that enters my brain are sunflowers.

Such a happy flower.

Hope you have a happy August!

May day! Welcome new month...

I think April moved along a little faster than March did. 

Maybe it was Easter....or getting into the rhythm of the new world...that made time go faster.

Or maybe its just me feeling this way.

In any case...I am happy we are into another warmer month!

The above calendar is free and is for your phone or tablet....get it here.

This free desktop calendar wallpaper can be found here.

I chose some uplifting colors and kept it simple.

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May kitty cat

May is all about beautiful flowers, Mother's day, birds tweeting and warmer weather.

This is my brand new pattern: May Kitty Cat Embroidery pillow pattern #409

Stitch up this quick design that features a sweet cat that loves 

celebrating with a balloon.

Make it up in a cute pillow adorned with easy to make felt & wool flowers.

There is and will be more in this series....one available for each month of the year.

These little felt or wool flowers are super easy to make...instructions are in the pattern.

  It only takes scraps!

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My daughter Selina Hudson has a new class on skillshare.

Here is a little about it:

Great Photos are key to selling your products.

Have you ever taken a bad shot of your products and it doesn't sell? Getting a great photo can be very difficult. Its so frustrating and wastes time.

Do you want to keep the cost down in your business and sell much more?

In this class you will learn:

• How to make lovely backgrounds using inexpensive supplies.
• I explain tips on photography just using your smart phone.
• You will learn about props and how they help sell your items.
• I will be explaining how to use a free editing photography program called Pixrl X.

This photo shows the backdrops you can make... taking the pics with your smart phone and using props...plus easy free photo editing.....making a lovely pic for your etsy shop or ebay listing.

Check out skillshare because they have thousands of useful video classes....free for a month.....9.99 after that....a great way to use your quarantine time.

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We have been making masks...I bet you have too!

I love using the sweet fabrics in my stash.

This is my first attempt.  I luckily had a stash of elastic.

Selina made one using her fabric designs on spoonflower,

There are so many types of masks....I used this one.

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My book which is out now ... is a dream come true for me....so excited about it. 

I had book signings set up, but the covid 19 came along...all will be rescheduled.

I look forward to seeing you at a future date. Come to my website to purchase a signed copy.

I love pincushions, so I included many in this book,,,along with mug rugs and pillow tucks ( little pillows on a shelf). 

Happy Birthday kitty cat pillow is in the birthday section of the book.

She is a sweet party guest!

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My daughter Selina and I have collaborated to make a fun art kit!

You can make a hanging heart with fun artwork...perfect for mother's day, a friend, or for your own home.  You can choose from 1 heart or two.

This is one I made...before adding ribbons.

Check out the video here 

WE show how easy it is to make.

Selina cuts the wooden heart with a hole to hang it and a hole to add lots of ribbons, lace, and other trims....that dangle down.

We have a video showing you how easy it is to create.

This is the one Selina made with the kit.

I made this one.

I made the art work, just cut out and glue where you want to.

It also comes with a big wood heart and lots of trims to add to it.

The kit comes with 6 collage sheets...already printed. 

You only need a few supplies like a glue stick, scissors, elmer's glue and glitter.

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I have been making a lot of art this past month.

Drawing is fun and my imagination is going wild.

I love cats so I had to make a jumping kitty in the garden.

I have been also drawing out of my comfort zone...like this succulent.

I have one in my yard...so I used it as a reference.

I survived through the winter in this little pot.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sweet March....spring is coming!

I am super excited about March!

This is the month my book comes out!!! I am over the moon with happiness!

 More about that below....

I am also excited about all the upcoming arts and crafts shows coming...support you local creatives...they need you and you need them!

And another exciting thing about March is that Spring is here!!!

Aren't we all sick of Winter?!

Above.... is the new March phone/tablet calendar.

It's free!

The desktop version is here.

I just started to doodle one night and before you know it, I had lots of elements for a new Shamrocky background. 

It is full of clovers, rainbows, shamrocks, hearts, gold coins and more. I had a blast coloring them out and its so cheerful!!

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New designs...

This past month I have gotten a lot done...like these sweet St. Patrick's day colored pinnies pattern:

Irresistibly Irish Pinnie- Embroidery & quilted pincushion pattern #406

Make these super easy and quick pincushions with scraps of fun fabric. 

There are 4 different designs: a Cat with shamrocks embroidery, a skinny / long rectangle, Medium rectangle and large rectangle. 

Learn how to embroider a sweet kitty cat with shamrocks and clovers. Incorporate your small embroidery into a fun pinnie which makes a great gift. Sew up any of these cute sizes with tips to make them & machine quilt them in a flash! Each have a cute ribbon loop to attach your small scissors to it and decorative Shamrock and heart pins.

Warning: These are addicting to make! 

You could make these designs in any colors or holiday theme.

I chose green and yellowy orange.

Take a focal piece of fabric and highlight it in the largest rectangle.

Even on the long skinny one...a let Snoopy shine.

I have so much fabric....with lots of cool characters....I bet you do too!

Here is the Valentine Pattern...with a sweet heart embroidery design.

Valentine Pinnie- Embroidery & quilted pincushion pattern #405

See how color choices really make a difference.

Here is a sneak peak of the video that comes with my Valentine & St. Patrick's day pincushion patterns.

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Also brand new...

The sweetest little bunny is gathering blossoms....let's celebrate the beautiful weather changing! This design is easy and quick, a perfect project to start the Spring and Easter decoration with. Since this is an instant download, you can start this project immediately.

This is a PDF pattern of: Little bunny among the flowers. 

It's only $5.49.

The PDF pattern includes:

- A large full color chart with symbols. This pattern is easy on the eyes.
- DMC color chart
- A usage chart with color names
- Basic cross stitch instructions sheet
- Pictures with different fabric colors

Design size is a petite 3 3/4" x 5 1/4" using 14 count Aida. (53 wide x 75 high). This design uses 15 colors of DMC floss.

I created this cross stitch pattern based on one of my watercolor painting. 

It's very dramatic on black.

I plan to make many more from my art soon.

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Selina designed and made these new shamrock pin brooch embroidery pack.

These Wood engraved Shamrock blanks (2 are in this pack) are just the perfect way to add an embroidery design into a sweet pin and makes a great gift!

Shamrock measures: 2 5/8"" wide by 2 3/4"" tall.

Add a wash of watercolors to the Shamrock to change the color....this takes seconds...and is really easy!

Also included are:
3 embroidery designs: "Lucky" design, a shamrock design and Pot of gold. 2 pinbacks are also included. Plus a sheet with helpful hints and instructions. You can add pretty fabric, cross-stitch, beading, stamped out words and sayings, plus much more.

Ribbons are also a sweet touch to add to the back.

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My book is coming out March 25...I'm feeling really lucky!

The pincushion above is one of 30 projects in it.

There are projects for everyone....from wall hangings, pincushions, embroidery in hoops and frames...

and more. Most projects have simple patchwork.

C&T Publishing are amazing to work with and I am thrilled to have them as my publisher!

It was also handy that I know the computer and how to make patterns.

Learning never ends....and I am glad to learn something new every day.

This sweet shamrock girl is also one of the projects in Lovely little hand embroidery.

You can pre-order the book on C &T Publishing,  Amazon, Search Press, EE Schenck,  and Checker Distributors.

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Selina has a new product -

 Miniature Hoop needle minders.....

Never lose a needle again. Keep your needle close at hand when stitching....this needle minder is cut from wood, with our own cute design. This is highly magnetic...and fits on your hoop, and will not fall off. Just place your needle on the needle minder and it will cling to the top of the needle minder.

This is also perfect.....When you change your thread...the needles will stay put. It is so handy when bringing your projects out and about with you. This is a fun gift to give and also makes an adorable kitchen magnet for your fridge!

Interchangeable measures: 7/8" X 7/8"

--------You will get instructions and 3 random fabrics with the needle minder!---------------

I'm in love playing with these... I especially can't wait to put Halloween fabric in them.

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I hope March will be a wonderful month...

I am a big fan of all the green and then Easter time will be here before you know it!

All my monthly designs with the cat celebrating with balloons have these sweet felt and wool flowers. The patterns and instructions for them are in my patterns.  They are super easy and mainly just take you scraps.