bring the monkey

lighthouse repair

May 17, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

Years ago I made a quilt for my now ex-husband. We lived in Oregon at the time. We enjoyed seeing all the lighthouses along the Oregon Coast with our kids. There was an cute little quilt shop on the coast that had these printed squares for each lighthouse hanging in the window. He saw it in there and said it was a quilt that “made sense.”

Remember what I said about men and quilts? Keep them simple. So I put this quilt together with nautical fabrics and had the quilting done with what looked like ropes used for sailing boats along the borders and little anchors in the red accents which was really quite cool.

And I had the quilter use gold lame thread in “beams” coming out of the each lighthouse itself. It was beautiful at the time. As good fortune and life would have it, I recently got this quilt back from his new wife. These lighthouses needed repair. Check out the binding edges:

I looked through my fabrics and found this blue lighthouse piece in my stash. Aren’t stashes great for projects like these?

I cut it into binding strips, sewed them together, pressed them and rolled ‘em up and I’m ready to give the old lighthouses a new coat, so to speak. I think it will work great – and the old girl is now going to a new home – my son, who is still my son, who lives in Oregon and loves it there. Perfect.

Have you doctored an old quilt? Given it new life? Feels good, doesn’t it?

Filed Under: quilting 2 Comments

Quilting for Men

May 9, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

Manly quilts. I’ve tackled quite a few for the men in my life. I made a flannel quilt with golf fabric for my Dad who lives on a golf course. Made one with basketballs and fishing motifs for my youngest son. Made one with a beaver on the back for my son in Oregon. Made this Ohio Star quilt for my husband a few years ago. He said he’d like blues and browns. That’s what he got.

I still have this pile of hub’s old jeans that need to be assembled into something manly.

Men like quilts. I don’t think, in general, though, that they appreciate the intricacies of their assembly. Most often, I’ve found, they like to keep things simple. Like pizza. Like beer. Like, you know, straightforward. So, how perfect is this quilt book idea?

Geared for Guys is the brainchild of Emily Herrick. Eight quilt patterns, with men in mind, for $9.00. You can purchase it at this link to Crazy Old Ladies – Emily’s Etsy shop. It’s a downloadable e-pattern book. Here are a couple finished quilts from the book – courtesy of a favorite blog of ours – Freshly Pieced.

Credit: Freshly Pieced - Argyle

Credit: Freshly Pieced

And you know how you go to one spot and then that leads you to another and then another and suddenly you’re lost in the woods? I found myself delightfully lost at the Quilt Dad. How great is that? A quilting dad! He quilts and stitches and is so very inspiringly creative. You have to check him out. Well don’t check “him” out, per se, but check out his work and his blog. Pink Monkey and I think it’s great to have a man in the mix. Errrr, you know, the quilting mix.

We linked to his Etsy shop and found this fabric line:

Alexander Henry - Father's Day

And it was only $5 and change per yard. Manly stuff there. I mean red, white and blue and summer and fathers just go together. I know Mother’s Day is this Sunday, but Father’s Day isn’t all that far away. Is it far enough away for you to consider a quilt for dear old Dad? Tell me of the creative projects you’ve attempted for men. Husbands, fathers, sons, nephews? They ARE their own breed – and we love giving a shout out to them today.

Filed Under: quilting 2 Comments

The Dust of Everyday Life

May 2, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

Feeling dusty? Cobwebby? Sluggish from winter and ready for spring and sunshine and fresh smells and warm breezes? Create something. Start a new project. Finish something that’s been sitting around.

“ART WASHES AWAY FROM THE SOUL,

THE DUST OF EVERYDAY LIFE.”

Start a new quilt.

Get out that Cross-stitch project you have tucked away. Take it outside and sit in dappled sunlight with a refreshing glass of iced tea nearby while you enjoy the methodical process.

Put some watercolor paper on an easel and get out your dried up paints. Look out the window at something blooming and paint it. If painting isn’t your thing – grab your camera and photograph what’s blooming at your doorstep. Photograph something clean in your home.

Fix up, sand down, and paint an old piece of outdoor furniture you’ve had sitting around, that’s looking a little worse for the wear, a bright new color. It might be just the pop you, and that old piece of furniture, need.

Go to a local yarn store and dream up a new creation. The colors alone will air out your soul. Take up knitting.

Visit a local Art Museum. I’m going to the Denver Art Museum today. There are two traveling exhibits I want to check out: Yves St. Laurent fashions (because who can resist the fabrics?), and “Read My Pins” – the pins Madeline Albright wore when she was Secretary of State.

Flip through pattern magazines and tackle a fun little project – something colorful and twirly for yourself or a cute vintage outfit for a little one (there are so many these days).

You’ll shine. You’ll be refreshed. I promise. I love art – don’t you? Pink Monkey and I crave creativity. The dust of winter does indeed wash away with something artful. Art shakes out the cobwebs, is calming and spirit lifting. What is it that you’re creating these days? Whatever it is, open yourself up to it – let your spirit express it and enjoy the cleanse.

Filed Under: playing 4 Comments

Cotton Surprises in the Mail

April 29, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

It’s always a good day when a package comes from Fabricworm. This time it was lots of dots. Lots and lots – like a whole color wheel of dots. I think dots are a staple to a quilter.

And I ordered this business card holder from Brooklyn Love Designs which was delivered a few days ago from a fun shop at Etsy. Interesting name since she lives and creates in Alaska.

One side for Bring the Monkey cards and one side for The Empty Nest Mom cards. Fits them both to a tee – made from fabric so it’s pleasing to Pink Monkey and the birds in the fabric make The Empty Nest Mom feel right at home.

I’m always delighted at the talent from Etsy. And lastly – a book from Amazon arrived with cuter than cute patterns, fantastic photography, many artistic elements to learn and consider, sprinkled with lots of tips from Tula. You can check it out in more detail at this link.

Don’t you love getting surprises in the mail? I shouldn’t call them surprises really, because I did, after all, order them. But in the days that pass I get busy, pink monkey distracts, and so when they come – it is a little surprise in my day. How about you? Do you appreciate your mailbox, UPS truck, or FedEx driver as much as I do?

Filed Under: playing 7 Comments

Modern Bicycle Quilt

April 25, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

My modern bicycle quilt is finished! It’s feels urban, 1960′s-ish and gritty to me. It’s different than any quilt I’ve made before. I got the pattern from the International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene magazine: winter 2011/2012 edition. This particular pattern was created by Elizabeth Hartman who blogs at Oh Franson. What talent! The pattern instructions were very well documented, accurate and easy to follow once I wrapped my head around something so non-traditional.

I ordered the fabrics from Fabricworm. They are all organic cotton and I’ve since become a Fabricworm fan – especially with some of the weekly specials they run. What I like in this quilt are the squares and rectangles of brightly colored prints and the way they appear to be floating on a solid gray background. Adds to the urban feel of it. Wouldn’t this chair and bicycle pillow look nice in the same room?

Pillow from Jenna Rose on Etsy

I DO have this thing for bikes. In fact, I have a whole board dedicated to them at The Monkey’s Pinterest site. And aren’t these bicycle glasses fun?

Credit: Vital Industries at Etsy

The only thing I changed on this quilt was the back. I used a big gray and white polka-dot pattern with an off centered strip of pieces from the front of the quilt.

Oh – and I also purposely pieced the binding – with random-ness. For just a little more grit.

Not sure I’m happy with the way it was quilted. I don’t like the swirls as much as I would have liked a geometric, linear pattern. But overall – I’m happy to have tried something new and with a whole lot of “hip.” The only thing left to do is to roll it up in my bicycle basket and take it on a picnic. With Pink Monkey, of course.

Filed Under: quilting 6 Comments

Why I don’t Knit

April 22, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

on display at Pipers Quilts in SLC

There are so many adorable things to knit. Sometimes I wish I knew how. My grandmother tried to teach me when I was a mere 10 or 11 years old. I have proof.

It didn’t stick. But my mother taught me to sew and I have been hooked ever since. I’ve sewn clothes. I’ve sewn drapes and blinds and even attempted slip-covers. My mother also taught me to embroider when I was very young. I remember sitting on the back patio with her stitching some x’s on a cotton pillowcase. When I was in my early 20′s I learned to cross-stitch. When I was in my mid-30′s we moved to Alaska and I learned to quilt. Women got together during those long dark winters, quilting and cultivating friendships.

So quilting and stitching are enough for me. This is why I don’t knit:

I have drawers and drawers of unfinished projects – stitchery, linens, and a fabric stash of cotton that borders on embarrassing.

Did you ever see the movie, Julie & Julia? I just love Julia Child.

Do you recall in that movie how Julia tried her hand at bridge and hat-making and probably many other pursuits before finding her passion – which was cooking, of course! Julia herself said that some people love to garden, some love to build boats in their basements – some like to create in the kitchen. I’ve tried knitting, crocheting, painting, sketching – all to no avail. Eventually, if we keep trying, we all find our “thing.” That thing or two that we’re good at and really enjoy. And if I’ve gained any bit of wisdom about creativity, it’s this:

We can do anything – just not everything.

This, too, is why I don’t knit.

How about you? What do you find you’re drawn to? What have you decided to leave alone? Do you have new things you still want to try?

Filed Under: stitching 11 Comments

Simply Circles

April 15, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

My daughter painted some big bright dots in her daughter’s nursery. The idea came to her while relaxing one afternoon at the Oregon coast last fall. Who can say where inspiration will come from? So she cleared the room and drew some very large circles:Then it was a matter of coloring, or painting, them in.

My granddaughter seems pleased with the result (or maybe with the alligator in her mouth). Hard to tell sometimes with babies.

So it came as no surprise when said daughter sent me a link to this quilt. She saw it at Piper Girls -a blog for the very charming Piper’s Quilts store in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It’s called Simply Circles. And if you look closely at some of the circles, you’ll see that a little one could play an “I spy” game with you using the motifs. Find mushrooms. Find trees. Find scooters.

If you’re lucky enough to live close by, they’re teaching a class for this quilt in May. You can get the specifics at this link. If you’re on the other side of the mountains like me (in Colorado) or even further away – ordering the pattern on-line is another option. I haven’t made a quilt for this granddaughter yet but I know I just found the perfect fit.

Circles have no sharp edges. Circles are playful. Circles are inclusive. And circles go round and round – just like our love for family.

Filed Under: quilting 2 Comments

Crafty Laine

April 11, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

Pink Monkey hopped in the car with me recently to make the “literally” almost around the corner trip to a fantastically fun little fabric boutique near our home here in Colorado: Crafty Laine.

It’s fun to find such a treasure in our own backyard. Colorful fabrics, fun garment patterns – for big and little girls and they have so many accessories as well.

Crafty Laine carries modern fabrics, patterns, notions and sells lots of homemade gifts if you’re not as inclined to sew it yourself but love the homemade look and the one of a kind results.

It’s a bright, colorful place that feels like summer even if it’s the dead of winter. The staff is friendly and know their stuff. There are nice comfy nooks to sit in and peruse pattern books with lots of ideas. I loved this little bird book. I also blog at The Empty Nest Mom, so I’m drawn, of course, to anything with birds or nests.

At Crafty Laine they teach beginner sewing lessons. I’ve been in there and heard teenage and/or pre-teen girls giggling and learning together in the summer. How great is that? See for yourself how much fun this shop is at this link.

Since we were in the store a few weeks ago; they’ve moved. But only about two blocks from where they were. If you’re in the area (north of Colorado Springs) stop in. Check out the link above to get the specifics on their new address. There are some great places to have lunch within walking distance if you stop in. Wisdom Tea House and La Casa Fiesta are two of my favorites. Don’t you just love finding new hidden gems to check out? I know we do. It’s so nice to support local retailers and especially like minded creative types – who are also savvy business types. Crafty Laine is right outside our door.

How about you? Do you have a favorite local fabric/quilt/stitching shop? Do tell. I’d love to “bring the monkey” and pay a visit.

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A Quilter’s White Space

April 2, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

White spaces are needed in quilts. Quilters know this. If there is nothing but pattern upon pattern upon color upon color – there’s no place for the eyes to rest. There’s nothing to showcase the pattern. A white space can be white, of course, or beige, or grey or soft pink or blue. A white space can even be black. But a white space – a resting place – is essential.

So when I visited “The Barn” in Castle Rock, Colorado, which is very near my home and very full of antiques and odds and ends for the yard, I thought of quilters and the necessity of neutrals when I stumbled into room after room of white decor.

I turned the corner at the top of the rickety wooden steps and felt calm and quiet in the white space.

Do you stock up on whites in your fabric stash? I have one cupboard in my studio that’s full of variations on white, white on white patterns, and a little cream and tan, grey and beige thrown in. White spaces are very essential to a quilter. Don’t you agree?

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The Button Store in L.A.

March 27, 2012 By Ms A - the monkey keeper

I brought the monkey with me to Los Angeles last week. We stopped in The Button Store, on 3rd Street, right by Joans on Third, which was like candy to a seamstress. I would have taken pictures inside but the little couple with foreign accents didn’t want any of that. Oh well – some people are funny that way and I always ask before clicking away with my camera.

The tiny shop was lined floor to ceiling with boxes and boxes of buttons. There were antique buttons and hand crafted buttons and regular ole run of the mill buttons. There were buttons for pennies and buttons for a hundred bucks or more. I was looking for some unique buttons for a crown quilt I’ve got on my to-do list.

I found what I was looking for. I wanted them to have a regal look, have some bling, and be in pinks and reds.

They’re going to adorn an adorable paper-pieced quilt pattern I’ve had lying around. The buttons will be the crown jewels.

I’ve gathered various fabrics in pinks, whites and shades of turquoise, both from my stash at home and from a couple of on-line fabric stores I can’t get enough of lately. I’m setting the crowns in a grey background. Gray seems to be the new white for me lately.

While we (pink monkey and I) were in California, my daughter took us to breakfast one morning at a little place in Hollywood; Basix Cafe. I had a California Scramble – being in California and all. It was fresh and delicious and oozing with sliced avocado. Our meal was rich with pleasant conversation. I so love my California Daja. Pink Monkey does too.

We dined al fresco that nice spring morning.

It was lovely. We returned home well fed and with a healthy stash of unique buttons.

Oh and that modern bicycle quilt I was working on? I finished it. Here it is hanging so you can see the backing I chose, mostly comprised of this big scale polka-dot fabric interrupted by one off-centered, randomly pieced strip. It’s away from home right now being machine quilted. I’m so excited to get it back. It was really fun and new and different to assemble as I mentioned when I was making it. I’m thinking of doing another in completely different fabrics which, I think, will result in a completely different look and feel.

What have you done with buttons lately? Any particular button memories? Little niche stores where you find such treasures? Do tell.

Filed Under: playing 2 Comments