Hello Friends! In commemoration of the final episode of Making It and my Birthday, I thought we'd explore the possibility of making our own DIY Cake Topper. Do not be afraid! I am the Maker who makes things that you can make too! You know, there is no earthly reason why we can't. I know that you and I have creative ideas bursting like bubbles and we need to take that creativity and put it to good use! Let's do this! I've enjoyed making, and baking forever...so years ago I took a Wilton Cake Decorating Class . I learned so much. I messed up making roses... but not the stars and I even got a handle on how to use fondant to create very special cakes. But the thing I loved most about it all was that I could make very special Birthday cakes for my children. I made a Strawberry Shortcake cake ( do you remember how good Strawberry Shortcake smelled) a Batman Cake, and of course the traditional Easter Bunny Cake. The thing I most disliked about it all was

Hi creative friends, I have been dreaming of Fall have you? As I dream I also love to sketch and doodle. When I have worn myself out with all of that I make a Mood Board. I just bet that many of you have created a Mood Board at some point in your life too. Mood boards are a wonderful tool to use when creating. In essence a mood board is a compilation of inspirational elements that are super helpful in weeding out ideas at the beginning of a design project. There was a time when I was fearful of a mood board. (that sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it??) In my mind I had this running narrative that there was some perfect way to make them and that notion alone terrified me. But guess what?? I WAS WRONG! Mood boards can be whatever you need them to be! Freedom! Personally I love mood boards! I love making them...in-fact truth be told often times I like making them more than the actual project. A mood board is a wonderful way for me to visualize my project and they always

Hello friends I am back this week just as tickled as I can be with the results of my Embroidery Hoop Quilt. I am sharing some photos and information so you can begin to assemble your own embroidery hoop quilt this week. The full tutorial will be available for download in my newsletter at the end of this month. There was just too much information, so I am going with the thought process that a "Picture speaks a thousands words!" The Beauty Of Preserving History Last week I shared with ya'll my struggle with fabric. This week we will be focusing on assembling. If you look closely at this photo you can see the tenderness of the fabric and the very old stitches from my Grandmother! (thrilling isn't it!) This is History my friends, just as real as if you and I were reading a History book, maybe even more, because my Grandmother's hands worked these stitches. Since I knew that I was going to be hand embroidery around some of the pieces for this quilt I

Greetings friends it has been a real battle of the wills here in Rockwall Texas. My Heirloom Embroidery Hoop Quilt and I have gone around and around. There were even some days that ended with me in a pouty huff. Everyone in my house knew they needed to give me a wide berth. Sadie kept her head low and the whites of her eyes showed more white than her brown pupil. My hubby quietly shut his office doors and drew the blinds. Jemma, the linen and embroidery hoops where at war. Fighting with fabric is not fun. It is nearly painful enough to give in and go belly up. I have pulled out all of my sewing supplies more times than I can count with the intentions of that being the day that this Embroidery Hoop Quilt would be complete. Finished, hung, and perfect....dream on lady. So, with this being a tale and a tutorial I am going to break it up in two segments. Let's start at the beginning, with the sketch of what it was I had going on in my mind. You see when I embark

Hello friends and a great big welcome. Today I will be sharing some tips and steps on creating your own iron on pattern, the old school way. The only machine that I have used in this process is my printer and an iron! I hope you will stay awhile as I share these steps with you. I come from a long line of can-do-makers. Hardworking, muster up the muscle type of folks who shy away from too much technology. I just bet that there is an entire community of you out there too. So let's stay connected and share the joy of Making it all on our own. Now, let me say this, if you are an artist, enjoying sketching and have a steady hand you can easily draw your own design directly on your fabric. Since I am none of these things I have to have a Pattern! I am even more in luck as I have a daughter or who is collaborating with me on these projects. I just enjoy making things from scratch. To this day I really don't even like a cake mix, it sort of feels like it's not homemade

Good Morning from Rockwall Texas! Here I sit with my coffee, puppy, embroidery hoops and a pair of Kendra Scott earrings. Such an eclectic mix and yet I am discovering that this is what Makes me most happy! I am Making It everyday in a plethora of ways. Variety, diversity, challenging the everyday norm of aging, moving, exercising, creating and loving. So here I am today sharing a few photos of the past week and thanking you all for joining me in the journey of Making It all Count. As a happy thank you I am having a Kendra Scott Giveaway. Just leave me a little comment on how you are Making It to be entered ! I hope you all enjoyed the first segment of Making It! Isn't it pure delight and can you believe what these Makers can make?? So much talent, humor and kindness in this hour long show. I am not going lie it was a bummer that I had to leave so soon, but no worries from this crafting Texas Grandma. In fact I am right back at creating and you will see my keepsake heirloom