Taking A Moving Break

So we're making the big move on the 22nd and, as you can imagine, there's a lot that needs to get done. Because of that, I'm taking a break from the blog, an most other online communities I'm in, in order to take care of the packing and cleaning that needs to get done.

When we get moved in and settled, I have a tutorial in the wings and some other surprises.

I'll see you in San Jose!

A New Crafting Community

There's a new crafting community that's opened up. It's called CraftForum.com and it's a place where people of all different crafting mediums can come together and show off their newest creations, discuss tips and techniques, or just meet like minded people and chat about life.

I joined about two days ago and am really enjoying the conversations and community feel that this forum has. There are a lot of really talented people over there and I am getting all sorts of inspiration to try new and different mediums and techniques.

I invite you to join! Just click on the image below and register for a username and such. My user name is UndrThTblNDrumng (as it is just about everywhere else :lol:). I look forward to seeing you over there.

Simple Pleasure #2

Chocolate.

Do I really have to say more?

On a side note: I have been trying to cut back on my carbs because, well let's face it, I eat way too much of them. After completely cutting them from my diet for three days (no specific diet, just needed to break the cycle) I broke the "fast" and then had a piece of chocolate. Not a big one and not any sort of special imported from Switzerland "open in case of emergency" kind of chocolate. I believe it was one of those individually wrapped dark chocolate bites. Well, it was the most amazing, wonderful, I've never had chocolate taste so good! piece of chocolate I have ever had!

So with that, I would say that chocolate is good, but chocolate in moderation is even better!

DIY Animal Lovie

This project started as a baby shower gift for a girlfriend. I needed one in lieu of her actual gift -- which wasn't finished. Eying one of the far too many stuffed animals my children had, an idea struck me. Those stuffed animals would make wonderful upcycled animal lovies! I came up with this pattern and, because it's quick and simple, I have a feeling I will be making many more of these for friends and charity.



These instructions are for making a lovie that has animal parts in only one corner. It can be easily adapted though if you would like to have animal hands in the corners or a head in the middle of a side and hands and feed in the corners. Just repeat Step 3 #2 with each corner and animal part you want to use. And if you want a head on one side, just leave a section on that side open when stitching the blanket closed.



I would appreciate if you only used this for personal use and gifts but if you feel you must sell them, please consider donating some to a hospital or battered women's shelter or some other charity. Thank you.



Materials:



1 small stuffed animal

2 15x15" squares of fabric in matching or coordinating prints/solids (suggested fabrics: minky, flannel, woven cotton, chenille, satin)

sewing machine or sewing needle

coordinating or contrasting thread

scissors



Step 1: Cut-up the stuffed animal



My kids had a hard time watching this one :lol:There are a couple different ways you can do this. If you want an animal lovie with the head and arms at the top then you would cut your animal along it's midsection. If you want an animal lovie with the head at the top and the hands/paws on the sides, then you would cut just the head off and then cut the two arms off. If you want an animal lovie with the head on one side and the hands on the top corners and feet on the bottom corners then you would cut off the head, arms, and feet.



Step 2: Baste Close



After removing the appendages you want to use, remove a bit of stuffing in the opening of each extremity and then baste the ends closed about 1/4 inch in from the cut edge.



Step 3: The Blanket



1. Place the blanket pieces together with right sides facing each other and pin together.


2. Decide which corner you want to place the head in, mark where the head lays and cut off the corner from mark to mark.


3. Sew the blanket together starting at one corner of the cut corner and working your way around to the other corner, making sure to not sew the cut corner closed.


4. Turn the blanket right side out through the cut corner.



Step 4: Assembling the Pieces



5. Turn the raw edge inward and place the basted edge of the stuffed animal head into the opening. Pin closed.




6. Carefully maneuver the animal head so you can sew the pinned edge closed and then continue to top stitch all the way around the blanket ending with sewing over the pinned edge one more time. Trim excess thread.




7. Ta-da! You have your own little animal lovie.

We're Moving!

My family is moving from our little home on the sunny central coast of California for a place just a bit farther north, in the Bay Area. I'm really excited because it marks a new start and a new oportunity for us but... it also means changes to my beloved Living Water Boutique.

Looking into the future now it seems that Living Water Boutique will be closing up the shop and changing to just a blog. For anyone still interested in tunisian woolies, I still love trades but I will not be selling finished woolies or custom spots from here on out.

Maybe in the future, when things are more settled, and I have more time for crafting for others, I will open up shop again. But for now, I'll keep on blogging in my little corner of internet heaven :)