Clarkie*Neptune

Quilt Month

2008-09-09T20:49:00.006-04:00

I'm participating in Mr. Monkeysuit's quilt month and thought I'd share one of my must have books, Colorful Quilts for Kids by Beth Wheeler. My favorite quilts to make are ones for kids...even before I had any of my own. I love using bright colors and just the playful nature they seem to have. This book is full of cute, whimsical characters for both boys and girls. This is where I was first inspired to try applique. The monkey above has yet to be finished...poor fellow doesn't even have eyes yet! I think he's my favorite!

And this elephant (also just an eye-less top) was made after 9/11. The kite, background and elephant are my red, white and blue, and the gold border was picked for the song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree."

This was made for a co worker's grandson.

This was made for a co worker's granddaughter, along with the mini quilt for her little stuffed "lambie" who provided the inspiration and coloring for the quilt.

And this I made for my mom to give to a friend. The clown in book is sitting and I added the animals but couldn't tell you now where I found patterns for them.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-09-02T16:28:00.002-04:00

I started this quilt about 6 years ago and was planning on making it for my Dad. Sadly, he passed away almost 5 years ago. Last fall I decided to pull it out again and finish it. It now hangs off the toddler bed of a little boy (my Tater) who loves tractors! Today is my Dad's birthday. He would be 54 and there isn't a day that passes that I don't think of him.

What I've Been Up To...

2008-07-09T12:45:00.000-04:00

Most important...Baby Henry

born June 23rd
Big Brother Clarkie checking out Henry
sewing
& crocheting

Heartsick

2008-01-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you have all heard about the tragic untimely death of Heath Ledger yesterday. I just cannot stop thinking about this situation. My son is only 2 months younger than his daughter Matilda and it just breaks my heart to think of her. How in the world would you tell a 2-year-old that Daddy is no longer going to be there?

Projects, projects and more projects

2008-01-09T22:48:00.000-05:00

Even as fast as Christmas came, I can't believe it's already over! At least I have somewhat of a head start on next years gifts...I didn't get my special project finished so it will get put away until then. Hopefully that is put away finished. : )

I did finish a quilt for my Mother-In-Law. It was a gift for a son (who will be 6 next month) of a coworker. Isaac's favorite color is red, so that's what I used for the letters, border and fleece backing.

Next is what I sent to Anne in England for the Secret Santa Christmas Swap. Hopefully the afghan will keep her warm and she will enjoy looking through the magazines printed here in the US.

I did receive some very nice crochet books from Santa (being my husband and sister-in-law). As you can see I have a lot of afghans marked that I would like to make, I have no idea how I would even pick where to start...although I have started this baby afghan. It's for a lady my
husband works. Her baby girl is due in May. I'm just tickled he asked me to make her something. This is the first time in the 8 years we have been together that he's ever asked for a homemade gift for anyone.

November...December...Where did you go?

2007-12-23T21:32:00.001-05:00

I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve! I haven't wrapped a thing yet and I'm trying to finish a very special present! I don't think I've ever been so far behind. I have been sewing like crazy so after Christmas, and my son's birthday (the 26th) and my husband's birthday (the 27th), I get around to showing some pictures!
I hope everyone (if anyone is reading this) has a wonderful Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!
Oh, and thank you Floss for the quilted Christmas ornaments. I couldn't wait to open them!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T12:10:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone! Here's Tater, dressed up as a pirate. Luckily I was able to get his costume finished on Sunday, not that he's going trick-or-treating or anything, he's too little!

I participated in a Halloween shoebox swap. Here are the 2 handmade things I sent... a little quilt, about 20" square and a Halloween apron. Thanks to my partner Cathy for letting me be a little late...she received her package on Monday...at least it was in time to wear the apron!

owls owls and more owls

2007-10-15T15:38:00.001-04:00

Recently I participated in Missy's Owl Swap. What a fun idea! I had an awesome partner, Raesha! Here's what she sent me...A cute tote bag for Tater! I love the material! He also loves to get a hold of the stuffed owls, but I'm keeping them for myself! A decorated notebook and a set of note cards. I can't wait to send one! Aren't they great? Thank you so much Raesha! I'd take you for a partner anytime! And this is the stuffed owl (pink striped) I sent to her. (You can see the tote bags I sent to her on her blog.) The blue and orange owl is my prototype and will now live in Tater's room with all the other animals. I don't know why their bodies are so different, as they are made from the same pattern. I guess they're just like people, all shapes and sizes.

Thank you Niki!

2007-09-24T14:35:00.000-04:00

Finally, my husband hooked my old computer back up and I found my camera cord, and now I have pictures to share! First thanks so much to Niki who sent me my Four Seasons Quilts a few weeks ago. (I'm so terrible for just now talking about it! I'm so sorry Niki!) I love it! It reminds that fall should be coming any time now, but it is still scorching hot here in PA. I'm still working on my quilt but hopefully soon I'll have it done. (I only have one week left!)

Yesterday Tater and I went to a birthday party for Aaron who turned 3. I wanted to give him something other than toys so I made him a little tote bag with his name on it. I lined it with the car material and it's reversible in case he likes that side better. I also made a pencil holder to match. I've been seeing these all over and thought it would be the perfect addition along with some coloring books and construction paper.

STEELERS! STEELERS! STEELERS!

2007-09-10T17:33:00.000-04:00

The football season has started once again and also the Sunday football madness that goes on in my household! I'm just happy the Steelers won...hopefully this is a sign of a great season to come! (Check out Tater's crazy post-nap hair!)

I'm working with a new computer

2007-09-08T19:17:00.000-04:00

I saw this on Raesha's blog and thought it was pretty cool. We had to get a new computer last week. I haven't had a chance to figure out downloading pictures yet but as soon as I do I have lots to share! In the meantime, check out my best friend's new blog... internalprogression...I'm so proud of her!

2 swaps in the future

2007-08-04T00:15:00.000-04:00

Hello again. I'm going to be in 2 swaps coming up and I wanted to share in case anyone reading this would like to join. The first is the four seasons quilt swap. Doll quilts are going to swapped with a "fall" theme. Click on the button for more info or to sign up. Fall is my favorite time of year so I'm really looking forward to this!
The second is actually a swap that I am organizing. It is for granny square crocheted afghans. The afghans are to be square or rectangular with each side being a minimum of 30 inches. Any granny square pattern may be used whether it be one large square or lots of squares together. If you would like to participate, please email me at clarksmom1226(at)yahoo(dot)com. Make sure you say something about granny swap on the subject line (I seem to be getting lots of junk mail and don't want to accidentally delete anyone). Please tell me your name, address, blog address if you have one, if you're willing to ship internationally and if you have any color preferences or anything else your partner would need to know (like wool allergies, etc.) Sign ups begin now and will end next Friday August 10. My plan is to email everyone on Saturday August 11 with their partner info. Send outs should be no later than November 2, which will be 12 weeks from receiving partner info. If you think that's not enough time, please let me know! I'm really hoping this works out! Any questions or anything I forgot, please ask! Hope to hear from you! Have a good weekend!

The one with all the pictures...

2007-08-03T16:45:00.001-04:00

Since coming back from a week at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, I realized I had lots to share. Here is my doll quilt I received in the swap from Lori. Isn't it beautiful!?!?!?!?! And look at the beads on the flowers, they're a little hard to see. I think it's perfect! And this is Piper Ann. I got her here. Sherry makes the best raggedy's! Check them out!
And here at last is the baby afghan I made for my brother-in-law and his wife. The shower was on Wednesday so now I can post it without ruining any surprise! I love how the border came out!

A day late...

2007-07-19T11:19:00.000-04:00

I finished my doll quilt for the swap yesterday but didn't make it to the post office in time. I'm late for everything! But now it's on the way to .. sshh, it's a surprise!

Finished!

2007-07-06T11:42:00.001-04:00

It's finished...except tucking in a few ends. It's on the small side, about 25" square. I love it!!!! Thanks again to Michelle for the color inspiration! Now if I could just say finished for my doll quilt... : )

Crocheting Away

2007-06-28T15:40:00.001-04:00

I'm back. I really need to stop taking such long breaks between posts. I have been crocheting like crazy. This is a mile-a-minute baby afghan I'm making for my brother-in-law and his wife. Their baby is due in Sept. and they aren't finding out if the baby is a boy or girl until the birth. (I don't know how they do that! I'd go crazy!) These colors are going to go perfectly with this bedding they have.
I just joined Granny-Along and while checking out it's sister The No-End-In-Sight Ripple-Along, I fell in LOVE with Michelle's BEAUTIFUL ripple! (Check it out!) I just love the colors she used, I had to start something for myself! I don't think I'm too much of a ripple maker, I just don't have the patience right now, but I love grannies! My plan is to make a baby afghan about 25/26" square for in the car or stoller orwagon (I take lots of walks across the road to Nan & Pap's. Tater seems to like the wagon better than his stroller lately.) The blanket will be 9 squares, 3 rows of 3, and I'm still searching for the perfect border. And I couldn't believe my luck, I found this awesome fabric at good ol' Walmart yesterday. Don't' they look great together?!?! If I am ever blessed with a baby girl, I think I have a very cool nursery idea! If not, I'll have a cute little lap blanket for myself!
(By the way, the square pattern is from Jan Eaton's 200 crochet blocks, #189 and the mile-a-minute is from Toddler Time Mile-A-Minute AFghans from leisure arts.)

I'm still here

2007-06-08T13:42:00.000-04:00

Yay!!! I just signed up for the 2nd doll quilt swap! It's going to be awesome! When I saw the first, I wished I would have found it earlier so I could have participated. I was thrilled when I learned there would be a 2nd round. I can't wait to get started!
Wow...I didn't mean to take a 2 week break. I have been creating, honest. Here's the new bag I made for myself. It's Simplicity 4535. I altered it a little so it's a little smaller. The bag is just about 12" x 12" and it's 3 3/4" wide. I also added a key ring inside because nothing is worse than standing in the rain digging for keys while holding a screaming 17-month-old.
I was just in the mood for pink. The color is closer to the bottom picture.

And check this out. I went to Joann's for pink corduroy and 1 piece of material for a border. Look what I left with... Yes, orange is my favorite color. I like them all, no discrimination here, but orange, I love! There was just so much material on sale! (Not to mention the 6 pieces of flannel and 5 pieces of canvas I didn't show!)
My husband should NOT let me go to that store alone!
I'm hoping he'll be up for the movies tonight. Ocean's Thirteen is out, and I think we would both enjoy it. Have a great and productive weekend!

Sneak Peak

2007-05-24T13:22:00.000-04:00

Here's a sneak peak at a little something on it's way to a special Junebaby coming soon! I'll post the whole picture in a couple days after it has arrived.

Multiplying like rabbits I tell ya

2007-05-16T14:19:00.000-04:00

A Gift for Allison Marie

2007-05-14T23:12:00.000-04:00

Hello. I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day! Mine was terrific. My little Tater was dedicated (somewhat similar to being baptized) and afterwards, we hosted a family cookout. I couldn't have asked for a better day.
These gifts were taken to the post office today. They are for a beautiful 4-week-old baby girl, Allison Marie. Hopefully they arrive tomorrow. The "lovey bunny" is a design I came up with before Easter and I have producing them like rabbits ever since. (The matching receiving blanket is an added bonus.) The crocheted blanket is one of my favorites lately. The pattern is in the Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans. It works up so quickly. I hope Mommy and baby Allison are thrilled with them!

Dreamy Dino Drop Off

2007-05-08T20:59:00.000-04:00

Well I have finally finished all my dinos. They are made from an old pattern, Butterick 6870, that I found on ebay. The green and pink dinos are a commissioned order for a set of twin girls turning 3 on Friday. The green and blue dinos were given by my Mother-In-Law to a fellow teacher who is expecting twin boys in August. They are made of fleece and have matching flannel blankets, receiving blankets for the babies measuring about 36" x 36" and nap blankets for the girls about 36" x 48". I am so pleased with how they all turned out. What lucky twins!

Brand Spanking New

2007-05-03T14:13:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, anyone, who ever is reading this. I am brand spanking new to the world of blogging. After browsing though tons of blogs the past couple of months, I've decided I can do this. I would say I'm a jack-of-all-crafts...sewing, scrapbooking, crocheting. I have been sucked in by the doll quilt craze going on, so I'll share my latest work in progress. It's somewhat small, 18" x 18". I hoping to make another one with the blue/green stripes in the center and the red/orange/brown on the edges like a frame. When finished, they will hang one on each side of my dining room window. I think it's going to be charming!

Well it has taken me all day to write this. My little one is finally asleep, so off I go to sew! Have a good night!