I'm a Kamloops Arts & Crafts Blogger!

Whether I’m sewing, crocheting, card making, painting, or doodling, I’d love you to come join me in my studio in Kamloops, B.C. Don’t forget to check out my free digitals and vintage graphics while you’re here. Enjoy your visit!

Please see my Digital Stamps Info & Terms page for terms of use on freebies and some helpful information on digital stamps.

Dec 3, 2023

Quick Christmas Cards 2023

Hello all,

To be honest, I wasn’t going to make Christmas cards this year. Twice, I went to the store and looked at boxed cards and came away without a purchase. Then I looked at my old partially used Christmas paper pads and guilted myself into making some quick cards. I made 4 cards one day, 8 the next and I have 3 on the go today. 

Am I impressed with myself? No, not really. My tastes have changed over the years. I raised 4 boys and now that I’m in an empty nest everything looks much too cutesy. I wanted elegant, but that wasn’t happening with these papers. Lol. 

The boys have grown up and apparently I have too? Maybe?  Anyway, I was committed to using these papers up, so off I went into a crafting frenzy. 

The background was supposed to look warm and fuzzy. Instead it looks like dirty snow. Sorry. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Can’t win ‘em all.

T







I have 12, almost 15 done in 3 days time, but I need 25. Will I make more, or will I end up at the store again? 

I really don’t know.  I guess we will all find out soon. 

Hey, thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
C~




Nov 25, 2023

Retro Flash 2

Good morning,

It’s been a very busy couple of weeks in this household, but I did manage to slip in some cutting, sewing and embroidering. I absolutely love these quilt patterns I’m working on. If you like sewing, applique and embroidery, these will fit the bill. The best part is that I was able to get each block pattern for free from Suzy’s Sitcom. She has many free patterns which come out every month. Do check her page out. 

This quilt reflects life in the 50’s, when bowling, jukeboxes and crazy color combos were the thing. 


Who wants to go bowling?


These big jukeboxes were so popular. 
Later they were replaced by little individual jukeboxes at each diner table.
 Remember? So fun!


And here’s your typical living room setup. The only thing missing is the standing ashtray. 
Love the TV rabbit ears and the old phone. No selfies back then!
 The ‘stylish’ lamp takes me back to my earlier years. 

A couple of progress pics…before the embroidery.



I’ve really enjoyed working on this quilt. Only three blocks to go, then the finishing. This one is raw edge, but I’m going over the edges with invisible stitching so it doesn’t fray. 

I’ve also completed another Tweet as Honey block and have two more blocks to go for that one. I’m guessing I’ll finish them both around the same time. I’ve also got some other patterns and things perking in my noggin. Hopefully I’ll get to some of those soon too. 

Well thanks for popping in and have a wonderful weekend,
Blessings,
C~

Nov 11, 2023

Retro Flash!

Hello,

As promised I’m sharing a few blocks from my Retro Flash applique quilt which is a work in progress. This quilt has only 9 blocks and these are the first three I made. I will be securing the edges of the applique with a zig zag as well, but for now I’m getting everything in place. 

This block takes place at the Drive-in movies!  I have memories of almost driving away with the speakers still inside the car and having to back up to place them back in their holders. Some people snuck in extra friends in the trunks of their cars; plus who can forget the snack bar where you could get all kinds of goodies? Those were the days, but by the time I experienced them it was about 22 years later! I loved putting together this block. So much detail!


Next, the old time diners, but those that had drive thru’s were a new thing!


This block really goes back to before my time. A waitress came out to deliver your food in roller skates. Imagine the skills they needed. The trays attached to your drivers window which had to be open to hold them. A little chilly some days perhaps, but oh, the nostalgia of it all. 


I’m working on the next two blocks already. One is bowling, and the other is a jukebox.  I have received my next block for the Tweet as Honey quilt, so once I complete these two I’ll start on it too. I’m finding that I enjoy working on more than one quilt at a time as I get bored easily. 

I noticed these pictures are a bit dark, so I apologize for that, but it’s 4:30 and with the time change I forget how quickly it gets dark out now! Hopefully the next lot will be a bit brighter. 

Stay tuned for more quilt block fun coming your way! And yes, hands off my scissors!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,

Carmen

Nov 2, 2023

Tweet as Honey 3

Good morning,

November is here - - already! This year has flown by for me with all of its ups and downs, but ultimately life is good. There is a bit of a nip in the air some days, and I’m spending more time indoors than usual. Lately that means I’m getting much more sewing done. I’m here to show you the last 3 blocks in my ‘Tweet as Honey’ sew along by Suzy’s Sitcom. 




It’s early here so the lighting is a bit low, but they showed up ok. I have 3 blocks and some side panels left to do on this one before I can put the back on and quilt it. I do all my quilting by free motion as I think it adds a personal touch. You’ll note that this is an appliqued quilt which features some embroidery as well.

If you’d like to see the other blocks I’ve done for this quilt, click on ‘sewing’ under labels in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post. You can also search for ‘Tweet as Honey’ in the sidebar. 

I’m working on another of Suzy’s quilt patterns as well called ‘Retro Flash.’ It’s a delightfully fun themed quilt from the 50’s. Poodle skirts, Drive Ins, and jukeboxes are just some of the blocks included. I’ll include some of those blocks in my next post. 

Thanks for stopping by!

C~


Aug 20, 2023

Tweet as Honey 2

Hi,

I’m popping in today to show you the progress on my Suzy’s Sitcom quilt “Tweet as Honey.”The first post is here if you’d like to see the first 3 blocks.

Suzy always seems to have a few quilts available as a sew along - free on a monthly basis. If you miss a month, the block pattern is available to purchase at a minimal cost. If you prefer you can buy her quilt patterns outright and work at your own pace. I’ve participated in two of her quilt sew alongs and absolutely am loving it. 

Here are the last three blocks I made. I’m doing raw edge applique. There is lots of embroidery work on this one too, which I enjoy. 




You’ll notice I haven’t quilted the backgrounds yet. There’s definitely some puckering from the embroidery, but that won’t be a problem once I get the quilting in place. There will be sashing in between each block. Then I’ll have to figure out how I’m joining them. 

There’s also some edging included…one on each side every three blocks. 


I hope this one turns out as good as the first one did. 
Anyway, thanks for stopping by,

Blessings,
C~

Aug 15, 2023

Guy Cards

Hello, 


I don’t know where you live, but here in the interior of BC, Canada we’re looking at temperatures of about 40C (104F), so guess where I’m staying? That’s right, inside where it’s cool. I have quite a few birthdays coming up (why are there so many between fall and Christmas?) so I’ve been spending some time making cards. I have two done, so I’ll share those today.

The first one is for my husband whose birthday is today! He’s 64 and still younger than me. Mmm hmmmm, I robbed the cradle. 

I covered the writing on the inside, because you know, it’s highly inappropriate. (Kidding)


I love the stamps and stickers that come with this collection. It’s Graphic 45’s Catch of the Day. It’s one set I’ve used over and over again. I love it. Great for guy cards. 


I also made a card for my son who plays guitar and loves music
 

These are Stamperia papers from their Music collection. Another great set. 

That’s all for today. I’ll be writing a blog post for my bubbling springs blog soon. 

Thanks for stopping by!


Jul 14, 2023

Free Crochet Freezie Holders for kids patterns

Hello,

It’s been extremely hot here in the interior of BC, so I wasn’t too surprised when I noticed that my freezie holders for kids were getting a lot of attention lately. These adorable crocheted freezie holders do up quickly and the kids love them. They keep their little fingers from freezing up &  getting wet and sticky. Check the sidebar for two posts with patterns included for four different holders, plus a link to six more of my freezie holder patterns on Ravelry. Links below.




On the blog:



On Ravelry: 




Enjoy your summer