My peeps

The snow has finally melted and the Spring Quilt is finally finished.  Which means that it's Spring.  And so my next item of business was to get things feeling even more Spring-y around here.  The only problem was that after a quick inventory of the basement, I remembered that we didn't have any Easter/Spring decorations.   Oh.

So I've been brainstorming and even have a fun project started, but in the meantime I thought I'd show you the best idea I've ever had.

I call it "Chick Explosion".  It's pretty complicated, so pay close attention.

I found this little box of chicks at the craft store.   So I bought it.  And I opened it up.  And then I put them around the house.

That's pretty much it (let me know if you have any questions!).   

Peep!   Chirp!  Cheep!

I have to say, these little chicks are quite sneaky!  And I can never figure out what they are looking at.  

p.s. today is our 1 year Montana Anniversary.  How crazy is that?!

Spring can come

When I first showed Evan the fabric for the Spring Quilt, he mumbled something about having a seizure.  Which I interpreted to mean he was having a 'sensory overload'.  And then I got to thinking about how I am so very attracted to bright, colorful, crazy quilts.  I think they are the very best kind of quilt.  

I have a friend who decorated her house in black and white.  Which is quite chic and fashionable, but it makes me feel a little sleepy and bored (I'm a nice friend).  And when she comes to my house I'm sure she feels like she was just hit in the head with a giant rainbow.  So I think what I'm trying to say is that I can't help myself.  I am a fan of color.  A big fan.   And I really am glad that we are all attracted to different things--it sure keeps life interesting.

But really.  A black and white quilt wouldn't shout SPRING quite the same way as a rainbow quilt can.  That's just a fact (I win!).

And as I was sewing the diamonds together (which I was so nervous about until Evan reminded me that diamonds are just squares turned on their sides.  He is smart.), I couldn't stop thinking about Starburst Candy.  And how this quilt should be sponsored by them.  I was going to buy some for the photo shoot, but I am trying to limit my candy intake to things shaped like eggs.   So please use your imagination :)

Spring can come.  I am ready.

p.s. Evan likes the quilt.  And he hasn't had any seizures yet.  It's a win-win.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' over at Soulemama for all to find and see.

I've Got the Whole World

Yesterday while out running errands, I was almost to my last stop:  The Post Office.  Which is pretty far away, considering that I basically live downtown.  It's across the railroad tracks, in the heart of the ghetto.  Right next to the women's prison (you have no idea how charming this town is!).  Anyway, just as I was approaching a stoplight, I saw ahead of me that lights were flashing, bells were clanging, and two striped arms were lowering across the road (a train was coming!).  And because I've had the misfortune of being stuck in that exact same spot before whilst waiting for a train to pass, I made a swift decision.  I made a mostly-legal lane change/turn and glided into a parking spot in front of my thrift store.  Favorite thrift store.

I wasn't planning on going there.  I am over my budget this month (one word: Quilt).   But the train.  I would have been waiting ten minutes anyway.  So why not wait inside??

And after perusing the store, I was sure I was about to leave empty handed.  But a quick glance out the window told me that the train was still a chuggin'.  So I went into the scary basement.  Which I have stopped doing.  Creepy!  It's full of stinky sports equipment, hilarious lamps, and overpriced particle-board furniture.  I was just killing time after all.

And then I saw him.  Mr. Globe.

Hello there!

I couldn't believe my luck!  In fact, just that morning while yoga-ing (word), I looked up at our mantle full of blue globes and thought, "ya know, we really could use a brown globe."  I'm not kidding!

And as I was paying for Mr. Globe, the cute old volunteer that's always reading the bible, told me what a deal I was getting: the whole world for just $7.50.  It wasn't every day you could get a deal like that!  He was totally right.  I love you globe.  I love you train.

Little Blue Bag

Happy Spring!

I was part of a top-secret-valentines-day-gift-making-operation  (oh yes, I'm pretty dangerous) that resulted in me acquiring another blue bird sack.  But this time it was cute and little (only 5 lbs.!).

I thought long and hard about what to use it for.  Because I had already made a blue bird bag, it seemed like I should try something different.  Like....ya know.....something....else  (I was stumped).

Because really.  It had to be a bag.  It was born to be a bag!

  bluebird bag + me + the blue canoe = friends.  We hang out.

This time I decided to give it a lining.  With some thrifted gingham (who doesn't love gingham?).

Now I'm all ready for Spring.

p.s. did you guys see the moon on Saturday?  Simply fantastic.

Bits and Pieces

When I was little, one of my favorite books was called "It's Hard to Read a Map with a Beagle on Your Lap".   It was a funny one.

And since I've been working on this soon-to-be-completed Spring Quilt, I have come up with a book idea of my own.

I'm going to call it: "It's Hard to Plan a Quilt with a Gesso in the House".  

But really.  So cute.

And to celebrate St. Patrick's Day I whipped up some Irish Potato Candy.  Which is not actually made of potatoes.   Or Irish people.   And it's outrageous.  Don't even ask me how many little potatoes I've eaten today.   Recipe here. 

 I do believe they are going to be my new St. Patrick's Day tradition.  Which now brings me to a total of one tradition (don't judge, I also wore green earrings to work today.  So that's actually two traditions).

More Shirts

Last Spring I showed ya'll how to make awesome shirts.   And boy were they awesome.  I was getting pretty sick of the same old work shirts, so it was time for 3 new additions.

I have an affinity for seahorses.  I think they are so very strange and I want some.  This shirt turned out about 700 times more purple than I had planned on, but, *shrug* what can ya do?

More doves.   I accidentally did this super-awesome dye affect where there were some color splatters amid the gray.  I blame it on not mixing up the dye thoroughly.  And I like it.

This shirt was supposed to be my favorite (it is clearly Gesso's favorite).  It was going to showcase my beloved bike, The Blue Canoe.  But.  I don't know.  I went back and forth between having the name underneath the bike, and now I wish I wouldn't have.  It seems too groupy or something.  And the close-up was taken after I removed Gesso's dirty paws from the shirt = bad picture.  

So go ahead, make yourself some awesome shirts.

And the winner is...

Congratulations Colette!  Let's be in touch about your new flower friend.   Thanks so much for playing everyone!  And Brandt, even though you didn't win, please don't chop any wildflowers down.  It's not worth it!!

p.s. let's pretend I am this tan right now, okay?

Easter has the very best candy

I mean, really--everything is shaped like an egg.  Which for some reason makes it even more scrumptious.  Don't even get me started on these dark chocolate Cadbury eggs.  Just don't.

Speaking of felted balls, look at what I made!  I've been pouring all of my creative energy into stabbing little bits of wool with a needle.  I have a little project in mind but need to make about twice as many balls before it can happen.  My friend Sarah put together a very helpful tutorial on felting with soap and water, but I used my felting needle, and found the stab-stab-stabbing very therapeutic.  Don't judge.  Or be afraid.

 Don't forget to enter the giveaway!  Time's running out!

Larkspur

Meet my newest friend, Miss Larkspur.

Would you guys like to have a print of your very own?   

To enter, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post by Thursday night, March 10.  One entry per person.  However (this is where it gets fun), if you care to mention the giveaway to someone else, whether it's on your blog, over the fence to your neighbor, or with a post-it note on your forehead, you may come back and leave another comment, saying that you did so.  I will draw a winner on Friday, so be sure to pop back over and see if you've won.

 **edit: to be clear, you may comment once for yourself and once for any other mention.  That's two comments total. (Brandt, I'm talking to you!)**

I'm not terribly good at promoting my art, I'm actually quite shy about it.  So I'm hoping that this new twist on the giveaway will help spread some Wildflower love a little further into the world.

Pucker Up

Ever since I saw this tutorial, I have had an intense hankering to make some lip balm.  I had no idea how easy it could be!  I thought I'd get a jump start on Christmas gifts for this year and this was one of my ideas.  I'm just so organized.  Just kidding.  I mostly wanted some lip balm.

I followed the recipe closely, only substituting spearmint for peppermint, and was so very pleased with how it turned out.  

Spearmint Lip Balm 

      (recipe adapted from SouleMama)

8 Tablespoons coconut oil

3 Tablespoons beeswax 

1.5 Tablespoons raw honey

30 drops spearmint essential oil

Place oil, beeswax, and honey in a double boiler.  Heat gently until everything has melted.  Remove mixture from heat, add spearmint oil.  Stir until blended.

Place the pan in a large bowl full of cold water.  Stir quickly until the mixture begins to thicken and change consistency.

Pour into containers.

The recipe fills about a dozen 1/2oz. tins.  I looked everywhere in my town and finally settled on ordering some tins from here.   Don't mind the two missing from my stacks.  Two words: Quality Control.  Someone has to do it.

Make some!  Your lips will love you!

My mistake

 I should have known better then to buy strawberries in the middle of winter.

Dear science, while it's nice to have the option of fresh strawberries all year around, it's also starting to get a little bit creepy.

sincerely,

Mad in Montana