“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way--things I had no words for.”

~ Georgia O'Keeffe

Friday, October 19, 2012

On the Nightstand

Not everyone can appreciate getting lost in a good book. I have loved books since I was young. I'd go to the public library on a hot summer day and check out an arm load of books which would keep me quietly occupied for the week. Back then, I remember my favorites as pre-teen Judy Blume books (the iconic Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?), the Laura Ingalls Wilder series or anything that told the story of young imagination. I then advanced to tales of young love and angst (Deenie, Lisa Bright and Dark, Go Ask Alice, Forever, My Darling My Hamburger...remember those stories, girls?) Books opened up the world for me as I trudged through the '70's with nothing else better to do, seriously...nothing. Books tended to and occupied me and as a result I developed such a love for reading that even now I feel ill at ease if I don't have something to seek respite with at the end of the day. "Nothing on the nightstand...what the what?!" 

There were several years when I sought advice from books on the trials and tribulations of raising an angst ridden teen aged daughter; How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will TalkGet Our of My Life, But First Could you Drive Me and Cheryl To The Mall?Queen Bees and Wannabes and of course, Reviving Ophelia. Fun, fun, fun...NOT! But the books did help shed a little light on the turmoil we were all going through at the time. Now that my daughter and I both survived that storm and she is  a happy young adult, I have the privilege of reading purely for enjoyment once again.

These are the books I have read this year so far. All of them very good, especially State of Wonder.

I have several others on my wish list at Amazon: Zelda Fitzgerald, Truth and BeautyO PioneersThe Emperor's ChildrenA Moveable Feast, Charmed Circle: Gertrude Stein and CompanyThe Lacuna...oh there are so many!



My current book on the nightstand is the hefty The Art of Eating by MFK Fisher, one of my very favorite authors.



I would love some book suggestions...what's on YOUR nightstand?

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Whole Lotta Love



I have a whole lotta love for Lotta Jansdotter's fabrics with their playful yet sophisticated designs and bold, simple colors! These newest Hipsters were created with fabrics from her Bella and Echo lines.  Two large interior pockets and a magnetic snap closure. Interior lining and strap made with heavy cotton duck cloth. Exterior fabric interfaced for extra durability. Darts added to bottom corners for added roominess. Measures 15" wide x 15" tall with a 47' strap. Easily worn messenger style, across the chest. The perfect size for your every day bag!







    
  




Stop by the Mama Roux shop and take a look!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

No, I'm Not a Knitter...

...but I do know what knitters like in the way of storing their circular needles. These Hanging Circular Knitting Needle Holders have been a best seller in the Mama Roux shop and several local yarn shops carry them as well. They actually sold so fast I had trouble keeping them in stock but I now have a good supply and plan to keep the shelves full and updated with new and colorful selections!


All Hanging Circular Knitting Needle Holders are created with Designer fabrics and clearly labeled numbered Channels 1 - 15 and metric 2.25 - 10mm. Easily attaches to a coat hanger, closet pole or a curtain rod. A very efficient way to keep circular needles kink-free and organized.


















Wednesday, October 10, 2012

I'm Back in the Saddle

Wow! It feels awesome to get back to sewing, blogging and just all things crafty and creative. I've freshened up the look of my blog and added a few things to my long neglected shop. I'm focusing mainly on Quilts, Knitting Needle Holders and Bags right now but may expand to Home Accents  (Dish Towels, Pillows, Valances, etc...) in the future.

Take a look at a few of my newest creations...quilting, oh how I've missed you!!



Created with Kate Spain's Central Park as the main fabric and then I tossed in an assortment of designer voile, home dec and quilting cottons in purples, greens, golds and oranges. Backed with cozy Kaufman flannel in lavender.



I love the bold colors in Laurie Wisburn's fabrics and those little dogs are just so cute in the back of the pickups. Once I gathered the assorted fabrics I wanted to include I realized that most of them were from various Denyse Schmidt lines. Her blues were just the perfect shade so it gave this quilt a bit of a vintagy feel. The addition of County Fair canvas adds to the heft of the quilt. Backed with Kaufman sky blue flannel.



How sweet and precious is this quilt and pillow set?  Perfect for a little princess! I used Paula Prass Botanica as the main fabric then surrounded it with lots of pinks, greens, lavenders and golds. Backed with Kaufman flannel in soft pink.



The focus of this quilt is Zebras!  The bright green background really makes those zebras pop! The fabric is from Pink Light Design, Menagerie line. Backed with Kaufman dotted flannel and bound with a wild zebra stripe, of course!



October Afternoon, Fly a Kite charm squares, Sandi Henderson Meadowsweet and a few Denyse Schmidt tidbits thrown in create a precious quilt with a down-home county feel. Stroller sized, (39"x31") perfect for on the go, the bassinet or as an accent for the crib. Backed with Kaufman flannel in pale yellow and bound with some sassy Flea Market Fancy.

I hope you will stop by the Mama Roux shop to see even more of my most recent creations.
It's good to be back!