Getting rid of the boys

At least from my blog.

Not MY boys, but the word boys.

WHY?  

CHANGE.  

 

Sometime this weekend my blog URL will change.

I despise change.  

 But sometimes it is for the good. Like my new haircut?!?!?

Weird angle because I had Mr. Boss take a picture.   I never can remember how it is supposed to be styled the next day!

I bought a URL a two years ago in anticipation of having an online store.  

Much to my dismay, the cost of having a shopping cart website and the costs of design, and finding a reasonable website host was a bit pricey for a basically non-existent store that I didn't have.  

I always seem to dream BIG!

However, I have discovered that I like to do projects for others here and there, but really don't like to make items to keep a shop stocked with goodies.  And managing custom items is easily done through my FB page and email!

I realized I had buttonsandbutterflies.com just hanging in the wind.

It is time to take it off the laundry line and use it.

It is 12 characters shorter, and is more to the point!  

For this blog.

Everything I read claims that this SHOULD be a smooth transition.  I am not changing my blog host, I am just changing the URL.  

All traffic when it goes to boysbuttonsandbutterflies.blogspot.com will be re-directed to the new URL.

You will also see a new blog header in the midst of all of this!

So do me a favor, would you?  

Pretty please...

Can you make sure that I am still here next week?

I am worried that I will be lost back in the vast internet. 

 I don't want my little corner of it to be completely obliterated!

I feel very at home here!

Button Name Art

Recently, I needed a break from fabric, quilts, and what not.  I needed a good old craft project!

 I, actually, HIGHLY recommend taking breaks if you become stuck, trapped, and uninspired.  

Switch crafts!

I have been wanting to finish up a few projects in Button's Nursery.  There is an empty wall above his crib wanting attention. (to the left)

Or maybe not?  I will have to see when I get a chance, but right now, Button is napping.

Either way, this project was FUN!  I love Buttons.  I even nicknamed the baby Button, so maybe it is really obvious!

 Easy, easy, easy. 

Button Name Art Tutorial

Supplies:
Wood plaque letters (Hobby Lobby $1.99)
Acrylic paint
E6000 glue
Buttons

I gathered all my buttons that I have stashed.  I have a lot of buttons, but my favorite for projects like these are buttons from the scrap-booking section.  They don't necessarily have to be sewn on and can come in some really cool shapes. 

 Most of them come in colorways, so I did have to sort, but I don't mind, because I like buttons!  I added other buttons from my collected stash too!

I made sure I had enough to cover each letter.  Making sure the larger letters like the letter "M" was a the color I had the most quantity of.

I painted each letter with the chosen acrylic paint color.  I also made sure I painted the sides of the letters.

 I set aside the larger buttons and the buttons I specifically wanted on the most top layer. 

 Then glued the small and medium and not so pretty buttons on the bottom layer.  Covering the entire letter.

 I used E6000 (industrial strength adhesive) to ensure that there wouldn't be any buttons that fell off and became choking hazards.

 I also HIGHLY recommend that you allow 24 hours for it to dry.  I find that it hardens with time!  I am a pretty impatient crafter and like to hang things right away, but I am getting better!

I love the layering of the different shades of each color.

And each letter took me approximately 20 minutes from start to finish.

And I just can't get enough of them that I promise that this is the LAST photo of them, okay?

Am I the only one that squeezes the death out of tube, even if it means I am cutting up my hand from ripped holes in the thick tube?  Not to mention all of the glue stuck to my fingers from said holes!

It sure has made me want to go back to my sewing machines for a while!

I just hope it finds a good home in his nursery...I am even contemplating hanging it above his dresser and moving his portrait.

Good idea?  Bad idea?

Update:  It found a home . 

 Quick instructions on how I hung it up in his room HERE!

Mini, Mickey, and More!

Finishes:

Modern Mini Challenge

 I think this is the SMALLEST quilt I have ever made.  Last minute, Monday morning for the last day of entries.  I, in no way qualified, but I have seen a few bloggers that I follow are finalists!

See HERE for more details!

Mickey Mouse Blanket

I have been wanting to make Button a "taggie" blanket since he was born.  Every time I thought about it or started one, I would change my mind endlessly.  

In the past few months it has become abundantly clear that he favors two fleece blankets.  He either is two-fisting them or is walking with one in his hand and it trailing between his legs behind him.  He really needed a small taggie to take along on our long jaunts in the cars...upward of 3-4 hours at one time some days!

This past weekend I realized a fleece blanket would be best, right?

This morning, it struck me how much he REALLY loves Mickey Mouse.  He stops anything to watch Clubhouse, and he was playing with his Mickey stuffed animals.  I love my Eureka moments...Mickey!

I am REALLY happy with the black fabric (from leftover sweat pants that are about 10 years old), but not in love with the beige knit.  I couldn't find a good "peach" fabric in my stash.  A good idea to start thinking about picking some up?

I hope he likes it when he wakes up! 

 He LOVED it!  He even had to hold it while watching some Clubhouse in the doctor's office waiting room!

Updated photo

In Progress:

Cream Throw

Remember how I had 132 5.5 inch squares cut from a daybed coverlet?   Well, I decided to piece it.  I was so sick of moving the basket around since I cut them out.  So I have a TOP!! 

  It was a MESS too!!  I didn't realize how stretchy it was.  The jersey needle that I put in the machine became my best friend!

Hartley's Quilt

Starting to cut out the diamonds!!!!

And have edited and digitized Hartley's footprints for the applique!

No Progress:
8th Grade Auction Quilt
Christmas Quilt
Thank You quilt
Donation quilt (which I think I am now going to gift to a baby girl I know)
Baby Button's Twin Bed Quilt

Off to check out what everyone is up to!!!

Probably more than me *sigh*

Modern Mini Challenge

I tossed around ideas.  I wasn't sure what to do.


All I knew is that I wanted to challenge myself to do at least one mini this year!

I have only have done two quilts that are mini ever in my quilting life.  Not to include the quilted throw pillows.


Warning: I have never made a "Mug Rug"!

When I bought this card for my husband for Valentine's, I almost didn't want to sign it and put into the envelope...it was too cute!

I loved the heart, the idea of a tree trunk, and the raised embossing on the card.  I confiscated it before he knew it!

For my mug rug, I appliqued a heart on some beige fabric.  Embroidered "You + Me" in white.

Embroidered the quote in black with a few French Knots.

Took my mini to the sewing machine and used a REALLY heavy weight polyester thread to get the raised effect.

A teeny tiny binding.  Only 1/4 of an inch wide on both sides.

And for the backing, I used one of my earlier attempts at using a zig zag for the heart that I just wasn't happy with!  I decided to cover the other backing because the heavy weight thread was obnoxious on the back.  And it gave it a bit more thickness!

I hope Mr. Boss likes it. 
 Because I am keeping the card in my studio and he is getting the mug rug for his desk at work. 


I need the card for a BIG quilt idea...
because, frankly, I don't think I was very good at the 5 x 5 inch version!

Check out the other entries at Ellison Lane Quilts. I am not even going to pretend that I am actually a competitor.  I am not even sure it is considered "modern".  

I just enjoyed the challenge!

My Favorite Apps

I am loving my iPad more and more these days.  At first, it was just a way for me to read emails.  I am not a huge fan of my iPhone for apps(too small for me), so the iPad was a very good choice for this "touch" challenged mom.

If you ever want a laugh, come on over to our house and join the boys in their utter glee in watching me struggle with my new iPhone!

Anyway, a few favorites I'd like to share for my fellow bloggers. 

(Disclaimer:  I am not getting paid for any of these reviews, I just like to share my thoughts on things with others.  It's just the way I roll, as my oldest says!)

TOODLE DO

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My friend.  It allows me to make to do lists galore.  I am a list girl.  I make lists to make to do lists.  I make lists of things I have already done so that I can just check it off, or strike through in a way to say DONE!

When we bought the Mac, I knew I had to succumbed to the fact that I just didn't want to work out of Outlook and Parallel programs.  I hunted and searched and found this great app!  I love how I can have folders.  Folders for blogs, tutorials, sewing projects, shopping lists, and school projects.   

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 My favorite part?  Due Dates, Notes, and Priorities!  My Hotlist lets me know if a sewing order or commissioned quilt is due soon based on my priority rating.  I love being able to add notes on each item, fabric requirements, applique notes..you name it! 
Access your toodledo account on your home computer, also.

Best app ever for this "list" girl!
Cost: $2.99
Want it? HERE

*increased costs for premium subscriptions

Quilt Block Fab App

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This is a fun app!  I haven't really explored it full potential because I am too busy with finishing current quilts.  It isn't a quilt design app, but it gives you quick looks at designs, colors and layouts!

I have fiddled around with a few blocks and patterns while I sit in the carpool line or a doctor's office!

Cost:  Free
Want it? HERE

Joann Fabrics

 Coupons anyone?  They will punch the code right there and then.  I have also used the app coupons in conjunction with my paper fliers!

  Cost: Free

Want it?  HERE

Quilt Dreams 

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 This app is for when you are looking at fabrics at the store and just aren't sure if they really are getting along with each other.

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You simply take a picture of the fabric and place it into blocks.
I need to spend more time on it to get to know it a little better!

Cost: $3.99
Want it:  HERE

Quilt Calculator

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Having trouble figuring out how much fabric to buy? 
 I have an awesome quilt calculator by Calculated Industries.

But I ALWAYS manage not to have it when I am standing at the quilt shop dreaming up a new quilt in my head!


 I just like the colors on the app, too.

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Seriously, I can never get enough of measuring tapes. 


They make me happy!

Cost: FREE
Want it: HERE 

*Also available on androids!





Photoshop Express

Photoshop Express

I love my Photoshop elements, but occasionally, I take a photo of my projects on my phone or see something at the store and want to upload it to Facebook or my blog.


However, not every photo is "ready" at that very moment and needs some editing!

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I am in
LOVE with this app!

Cost: FREE
Want it: HERE.

*May only be available on iPhone 4
*some extra borders require purchase


Hope you can have as much fun as I do with my iPad and iPhone!
Know any other good apps that you would recommend to me?