noelle o designs

Early Saturday morning me and a few of my ladies (Colett we will miss you, you chump) hop a plane and bust out to LA for the weekend- main reason: Holiday Felt Club in LA. We went two years ago and it was super fun to see what all the other artists, crafters and handmade junkies are up to. I can't wait to leave my own sewing machine and piles of fabric behind for a few lovely days in a warmer climate; to relax without a care in the world... but catching my plane back on Monday.

As some of you may know from previous entries I am a #1 fan of Baz Luhrmann's filmmaking. All of his films are fabulous (Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet) and I can't wait to see Australia, his next film coming out November 27th. I must admit that I am more excited to see this than Twilight because I'm not convinced the actor Robert Pattinson, playing Edward can pull it off.

I been putting together purses all last week and into the weekend, I lead a real exciting life as you can see. My lovely spouse is on the road again so it is just the kids and I. The kids ran wild all weekend playing Indians in the backyard, smashing berries and smearing the red mush on their faces, then reverting to a red Sharpie when the berries didn't achieve the desired affect. The good thing about being a modern Indian I suppose- resources like Sharpies to fall back on. The Indian braves were even hanging out shirtless (it was in the 50's) for a few sunny hours. The look for the ladies was one arm and their head through their stretched-out shirt neck-hole- Tarzan & Jane style.
Carefully and cunningly (while I ran to the store for a few minutes), the Indian tribe attempted to properly construct an Indian village, complete with a Tee Pee, belt pouches for each Indian, and a fire pit. They tracked numerous muddy tracks throughout the house gathering up resources they needed; including but not limited to- most of the available hand tools and utensils from the garage and kitchen. They each cut up socks to make the essential Indian pouch one must hang from their belt for special small objects, a decision we might all regret the next time some one needs a pair of clean socks. The plan was to sleep in the Tee Pee constructed from blankets and tarps. This didn't pan out- the weather wasn't cooperating and most importantly, the great spirit said 'no'. Once again, another bonus to being a modern Indian- you have a warm bed to crawl into at the end of a hard day whether you see that way or not.
At last, the grand finale- the thing that sets you apart and makes you a real Indian player- the real fire. The actual flames sprung up from still green wood from our recently cut down sickly Aspen trees. Needless to say it was extremely stinky, that is of course, if you don't appreciate super smokey fires. I think we made the neighbors nervous, since the fire was just about 20 feet (on the other side of the fence) from the corner of their house. But they had a great time- the Indian tribe, not the neighbors. Using straightened out paper clips they roasted (or more like smoked) carrots from the kitchen and partly frozen green beans they found still hanging on the surrounding garden vines. In a stew of potatoes, carrots and green beans they carefully simmered up, the Indian chefs even remembered the salt, pepper and a pinch of rosemary for flavor. I was awestruck when they divied it all up into bowls and gobbled it up, I myself, declined a bowl (chicken, bok-bok-bok). While feasting on their stew, I overheard commentary from my 10 year old son like, "I think I'll use some chicken broth next time..."

While all of this was going on, I was in my basement sweat shop/workroom making purses (boring)- getting ready for the Beehive Bazaar (far from boring) coming up here the first weekend in December. Pictured here are the unfinished outsides of a few purses.
I put quite a few owls in the mix, I just couldn't stop with the feathered friends once I got started. Here is my favorite owl before he got sewn on, I think he's my favorite 'cuz he's so tiny (around 3 inches tall).

A little piece of the bright and cheerful New York City fabric put to use here. When I sewed this purse top all together I moved that green birdy over so you can see the all the words, and the cardinal isn't riding the bicycle. Not that there would be anything wrong with that...
Ahh... the city that loves Barack Obama, bicycles, birdies, good eating and shopping and so many other fabulous things. I love NY.

I'm sad to say but this is one of my last little pieces of this fabric. I'm going to try and not freak out about it and spend the next hour or so frantically searching online to find some more. Hmm... that sounds like an admission of guilt, like I've done that sort of searching before. Whatever?!

C (4 1/2 years old) was playing with Pierre the cat. Pierre was playing rough, and scratched him...
C: SON OF A B! ( he said the letter 'B')
Me: what did you just say??
C: What?? that's not a bad word!?
Me: Please, just don't say that at school.

His voice inflection and pronunciation sounded very familiar- I think I've heard it said just like that somewhere before... his father perhaps?

Are your kids getting too big to cuddle? Do you find yourself missing carrying your babies around in a sling all day? For the busy cat lover, or just someone looking for a laugh- The kitty carry-all sling is for you (or an excellent Christmas gift...).
Steph- this product is dedicated to you, I know you're really jealous right now. And no, you can't have mine... but I will make one for you.

Actually, this is more like it. Change "have a little look at the internet" to making stupid things for our cat when there are about a million things I should be doing.

What a historic, happy day. I was moved by President-elect Barack Obama's victory speech. Today, I once again feel proud to be an American. Change is in the air and it feels good.

One of my favorite bits:
"And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."

for the whole day in pictures look here

found under my 8 year olds' pillow this morning

I haven't made dollies for a long time, but I owed my gal Jen a skeleton gal from a trade a few years back (how embarrassing). It feels good to finally make good on a promise. One of my pet peeves, up there with entire families at the grocery store at midnight or later (oh don't get me started on that one)- is folks who say they are going to do something and then never follow through. If you never planned on actually doing something then don't say so in the first place. So- today I feel less like a loser for finally getting little skeleton dollie completed. In the spirit of true penitence, I should overnight this to Jen so she can get it by Halloween.




Hanging on the wall after all of the bones have been zig zag stitched onto the black felt.




All of the fabrics are wool felt- wool seems to wear so much better than regular felt, if you ask me, it's worth paying extra for wool. The jewels above the eyes are affixed with the Bejeweler. So much more fabulous a tool than the BeDazzler- the gems get glued on with a hot poker tool and are way more sparkly than Bedazzler gems that have a silver ring around them with prongs that grab the fabric. I am finding that Bejeweler gems are getting more and more difficult to come by, craft stores aren't stocking them anymore, I need to look online for a better selection- perhaps cheaper that way too. The flower detail is just embroidery then a 3 layer felt flower with some sequins and a bead in the middle to hold it all down.



The skirt is 4 layers of tulle, super-gathered with a sequined band for the waist. The skirt attaches with a little piece of velcro in the back.

General Colin Powell breaks it down

We went to the Call's annual Halloween bash Saturday evening. It's always a good time- dancin' like we're teens, snackin' down delicious treats, yuckin' it up, taking way too many pictures. I'll admit we could have been more clever, I didn't sew a stitch of my own costume- just went with what we had laying around. I think I was Hello Kitty or something along those lines... I just had to wear the kitty mask.
I know, I said I wanted to be a Hot Dog on a Stick worker (still do), and Steve O a hot dog but he refused to be a "sidekick", and the whole plan fell through. I think it was more in the interest of time and frugal leanings that we went with the ready-made kitty and Steve O wore the fish taco costume I made last year.


The ladies- Colett as a flapper, Kanani, Molly and Stephanie were Harajuku girls, and I'm the hairless kitty on the end. For more party pics/costume ideas look here.

The finished product looks a little crazy on the hanger but I assure you it looks good on- with the nose and clown red wig, I can wait to see him riding the unicycle in this outfit. I added a bit or flashy rick rack to the collar ruffle and went with the traditional three pom-poms over the wacky clown tie.

The back view- even crazier I think.

I think we will forgo the ginormous clown shoes. His black Chuck Taylor's look just as good. This clown has very serious plans for trick-or-treating until he drops or until the bag is too heavy for a human being to carry- being that Halloween falls on a Friday this year- no getting up early, in-school candy hangover to deal with the next day. Floppy cartoon shoes will only slow him down, and we can't have that now can we. I say bring it on. We aren't a big sugared cereal, candy in the cupboards sort of family- so we let it all hang out on Halloween, get your fill my darling little pranksters. And I might be skimming a few favorites of the top of those overflowing treat bags too.
Oh, I love Halloween for so many reasons.

You know you are adding a little awesomeness to your day when you finally get to use this pattern. I don't have the original outer package with the colored picture because my friend Leann laminated it and made it into a journal, (and sold it at a craft fair somewhere) but she was clever enough to save all the original (and in this case uncut) patterns from the books she made and give them to me- yeah!
I've had my eye on this pattern in particular for years now. How could I possibly incorporate a jumpsuit into my life? When my 10 year old said he wanted to be a clown I knew right away where to look.

We are leaving out the pocket details and side-cinchers, they don't quite fit into the clown look. But, I should actually put in at least one secret pocket for magic trick supplies or balloon animal makings.

Does that say knit fabrics?

In the spirit of frugal costuming we decided to use a bag full of fancy scarves my mother-in-law gave to me instead of the Salvation Army (thank you) to make up the costume. It's turning out great, and since this clown in particular knows how to ride a unicycle and is learning to juggle as we speak- I think it's going to be a hit.
Can you say part-time job- 10 year old clown for hire: birthday parties, social events or family reunions perhaps?!

I have a special place in my heart for objects pulled from the trash and fix/altered/overhauled/painted. What is it about free that is so darn appealing? So what if it doesn't turn out exactly the way you pictured? Just chuck it back into the trash.
I ran across this saucy room makeover with the recycled TV's dresser today. The ideas for kitsching things up are inspiring to the budget minded- and who's not these days- to see the rest of the space look here.

I especially love the dental impression under the terrarium and the not-my-family portrait from Goodwill.

I know, I know... I should have seen it coming, but- it caught me off guard this year and I could do nothing about it because I was on vacation.
My garden froze.
My huge patch of basil I planned to make into pesto and freeze for the winter is a crispy- then wilty when it thawed out- brown pile of crap. I didn't even get a chance to dig up a plant or two to take inside for the winter.
Luckily all of the tomatoes that were ready to eat were picked in time, I'll be sad when they have been gobbled up in the next few days. sigh... I'm really going to miss summer garden fresh eating.
The geraniums are still good, I think I'll go out and dig some of those up to bring inside and brighten things up during the winter months- make myself feel a bit better.

We made it back safely to the US of A, and into the waiting arms of our children- well, not quite. I'm pretty sure the kids wouldn't have minded if we'd been gone longer. They got treated exquisitely by grandma and grandpa- to put it lightly. All of their favorite home baked treats on request, card games every night, not 1 but 2 trips to McDonalds for C- the 4 year old. It's kind of funny how one little persons idea of paradise can be another persons (his mother) idea of disgusting hell. Grandma was kind enough to oblige him. A huge thank you to Jan and Owen for filling in are parental units, and doing such a bang 'em up job!

Anyway, here is some cool felt work I came across in Barcelona. This gals shop is in the neighborhood of the Picasso Museum, I was so happy to have stumbled upon it. All of her amazing felt goods are displayed in the front of the shop, she makes everything right there in the back- you can watch her a work. I believe her name is Mariela Marabi, her store is called Almacen Marabi, you can see more of her wares on her blog.

I also love this chick's stuff, her website is cute- I got some of her hair clipys.

I have been enjoying and admiring the artwork and illustrations of Charley Harper ever since I saw the story about him on CBS Sunday Morning a few months ago. If you have room in your life for an enormous- yet brilliant- coffee table book that weights about 10 lbs. you should ask for his book for Christmas, I flipped through it a few weeks ago in Anthropologie and wished it was mine. He has also illustrated children's books, calenders and coloring books- take a peek if you've got a minute.

We are off to Espana in the morning. I am so looking forward to every minute of it. Even the long flights- time spent just sitting still, people bringing me food and drink- sounds delightful. This trip will seem so easy- compared to traveling with the 4 kids across Europe last summer- only having to worry about oneself seems almost too simple.
I'll be able to relax and get in vaycay mode when I finally get on the plane tomorrow. Until then, every last detail of what I am leaving my very capable, extremely wonderful in-laws in charge of will be rolling through my head like a freight train. Have a wonderful week, see you again next Monday.
Words to live by this week, wherever you are: Happiness is in the journey.

Here is a little quiz. See if you can guess who this is before the end of this 2 minute film.
A brilliant little spot.

Here is a quilt from start- little piles of color ideas on the floor- to almost finished, sorry I couldn't wait until all-the-way-finished happened. I'll post the finished, quilted and bound product-hopefully in the next few weeks.

I cut out all of the indian girls to be hand appliqued at the same time. I put them, all sorted out in a bag with thread, needles and pins, scissors the background fabric squares, and the pattern map. I have been carrying the bag around with me for a month or two- hand stitching whenever I got a minute- watching a movie, sitting on the passenger side of a car, lounging at Lake Powell. Sorry if I annoyed anyone ( friends and family), it suited the muti-tasker in me. But, the cool thing was... the next thing I knew I had finished all 9 indian gals.

The next tricky part was trying to figure out the pattern from the picture I have. For those who missed the earlier post about this quilt, I am copying a quilt my mother-in-law made, then my Mom and I borrowed to hang in my Mom's bed and breakfast, Slot Canyons Inn. Jan, (MIL) couldn't find the pattern again, so I made it up as I went along, and somehow... I think it turned out.
I sewed the beads on the bottom of the skirts, then picked them out after I realized it would be tough to quilt over beads. I'll have to put them back on when it's all finished.

I found the Alexander Henry "lacota plains" fabric, with the teepees on it- already in my stash and just couldn't help myself but use it in the border. The feathers were cut out, pre-washed to fray then top stitched onto the quilt top.

It's finally all put together and shipped off (to the other side of town) to be quilted by my favorite machine quilter. (I'm gonna have to keep her name a secret or the waiting list will get even impossibly longer) The finished product is about 39" x 44".
I made it for my Mom, it will go in the Slickrock Room at the Slot Canyons Inn, her amazing bed and breakfast in Escalante Utah.

That's right, it's October 1st- time to start thinking of what you want to be for Halloween, if you haven't already decided of course. Here is Uncle Randy (my husband's friend's uncle), his website rocks.

Personal "me" time- that's what it's called at our house- those few precious hours a couple of times a week when even the littlest one is at preschool and I have a few magical hours all to myself, in a quiet house. The weather in these parts is unseasonably warm. I keep expecting it to turn rainy or cold (or both) every day, but it continues in the 80's everyday. It perfect for drying clothes on the clothesline, opening all the windows, doing a little yard work (if you are so inclined- I currently am not), or going on a bike ride. As long as the good weather holds I will use personal "me" time to ride.

We went up Hobble Creek Canyon today, I busted out both forks, about 40 miles. I haven't ridden that far in a while and I can feel it now.
I just about crashed taking this self portrait. My Bridgestone RB-1, as you can see- is still treating me right after all these years- like, 15 years?!

Sunflowers lining the sides of the road. Where are all the fall colors in this picture?

This past weekend we went by bicycle to the Sego Arts and Musical Festival in Provo. Riding around town like a middle-aged bike gang was a riot. Here is my second favorite picture of the night.
First favorite picture of the night. "Can I please hold you spiderman?"