thirteen
A couple of projects…
Hana’s duvet cover - I finally finished it. Check that one off of the (very long) to-do list. Now, I need to make her bed skirt and a few other things for her room. It has taken a long time, but it’s coming along.
Project details: I saw a rather expensive quilt on the internet that was sewn this way - raw edge circles appliquéd onto the quilt. The circles were uniform size and small. I wanted to give ours extra punch by making the circles many different sizes, bigger, and spacing them out randomly. We are both happy with it. I did a duvet because I found some sheets for the backings on a great sale ( about $8 each - two for duvet front/back and one for sheets for the bed), as well as 75% off for the duvet insert. Love that.
Hana’s birthday cake. Care to count how many candles? 13 - hard a couple of them overlap in the picture. Yes, I’m feeling it a little. 
Frosting has become challenging since we can’t use powdered sugar any more as Kael is allergic to the corn starch in it. Thank you, Better Homes and Gardens (my nearly 15-year-old cookbook is falling completely apart) for the frosting recipe without powdered sugar. Thank goodness he’s not allergic to eggs.
Creativity Question: Are you taking steps toward your creative dream, or steps away from it?
For a long time I stepped back and stood still. But, now, I am trying to inch toward my dream - I’m trying to infuse my every day life with creativity and… hopefully, I will get brave enough, and tough enough on myself to take a few steps toward painting regularly again. I suppose a better question would be, “what is holding you back?”. I won’t get into that just yet (that is all discussed in my Morning Pages - see “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” by Julia Cameron). Right now, we’ll just talk about the steps. Yours?
July 6th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
That cake looks so yummy…. I’m drooling on the keyboard! *slurp*
Love the design on the bed set. What color (s) are you doing the bed skirt? Post pictures of it all when your done. Looks super!! Pat yourself on the back/
July 6th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Happy birthday Hana! I think it’s funny that we talk to our friends kids like they should know who we are. I can remember when Hana was a baby, but she probably has no idea who I am.
Love the quilt, love the cake. It looks so delicious.
As far as my creativity goes. I think I just let the stress of life take me away from any kind of inspiration or creativity. I remember I used to use it as a stress reliever. Now I just shelf it. I am working on changing that. I need to go on a great photo shoot I think.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Amy, the duvet cover is amazing! I love it. And I can’t believe you have a teenager. Wow.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
So cute! You’ve always been so creative! Hope you and the family are well!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:22 am
I love the duvet cover it looks great! I too am a little scared to start my creative dream, i think i’m afraid of failure. thanks for the inspiration, I think i’ll start taking those baby steps!
July 9th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Amy, I love the duvet cover. It’s cool. You are super talented.
The cake looks yummy. I can’t believe Hana is 13. Joe isn’t far behind. He’ll be 12 on his next birthday.
I’m with you on the creativity. For a long time, I allowed life to get in the way of my creativity. I’m just starting to realize how much I’ve missed those creative outlets. There has to be more to life than dishes and laundry. I’ve just started back up with the photography. I feel like I need to re-learn everything. I’m almost afraid to try and draw something. I haven’t done that in so long, I’m worried I’ve forgotten how.
July 20th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Wow that bed cover is SO fantabulous I love it!! As far as creativity goes I still struggle with that on a daily basis and I literally make a living off needing to GET OVER IT and JUST DO IT! Becoming dependant on the money has some weird hold on my mind now! But it has forced me to work everyday and I can say that when I really get into what I’m doing I realize it’s been hours since I “worried” if it was good enough or if I’m working on what I should be! That in and of itself is a miracle I think!
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
The duvet cover is lovely! Hana will be able to use it for many years to come. What a wonderful gift for your daughter.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I am glad you are back up and running. I cannot believe Hana is 13…officially a teenager. Do you feel any different having a teenager? I am totally going to need tons of advice from you because I know my turn with teenagency (spelling?) is just around the corner. By the way, great job deciphering the message from our neighbor. You are so smart! I’ll remember that in case she leaves us more messages in the future.
August 15th, 2008 at 1:25 am
I love the bed, if only i could or would try to be that creative. i can paint on a wall. great job.