Photography

I really enjoy taking pictures, and sometimes I think I take some really nice ones.  I'm never sure what other people think, but I love them so I guess that's all that matters. :)

 (three above from JM prom 2011)

 (my backyard after rain)

 Lucy portrait!  Lucy is my friend Tara's dog, and I took a lot of portraits of her 2 spring breaks ago to launch her entertainment career :)

Three above and one below taken on Roanoke Island at the site of the Lost Colony.

 Christmas snow in Asheville in 2009

 Rosalie!  My family's paint.

 Mountain Laurel

 Max dealing cards

 Alex playing cards

 Sarah playing cards:  family reunion at Doughton Park, June 2010

 Max on sunrise hike at Doughton Park.

 Uncle Fred on sunrise hike at Doughton Park

Sunrise on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Doughton Park near Boone, North Carolina.

some stuff I made...

Ok, so so much for posting everyday.  Maybe I'll start with just being happy if I keep posting now and then.  I'll work up from there. 

Today I wanted to share some pictures of things I've made.  I haven't managed to take any pictures of the many skirts I have made, and somehow I only have one picture of a bag, even though these are the two things that I make the most of.  But I'm going to post some pictures of journals and things that I've made:

 These are some small journals that I covered and decorated with some appliques.  This green one was my favorite.  The green fabric is a Japanese import, and the flowers are outlined in metallic gold.  It's strikingly beautiful in person.

 Another journal.  I wish I could find this fabric with the kitties in kimonos again -- I love it so much!!

 This is the first three pocket wallet I made.  I have made a lot more since, and tend to decorate the flap with buttons now.  They are so cute!  I gave several as Christmas gifts.  I hope the recipients loved them as much as I do.

 I call this my portable pocket.  It's really a phone cozy with a long strap so I can wear it across my shoulder -- so that I do not misplace my phone when I do not have pockets.

 more journals

 Another journal -- covered in one of my ALL TIME favorite fabrics.

 The only quilt I've made so far that wasn't just squares.  The colors came out a little more Easter-egg like than I wanted, but I'm still pretty proud of it :). 

 This is an Amy Butler Swing Bag -- I make and sell a LOT of these.  This one is for a very sweet person that I like very much! :)  And it took me MONTHS to make it, so I hope she forgives my tardiness.  I love the bold graphic flowers.

 This was my first cosmetic bag.  I've made a couple more since.  I really like it and I LOVE the fabric...

A recipe box that I covered and decorated with appliques.  It now belongs to my sister :). 

So, I hope you enjoyed a little tour of a few things that I have made.  I really need to take pictures of my skirts, and of the full sized quilt I made -- my first project!  And still my favorite.  I use it as the bed spread in my guest room, but when I need a mood lift, I use it myself :).  It always makes me happy.

Next I think I shall post some examples of my photography that I am proud of.  I love taking pictures!

Signing off for now
McCrory

Hmmm... ok, so I'm thinking...

I have absolutely NO spare time left in my life.  But I also have this insatiable need to express myself and organize my life by reflecting on the parts of it in one space.  So... I'm thinking of starting to blog again.  Each time I start it lasts about 3 days.  But also each time I start I end up with monstrously long posts that take me a long time to perfect.  I have to stop doing that.  So -- my goal is a daily post, but keep it short.  Then if there is more than one post in a day, then awesome.  Since my name is attached to this blog I will not be able to say much about my work because of privacy restrictions.  Sometimes I really want to congratulate a student or reflect on less positive things that happen.  If I feel I need to do this, it will not ever mention any names and I'll never complain (because that can get you in BIG trouble).

Today my sentiment is this:

This is my green stash

 This is my teal stash

And the sentiment is this:  oh sewing, sewing room, fabric, doo dads... I have missed you lately!  I have been so busy lately that we have become strangers.  But next week is spring break and we will spend some quality time together... I promise!

Also, check out my pinterest board!  http://pinterest.com/hemccrory/sewin-n-stitchin-n-style/  Since surfing is something I can not go a day without anyway, this is always getting added to.  My hope is to become magical and to also no longer need sleep so that I have the time in my days to do my first job, my second job, my tutoring jobs AND craft AND blog about it... hm yeah, that doesn't sound reasonable does it?  I mean, there is like cooking dinner and keeping house in there too.  Well...  I'll make most of it happen.  I just have to take advantage of breaks like spring break.

Much Love,

H