Ninja Monkey, Eating Cupcake

Where does inspiration come from?
In the case of our nine-year-old son's artwork, part of it came from a trip to a new cupcake store that opened here in Charlotte called SAS Cupcakes.


Actually, the sketch is the work of two artists. (Our daughter took time out from her Ballerina Tutu series to draw the cupcake.) Eamon titled his masterpiece, "Ninja Monkey, Eating Cupcake!"
Here is another monkey, eating a cupcake.

2 trips to cupcake stores in one month = 1 ecstatic monkey

Inspiration comes from many places, and sometimes serves as the genesis for work we least expect.

Hearts and Blossoms

The other day I found myself north of the city of Charlotte and decided to stop in at Quilter's Loft, in Mooresville. Quilter's Loft is located in a beautiful old building with big windows, original wood floors, and plaster and exposed brick walls. There are two entrances: one opens directly onto a room crammed full of machines and embroidery products and the other sends you up an old stairway into multiple rooms and full of beautiful fabric. I can't believe I didn't have my camera, but next time I am determined to remember. In the meantime, you can visit Quilters Loft and see all the latest news from Erika, the owner.

I was drawn to some Valentine's Day fabric by Moda, which happened to be on sale. (Our daughter loves anything pink and brown!) It was a perfect excuse to try out some new patterns I have been designing for my second line of fabrics for Robert Kaufman.

So far we have paper-pieced hearts...

and made some little blossoms....


What shall we do with them?

P.S. For those of you who have inquired, we have not yet found an adequate replacement for black stretchy, however we have not given up the quest!

Black Stretchy Thing, Fondly Remembered

We here at the Murphy household are sad to report the passing of Black Stretchy Thing, our son's favorite toy for the past four years. Whether serving as a projectile, building material, or snazzy clothing accessory, Black Stretchy Thing was an omnipresent, loyal, and boon companion.

Unfortunately Black Stretchy did not die a natural death; all evidence points to the weapon being sewing scissors or a rotary cutter.



I'll pause and let the implications of that sink in.



Let me take this moment to say, "I'M SORRY, EAMON!!!"
It was completely unintentional. Black Stretchy was in the wrong place at the wrong time i.e. on the floor during my mad frenzy of cutting earlier today, and I should have noticed him but didn't.

I hear by resolve to find a piece of fabric for my son that is just as black and just as stretchy. I know it won't be the same as the original Black Stretchy Thing, but I will at least try...

Rest in Peace, Black Stretchy.

Happy New Year!

I hope January finds everyone well.

I thought I would start off this year by posting some of my personal work. Given that I like everything from traditional to modern, my projects are all over the map. This work doesn't really represent the style of my fabrics that will be coming out this summer, but I think it is always interesting to see what people are working on or have worked on in the past. (For more on my designs visit my website at http://www.amandamurphydesign.com/.)

I have learned so much from trying out all sorts of patterns and techniques. I received Ruth McDowell's "Piecing Workshop" for Christmas and have become intrigued with her piecing methods. A small project may be calling me.

This year I sewed a fun, fusible applique quilt for my new nephew, Ollie, using batiks and Amy Bradley "Dazzling Dogs" designs. All of the dogs have goofy names, which I embroidered in tone-on-tone thread.



This followed a quilt I did a couple years ago for my mom, from Blackbird Design's "Home Sweet Home" pattern.



My mom had purchased the pattern for her first quilt, which was quite an ambitious move, don't you think? She found the appliqué (and the mess that goes with it) wasn't for her so I ended up sewing it. She was so enthusiastic about getting it in her hands that my friends started referring to it as the "guilt quilt" as I feverishly finished each block. Seriously, I would never hand-sew so much bias binding for anyone else. My mom is one of my biggest fans and THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC GIFT RECIPIENT on the planet. It isn't just anyone who would upholster a sofa and a headboard to match their new quilt.

Here she an my dad are, enjoying cupcakes from their local cupcake store with our kids.



Speaking of cupcakes, if you ever go to Haymarket Virginia we highly recommend visiting this store, aptly named "Cupcake Heaven". There is something incredibly decadent about cupcakes with filling.

The display is beautiful, don't you think?

Until next time, have a happy January!

Amanda