Still Kicking…

May 13, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments [5]

So I’ve been contemplating shutting down my blog for awhile now…things are changing on the family front.  BIG CHANGES.  Nothing bad, but definitely life changing.  Because of that, I’ve been busy elsewhere.  I haven’t touched my sewing machine in a month, and I probably won’t for another couple of months. Before the bombed dropped (so to speak), I was working on this little lovely:

Its a variation on the Drunkard’s Path block.  Its all Flower Sugar by Lecien, and will eventually have a green, yellow, and pink ‘ring’ as well.  Its for my good friend Doe’s birthday.  Which was in April.  Yes.  I know.  Shameful.  I’m hoping to have some time to work on it this week.

Alas, it is time for me to get back to the real reason I got on my computer: my term paper is due tomorrow and I haven’t written a sentence.  I only have 6 more months until I graduate from grad school!!  I cannot wait!  Its fun to use my grown up brain, but its a heck of a lot of work!

Diving In…

March 15, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments [6]

Isn’t it funny, how when you have a ton of sewing you’re dying to do, life gets in the way??  Well, that’s what happened to me the last couple of weeks.  “Social Engagements”, sick kids…makes for very little sewing time.  I was absolutely DYING to dive in to my Flea Market Fancy stack.  Today, I finally got to do it!  I made a Birdie Sling purse this morning.  It went really fast, since its not my first time making this pattern.

I absolutely LOVE it!  Like, I may sleep with it tonight.  Maybe not.  These are my two favorite prints from the line.  I decided that I am going to make myself a skirt out of these two prints as well.  {Don’t worry, I won’t wear the skirt and use the bag at the same time.}

I called my LQS to ask them to hold some more yardage for me.  The scary part is, they recognized my voice.  And knew which fabric line I was going to ask for.  Scary.  I was only going to buy another yard and a half (I bought a few yards to begin with), but I decided to go ahead and buy all they had left–4 yards.   Now to find the perfect skirt pattern…suggestions??

I also got some happy mail this weekend.  Don’t you just love happy mail?  Its like Christmas!

I picked up a few fabrics from Superbuzzy…

…And I couldn’t pass up this adorable calculator!

I also got a copy of Cotton Time (and I got another issue the same day from Doe for my b-day!).  There are lots of cute projects:

Love this little cat!

I’ve decided I want to live in these pages…think my husband will mind??

I also had my first serger class this past weekend.  LIFE ALTERING, people!!  I finished an Oliver +S skirt for Liberty, and have a pair of capris to start next!  Pictures next time!

Happy stitching!

Flea Market Fancy!!

March 3, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments [2]

Just a quick little post to let everyone know that I am okay…I was in the hospital for about a week and have been recovering at home.  The bad news is I was super sick, and it will take a while to make sure I am recovered, but the good news is I feel GREAT!

On to fabric news:  My local quilt shop (Material Girls in Maryland) got their order of Flea Market Fancy in!!!  Minus 5 bolts that should show up any minute…

I bought a shameful amount.  Shameful!  There is something so surreal about pining away over an out of print fabric line, and then gorging yourself on it.  I keep taking it out of the bag and petting it.  I have plans to make an Amy Butler Birdie Sling Bag (remember this one?) post haste!

Anyhoo, if any of you missed out on all the online pre-orders, Material Girls will take orders over the phone and ship!!  That’s my public service announcement for the day!  Off to the dreaded JoAnn’s…:{

Pleurisy

January 31, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments [13]

I have been sick as a dog for the last week.  Apparently, I have pleurisy.  I thought that was a disease from the “olden days”.  Oh no, its still hanging around.  Basically, the membrane around my lungs got swollen and I couldn’t breathe very well, and when I would cough, it felt like I was being stabbed with a knife.  Very painful.  I’m feeling a lot better today: I can breather normally, and no more stabbing pain.  Thank the lord for modern medicine!  In my last post I mentioned that I was *almost* done piecing Wyatt’s zig zag quilt top.  Well, I’m back with photos!!

This is the best ‘full’ shot I could get…the sunlight was streaming in the window, which made for a very odd lighting.  I’m going to back it with minkee, so that it will be a nice cuddly blankie for my baby.

He’s pretty excited for me to finish it!  Hopefully I’ll be able to go to my local quilt shop this weekend to pick up the batting…

In other news, its almost my birthday!  Woot!!  I asked for a Kindle…I’m hoping I get one!  I made a case for it (*wink*), but I wasn’t able to use the original fabric I had picked out, because the grid was not printed straight AT ALL.  So frustrating!  But I think I’m going to try using it on the diagonal.  Anyhoo, I made this one:

I used one of my all-time favorite Japanese prints.  I’m giving it to my mom, because she loves it.  I think the next time I make one, I will trim the batting 1/4″ around all sides to decrease bulk, and make the accent fabric strip narrower.

Well, I’m off.  Wilbur needs to be picked up from the doggy groomer, and then I’m off to pick up my mommy from the airport!  Yay!

Dental Work

January 23, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments [3]

Remember that little destash I had to help pay for all my dental work?  Well, today I had my first procedure.  Owww!  I’m feeling better, thanks to my sweet hubby making me stay in bed most of the day.  I whiled away the time reading my latest library book and working on my cross-stitch.  I am *thisclose* to finishing it!  Woohoo!

Tomorrow is a preschool day for my littlest one, so I’m planning on finishing his quilt.  I’ll be back with photos! ;o)

A Little of This and That

January 18, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments

My sewing mojo has been back in force for a couple of months now.  I tend to go in phases: sometimes I go weeks where I don’t really sew at all.  It used to bother me, but I’ve learned if I just ride it out, my mojo will come back in full force!  I sewed my bum off for Christmas gifts, and I just finished the last of them: I made some Jane Market Totes for a couple of my quilty friends:

I used Heather Ross’s most recent line.  I used to never buy linen or medium-weight fabrics, but I have been finding more and more things to sew with them.  The fabrics gave this bag a bit more sturdy shape than quilting weight does.

I also finished a cowl for a friend’s birthday:

I kinda just made this one up as I went along.  I used a flannel between the two layers…it helped stabilize the voile.  I also added a pom pom fringe, which I would never do again.  It was SO tedious!!  I have an AMH voile stash that I’m trying to use up, so I’m going to make another one for myself.  The fabric is so silky, and the added squishy-ness of the flannel makes it like wrapping a cozy blankie around your neck.

This past Saturday I went to my local quilt shop to spend a gift card my wonderful father-in-law got me for Christmas.  I picked up a bunch of cute fabrics (which I didn’t think to take photos of) and some patterns.

I’ve taken the plunge into sewing more clothing, mostly thanks to this blog.  I’m planning on making the sailor skirt in khaki for L and the sailor capris…

…in Robert Kaufman’s Carolina Chambray.  I also grabbed a couple of embroidery patterns while I was there:

We’ve been working on Wyatt’s “big boy” room for awhile…it’s kind of a “vintage cowboy” theme, without being too literal.  I thought I’d embrioder a throw pillow with this pistol image:

He loves guns.  His daddy loves that he loves guns.  My hubby is a big time hunter, and I was raised in Idaho, where you’re taught gun safety from birth.

My birthday is just around the corner, and I’ve asked for a Kindle!!  I’ve been on the fence about it for awhile.  I love Love LOVE to read, but if I had to buy all the books I read, I’d go broke.  But I recently discovered that Amazon has a “lending” program, and my local library has a gagilion eBooks you can check out on your Kindle.  So I’m in.  I have informed my husband that if I do not get a Kindle, I will throw myself on the floor and pitch a fit.  I’m not too worried…he always does good with the gifts.  So I’m going to sew a Kindle case.  You know, so I’m ready *just in case*.  I’m planning on using this fabric:

Perfect cheater pattern, right?  I’m pretty excited!

Well, that’s all for today, peeps!  Happy stitching.

Destash

January 6, 2012 | Uncategorized | Comments [9]

A week ago I went to the dentist and discovered that I need a ton of dental work.  I’m not too surprised, since I’ve only been to the dentist 2 times in 7 years.  Its kinda hard to go to the dentist when you have two very little children, a husband who is out of town all the time, no babysitter, and living across the country from my entire family.  I know.  Boohoo.  But now that my youngest is in preschool 2 days a week, I have time to do exciting things…like go to the dentist.

But what you really want to know about is the fabric.  So I’ve been wanting to destash for awhile, and what better reason than to pay for dental work?  I know, what a glamorous life I lead.

First up are jelly rolls.  $37 apiece.  I have Bliss by Bonnie and Camille, and It’s a Hoot by Momo (The Dream On and Wonderland by Momo are no longer available)

Next is a Swell fat quarter bundle.  I bought multiples of this.  I have waaaay too much. $115.

Charm Packs: $9 each.  The only ones left are Hunky Dory (2), Hideaway (2), and Bliss (1)

Lecien’s My Folklore fat quarter bundle.  11 fat quarters.  $30 **GONE**

I also have a Momma’s Apron Strings ‘Twice the Charm’ bundle (pieces are 5″ x 22″) $25.  Perfect for Farmer’s Wife blocks!!

Last, but not least, I have Heather Ross fabrics.  Mendocino, $12 per half yard.  I also have a few Far Far Away prints.  Or is it called Princess and the Pea??  They are $12 a half yard as well.

And that’s it!  The best part about destashing is if no one buys anything, I get to keep it!  Tee hee!

Busy Elf

December 16, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments [5]

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have been a busy little elf, sewing away.  I had lists made early, so I knew what I was making everyone.  That really took off all the pressure.  I have actually really enjoyed making gifts this year.  Its nice to sew up a whole bunch of things!  I haven’t been very good about taking pictures…my sewing room has horrible lighting.  So bad, in fact, that I bought a light box.  I also bought three cheap clamp lamps from Wal-mart.  They’re a little tricky to use…I may have hubby build me a little frame out of PVC tubing.  Anyway, all the pictures in this post were taken in the light box.  It was a little bit better, but I need to make some adjustments to my white balance, I think.

So, the first picture is the back of this placemat:

I used my Flower Sugar stash, and the quilt-as-you-go method.  It was so quick and easy!  This one is for my mum.  I think it will be perfect for her office.  I’ll be making another one today with Japanese fabrics for a special friend…

I also made my mum a Jane Market Tote:

I absolutely LOVE this pattern!  The bag is quick and easy to make, and the pin-tucks make it look so professional.  I added a little Japanese label of Anne of Green Gables.  I was (and am) a bit obsessed with Anne of Green Gables, so I know my mum will get a kick out of it.  I used the DS Quilts line from Jo-Ann (*gasp*) in blues (her favorite color).  I’ve decided I’m going to make a bunch for myself.  Then when I take them grocery shopping, I’ll look so hip! Haha!

I have also been making teacher gifts…

I used Noodlehead’s Gathered Clutch tutorial.  Its for Liberty’s teacher’s aide, and I put a gift card inside.  I have also made drawstring pouches for all of the teachers (FOUR!), and managed to squeeze in another one for myself!

In case you’re keeping track, that is 3 that I have made for myself, and 8 for other people, in the last 2 weeks.  What can I say? I’m a fan of the pattern!

That’s all for today!  If I don’t blog again before Christmas, have a very Merry Christmas (and I hope Santa brings you all a bunch of good stuff!)!

Spilling Some Beans

November 29, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments [5]

Okay, so I’m not the first one to spill some beans about this…You may have already heard about a totally awesome book that was recently released by Lark.  Its available as an ebook right now, and the hard copies will be available Fall 2012.  Anyhoo, my homeboy John is the author, and he was kind enough to invite me to contribute to the book.  The book is called “Pretty in Patchwork: Holidays”.

It is chock full of awesome holiday projects by some of the most awesome designers out there.  Too many to list!!  Here is my project:

My project is called “Sugar Village Tea Towels”.  I used the fabulous Rosalie Quinlan’s fabric line from Lecien.  Her new fabric line, Folk Heart, is out now, and it is very similar to her previous line that I used.  Her fabrics are absolutely scrumptous!  Like a stack of candy.  I can’t wait to get my hands on some!!

If you’re looking for a great book full of fabulous holiday sewing (not just Christmas), run on over to Lark and buy yourself a copy!!

Thanksgiving Week

November 28, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments [2]

Happy belated Thanksgiving!  I hope you all had a great holiday!  We went down to colonial Williamsburg for the week with the in laws.  We usually stay at home for the holidays, but this year my father in law persuaded us to join the rest of the family.  I have to admit, I was a little excited about not having to cook.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook.  But making so many dishes for just the four of us always seems a little wasteful.  We all had a great time, and the food was so fabulous, I think we are going to go down to Williamsburg again next Thanksgiving!

While I was there I managed to hit one antique mall.  I got a couple things…

I am so excited about this cookie jar!!  I have been looking for one like this for awhile now.

I also found this 1911 Coronation mug from the coronation of King George V!!  I was pretty excited to find it.

When I came home I had some happy mail!

My new Suzuko fabrics that I had pre-ordered!!  I can’t wait to play with these!