Quilt love

Years ago if you had told me that I would become an avid quilt maker, I would have scoffed at you. No, those crazy country quilts were not my style and not something I was interested in at all. I had quilts that my grandmother had made me and while they were from her and I loved them, the polyester scraps that she made them from weren't my favorites. No, making quilts was not for me.

(Arlo's quilt. Twin sized rocket/ space themed backed with a twin sheet)

And then I was introduced to blogging by a good friend. The sewing machine was put to use and while I enjoyed making stuffed animals and purses I wanted to make something more. Yep, I made my first quilt. And I loved it.

(Maisy's quilt. The blue patches are from a pair of overalls I wore all through highschool & college)

It wasn't just the freedom of design that drew me but the entire process. I love each step that it takes to create a quilt. The cutting of each piece to the weight of a pile of quilt squares in your hand. I love the way it makes me think of the women before me making quilts to keep their families warm and discovering a way to express their own creativity. Every step is satisfying and I look forward to especially the sewing down the binding. (Any excuse to rent movies and sit in front of the tv while still accomplishing something is my favorite.)

(Her quilt was backed with a thrifted sheet that I got for a quarter)

So after 3 years of making "Christmas" quilts for my kids, I'm still hooked. I hope someday they understand how much love goes into these. I hope that they know that I made it thinking of them. That it made me feel good to make my children something that would not only keep them warm and safe but that I created something that was simply for just for them.

And now after all this time I have to say...

Grandma, thank you for my quilts.
I now know how much love they hold.

Damn, that year went by fast!

( awesome picture courtesy Matt Needham)

Yes, it's that time again.....my birthday. Woo hoo.

And while browsing my year of paltry blog posts, I found last years list.

Um, yeah.

So here's what I accomplished on my " 32 things to do before I turn 33" list....


1) Be a better mother (This is always first and foremost) Yep, Still working on this one but I figure that's okay, because you should worry when you can stand back and say "why yes, I am an awesome and fantastic mom. Nothing to work on here!"


2) Attempt to post more often. Once every couple of months just isn't cutting it. haahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha


3) Finish Maisy's scrap quilt Done and Done! AND I've already finished this year's quilt top.


4) Finish Arlo's scrap quilt Completed and this year's is almost ready to be cut.


5) Start Arlo's bandanna blanket Also done...hey, I'm starting to feel pretty good about this list.


6) Finally work on Amy's Ugly Elvis Quilt Yeah, not going to happen. We've grown up and I cannot in good conscience give someone a really ugly ass quilt.


7) De-clutter my house Uh, no.


8) Visit Tucson again Negatory


9) Not buy any new fabric until I use what I have Oh, lord, I forgot what a comedian I can be.


10) Lose more weight (yeah, yeah, I know I say that every year. There's a lot to lose) Yeah, not feeling so great about this list anymore.....


11) Get another tattoo Wish I had.


12) Learn how to knit (though I'm not sure I need another hobby) Let's amend this to learn how to crochet something other than a simple stitch...


13) Make more of my own clothes Well, attempted but learned an important lesson....I DON"T LIKE TO MAKE CLOTHES. um, sorry to yell but I really really don't.


14) Find some new good books to read or simply come to terms with my love of trashy romance novels and science fiction.


15) Start using the library more Let's keep this one for another year. Molly is going to introduce me to the mysteries of on line reservations at the library.


16) Make a project wall (or whatever it is you call the thing you hang your quilt squares on) Still need that but it also falls under the "organizing/ decluttering my home" section.


17) Make more stuff with the kids Oh, I wish I had the patience for this. Okay, will move it to the top of the list and work on it!!


18) Keep going to the gym 3 mornings a week oh, look over there, what a strange place to put a piano!!


19) Tell my friends how much I love and appreciate them more often. This is like the mom one. You should worry when you can cross it off.


20) Be Thankful for what I do have everyday Hmm, but then that would get rid of my favorite pass-time...complaining.


21) Get a bike Check


22) Start riding said bike to work Seriously, that is a weird place to put a piano.


23) Tell my kids how much I love and appreciate them more often Once again, worry if you can cross it off....


24) Buy more grown up shoes (flip flops probably aren't the best "professional shoe" choice) I am vetoing this one. I'm happy as pie with my flip flops and I don't really care about the professional choice.


25) Cook more I'd like to but it's pretty doubtful.


26) Learn how to make really good cinnamon rolls that don't require hours to rise or me getting up early. Now someone find me that reciepe and I'm your best friend for life.


27) Plan Arlo's Thomas Birthday party (totally his choice) Done, now this year I have to find Spiderman/ Transformer decorations and cake. The boy knows what he wants!


28) Talk Maisy down from her birthday party plans (seriously, the girl has the invitations already made and her birthday isn't for 7 months!) Oddly enough, not necessary this year. Hmmm, kinda makes me worry about what's she's planning and hasn't told me about .....


29) Make our halloween costumes (and find a non-slutty queen of hearts costume. It's harder than you'd think!) Not necessary!!!!! Store bought, here we come!


30) Go camping with the kids Hey, we actually did that and it didn't suck!


31) Write more thank you notes Dang, I put a lot of uncross off-able stuff on this list!


32) Laugh & smile more Luckily I've got good friends for that!



You know, it wasn't a bad list. Just sometimes I think that I'm a little hard on myself. I mean, I work full time, keep house almost full time, hang out with the kids as much as I can and still try to find a little time for myself. (Did you notice the re-occurring them here is TIME?) So if my house isn't picture perfect, my blog posts are scarce and I buy my clothes at a super store rather than make them from scratch....well, that's okay. 'Cause this year my present to myself is acceptance and tolerance. While both very nice gifts, I am a little miffed that I didn't at least wrap them.

If I was smart.....

I would have split this up into at least 3 different posts but.....oh well.

First, here is Miss Maisy on her first day of school. She requested a Lady Bug outfit that matched her earrings. I think I may have solidified some unrealistic expectations with this simple skirt and shirt. You know, like "Mom can make me a brand new outfit by tomorrow even though it's already eight o'clock at night". Yep, I totally reinforced that one. But I figure she won't be excited to wear the clothes I make for her for too much longer so I'll keep doing it as long as I can.

Second, Here is Captain Stinky on his first day of Preschool.
Lord help me.

Now, here is an actual pattern review!!! Woo hoo!

This is a Heather Bailey Halter Apron Pattern that I made for my sister in law, Brenda.

(photo courtesy of Maisy)

You all know how picky I am when it comes to patterns and well, I loved this one. It was simple to read and assemble. There were a ton of pictures to go with each step and it was all very clear. I highly recommend this pattern to anyone who has a moderate amount of sewing skills. You'll love the results. I did and it's super hard to give this apron up.

Last is me being all braggy and showing off some super awesome fabric....

How do you know you have a fabric addiction?
When family members go to a foreign country and asks you what you'd like and your answer is "FABRIC!"...then you might have a problem.

So...Hooray for fabrics from Amsterdam and in-laws who don't think you're crazy!!!
The apple fabrics are an awesome jersey material that will become a skirt and possibly as shirt.

The beauties below were a total impulse buy while at Sarah's. Each little scenario has a snarky little comment that is fabric related. My favorite is "I told him it was unwise to make me choose between him and my fabric. I will miss him though". Matt has requested that I frame that little panel so he can put it in his office. You gotta love a man who gets it or at least is willing to laugh about it.

And so it begins, the very first quilt for ME is documented. It'll have to wait until after Christmas but having it here makes me happy.

So do you have any fabric love or embarrassing fabric stories??
I'd love to hear them.

Just an appetizer...

I wanted to quickly share a link to my sister-in-law's food blog. For some one who totally gave me the side eye when I started rambling about my little blog, she has really made something special with hers. And she's hit the big 100! So go check it out and if you leave a comment, you'll be registered to win a cookbook! Click here to see for yourself.


And coming soon.....a Heather Baily apron, a back to school outfit and some fabric envy.

I actually do still make stuff.

Yes, I really do still make things.

Big quilts even!

This beauty (if I may say so myself) was made for my sister in law, Erin. I had actually picked out the fruit fabrics (alexander henry) almost 2 years ago. I knew that I wanted to make a quilt with them and I knew that I wanted to make it for Erin...I just didn't know how.



Well, finally after two years of hoarding 1/2 a yard of each fabric, I broke down and started cutting. I had decided a simple 9 patch with one other fabric would be best.


But once each block was done I was concerned that the white sashing would just wash them out.
So I added a matching or contrasting boarder around each.

I think it turned out well.

And Erin thinks so too.
(which is all that really matters. )

Life and the whirling dervish

So yeah, still here.
In a kinda sorta way.

Things have been busy and so I don't bore you to tears, I'll keep the update short.

My girl turned 7! That in itself should be it's own post but since it happened about a month ago..... Miss Maisy is an official Big Girl with Pierced Ears. She's been so tickled pink with them that we even had to cut her hair short so that people could see them better.

I could talk for days about how I can't believe she's 7 and how terrifying it is that in just a short amount of time, she's going to be off and starting her own life. In so many ways I am so proud of her and the person she is becoming....I just hope that when she gets older she remembers that she "always wants me around. Everyday! and no trips!" (even though I haven't been on a trip in 2 plus years :)

And a week before the girl turned 7, the little dude turned 3 1/2! Jeeze louise, these kids are growing!

Other than the kids:

- I have a new job at work that is keeping me EXTRA busy with very little time for sewing or other things I enjoy.

- I discovered my sewing weakness....clothing patterns for me. Yes, I failed at my pattern a month plan because I really really really hate sewing clothes for myself. I am not a tiny petite flower and anytime I make something it requires a great deal of fabric. Sadly, I'm not confident enough in my skills to crap away all the time, money and fabric on something that only might turn out wearable.

-Going through a bunch of my Grandmother's things, I found a box of applique pieces already cut out. Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure how they go together and she passed away 17 years ago so I can't ask. That will probably be another post :)

- Things I want/ need to work on: Finish birthday present for my Sister in Law (it's going to be AWESOME), a scarf for one of my very best friend's soon to be wife, an apron for another sister in law, a sandwich holder for Amy, and Christmas quilts for the kids.

Geesh, I need to get working!!!

So what are you guys up to?

Are you still even there?

I'm probably too excited about this but...who cares!!

Because I made yarn hair!!!
Woo Hoo!
And it doesn't suck!
Double woo hoo!!

So if you are interested in dolls and yarn hair, go check out this tutorial. It was super easy and took the mystery out of it! yay!!!

Betcha' thought I forgot....

Nope! Didn't forget my February project, I was just out of town. Ha HA!

Okay, so February's Pattern was The Swing Bag by Amy Butler



Personal Review: Woo hoo

I like this bag. A lot. It's just about the perfect size and the handles fit just right. I do wish I had gone with my gut instinct and put in pockets. I hate having to dig for my cell phone every time and I really don't care about having a reversible purse.
Quickly finding cell phone... yes!
Turning my used bag inside out so people can see the cruddy inside...nooo.

Now if I could go back in time and put the pockets in I would also use the red polka dot fabric for the lining. Instead I was being cheap and only had a fat 1/8 of polka dot fabric so I used muslin. Normally that wouldn't matter so much but you can see inside the bag much more than a "regular" purse so it feels like it's really obvious.

What about the big bow? Well, I was also cheap when it came time to make that cute fabric bow. After I made the bag I was planning on buying more polka dot fabric for the bow but once I realized that it required 1 and 1/4 yards of fabric (!!!!) I decided that a little yo-yo was just as cute and significantly more economical.


Pattern Review: good
This was a fairly easy bag to sew. The directions weren't too difficult (or I've just learned to read AB's directions 4 to 5 times before I start to a project) and the end result is a very polished look.
What I could live with out are the gimmics. No need to be reversible- I'd prefer pockets. No giant bows - I'd rather spend $12 on something much more fun. And for the love of pete, just call the inside of the dang bag the lining and not the reversible side!! If it's truly reversible, THEY ARE BOTH THE REVERSABLE SIDE!!

All in all, I like it and will make this bag again. It really would lend itself to being patch worked and quilted quite nicely...which is probably what I'll do next. So hurrah! An Amy Butler Pattern I don't hate! Let's hope my luck holds out.....I've got a bunch more of them to sew.


The March Pattern is Simplicity 4111 by Built by Wendy

I'm really not so hot when it comes to clothes but I've had the fabric for this shirt for almost 2 years now. It's officially time to take the plunge. So cross your fingers that my pattern luck holds out!

So what are you working on??

lots of sewing all rolled into one

Man, oh man, there has been lots of sewing going on around here...

A Saturday spent bringing to life Maisy's creations - Totro and Heartgirl. A little sewing and liberal amounts of fabric glue = one happy girl.

This is my very first wall quilt. It's a simple, deconstructed version of the Color Wheel quilt by the gal at the Purl bee. It's simple but I like it and it does the job it was created for... covering a stupid hole in the wall.

These last two were a little bit of an obsession. I saw this link on Whip up and then HAD to make the tea pots that night!! I was so proud of myself for successfully piecing these and that they turned out cute. Also I managed to figure out (with my own brain!) how to make a pattern that worked for the matching tea cup and saucer.

Now... what do I do with them??

Thank goodness for deadlines

I did it!
I actually used my January Pattern.
Woo Hoo!

Okay here goes, first you should know that I'm one of those gals that clearly needs a plan or I'll just ramble on and on and on (gee, bet you had never noticed that). So from here on out whenever I'm talking about the monthly pattern project I'm going to put it into two categories - 1) Reviewing my own work and 2) Reviewing the pattern.

Alright, January 2009's pattern was Vintage Potluck by Favorite Things


Personal Review: I give it a Cute.

First things first, out of all the options, I only made the pot holder and a matching tea towel. This was because I was under a time constraint but also because I didn't want to make the apron (we'll talk about why later). For the fabrics I used, I chose to make it with an actual tea towel cut down to size and some vintage reproduction fabric. I also used the left over tea towel fabric as the inside of the pot holder because I didn't want to waste it.

The one thing that I wish I had done is use the yellow bias tape on the towel too. The matching bias tape would have made is look much nicer and a little less "home made". All in all, I think it turned out cute (my friend liked it) and I'll probably make this again. It's a nice quick gift that does look sweet when finished.

Pattern Review: I give it a Meh.

Basically this was one of those patterns that you get and then realize you didn't actually need the pattern. I mean, the wavy-ness of it is super cool and I probably couldn't have created as nice of results on my own. But the whole construction stuff was pretty simple. The one big outright complaint that I have is that there were not enough pictures. I need lots and lots of pictures in my patterns (and tutorials). Right when you think you may have crossed the line and become insulting with your use of pictures/ diagrams...well, that's were I'm happiest. I need the pictures for the "ah ha!" moment where it all falls together in my mind and I see how it all works. Otherwise I will simply curse your good name, get frustrated and possibly quit.

The other thing I didn't like was that there were no pattern pieces for the apron except for the bottom scalloped edge. They just gave the measurements of the fabrics to cut. I know, I know, it's not cost effective to create patterns for large rectangles but... and this is simply a personal issue but if I just paid $12 for your pattern, I should get all the pattern pieces.

I feel like this is a very simple beginner type pattern but since the directions weren't really easy to understand, I wouldn't recommend this to a first time sewer. But anyone with any experience sewing wouldn't really need the pattern so I wouldn't recommend it for them either.

Okay, this pattern reviewing thing is hard! I'm totally the kind of person who prefers to only say really, really nice things especially about small companies that are making a business for themselves. But I've also got to be honest so here it is.

February 2009's pattern is going to be The Swing Bag by Amy Butler.

Now it's your turn to dish! What have you been working on??

Christmas Re-Cap - take 2.

Okay, all previous bitching about the husband who screwed up my plans is now null & void. Especially since he was nice enough to help me! So here we go, round two of attempting to show of stuff I gave people for Christmas:

The first is a tree skirt I made for my mother-in-law. About a year ago, she gave me a whole bunch of her old fabric & patterns (argahhh!). In the boxes, we found some fabric that had been her mother's. Some of it had all ready been cut out in the shape of a tree skirt. So I just finished up that project.

I used that nifty printable fabric & made "gifts" with every one's names on them. Then I stitched them & a ribbon on using a zig zag stitch. I wanted to line & quilt it but then I realized it would be really hard to make any additions or changes to the family so I just trimmed the whole thing with bias tape & voila!
Another project that I'm pretty happy with is Arlo's Robot backpack!! This was made without a pattern, people!!!! Seriously, just stuff in my brain came up with this and it actually turned out cute!!
I also lined it & put in a magnetic snap!

Miss Bitty Baby got a last minute, Christmas Eve made present of a mattress, pillow & blanket. All I can say is thankgoodness I had some vintage reproduction hankies laying around that were the perfect size! And yes, Mrs. Claus actually got all the credit because she's the one who does all the sewing for Santa -- "not you, momma".

And here is Arlo's scrap quilt. A simple nine -patch that I just adore. It's sashed with flannel so it's extra cozy. The boy seemed pretty happy with it, his exact words were "alright! A blanket!".

All in all, I think Christmas went pretty darn well. I like making both of the kids quilts and probably will for the rest of their lives.To the naysayers that say "yeah, that's just what a 16 yr old wants for Christmas"...well, that just inspires me to make some freakin' awesome quilts that 16 yr olds WILL like! Ha!

So...what would be a freaking awesome quilt?
Personally, I'm trying to figure out how to re-create the Millennium Falcon.
What about you?

Project 2009 - Patterns, Patterns, Patterns!!!

Okay, so here's my dirty little secret... I like to buy patterns. I buy them on sale, with gift certificates and occasionally, if I just have to have it, full price. As dirty little secrets go, you're thinking "oh, that's not too bad", well, here's the bad part- I've never actually used any of these patterns. I collect them like trading cards. Things to simply look at and admire but not to really use and that's just darn wasteful.



For 2009 I have decided to end my wasteful ways! Each month I am going to make something from one of my 12 patterns (and yes, i have waaay more than 12 unused patterns but I'm just going to give myself a break and only tackle 12). I'm also, in the spirit of ending wasteful ways, going to attempt to use most of my fabric stash in this endeavor. Wish me luck! Here are the patterns in no particular order....

1. Vintage Potluck by Favorite Things 2. Simplicity 4111 by Built by Wendy

3. Simplicity 2921 by Funky Friends Factory 4. Midwest Mod Pillows by Amy Butler

5. The Swing Bag by Amy Butler 6. Madison Bag by Amy Butler

(um, yeah, can you tell someone went a little nutty over the Amy Butler Patterns?)

7. Nappy Bag by Amy Butler (ahem) 8. Granny Squares Quilt Pattern by Barbara Brandebury

9. Little Smarty Pants by Favorite Little Things 10. Dolly Dress- Up by Indygo Junction

11. Spot and Barney by Cotton Ginnys 12. Sister Smocks by Indygo Junction

13. Little Hip Skirts by Favorite Little Things

And yes, I know that I have 13 patterns listed but that's because The Dolly Dress - Up and Sister Smocks kind of go together & I'll probably make them for Maisy's birthday or Christmas depending on how smoothly things go.

January 2009's Pattern is:

Vintage Potluck by Favorite Things

So anyone else have some patterns they need to work on??

Any one else have this pattern & want to make it?

You can tell me, I promise not to laugh.

Or look at you in shock & disbelief like, um, someone I might know.

2008 in pictures or just call me unoriginal

So last night was a total bust. I attempted to upload pictures of christmas projects and Arlo's quilt to no avail. Actually, I'm quiet calm about it now but dang, if you had talked to me last night...you would have gotten an ear full without a child safe word in the bunch. But today is a new day and I'm not going to let the trials of blogging get me down. Today you will get some of my favorite pictures taken by Matt in 2008. Somedays it's good to be married to a photographer and well, when it's late at night & you're trying to figure out the new photo editing software because somebody got rid of the one you actually knew how to use, it's not so hot.


But today I am grateful because I have these:

I call this one "Life with a Photographer"

Too much sass for one child.

This is her "nice" pose.

A perplexing gift.

Watching Santa be rescued from the top of Weavers.

Yay, that gross carpet is no longer in my house!

For all of this and more, I am eternally and completely grateful.

Yep, this is pretty much how I feel.

So I've been meaning to write something here for...well, for a really long time. But you know, stuff happens and you fall asleep at 8pm.

But there will be new and exciting posts about all the stuff I made for christmas, my adventures in writing for a magazine and my very LARGE goal for next year (it's big. I got a "oooh" out of Lori when I told her).

Here's to a creative 2009.