I see a few blogger that I love to follow making {some already finished} their first quilts. So I wanted to show off my first quilt again, it's been a couple years since I last showed it off. I think it's due for another brag, ha ha.
I did this all myself. I didn't send it out to be quilted together by a professional, but rather I foolishly decided to do it myself. Piecing the quilt, LOVE IT {cutting and sewing all the strips and squares and border}. I was so proud and excited that I COULD DO IT! Then came the quilting part. I made my quilt "sandwich" and started that daunting quilting process. Much hair was pulled out and I thought I had RUINED my masterpiece! It was so hard. Even with a baby quilt, there is a lot of bulk to try to roll up and squish up and keep under control. And getting an even stitch? Forget it... I actually DREW my squiggles onto the quilt with a washable pen. I also made a fancy border and on the top wrote {stitched} the words "Oh What a Joy!" I never heard back from the couple who's baby I sent this to, but I did hear that they received it. Well, I hope they liked it. Such is my life.
And after that, I stayed away from quilting. Mainly because of that free motion thing. I made this back in 2006. So, I think it is maybe time to revisit the quilt thing again. I actually did purchase a pattern for a doll quilt recently. Ha ha, that can't be too much bulk to quilt now can it? Plus my mom has a huge free motion quilting apparatus that takes up nearly the length of her whole sewing room. So I guess in theory, I have no excuse.
Oh, and as for sewing on the binding {the final step}, that is my absolute favorite part of the process. I love sitting there working a slip stitch onto a quilt binding, or anything else for that matter.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The First {and so far Last} Quilt I've Made {photos are from a previous post}
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Skirt and Yard Sale Finds
Remember that corduroy I was talking about from JoAnn's that is now 50% off? Now you can see just how CUTE it is! Yes I finished another easy skirt.
And YES Ella is reading up a storm and just improving by leaps and bounds thanks to all of her practicing! Which is why I felt a book was an appropriate prop for this photo shoot. I am so proud of her.
For this skirt I followed the directions for the ribbon trim at the bottom. It too was quite easy and I think the result is really pretty.
And finally I found some worthwhile items at yard sales to actually post about! This is not everything, but does fit into one of my favorite categories - home decorating!
So first is this great candle sconce that fits in perfect with our decor and will go great in the upstairs hallway next to a lonely painting. I swore I saw this in one of those direct sales catalogs. Upon research, I don't think it is Southern Living. But perhaps is from the Taste of Home Entertaining line.
Next is quite a simple item really, just a small hurricane. The color and the bubbled glass are perfect with our decor. Don't know where I'll use it yet, but I'm happy I got it.
I've got the lovely Lightening McQueen fabric in the washing machine for pre-shrinking. So be on the lookout for that lovely shirt coming up soon. Unless I botch up my first attempt to make a collared shirt...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Boating Party
Monday the kids and I went to a social gathering which included a picnic, games and trips out on the Chain of Lakes on a boat. It was pretty laid back and gave me a chance to just be and not do so much.
I love how comfortable, yet safe, the kids are on a boat. They really enjoyed themselves. And YES, mom, they wore life jackets.
School Daze are Coming
So I saw the cutest cordouroy print at JoAnn's for 50% off today. And I bought some to make another skirt for Ella. Then later took the kids to Hob Lob and Miles instantly decided he loved some Lightening McQueen print fabric (gag) which he wants me to make up into a shirt for him. Should be interesting. Of course I'll post all the results.
At this rate, I won't have to buy many school clothes for the kids. :-P
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Easiest. Skirt. Ever.
Recently I found this tutorial for sewing up a child's skirt. This will take you less than an hour. Believe me. Unless, maybe, you've never sewn before. Just browse the directions and you will see what I mean.
So of course I had to make one for Ella for school. One less piece of clothing that needs to be purchased for the school year! I found this great fall fabric at my local quilt store Quiltplay, during the owner's 23% off birthday sale. It is by Moda from the 3 Sister's Peace on Earth Collection.
The tutorial calls for a ribbon border, but I used a strip of fabric folded in half lengthwise and sewn onto the hem. Not sure the origins of the fabric used for the trim.
When I found the accent fabric, I knew it was perfect. It took me a while, but as usual I don't stop looking until I find it. And I KNOW when I've found it. I'm so happy with this, I am planning to make another. And maybe another.
The only problem is that I overestimated the amount of fabric I need and now have somewhere less than a half yard left. My first thought is to make a headband to match. Any other accessorizing ideas?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Dom and Allen's Wedding
Here are some amazing photos my husband took of a wedding we attended for Dominique who went through the Teen Mother Choices program that I volunteer for, and her now husband Allen. It took place on July 26 in the early evening at Illinois State Beach Park. An outdoor ceremony right near the beach of Lake Michigan and an indoor reception. What a beautiful day! {Oh, and maybe you will notice the flower girl dresses that I made for the occasion!}
It's a Surprise!
On Saturday, we headed off to my parents' house for a little birthday luncheon. A light lunch with my family, including my brother and his girlfriend Kris. The sweetest part was the traditional pink iced angel food cake. My grandma made that same cake for birthdays when she was with us. It is so special that my mom makes it for us. Even more special was having my two best gifts ever help me blow out the 4 candles.
After the lunch we went to the local mega mall (Woodfield), located in the same town as my parents, per my request to do some back to school clothes shopping for the kids.
Little did I know that upon our return home, tons and tons of my friends and family would be packed into the dining room and kitchen to yell "SURPRISE!"
After the minor heart palpitations, I proceed to go around hugging everyone in the room.
EVERYONE.
I start talking to my friends and learned that Jason had put a LOT of planning into this! And that family and friends (real true blue and lovely friends) had put a lot of work in behind the scenes too. People such as for example: Hannah...
I saw this list of directions for everyone. They all pitched in and did so much for me.
And Jason's main missions (and all the minor ones too) were accomplished. 1- to show me (again) how much he loves me and 2- to show me how many of my friends truly love me. I wish I had pics of everyone there, but I don't. But here are some:
People seemed to have a good time. I just wish I could have talked to everyone more.
The food was catered by an Iraqi couple that we met this summer. Yummy Middle Eastern food. The cake was my favorite: Tres Leches Cake and decorated so beautifully. And yes this one has FORTY candles! Friends Patrick and Christy brought a large bouquet of YELLOW roses (my favorite color). Jason had arranged baby sitters too, so people were able to relax more and the kids had fun.
It was so wonderful to see SO MANY friends from so many areas of my life. And it was so neat to see people meeting each other for the first time and really getting along.
And I really can't believe how well Jason pulled this off. He really worked hard on all the planning. I really felt loved that day!
He also thought hard on a present (as if this wasn't enough). It was kind of unexpected because I hadn't talked about it for a while, but he got me a guitar! (no, I don't know how to play, but I did take lessons as a kid and would love to learn how to play enough to be able to sing songs around a campfire or just within a small group).
I couldn't have asked for a better party or a better group of friends/family/husband!
Today we are both exhausted! We went to a wedding Sunday evening and still have a lot of cleaning up to do.
Tomorrow: pics from the wedding...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thank-you Pottery Barn
I used to love the Pottery Barn style and loosely based my decorating on it. Well maybe more than loosely. Then, lately they style in the PB catalogs have been along the lines of more modern, maybe slightly industrial. While I do really like that modern clean style (though not really the industrial one), it wasn't me and I was wondering if I my decorating was becoming to "out of it". But this month when I opened my August PB catalog, I was shocked. I was drawn into the decor. It was so me. A mix of rustic, sophisticated, Mediterranean, with earthy autumnal tones with a touch of modern art. So me. The rooms made me feel so comfortable and at home! This is on PB catalog that will not be recycled anytime soon. Here, let me show you some examples.
I guess we could start with reality. One thing we have in our house, which I've heard is "out" is wood stained trim. Now it is not as rustic and chunky as this, which would be great. But nonetheless, it is stained, not painted white. And I always preferred this to white. So it is nice to see it in some of these PB rooms.
This is a dining room that I could feel right at home in. Understated furniture, a little rustic, neutral paint and sophisticated, yet not too fancy accessories.
What I really liked in this family room was the faux finished walls. To me this looks kind of Mediterranean/Napa. Very inviting and comfortable.
Here I love the natural light, chair rail and wainscoting, along with a sleigh bed and a touch of country in the quilt with the wonderful autumn colors.
Love this bathroom. So far away from the typical clean, industrial, modern look they have had a lot of lately. This feels comfortable and relaxing to me! Again, love the faux finish on the walls.
Another nice bed. Simple and elegant. Bright yet accented with lovely fall colors.
More rustic...
Ah, to have such a project room, with the brick wall!
Speaking of brick walls...
OK, maybe not in my lifetime, but a great style to see at a vacation destination maybe. I LOVE the brick wall. Did I say that already.
There are many more examples of styles in this catalog that I love. Hope you get your PB catalog and enjoy it as much I am!
