For Miss Charlotte

This past weekend was pure bliss in my studio. It's been so long since I've completed a quilt and I was finally able to make that happen. I found this fabulous pattern for a log cabin quilt in the January 2011 Martha Stewart Living and I've been wanting to make it since I first laid eyes on it. The entire front of the quilt is one large log cabin block. So I just had to make it for a dear friend's daughter Charlotte who just celebrated her first birthday. And don't you just love Amy Butler's Love fabric collection in this pattern? I've had fat quarters of each colorway since it first came out and I've been waiting to use it until I found the perfect quilt.

Sweet Little Mushrooms

With the help of my mom, I made these adorable pants for our Little Man. I love how they are reversible! I combined two patterns to make them. I used the pattern from Lotta Jansdotter's "Simple Pants" pattern from her book Simple Sewing for Babies, but I chose the style from Anna Maria Horner's "Quick Change Trousers" from her book Handmade Beginnings. I've never sewn clothes before so it was easier to use Lotta's pattern versus Anna's.

Around the House Saturdays: In the Studio Edition

It has finally begun...nesting. The baby bump is getting bigger (I'm at 18 1/2 weeks now) and I've finally begun sewing the many projects that I have compiled for this little one.


Of course this first project is more for Mommy, but still, it's something I wouldn't make if we weren't expecting...so it's kind of for Baby, right?


And obviously this project had to be the hardest and most tedious project I've ever made, which explains why it took me 2 1/2 weeks to make. A little bit here... A little bit there... A phone call to my Mom to help me figure out what steps "a" through "h" mean... and Voila! You get the "Everything Bag" from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones.


Never in my life have I worked with some of the supplies needed for this bag. Fusible fleece. Elastic. Peltex? Who ever heard of Peltex? It was definitely a challenge (a 4 out of 5 for difficulty, according to the sewing goddess herself), but it was well worth it.

I absolutely adore how this bag doesn't look like a traditional diaper bag. Instead, it's a cute tote that I can carry around with baby stuff inside, but still look cute and fashionable. Thank you Amy Butler. Although your patterns are quite intimidating sometimes, it's well worth it to stick at it and complete the project.


Now don't think I've left my Hubby out or that I'm going to make him carry this bag around town when he takes Baby from place to place. I plan on making the "Dad Bag" from Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings for him. He's super excited about it and I am, too. Of course, it's a pattern that once again looks intimidating as all get out, but I think if I could make my bag, I can make just about anything now... Unless it involves triangles... Triangles just know how to erk my nerves the right way to make me want to quit a project within 2 seconds...

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day weekend and doesn't get too sunburned at those cook-outs and pool parties. I know I'll be lathering up a bit more this time and making sure I don't miss any spots like I did last weekend.

Black and White and Red All Over

Back in February I was asked by my wonderful grandma (whom I call Nanny) to make a purse for my Aunt Sally like the one I made her for Christmas. Nanny told me that Sally loves hers so much and so she thought it would be perfect for me to make one for Sally for her birthday (partly so Sally can enjoy one for herself and so she can stop oogling over hers). So this past weekend, I finally got a chance to put it together...


It's the "Taxi Tote" from Anna Maria Horner's Seams to Me and it's so much fun to make. Because my aunt loves black and white with hints of red, I decided to create a fabric flower that would add some pop and pizazz to the purse.


I found a cute little red button from my vintage button collection that worked perfectly with this purse.


I think it turned out really beautiful and I can't wait to see her reaction.

It Truly Is Buttery

I recently purchased this happy bundle of beautiful fabric.
And Anna Maria Horner, I must say, buttery is the perfect word for how Little Folks feels. I just want to make the biggest quilt ever and roll around in it. It's absolutely soft and dreamy. Now to figure out what in the world to do with it...
Anyone have any ideas?

Wittle Bunnies

I found this fabulous tutorial for repurposing men's wear into fun sewing projects and just had to make these darling bunnies...just in time for Easter.


Instead of using men's wear, I used a pair of pants that I didn't wear anymore. The pastel stripes were absolutely perfect for this adorable trio of bunnies.


I used some of my Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassat fabric scraps for the inside of the ears.


You may be wondering, why make three bunnies? Well, I've begun somewhat of a new tradition for the Mommies in my life. Last year I made one of these for my Mom and decided I needed to make another bunny for her this year, so I made one of these. And since my Mom and my Mother-in-law will both be in town for Easter this year, I thought it would be perfect to make one for each of them. Now you're probably thinking, "Well you explained why you made two bunnies...but why three?"


Well...the third is for a certain little one who will call me Mommy in 7 months. That's right folks, the Hubby and I are going to have a baby! Now, this little one won't be able to enjoy their little bunny until October, but it will be sweetly waiting for our little one's arrival, as are we!

Timber

Went to Clementine's this weekend and discovered some new fabric that had graced her shelves' presence. *Sigh*


Here's what I added to my stash. It's actually for my quilt for A Notion or Two. My month isn't until August, but I just had to get this. The colors are exactly what I was looking for! It's like Cami read my mind when she added these to the shop.


The stack is a combination of Timber by Jessica Levitt and some Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey. I'm going for something with a beach-like color scheme and this combo is absolutely perfect. As you can see here, even my Hubby was excited about these fabrics. Not gonna lie, I love it when he goes fabric shopping with me because he really does have great taste.

C'mon Get Happy

Bowling.

Fabric.

Icecream.

Happy.

Around the House Saturdays: Home Studio Edition

I'm so excited to share my new creative space with everyone. It's actually the same place, I've just given it a bit of a face-lift and added a great piece of furniture made my by Hubby. I've been wanting a work station with lots of work space and storage, and Dustin has definitely made my wishes come true.
Now I must share that finding the perfect spot for this beast of a table was not the easiest feat. Apparently planning the layout of a room in your head doesn't seem to work so well when the room in your head is larger than the actual room you have to work with. (I don't even know if that phrase made sense).
Anywho, after five different ideas and an almost melt down, the Hubby and I finally figured out how everything could work in harmony in my little space. It works perfectly under my uber-organizer.


My Hubby also made this fantastic little shelf that sits wonderfully on top of the table. It was one of his "I-was-bored-and-wanted-to-play-in-my-shop" projects. It just so happened to be a perfect notion/accessory shelf for my studio. Funny how things work out that way.
Buttons anyone? No, you're eyes are not playing tricks on you. That is a one gallon jar of vintage buttons.
In order to make the shelves durable and of course cute for the station, I found this fabulous vintage-style strawberry printed oilcloth from this great oilcloth seller. I love the pop of color it adds to the bright white. I haven't covered the top yet, because I'm eventually going to cover the top with cutting mats.

On to the rest of the studio...
Here's what I like to call "The Machines." Dun-dun-DUUUN. Ok, it's not that dramatic. It just so happened that my computer and sewing machine ended up in the same corner and they're both machines.
Every studio must have adorable pin cushions. My most fabulous Mom made both of them for me. You can find the turtle here.
My ever-growing stash of fabric-happiness.

So there ya have it folks. Hope you have a fun and creative weekend!

A Notion or Two September, October, November, & December Blocks

So...it's January 2010 and I was just able to finish the remaining four blocks for A Notion or Two this past weekend. I know. I'm such a slacker, but you gotta understand that the last four months of 2009 zoomed by so fast I felt like I blinked and it was 2010. But enough of my excuses...

Without further ado...Here are the remaining blocks for the 2009 A Notion or Two Virtual Quilting Bee...

September's block for Lolly:

October's block for Amber:

November's block for Allyn:

December's block for Dana:

I had such a great time being a part of my first Quilting Bee ever and can't wait to get started with this year's!