November Update

Whoops! I forgot I had a blog, I guess it's time for an update, haha.

Well, things are pretty good around here. Amelia will be 7 weeks old tomorrow! Wow, time flies.

She's about 9 pounds now & learning new things every day. Tomorrow she'll meet her Auntie Veronica and 3 of her cousins for the first time, we can't wait.

I haven't had much time to sew or knit, but I did start an afghan a few weeks ago (thanks to Trisha). Here's how it's looking...

I'm actually a bit farther along than this, but I don't have a new picture. It's practically dark here right now so there's no point trying now. (There's snow on the ground too!) The free pattern for the afghan is here. I decided to go crazy and try a different color scheme, I think I like it so far. And here's Trisha's version, so pretty. I try to knit a row every night or so. At this rate I could finish by the time Amelia starts school.

Though I haven't been sewing much, I did make it out to a quilt show this weekend (thanks to a very proud daddy who pushed the stroller and chatted with all the nice ladies at the show who wanted to know all about the baby). I picked up a few treasures.

These toasters will make a great coupon organizer some day.

And what about these retro prints? I bought them with coupon organizers in mind, but I may have to keep a little for myself. :)

Miss Amelia will enjoy this alphabet panel & matching print. The panel is narrow so I can either make it a wall hanging as is, or add to the sides and make a quilt. Maybe I'll decide by the time I get to this project.

And here's a little something for me. You can't tell from the pattern but these fabrics will make an adorable snowman wall hanging. They had a sample made up at the show and I was hooked by the red & aqua. It'll be great in my dining room some day.

I guess that's my update. Hopefully as Amelia grows, I'll find more time to blog and sew. Have a great Thanksgiving in the mean time!

It's a Baby!

Our 20 week ultrasound went well yesterday, everything seems to be progressing fine and I am gaining just the right amount of weight (which is amazing considering my appetite!).

Here's one of the piccies they gave us. We got a whole cd of baby pictures to take home, haha. Can you see the baby's little face?

I guess you're wondering what the sex is, huh? I'll give you a hint....

I bought this adorable knitting pattern on Etsy last night from BEKAHknits. She sent it really fast too, I love that! Check this one out, omg!

So, yeah, it's a GIRL!!!

Of course, I already had fabric lines picked out either way. We'll be going with Dolly Dresses from Lakehouse. This is just a few of them. 

There are also polka dots, gingham, elephants and more colors too (periwinkle blue and grass green *sigh*). I think it'd be fun to paint the room grass green...that way it'll work for anyone once we get around to a second baby (I know, I'm a planner, I can't help it). Girly but not too frilly. You like?

Now, I gotta go shopping......

Hope Valley and More

Before I get into even more new fabric, I thought I'd share a couple things I made with that cool Hope Valley fabric from my last post. I haven't been sharing a lot of sewing projects lately...

Of course, I made a coupon organizer. That goes without saying these days.

(Shameless Plug: Don't forget you can make your own coupon organizer with my sewing pattern.)

And while I was cutting out the organizer, I decided to go ahead and make a bag too.

 I've got a little bit of this fabric left, what do you think I should make next?

And just so I don't leave you wondering. Trisha and I (and her awesome kids!) went to Keepsake Cottage Fabrics the other day and she made me get these:

A few prints from Moda's Whimsy collection. I've been anxiously awaiting these (and hoping I'd manage to get pregnant while they're around, hehe) for ages. They're every bit as gorgeous in person. I'm very impressed with myself, only getting these little bits...for now. I've already got a couple projects in the works with my little bit of Whimsy.

A little tribute to Seattle landed in my bag as well.  Rainy Days and Mondays by Melimba & Beccabury. Isn't this adorable!?!

I can't really blame Trisha for my fabric weaknesses, she was just encouraging me really.

Dining Room Conundrum

Not too long ago I came across a great display of this collection in a (somewhat) local quilt shop. If I hadn't seen these in person, I may not have taken notice. But I'm telling you, up close, they are divine. I got some bits and brought them home to show Nick. As usual, he was really interested. Ahem, okay, maybe interested isn't the right word, but he did like what I got. haha Anyway, I thought some of these prints would look great as curtains in our dining and living room so I set about acquiring the right amounts.

Here's what the dining room looked like when we bought the house. It's still about the same, minus the weird Japanese sliding doors & window covers and the useless doorway to the kitchen. It's nice and open to the hallway and living room now. I think it's time to decorate!

These are the fabrics I'm using for the curtains. The red will be the majority with the bottom, say 18", in the grey. We currently have an oak dining set (hand me down, but nice enough) with khaki shabby chic seat covers. I figured these two fabrics would blend nicely with what we have and add something to the space

Now for the conundrum...

This is the paint color we chose. It's sort of mushroom and would likely change with the light (or lack of) in the room. It's nice, it's neutral...and now I'm afraid it might be boring too. I don't know why I'm so afraid of color! Actually, I was pretty happy with it until I made this...

Now I want to paint the room aqua. Is that wrong? I think it would be fine with the chair covers and even better with the curtains. Nick and I were just sitting at the dining room table, eating some cake, when I noticed these are the exact colors of my place mats, and what I did for my wedding! (And Nick wasn't sure about aqua, red and brown together!!!! Such a man.)

Anyway, what do you guys think about a watered down version of a shade of aqua for the walls in my dining room? Can you see it?

Insert helpful replies here:

p.s. I mean a very muted, on the grey side, aqua. Not AQUA!!!

Over the Weekend

This weekend I headed south to the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival in Puyallup (Nick even went with me!!). It's not the biggest show on earth, but it was a nice diversion and I did pick up a few bits of fabric. Are you surprised? haha That Japanese one on the bottom has already been turned into my new knitting bag.

Do you like it? I was way overcharged for the fabric so I thought I'd better make something for myself for a change. I made the handles extra long so I can wear it with a coat when I walk to my knitting class.

I also got this cool Washington Oregon tea towel. I think I'll stitch some borders on and quilt it. This will look nice in our family room area downstairs.

I also picked up some of what I call "filler fabric". These will be great for coupon organizers. The top one has already been cut to be an organizer.

And here's the update on my socks:

I've gotten to the heel flap now. There's a "design element at the bottom of the flap, but who's gonna know?

Now I'm off to paint the kitchen!! Yes, it's moving along nice and quick. The oven will be delivered tomorrow. All but one cabinet is built. There is a Thanksgiving!

This is how it looks right now. No soffits, no doorway...excellent!

I hope you aren't shocked by the colors we chose. Let's just say, "cheerful".
Here's a clue.

Happy Accidents

Last weekend, Nick and I went to Country Village for some lunch. I needed to get some yellow polka dot fabric that I knew they had at Keepsake Cottage. Totally by accident, I walked out with these fabrics that look great together!

Uh oh! It happened again yesterday! For realz, I didn't plan it, I just picked stuff that matches, haha. I got these at The Quilt Barn in Pulallup, it was quite a nice little shop.

Now, what should I make with these beauties?

Ode to Chicken Girl

Hey, do you guys know Chicken Girl, aka Jannie Ho? She's a super duper illustrator of children's books & other fun things and I'm a huge fan (remember this post?). About a week ago I was checking out her blog and saw that she's got some new rubber stamps available from i {heart} papers. Hooray!

One week later, and I've got a set in my hot little hands. Aren't they the cutest?!

This little squirrel is my favorite.

I whipped up a little tag to show you my sweet stamping skills.

If you want to know more about Chicken Girl, check out these fine sites:

• Jannie Ho Illustration & Design
• Chicken Girl's Blog
• Chicken Girl's Rubber Stamps
• Chicken Girl's Photos on Flickr
  

Oh yeah, and here's some really cute corduroy I picked up at JoAnn this morning. Fall is coming!

Inspiration and Perspiration

Well, today started my last full week living in California, and none too soon. It's blazing hot here! Get me outta here already. I can't wait to head north next week and to begin my real life with Nick. For the past 3 years we've been living a very temporary existence & this move is going to really change that. We're really looking forward to owning a home and (fingers crossed) starting a family. My house is full of boxes, my kitties are nervous and my brain is on overdrive. It's pretty fun.

I can't wait to decorate the new house.

These are the fabrics that will inspire my new sewing room. What do you think?

Goings On

Last night I made my fist ever roast chicken, this is a big deal. Why? Because I have an unnatural aversion to meat. I do not like touching raw meat (Nick had to tie the legs together for me, I just couldn't do it - even with gloves!), I don't even like to eat cooked meat very much. I'm weird, okay? Anyway, I did it and it was good. I think Nick was very pleased and his Mum is probably shocked reading this (Hi Maddy). haha

The picture is a little weird because it was night time, but I had to take one.

I picked up a great magazine yesterday . It's from Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. There are pages & pages of resources in there. It's really cool, check it out at your local book shop...



This week I found some great fabrics for a Christmas present I have planned. I'm not saying what it is, just showing you the fabric. Cute, no?

More Mary Engelbreit. I guess I'm on an ME kick right now. Usually her stuff is too "cute" for me.


And, I finished a new quilt! Yay!!! I've already listed it in my shop and have it ready for a market debut next week.

I hope to get another one made before Thursday, I think I can, I think I can. Here's to a productive and fun weekend for all.

Just Sharing

Last night I spent the evening in San Francisco while Nick was in a staff meeting. I thought it'd be nice to go into town with him and get myself out of the house. I suffer from cabin fever almost every week. I had a nice time walking around, just taking my time. I saw some things I want. Like some of this and maybe one of these.

I didn't really buy anything except this very cool fabric. It reminds me of England for some reason. Maybe it's the color? Or the retro-ness of it. I don't know, but I like it. Hopefully next week my shop we'll see some of it in the form of totes and zipper pouches.


Oh! And I have to mention another recent purchase. I popped by Jenn's shop to see the new bookmarks and couldn't stop myself from finally getting myself one of her Sew Sew Monkey totes and a couple bookmarks too. (The bookmarks are supposed to be gifts but we'll have to see about that. )

Jenn does such a great job with everything, I'm so excited when I get a package from her. Thanks Jenn, I'm so pleased with everything.

On My Market Table ... The Extended Version

I had a farmer's market yesterday. It was 100 degrees when I left at 1:30. I thought I was going to pass out. Luckily I had an iced coffee and a gallon of water. Phew! Heat is not my favorite.

Last weekend, when we stayed at my friend Larry's house, I found this wonderful surprise waiting for me. Larry's wife Janace works for Stampin' Up. She saw this set in the catalog and somehow knew that I would like it. Yep, she was right. Whenever I go to their house I look through that catalog about 4 times. I love that stuff and I'm not a scrapbooker. Wait till you see what I ordered, teehee. (Thanks Janace!)

And when we got home I found 3 boxes waiting for me. One was this lovely little travel pillow that Jenn recommended.

It's so pretty, isn't it? I love the colors and the lavender scent is so yummy. I got it from Mireio on Etsy. She's got some more pillows in her shop if you're interested. I'll be using mine on the 11 hour flight to London in a few weeks.

If you're wondering what was in the other two boxes, umm, it was fabric. Surprise! I know, I know, it's an addiction. I haven't taken any photos yet, but I did use some.

I'll be able to add a new quilt to the shop soon.

Knee Deep or Hip High

My business taxes are due next week so that's what I'm working on right now. I haven't been the best at paperwork lately which is weird for a supposedly organized person. I'm still blaming any lack of organization on leaving my job at Disneyland. Two years later, I'm still rebelling. (I miss it desperately. The park, not the job.)

Here's what's upstairs calling my name, pushing me to get my homework done.


A little Katie Jump Rope and Park Slope. Purchased from a new shop on Etsy called Sew Love Fabrics. I want this too. For some reason I'm remembering the linen closet of my youth, hmmm.


Here's my latest "use what you have" project. I'm working on a new reversible quilted backpack design. I have lots of this fabric left over from a custom quilt I did at Christmas time. It's all cut out and now being quilted. If I like it, I'll make more and add the design to my future pattern list.

Thank goodness for having kitties underfoot. Always inspirational. Now, I have to get to work. Have a great day!

Heather Bailey Does It Again

Well, she's about to anyway. I may be sooo 5 minutes ago with this post but have you guys seen Heather Bailey's new fabric collections? They'll be hitting the stores any minute. I know a lot of you probably read her blog, HELLO my name is Heather. It's fun just to look at it, what with all the gorgeous pictures (she takes them herself...wow!), and her writing is fantastic too.

Image ©Heather Bailey used by permission

Anyway, if you haven't heard about Heather's new lines, Pop Garden & bijoux, you better rush on over & check out this beautiful slideshow and see for yourself (be sure to turn up the volume on your computer so you can hear the great song that goes with the show).

I cannot wait to get my hands on these fabrics. I'm currently stalking my favorite online shops in great anticipation.

THIS JUST IN: Heather's online shop will open on August 12, 2008. She's offering 10% off pre-sale orders. Go check it out. I'm all over this.

Some New Things

I am slowly trying to get things made and listed in my shop though my hands haven't improved at all. I can still sew as long as I don't do any one task for too long. Mass amounts of rotary cutting have proven very painful. Anyway, I've managed to get a few things made from that cool monkey fabric I picked up last week.


I'm pleased with each of the monkey bags and hope to come up with some more later in the week. I've got some custom items to get made first.



I also started listing my new mini wallets. I hope to add the pattern for this design to the shop at some point too. And if you're wondering about the shopper tote pattern, it's coming along slowly. It takes quite a long time to get a sewing pattern laid out and written, and my hands don't enjoy spending much time on the computer. I'll get there, some day. It's amazing how little you can do when your hands are out of commission. It's very hard for me, being one of those people who can't sit still.

I'm just going to go watch my morning dose of Little House while coveting my new fabrics. I can dream, can't I?

Oh! And remember to stop by Jenn's blog today and wish her a Happy Birthday! She's 29 again and giving something away too.

A Great Wednesday

That's all I'm saying.