darling day

2009-08-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

A.M. sewing

(I'm still here!) This morning I got up when my husband's alarm went off at 4:00am and couldn't go back to sleep. Our house is pretty empty, but I've been itching to sew, so I set up a little area in our den and got to work...

I've been totally infatuated with string quilts for a little while now, and about month ago bought some freezer paper and tried to cut some 10" squares. I immediately realized I hate freezer paper and figured string quilts were not for me. After collecting some more pretty fabrics I decided to try again-but with muslin backing. I much prefer piecing with muslin! Only about 20 or so more blocks to go (unless I decide it's going to have a border). Also, I cleaned out my sewing machine pretty well, and it seems to have helped the tension, but I haven't thrown a quilt under it just yet. I'm still a little nervous.

I think string quilts are my current favorite. I'd really like to keep this one for myself, but I am already thinking of other color combinations. I'd love to do a really colorful one like this one!

2009-07-31T09:34:00.000-07:00

Rachel over at P.S. I Quilt is giving away a $50 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop! Which reminds me, I need to make a public apoplogy to Donna who is so patiently awaiting the prize she won on my blog-I still haven't made it to the post office! So sorry, Donna :(

Anyways, hop on over to Rachel's blog and enter already. She's had over 1000 people enter so far! Wow people love some fabric!

2009-07-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

Breaking the rules...in so many ways

I'm sorry this week has been so boring. I'm falling behind in everything. We are moving out of our house (and eventually the country) so we're having a HUGE yard sale this Saturday and selling most of our belongings. It has been overwhelming to say the least.

The good news is, hubs let me gave me a birthday present in advance (almost a month!)...which explains why I'm posting these lovely fabrics. I'm building up my stash and I'm 100% sure we won't be able to get these where we're moving. So, to keep my blog interesting (since i haven't been sewing this week) here is my Sunday stash in advance :)

I also want to give a shout-out to Fabricpalooza and MaterialGirlShoppe on Etsy.

That's where I bought all this awesome fabric!

The Anna Maria Horner stack (the brown, ice, and rose petals were all $4-4.5/yard!)

2009-07-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

Quilting Q's

This post was inspired by my friend Julia in Chicagoland and her friend Jen! I will be sharing more links later to favorite quilting tutorials and resources, but let's just touch on the basics today.

I haven't been quilting or sewing long. In fact, Julia gave me my first sewing lesson a couple of years ago! She also introduced me to designer fabric, specifically Amy Butler. I am forever indebted to her. My new dream (anyone know how to help me realize it) is to become a fabric designer. Sewing is fun, but I enjoy it so much more with beautiful fabrics. You have no idea I am seriously considering design school one day...

Anyways, here are the things you'll need if you are starting out:

large spools of thread for quilting. You use a TON.

this is a peek at my sewing accessories

(you'll need extra needles as well)

a rotary mat, rotary cutter (I love the 60mm one, but 45mm does the job!)

scissors, and RULERS! You need a couple of good sizes, 6 x 18 is a must!

quilting feet-a walking foot, 1/4 foot, and darning/monograming foot

binding clips

curved safety pins

These things are essential for quilting. I would use a Joann's coupon or a Michael's 40% coupon each week until I collected all of it! It can add up fast.

So those are the things you need to get started and beautiful fabric of course!

NOW, because I think it would be redundant (and I wouldn't do a very good job) I wanted to let you know you should check out this quilt along for a step-by-step guide to making your first quilt! Elizabeth does an AMAZING job detailing the process. The only things I do differently are: I do not iron seams open, and I used Crazy Mom Quilts's binding tutorial for making and attaching my binding.

Let me know if you have any questions! I'm going to work on getting a list of my favorite tutorials and where I buy my fabric :)

2009-07-25T03:42:00.000-07:00

Recent additions to my fabric stash!

So I haven't purchased any fabric in some time, but I sold something for the move and my husband (who is the biggest supporter of my sewing hobby) suggested I use the money to purchase some fabric since I've been sewing up a storm to prepare for Christmas. Isn't he a darling?! Well, I couldn't resist and had been wanting to check out a quilt store about 45 minutes from my house and I was so incredibly excited when I happened upon some awesome deals! I found some 1974 by Urban Chiks and Sandi Henderson prints (Ginger blossoms yay!). Now I am trying to decide if I should purchase a charm pack of 1974...I really want some more. I would make a quilt out of it to keep.

Now, I am not usually a Debbie Downer, but...

Let me tell you why I hate my sewing machine right now.

Is it normal (I haven't been sewing very long) for a sewing machine to lose tension constantly?!!?!?!? What I mean is, the tension will be perfect, I am not speeding up my sewing at all and then all of the sudden it is off! I adjust it of course and two seconds later it happens again! This is about to drive me BONKERS. I have been quilting and this has happened so much I've taken my quilt off the machine and been working on smaller projects for now. I am CONSTANTLY messing with the tension on my machine. Does that mean it needs an adjustment? I have a pretty cheap machine. If I were to save up for a super nice machine (has to be able to have an electrical range of 110-220v) can anyone recommend one?!

In other news, have I shared this quilt with you before?

So this is a quilt I made for my son-

and no, I still haven't sewn the binding to the back.

I am such a procrastinator. I'm saving it for a long car trip.(note: blind hem stitch. Don't think I'll be attempting that machine stich again)

I am pretty overwhelmed right now. I'm trying to finish quilts for sisters and moms,

work on a few family projects (okay, really none of them are started) to keep, and and and sewing projects for friends who are having babies (showers!).

This is a pillowcase I made this morning... to match my son's quilt. I was awake at 4:30am and could not sleep. Why not sew?!

it was dark this morning when I was up working

sorry I didn't adjust the pictures above.

Also, I just want to thank all of you who read my blog and also those of you who even take the time to comment and encourage me.I cannot tell you how much that blesses my day! I have been trying to check out all of your blogs and so many of you are such awesome quilters. I am truly in awe of your creations! Thanks for taking the time to give me tips, trips, and invite me into your world. I know I need to update my craft links list on the left side.

If you'd like me to add your crafty blog, please let me know!

2009-07-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

It was brought to my attention that the measurements are tough to find on the website I referenced.

Click here to get the measurements of Film in the Fridge's Daisy Chain quilt.

Anyone out there new to quilting? I know my friend, Julia had a couple of questions and I'd love to share what little I know in an upcoming post. Let me know if you have any questions for me and I'll try and address it if I have an answer :)

2009-07-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

Alright, so this is a quilt top I made for someone very very special to me and I can't wait to give it to her at Christmas! She even sent me the beautiful fabrics I used to make the quilt as a surprise one day (fr no particular reason they showed up on my doorstep!) My only problem is, I've never quilted anything this big! I am sooo nervous and debating on whether I should pay someone to do it for me....

Any tips? I have a basic brother pc-210...It can't handle stippling (or at least I can't-the tension is all messed up when I try) so any other tips would be great. Has anyone tried Crazy Mom Quilt's quilting method with painter's tape? I am most interested in this right now but don't have that much confidence in myself and don't want to mess it up!

I got the pattern from film in the fridge.

It only took me a day to cut, peice, and sew the top! It was super easy and would make a great beginner quilt for anyone looking to give quilting a try-the only thing is, it's massive compared to the other quilts I've made! I think it may be a good twin size :) My husband is 6'2 and he's holding it above his head in this picture. I stole FIF's idea and always have him hold my quilts outside for good pics. He's such a good sport.

2009-07-20T12:44:00.001-07:00

Congratulations Donna!

I'll be contacting you to get your info so I can send you your prize. Thanks for playing ladies! I hope to post another giveaway in the future :) I used Random.org to get my number (5) but you'll have to take my word for it because I'm too lazy to do a screenshot. I also had to take into account duplicate comments and my own admission.

Thanks for the suggestions of the header pic. I'm going to try the apples for a little while...

2009-07-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

Messing around with the blog....

Thanks for being patient with me as I worked out the kinks with my blog background. I'm not sure I'm please with the header, but I needed something very different than the pink. Craft Chica asked where I get my backgrounds, well I would love to share that I am a fan of Shabby Blogs and Aqua Poppy Designs. I do some stuff myself when I'm willing to take the time, but I don't have a design program for my mac so I just use a scrapbooking program called scrapblog. My friend Beth told me all about it (thanks Beth!). You can actually make your own backgrounds if you are interested by using a free scrapbooking program. I haven't attempted this yet. The directions are on Shabby Blogs.

So, I need some help. Do you like the ribbon header or do you think I should use the picture in this post. Who knows I'll probably change my mind a week from now and start form scratch. My favorite blog settup is The Sometimes Crafter. I like the simplicty of hers and Everyday Beautiful's site (with a dash of personalization!).

2009-07-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday Stash

Right now there is only one quilt I am planning for just my family (most of the quilts are Christmas gifts). It hasn't been made yet, but when I do it will be fabrics form Katie Jump Rope, Denyse Shmidt's latest (until this fall perhaps) release. I can't wait for her next collection.

2009-07-18T16:45:00.000-07:00

I hope you'll forgive me again. I'm trying to make the blog three column but it's been a while since I've tinkered with html. I'll have it looking decent soon...promise :)

2009-07-18T07:05:00.000-07:00

Finished projects

Today we have a pretty full day ahead of us (my husband and I are going to see Harry Potter with some friends!!!). I wisely decided to use baby's nap time to finishing up some sewing projects I'm embarrassed to have had laying around for so long. I was inspired by Red Pepper Quilt's latest blog post of how to secure binding by the stich-in-the-ditch method. My first attempt was a disaster, but the second try I finished the baby quilt above (my first ever quilt-I came up with the pattern so go easy on me).

Julia, there is a special post coming to answer your (and your friend Jen's) questions. Until then I would check out Elizabeth's blog. She has a great quilt along posted which will answer tons of your questions!

here are a few other almost finished projects-coffee sleeves and a pot holder

I had to share this picture. My son just started eating bananas out of this contraption. He loves them when I feed them to him, but he hasn't quite figured out how to get them in his mouth by himself.

2009-07-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

I hope you aren't annoyed I keep messing with the background. I am tired of the pink and therefore uninspired to post! I am oh so fickle.

2009-07-14T17:31:00.000-07:00

Speaking of paper goods...

It's my first giveaway!

My friend Stephanie has a paper goods Etsy shop that also sells very cute quilted things. I won some of her creations at an auction at our church and was splitting up most of it as gifts (Oh, I had to keep the quilted list taker-I make lists of lists I need to make!) and I thought the rest would be great in a giveaway to promote her shop and share some fun stuff!

If you'd like to enter, simply leave a comment with your blog or email and let me know who your favorite fabric designer or favorite fabric combinations. My birthday is coming up and I think I am going to ask Hubs for some more Katie Jump Rope and Anna Maria Horner (don't have any of that loveliness yet!)

Well, sorry for procrastinating on the blog front! I am going to start a new project tonight!

Also, let's say the giveaway ends Sunday nightish. I'll do a drawing Mondayish morning? What do ya say?

2009-07-11T05:19:00.000-07:00

Paper Crafts

I LOVE paper crafts. I also love shrinky dinks. If you've never used shrinky dinks before and have school aged kids-well, let's just say hours and hours of entertainment (with a supervising adult of course!) This is a great craft for moms and daughters. You write/draw on a large peice of platic, stick it in the oven and watch it shrink down to 1/3 of the size it originally was! Truly amazing. When I was in middle school I was introduced to them by my crafty Aunt. She used them to make personalized cards. Inspired by her genious I thought I would share some of my creations! (They weren't big Etsy sellers, so I pulled them from my now empty shop). I also thought I would share some of my favorites in the realm of paper crafts.

envelopes I made for my cards

This stationary set was a huge inspiration for my cards and was given to

me by one of my girliest sweetest friends, Julia

This is some paper I picked up at Michael's (don't forget your weekly 40% off coupon!) for my enveopes. I'm not much a scrapbooker, but I don't think that means I can't drool over the pretty paper! I also have to recommend the Martha Stewart scrapbooking paper for enveopes-my favorite was the polka dot.

cards for all occasions

gotta love those pretty envelopes though...

2009-07-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

who doesn't like girly ribbon?

I just went online and checked a couple of my favorite blogs and saw that Christina over at The Sometimes Crafter mentioned my new blog in her recent post and it was so encouraging! I've been following her blog for some time so it was very flattering to get a fun review. Thanks!

So I missed the last couple of days...Tuesday evening my husband and I drove up to Virginia for a work related conference and Wednesday morning I woke up with the worst stomach flu/food poisoning I've ever had. I'm glad to report I'm on the mend and hubs hasn't shown any symptoms, so we're hoping it was food posioning and nothing contagious.

I'm flying out tomorrow for Ohio, but will be updating while I'm gone. I've got a giveaway coming up! Thanks to everyone who is stopping by!

2009-07-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Running on (almost) Empty

Last night I was out with sweet hubby hanging out with friends and watching the Bachelorette. Do any of you watch that show? Um, scandalous?! Last night was entertaining, but it often saddens me for oh so many reasons. Do you think Wes will really receive record sales for being on the show? I'm going to root quietly for Reed. We arrived home LATE for us-sometime after midnight. I skipped my Tuesday kickboxing class to sleep in and lay around the house. I am so bad. I am sure hubs is going to make me run later. I signed up for a half marathon in October (my first!) and he's been the encourager/motivator. I just love him. I just hate running.

My project list is a long one. Since we're moving away after Christmas I'd like to give some handmade gifts. I'm working on some quilts for some very special people. I'd love to make one for each woman in my family (& my husband's), but for now the list has to be short. Time is very limited for sewing with all of our visiting/traveling/packing. I'm keeping my blog secret from family for fear that they'll discover my Christmas surprise.

We're HUGE Starbucks fans in this family. We much prefer local coffee shops when we are familiar with them. Ever heard of Jittery Joe's? We're UGA grads so it was a necessity in college. My hubs works for Starbucks and has for the past three years. It didn't become a staple for me until after little man arrived. I'm not sure how I survived without it. Poor baby had to adjust to the caffeine in his milk because mama needed it to function during those first few months!

This is a baby quilt I have finally gotten around to quilting. At first I did free motion quilting on it and it looked AWESOME! I was so excited, but when I turned it over the tension on the back was all off and it looked heinous. It made me so sick to my stomach I just now (months later) got around to using the seam ripper to pick it all out. Now, I can't bring myself to attempt stippling again.

We leave today for Virginia! I am excited to reconnect with some friends up there, but nervous because I've got to do some public speaking this week. Also, we're headed to Ohio (Mason and Lebanon). I know nothing about Ohio. I think we'll only be there for a couple of days. Any good fabric shops up there? I think we may have some free time. We're staying at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason. I am so excited about taking my son to the water park!

2009-07-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is a quilt for my sweet sister, Whitney. Her favorite color is pink and I had a lot of it in my stash! I have just gotten around to quiting it and hope to work on the binding before we head out of town for a week. Oh my goodness I am so exhausted thinking about all of the traveling we're going to be doing. We're headed to Virginia by car and then Ohio by plane by then end of the week. My little man is with the grandparents until we get to Ohio. I can't wait to see him! My mom says he misses me because he's saying "Mama" all the time. Oh, it just pulls at my heart strings!

My hubby just took me out on a date to Vivace in Raleigh (babyless nights are FEW and far between!)It is by far my favorite. The smoked chicken & spinach agnolotti is Mmmm YUMMmmmmm! We even had Tiramasu for dessert :) Now, I must watch the Bachelorette. I know it's bad. Please don't judge me.

2009-07-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

What I'm working on...

Is this not the cutest little thing?

Sunday Stash

I also attempted to reorganize my fabric stash. I'm so glad my birthday is next month! I can't wait to add some Good Folks/Garden Party/Drawing Room by Anna Maria Horner :) Also, I've made a pact with myself that I am not allowed to start a new project until I finish my WIPs. All afternoon I worked on quilting three quilts. My fingertips are so sore from safety pins!

2009-07-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

My very first fat quarter swap!

I think I may have one more coming, but here are the fat quarters I've received so far. I sent each lady an Amy Butler or Nest print. It was interesting to see the different tastes. I think I already have an idea of what I'll do with the prints on the far left. Each of my swap mates have their own crafty blogs. Here they are by fabric L-R. Nnnnessa, diamondspeople, and highwaycottage.

Last month I won a couple of giveaways (3 actually!) during Sew, Mama, Sew's May Giveaway Day! I really wanted to give something away myself, but I'm going to make up for it big time with a good giveaway on my blog before we move next month. Catherine over at The Sewing Attic had a great giveaway going on and I won all that awesome stuff above! I already know I want to use the fabric on the next quilt I make Luke AND I have already started using the pin cushion (as you can see here). I also know what I'm going to do with the buttons and ric rac. This was seriously a good win!!

Thank you ladies! It is so much fun to open the mail with a surprise inside!

2009-07-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I could be doing something really crazy, but I have decided to enter the sewing/quilting blog world! (crazy because I have three BIG moves coming up very soon...I still hope to sew through them all!) Early this year I began to think about the things I had always wanted to do, but for some reason hadn't yet. One of these things was learning to quilt. I began googling quilting and found a world of blogs that I credit to most of my quilting education (that and my teacher at QLC, Tonya!)

I want to make sure I always give credit to the ladies that have inspired me! If I ever post a quilt I promise to give credit to the blog/pattern/designer.

This quilt top is the brain child of Allison of cluck, cluck, sew. I can't remember what she named it, but I liked it so much I HAD to make one myself.

Thanks for visiting my blog!