Inspired by fall or maybe more like longing for fall...

1. Lesley Dress, 2. Vivian in Fall outfit, 3. school bus dress . front, 4. Easter skirt, 5. Puppet Show Dress Modified, 6. O+S Playdate Dress#1, 7. IMG_16332011, 8. IMG_0595, 9. french sleeve one piece dress

So it is still 100 something degrees where we live, but I can feel myself coming out of this sewing slump (at least I hope it is ending.)  This is the time of year where my kids tend to start growing out of their clothes, and even though we will be living in summer clothes for another month or two....  I just can't help myself.  I am hoping to maybe make a new dress or two for Juliana and something for Felicity for her first day of preschool next week.  I hope!

1. 2 fall pillows, 2. Floor pillows, 3. Owl Pillow, 4. Fall Pillow, 5. Autumn pillow, 6. it's those scraps!, 7.orange + aqua = the new rockqua?, 8. YIP 365.307 :: Hex Flower pillow , 9. Little Village

I have also been getting the pillow itch.  I am hoping to make a couple of pillows to switch out seasonally.  I already have some fabric for both fall and Christmas.  I also have been wanting to make some big floor pillows for the girls for TV and reading time.  Maybe one for each of their birthdays?

Are you starting to think about fall?  What projects do you have in mind?

The girl and school

So my trend of "not much sewing" has continued this week, although I did finish up my Kaleidoscope quilt top one night.  Now I just have to decide if I should add a border or not.  

However, this week has been a big week in another way.  We have finished our first week of homeschooling.  Maybe it is because Juliana is our first, but I couldn't help stressing about making the right decision about whether to send her to public, private, or homeschool.  However, I figured that it is only kindergarten and really can you mess that much up in kindergarten?  I was nervous about lots of things, but this week really was a lot of fun.  She is so excited to learn, and I have much hope that this will work out well for us.  We were prepping her all summer for starting kindergarten at home with mom.  She was so excited for her first day, she was up and ready at six am.  So far she has memorized her first poem, written all her capital letters, worked on numbers up to 5, started her own Bible book (This is her favorite part.), and she is well on her way to reading. 

Doll Quilt Swap- Received!

Yesterday, I sent off my little quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap and later in the afternoon I received mine in the mail!  Jessy was my partner and sent me this awesome little quilt!  I just love the colors she used, and I am excited to find the perfect spot to hang it.  

She also sent me a Gathered Clutch.  This is a tutorial I have had on my very, very long "to make" list, but haven't gotten around to yet.  I think I might make this my gym clutch, as it seems to be perfect size for keys and phone.  I also just have to say that I love Flickr swaps.  Seriously, I have always received such lovely packages, and it is so much fun to receive things made by others.  Plus, the people who run them have always done such a great job organizing and making sure everyone gets their package.

Also, I am guest posting today over at Sara's blog, Sew Sweetness!  (She really is so sweet. ;0p)  My post is about basic patchwork!

Summer Sampler Blocks Complete!

I have been in an absolute sewing slump this week.  I haven't sewn a stitch.  Life has been so busy, and I am tired at the end of the day.  Really, really tired.  We have been watching a lot of Netflix Instant this past week.  North and South and Bleak House- two of our favorites.  We watched both of these a couple years ago, but they are sooo good.  It has been fun watching them again.

However, last Friday I did finish up the last of my Summer Sampler blocks!  I am pleased on the whole with how these turned out.  This was such a fun quilt-a-long.  I learned how to paper piece and stretched my skills  quite a bit.  I loved having a new block to look forward to every few days as well. 

This last block, The Kansas Dust Storm, took me over five hours to make!  Just for one block!  Luckily, I am really pleased with how it turned out. ;0p

The only block I did differently is that I switched the Six Pointed Star for this block, The Building Block.  I was in a not thinking mode that day, and I wanted something easy.  I think it blends in nicely because there are a lot of stars in this quilt, and I think it helps balance out the Greek Cross a bit.

And then there is one of my great "helpers".  I have to distract him with toys and run into the room to try to take pictures before he notices I am gone because this little guy follows me everywhere.

Finish it Up- The Finale!

1. Ruffle Clutch- Finished!

2. Inset Clutch- Finished!
3. Coaster Set- Finished!
4. Maxi Dress- Finished!
5. Sienna Dress
6. Swoon Mini Quilt- Finished!
7. Modern Meadow Quilt- Quilt Top Done!
 8. 9 Patch Quilt- Finished!
9. Pinwheel Blocks- Donated!
10. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks- Top in Progress
11. PJ Bottoms- Scrapped!
12. Men's Shirt-  Scrapped!

Out of my twelve projects I finished six, scrapped two, and donated another.  So I am left with three unfinished projects out of twelve! Not so bad!  I could have done better.  However, I am really pleased that my really old projects (over a year old) have all had decisions made about them.  It wasn't easy letting go and deciding that some of these projects just weren't worth holding on to.  Out of the three that are still around I made progress on all of them except the Sienna dress (I want to try freezer paper stenciling on this dress and can't settle on a design for it.)

In the meantime, I did add two extra quilts to my list- the Kaleidoscope quilt and the Summer Sample quilt.

So my current list now looks like this:

1. Fussy Cut Bee Blocks-  Top in Progress

2. Modern Meadow Quilt-  Waiting to be basted and quilted.

3. Sienna Dress

4. Kaleidoscope Quilt- Top in Progress

5. Summer Sampler- Blocks Finished. Deciding on sashing. 

My Favorite Finish- I am so excited that I finally finished my nine patch quilt.  It turned out so pretty, and it was my oldest project ever.  It feels so good not to see it hanging around in my "to finish" basket.

The Quickest Finish-  The little coaster set.  Why did it take me so long to just add a few stitches?  Plus, we use them everyday now!

My new goal is now not to have my list bigger than five!  Smaller would even be better, but I have to be realistic, right?  ;0)I think I will try to have a little list going on the side of my blog to help keep me on track. 

So how did your summer of finishing go?  Are you pleased with what you finished?  I was really amazed at some of the finishes you all had.  I really appreciate everyone who joined in with me for this challenge.  It was so much more fun to do it with other people.  Check out the Flickr pool to see some of the different projects!  

Some Swatch Books!

(First off, I missed Finish It Up! Friday!  Where is my head?  I am so sorry! Since there are only two days left in the challenge I am going to switch it to Monday to show you all my progress over the whole challenge!  So come back Monday to let us know how the challenge went!  What would you do differently?  Are you pleased with the progress you made?)

On to a little project...

I made these little Swatch Book covers!  I used the Keyka Lou pattern that I bought last week.  I have been working on so many quilty projects lately that I forgot how fast a simple sewing project can be!  I had so much fun making these!

I made this little owl one for my partner in the Doll Quilt Swap as a little extra, and I put them upside down!  Boo!  I didn't notice until it was all nicely sewn together.  Hopefully, my partner won't mind. *bangs head against wall*

I thought that while I was making one that I might as well make a couple of extra ones.  This one I made out of some ticking. 

  

I love the simple look of this one.

This one is bright and citrusy!

These little notebooks are perfect for using as a swatch Book (just staple your little fabric samples inside!), grocery lists, or any other notes you like to keep handy.

The first two I have put up in my Etsy shop!  I can't remember the last time I made anything for the shop!  I still also have a few patterns left in the shop at 50 % off from my pattern selling days if you are interested in taking a peek!

Happy weekend!  

::Starting Up Again::

I am a slow mover in general, but coming back from vacation I am an even slower mover (if that is possible). ;0p  I just get used to the easier pace of vacation, and there is so much to do when you come back...I don't want to face it!  Luckily, my husband is a much more motivated person than myself, and even vacuumed our crumb ridden van as soon as he unpacked it.  

The above picture is my favorite from the past week.  They were all playing doggie together.  Although, I don't know if Josiah realizes that is the game he is playing.  He just likes that the girls crawl around with him.  This little man is still not walking!  He absolutely refuses to.  If I hold his hands he lifts his feet off the ground so that I can't make him.  Stinker.  I really think he just likes me carrying him around and people fetching things for him.  

I did come back to this completely indulgent package of fabric.  This is Heirloom by Joel Dewberry.  I wasn't crazy about this line like I was about Modern Meadow when I first saw it, but I fell for this colorway.  It is so pretty and reminds me of citrus.  I am going back and forth between making this a Swoon Quilt or a Sparkling Cider- (I have always loved Amanda's version of this pattern.)

I also made myself a little ironing board table last night.  I found this idea on Oh Fransson, and it has been on my very, very long list of things to do.  However, with all the quilt block making I have been doing over the past month, it got bumped up the list.  Why did I wait so long?!  This is such an easy project that doesn't take more than fifteen minutes (as long as your staple gun doesn't jam, and you have to run to the store and buy a new one.) I can't tell you how excited I am about this little table.  No more jumping up and down every two minutes!  Let the laziness begin!

Finish It Up- Week 7

We are on vacation this week, and it was much needed! 

Here is a little iPhone photo of the embroidery I have been working on this past week.  This is a pattern by Cathy Gaubert.  She has such a sweet style.  I love it!  There are three little girls in this pattern, and I stitched one little girl last year for s swap.  This time I stitched these two to resemble my two little girls.  I added some length and slight curls to make the little one look more like my Felicity.

So, I haven't been working on any of my projects this week...surprise!  We still have a week and half left in the challenge though, and I am hoping for at least two more projects to get finished.  Our computer access is slow here. So, I am just going to ask everyone to link up in the comments!  I can't wait to see what you are working on.  I check everyone's projects!  There are a number of you who have made some serious progress.  So impressive!  I am sorry that I don't get the chance to comment every time on your progress, but really I appreciate everyone who has joined me in this endeavor to clean up just a bit!

The winner of the Fishsticks patterns giveaway is Jen B!  Jen, I will be giving your e-mail to Bonnie!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Just passing on some coupon love

I got an e-mail that Keyka Lou is currently offering 20% off all her patterns through August 6th with code "summersewing".

I am a big fan of her patterns, and she has such detailed instructions that even beginners can tackle most of these!

 

The Lots of Pockets Tote is one of my most favorite patterns.  I have made it so many times.  This one I made for myself a few years ago, and I think it is one of the best bags I have ever made.  The two front pockets are perfect for keys and those other small items that always get lost in the bottom of your purse!  

 

 

Although, I do love this version made with Amy Butler's August Fields.  I loved that line of fabric.  It had such bright, fresh colors.

The other pattern I have used a lot is the Basic Wallet.  It works so well for last minute gifts.  Pop in a little gift card, and you have fun little present!  It is also a versatile pattern as it fits both my iPhone and camera.

I am thinking of ordering her new Swatch Book pattern... how about you?  Did I suck you in? ;0p