-knitting-

So, I have been knitting...I finished the Millwater cowl a couple of weeks ago.  I didn't make it as long as the pattern says, but I like the length!  My first finished knit!  Yay!

I was so excited that I went out to our local yarn store and started hunting around for some yarn for a honey cowl.  I have loved this pattern ever since I saw it (as did everyone else out there!)  I found some yarn in the clearance section which is a pretty, shimmery gray.  It is a cashmere/silk/rayon and super stiff, so it took me awhile to get used to it.  It was really hurting my wrists at first.  However, once I blocked it, the yarn really softened up!  So, I am moving on from cowls and for my next project I am going to try and tackle a vest for Josiah for Christmas!  *crossing fingers*

I am popping onto the sewing machine here and there, but lately I am *so* tired at the end of the day.  You should see us once we put the kids to bed.  We both become zombies on the couch for half an hour before we can even speak.  haha.  The life of parents with four small kiddos.

-winterwoods sampler-

My Winterwoods Sampler is framed!  I have loved this project.  I felt like I was in a crafting slump over the summer.  I really wanted to have a project, but nothing was hitting the right note.

I took this slow.  I worked on it while homeschooling, sitting in a Dave Ramsey class we took at church, and watching movies in the evening.

One of the reasons why I think I liked this sampler so much is that I could just stitch one little part and feel like I "completed" something.  I didn't put myself on a schedule and just stitched when I felt like it.      I really wanted to enjoy the process.  Sometimes that is not very easy for me to do.  *cough* ;0)

I have never framed a cross stitch before, so I asked some ladies at our quilt guild if they had any recommendations.  I ended up using a Pres on mounting board.  I tried looking for it at some of our local craft stores, but I couldn't find anything bigger than 8" x 10". So, I got one off of Amazon.  (Oh, how I love thee, Amazon.) It took me a few tries to get it positioned right but was quite easy to do.

 A big thank you to Ginny and Grace for starting this stitch along. 

-wallets and pouches-

I made these coloring wallets for my niece and nephew for their birthdays a few weeks back.  I have made several of these coloring wallets (pattern by jcasa).  They were my go to birthday present for a couple of years, but it has been awhile since I made one.  These are great to use up large scraps though and go together quickly.

For the boy wallet I used a Japanese car fabric that I had leftover from Josiah's pants I made during Kids Clothes Week and a blue solid for the lining.

For the girl wallet I used a Japanese princess and the frog fabric leftover from Juliana's bento box carrier and a green solid.  I do interface the outside and the lining to make them sturdy, but iron on interfacing does crinkle a bit since it is folded, and this is especially noticeable on the inside.

I also made my first Christmas gift!  This is the Idea Pouch from Michelle Patterns.  I bought this when she first released the pattern.  I changed the button closure to use a rubber band because I didn't like having to wrap a string, and I think this makes it look a little more streamlined. 

 I really think this is a versatile pattern.  It can fit an iPad, a composition book, or I also think it would be nice for an embroidery project- you  could keep a hoop and pattern in the main part and adjust the pockets on the inside for your floss, needles, and scissors.  I am definitely going to make another for me after the holidays.  For the fabric I used two half yards from Madrona road.  However, the pattern does call for 2/3 yards because of the height of the pieces.  Fabric.com usually cuts their fabric a bit generously.  I was lucky, and it worked!  

I also made myself a new wallet.  This is the Zip Pocket Pouch from Michelle Patterns.  My old wallet was the same pattern in the big size.  This is the tall.  My old one somehow ended up in the kitchen trash can.  Hmm...I have my suspicions on how that happened.  I definitely couldn't keep it...trust me.   

I love this cute typewriter fabric, and this is a super fun pattern to put together.

I am a huge fan of all of Michelle's patterns, and she currently has all of her patterns on sale for $5 until 11/25!  I definitely would recommend her patterns to even a beginner because she has such great details on how to get your bag or pouch to look professional.  Go check them out!

I will be back later this week to show you my finished cowl!  Yay!

-little bits-

My Felicity turned five this week.  She has been waiting for this day ever since her big sister's birthday, and finally it came!  She was so happy and pleased as punch with all her gifts.

  One of the best things about having a number of kids is getting to see how different they all are.  She is a very sweet and easy going child (most of the time).  This is so nice since *cough* I have two other children who are not so easy going.  Klutz is her middle name though.  She trips and falls all the time.  She has broken one of our kitchen chairs trying to smell muffins.  The band aid box is needed weekly if not daily.  However, she has such a kind, gentle heart, and I am so proud of my big girl.

She received the coveted American Girl doll who looks like her.  She named her Isabella.

I am also starting to plan for my Christmas crafting.  I bought some Cherry Christmas and some red polka dots to make some Christmas dresses for the girls.

I have also started my first knitting project!  I am making Millwater (per Angela's recommendation!).  I am having so much fun making it! It is guaranteed that this time of year I start craving some yarn projects, but this time I am learning to knit!  This has opened up all sorts of possibilities, and I have become obsessed with Ravelry!  If you knit or crochet, come be friends with me over there!!

Also, I finished my Winterwoods Sampler!  I love it!  I want to get it framed before sharing it with you all first though!

-pillow talk swap 9 complete!-

The past couple of weeks have been so tiring (the time change- it messes with everything!) and busy with halloween, soccer, and birthday stuff.  It just going to get busier- I know.  I am contemplating taking next week off of school to catch up on some projects around the house and to prep for Christmas.  One advantage of homeschooling...

 I haven't had much time to sew.  However, this past weekend I finished up my pillow for the Pillow Talk Swap.  I quilted it with swirls- they are a little "organic".  I hope my partner doesn't mind!  However, I do like the look and will try it again in the future.

I am happy to cross this project off the list, and I am looking forward to getting something in my mailbox in the next week or so!

For the back I used this gray text print.  My partner likes text prints, and I kind of felt bad for not using any on the front! ;0)

You can find my previous post on this pillow here!

Happy November and happy sewing!!  Time to get the Christmas crafty groove going!

Bloggers Quilt Festival: Fall 2012

I have always wanted to participate in The Blogger's Quilt Festival, but for one reason or another it has never happened!  I am squeezing in at the last minute to share a quilt that I love and use every day.

I first decided to make a Turning Twenty quilt when I saw this beautiful version done up in Good Folks over four years ago!  A little while later I fell in love with Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow, and I knew I had found my fabric.  When I first started quilting I really was drawn to simple patchwork and letting large prints shine.  I have grown in my appreciation for more intricate quilting, but I still love big prints.  I think they work especially well for bed quilts.  

In the summer of 2011 I cut out and finished my quilt top, but when I finished I was indecisive about how to quilt it.  A king size quilt is no joke to quilt!  I was going to do straight line quilting, but I finally decided to quilt it with a large stipple since free motion quilting is a little more fun!  It took me about four days to quilt, but it honestly wasn't as bad as I had built it up to be in my mind.  

For the back I used a light blue king size cotton sheet, and I made two matching pillowcases.

I also *finally* finished two throw pillows.  For one I used scraps leftover to make a little hexie pillow appliqued on linen.  The other one is a pillow I crocheted using this pattern, and then I sewed to a plain envelope style pillow cover. 

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to go check out all the other quilts in the festival!  There are some really beautiful quilts!

*Quilt Measurements:  approx 100" x 108"
*Special Techniques used- hmmm...how about easy? ;0)
*Quilted by… me!
*Best category – bed quilt, home machine quilted quilt 

-manual mode monday 3/52-

I am *trying* to learn how to knit.  The past two falls I have said I was going to do it, but I never have.    This fall is going to be different.  Since I crochet and am left handed the books told me to try it continental style.  I worked a couple hours yesterday just practicing casting on and knitting and purling.  I got the hang of the knit stitch, but I am just not getting a "flow" with the purl stitch!  It is getting better, but I have been working on it all day!  I feel like an addict.  I put it down in frustration but then walk right back over to it and try again.  I can't help myself.  Youtube and knittinghelp.com have also been my constant companions today.

This past week I also worked quite a bit on my sampler.  Still in love with this project.  I am almost done with this last row, and then only two rows left!

Thank you for all the tips last week on my photos!  The consensus seemed to be to increase my aperture just a bit, and I have been playing around with different settings to see what I like.  This last photo I had the aperture at 2.8, which seemed to allow me to get more of the hoop in focus and blur mostly just the background.

-manual mode monday 2/52

I got started on my pillow for The Pillow Talk swap this weekend.  I have finished all my blocks using this pattern.  This is a fun little block to piece.  I decided to go with a bright, rainbowy mix of colors, and I am using varying shades of white and notebook type fabrics for the background.

 I was inspired by this color combo, and then decided to add a pop of orange to round it out a little more.  I think these kind of colors are to my partner's taste (at least, I hope they are!).   

Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II 

F 2.2 1/60 ISO 800

I shot these all in manual!  Yay!  I found that I liked the overexposed look for these photos, as they made the rainbow really pop against the white.  However, as much as I like the blur, I felt like there was too much blur.  I tried fooling around with it to open the lens a bit more, but eh...  I would appreciate any tips if you have any thoughts!

-ramblings on friday-

I had so much fun sewing for Kid Clothes Week!  I blogged every day except for the last day!  Sunday got away from me, but I did make a pair of Big Butt Baby Pants for Josiah (top left corner).  We don't cloth diaper currently, so they definitely are a bit baggy on a small disposable diapered bottom.  Rae suggests going down a size in the bottom part if you don't cloth diaper, so next time I make these I will definitely follow her advice.  Otherwise, super cute pattern that was easy and fun to put together.  He calls them his cuhr phunts (aka car pants).  I really appreciated this challenge because it got me sitting down to my machine on a more regular basis again.  I also stuck with easy and simple patterns because sometimes I just don't want to deal with a million pattern pieces, and I knew I would quit if I didn't do easy.

I took a break from sewing for the past few days, but last night I whipped up two pairs of bright yellow leggings for the girls.  I used Lil Blue Boo's leggings pattern.  I like this pattern, but I think it runs small.  I made the 7/8 for both girls, but they fit Felicity who is almost five better than they do Juliana (7). 

Sarah over at Amongst Lovely Things started a challenge to more regularly shoot in manual mode.  I love our DSLR, but I always shoot in auto.  I am determined to learn how to shoot in manual.  I took some practice shots of Sammy.  Some of these are blurry.  Bummer.  However, isn't she the cutest?  I could just squeeze and kiss her big chubby cheeks all day. (In fact, I usually do.)  She is already six months old!  Really, it has flown by.  Six months seems to be a magic time for our babies.  They seem to really become less fussy, and she is sleeping so much better at night.  She is my first baby to suck her thumb. and it so cute to see her big cheeks pudge around her tiny thumb.  She is a big fan of all her siblings and watches everything they do.  She has quite the fan club and is welcomed with great joy when she wakes up.

This has been a hard week, and I am so glad the weekend is here.  To celebrate I made these One Hour Cinnamon Rolls.  I followed the recipe except for the filling I used half white and half brown sugar.  Then I made a cream cheesing frosting because I *love* cream cheese frosting.  All I have to say is...wow.  Make them.  You will not regret it.  Well, you might when you step on the scale.

I read a lot of really good mom related posts this week that touched my heart.  Looking for a little weekend reading?  Read these.

A Little Encouragement - Clover Lane

A Shadow of My Former Self - Kate Wicker

10 Survival Tactics from Surviving a Bad day - Like Mother, Like Daughter

-kcwc day 6-

pattern:

none.  This is really just one seam with a little elastic and some hemming. If you need guidance, check out The Lazy Days Skirt.

fabric:

Velveteen from Anna Maria Horners' Loulouthi line.  I bought this fabric with the idea to make a bag from it, but I am so glad I didn't.  It is perfect for a skirt and hangs so nicely.

sewing:

Fun!  This skirt took only half an hour to make, and I think it is my favorite thing I have made this week!

It was declared perfect for twirling.

Then they got silly and started running. ;0)

-kcwc day five-

pattern:

Rae's Flashback Skinny Tee, size 5 for my almost 5 year old.  Felicity told me it is a little big.  I told her that was a good thing because that way as she gets older it will still fit.  "So it will fit me until I am 159???", she asked.  Well, I don't know about that...  

fabric:

heart jersey knit  and solid yellow knit from Girl Charlee.

You might recognize these from the pajamas I made earlier this year.

sewing:

Rae was so generous to give her Spring Top judges their choice of one of her patterns.  I picked out her popular Flashback Tee and have been meaning to make one ever since.  It really is super easy. Cutting and sewing took me less than an hour.  Hemming did take a little longer because I tried the twin needle method for the first time, and I had to re-thread my machine and test it out on a scrap to make sure I got it just right.  Katy from No Big Dill has some good tips on how to set everything up.  If you haven't taken the plunge yet into knit sewing, this is the perfect pattern to start with.  Rae walks you right through it.

Up next: twirly skirt!

-kcwc day four-

pattern:

soft baby shoes pattern

found here!

These fit my (very small) six month old perfectly.

fabric:

Heather Ross fabric: horses and princesses.  I cut into the precious for these.  I can't just hoard these fabrics forever, right?!  I loved fussy cutting the princesses to face each other. For the bottom I used a light suede.

sewing:

Keeping on with my theme of easy. These two pairs took me about an hour to put together.

These little shoes really only take scraps and now I have something to cover my little Sammy's feet this fall.   I  can feel myself losing my sewing steam...must. keep. sewing.  I still have a huge stack of fabric I want to cut into!

-kcwc day three-

pattern:

Leila and Ben vest.  A free pattern you can find here.  I made the size three for my 2 1/2 year old.  It fits just right, and he is pretty small for his age.  So I would make sure to size up.

fabric: 

blue corduroy (leftover from a coat I made three years ago) and tiny elephants in gray (Japanese fabric) leftover from this quilt.  Button is vintage.

sewing:

This is a fun, quick sew.  I had just enough of the corduroy to make this, and I cut one side out wrong (again!).  Argh.  So, my husband, who now considers himself a fashion expert *cough, cough* because he has been watching Project Runway with me this season, suggested I cut it crosswise to make it avant-garde.  I don't know if avant-garde is exactly the term I would use, but it still turned out cute!  It also only requires one buttonhole!  Yipee.  I have the worse luck with buttonholes.  Something always seems to go wrong, but this one went in with only slight problems.  

My model wasn't the most cooperative.  I have plans to make him some little matching pants, so I hope to get a better picture of this vest later!

Up next: baby shoes!

What I made on: 

Day 1

Day 2