what a week!

Last week was such a crazy time.  At the beginning of the week my dad ended up in the hospital suddenly and unexpectedly.  He thought he had the stomach flu, and being a doctor himself did not want to go to the ER.  However, it turned out he had a severe kidney infection.  It took awhile for the antibiotics to kick in, and I had plans to go to the Sewing Summit.  However, I didn't want to leave while words like "kidney failure" were being thrown around.  However, Thursday he felt much better, and my parents said they still would like me to go.  He, however, is still in the hospital for severe leg pain on his left side.  So, please say a little prayer for him and the doctors to figure out what is going on.

I was so lucky to be able to attend The Sewing Summit though!  We flew out Thursday afternoon.  I can't remember the last time I flew without kids, and that by itself felt so luxurious.  No juggling of billions of snacks, toys, strollers, and car seats.  I got to fly out and room with Christy, who I know from our modern quilt guild.

The next morning I accidentally set my alarm for 7:30 PM instead of AM.  Whoops!  I startled out of bed, whipped on some clothes, and went to join in on the shop hop!  All the shops were great.  I found something at every store, and it was so much fun to share in all the excitement with people who are so crazy about fabric. ;0)

This is what I ended up with! I picked out some Little Apples for some skirts for the girls, some boy Children At Play (in case this new baby is a boy), and couple of other fun prints.

That night I joined in on the dinner held by Dana of Old Red Barn Co, who was super nice.  She gave us all these lovely little handmade wallets and super cute sewing machine necklaces.  Saturday was full of classes. I took Dana's blogging class the next day, and I loved her message of just being yourself and staying true to that.  Then I took Gertie's handstitching class.  I definitely learned a lot about different handstitches and found it helpful shown in person.  Gertie had her own little group of cute, vintage clothing sewers, and they were all so cute in their beautiful handmade clothes.  Then I took Susan's (of Freshly Picked) zipper class.  She showed us how to do zippered pouches.  Big Cartel was there filming her class, so I might even be on film. ;0)  The last class was mini quilts by Amanda of Ms. McPorkchop.  This girl was just as bubbly and fun as she seems, and I think she charmed the pants off everyone she met.  I definitely heard the words "mini quilt" from so many people after her class.

I participated in two swaps!  Kati hosted a Rainbow Charm Swap.  Don't they all look great?  I am thinking of using these for my rainbow obsessed daughter.  Any pattern ideas?!

I also participated in Kaelin's Fat Quarter Swap.  I am loving those old Amy Butler Charm fat quarters especially.

Sunday we had two more classes.  Vanessa of V and Co. had a fun photography class.  She taught us all how to lose two inches from our thighs.  Who knew what a little butt lift could do?!?  Then I took Erin's low key home decor panel, where everyone got to join in and give ideas on how to incorporate their sewing into their homes.  

Overall, the whole weekend was a wonderful experience.  Amy and Erin clearly put so much work into this all, and they should be so proud of themselves for hosting such a great event.  We got HUGE swag bags full of fabric, patterns, batting, and more.  I met sooooo many nice and inspiring people.  I admit I felt like a shy little school girl around some people.  I got to meet so many people who have been my swap partner in swaps, and someone who is my swap partner for the current round of the Pillow Talk Swap (although she doesn't know it yet. ;0p), and so many people whose blogs I have been following.  

It was lovely meeting all of you!!!!!!

P.S.  I slept for 12 straight hours last night!!  Was anyone else as exhausted as I was?!  My husband was impressed.

xoxo

My Big Project

So I really haven't been doing much sewing lately, and it isn't because I am now homeschooling or because Josiah climbs on top on the table every. stinking. time. my. back. is. turned.

It is because of this little person!  We have always wanted a large family, and we are all super excited.  However, let me just say there is nothing like the first trimester to make you start wondering what the heck you were thinking.  This time around has been hard.  I haven't been this sick ever.  I was starting to stress that it was twins.  I was down for a whole month, but at 12 weeks I am starting to feel a little human again.  Now I just need the energy fairy to come visit me once more.  She is sorely missed.  I am tired of being tired!  

I love getting ultrasounds done.  So amazing to be able to see the little one that is causing so much havoc to your body.  We didn't tell the kids about the baby until right before we went to get the ultrasound done, and  it was so much fun to see their reaction to seeing the baby on the screen.  Juliana, especially, fell in love.  She is determined that it is another boy, so Josiah will have someone to play trucks with.  She wants to name him "Dan".  Felicity wants it to be a girl (mostly, I think, to be contrary to Juliana), and she wants to name her "Paula" or "Sandwich". 

So, there you have it.  I have been going through fabric and pulling things for a destash and future projects, so I am hoping to share more sewing soon!  xoxo

A Birthday

Someone special had their sixth birthday this week, and it has been quite a busy week.  She has been telling anyone and everyone that she is now six, waiting for the appropriate ooohhhs and aaaahhhs.  I made her a rainbow cake, but don't examine closely.  Cake making is definitely not my specialty.  I also made her the cute little jumper dress made out of Sarah Jane's adorable new line.  I didn't get any good photos of it, so I will try to come back later this week with some better pictures.

A couple of days later was the big birthday bash with friends.  Seventeen little girls came dressed up in the in their finest wear to partake in a tea party.  It was crazy, but they had so much fun!  This was the best picture I got of this event.  Clearly, I can not host and take pictures at the same time. ;0)

My sewing has been much slower of late. but I did join in on the latest round of the Pillow Talk Swap.  I have a fun partner who seems to like color.  I finally decided on a direction! Scrappy and X's.

Hope you are all enjoying the start of fall!  It is actually not in the 90s or 100s today!  Yay!

Jazzed Up Patchwork Placemat

After I wrote the tutorial for the patchwork placemats that I made my kids for last Easter, I came up with the idea to add a pocket for the napkin.  So instead of  doing two more rows of patchwork I instead replaced them with a solid piece of linen and made another half piece for the pocket.  Perfect way to store the napkin!  I wish I had made my kid's this way, as their napkins are always going astray!

I made this placemat a few months ago but have been saving it for my little niece's birthday.  Of course, being the procrastinating gift giver I only just now got around to embroidering her name on.  Luckily, she is only two and won't mind a tardy present. (I hope!)

Do you ever take pictures of the things you make and think it really isn't that wrinkly?  So annoying. :0)    

For the back I used this pretty Meadowsweet print that I actually used for a dress that I made for her last birthday!  That fabric just keeps going. ;0)

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!!

A New Skirt for the First Day

Today was my little sunshine girl's first day of preschool.  This girl is happy all the time.  Seriously.  She is such a joy.  She loves life, and she brings happiness to all around her. 

I made her a new little skirt for her first day.   You can't really see and admire the fabric in this picture, but it is a sweet little Japanese print I have been saving for two years now with a mother duck and her little ducklings.  Felicity has appropriately dubbed it The Duckie Skirt.  The pattern for the skirt came from the book Little Girls, Big Style, and it is the On The Border Skirt.  I have used this book several times. I think I have only blogged about this one other skirt.  I don't why I never posted the other things I have made.  I guess I was lazy. ;0)  Anyways, it is a great book for cute and quick little clothes.  

I also made her that gray bow in her hair.  I am a horrible bow maker.  I haphazardly made a bow and hot glued it on a hair clip.  I see all these moms making all these amazing bows for their girls' hair.  I need to get me some bow lessons.

Sisterly love.

She happily skipped her way to school and found her seat for painting.  Gave me a quick wave good bye and that was that. 

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.