Free Reads

We really have been enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer this June.  Having finished up our kindergarten schedule just before vacation, we have decided to have a real break from homeschooling and enjoy the sun.

We use a curriculum based on Charlotte Mason and have really enjoyed it this year.  The philosophy suits us perfectly and I am super excited to start Year 1 in the fall.  We've really been focusing on nature study this year and it has been a time of immense growth for all of us. 

Our eyes are open to finding new discoveries and wondering how and why and what the purpose is...

The girls love finding "e-ven-dence" of animal tracks and budding flowers, fiddleheads, and bird songs.  We take pictures, sketch drawings, and look up new species in the field guides. 

And recently we checked out a bunch of books from the library and took them out on the picnic blanket.  All but one became instant favorites and will probably end up in my Amazon shopping cart.

Among the favorites I'd like to share with you:

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey

Ox-Cart Man by Barbara Cooney
Stone Soup and other folk tale retellings by Marcia Brown
Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (CM idea of duty in bringing beauty to the world)
Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran

Brer Rabbit books by Joel Chandler Harris
The Tale of Three Trees by Tim Jonke
A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

A good collection including classic stories and folktales such as The Little Red Hen, The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

I've also really enjoyed making and finishing Henry's quilt.  It is the pattern Coming Soon by Camille Roskelley.  Her pattern was for a crib size quilt so I had to break out the calculator to make this into a twin size (60 x 90).  It was very rewarding and also a good lesson for my oldest who is learning why it's important to learn how to do math.  She really likes to pretend she's buying fabric and measuring it for her quilts so we try to sneak in math as much as possible.

It's probably one of my most favorite quilts I've ever made.  I doubled up on the blocks and made enough for my son so that he can have a similar version of this someday.  The colors are so perfect.

So pick out your favorite quilt, grab some wonderful books, and laze around this summer.  Enjoy the days the Lord has made for you!

The Pin Cushion Vacates

Well it's only been about four years in the making but the fam headed to the beach last week.  It was incredible.  We really needed it.  We are much better versions of ourselves at the beach. 

I even let my dad stack the dishwasher in his super inefficient manner and it didn't even bother me. 

The weather was perfect.

Our view was amazing. 

The baby was excited.

I got to play with my kids and watch them and enjoy them.  No rushing around, no school, no commitments or phone calls.  All day, everyday.  We just played. 

I did some embroidery on our family quilt.  I'm adding some doodling on the borders.  I've traced some of the girls' precious drawings and first attempts at writing their names so that they can be embroidered forever.  I'm thinking of tracing baby boy's hands and adding a scripture on there too.  Think I can get hubs to doodle something as well?  :)

I came home and finished off a little pillow for baby James who was born super duper early at 32 weeks!  Stay strong, little one. 

It was really a lovely time and we are enjoying the memories and photos of the trip.  I came home ready and hungry to get back to my Janome.  Eight whole days without her seemed like a lot but it did indeed get the creative juices flowing. 

Hope you are refreshed and enjoying the beginnings of a fantastic summer season. Happy trails to those who are traveling!

Lion's Teeth

In my last post I was talking about how I just adore the colors of spring.  Here we are again, just soaking it up.  With the nutso weather we've been having this year so far, I feel like we've had four springs since it gets super warm then snows and warms up again.  Repeat.

Pattern is Coming Soon by Camille Roskelley

Here is one of my current quilts.  This is for a friend's son who just turned 3 and is in the big bed.  I have been trying to talk many of my clients into making this quilt for their sons and someone finally agreed!  :)  I only say that because I really wanted to make it for my boy and knew I probably never would if I didn't get someone else to start the process. 

I couldn't find any revisions of the quilt for a twin size.  So I dusted off the calculator and got to it.  It was pretty simple to figure out the rectangles but man those little sashings about put me over the edge.  Thankfully I think I figured it out.  Whew!
So here is Henry's quilt top.  Just needs some borders and I'll finish it up in a jiffy.  Only to start on the next one for Nino.

Speaking of my baby boy, he turned ONE!  He and Isabella have close enough birthdays that we were going to celebrate them together.  Except that they were both sick and it never happened.  Sad, sad, sad!   We finally gave him his smash cake a whopping two weeks later.  Sorry, buddy. 

Spring here means a plethora of dandelions.  We love 'em!  Yes, if we can't get the lawn mowed quick enough we do look like a drug house, but oh well.  Frances Ellen Watkins Harper wrote a lovely poem about Dandelions and this is one of my favorite verses: 

Children of the earth and sun.
We are slow to understand
All the richness of the gifts
Flowing from our Father's hand

We've been studying them for our Nature Journal time this week.  They really are fascinating plants.  I'm trying to decide if I'm brave enough to try Dandelion Fritters, Syrup, or Jam...

Because of naps and trying to remain on a schedule, we are kinda secluded sometimes and don't get out to explore as much as I'd like.  But using really great resources like The Handbook of Nature Study blog and other books like the actual HONS give me a lot of new ideas to make the ordinary extraordinary in the familiar yard before us.

Our first year of homeschooling is wrapping up and I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend this time with my oldest.  We have really learned a lot together and our relationship has grown as well.  It has been such a blessing and I really must say I am really excited for first grade to start in the fall.

Colors of Spring

I love the colors of spring...

Fuschia, lilac, yellow,

Blue and green...

Spring gives me a bag of mixed emotions.  Weather-wise it can be 80 one day and snowing the next.  But really it is the fresh air and promise of new life that is so inspiring.  Weddings, birthdays, bulbs coming up... really a lovely time of year. 

I've enjoyed my spring projects and can't wait to show you some more special projects from this spring.  Because they are bursting with color and happiness and fun!

Happy Spring!

Happy Day, Happy Life!

Well it's been about two months so I guess I better get back to blogging!  We've been around and we've been busy (see the super rad travel photo below!).  We had such a lovely time visiting with family.  The kiddies did so well in the car for nearly 12 hours.  Thank you, children.

And of course I've been quilting!  I had the honor of making this really neat tree carving quilt for a wedding gift.  It was a custom order by a girl who saw one on Pinterest (of course!).  It was originally on solid brown fabric but I remembered Joel Dewberry's woodgrain that was perfect for this! 

I had to hand quilt the entire piece (Queen-sized!) because the machine quilting did not show up at all, no matter what color thread I used.  I used Frog Tape and marked out my lines then started the hand quilting in my big quilt hoop.  It took about 4 days and made a big difference.

For the carving, I googled a tree-carving font and downloaded it.  I had a cream-colored fat quarter that had wood-grain lines in it that was perfect for the heart.  This was a very fun project since it was so very different. 

We've celebrated birthdays of all varieties - some many years, some newborn.  This particular pillow was a gift to my daughter's best friend on her birthday.  She picked all the fabrics and even sat on my lap to sew them with me.

The back is so so so cute.  My daughter drew it with the water-soluable pen on muslin then I embroidered it.  We had a timeline!  Otherwise she would have finished it (if we had a year!).

A quilt for baby Madilyn on the way....

Speaking of birthdays... my baby boy turns one NEXT WEEK.  One whole year.  I could go on for a while here as I ooze nothing but love for this baby of mine.  I actually am so thankful for it being a Leap Year which means I got one extra day with him.  I know, it's sick. But he is really a blessing in every way. 

Spring sprung,  Winter returned, and now we're kind of back on track I think.  We've been outside around the clock picking every dandelion in site.  Purples, greens, and yellows are everywhere and it has been an inspiration to me. 

Purples, greens, and yellows for my friend Nancy.  I have never made a quilt with deep purples in it.  I was thrilled to get the email that said "the nursery is purple". 

Also I started up our local chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild!  I expected 5 people at the most.  We had 25 and it was standing room only in the little library meeting room!  I can't wait to see where this will go.  It was such a rush being together with women who were so encouraging and warm and passionate about quilting.  I hope they come back for April's meeting! 

A lot to be thankful for, for sure.  I have been in such a funk for the last six months.  Our neighbors from the progressive dinner party have all moved away!  We miss them so.  We've also said good-bye to other good friends and will be sending off another family very soon as well.  It's been hard. 

I have really taken it hard as I tend to make a few really good friends and keep them forever.  One good thing about living in the city is being in close proximity to people and enjoying the neighborlyness of it all.  Evening chats over the fence, sharing a bottle of wine, helping to move a heavy object... Those kind of things just mean a lot to me and I really hate to see it go.  It's hard to break those bonds. 

So the cycle of life goes... hellos and good-byes.  I'm coming to a good place with it all and have learned a lot about myself in the process.  I know God brings people in and out of our lives and it's ok to hurt.  I think I tried too hard to just be ok with everything all the time and didn't allow myself time to stew.  Or maybe I stewed too long!  I don't know.  But either way I know it's a good day today and I'm so thankful for those that have been here, are here presently, and will be here soon.

I heart fabric

I recently challenged myself to "fast" 30 days without buying fabric for myself.  This was torture at first (hello mega sales!).  But then I felt myself being completely turned off by the thought of even "window shopping" online.  I actually lost interest in researching the upcoming lines.  I decided to organize the many lovely fabrics I already have and discovered so many that I had forgotten about. 

And then day 32 came.  There was a sale.  I have the complete collection of Hope Valley except for two.  And here they were!  On sale!  So the fast came to a screeeeching halt as I snatched up my remaining fabric before I could talk myself out of it.  I'm glad I did it.  It was about $4/yd which is completely unheard of.

So now Round 2.  Back on the wagon.  My new challenge is to not buy any new fabric for me until Flea Market Fancy comes out.  At that time I will attempt to spend every penny I have and hoard all prints.  This could be ugly, folks.

Also coming out... a reprint of Heather Bailey's Freshcut. 

Darn you, blasted fabric!  Why must you be so pretty?! 

These were the first two fabric lines that got me back into sewing about 6 years ago.  When my life was turning upside down and I wasn't sure where God wanted me, I just found this pretty fabric and started sewing.  And somewhere in all that ebay charm pack madness I found myself.  I found something that made me feel useful and talented and happy.  Seeing these prints coming out again is like smelling the ocean and remembering the best vacation ever. 

It's so great to look back now and see how the Lord has used sewing to bring people into my life.  I have met the most amazing people all around the world with incredible stories .  Sometimes they minister to me.  Sometimes we chat.  Every once in a while I actually get to meet up with a client-turned-friend.  I'm so thankful I get to sew for friends and family and working with these lovely textiles makes it even more enjoyable. 

So friends... here's to waiting! 

A long time comin'

Three things happened this weekend that seemed like they may never happen.

One:  we're on the other side of all our winter bleh.  Everyone has been sick and yuck and now we're done.  Almost.  Baby boy has a tinch left but it will soon be gone.  OH yes, it will be gone.

I finally finished my Pink Elephant Quilt!   I knew I wanted to do hand quilting at some point in my life.  So I made a little baby quilt and went to it.... 3 years ago.  It kept getting pushed aside and I finally brought it back out recently. 

Yep, all hand quilted and I really love it.  The stitches feel so good.  It has a great texture.

I actually started this before she was born.  She's three now.  Oy.

The back is half pink chenille and half pale pink cotton dots.  I appliqued and embroidered a little polka dot elephant on the back.   Yes it's my favorite animal. 

Lastly, I finished my sister-in-law's quilt!  Woo hoo!  This didn't take quite as long as the elephant quilt but nearly a year.  So embarrassing. 

So the sorority symbols are pink carnations and crescent moons.  Well how could I let a chance go by without getting that in fabric?

The carnations were easy enough.  I actually found two and used one for sashing and a lighter print for the border. 

The moons however were a pain. A very expensive pain. I did find ONE repro print that wasn't baby-ish and it was about $10/yd. I really wanted it for the backing but not that bad. I chose to buy a yard and use it as the binding instead.

I think that's where I got off-track with this quilt.  I so badly wanted the moons for the back and kept wringing my hands about the cost or if I could find any other moon fabric out there.  I couldn't.

 I quilted each t-shirt square with matching thread and then used gray in my bobbin. All the squares were the loopty loos except the mish-mash square at the bottom right where I combined 4 pieces to make one big square. I did each quadrant in a different FMQ. Here is my rockin' pebble stitch. What a great texture that has! But I don't think it would be fun to do an entire large bed quilt that way.
 

It is super duper long.  Get it,"A loooong time comin'"?  My sister-in-law is tall but not 7 foot.  Hopefully it is still well-loved and received anyway.  My husband called it the 'rob' quilt because of the Greek letters.

Good-bye, Rob Quilt. 
One quilting resolution done!