Stargazing and dreaming

Hi everyone!  I have been having trouble with blogger for the last week or so...it doesn't seem to want to load, so I took a few days off instead of fighting with it.

The Fall Festival went great last weekend.  Thanks for all of the well wishes.  I think everyone left happy and that is what's most important.  There were many painted faces, laughing children, teachers dunked in the dunk tank, candies given out, and money made for the classrooms.

Sunday we took the kids to a nearby corn maze with my sister and brother-in-law.  The kids loved it!  For us adults, it can be somewhat hard to enjoy Fall Fun like that when you have sweat rolling down your back and you're dying for a cold drink, but when there are 8 feet of snow up north and I'm wearing a light sweatshirt I will remember that all is right in the world.  ;)

As for sewing projects...I'm finishing up my do.Good stitches top...just have the big navy sections left to sew on (pics tomorrow...) and I'm busy cutting and dreaming of my next quilt.

A few years ago, I decided to make Emma a full-sized quilt for her bed out of Erin McMorris' Weekends line.  Em and I went back and forth on design.  I wanted to make sure she liked the quilt as it was going to be covering her bed (hopefully for some time) but I wanted something that appealed to me and my design aesthetics as well.

In the end, I put the project on the back burner for awhile.  And the time has finally come to get it done.  November is my month in my Modern Blocks Block Swap Bee to host.  And I'm asking the girls to make blocks for Emma's quilt.  :)  I figured it was the perfect way to get a jump start on making it, because once the  blocks start rolling in, I'll want to work on it and I'll have a head start!

Emma and I are still in love with the Weekends fabrics.  She'd forgotten all about them and was so taken with them yesterday afternoon that it made my heart smile.

As far block design, she agreed with me that Stargazing by Angela Pingel would be lovely.  (Found in the book Modern Blocks)  Here's a sample of a finished Stargazing quilt top that I found on flickr...

via Greenleaf Goods

BUT...I am making a full-sized version, so I am going to add in some 12" blocks that are just one big wonky star as well as some sections with just the little or medium-sized stars.  And maybe just for fun, I'll throw in a few Ring of Stars blocks as well:

via Angela herself

Emma seemed overjoyed with the possibilities and I have to admit, this is something that is right up my alley. Stars are some of my most favorite blocks!!

So today I am busy cutting everything out to get it ready to send off to my fellow bee members.  I was thinking I'd go with a white background because I have enough of it...but I'd love to go with a little more color...what do you think?  Light gray?  Khaki?  Or something totally wild like turquoise or a dark plum?  What do you think??  Here's a link to Free Spirit's web site where you can see all of the colors I'm working with.

WIP Wednesday

I am knee deep in mini-aprons for our Fall Festival this Friday night.  As PTO co-chair and the only one who sews, I got elected to whip up as many aprons as I could.  PTO runs the festival as a fundraiser for the grade levels at our school.  People buy tickets from us that they use at the festival booths.  We use the aprons for the teachers to keep their tickets in during the festival and then they turn those tickets into us to receive payment.

So…the aprons need to be sturdy and easy to use, but apparently not overly attractive. haha  My co-chair pal found this cheap and strong denim at Walmart and bought the rest of the bolt for me to use.  She priced out pre-made aprons in town and they were ridiculously expensive for something we use for 3 hours once a year.

We needed between 25-50 aprons (some of the booths like to have 2 aprons) this year and had a total of 22 left over from last year.  So…I’m compromising and working on 12.  J

Yes, all of the binding strips are different because I went back and bought Walmart out of them basically--some are dark denim, some are light denim and some are navy and a cornflower blue polyester...

I’ve got 7 done and have 5 almost done.  I want to give up and call it a day…but I am pressing on with a quick break to blog. 

Wish me luck!

And don’t forget to head over to Lee’s to see what fun projects other people are working on.  It’s not all drudgery elsewhere.  ;)

Ready for bed

**The winner of the fall skirt giveaway has been chosen and it's Needle and Nest!  I've emailed you to get sizing information.**

I mentioned yesterday that I’d been pattern testing for Jenny  again.  Well, I actually tested out 2 patterns this weekend for her.  The girl is on a roll!

Sunday afternoon I tested her newest pattern—the Sadie Grace Nightgown.  It’s a basic peasant-style nightgown with long sleeves.  The pattern called for any woven or flannel fabric, but I think it would be super comfy in a knit as well.

I went through my stash to see what I had that was at least a yard and a half long.  I often buy smaller pieces since most of my sewing is quilting, so I wasn’t sure what I’d find.  But, lo and behold I came up with a lavender damask print I’d bought for an Easter dress a few years back.  So a nightgown it became…  ;)

This pattern, like all of Jenny’s, is written for a beginning sewer/sewist/person with a sewing machine.  The directions are simple and clear.  The steps are minimal.  And it never takes long to get from an idea to a finished product.

She included directions in this pattern for both a bias binding neckline and simple directions for a fold-over hem along the neckline.  I went for the binding obviously.  To me, its actually easier and it adds such a nice touch. 

I wasn’t sure how this one would fit Emma or if she would really like it.  I mean, half the time she thinks she’s fully grown anymore, so would a simple nightgown be to “baby” for her?  Plus, she’s a tall 8-year old and 8 is as high as the sizing goes.

She LOVED it!  I don’t know if it’s the color, the fact that I made it for her, the cuteness of the design, or simply that I caught her on a good day with it, but she didn’t want to take it off!  She posed for a few pictures and then wore it for most of the afternoon.  That night she put it right back on at bedtime. 

This is another pattern that I would highly recommend.  Jenny does a great job of making projects seem simple.  I told her I thought this one would be cute with a monogram or holiday appliqué on the center front.  Or, I thought it’d be fun to make a bunch for a sleepover and embroider the girls’ names on them.

I bet this would also be cute to make for a little girl out of one of Daddy’s old t-shirts.  You could just use the shirt to cut your pattern pieces from.  What little girl wouldn’t love that??

Disclaimer—I received no monetary or other benefit for this post.  I did receive the pattern free as payment for testing it for errors in either sizing or directions.  I only wish people were lining up to give me free fabrics, patterns, or other monetary benefits!

Yoga Pants Completed!

I finished the yoga pants!  I have to give a major shout out to my friend Jenny of Seamingly Smitten.  She does such a great job of taking popular, fashionable pieces and finding easy ways to make them at home.

Yes, this pattern did require using knits.  But I had ABSOLUTELY no problem with them.  Knits have a bad reputation for being hard to work with, but if you buy quality fabric and take your time (and actually use pins...), they can be as easy as quilting weights.

I made the size medium with a cropped length because I love cropped knit pants to run in.  Meaning I like my pants tight and fitted close when I’m running.  I was right on the borderline of a medium/large (which is the case usually.  I run between a 10 and 12) so I made the mediums this time. 

And the fit is great.  If was wearing these for comfort and lounging, I’d probably make the large, but the medium fits really well.

The directions were incredibly clear.  There are only like six steps once you’ve got your fabrics and pattern cut out.  And, because it’s an e-pattern you print out your pattern pieces and tape them together meaning you can make as many size alterations or cuts as you want because if you want another size you can just reprint it.

I bought this knit at JoAnn last week and I’d say It’s a medium-weight.  I meant to write down what it was for y’all but totally forgot.  I THINK it was a poly/rayon/spandex blend but that could have been the black I was looking at instead of this gray…

This pattern comes in XS-XL and there are actually 4 hem-lengths to choose from.  Jenny really thought this one out.  Next time I think I will make the large in a black, but when I was at JoAnn I found this cool abstract zebra print that I’m thinking I should definitely get too…haha!  When I told Chris that he laughed and said “Only at home!” 

So, while I don’t work for Jenny and I’m getting no reward (other than the pattern and that was simply for trying it out for mistakes for her) for sharing it with y’all, I would definitely recommend it.  Definitely.  You will LOVE it!  Now, get over any fear of knits you had quickly because this pattern will be out soon! 

Linked up to:

Random Thursday Ramblings

**Don't forget the skirt giveaway is still going with only a few entries.  It's open till Monday, October 8.**

Gotta love a Random Thursday, huh?  It's not quite the weekend, there's no big news, but I still wanted to share some things with y'all...

1.  I'm making progress on my do. Good Stitches quilt.  I've got all of the rows sewn together and the sashing strips cut.  Only 32 more steps to go...  ;)

2.  I've got my knits washed, dried and cut for my yoga pants.  I can't wait to get these made, because if the pattern fits good, I'm redoing my whole wardrobe--yoga pants for every day!  Who's with me??

3.  I am very interested in seeing what Jennifer does with her Scrappy Stash Quilt-Along.  Monochromatic improv log cabins???  I'll be following along...

4.  My sewing room looks like a fabric monster threw up in here...it is even too much for me.  I wonder if I could hire a little elf to come and clean it for me each night...I wonder what the going rate for a cleaning elf is...and if he'd do the rest of the house too...

5.  I am stalling on making those 30 mini-aprons for the Fall Festival next Friday because I really don't want to deal with it.  Wonder if cleaning elves sew things for you too...

6.  I am stalling on doing my yoga for the day because I just ate a bowl of broccoli and cheese soup and it was so awesome that I'm full and want to lay down and watch TV instead.

7.  Next month I am in charge of both my bee and my do. Good stitches group again and I haven't narrowed down any choices for either one.  I've got ideas for both, but nothing narrowed down.

8.  Oren wants to be a ghost for Halloween and it's so easy I almost said no.  What is wrong with me?  I bought Emma's costume.  I HATE buying costumes, but after the rockstar fiasco, I have found it's easier to let her buy one at the store than fight over a costume that will be worn for an hour.

9.  I met this old woman in JoAnn fabrics yesterday that had a mouth like a sailor, I mean really.  I think my face was red from blushing over if anyone else could hear our conversation.  When I told her that I liked to sew quilts over clothing because "Quilts are flat and don't have to fit anyone," she started laughing and then later said it.  I have a feeling it's going to be her new quote.  She'll probably get famous for it...

10.  While at JoAnn's yesterday I found that they are STILL out of the basic solid that I need like maybe 1/2 a yard of to finish my sister's Christmas present from last year!!!  I am very frustrated but after telling Chris about it, he offered a so-simple I hadn't thought of it solution that I think is what I'm going to go with instead.

11.  I am learning as I get older that I care less and less about being popular and more and more about being me and standing up for what "me" thinks.  I sometimes think about closing down my fb page because I get so tired of listening to people whine about their current situation without ever taking a look in the mirror.

12.  And that is one reason I love this blogging community so much.  For the most part, people here in this virtual world are kind and considerate of others.  There is so much sharing and encouragement that we log off feeling better about ourselves than before we logged on.  Or I usually do anyway...

13.  I think I need a lifestyle coach to come in and keep me on track.  There would be much less stalling that way...

Okay, I'm off to do the yoga before I go and pick the kids up, come home to do homework and chores before heading back to town for ballet.  Emma's ballet, not mine.  I don't think me in a leotard trying to be graceful is going to happen anytime soon.  I'll probably get those darn aprons made before that... haha

Hope your Thursday is going well and there is much less stalling on your end.  If you have extra motivation--please send it my way!

WIP Wednesday

**Don't forget about the skirt giveaway found here.  It's open until Monday, October 8.**

First off, thanks so much to everyone who commented last week with my layout issues.  After reading all of the comments and discussing some of the ideas with several of you, an idea that I had floating around in my head anyway was suggested by  Debbie.  And I couldn't stop thinking about it.

One of her ideas was to just row up all of the framed patchwork blocks in a traditional style and then offset them with some large solid sections to give it a more modern look.  I'm not sure I described that well...did that make sense??  Well--here's a mockup I made in EQ5 for you...

So, the framed patchworks (which I got tired of making all different in the mockup so most of them look exactly the same...haha) will be sashed with Kona Grass and a Connecting Threads Navy solid that I bought awhile back and then will be offset with a big section of navy on the right and bottom.  I thought it would be different and I've had the idea of offsetting something for awhile now.  This seems like the right time.  Oh, and the top and left borders--the green will go all the way to the edge of the patchwork, but EQ didn't want to do that for me and I didn't care enough to fight it...

So, that's the main project that I'm working on today.  BUT, I've also got some knits in the wash because I'm trying out another pattern from my awesome friend Jenny.  Her latest pattern is for yoga pants!  I was so excited to test this pattern out because I could honestly live in yoga pants.  And here is the opportunity to make my own in any colors and length/fit I want???  I'll let you know how it goes.

These are Jenny's yoga pants.  Isn't she cute?  I picked a dark gray for the pants and a darker pink for the waistband without realizing we'd be almost twins!  funny

Oh, and did I mention the 30 mini-aprons I've got to make by next Friday for our Fall Festival to do too?  You know how sometimes because you know how to sew and other people don't, they assume it will be easy and quick for you to just whip something out...yeah, me too.  I am crossing my fingers and hoping that they will actually be quick and easy to whip out.  Cross your fingers for me too, will you??

I'm linking up with Lee again today, and am glad to see my friend Debbie is hosting it this time!  Good for you, girl!

Fall color

  Down here in Florida, we don't get much fall color.  There are no spectacular color tours where you drive around to see the leaves changing colors.  There are no pumpkin or apple-picking adventures.  There is slightly cooler in the mornings and evenings and hot summer-like days for awhile longer and then we'll have a brief fall before winter starts.

So...we have to make our own fall color sometimes!  As I mentioned on Saturday, the kids had some fall pictures taken on Friday by a friend who set up her own fall-like environment.  All we had to do was dress our kiddos in fall colors and clothing and find a happy medium between fall apparel and summer temperatures!

I ended up putting both of my two in jeans, but I whipped up a skirt for Emma as an alternative in perfect-for-fall colors.  I knew I wanted Oren in the shirt he ended up wearing--it was a plaid featuring dark turquoise, navy, orange and green.  And I decided that the accent color I'd pick out of his shirt was turquoise for Emma--it's one of my favorite colors and I hoped it would stand out from the fall decorations while still coordinating with them.   Even in Em's jeans, she wore a turquoise headband and earrings.

But for the skirt I picked this lovely fabric I bought from Connecting Threads last fall to make a simple elastic-waisted skirt.  I believe it's called Golden Afternoon, but is all sold out.  The colors all matched the colors found in Oren's shirt and the brown matched her boots well.  Plus, can you get more fall than this?

I just cut a rectangle of fabric 16 inches long by the width of the fabric (~44 inches).  Then I sewed the selvages together (with turquoise thread!) and folded the top down to make an elastic casing.  Inserted a strip of elastic 1 inch smaller than Emma's waist, sewed the waistband shut and hemmed.  Done.  The entire thing took me maybe 20 minutes.

She tried it on with this turquoise shirt and I loved it, but she said for the pictures she felt more comfortable in the jeans.  Another way I know she's growing up--this kid has been a skirt and dress fanatic since she was old enough to point to what she wanted to wear.  Who let her grow up into a preteen so soon???

I didn't mind, because I knew going into it the skirt was a backup plan. Plus, it's not like she won't wear it ever.

So...since I didn't get professional shots of her in it Friday night, I decided to do a little mini-photo shoot at our house yesterday.  She loves to model, so she didn't mind too much.  ;)

AND...when I was cutting out this skirt panel--I accidentally cut two!  So...I've got another one ready to whip up and I thought I'd share!  So, let's have a giveaway!  Comment here if you'd like to win a skirt just like Emma's.  I can shorten the length if your little girl is smaller.  And because I am so thankful to all of you who come back repeatedly and keep me company, I'm going to give 2 entries to followers.

All you have to do is comment with your favorite fall color.  And then comment again to tell me that you follow if you do.  **Edited to add--this giveaway will be open for 1 week--you've got until Monday, October 8 at 11:59 p.m. to enter!  I'll chose a winner Tuesday morning.**

Thanks for making my fall brighter just by visiting and going on this journey with me!