Something for Sophie

Birthday patchwork

2010-04-23T06:26:00.004-08:00

My Dad's birthday is coming up, and I'm almost done with his present! I will mail it off tomorrow... 2nd day or else it will be late.
I want it to be a surprise, so here is just a little sneak peek, can you guess what it is?!

Not another dress!

2010-04-16T06:17:00.006-08:00

I recently made these three Kidlets, the clever tutorial can be found here.
These little fabric 'buckets' are great for hanging around for Sophie to put her stuff in... they kind of flop open when hanging, which makes the patchwork pocket kind of invisible to all but really short people, like Sophie and her friends, but also easy for their little hands to reach into!

A little close up of each one...
Green -

Black -

Pink -

Sophie and I did make a quick little sundress last night, and we have more planned, so the next post will probably be dresses again!

Yet another dress!

2010-04-10T08:36:00.002-08:00

This is the third dress, and my 6th using the Tea Party Sundress pattern - I was cruising right along and forgot to add the flat piping on this one, oh well, Sophie didn't notice.
For some reason she loves this scissor fabric!
The front -

The back -

And on the girl!

Next post I'll have some quilty things to share, I promise!

Another Dress

2010-04-05T06:14:00.004-08:00

Sophie's Easter dress - with this one too, she helped pick out the fabrics and sat in my lap a bit while I was sewing it. This is a Pink Fig pattern, the Lydia Dress. There was a little apron on the front, but I didn't like how it turned out, so cut it off and covered the edge with a little free standing ruffle.

We woke up to about two inches of snow on Easter morning! Sophie was very excited about the whole situation, but mostly the candy!

The Easter Bunny didn't bring this, that would have been great though! I sewed this egg a while ago, and it was a big hit. Seems like every toddler needs a wool felt fried egg for their play kitchen -
Ariana at Crow Roosters Crow has the tut on her sidebar, and she has lots of other great ideas for little ones -

Spring Dresses

2010-03-28T13:41:00.005-08:00

Having a big time sewing little dresses.... this is dress #3 in the past week.
Sophie helped pick out the fabric, AND, she helped sew it!
Oliver & S Tea Party Dress, in size 3T, using Heather Ross and Kei honeycomb dots.
The front...

The back...

The wild girl... !

A busy weekend

2010-02-08T07:09:00.004-09:00

Some weekend sewing was done - here are some blocks for the back of this quilt!
I planned to piece the back, so had some leftovers. I really hope to get this finished and mailed off to my parents by the end of March - It was supposed to be their Christmas quilt!

Some more blocks for the Paintbox Quilt a Long -

These might be my favorite so far, I don't plan on using too much purple, but a little is nice.

And here is all of them so far, a little stack of blocks on a little stack of firewood -

I took all of these pictures on the patio, that explains the cement floor and the chair full of firewood....

Happy 21!

2010-02-03T15:51:00.005-09:00

A few more for the paintbox quilt. I have more cut out and in the lunch trays ready to go -
these scrappy ones turned out wonky, and not in the good 'embrace the wonky' kind of way either.
I won't use them in the quilt, but maybe a matching doll quilt for Sophie's naked little dolly...

Here is Sophie, with her Mama, my daughter Kathryn, who is now 21!!!!!!!!!!!
How could my baby possibly be 21 years old?!
We're going to a nice restaurant tonight to celebrate -
lets hope Sophie can keep her shirt on this time.

Sophie Backpack and Auction

2010-01-23T13:14:00.007-09:00

This little backpack was sewed on Jan 2nd, finally today I took some pictures!

This is a wonderful sewing pattern, with clear directions and everything else that makes a pattern happy. If you have a little person in your life, you really should make one of these!
So fun to make, and really, a wee backpack is cuter than you might imagine...
The pattern can be found here.
Sophie loves it and has been using it every time she goes to her other Nana's house, and pretty much everywhere else she goes.

I did add two side pockets, one for her water bottle and the other for her hankie.

The fabric and webbing are from Supperbuzzy, the fabric is quite thin, so I backed it with canvas.

Everybody is talking about the crisis in Haiti, Alaskans have been reaching out to Haiti, and so has the sewing/crafting blogging world. Here is one more way to help the people there -
Beth at ModernJax is auctioning off the items many of us help put together, so go check it out and please make a bid!
More info about the auction here.
Edit: Forgot to mention that I quilted the tree skirt that is up for auction right now! Go Bid!

Paintbox quilt

2010-01-18T09:54:00.006-09:00

Instead of finishing some quilts or bags that I have half done.... or going through the ufo box and picking something out... or doing the dishes, I jumped in on Oh Fransson's Paintbox quilt a long!
So far I've been using the small stash of Kona solids that I already have, but some jelly rolls are on their way. I even found some jelly rolls of the new Hope Valley line!
First I sorted out the strips, and started bags for the pieces to go on the back.
The back of this quilt is going to be great, she is so clever that Oh Fransson.

Some blocks in progress -

Here is what I have so far. The little cuties. I almost want to name them.

Oh, and here are my sewing room helpers - can you tell they are very helpful?

New School Bag

2010-01-13T21:41:00.004-09:00

My daughter Kathryn started the Nursing Program on Monday - seems like its been a long wait for it all to come together, and now its happening! For Sophie it means some big changes, which she seems to be dealing with just fine. Mon and Tue she goes to her other Nana and Papa's house, and Wed and Thur to a good friend of Kathryn's, who is a stay at home mom to Sophie's best friend Sierra. Fri there are no classes, at least for the 1st semester.
Not too bad for a 33 month old venturing out into the world for the first time....
Kathryn needed a new bag for school, she picked out some laminated Kokka and linen out of my stash -

Its my basic tote bag pattern, with linen for the lining and the flat piping around the top, and Kona Charcoal for the faux piping on the handles.
And one zip pocket to keep her beloved I Phone safe.

Giveaway Winner

2009-12-21T15:29:00.002-09:00

A bit late, but I pulled Amanda's name out of the hat! Amanda, drop me a line and let me know your address so I can mail this fabric off to you - thanks to all that commented!
I'm going to take a bloggy break for a bit, so will see you later,
Sew on... and have a Merry Christmas -

102nd Post Giveaway!

2009-12-12T11:23:00.003-09:00

The tree skirt is on its way back to Beth - it was fun to be part of a charity project, it was a great swap, thanks Beth!

She made this cool label, anybody see their name?

Now I need to do something with my six blocks, I'm thinking a tree skirt similar to this, so I'll need to make two more blocks. Not going to happen in time for this year's tree ... I'm so behind in making presents, so my plan now is to focus on sewing for Sophie, Christmas is for kids anyway, right?!
Can't believe this is my 102nd Post!
So here is my giveaway, eight Heather Ross fabrics, cut into 12 1/2 inch squares -
All folded up and ready to go ... just leave a comment and I'll draw a name on December 18th!

Tree Skirt!

2009-12-06T10:00:00.004-09:00

The tree skirt is almost done, we had some cloud failure yesterday so I took some pics -

For the back, I had a just right size piece of a cotton/linen blend -

Four bobbins so far and I can almost cross this off my list!
Feels good to be getting things done. Pretty sure I want to make a tree skirt like this with my blocks from the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap.... maybe not in time for this year though!
I'm putting together a collection of fat quarters for my giveaway, its such a big decision.....

Toddler dyed yarn

2009-12-01T07:23:00.006-09:00

Here is the yarn that I mentioned in my last post, Sophie and her friends all get together on Thursdays for play group, they rotate whose house it will be at, and always have an art activity. Two Thursdays ago, they each painted a skein of undyed wool yarn, soon they will have matching hats! The oldest in the group just turned 3 -

Didn't they all turn out beautiful?!
I have been quilting, but its been so dark that I haven't been able to get a good picture of the progress. It a tree skirt that Beth put together from some of the charity blocks for her Christmas Scrappy Block Swap. Its very pretty and she also made a very cool label to sew on the back.
If its sunny today, I'll run home at lunch and get some pictures. Its dark when I go to work, and dark when I get back.... that time of the year.
Oh, and this is my 101st post! I'll be having a giveaway soon!!!

A sweet gift

2009-11-21T15:14:00.004-09:00

My friend Rachel gifted me two half yards of Anna Maria's new laminated fabric! Thanks Rachel! How sweet, and Happy Friday to me! Happiest day at work that I've had in a long time thats for sure....
couldn't wait to get home and make an apron for Sophie, she needs one now that she is starting to paint -
This thursday playgroup they each painted a skein of wool yarn, and the mamas are going to knit them hats. I'll post pics of the yarn soon, they all turned out very pretty!

I used my walking foot, worked great, and lined it with the same fabric as the ties.

Also good for doing dishes!

Christmas Quilt and Snow

2009-11-18T06:40:00.006-09:00

I finished this quilt top out at Camp - Its going to be for my Mom and Dad for Christmas - don't look Mom! I'm working on the back now, with about 2 yards of the Kona cream, and also a strip of each green, which for some reason are all sewed together. Forgot what I was going for there... I think I planned on cutting into strips again so I'll have little square borders for some big solid squares on the back.

The inspiration for this came from AmandaJean's Quilt along.

We made a snowgirl/teddybear thing in the front yard... since then they eyes have fallen out and its been snowed on ... now it looks like a snow ghost!

Two sweet girls

2009-11-14T22:18:00.002-09:00

I am truly going to make an effort to post more often. Really have been busy creating, but instead of taking pics of what I've been sewing, I've been watching these two sweet girls play -

Washing carrots -

And supervising sewing room nap time!

Letters for the couch

2009-10-25T10:08:00.004-08:00

Lots of things have happened since I last posted....our 25th Wedding Anniversary, Quilt camp, Strep throat, Dad in the hospital ( he is doing good now). I'll spare you all the details, but lets just say I've been busy - here are some pics to prove it!
Some new pillows for Sophie to throw off of the couch so she can use the couch like a trampoline... we just can't tell her not to, I mean really, don't you wish you had a couch big enough that you could jump on?
I put a strip with a 'hidden' zip on the back of each one, so far its worked and she hasn't been unzipping too much.
I've been collecting fabrics with letters with pillows in mind, maybe she'll learn the alphabet while she is midair?
As you can see, I finally got some Aunty Cookie! Very happy about that.

Also happy I got the 'pebble' quilting down, so looking forward to doing some more of that -

Mailed this wonky star to Amanda for her Quilts of Valor project on the way out the road to Quilt 'Camp'. She must have had a lot of sewing sisters pitch in, because she is making 5 quilts! It was very fun to make and I can see how these could be addicting...

Ahhh, Quilt Camp.we always hang our completed projects over the railing... we always have so much fun out there, its so hard to come back to reality after 4 nights in this beautiful cabin.

What could be better than this?!?

Quilt almost done

2009-09-23T07:12:00.006-08:00

Here is the Chocolate Lollipop quilt top held up by the DH on the front deck -

And here it is all quilted and ready for the binding -

I used a Kona cotton for the borders on the front - and the chocolate lollipop fabric that Lorrie sent me for the bottle caps that I sent to her!

Here is the back, I used a linen/cotton blend that I got at a garage sale, it was a 60" wide five yard chunk, really nice, think I payed $5 for it - I love finding fabric at garage sales and thrift shops -

It took almost two spools of King Tut thread, 9 and 1/2 bobbins -
I couln't get the whole quilt in the picture, its been gray here for weeks, so the lighting is awful.
Now I'm off to finish the binding, and start a red, white and blue wonky star block for Amandajean -

Sunday Stash on Monday

2009-09-14T07:25:00.003-08:00

A day late.... this little fat quarter set of OOP Heather Ross arrived on Saturday!

Very happy for me! Sorry for the bad picture, its been so dark and gray lately.

I haven't been able to get a picture of the Chocolate Lollipop quilt top, and if my machine, Ella, gets out of the shop today, I'll have the back done tonight, and the quilting will begin!

Two knitting bags

2009-09-06T08:52:00.008-08:00

I'm having trouble with Blogger, and the DH ( with our camera) gets back tonight, so will have some pictures of that Chocolate Lollipop finished quilt top soon - and I now have all six of my Scrappy Christmas blocks! I'm so amazed how well they all go together, so pics of those soon too... meanwhile, here are two bags that I made for my daughter a while back.
She asked for a couple bags to carry her knitting projects around in, so I sewed her up some Pink Penguin style bags.
I did square off the bottoms so they can stand up, and made the casing for the selvedge drawstrings about an inch bigger. They are in constant use because she always has about five projects going at once - hmmm...wonder where she gets that from?!

I love chain piecing!

2009-09-01T21:19:00.003-08:00

Here it is, a bit of an off-center picture, but ready to sew the rows!
Since I pressed the seams open, I'll have to pin. I'm still not sure which way I like to do seams best, pressed open, or to opposite sides.
I love nesting seams together, and not having to pin, but I also love how the top lays so nice and flat when the seams are pressed open...

I'm waiting for two more Scrappy Christmas blocks, then I'll jump for joy and take a pic of all six together! I also have my nine patches done, and the sashing/borders cut, and am waiting for a bright day to take pictures. A bright day when I'm home that is. Working full time is a bummer.

Quickest way ever

2009-08-29T13:02:00.003-08:00

Sewing up the blocks using my friend Susan's method. Once you sew the blocks vertically, the rows are all lined up, attached because you chain pieced, and ready to be sewn horizontally, no way can you mix them up, just need to flip them over to match the seams!
Here is how its done. Lay out your blocks, put them in piles vertically with the #1 block on top, label the top blocks, I pin on the numbers, so they can't come off. Trust me, this is a good thing to do, now you know that the labeled ones will always be to your left.
I have 9 blocks vertically and 6 blocks across for this quilt.
Once all your #1's and #2's are chain pieced, move on the next block in the stack, and chain piece those.... and just keep going. I used this with the Old Red Barn quilt along top too.
Has anyone else used this method? Does it make sense to you?!
I'm going to finish putting this together, then post a pic of it all chain pieced together....

Another quilt started -

2009-08-28T15:28:00.008-08:00

Using the tutorial from here, I cut into the Anna Maria Chocolate Lollipop fabrics

the generous and sweet Lorrie from Birmingham, Alabama sent -

I've got all the blocks done and am taking a break from the whole arranging, then re-arranging,

then re-arranging them again ritual.

In real life the off-white Kona cotton makes the fabrics shine!

Labels!

2009-08-22T13:30:00.017-08:00

I finally ordered some custom labels! I've been wanting to make some doll quilts to sell, but felt like labels were needed in order to be 'official'.
Well here they are, they came from Lilla Lotta, and I LOVE them!

Just in time for this little doll quilt -

Close up -

And the back -

Updates...

2009-08-20T14:34:00.005-08:00

I finished the simple modern baby quilt, a couple days after Charolette was born!
Just needs a label, and off to Anchorage it goes! I decided to go with straight line, 'box within a box' for quilting, and a stripe for the binding.

I received my first two scrappy Christmas blocks, and I love them! They're from Rebecca at
mycreativeside - check out the cute Santa in the center - and that ribbon candy fabric!

I've sent out all six of mine, still have the charity block here, plan on mailing that to Beth tomorrow after I pick up a few goodies to add to the package. What a lot of work that must have been (and still is) to organize a swap.
Quilters are such generous people, check out the package I recently recieved from a quilter in Birmingham, Alabama. She had e-mailed me and asked if I could send her some beer caps for an art quilt, or a mosiac project, I said sure no problem - and this is what she sent in payment!
Can you believe how sweet and generous that is?!

So when I first heard about quilters sending fabric to Iraq here, I knew I had to join in!
You have until Sept 7th to bust your stash and join in - I'm sure our sewing sisters in Iraq will appreciate it.
Oh, and I now have 38 Nine Patches!

9 Patch Love

2009-08-14T17:40:00.003-08:00

I now have 26 nine patches... I love sewing 9 patches.
Something about them is almost soothing, all seems right when I'm in the 9 patch zone.
Little happy squares all the same size, the way the seams nest and turn out just right every time...
Ahhh.... safe happy place if you know what I mean.
Yes, very soothing.

Sunday Stash & Weekend Sewing

2009-08-09T15:02:00.003-08:00

This is something I really splurged on. Sorry honey, I really HAD to have it! Really.
First I had a half yard, and gave it to my friend Rosey because I adore her. Then I decided that I REALLY needed some for Sophie, so later ordered a yard.
From Pink Chalk Studio because their customer service and shipping is so great.
This is a really crappy pic, but you all know what it is... and if you don't, its a fabulous Japanese 55% cotton, 45% linen laminated fabric that is great for lunch bags, aprons, etc ...

I stayed up late last night, and now all six of my Scrappy Christmas blocks are done and ready to be sent to their new homes! These were fun to make, and I cut extra strips so I can make a few more to go with the six that I receive. It will be even more fun to see what everybody else gets and how they put them together.

My favorite one, don't you think this bird looks somewhat pensive/thoughtful or somehow occupied ...? Perhaps wondering why there are wax stains on the new deck?
We don't have a lot of experience with hot weather...did you know that on a day over 80 degrees, beeswax crayons melt? Yep, into colorful little lakes. Poor Papa.

Baby quilt and lots of new projects

2009-08-03T19:33:00.008-08:00

Just finished the top of a baby quilt for a special baby girl in Anchorage that is due at the end of this month! I bought a few new fabrics, but used mostly stash, and the Simple Modern Baby Quilt pattern from Oh Fransson.
This was so much fun to put together, I've never ironed open the seams before in a quilt, it lays so incredibly flat! Its going to quilt so smooth, think I'll do something curvy on all those straight lines.

And the back is almost as pretty as the front!

Happy to have gotten this top done, since I have a lot going on... I joined Amandajean's 9 patch quilt a long - all greens and some Moda cream for the center square and sashing, this will be a large lap size for my Mom and Dad for Christmas.
I have 4 blocks done so far - and lots of squares cut, hopefully not too many.
Sometimes I do that.

Also I joined the Nothing But Scraps group, since I have two boxes of scraps that I would really like to be gone - or at least get smaller! Its going to be a paper pieced New York Beauty, I've had the papers hanging around for a long time, its called Cinco de Mayo by Karen Stone.
And lastly, I jumped in on Beth's Scrappy Christmas block swap!

Table runner and a list

2009-07-31T20:23:00.005-08:00

I have been very busy lately and have lots to share with you, but first, a picture of the tablerunner/wall quilt that I made Mom for her birthday - she loves green, and turns out she needed a tablerunner!

Had to use two different types of linen, ran out of that light colored stuff from Pink Chalk Studio.
Sure wish our quilt shop carried linen and/or linen blends, I'm liking them more and more.

Been working on finishing up quilts/projects from the UFO pile, and have started my Christmas sewing already, since I'm not working full time until August 31st, trying to get as much done as I can.
Wanda has a great idea, she has made herself a list assigning each quilt/project a day of the week, very clever and I think it will work for me, so I'm going to give it a go.
More on that later.

Sunday Stash and a bulletin board makeover

2009-07-26T19:05:00.003-08:00

Here is my newest and most loved addition to my stash... my good friend Rosey got this for me just because she is so sweet! Can you believe that?!
I've wanted some even before it came out, but to have it in hand is really amazing.

So here is my renovated bulletin board, I think it will snap up my office just fine.
I really like how it turned out, and it was good practice, went through two bobbins! -

And in case you are wondering, the eggs didn't hatch. No chicks for us. Its very sad.

Quilting bicycles and a new door!

2009-07-24T07:52:00.006-08:00

Firstly, Happy Birthday to my Mom!!! Hope your having a great day!
Secondly, no chicks yet. I didn't count the days right... today is day 21!
So hopefully it will happen today. If they don't hatch I will cry. I'm not kidding.
On to sewing...
I started what I thought would be a quick project, a 'cover' for my bulletin board at work... but three hours of quilting later, its turning out to be not so quick.
I'll be 1/2 time Registrar this year, and 1/2 time Library Assistant again, then next year full time Registrar, I want my office to look nice, and my bulletin board was looking naked.

Above is one of my default stitches, and below is one I've done before, but not for a long time, its a really fun one, but I do quilt myself in a corner once in a while with it.

I'm almost done, so the next post I should be able to show the whole thing, and my Mom's birthday present, which I mailed yesterday.
I saw that Elizabeth made some new bags from her wristlet pattern that I bought some time ago, I love her fabric choices!
Her patterns are very clear, precise and professional, I highly recommend them.
I made this one for I forget who... then my daughter saw it and really like it, so its hers now!
Check out her knitting projects on her blog, right now on needles she has a pair of socks, a hat and a beautiful lace blanket. She is self taught and has only been knitting about one year, she is really amazing!

Another patio picture...can you tell I love our patio?!
There used to be a funky half gate and a curtain here, I've been asking for a door to match the walls, and the DH made it so - with a port hole window!
It looks like a hobbit door in this picture, but really, its full size!

The girls on the front deck... Sophie had clothes on so I took a quick picture! Actually she is getting better at staying dressed, it sure a battle with that wild girl.

On my machine and patio

2009-07-21T06:05:00.007-08:00

Finally some quilting is happening around here! Something for my Mom for her birthday, sorry Mom, its going to be a bit late. Crazy things keep happening around here... Sophie got an infection from a bug bite, right near her eye, really swelled up and very scary, but she is getting better.
Then there are the 9 eggs that will hopefully hatch in the next couple days. I am so EXCITED about that!
But here is a peek of the quilting...

I really wanted to try a different quilting pattern, and have been practicing the 'pebble' on paper, but when I started quilting, the old spirals and garlic happened. Guess I need to practice more.
I'm so inspired by Amandajean's Oh Cherry Oh quilt, it was her 20th quilt of the year, and she used 18 bobbins in it! ? I tried to link to the post with that quilt in it, but for some reason it won't work. Also, she is having another Quilt-a-long!
Even though I haven't finished my Old Red Barn quilt, just can't resist joining in on this one.
Something about those nine patches, I just love them.
I'm also loving the one a day idea, even I can handle that!

Another picture from the patio... the girl is serious about her Edamame!

Summertime and a quilt back

2009-07-10T05:19:00.004-08:00

Ahhh its Summer... here is whats been happening on our patio...

The girls playing in the yard... the other is setting on 9 eggs! Can you tell they are so excited that they're going to be Aunts?!
If all goes well, the chicks will hatch on July 23rd!

And the old red barn quilt along quilt back... I used the leftovers from the front, and lots of natural linen. I don't love it, but I think when its all quilted I will.
Been too hot to sew, well too hot to do much, but I have been sweating, I mean working, a lot in my gardens anyway.
I am so loving working 1/2 time, its going to be hard going back to full time on Aug 31st!

Sunday Stash

2009-07-05T21:17:00.003-08:00

First time buying these 30's/40's prints, not sure why I decided now, when I'm really not supposd to be buying facric, but they called out to me. And the funky 70's mushroom print, was a thrift shop find - always a dollar a yard - so that really doesn't count does it?

Third day in a row it was Africa hot here, almost 80 I swear.
Went to the beach in the morning, before it got too crazy hot, lasted about an hour, and Sophie starting saying she was too hot and trying to take off her bathing suit... we really try to keep her dressed in public... and there were a few other people on the beach, so we decided to go on home.

This was before it go too hot ...another pair of bloomers, perfect for the beach -

Got back just in time for some relaxing on the deck before nap time...

Hope your having a busy, yet relaxing summer, getting some sand between your toes
AND taking time for naps!
Sophie has it figured out.

Two little outfits & Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T19:17:00.009-08:00

For Sophie and her best friend Sierra, matching outfits! Both of the patterns are out of the Weekend Sewing book by Heather Ross. The girls both have 21" chests, so I took a lucky guess and cut the fabric at 32"across, it was just right!
The length I had to shorten to 13" so their bloomers would show... Sierra's daddy is a great photographer, so I hope to have pics of them on the girls soon.

I used selvedges for the straps, and went with the two straps in the front, tie around the neck style. Thought they would be less tempted to undress themselves - and each other - that way!

Elwood's new home

2009-07-01T15:21:00.005-08:00

Elwood is now living in Wrangell with some of the most wonderful dog loving people I have ever met. He liked his new family, and his new home right away.
We are so thankful to them for opening up their home and giving him so much love already.
Here is a quick tour of the place.
After his breakfast of kibbles and yogurt ( he loves his morning yogurt) he can go out on the deck and check out the walkway and float...

This is the guest house on the way down to the float...

Looking up at the main house from the float...

He looks all business...

Making sure all is well at the generator shed on the way back...

Taking a walk with his new dad...

You can see all that really wears a guy out...

It was a beautiful pink sky night for his first night there.
I took it as a sign that all will be good.

Summer Sewing and a short trip

2009-06-23T06:03:00.005-08:00

I've been doing some summer sewing.... still haven't sandwiched my red barn quilt along quilt, but I do have the back pieced together, I used the leftover blocks, some of the fabric and some linen.
I recently spend two wonderful nights with my good friend Rosey, we sewed until 4:30 am every night.... took a safety nap until about 9:30am... got up and kept sewing! Can't think of a better way to start the summer! Heres a bit of what happened...

Matching tops and bloomer for Sophie and her friend Sierra - both patterns out of Heather Ross's weekend sewing.
I'm in love with elastic thread in the bobbin! More pics of these later...

Potholders were born... we just kept sewing our scraps together -
I'm taking this one to Wrangell as a hostess gift.

This one is Rosey's... isn't it sweet?!

On the coffee table - fabric and of course m&ms -

Tried to make a doll quilt with the leftover strips from the old red barn quilt along, and ended up with a couple table runners/wall hangings/whatever instead.

Today Elwood and I get on the ferry and 15 hours later, we'll be in Wrangell.
I will be coming back alone. He is going to live with some good family friends from now on...
he'll be so much happier there, with no small children to irritate him, and eight acres to play and roam around on. It will be much better for everyone.

Old Red Barn quilt along done!

2009-06-09T18:27:00.006-08:00

My Old Red Barn Quilt Along top is done!
First I layed it out to see how I wanted to put it together... see my little helper?

Then I layed it out on my bed so my little helper could no longer be so helpful.
I see just now that its different than the first time! Oh well. Apparently I liked it just as much this way.
Then I chain pieced the first row together, and kept going, keeping the chain going along each row.

Its all kept together by the chains. I've only done this once before, and that was under the direct supervision of my before mentioned talented friend Susan.
So I was pretty happy that I pulled it off this time, all by my onesie, such a cool and time saving way to put it all together, don't you think? Susan is very clever with things like this, and I wish you could taste her North Douglas Chocolate Cake. Its the best ever chocolate cake recipe, but somehow she makes it better than anyone.
Anyway, see how the blocks on the sides are hanging?
Thats because the above picture is sideways.

Here is a closer look. See what I mean about chaining down the side?
It holds the whole quilt together, and then all you do is start at one end, and lay the rows together. When you come to a seam, finger press to opposite sides so the seams nest together. Didn't use a single pin, and all the seams are laying flat and happy.
All the starch really helps with the no pinning. I love starch.

Here she is on the lawn, before ironing and I'm sure there are a few dandelions under there...
so it looks a bit bumpy.
I had so much fun with this quilt along, I used fabric from my stash, was fun to look at the flickr group and see what everybody else was doing, and it kept me motivated to finish! Well almost finished, now the back needs to be done.
My blocks were 12 1/4", so my leftovers were quite small, so will use them on a pieced back, with either muslin or linen.
And I still have the 2" strips for a quilt for Sophie's baby doll, who is still naked.
Thats my next project.

Hot and dry

2009-06-05T05:45:00.005-08:00

Man has it been hot here, in the 80's, we're breaking records, getting sunburned, everybody is talking about the heat, and I've even gotten a few bloody noses. Sorry.
Thats how I know its truly hot and dry.
We're rainforest people, so all this sunny weather is wonderful yet difficult at the same time!
Kathryn and Sophie went camping with friends, and our friend Curt is in town visiting from Anchorage, so we're in BBQ party mode here, hard to get any sewing done when your sitting on the patio in front of a fan, with a cold adult beverage in your hand... anyway, I realized just the other day that I never posted a pic of Sophie's zig zap quilt that I finished a while ago, so I had the DH hold it up and I snapped a few photos...

Daisy sharing her new bed with Sophie, they have Elwood's quilt, and I see that Daisy's is on the floor, its getting kind of worn out, maybe this is her way of saying that she needs a new quilt?

Up until 16:00

2009-06-02T21:22:00.005-08:00

I got all the strips cut last night, was up quite late thanks to the DH being out of town, an iced coffee and Jodie's craft clock, I was up till 16:00 spraying starch, (I so love starch), ironing and cutting away in my sewing room, listening to late night radio, totally forgetting it was a school night.
Thats o.k., I felt great today, even with getting up early to water the gardens all by myself, and coming home at lunch to water again because its Africa hot.
Seriously, it was in the 80's today. Its going to be hot all week, we've been having an incredible spring, well summer now - and we LOVE it!
So that is why Sophie's baby doll is naked. Just like Sophie.
Here are my strips for the red barn quilt along in the two groups.... these look a little small, thats because while I had all the fabric starched, ironed and happy, I went ahead and cut a 2" strip from each one, to make a matching quilt for Sophie's doll. In case she gets cold.

Sunday Stash #5

2009-05-31T20:20:00.005-08:00

I decided to join in on the Quilt Along at Old Red Barn blog - and I haven't cut the strips yet, since it was a beautiful sunny day today, and mostly because I stood in front of my fabric shelves for what seemed like hours deciding what fabrics to use!
My friends Donna and Ginny are in on the fun too - can't wait to see what fabrics they chose -

And here is what I made for my Dad for his birthday, both the little girl panel and the pattern are from the super talented Jodie at Ric Rac.
My Dad and my daughter used to call each other varmit all the time... so it was easy to decide what to have the little girl say!

Speaking of little girls, Sophie turned 2 on May 22nd! Again it was beautiful on her special day - and as you can see, I decided not to use the bicycle fabric for her birthday dress, this blue print was just right on her! She had a rainbow theme party, there were balloons, rainbow cookies, rhubarb-raspberry punch, bubbles, and fruit pizza. More birthday party pics are here -

Blowing bubbles by herself for the first time - good thing we made a lot, because lots of bubble solution was spilled!

Lots of sun!

2009-05-28T06:24:00.002-08:00

We've been having lots of sun, its been a couple years since we've had such a beautiful spring, so I've been outside a lot! My girlfriend and I ended up staying in Alaska instead of going to California for our trip - the weather was better here, can you believe it?!
We got fried despite slathering on lots of sunscreen, and the water was full of life, sea lions, seals, herring and humpbacks - it was amazing. This is an early morning shot of the beach in front of our campsite.

Need to download more pictures.... also, I have been sewing, I'll post again soon with pictures of my Dad's birthday bucket, and Sophie's birthday dress. Have to get ready for work now, leaving you with a picture of Daisy Mae in March, after her bath with her quilt fresh out of the dryer!

Sunday Stash #4

2009-04-27T20:44:00.004-08:00

Not quite a Sunday Stash post....and it is Monday.... but I do have about a half yard of this old Amy Butler left, so that counts, right?!
Before I gave away the little kitty, I had her pose by this little sewing caddy that I made probably three years ago -

Can't find the pattern right now, but it was a quick happy sew.

Well I'm off on a little adventure...
I'm going to California tomorrow on a camping trip with a good friend!
We'll be soaking up some much needed sun , drinking cold beer, eating good fresh food, and catching up with each other! Been a while since we've been on a girl trip together, so really looking forward to it! I'll be back soon with some hopefully very sunny pictures ..... and to show you what I made my Dad for his birthday, which is tomorrow!

Sweet Baby Quilt

2009-04-23T16:13:00.004-08:00

This is my friend, and sewing sister, Susan, holding a baby quilt she made out of Heather Ross fabric, and using the disappearing 9 patch pattern. Susan has been a good friend of mine since 1991, is an amazingly talented sewist/seamstress -and she is the official HandBag Baker!

Pretty cute, eh? I like how she layed out the blocks, and its backed in a rich brown minke fabric, a really nice contrast and nice touch. I wasn't sure about that minke stuff when it first came out, but now I like it!

Birthday gifts and no shirt!

2009-04-21T06:30:00.003-08:00

I got some wonderful handmade gifts for my birthday this year, my Mom made me this wall hanging quilt, and she sent a square yardstick to hang it on, looks so cool in my sewing room!

My daughter knitted both of these gifts for me, a beautiful pair of socks, so soft and cozy, and a coffee cozy of her own design - its fits great on a pint glass for either hot or iced coffee.

The platter was a recent thrift shop find, perfect on my orange wall!

And if your Sophie, you can get away with not wearing your shirt in a restaurant!

Sunday Stash #3

2009-04-19T17:46:00.003-08:00

So I should have looked on e-bay before I asked if anyone had any of the pink bicycles... they're going for $30 a yard! Yikes!
Two of my sewing sisters, Rosey and Becky, told me they had seen the white bicycles at regular price, I followed their lead and here it is...
I had to get 5 yards... because in this economy, fabric on the shelf is like money in the bank, right?! A birthday dress with the Birthday Dress pattern, coming up soon!

Gifts were made!

2009-04-16T06:11:00.004-08:00

Little Kitty is holding a tea wallet that I made for Ginny - my birthday sister - for her birthday, back on April 3rd...

Here it is opened up....

This wallet is fun and easy to make and is found on the blog Spoonful of Sugar.

Speaking of birthday gifts, my daughter knitted me a beautiful pair of socks, and a coffee cup cozy of her own pattern - and my Mom made me a wall hanging quilt! I'll take pictures this weekend -
Big news - Sophie has two new cousins! The were recently adopted into the family from Ethiopia, and a party was held in their honor.
For gifts, I made Elle, who is Sophie's age, the above Little Kitty. What a fun pattern, might need to make another just to keep around for a sewing room mascot!

For Finn, who is about 8, I made the pencil roll pattern from Pink Chalk Studio.

I hope he likes it, sure was hard to decide what to make for an 8 year old boy...

Sunday Stash #2

2009-04-13T17:44:00.004-08:00

My favorite fabric collection! Our local fabric shop, yes, there is only one, put it on sale, not realizing its value - so I snatched up what was left! I did have big plans of selling some on e-bay..
but that didn't happen, so I'm slowly using it up - its just too good to leave on the shelf!
Would anyone like to do a trade?
I need, o.k., I want some of the pink bicycles to make a birthday dress for Sophie.

1 and 1/2 yards is what I will need, and am willing to trade any or a combination of the above fabrics.
For whoever does the trade, I'll throw in this little gnome in a window!
It measures 7" square and is ready to add to a wall hanging, bag, or whatever needs a little gnome love!

Sunday Stash #1

2009-04-05T16:49:00.005-08:00

Here it is, my first Sunday Stash post, complete with some of Jodie's fabulous stuff - can't wait to embroidery these guys - and some birthday fabric from my sewing sisters! Our sewing group, the HandBags, have a birthday tradition, everybody gets a yard of fabric, birthday girl's choice of course. There are 10 of us, so every birthday we get nine yards of fabric! How cool is that?

On my cutting table

2009-04-04T12:02:00.002-08:00

Helping me plan the next project... and wearing another pair of pants from Folkwear #109, fabric from Anna Maria's Drawing Room collection. Can't stop making these!

Daisy is 9 and Sunday Stash

2009-04-01T21:18:00.006-08:00

Daisy Mae turned 9 on March 26 -
Happy Birthday Daisy - thanks for being so sweet to our Sophie girl - we love you!

I may have found her a boyfriend. Long distance relationships can be difficult... the expensive phone calls.... the lonely nights.... but check out this gorgeous guy - and his quilting Mom!

And I joined the Sunday Stash crew!
So this Sunday, I'll show you all a bit of my stash, maybe you'll show me a bit of yours?
Hey, does that sound familiar?!

The little artist and a new hairbrush

2009-03-28T20:00:00.009-08:00

Another shirt for Sophie using the pattern again out of Anna Maria's book, this time using some funky Tina Givens fabric - chandeliers and ladybugs - I love this stuff! The skirt is a Lazy Days Skirt, from this awesome free tutorial, fabric and ribbon from the thrift shop.

Sophie loves to color with her beeswax crayons, now that she doesn't eat them, and Gramma and Grandpa have some pretty colors on our floor here and there... and I noticed a little on the kitchen wall yesterday...

Love those little piggies and all those curls!

Gramma and Sophie!

And if your wondering what to do with your diapers now that your a big girl and using the potty quite a bit .... try using the Velcro for a hairbrush! It works great!
The shirt is the first one I made using above pattern, the linen pants are from Folk wear Patterns #109, very cool pattern, its 2 rectangles for the legs and a square for the gusset. Whoever thought that up is a genius, they're easy to make, and leaves room for a diaper (if you choose to wear one that is) .

Monkeys and zig zags

2009-03-24T07:43:00.005-08:00

Another pic from camp. We have been talking about sock monkeys in our group for a while, some of us thought we should all make one, but a couple of us are a bit creeped out by them. I admit I was part of that group that is not a monkey fan.
After last camp though, I think my mind has changed. Nancy made a couple monkeys.
Us stay up late people couldn't leave them alone... first Rosey made the tie, then I made the cape, next thing the monkey started drinking wine thanks to JoAnne... then Susan made his girlfriend a skirt... so o.k. I do like sock monkeys-

I'm working on my fourth zig zag quilt. Just can't stop, they're way fun to make.
Here is Zigging and Zagging #1, for my daughter's 20th birthday.

Zig Zag #2, for Sophie, just because.

Zig Zag #3 for Sophie's baby doll.

For Kathryn's quilt I started with 6" blocks, for Sophie's, 7" blocks, the doll quilt 2" strips, and the Selvedge quilt back, 8" blocks.

Zig Zag #4 is going on the back of my happy Selvedge quilt, which is still in the works.
Its turning out big. Very big. I have the top all done, it weighs at least five pounds.
I've decided that I can't quilt it myself. Not an easy decision, but really, it would be such a wrestling match, and so many seams, especially with the zig zag back.

Birthdays and Spring somewhere

2009-03-22T13:43:00.004-08:00

My friend Ginny and I share the same birthday, April 3, and for the past three years I think, we've been doing fun things together to celebrate our gray hairs. Ha!
This is the super cute snack bag she made me for a birthday treat - I love it! My favorite color is orange, and this brightens my morning, especially when its full of my fav breakfast, almonds and a handful of little straw bale cereal my DH gets at costco. For the bags I made in my previous post, I used this tutorial from We Wilsons. I love how Ginny snapped it up a bit with some piecework!

I heard that its Spring. Somewhere. Not here yet, this pic was taken off our front deck on May 20th - the fence is 5 feet tall. So whats a little more snow, right?

Quilt Camp and projects

2009-03-18T05:46:00.005-08:00

My sewing group, the HandBags, goes to 'camp' twice a year.... I've posted about it before, how much fun we have, how much we get done, how beautiful the view is. So maybe you've seen pretty much this same pic before. I love it when the water has texture like this.
This Feb, the weather was cold and clear again most of the time, this pic was taken off the deck of the cabin.

And on the inside, ten sewing machines, three ironing boards, and lots of lights ! We hung two shop lights this time, and will put up even more the next time we go, it really helped since the cabin is a bit dark. We have so much fun out here.....we already have our October dates for the next Camp!

In February we always choose a pattern, sometimes that takes a while to agree on one, and draw names to see who your sewing for. This year we choose that pin cushion in Anna Maria's book. The middle of the pin cushion is open, a spot for your thread, scissors, etc. We thought it would be a perfect spot to keep your m&m's... or a cold beer.... it was so fun to see how they all turned out so different! Even different sizes - anybody out there have trouble with this pattern?!
Here they are all stacked up after our exchange -

Rosey's beautiful bird, isn't she clever? Its hard to see the quilting in this pic, but its just gorgeous. I think this is going to be a pillow for on her couch.

Susan and Cristine helping to show Debbie's quilt top that she designed herself - she wasn't sure about is as she was finishing it up, but when it was held up everybody went Wow! Very pretty.

Some snack bags that I made, mostly for Sophie and her friends, I'll have to find the link where I got the idea, because more are being made. The two linen with deer hide hanging tags are for the DH. For manly type snacks. He said he would use them.
My friend Ginny took off with the idea and made me a beautiful pieced one, pic to follow on next post!

Little peasant shirt

2009-02-23T05:50:00.004-09:00

Next up is this little peasant type shirt from Anna Maria's book.
I LOVE this book!
I did have to make it a couple sizes smaller, but she gave clear directions for adjusting the size. My DH gave me the main fabric for Christmas, isn't he good?! The bias tape is an old Amy Butler that I've had for a long time.

I like making little clothes as much as Sophie likes to cuddle with her buddy Daisy!

Sweet little dress for a sweet little girl

2009-02-17T17:54:00.011-09:00

Whoops, disappeared there for a bit, didn't I? Our computer is old and tired, wow a whole 4 years old, and lately it won't let me post or comment on blogs,very frustrating.
Been hanging out in my sewing room quite a bit, busy while I was away from the blog, so I have lots of pictures to share!
Sophie needed a dress for our Valentine's day tea, of course, so here it is, another one from the Oliver and S Teatime sundress pattern.

And a back view complete with lots of curls and a matching frock for the baby doll!

Little Jacket

2008-12-18T06:23:00.003-09:00

First fo all, the bag in the last post really does not have such a wide shape! Don't know why the picture turned out that way. And you probably know that the fabric on the top part of the bag is so beautiful in real life, a much richer color than in the pic.
Anyway, here is the little girl in the sewing room. She loves thread, and likes to 'rearrange' the thread drawer. Long ago are the days when Grandma's thread was organized by color!

She also likes the little rubber rings that the bobbins go in..... as you can see thats what she is going for in this picture, trying to be sly and all.

Can't remember what this little jacket pattern is called, in fact, I loaned it to someone and would love to get it back so I can make another one!
So if your reading this, and you have it, please bring it by!

Speaking of patterns, check these out! Purchased these the same night as the doll stroller.

This jacket is my favorite one, how adorable is this?
Brought tears to my eyes.
Really, it did.
Don't you think the perfect spring jacket for Sophie?

Grandma's got a brand new bag!

2008-12-09T20:42:00.007-09:00

Made it a while ago, but just getting around to posting a picture!
Its called the Market Bag from Portabellopixie, the gathered one, not the one on the front of the pattern.
This is a pattern I will use again and again, just the right size and shape - even the high school girls think its cute!
Also it counts for a lot that it comes as a nice little booklet, clear directions, and here is the best part - lime green print for the instructions!
I took this picture in the library at our new high school, where I spent half of my day, its very beautiful and fancy, can you see the blue 'starbucks' pendant lamps?! We love those.

The inside, with a zip pocket...

And Sophie with no pockets at all!

The joy of little skirts!

2008-12-03T20:09:00.005-09:00

More little skirts for Sophie - a couple made from the Lazy Days skirt tutorial found here.
This one turned out a little big... but still cute on her, especially with her rubber boots!
As usual, a blurry picture.

There is no ribbon to be had in Juneau, so I looked around and found a great selection at
J Caroline Creative. The dogs are my fav, too bad they didn't have any Great Dane ribbon! And little purple campers - waaayyy to cute! Haven't used them yet, am waiting to come across the perfect fabric at the thrift shop.

I'm also working on a patchwork skirt for her, been hand sewing it mostly. Two weekends ago I went to Sitka for a long weekend, the DH had to go for a meeting, so I tagged along and took the skirt for a project. He flew one way, but I took the fast ferry both ways, 4 hours instead of 12! This is pretty much the only picture I took. Its hard to tell, but it was getting a bit lumpy and my stitches were getting pretty crooked - had to take a break. I did see a Killer Whale and a Sea Lion, but of course not when the camera was out -

Just have to show you a picture of Sophie with her new toy - a vintage stroller that I bought from my friend Rosey's best buddy Marcia. She is an amazing collector that has an eye for all things fabulous, her collections are truly amazing, and I'm grateful she was willing to part with this treasure. Sophie loves it. I think its from the 30's or 40's, and its in great condition.
Again, she is just a blur!

Fabric Basket

2008-11-09T12:30:00.006-09:00

Using this tutorial I made Sophie a fabric basket to add to her Christmas booty!
Found some 3" squares, forgot what the plan was for them, maybe a patchwork skirt that was started at 2am?
I cut the bottom fabric (shot cotton) 8"x15.5", and the lining (my favorite stripe) 17.5"x15.25". To box the corners, 2.25" from point to needle.
The handle I cut at 2"x14", then in half to make the 2 handles, like she did, but it looks a lot narrower on mine than on the tutorial.
Next time I'll cut them wider, because I think the wider handles would look cuter, especially since its a little bigger basket.

One last time and an apron

2008-11-01T18:35:00.007-08:00

One last picture of Sophie in her Halloween dress, but see, in this one she has her little vampire cape on! - not the best picture of it, but its on her and dang how cute is that!
Got the basic idea for the cape here. A great tutorial, every kid needs a cape, right?
Instead of mulitiplying the shoulder to shoulder measurement by 1.5 though, I multiplied it by 3, giving me more room for pleats, and also added a red lining and a collar.
She looks a bit worried here, like her mom might snatch that lollipop out of her little hands.... wouldn't surprise me, sugar police that she is!
Grandma gave her that lollipop of course.... usually she takes a few licks, then gives the rest to Daisy Mae, who eats it stick and all in under 5 seconds.

If you are my daughter, do not read anymore, or look at the rest of these pictures!
Right.
Of course, the pattern is from here. If you haven't made this yet, your missing out on a sweet pattern, it went together like a dream, Meg's patterns are very clear and easy to follow.
Let me introduce you to Julia. Found her at a garage sale years ago, it was love at first sight, and knew she had to come home with me!
She lives in my sewing room, always wears pearls, Kathryn's old dresses, and not much else.
What a skinny little thing that she is, I think about a size 6. Crazy, eh?!
Anyway, here is side one:

And side two: I think this will be her favorite side - she picked out this purple batik a couple years ago at the fabric store here in town.

Little Halloween Dress

2008-10-29T18:47:00.005-08:00

Another dress for Sophie from the Oliver and S Tea Party Sundress pattern!

Since the last one I made for her still fits, but just so, I made scant 1/2 inch seams for the Halloween dress - and it worked, its just a wee bit bigger. Just like Sophie.

Here she is peeking into my sewing room. Check out that soft orange color, its the wall behind my cutting table. I had my daughter pick out the color for me.
She has always been good at picking out colors and fabrics!
I wanted an orange that wasn't bright, like in my kitchen, but still orange, and she found just the right one.
We quickly decided that was the perfect orange, turned the paint sample over and looked at the name - it was called Sewing Bee! Sold!

New quilt started!

2008-10-18T08:53:00.006-08:00

I started a new quilt out at Camp, this is one HAPPY quilt! and its great to be using up a lot of the scraps that have been hanging around under my cutting table - and selvedges that I've been saving ever since being inspired by the Queen of Selvedges.
I loved how it looked with 12 blocks, now I'm up to 62! Going to do 18 more, for at total of 80.
They're 8" blocks, so that should be a nice size for on the couch.

Heres 36 of them layed out - I really do have more of the warm colors done, just layed out more of the cool ones for this picture, the warm ones are much more fun to sew! What did quilters do without digital cameras to record how they like certain layouts?
I would probably be up all night trying to get it just right - and never find 'the one' that I really liked!

One more pic from Camp - we made a total of 16 of Pink Chalk's Notetakers!
These are so fun to make and full of goodies they'll make great gifts!

Couldn't leave you without another pic of Little Miss Sophie. Her and Daisy have become fast friends, its really amazing how good a 140lb dog can be with a small child.
Good thing they're both looking this way, Suspicous Chicken, in the toy basket behind them, is modeling some risky behavior with the electrical outlet! Lets hope he's not wet....

Sewing Camp

2008-10-15T21:20:00.003-08:00

It was fairly dark and stormy out at 'sewing camp', as you can see from this pic off the front deck. Yes, I know it was only late September, early October, but thats just the way we roll around here. And we like it. Dammit.

We didn't mind, since this is what it looked like inside the cabin! 10 sewing machines, 10 sewing sisters, about 20 lamps, plenty of fabric, thread and m&m's. Just the essentials.

Some of our finished projects...

Sophie in her new Valorie Wells flannel pants that were hanging above - check out her Jackie Chan move on the ottoman, see what I mean about how wild she is?!

I'm back!

2008-09-24T06:03:00.007-08:00

That was the longest time between posts ever! Didn't mean to disappear like that, I've been really busy, but I'm sure everybody has been... here is the deal, I got a new job!

1/2 time Activities Assistant and 1/2 time Library Assistant at the new high school - yes Juneau now has two high schools. I love it and its very busy! Great, because the days just fly by. But no time to post on my blog or e-mail friends. Don't know why getting on the computer at home is so hard! Well, for one thing, little girl is keeping me pretty busy, thats for sure - Sophie is 16 months old now, and a little ball of fire!

Some good kitchen news:
My mother-in-law sent me a whole set of dishes! They've been in their garage in Anchorage for 29 year, never even been used. I really like them, its Weil Ware from California, the pattern is called Blossom. I went through all the cupboards in my little orange kitchen and got rid of a lot of stuff to make room for these! Its a set of 12, I put a set of 8 in the cupboards, and put the other 4 in storage - in case of breakage I suppose - A set of 12 is a lot of dishes!

For some reason there were 19 cups and saucers....Here are of most of them.

What else has been going on -
My sewing sister Debbie made this cute little wall hanging quilt, and I quilted it, for the Bra Dazzler show at the state museum, it will be actioned off as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer.
Can't wait to see all the different bra art!

Well, I'm off to pack up my sewing room - its time again for my sewing group, The Handbags, to go out to the Shrine for four nights! Just the 10 of us, no husbands, kids or dogs, just us and lots of good food, wine, chocolate and our sewing machines - what could be better than that?!
Its very pretty out the road, here is a little peek of the view out the window...

One more look at my favorite little girl!
You can see more pics of Miss Sophie on my daughter's blog!

Look who is here!

2008-08-12T15:46:00.004-08:00

Little Miss Sophie herself! Here in Juneau at Grandma and Grandpa's house!
Lounging in her play area, with her mom's purse on her head - doesn't she look mischievious?
Picture is a bit blurry, because she rarely holds still - she has places to go and people to see!

Here she is eating some yummy apple cake that my friend Ginny made for us -
This is her 'Yes! Cake before dinner!' look.
They moved back for two semesters so my daughter can apprentice with her midwife. So they will both be busy!

The doll quilt!

2008-08-01T05:59:00.007-08:00

Well here is the finished doll quilt for my Mom! I hope she likes it, and it keeps her favorite doll or teddy bear warm!
It was so fun to make, I love doing these little embroidered girls from here.

I'm hearing from several of you that gearing up for the holidays is on your plates - you know, actually make presents ahead of time so that whole stressful, mad scramble to put together packages doesn't happen... Been looking through my ufo's and I have even assigned names to some of them. Not names like 'dammit' or 'what the hell?' either.
Names of the lucky? recipients! Blondie over here seems to have something up her sleeve... sure is getting me motivated!

I've got Crabs!!!

2008-07-27T08:20:00.003-08:00

Dungeness Crabs that is..... Its been a fresh from the sea week, the Mr. went up to Haines and had some subsistence time with his buddy Randy, and this is what he brought back -
Mmmm, these are my favorite by far, we ate a bunch fresh, made a big pan of crab enchiladas, then froze the rest...

Sockeye Salmon.... so beautiful and shiny...

The yummiest salmon, and look how it matches the kitchen wall...

And on to the smoker racks it goes...

Happy Birthday!

2008-07-23T10:53:00.004-08:00

Happy Birthday Mom!
Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday! Here is a peek of what I'm making for her, yes I know, its going to be late... I'm sure she won't be surprised about that! Will be done tonight, and then off in the mail all the way to Virginia...

A Wee Dress

2008-07-16T05:41:00.005-08:00

A wee dress for a wee girl!
This is the pillowcase dress that Anna Maria has directions for here. I loved the handwritten, over the fence instructions, very clear and easy to follow. What a fun little dress!
Can't wait to get my hands on her book, I think it comes out in October?
The pillowcase is machine embroidered, not even sure where I got it, but thought I would try the dress on this first, the next one will be one of the pretty pillowcases that my Mom embroidered!

A better picture of the top...

It really was a quick dress, I used some vintage bias tape for the straps, and for the rest of the dress something from here ...

Birth Center Bag

2008-07-14T13:04:00.003-08:00

This is a bag that I donated to the Juneau Birth Center, they recently had a fundraiser to help with costs of their fancy new building - can't wait to see it! Sure wish my daughter could be here for the grand opening on August 16th. Hopefully there will be some quilts to put on the walls, our quilt guild -Capital City Quilters - is working on some quilts for the new facility, will be a nice touch.
I put a little vial of flowers in the pocket, since it is kind of hard to tell there is a pocket!

Rooster feeling better!

2008-07-13T08:46:00.004-08:00

There is bad news and good news. Rooster has an aggressive tumor that has filled his sinus cavity, which explains the bleeding from the nose, the mouth breathing, etc. His head really swelled up while we were there, very scary. Good news is that they gave him steroids to help with the swelling, and it worked! He is feeling much better now and almost back to his happy old self! His days are numbered still, but at least they're able to have some more time with him.
We were very impressed with the vet school and the vets at WSU in Pullman.
Too bad its Africa hot there.
Here he is at the water feature outside of the clinic, he could hardly see because of his swollen face, but you could tell he really enjoyed the water!

It was a beautiful drive across WA state, this was my favorite scene, rolling fields of yellow flowers! Must be mustard plants? And look at that blue sky - so pretty. First thing I notice when I go down south is how big the sky is, its really huge there, I guess because the mountains are so far away.
The blue sky is fabulous, but did I mention the heat? It was crazy hot.

3 Bags and a Trip

2008-06-30T14:18:00.005-08:00

Got a few things done around here before leaving tomorrow on a trip with my best friend Jessica, not going to be all fun like our other trips... her dog Rooster is really sick, I'll spare you the details, but it seems pretty serious. the vets here can't figure it out, so we'll fly into Seattle and rent a car, then drive over to Pullman. They'll do an MRI on him, and who knows what else. Poor sweet guy. Be back on the 5th - please wish us luck and safe travels...

Another Frenchy Bag -

Another one of Jodie's 1 hour bags, no window this time, instead added piping to the handle, and a flat piping around the top. Love her instructions for the handle, I never would have thought to thread the interfacing through after turning it, works great! Buttons are not on yet, but will be soon, have to finish it tonight -

An inside pocket with the 'bra fabric' that my sewing sisters and I love so much, and wish we had bought more of -

And a book bag which has already gone to a new home -

Finished!

2008-06-25T14:14:00.005-08:00

I Finished quilting Rosey's quilt!
Here it is, 8 bobbins later, held up by Rosey, and flapping around in the breeze.

Gram on my deck!

2008-06-22T11:01:00.007-08:00

There are so many great things about living somewhere as beautiful as Southeast Alaska.
One of them is that people visit. Recently my Gram, and her boyfriend Joe, were passing through Juneau on a cruise!
And it was even his birthday the day they were here, he turned 85. Gram is 83, doesn't she look young? There are five generations of us girls... all about 20 years apart. My Nana (Gram's mom) recently passed away a couple days before her 103'rd birthday, so we had six generations for a while!

Remember the little bag that I made with the gnome in the window? I gave it to Kathryn ( who is named after above Grandma) for Mother's Day. She really likes it and its so cute on her, and just the right size. Sophie likes it a lot too, as you can see! What a little firecracker, she is always into something!

Happy Solstice!

2008-06-20T08:30:00.005-08:00

Finally some pics of Sophie's birthday pennant. Its about 25 feet long, and all oranges, yellows and pinks. Sophie told me she Loves these colors. You can get your very own super cute embroidery patterns here! So hard to get good pictures of this, these were taken on my friend Rosey's deck Sunday morning. Spent the night with her Sat night, we had a great time as usual,
her husband was gone fishing, so just us and the cat - and our sewing machines of course!

My daughter embroidered the skateboard girl, her first embroidery ever, didn't she did a wonderful job? I'm mailing this off to my daughter, for Sophie to use on all her birthdays....

This is what Rosey worked on, she finished putting on the borders, sandwiched it up, and now its in my sewing room, already started quilting it, should finish by Sunday.
Her cat, Eyeore, was a big help. Why are the dogs and cats so interested in helping with projects like this? Soon as you get something on the floor, they're drawn to it like a magnet.

Jam inspector

2008-06-17T05:43:00.005-08:00

This is the rhubarb jam I mentioned a couple posts back, seems it has passed the Housewife grater's inspection.... although she does seem annoyed by something. Could it be the mismatched lids and rings? Or is she just amazed, like I am, that all ten jars sealed? Probably thinking, I flew all the way from New York to watch over a batch of rhubarb jam?
Rebecca very generously agreed to a trade, a fabric bucket for her sewing room/ craft room/ den of creativity - what ever she calls the room her thrifty goodness is created -
for a housewife grater that she had found at a thrift shop!

I saw on her blog, Thrifty Goodness, that she is doing a little giveaway - 3 beautiful vintage hankies! Head on over there and check it out!
She also has a shop, where you can buy all kinds of vintage goodness!

Morning Hangout

2008-06-12T21:47:00.008-08:00

This is our morning hangout in the summer, coffee in hand, maybe a quilt if its chilly... which it has been lately, remember I mentioned frost the other day? Well, true story- it was frost. On June 9th. My friend Donna, who lives about 3 miles closer to the glacier had to scrape her windshield! Crazy, eh?

This is Daisy's hangout, in the morning, afternoon, or whenever someone is around to open the 'egg door'. She loves eggs. Always has. Having hens in the backyard must be a dream come true for her! We gave her an egg the other night. Yes, a whole egg. We had friends over, there was fire, a good time was being had by all, and she REALLY wanted an egg.
Took her about a minute to eat it. The whole thing.
She was soooo happy!

I did spent some time in my sewing room! - I can feel my mojo coming back!
I quilted Connie's baby quilt, her piece work and applique is beautiful, and it went smooth, even though there was flannel on the back - I'm not a fan of flannel - so I starched the crap out of it, and it went very smoothly.

The quilt is not crooked, but my photography is!

Rhubarb jam

2008-06-09T19:44:00.004-08:00

Mr. Something for Sophie is on a trip to the hatchery.... so I'm sitting here being lazy, looking at pictures of our girls... I did make a batch of rhubarb jam, first one of the summer. Is it really summer yet? I swear there was a light frost this morning. Looked like frost to me.
Its been a cold one so far this year.

This really is a sewing blog.... check out the cute little girl below with a fabric bucket on her head!
She is so damn cute.

I've lost my Sewing Mojo. Need some inspiration.
Somehow I have to get my mojo back and spend some time in my sewing room!

A month!

2008-06-06T14:35:00.003-08:00

Its been a whole month since I last posted!
We had a great visit with Kathryn and Sophie, the time just flew by. Luckily we had some sunny weather while they were here! I took a lot of pictures - as you can see, Sophie was very busy....

She worked on her tan ---

Helped Grandma and Grandpa in the vegetable gardens ---

Lounged a bit on the patio -

And took a bath with Daisy!

Little dresses for Sophie!

2008-05-06T15:43:00.007-08:00

Two little dresses.... for the little girl that arrives in Juneau tonight! The Silverbow is a great place to watch a movie in their groovy little backroom, and they make great bagels and baked goods. I picked up one of their onsies and made it into a dress ... Kathryn bought this fabric for me in Sitka last summer.

The dress below is an Oliver and S pattern, the Tea Party Dress, its works up great, love the curved seam on the bodice, it was just a fun dress to make, the pattern is very well written. We'll see how it fits so I can adjust for the next one.
I wonder though if the matching panty is going to fit over her cloth diaper? I've noticed most patterns are cut for disposable diapers, so I did use a scant 1/2 seam, but it really looks tiny. Well, I'll find out soon! They get in tonight on the late flight -

Bridesmaid Purses

2008-05-02T11:40:00.006-08:00

I've been meaning to post a picture of these for a while - I made these three bags for my friend Ginny's daughter's wedding. They're for her bridesmaids, and this Barefoot Roses collection, which we stumbled upon while we were at the shop looking for something else, matched their dresses perfect! The pattern is Amy Butler's Frenchy bag - I've made nine of these puppies so far.... also made three for my daughter's bridesmaids, in assorted Amy Butler fabric, but was so busy getting ready for the event, and running around that I didn't take pictures of those!
I used to put that little black polka dot tag in everything I made, but got tired of it. Would love to have custom labels, maybe when I get that check from Mr. Bush I'll order some. Ha!

One girl made good use of hers, see the beer poking out?
These bags are just the right size... to hold all the essentials!

6 days to go!

2008-04-30T13:55:00.008-08:00

Six days to go and Kathryn and Sophie will be here! We are so excited, and have been busy getting ready, Sophie proofing the house! I'm working on a pennant for her birthday party, have a lot cut out, think I'll back them in muslin because I don't like the see through effect if they're backed in the same fabric, kind of muddies up the print. And what about hanging these... I was thinking continuous bias tape, since its easy to make a long length, but would that be too stretchy? Any ideas or suggestions on this would be great!

Also am going to embroider on muslin for some of them, I ordered two stitchettes from Wee Wonderfuls, the Tulip Fairy, and the Number One, summer 06. The Tulip Fairy is perfect for Sophie, on the day she was born, May 22, all my tulips were in full bloom! They're all along the front of the house, best thing is, they were there when we moved in and they're all yellow!

We woke up to about a foot of snow on the 18th - even the dogs were a bit surprised!

Here they are, looking over the gate into the forbidden (dog-free) front yard. They get the back yard, although they have to share it with five hens. Luckily they get along very nicely. Actually, Elwood, on the left, is a little afraid of them, he is a very sensitive boy. Daisy is afraid of nothing.

A litte trade

2008-04-15T07:26:00.003-08:00

Didn't find too much on our thrifting adventure, a couple little fleeces for Sophie, 3 zips, 1 package of ric rac, and 2 old orange buttons. Not so great finds, but we had a good time anyway!
I see that Rebecca is back, and what a great trip she had, I'm so jealous!
Remember that super cute woman grater that she had found? Well I love it. Really love it.
She has agreed to do a little trade with me - so I made her a fabric bucket to match the one that I sent to her for the Hanging Hearts swap - here it is Rebecca, what do you think?
Love this tutorial from Jodie at Ric Rac, she is so clever and generous with her ideas. I've had so much fun with it, and the window, I've been putting little windows in everything.

I didn't work on that quilt in the last post... its still hanging there waiting! Too many starts and not enough finishes, I really need to finish some of the projects that are in various stages - stages of not being done.
Here is something our sewing group the HandBags finished, and in one weekend at our last retreat! It was fun because we didn't really have a plan, we all brought some fabric, and we picked out a pattern that someone had on hand, and we just went for it! Our group meets twice a month at the middle school in this teacher's classroom - he has always been one of our favorite teacher guys - and his girlfriend is awesome too - so a baby quilt for their baby boy!

Here is the back, sorry I'm a bad photographer.

Thrifting tomorrow!

2008-04-11T12:06:00.004-08:00

This week seemed to drag by, probably because I've had an evil cold and cough thing going on.
Now I'm on the mend, and have some thrifting planned for tomorrow with Jessica. Hope we find something we just can't live without. On my Hope to Find list is: fabric, of course, long zips, cute little end tables, and embroidery hoops. Love how people have been putting fabric in hoops and putting them on the walls. Thats probably been going on for a long time, but I'm just catching on. And cute little end tables, well, I kind of collect them, and there is room for at least one more on the patio. I especially like tall ones, so glasses and candles are out of 'tail reach' if you know what I mean.
Here is my latest something for sophie, I started this a couple months ago, last night decided to drag it out of the ufo pile and work on it this weekend. You can imagine the child does not have enough quilts.

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-04-05T17:13:00.005-08:00

43. Its a good age to be a grandma, don't you think? My birthday was actually on the 3rd. I called in well, and stayed home and sewed. It was wonderful. Except I did have a cold. Having a cold slows me down, makes me feel kind of fuzzy, and well, just slow. Being home all day in my sewing room is wonderful, even with a cold, so I didn't mind so much, just went about my slow way to make myself a bag. Since it was my birthday. Was talking to my mom this morning, and I was telling her what a crappy photographer I am, she suggested taking the bag outside. I thnk it worked! Moms are so wise.

It turned out so damn cute, don't know if I can take it out into the big world.
I LOVE this whole Heather Ross collection, its the happiest orange out there. The 1 hour bag tutorial is from Jodi at Ric Rac. It took me most of the day. It was my birthday. My husband gave me an heirloom quilting book for my birthday, thats where I got the idea for this little window. They had put lace behind their window. I like gnomes better -

Put a zip pocket in one side, and on open pocket on the other.

And good news, Little Miss Sophie, and of course her mom, are coming for a visit! They'll be here May 6th! Sophie's first birthday will be on May 22! Can't wait to see her dance - thats her newest thing - love that baby dancing! Check her out in this sweet little sweater that my dear friend Susan knit for her. My daughter made the skirt!

Easter Basket Swap

2008-03-30T17:25:00.004-08:00

The Easter swap is well over, was lots of fun, and here are some pictures!
Here is what I sent to my swap sister, Jeneen -

And here is what I received -

Aren't these sweet? Janeen, did you cover them yourself? They're button/brad type thingies, very pretty. Maybe they'll find their way onto a mermaid for the next swap!?!

Went thrifting with Jessica yesterday, found some stuff that I couldn't live without, such as this painting of an orange...for on my orange wall of course.

And I had to have this inflatable clothes hangar, never saw such a thing before, how weird. Has anybody out there ever come across one of these? The colors are perfect.

Another Swap!

2008-03-28T09:07:00.009-08:00

I had so much fun with the Easter Basket Swap - I will try try try to get pictures today of both what I sent to my swap sister and what I received.... Its not that I don't have enough to do, especially with spring here and seeds needing to be started inside, and the gardens needing some serious attention, but I signed up for another swap! Its over at Bella Enchanted again, this time a Mermaid Swap - how cool is that?
How could I resist? Hoping my friend Donna will join in this one!
A looooong time ago, right before my wrist decided not to work, Rebecca tagged me to do a six word memoir. I forgot all about it until now. Sorry Rebecca. Did I already mention how much she helped me get this blog going? She basically set it all up for me, and patiently e-mailed me directions - lots of them! From all the way across the country, she helped a complete stranger in Alaska join this blogging community. Thanks Rebecca.
So here is one that my friend Jessica did for me:
Beer is food, quilting is exercise. Hmmm. what does that say about me? Its a true story, I do like beer, and I do like quilting. Together they are, as Martha would say, A Good Thing.
Wish I were sewing right now. Just came up with that one. Pretty deep, eh?

Leaving you now with a picture of the dog kids last summer. Only because it is their birthday month, Daisy Mae is now 8 and Elwood 3.

I'm back

2008-03-26T21:12:00.003-08:00

My non-posting started when I hurt my wrist, nothing serious, some ligament damage, but it sure bummed me out. Finally went to the doctor, which is the last resort, am I right?
She gave me a brace, some weak anti-inflammatories, and upon finding out I am a machine quilter, a lecture on how hand quilting is better than machine quilting. Really, it was weird, she went on and on about how machine quilting is not really an art form and how disappointed she was that there was very little hand quilting in the quilt show that weekend. I had recently spent about 8 hours and as many bobbins quilting my round robin quilt to put in that same show. The doctor was not impressed.
Then we decided at the last minute to go see the our daughter, son-in-law and little Miss. Sophie for Easter weekend!

10 months old now, just starting to walk, and so full of energy, joy, and mischief, it just about oozes out of her! Look at that sweet smile, and those little piggies

Here she is helping her Mom fold diapers, one at a time, off the couch, and onto the floor!

Pink and Orange

2008-03-06T09:00:00.004-09:00

I got this cool tablerunner pattern from Pink Chalk Studio, here it is in pinks and oranges, think I'll put this one in my daughter's Easter basket! I put a hanging sleeve on a short end, so she can hang it up if she wants.

Here is the placemat from the same pattern, these are so much fun to make, I made two for in our kitchen, since there is only two of us now...and I took the leaf out of the table, so its small and round, so the kitchen is a tiny bit bigger! Our whole house seems bigger now, but also quieter... and a bit lonely. Really miss Kathryn and Sophie. Can't wait to go see them in May!

A closeup of the quilting in the middle...I like doing spirals and swirlies, but need to learn some new designs. I love this big print from Amy Butler. Forgot what its called, bought 4 yards, and had planned on making kitchen curtains, but instead have been cutting away and making some smaller projects... now I'm down to about 2 yards.

Watching over Sophie

2008-03-03T21:43:00.007-09:00

Little owls for Sophie - now it hangs in her room above the window. The bellies are left over diaper fabric, and the squares for the letters are Kaffe's ecru shot cotton. That stuff is great to embroider on. Found the tutorial for this at Moonstitches. I'm sure that Sophie's favorite color is orange too, in fact, she has told me so.

My Orange Kitchen

2008-03-01T14:54:00.005-09:00

I've been spending very little time figuring out this camera, just easy pictures, no fancy stuff needed. Here are some pictures from my kitchen, Henry the flounder doing his job keeping the mixer clean. Had a hard time getting a good picture of these lights over my sink/stove area, my talented friend Rosey made them for me, they're perfect right there in my tiny kitchen. Do all houses built in 1957 have tiny kitchens? Mine is weensie.

Got the idea for the rug from Creative Little Daisy its the second one I've made, they seem to hold up really well, I scotch guard them and stick em down with rug tape so no sliding around.

Love these buckets!

2008-02-29T08:58:00.004-09:00

Here is a close up of the fabric bucket I made for Rebecca. Hope nobody is offended by the black bear hide in the background... this is Alaska for crying out loud, and he was a tasty blueberry bear. Anyway, these are so much fun to make, in all different sizes, my sewing friends have been whipping out these babies too! The tutorial to make them is at RicRac one of my favorite blogs, Jodie is amazingly talented. I am so jealous of her Aunty Cookie stuff. I'm going to have to order some of that.

A little Something for Sophie

2008-02-28T12:23:00.003-09:00

Big News! My daughter is going to have another baby! She is due in November. Two babies 18 months apart. Mr. Something for Sophie and I will be grandparents again! Now I am feeling old - 43 in April and will have two grandbabies! And look, Sophie is crawling now, soon to be walking, she is a little ball of fire!

Isn't she adorable? Wish I had an outfit like that.

Hanging Hearts Swap

2008-02-27T20:01:00.006-09:00

Finally - Look what I received from Rebecca for the Hanging Hearts Swap! That doesn't quite sound right, I received the swap on time - Finally I'm posting pictures! Sorry Rebecca!
The tag on the doll says Sweet Sophie! The napkins were a score from the thrift shop - perfect for our Valentine's dinner. Its hard to see, but the red ribbon is wrapped around an antique thread spool thingy....

Here is a close up of this adorable little doll, isn't the face sweet?
Rebecca painted it herself, something I would not even try!
Don't you love those little pink cheeks! Just like the real Sophie.

And the candy, turns out she got it at a specialty shop on her Disney land trip.
There was some fancy chocolates.... but, well, you know how that goes! The Strawberry Fairy Wood Fragrance candies I'm saving for a special occasion... wouldn't you? The box is so damn cute I may never be able to open them.

Thank you so much Rebecca! This swap was so much fun, I decided to join Bella Enchanted's Easter basket swap - my swap partner is a woman named Janeen from Western Washington, close to where I used to live before I moved to Alaska in 1981. Looking forward to getting to know her!

Past Projects

2008-02-13T16:13:00.008-09:00

If my daughter were here, things would be different. I would have pictures up of the cool things Rebecca sent me for the Hanging Hearts Swap, and the owl garland that I just finished for Sophie, and the kitchen rug that is on my design wall...... and of course, I would have Sophie to hold!
Hello, my name is Wendy, and I am a camera flunky.
So, past projects it is. The Halibut wall hanging my friend Rosey bought, and it hangs in her living room. Actually its a Starry Flounder. Swallowed the hook, poor thing, so I went ahead and kept it. We named it Henry and he lived in the fridge for about a week, we did a couple prints a day until he started getting an aroma. Only got a couple good ones, such is the way of fish prints - for me anyway - the other good one I made into a cozy for my Kitchenaide. Which of course I can't show you because I don't have a camera!

This is a wall hanging I made for my friend Rachel, who is also the matriarch of our sewing group The HandBags. Sorry its sideways. Pinwheels are so happy!

And here is a WIP that started as a mystery class, I really like it, don't know why I haven't finished it? Its long and narrow to go across the foot of our bed. Can't buy black batting in town, so need to order some. I think I should use black batting? Not sure.

Well thats it for now, hopefully I'll be buying a new camera this weekend.
Stay warm -
Wendy

Almost Invisible

2008-02-08T13:53:00.000-09:00

Here is my sweet little Sophie. Wearing her dress that I made using Heather Bailey's fabrics. Do you think I got the collar a bit too big?! She's sitting on the quilt I made for her using the same fabric collection. Can you see the adorable baby? Talk about camoflauge, she's almost invisible! She does look a bit worried in this picture ... You can't see it, but the center are some disappearing nine patch blocks, its a very fun and easy pattern, I can't remember where I got the directions, but I found a tutorial here at Quilts & ATCs.

Here's the quilt by itself, like me, missing Sophie.

Easter Basket Swap

2008-02-06T14:36:00.000-09:00

Check it out, an Easter Basket Swap!
Its going on over at Bella-Enchanted
Also, check out all her pictures of old Valentines, they're adorable.