New projects

Stay tuned because I have several posts coming! I’ll be featuring a friend’s gorgeous little apartment, my finished dressers, some curtains I’m making for the bedroom, and a new restoration project – a 100+ year old school desk. So check back soon! Happy Monday, all!

Weekend Summary

Sorry, I'm a slacker! Again...I haven't posted in a little over a week. I can happily say that I am OFFICIALLY done with Kahla's quilt! I will post a final picture this week sometime before I wrap it. I'm a little under the weather with a nasty sinus infection and can't get myself off the couch at the moment.

This past week was a bit (that's a huge understatement) chaotic with my boss being on vacation, so the last thing I wanted to do after work was come home and get on the computer again. That's my excuse!

This weekend Corey and I went to Portland to do a little shopping and just spend some time together - despite my being sick. I'm feeling now like I probably should have stayed home and rested, but I really didn't want to cancel our plans since I know we won't have the opportunity to reschedule until June. We got home late last night and then had a photo shoot today. Our good friend Kim asked us to be her models for a couples photo shoot. She's trying to get back into photography and needed a little practice...and we don't have any nice pictures since our wedding, so we happily obliged! I'll share some when I get the edited photos. I hope they come out well! She's really talented, so I'm sure she did great.

While we were in Portland, we got over to Powell's and I found a couple of great books. Powell's is this amazing 68,000 square foot bookstore. Yes, it's HUGE. I love it. If you're ever in Portland, you must go! Anyway, so when we were there, I picked up these books:

So far, I'm loving them both and can't wait to make some of the stuff in them! I'll be sure to document my projects :)

That's it. Sorry, a bit of a random post, but my head is literally in a fog. More soon (including pictures of the quilt!). Good night all!

Almost done!

I thought it was about time I updated you on the status of my quilting project! I'm nearly finished! But first, here is a picture of my adorable niece for your enjoyment:

 

Isn't she just precious?? Well, I think so anyway :)

And without further ado...

I went for the straight line quilting, but made it purposely not totally straight and did them in random increments

More of the straight lines on the quilt top

The backing and my binding, which I'm clearly JUST starting to hand sew to the back

Quilting on the back

The completed quilt top...Tada!

 All that's left on this project is for me to finish hand-sewing the binding to the back and then a good wash and dry to give it that "worn" look. Yay! I'll post another picture of the completed product! It's far from perfect, but I have to say, I'm pretty happy with my very first quilt. I kind of wish I could keep it...


And here is the unfinished banner that my sister-in-law and I made. I have to sew the strips along the top for us to hang it still. The "happy birthday" is in pinks and reds because her birthday party is going to be Minnie Mouse themed (her very favorite character). Her name ("kahla") is in black, white and purple because my sister wanted to be able to hang it in her room later on. Her room is decorated in black, white, purple and green (hence the colors of the quilt). I'll post another picture of the completed banner when it's done.

letting the creative juices flow!

The Saturday after next (so the 13th), my sister and I will be going craft crazy! Well, after we get some manicures and pedicures, of course. :) My wonderful hubby got me a Gene Juarez gift card (it's a really nice spa/salon in Washington for those out-of-state followers) for Valentine's day, and it's enough for me to take a friend to get their spa mani/pedi treatment. Who better to take than the sis? Woo! SO excited! We both REALLY need the relaxation. 

Afterward we're going to be up to our necks in crafts. Literally. My sweet little niece will be one on April 17th, so we're busting out on the homemade decorations for her party. We plan to hand-make all the invitations (Minnie Mouse themed of course since Kahla is in LOVE with Minnie). And then we're going to make one of these banners with thanks to this wonderful etsy shop. Except ours will say "happy birthday" and then there will be a second smaller one hanging below that says "kahla." Amanda wanted to be able to hang the "kahla" one up in her room afterward. Should be an insane day, but oh so fun! I love homemade decorations. So practical and reusable! 

 

Isn't that seriously the cutest banner ever? I'm thinking about making one for my house. Without letters. And maybe making it with triangles instead of rectangles. I think I'll hang it either in the eating area/kitchen or in my office/sewing room. Or maybe I'll make two. Who knows. But I have to finish the quilt first! Let's not get ahead of ourselves here... 

I seriously have an obsession with etsy. I'm thinking of starting my own up eventually. When I have a little more time. But that's a whole different post... 

Check out some of my favorite shops/products: 

 

[caption id="attachment_420" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DearGoldenVintage"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_421" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="http://www.etsy.com/shop/annajoyce"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_422" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="http://www.etsy.com/shop/annajoyce"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_423" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RevisionDesignAus"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_424" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="LOVE these baby clothes - http://www.etsy.com/shop/cocosailore"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_425" align="aligncenter" width="430" caption="http://www.etsy.com/shop/cocosailore"][/caption]

 

Can you see why I adore Etsy??

First Sewing Project - Complete!

Here's an overview of my first project...COASTERS! The general design/idea was taken from Amy Karol's Bend-The-Rules Sewing book. You'll have to ignore the fact that one of the coasters (my first one) is a bit crooked...I was in a bit of a hurry just trying to get ONE of them done and decided not to use pins - bad move! I could have used my seam-ripper and redone the whole thing, but I really just wanted to get them all done. If it bothers me too much after the next couple days, I'll redo it. Here are the pictures documenting the process :)

[caption id="attachment_366" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="My crazy cluttered work space"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_367" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="My new baby! The XR9000!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_368" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Some awesome fabric I found on Etsy (all fabric used was purchased on Etsy)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_369" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="One of my coasters serving its purpose for my cup of tea"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_371" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The finished products"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_376" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="They're all reversible"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_374" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Coaster #1"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_377" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Coaster #2"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_378" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Coaster #3"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_379" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Coaster #4"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_380" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="All cleaned up...well, sort of :)"][/caption]