This Has Been a Good Week!

I've been on a roll this week. I had fallen behind in my menu planning and grocery shopping, but I ironed that all out early this week. It feels nice to be on track again.

My workout schedule has drastically improved after a long rut. I feel energized again (and my clothes are fitting better).

There are oodles of reasons to give thanks and praise to the Lord for His many blessings. I could go on, but these are just a couple of highlights.

Adding to the list are a few sewing projects that I tackled this week. I sent these off in the mail to my friend in Pennsylvania, and I managed to get this ready just in time for the giveaway.

A friend in North Carolina really liked the Nook bag I made for Gabriela. Her daughter saw it and asked for a similar one, but wanted it to be larger. So, my friend asked me to make a messenger bag for her daughter.

I sent her some photos of some fabric choices, and here's what she chose:

I decided to use the elephant print on the back to break up the dots.

Morgan does good work with her iPhone photos. I can't pull this off like she can. I hope to have my camera back very soon.

Now, Why Didn't I Think of That?

Three-generation apron set; thanks to my girls for modeling

I've been making aprons for several years, and it never occurred to me that I should make a matching set for my girls, or my girls and me, or my girls and my mom and me.

I still haven't done it.

But my friend, Peaches -- for whom I made this project in the spring, and this project just recently (with a matching laptop sleeve) -- asked me to make a set of aprons for her to wear with her daughter and granddaughter on her next visit.

Oh, how I wish that I could be a fly on the wall of their kitchen to observe all the cuteness.

Except that I'd get swatted.

At least, that's what I'd do if I saw a fly on the wall of my kitchen.

I think that this technically qualifies as a Craft Book Challenge post, since it's my variation of a design in one of my magazines, and I haven't posted for Liesl's challenge in quite a while.

Maybe I'm stretching it...

A "Sew, Mama, Sew!" Giveaway

Disclaimer: My camera is STILL in the shop, so forgive my poor-quality phone photos.

I'm so excited to be hosting my very first giveaway! Sew, Mama, Sew! is hosting a gigantic giveaway week, and they've invited "any" blogger to participate.

(I think I qualify as "any" -- as in, 

"They'll let any ol' person participate, won't they?")

I decided to add something to the "Baby & Kid" category, so here it is: a nursing cover.

I've made several of these over the years, and you can sneak a peek at just a few examples here, here, & here.

In addition to installing boning in the neckline to allow Mama to peek at her nursing baby when necessary, I like to include a pocket for stashing nursing pads during the feeding.

I like to add a backing to my nursing covers, and I couldn't resist this fabric. I bought what was left on the bolt. :-)

Visit the SMS blog to see all of the fabulous giveaways that are happening this week -- there are many! 

But, hurry! 

The giveaway period ends on Friday, December 16 at 5 p.m. (PST).

I'm a bit late posting this, but I just couldn't make it happen sooner. 

(Actually, I found out about after it had already started.)

To enter my giveaway for this nursing cover (whether you want it for yourself or as a gift for someone else), all you have to do is leave a comment answering this three-part question:

If you could be anywhere in the world, with the companion of your choice, where would you be, who would be your companion, and what would you do there?

I'll choose the best one, in my opinion, and that commenter will be the winner of the nursing cover. I'll notify the winner by December 18, so please make sure that you include an email so that I may contact you.

How fun! Now I'm off to enter a giveaway or two, myself!

** ETA: It's sad, but true. The Giveaway is now closed. I hate to do it, but I don't want to break the rules on my very first time participating.

:-)

Thank you to everyone who commented. It's been a blast! The winner will be announced by Sunday evening (12/18).

Advent Calendar for a Friend

I have a penchant for over-tasking myself, and I use the excuse that I work better under pressure. The truth is that I just procrastinate until I have NO CHOICE than to produce something under the pressure of lacking time.

I love it, though! 

My white board makes me crazy and happy. I'm one of those weird people who let out a little "mad scientist" giggle, as I cross off an item from my list.

Recently, my young friend, Kelly, sent me this link and asked if I could make something similar for her.

We've been friends with Kelly's family for nearly twenty years. She was a little girl in the youth group that Craig helped to lead back in the early 90s, when we lived in California; and she's now married and expecting her second child.

How could I say, "No"?

This ended up being a really fun project, and I'm so glad that she trusted me to give it a whirl.

I spent a couple of days thinking about what to use for the main background, and I remembered this old sweater of mine that had been added to my "recycle" stash.

This sweater is too big for me now, as I wore it in the "old days" (read "pregnant-and-nursing-days") before I took charge of my health and fitness.

Once I got over the fact that PART of a garment that used to FIT me could be used to make a WALL HANGING,

I was free to proceed.

It took several moments of soul-searching before I finally cut into the sweater.

Some of the details of the original sample that Kelly had sent just didn't sit well with me. She's a really special friend with really great style, so I wanted to pay closer attention to some of the details, without losing the rustic look that she was aiming to achieve.

In my heart I knew that the numbers should be embroidered, rather than "markered". Still, Morgan had to stand by me and help to build my confidence.

Embroidering the numbers made the project take about three times as long as if I had simply written them, but I'm so glad that I took the time.

Morgan helped with the placement and color choices, but we tried to be intentionally random with them.

I went for a "wonky" placement of the numbers.

For some reason, "3", "15", and "17" just wouldn't cooperate in the hoop; but I persevered.

Soon, Lord willing, my photos should improve, as I've finally taken my real camera to be repaired. My phone just doesn't cut it; but at least I have a record, albeit fuzzy.

Many thanks to Gabriela for scavenging in the back yard for a stick. I used twill tape to hang it.

I got lots of "oohs" and "aahhs" from my girls - especially Gabriela, who hinted around to wanting one for our family to keep.

I've had practice saying, "No", to her, though.

One Thing Leads to Another

A friend recently asked me to make her a couple of hot pads, and ever since the map project, I've been thinking of other ways to use the states.

Last night, I thought of this spin on the Texas flag, according to the colors that she says are in her kitchen.

I hope it works!

Back view

Probably The Most Satisfying Project Ever

Have you ever seen a project and felt instinctively that you should tackle it as soon as possible? As if it's some rite of passage?

Not since I cross-stitched a sampler of Proverbs 31 back in the early 90s (a 3-year process), have I come across something so tedious, engaging, and utterly addictive.

As soon as I laid eyes on Kate's scrap map, 

I. Was. Hooked.

I didn't spend much time analyzing my fabric choices, except for a few special places.

California is a dainty pink-and-floral print because my spiritual mother lives there. She is the epitome of a gentle and quiet spirit and godly womanhood.

Texas is black-and-white damask because it's where I live, and I've said that if I were any fabric, I'd be black-and-white damask home decor fabric.

Pennsylvania is denim because blue is part of the "Keystone State" emblem, and denim represents the casual, blue-collar atmosphere in which I grew up.

Georgia is camouflage because the lion's share of our Army time was spent at Ft. Benning.

Alabama is red because, if given a choice between the two rival teams, my husband would yell "Roll Tide!" rather than "War Eagle!". (I like the scissors print because it was while living in Alabama that I started sewing again more regularly after a long hiatus.)

Thankfully, I have very industrious kitchen helpers, so I was able to assign certain Thanksgiving dinner tasks to the children. They knew that I had some special sewing planned for this week, and they graciously allowed me the freedom to come and go between the kitchen and the sewing room at my leisure.

My two goals this week were my new apron (love!), just in time for Thanksgiving, and the scrap map.

I became so obsessed engrossed in the map project that I hardly slept on Wednesday night. I had just finished the final step of making it just before midnight, which meant that mounting and hanging it would have to wait until Thanksgiving morning.

I had multiple lists running through my head and couldn't prioritize them, so it took a long time to fall asleep.

Once asleep, I tossed, turned, and dreamed about the map and the fabrics for most of the night!

At 4:00 a.m., I forced myself to stay in bed and get plenty of rest for the day ahead.

Finally, I was able to get up, go for a run, mount the map, and watch, overjoyed, as my sweet husband hung it on the wall of the school room for me.

What a guy!

Once that was tackled, I was free to shower, eat breakfast, and work on the finishing touches for Thanksgiving dinner.

Incidentally, I strategically planned my Thanksgiving dinner dress to create a complimentary neutral backdrop for my new apron.

(My dress is actually slate-gray, but it looks black in this photo, next to the lighter gray in the apron, and so far from the black boots and tights.)

Apron Happiness

It's been a while since I've had Morgan model for me. Isn't she just cute??

I posted about this fabric (purchased here) a while back, and mentioned that I hoped to make an apron out of it.

I've wanted a new apron for months.

Thanksgiving offered the perfect excuse to drop everything and get started on it this week, but I wanted something that will go beyond one day.

I can't imagine ever getting sick of this one. The fabric just makes me happy every time I look at it.

I added a towel loop to the waistband and made a decorative tea towel to match. When I cook or bake, I wash my hands countless times during the process. Since the children are normally right there working with me in the kitchen, the hand towels can get scattered. This way, I'll have one right at my fingertips and won't have to share.

I prefer a D-ring over using ties for my aprons. It's actually easier, as I don't have to hem long edges of an extra tie. Isn't that yellow fabric wonderful? It makes me want to duplicate it on a wall (a shade or two lighter). I won't, though...

Last year, I won a giveaway that Liesl was offering,  and included in the goodie box were four different designs of this gorgeous embroidered ribbon. When I started laying out the fabrics for this apron, I just knew that the ribbon would be a perfect embellishment. I certainly don't regret adding a band of it here. 

This is where the idea for this apron began. Not only do we fight over hand towels in our kitchen, but there seems to be a little elf that steals the hot pads just before one of us needs one. The idea of attaching hot pads to the apron is ingenious! 

See?!

My First Mug Rug!

Quilting is not my forté, so I did some random squiggly thing on my machine. Anyone who might pity my lack of skill is very welcome in my home to give on-the-spot lessons. I'll provide lodging and meals. By the way, I avoid binding if I can help it.

Last spring, I discovered this link party, and I've wanted to make a mug rug ever since.

Sadly, my quilting skills are severely deficient.

For that reason, and because of another recent major relocation and a long sewing to-do list,

I've put it off until today.

There are oodles of mug rugs online, including a flickr group and various others.

For those who don't know what I mean by "mug rug", it's been described as being smaller than a placemat and larger than a coaster, with the purpose of making a cup of coffee or tea more at-home.

I've seen a few amazing designs that I'd love to try, like this, this, this, these, and this.

I may or may not eventually get around to making one of them, but today I was suddenly inspired to make not just any mug rug, but a 

Steelers

mug rug.

The Steelers idea has been in my head for some time, and a while back I saw a beautiful Cathedral Window quilt that was simply breathtaking. 

The design is perfect for making the Steelers insignia, but I couldn't recall where I had seen the quilt. A search of a few blogs led me to this variation of the Cathedral Window block, complete with a tutorial.

My handy embroidery machine was helpful, too.

Here's a back view of the finished product:

I've been so inspired lately by other bloggers to use up some of my scraps. This could become an addiction, although I ran from anything akin to quilting several years ago.

It seems almost unfair that I have this. I'm not exactly a faithful Steelers fan; but my husband and children are.

I'm sure there's someone far more deserving of this mug rug. I just felt the need to make it.

Besides, I couldn't bring myself to risk getting coffee stains on it.

It was a blast to make, though!

This was finished just in time for Amy's Sew & Tell tomorrow:

A Pieced Project, or Coaches Are Effective

Some things are just easier and more enjoyable when there's someone standing by and cheering me on.

Like push-ups.

And childbirth.

Back in 2002, I was burned out on quilting. It was stressful for me because it's just not one of my strengths. I had joined a quilting circle (Did blogs exist then?) with ladies who really knew their stuff, and I couldn't hang!

I stuck around long enough to do a few swaps, and as a result, I have a few quilts' worth of blocks to (some day) put together.

At times, I take them all out just to admire the work and reminisce. Then they go right back into their ziploc bags for future consideration.

Since "meeting" people like Amy and Penny and countless others - and ever since I participated in the very fun scrap swap - I'm inspired anew.

But alas!

I still sort of stink at quilting.

The Houston Quilt Show and my friend who took me there have served as fresh inspiration.

Still, I'm a child of the generation that helped usher in the age of instant gratification; hence another excuse to not make quilts.

They take time.

I like to make "stuff" and "things" that don't take very long.

So, Amy's recent (brilliant, fun, perfect) idea to make a mini pieced project for Sew & Tell was right on time for me!

(And she even stood by and cheered me on! Bless her!) 

Equally on time was this tutorial (I really like her style).

"Mind the Gap!" I love this fabric. I used it for the back of one of the pot holders. The London Underground is one of the most crowded situations I've ever experienced; but it was fun! This project reflects my frequent tendency to make major blunders in my sewing. In this case, I forgot to add the second layer of insul-brite; so I'll be hanging with the seam ripper today.

Caelyn was impressed that the recipe on this fabric can actually be read. I may try it, just for fun.

By the way, if you're needing more inspiration, Sew Mama Sew is doing an entire month of daily ideas for making Christmas gifts, etc.

OK. Gotta go. 

I can't wait to see what everyone else did for Sew & Tell...

Amendment

I made this purse a few weeks ago and didn't add the finishing touch right away.

Making the flower embellishment required using a hot glue gun, and I couldn't remember where I had seen mine when we moved into this house. 

Besides, I'm pretty sure that we lived in California when I bought the two that I have.

That was before email.

It's safe to say that if I were to even locate my glue guns, they'd need to be replaced.

This called for a trip to the craft store.

(Twist my arm!)

In the meantime, I had the opportunity to join a friend for the Houston Quilt Show. 

It was spectacular, and I so enjoyed Lou Ann's sweet company.

We were at the show for most of the day, and the ready-made, impulsively-purchased handles of the purse ended up really hurting my shoulder.

I decided to go ahead and replace the handles by making fabric straps, instead (which is sort of what the intelligent designer of the pattern suggested in the first place).

*sigh*

I learn the hard way.

As seems to be my M.O. these days, a major boo-boo was quite obvious after I finished the entire project. Just scroll back up to that photo at the top of this post, and see if you can figure out my blunder.

A nice person on Facebook said that she actually prefers the flaw rather than the "right" way.

It just doesn't bother me enough to redo it.

Seam ripping bothers me.

Nook Bag

Gabriela never leaves home without her Nook. 

Ever.

I've been so nervous that it'll eventually plunge to its death on one of our outings.

Yesterday in church, I noticed that she was taking sermon notes on her Nook, so it gave me an idea.

I've made a couple of messenger bags recently using a tutorial that I found.

I promise that I listened to the sermon yesterday, but I was momentarily distracted as I figured out in my head how I'd use what I already know to make a smaller bag for the Nook.

I couldn't wait to get home and start on it!

I called Gabriela into the sewing room and asked her if she has any favorites among my fabrics. Apparently, she's had her eye on a particular combination ever since I made this.

I didn't tell her what I was planning to do, which made it even more fun.

While Gab watched football with her daddy, I worked happily on my idea.

This morning I quickly made a tissue pouch to match her bag. I mentioned recently that the tutorial for the tissue pouch is no longer available; but I should have mentioned that the author has made the pattern available for purchase. (I just figured it out on my own.)

Trying Again

I love to cook;

but if I walk into the kitchen and find a mess, I can't even slice an onion or boil water without first getting everything organized.

(I am my father's daughter.)

Not so in the sewing room!

I've been itching to conquer this project (and to get it done in time to post on Amy's Sew & Tell for this week).

When I entered my sewing room after breakfast this morning, I had a moral dilemma:

Clean first?

Or just dive into the project?

It was a hard mess to resist...

... but resist I did!

I made a similar messenger bag a while back. It was intended for a friend, but I wasn't pleased with the results. Today I was determined to try again. I'm pleased this time. I just love this tutorial.

This toile fabric was used for the exterior of the first bag. I still had plenty left, so I used it for the lining of this one. I "heart" the black exterior fabric, but it sort of reminds me of the test that the eye doctor gave to assess my astigmatism.

And now I have some cleaning to do...

I Did It! (Finally)

I mentioned earlier that I've been planning to make a duvet cover for Gabriela, but I had hoped to surprise her.

I've had my eye on this fabric for a couple of years, and I finally bought it recently at a 50%-off sale.

The only thing I still lacked was a window of time with Gabriela away from the house, so as to surprise her.

Today was that day.

After searching a bit online for some direction, I had it all figured out in my head and just decided to wing it. I ended up saving the striped fabric that was supposed to be the accent. I'll use that for pillows, instead.

Anyway, it turned out that, after taking the girls to work with him, Craig decided to come home early.

Yikes!

I wasn't quite finished, but I was on the last step of assembling the cover. The older children tried to create a barrier in the doorway of the sewing room. Not realizing what they were doing, Gabriela crawled between their legs to come and ask me a question.

Oh well.

She was surprised. It just happened in the sewing room, rather than in her bedroom like I had planned.

I love giving her new things. She gets so excited. I felt sorry for her when she realized that she had inadvertently ruined her own surprise. I assured her that it was perfectly OK, and she spent the rest of the day thanking me and talking about how exciting bedtime would be tonight.

This was my very first time ever making piping. I actually made this way ahead of time and set it aside. Gabriela thought that I was planning to use it in my room. Tee-Hee!

Hats off to all those heroes who can perfectly match a directional pattern when piecing fabric together to make up width. I aspire to achieve that status some day... but not anytime soon, please.

I used a yellow sheet from Target for the backing.

Time to make pillows...