Christmas in July, 2012!

That's right, we're doing it again this year! Planning ahead to give, starting those projects that will take extended periods of time NOW, and putting intention into holiday giving by allowing us to enjoy the process.

I just had the thought to rename this "Winter Holidays in July, 2012" but that does not have the same ring to it, does it? Don't worry, we'll have lots of ideas to share for the holiday season in general, and some fun giveaways too!

If you want to check out last year's series, here's a link! And stay tuned...........

Thank You July Sponsors!

A warm welcome to our new sponsors for July:




Karen Pior owns Sew Well Maide, a new Etsy shop offering fresh and modern quilt patterns and finished quilts. She lives in Melbourne, Australia (our first international sponsor!).


About her shop, Sew Well Maide, in her own words:

Sew Well Maide was born out of my compulsive need to make quilts. I adore quilts - old, new, traditional, modern and contemporary. I love making them for my Family. I love making them for my Friends and I love making them as gifts. There is something so comforting and soothing about quilts. Perhaps it is the connection with the past, perhaps it is the feeling of being enveloped in the warmth of a hug or maybe just the security that warmth and softness brings us. Whatever it is I wanted to have that in my everyday. And I wanted to be able to help others bring that into their everyday and their homes.

Sew Well Maide provides you with unique, original quilt and accessory designs to enable you to fulfill your creative spirit. The feelings evoked by making your own quilts, watching the stitches bring together something tangible and unique and beautiful and useful are priceless.

You can find Karen and Sew Well Maide online here:

Blog -- Etsy -- Craftsy (this is interesting!) -- Threadbias -- Facebook -- Flickr -- Pinterest

My Apron for Haiti

Hi Angel!

Have you seen the recent New York Times article about the "Busy" trap? It's been circulating on Facebook and really spoke to me, both because it confirms my intent to value time spent with loved ones and loved activities over money AND because it made me feel guilty for constantly over-committing myself.

I admit it, I like feeling busy. With 2 small children at home, I am busy by nature. It never ends -- as you know all too well! But when you add to this constantly bustling and interrupted life of a stay-at-home mommy a whole bunch of blogging, crafting and sewing commitments (including custom work and Etsy stuff), you end up feeling crazed, there's no two ways about it. I need to come up with a better balance, starting with writing out a schedule, organizing my desk and craft supplies, prioritizing activities with the kids, etc. It's hard!

But, the point to which I'm getting in all this rambling, in a post titled "My Apron for Haiti", is that part of my busy-ness is committing to making projects for charity -- alongside the aforementioned responsibilities. I want to be a good person, and I want to contribute and help, but often feel like this part of my life gets side-swept due to the rest of my busy-ness. I had set out to make 3 aprons for Craft Hope's Project 17, and only ended up making 1 (in time for the extended deadline) which made me feel disappointed in myself and like I should have better prioritized my time.

Sigh. I don't even know what my point is, really. I guess I feel like I should give more, to my children and to others. I am making a point of focusing on quality time with the kids this summer. And my goal before fall and Kindergarten is to get organized so that I can prioritize this focus on others without feeling crazed. Does that sound doable? I see so many others out there who make it happen. Tips and advice are appreciated! How do you fit in charity work along your regular work and busy-ness -- be it stay-at-home, work-at-home, work-outside-of-the-home...?

I hope all this makes sense...

Here is the ONE and only apron I made for Craft Hope's Project 17.




I used the adult pattern from the Mother & Daughter Apron Set from Stash Happy: Applique by Cynthia Shaffer. I simplified the applique work and only did one bird. I also skipped the ruffle because I'm not a ruffle kind of gal.






This was a perfect way to use up some of my stash and the pattern came together quite well. I wish I had ironed the apron more thoroughly before taking pics, woops! I was in a rush to get it mailed off while packing for our camping trip and wrestling 2 kids (See? Busy!!).




I think it turned out pretty cute and felt pretty sturdy and good quality. I hope the recipient likes it!!! It is always emotional to make something for someone who really deserves and needs it, you know?

Did you make some aprons for Craft Hope? I'd love to see! While I am not looking for pats on the back or commiseration, I would love any tips you have for fitting in charity work and better prioritizing one's home, work and craft life. Looking forward to chatting in the comments!

Book Review: Stash Happy Appliqué

Hello there!

I've been meaning to write this book review for weeks and weeks!! Lark Craft sent me Stash Happy: Appliqué a few months back and I finally, FINALLY completed the project from it that I wanted to make: an apron for Craft Hope's Project 17 (more on that in a minute). I am so glad I can now share my thoughts on the book!


Stash Happy: Appliqué -- 25 Fresh Projects for Fabric Lovers
by Cynthia Shaffer




Like the rest of the Stash Happy series (which includes Stash Happy: Felt and Stash Happy: Patchwork) the Applique version delivers a whole bunch of creative patterns to help you make the most of your stash while building your skills and making some cute stuff for your home, your kids, your friends and yourself.

This series is well-crafted and the books are laid out in a pleasant fashion with modern fonts and crisp photos. The book begins with a quick "basics" section that provides an overview of all the various ways one can appliqué fabric and explains techniques you may not already know, with lovely graphics and photos.




The projects that follow range from embellishing existing items like shoes or a t-shirt, or creating from scratch. The appliqué techniques and motifs cater to a wide variety of styles and tastes. Here are a few of my favorites.



Scrappy & Scrumptious Mug Rugs


Fresh & Shabby Pillow Houses


Treasures-to-Go Drawstring Bag


Colorful & Portable Tic-Tac-Toe


Sweet Dreams Tooth Pillow


Your House Hoop Art

I'll stop there but I could share more!

As I mentioned above, I made the adult apron from the Mother & Daughter Apron Set last week. Here it is in the book, along with a preview of mine. I share more photos of my finished apron in this post.



Mother & Daughter Apron Set



The instructions were quite clear and accompanied by detailed and helpful photos. It seems the author does expect that you have some basic sewing knowledge. I didn't feel babied at all, and was even challenged a couple of times to try things I never have before. I learned some stuff and my apron turned out great!

What appeals to me most about this book is that the projects also stand on their own without the appliqué factor. The designs are modern, stylish, cute and well constructed. You could skip the appliqué and simply use the pattern. Similarly, the appliqué motifs and techniques are usable on projects other than what is suggested in the book. That clever flexibility opens up a myriad options, and I love that!

Thank you Lark Crafts for once again sending me a lovely book to add to my crafty library.

We've hosted a big Stash Happy giveaway already, but if you're interested in some freebies from this book, check out the free downloads for Little Miss Mason Jars and Pretty-ful Lampshade we shared during our Feather Your Nest Series.

Check out photos of my apron here! What kind of applique do you like to do? Does this look like a book you'd like to own?

A Little Basket of Napkins

Hi Angel!

Thank you for your sweet post over the weekend, I'm glad you liked your little surprise in the mail. We had a fun time camping, despite the awful weather (I know most of the country is experiencing crazy and dangerous heat waves at the moment, but I'm sick of our March weather!).

The weekend before last, our neighbors across the street had a housewarming party. They've been remodeling their home for the best part of the past year and wanted to celebrate and show everyone the results. It is beautiful!

I wanted to make them a little something to welcome them back to the neighborhood, so I brought them a little basket of handmade napkins.






Since their house was freshly painted a nice slate grey with an aqua door, I went searching for this combo of colors at Drygoods Design. Keli wisely suggested Rashida's Washi collection. These two are my favorite prints from the collection.






This is a super easy project. There is a similar and slightly fancier version in Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing book where she uses two contrasting fat quarters and hand-sews the opening.

My version is 18 x 18 inches, in other words not a full fat quarter and slightly small for napkins, more like a lunch or picnic napkin. I made the napkins reversible with grey on one side and aqua on the other. I went the easy route for finishing: I top-stitched 1/8 inch from the edge to close the gap.

Here are a few photos of the process:






I also top-stitched 1 inch from the edge for embellishment. I used a little trick that worked better than marking the lines in pencil, in my opinion: I put down washi tape 1 inch from my needle on 3 sides. This helped me start and stop in the proper place when top-stitching 1 inch from the edge!






I think these turned out pretty cute. If our neighbors are anything like we are, cloth napkins should come in quite handy. We use them constantly!

The idea for the berry basket packaging came from these adorable blueberry print napkins I found on Etsy. I love the idea! How perfect for a summery gift!






I have a pile of fabric waiting to be made into MORE napkins for various wedding gifts... I like to throw in something handmade along with a check and/or a gift from the couple's registry, and these should be perfect.




What are you up to these summer days? What are your favorite go-to gifts for house warmings or weddings?

Learning about friendship.....

 

Embroidery hoop by Jenny Bartoy Handmade Designs

I'm going to take this opportunity, while I know Jenny is on her way back from a camping trip with the family, to let you all in on a little secret: I am a lucky, lucky girl.

Last week I went out to the mailbox and found a package from Seattle. I thought it was something Ben had sent Ian, so imagine my surprise when I opened it and found something addressed to me! (Ian was bummed out, I should have read the label before I blurted out that it was for him. OOPS.)

Inside was this hoop, lovingly embroidered and finished, with a sweet card from Jenny that said she'd known I had been going through a rough patch, so even though she started making this for herself she'd decided to send it to me once it was done.

Did I mention she managed to get it in the mail while planning and packing for her trip? 

Somehow that "rough patch" doesn't seem so rough anymore, knowing I have a friend like this.......

Winner of the Quilt Blocks Shop Challenge!

Good morning!

I am so excited to be one of the winners of the Quilt Blocks Shop Challenge on The Long Thread!!!!! Ellen just featured me and my projects in a post on her blog.




It was such fun to create projects for this challenge. Her Quilt Blocks fabric line for Moda was wonderful to work with: a good mix of simple and intricate designs, modern and clean-lined with bright bold colors.

Go check out The Long Thread to see my little feature as well as the lovely projects made by the other two winners! Huge thanks to Ellen for organizing this challenge and selecting me as a winner.




You can see more of the projects I made for the Quilt Blocks Shop Challenge here.

Have you made anything with this fabric line? I'd love to see!