A quilt.

 

At least twice a week, I get asked about Caleb's baby blanket. So here you go!

{see more shots of the quilt in all of Caleb's monthly updates!}

  I love cooking for people, giving gifts, and- I've learned- sewing. Let's start by making it really clear that I am so not good at sewing. My mom gave me my machine the first Christmas I was married and signed me up for a 1 hour Joann's class learning how to sew a pillowcase. Other than that, I just wing it and learn as a I. And rip a lotttttt of seems out. But I love it. I love sewing special things for people I love, especially my kiddos!

  After following a really simple pattern for my first two quilts {both for babies}, I knew I wanted to try something a little different for Caleb. And then I saw this photo floating around on Pinterest. I had to recreate it! While still an extremely simple pattern {probably easier than the other's I've made!}, I just love how it looks. I spent a few months collecting fabric, after choosing my color combo. I think from start to finish, this quilt took me maybe 2 afternoons? It was really so simple. About a week before Caleb was born, I started trying to sew his name on {we kept it a secret until his birth and I didn't want anyone stumbling on his blanket before he came!} and it looked HIDEOUS. Evidently I really don't know how to appliqué. And then he came early! So my sweet mom took the quilt and appliquéd his name for me. {thanks mom!} But other than that, easiest quilt ever. And so cute. Someone asked me the other day if I'm worried about the large white center getting stained. I'm not! Caleb used to spit up all the freaking time, and in all colors of the rainbow once he started eating real foods. But if he stains it, I just blot some bleach on. Of course I don't want the quilt to be ruined, but I don't want to pack it away never to be used. So instead, we use it all the time! A little wear and tear just adds character, right?
  So, after a full year of being really loved {going on plane/car/stroller trips, keeping Caleb warm at night, catching lots of spit up and goldfish crumbs, and being washed regularly) it has held up perfectly! Still bright white!
  I loved the pattern enough that I recreated it in fun colors for my new niece and will probably be recycling it again for other baby gifts {spoiler alert to all my expecting friends!}. But I'm on the hunt for a new fun pattern for baby number two, and can't wait to start once we find out the gender {8 days!!!!}

Quilt along!

  

  Remember when I made my first quilt ever for my nephew? And my plans to make one for my sweet niece right after? Well, that may or may not have happened. It did not happen. BUT I have all the fabric for it {finally} and I've had a goal of finishing it by Christmas. Enter the Quilt Along! I'm hoping it's just the push I need to get my booty in motion and finish this quilt for Mia. Sheesh, a year and a half is way too long to put something off. And since I met up with Elyse over the weekend and found out we share a serious love of sewing, I'm hoping there are some serious sewing {read: accountability} dates in our future!
  Here are my guides for my quilt so far...

 The theme is 'something new', but for realistic's sake- I'm going with the same pattern I used last time; a classic Four Patch pattern.

 I will most definitely be using Amylouwho's Basting tutorial again. And of course, I'll make my own binding using Diary of a Quilter's machine binding tutorial because it really is easier than you'd think. I need to snap a photo of my fabrics- I am IN LOVE with the colors and patterns. So cute and little girlish.

 

 

Made with love.

You guys, I did it.

I finally did it.

I made my first...

Whew. 

When I got my sewing machine a few years ago, making a quilt was always my goal.

So when I found out this winter I was going to be an aunt {x2}, I knew I had to finally do it.

What better reason?!

So I got to work on my little nephew's baby quilt.

Oh goodness, it was hard.

A lot of cutting crooked, seem ripping {SO much seem ripping}, a few tears of frustration, and lots and lots of love & prayer went into to this little guy.

I have to say, the prayer part was my favorite.

Let's just say I spent a lot of hours on this guy, so I had lots of time to pray for my little nephew as I worked.

I prayed for who he already is and who he's going to become, but mostly that he knows how loved he is and that he learns to love Jesus.  

I couldn't find one great tutorial to use, so I used a combination of several! Here's what I found helpful!

Four Patch pattern

Amylouwho's Basting tutorial

Diary of a Quilter's machine binding tutorial

{all fabric from Joann's!}

And I'm OVER THE MOON excited to finally be able to link up with this week's Sew & Tell with a quilt project! Usually its just basic stuff like camera straps and aprons :)

Another life goal...checked off the list! 

{diy} Infinity.

A few weeks ago, two of my heart friends came over for a night of crafting. We each chose a project {found on Pinterest!} and went to work.

I had found this infinity scarf tutorial that looked SO easy.

And we each followed it to make a scarf...

but it was pretty much a flop.

They were WAY too short and a bit wonky.

It had been bothering me ever since,

because I'm super cheap and didn't want that fabric & project to go to waste!

So yesterday, I ripped the seams out and started all over.

And came up with a pretty sweet, easy, and cheap infinity scarf!

Here's what you need:

Fabric:: I had the store cut 15 inches of standard width cotton

Coordinating Thread:: ha. I just used what was in my machine, cause I'm too lazy to switch it out. :)

Scissors/Rotary cutter

Step one:: Fold fabric in half and cut in half along the 15 in width. {Does that make sense? You want to end up with two long, somewhat skinny pieces. So if your fabric was 15in. to start with, you would cut two pieces that are 7.5in. x whatever width they started out. Kapeesh?!}

Step two:: Unfold fabric and sew the two long pieces together {short end to short end} by placing the two pieces on top of each other; wrong side up. Be sure to backstitch.

Step three:: Now you should have one realllly long piece of fabric. You with me? K. Fold  in half lengthwise; right sides together. Pin & sew. {Or if you're lazy like me, just sew w/out pinning!} 

Step four:: At this point you have a really long tube. Turn the tube right-side out and turn the raw edges down.

Step five:: Tuck one raw end into the other and sew shut; being sure to back stich.

Step 6:: Voila! Go rock you easy peasy infinity scarf!

gifts and things.

I've been dyyyyyying to post about this for quite some time now,

but being the {not so wonderful} friend I am,

I didn't make it to Lauren's surprise party a while back to give her her gifts.

Which in turn delayed this post until I was finally able to spend some time catching up with her!

Laur's pretty wonderful, so I wanted to give her some fun birthday gifts!

It just so happened that right around her bday, I stumbled upon this little craft gem {thankyouverymuch, Pinterest!}

Which is where I found this tutorial and knew exactly what to make her! 

I used some Amy Butler fabric I got on sale {1.5 yrs ago!} and had been waiting for the right project to use it.

Here's a look at the inside...

Its nothing crazy and it definitely still has its flaws {I still have sooo much to learn!}, but Lauren was even so gracious and seemed to like it! :)

I'd been eyeing this print from Pinterest for awhile, and even had my sister resize for my gallery wall. I knew it would be perfect in a Salvation Army rescued frame {what up $.15?!?!} spray painted a cheery yellow.

And since the banana bread I baked to go with her present wasn't really edible at this point...I used some fresh zucchini to make some chocolate chip zucchini muffins!

But seriously, that part of the gift was probably more for me. Our apt smelled amaaaaazing all afternoon long!

{and the extra muffins aren't so bad for breakfast this morning :D}

Happy Thursday! :)

 

my first giveaway!

Finally...

my first giveaway!

I'm so so excited! Here's what I've been working on...

{forgive the terrible iPhone pics!}

A scrappy clutch wristlet made with Amy Butler fabrics. Oh la la!

Its fully lined and has a sturdy zipper...

...the perfect size for all the essentials! 

{my keys, 6yr old camera, and tampons not included. So sorry! :D}

Perfect to throw in your bag for school or work, to tote along on a night out with the girls, or just for a sunny Saturday shopping trip!

Even Murph loves it! What a cute model! :)

How to enter:

For one entry:

leave a comment telling me your favorite thing to do on a Springy afternoon!

For two more entries:

Become a follower through Google Friend Connect {located int the righthand sidebar} and leave one message telling me so!

For five more entries:

blog about the giveaway! and leave me one message {with the link} telling me you did!

Good luck!

The giveaway ends Sunday, April 24th at midnight and the winner will be announced Monday, April 25th!

Weekend in pictures.

Thankfully, midterm studying and paper-writing didn't dominate me this weekend! 

{actually, I did very little of it. oops!}

Instead, I ate out {way too much!} with the hubs, cuddled with my pup {who was extra snuggly yesterday!}, slept in, went for runs, started cleaning our spare room, made homemade pizza, and had an interview for a summer nanny position.

I'm pretty sure I'm in love with weekends.

God knew what he was doing when he gave us two days "off" every week!

Here are the {3} and only pictures from this weekend...

When I was cleaning the spare room, I decided its about time I neatly organize my fabrics. {We'll see how long they stay like this!}

I finally finished my pillowcase bag...and I'm pretty happy with it! 

Thanks, Martha! 

I whipped up this Thank You card for the family I interviewed with. They were so great to meet and chat with and they took time out of their saturday morning for me! 

Am I the only one obsessed with sewing paper?

Maybe. And that's ok!

How was your weekend? Busy? Slow? Fun? 

***Also, a shout out to my wonderful hubby, who I'm pretty sure reads this regularly now. Love you! :)

Weekend sewing.

I spent the weekend eating out with some new friends, watching football, homeworking, playing with my pup, and sewing. Have I mentioned that I really love sewing? New(ish) favorite hobby for sure.
I had started my bff's Christmas present forever ago, but needed to really sit down and finish it. I got this book before Christmas with a B&N giftcard I've had for a couple years. Its packed with tons of cute projects!

This Cup Half Full Apron is super cute and I love the little paragraph in the book about it..."Ah, optimism!"

So, this

+ this

= this!

(yes, I know the pictures are terrible. All I had handy was my phone :) and yes, that is a toilet I'm standing on. Judge me. and, for some reason the apron looks super short in the pictures, but it really turned out just like the book's!)

Hope she likes her (extremely) belated Christmas present!

exchanging ornaments.

I joined The Great Ornament Exchange 2010 and knew that I had to make a homemade ornament. Low funds and a bug to sew both contributed to this necessity. 

I scoured the internet and found this little gem and knew I had to make it. but let's just say that paper piecing and hand sewing are not my fortes! 

Here's my finished product. I used some Amy Butler fabric I've been waiting to break out. It turned out ok but definitely has some signs of homemade love.

Sure hope Bethany likes it! Its off in the mail...so I guess we'll see! And I can't wait to see what new addition to our tree I'll be receiving :)

after cramming (as in Ihaven'tevenstartedstudying) for my exam tomorrow, I'll finally get to start enjoying this Christmas break! And I sure do have a list of things to accomplish.

think reading, baking, Anne of Green Gables, sewing...

i.can't.wait.

one thing. one week. challenge. *edit*

thanksgiving was pretty wonderful this year. 

good food, family, and only a short drive were all things to be thankful for!

and now its time to gear up for another whirlwind christmas season. is it just me, or does this time of year always fly by?!

to help me stay on track with all my crafting and gift-getting, I joined Amy's one thing-one week challenge. so motivating!

here's what I did last week (in the midst of piles and piles of homework!)

I had promised to make my sister a camera strap cover for her birthday (cough*2monthsago*cough) and finally committed to sitting down and making it. I used this tutorial but forgot to take a picture of the finished product!

These are the fabrics I used (thankyouverymuch Hobby Lobby discounts!)- an exaggerated damask for the the outside and a bright teal for the liner to add a pop!

I also worked on piecing together an apron I've been working on for far too long. Maybe I should make it my goal for next week to have it finished?

I also whipped this up to thank my wonderful mom for all her hard work on our awesome tgiving feast!

and now, its time to attack this week with a vengeance. Transcribed interviews, final papers, practicum interviews, small group, and working are in my future for the next few days!


...but not before I make some sewing/crafting goals for the week.
1. FINISH apron. seriously this time.
2. hunt down some supplies for my homemade candles. clearance aisle?
3. who am I kidding? that's more than enough.

Above All Fabrics Giveaway!

It's the season for giveaways! I have so many to share, but I'm most excited about this one! Being the young, poor newlyweds that we are, we taking every opportunity to home-make or cost-effectively purchase christmas gifts this year :) 

Above All Fabrics is making that easy with their wonderful giveaway!

You can win anywhere between $100 and $25 just by browsing their online store, creating a wishlist, and blogging about it!

I luurve Heather Bailey's Pocketbook Tangerine!

sense a theme? I'm also in love with this pattern by Heather!

i have so many things on my wishlist already! 

blah...
i'm bogged down with tons of reading for class right now. and zero motivation to finished said reading (also, I think I need glasses because the words blur together and I get a headache every.single.time. i read. but that's another story!)
also, I want a cuter blog. I see lots of blog templates by an elusive Josh Peterson. I don't know him, but I want one of his templates.
and despite my absence, I have been working on my national sewing month projects! Placemats are underway, fabric for the clutch has been cut...and that's where I am. a post on that later perhaps? When I'm done with my homework?

Also, I decided that if I had a nice camera I would take/post more pictures. But my 5 year old Sony Cybershot isn't doing so hot these days. We're not really on speaking terms.

sigh. back to reading about social policy. joy! :)

sew.sew

Since Spring, I've completely neglected my lovely stack of fabrics and half-done projects along with a long list of project ideas to start. But I just found out that September is National Sewing Month! I'm taking this national month of sewing-celebration to motivate me back into sewing. I'm not exactly sure how I'll fit it into the pages and pages of reading that I have to do, along with papers, group projects, and all that grad school goodness, but I'm sure going to try!

I figured 5 is a good number to start with. So here's what I'll be working on this month:

1. this apron. I started it months ago, got sidetracked after coming down with a bad head cold and then never picked it up again!

2. a cute lunchbox. I've been wanting to make this since I saw it in One Yard Wonders, and now that I take my lunch everyday to school, it would come in handy!

3. I want to make some cute placemats for our cute new dining room table. We painted the room Gentle Moss, so I'm on the hunt for a fabric that goes well with the green...any suggestions?

4. curtains curtains curtains. Our bedroom and office both have bare windows that just look blah and I've been wanting to try my hand at window treatments. I hear they're easy...

5. and just for fun...not functionality or necessity...I've been eying this adorable clutch!

hopefully I can get to them all! Maybe I'll even give myself a break from paper writing and group project working this weekend to pick up where I left off on the apron. Maybe. :)