mommyhood photos

a little handmade goodness


i recently sent a little handmade xmas pressie off in the mail.  i couldn't resist gifting a fun pieced zippered pouch, needlebook and a small project bag (not shown) for the receiver.  it was hard to give away this grey/yellow combo pouch.  i adore it and hope my friend does too.  i also added in one of my fave xmas cards that were made up with all of my blog info and a special message inside from moo.com last xmas. i heart them so much i'm thinking of framing the last few i have to put up as holiday decorations. so cute!


the best part of sending my gift away (other than the fun of making someone a pressie) was receiving my pressie.  how awesome was my gift below?  she sure captured my personality!  who can resist a grey velvet bow clutch, awesome fabrics and thread??? i did a very big happy dance when i opened my parcel.  thank you so much heidi (of elegance & elephants).  i looooove it!


what handmade pressies have you made this year? what's your favorite go to pattern to use when giving friends a gift? happy sewing ladies....coffee's on, come say hi!

Washi Dress for ME!!!


washi love, washi love!!!  it's taken me forever to finally get the armholes of my washi dress done but i finally did!!! yay! i used a vintage mustard bias trim and love it! it's a fun pop of color just for me on the inside of the dress.  i wore my washi out for my hubbies xmas work party this past weekend and before you judge the pics above let me tell you they were taken at midnight after the hubs and i had (some...ahem) drinky drinks.  this momma was not feeling any pain and boy was it amazing to be out with the hubs without our children for a night.  it was sooooooo nice.  we don't get to go out very often (i mean like 1-2 times a year) so it's a big treat for us to go out for an adult evening :) 

i loved that i could wear a dress that i made.  it was such a thrill!  i love this dress....i love it so much i've worn it about 3 other times since saturday...haha.  i know the pics above are crappy lighting and the dress is wrinkled but i couldn't resist sharing them.  they felt real.   they felt like me...being a goof and capturing a moment for me when i was feeling free and content with my body.  i love that rae's washi dress makes me feel like that.  it hides my flaws and shows off my good assets.  i have never felt more comfy in a dress before. it's a fab feeling!

i plan on making the tunic version next and will be trying out rae's version with the elastic on the waistline instead of the shirring.  i had a tricky time with the shirring placement for my body.  it's the only negative for me with this pattern and that's me being very, very picky.  i never seemed to get the right amount for it to hang right over my hips an butt and i made the mistake of sewing the side seams before trying on the back to see if the shirring was good.  i had to rip open a section of the sides and try to add lines of shirring and take away some and it was a nightmare.  they still aren't perfect but i don't care. i love it anyways. 

i'm also leaning towards doing the peter pan collar for my tunic and a few other of rae's tricks like the longer sleeve.  i can't wait to get started on it.  the nice thing about being done the first washi is that i have already made a muslin and a dress and can just make as many as i want  knowing they will fit :)  the paunch is hidden and the girls (aka my boobs) are happy in the bodice. 

the washi i made was done using the dress pattern and i did the short sleeves and the fully sewn down yoke and hemmed that bad boy short.  well short for me. i really wanted to wear this with tights and/or leggings and found the shorter length was way more flattering and slimming on me than the at knee or just above length that i normally wear. it slimmed my legs and made me look taller.  so i'm so happy i dared to make a big change like that from what i would normally wear.  it suits my wardrobe better now and is way more versatile for me to wear with different shoes and boots with the shorter length.  i'm also thankful for all the lovely compliments and helpful suggestions on tight colors to choose from when i posted a sneak peek instagram shot. you ladies are AWESOME! you can read the convo here which has a pic where you can see the length of the dress better.  i'm still on the hunt for some colored tights like suggested (mustard or teal) so in the meantime the grey has been a great match for brown shoes and boots.

i made a size xl and did not have to do a full bust adjustment.  the xl fit me perfectly.  the darts were right where i wanted them and there was no armhole or back neck gaping which is a problem i always have with garments. thank you rae!  i love that this dress helped me to get over my fear of sewing a fitted bodice for me.  i highly recommend doing a muslin before you make this dress and taking the time to get a great fit.  you can find out lots of information about doing a muslin and sizing etc from this great post rae has written and also from the pattern itself. 

||  FABRICS USED  ||
-  anna maria horner's print fine feathered in colorway pomegranate from her new line field study from fabricworm.
- vintage mustard colored pre-made bias tape for armholes.

||  PATTERN USED  ||
- washi dress by rae hoekstra (made by rae)
- size made: XL
- full bust adjustment: none
- length: mid thigh
- helpful link: sewing women's clothing post from rae (great for tips on sizing and muslins)

have you made a washi dress yet?  what version did you make?  have you made a dress for yourself before?  what is your fave pattern to use?  spill the beans...i'm dying to see your washi's ladies!

A Very Bari Christmas Tree Skirt Tutorial!!


christmas is right around the corner and for years and years i have yet to make or buy a christmas tree skirt.  this year it was time to change that.  first off, my tree skirt isn't round.  i'm digging it like that.  after putting together this christmas tree roundup i fell head over heels in love with the idea of a rectangular tree skirt.  something i could play with some quilting on and finally get to use the essex linen that i've been hoarding like a mad woman since the summertime.


when the fabulous bari j came out with her new line of fabrics - splendor 1920 i was sold.  fabric that was modern, yet classic with geometrics and girly, feminine florals and teapots - it was a line after my own heart. the gemini in me just swooned.  at xmas time i obsess with coffee, tea, treats, curling up under quilts by the fire and doing needlepoint or knitting....splendor 1920 reminds me of xmas.  it creates that vibe for me.  it's something that rings through in my home and even my wee ones right away loved the fabrics and have taken to curling up under the tree on it and pointing at tea pots. they know momma loves her tea and coffee and of course...her downton abbey.


the very bari christmas tree skirt tutorial is a great project for a beginner looking to to advance in their piecing and quilting skills and is also a great canvas for more advanced quilters to have fun with.  all the shapes (besides the circular opening) are either square or rectangular for simple and quick sewing and the quilting lines are all straight and mostly follow along your seam lines so it's easy quilting too!  just the way i like it right before the holiday gift making rush.  the tree skirt is a great size at 43.25"W x 38.25"H and my fave part is that even when the pressies will be under the tree parts of my skirt will still show.  it's soft, cozy and even the back looks great!  i fought the lighting in my condo the last few days with our dark, dreary coastal weather and don't have a shot of the back but it's all solid essex and the quilting patterns add some pizazz.  i gotta give a shout out to my mom who suggested the lovely diagonal line pattern for my 4 corner pieces.  they are my fave and i owe her one for that one :)


i adore the warmth that splendor 1920 lends to my tree that is mostly silver and blues with hits of turqoise.  i don't go for gold much for my tree and love that the soft creams in some of bari's print warm up my tree but don't conflict with the cool tones of the greys and blues.  it's a happy harmony for me and just what my tree needed to finish it off.  you might even see an ornament to go with it soon....

the very, bari christmas tree skirt tutorial features:

: : 6 page full color pdf pattern complete with clear & easy to understand step by step instructions with bright photos and digitally drafted diagrams

: : instructions for a finished quilt including the quilting pattern.

: : fabric requirements, notions needed

: : a fun quilting/sewing experience :)

the very bari christmas tree skirt tutorial is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD here:


the fabrics used in the very bari christmas tree skirt tutorial are:

Splendor 1920 from Bari J. for Art Gallery Fabrics
- Tea Delights Honey  - Nouveau Geo Coral  - Knotted Trellis Gold 
- Abbey Roses Blush  - Grandeur Bloom

Robert Kaufman Yarn-Dyed Essex Linen Denim

thanks for the fabric inspiration bari and for letting me use your name :)  you're awesome!


what do you think? do you make your own christmas tree skirt? is yours rectangular too?  let's chat sewing!  i've got tea on with a cup for you too :)

happy sewing and make sure to upload your pics to our flickr group or leave a comment below. i love to see what you're making and to hear from you!  i hope you enjoy making the tree skirt as much as i did!

WIP's and WISBWO's

the pic above is a sneak peek of a new tutorial coming soon! i hope you all are going to luv it as much as i do. i'm totally crushing on bari j's new line splendor 1920. it makes me feel all warm and cozy and wanting to sip tea and do embroidery. i heart it.
i've been busy making but crazily enough none of it is xmas presents.  while i find this daring and somewhat freeing it's also weird. i have never not gone a christmas without making at least one gift and i'm sure i'll end up making at least 1-2 but as of right now...nada.  i know...it's wild!  must be all that kahlua i've been sipping!   i took a tally of some of my wip's (work in progress) and my wisbwo's (work i should be working on)(yes, i totally made that acronym up, i rock like that) and thought i would show you all that a) i'm not wonder woman and never get 3/4 of the project i start even half way completed b) i always bite off more than i can chew c) i think that i am in fact 3 human beings and that there really is 84 hrs in a day and d) that sleep is for the weak.  i in fact will openly admit this isn't even half of it but it's a good chunk of what's in baskets hidden away in my sewing area.

i got a little irritated with some of my knitting wip's and even unravelled a few and rewound them.  that my friends is really wild.  that i did without kahlua. not even a sip.  i just looked at it and went - meh.....ripping this out.  done.  felt good.  no guilt, yet here i am telling you all about it and now feeling a tad remorseful for the project that is no more. oh...wait....a tiny inkling of wistfulness....and....it's gone.  done.  bye bye.  see?  that was ok. i survived.  now i need to allocate that yarn to a new project or donate it or sell it.  cleaning out and moving on.  i think if we all allowed ourselves the freedom to just "let projects go" sometimes our creative souls would feel so much lighter.  we all carry the baggage around of the "unfinished projects" or the ones "we have no time for but need to work on" or the "ones that we think are gonna be amazing but fail horribly and make us re-evaluate if we should even keep on making".  they all gather taking up precious real estate in a corner of your brain and drain energy that could be spent making projects that simply make you happy.  so for this xmas and for the new year i am only going to attempt to work on projects that "make me happy".  if the others don't make the list they simply will be undone or reworked.  i just don't have the energy to expend on them anymore.  sheat happens and nobody is perfect.  if it doesn't work out, try again or move. simple as that. we all grow the more we create.  the more you practice the better you get and the better you get the more you learn and to me, learning and growing are what feeds my soul and my hands.
i recently picked up this yummy scarf shown above and seriously have been wearing it everyday.  i swear these colors just scream shannon right now.  i have been bundling up with this warm color palette during all of these grey blustery days we've been having.  it puts a smile on my face and keeps me warm.  a win/win in my book.

i've also been busy working on my next tutorial for the fat quarter gang.  i'm up in about 2 weeks and i'm working on something fun using pat bravo's new line "rock 'n romance".  i've been trying to clean up my sewing workspace so i can finally show you all some shots of my new sewing wall that's been up for months now that i still haven't blogged about (oops).  while i was cleaning up i realized some goodies that i haven't blogged about yet or in a while.  remember my audrey above?  so purdy in that yummy red!  i've been plugging away at it when i have the time but it keeps getting put on the back burner.  i started it last fall in the hopes of wearing it for xmas 2011 and never got it done and what do you know....i'm hoping to wear it this xmas but really don't think it's going to happen.  i'm going to remain optimistic though.  so in the meantime it's hanging out with a gorgeous skein of lace weight madeline tosh in calligraphy that i. am. obsessed. with.  i just keep swatching and swatching and know soon she will be a new design.
i recently cast on an "oatmeal pullover" while we were away a few weeks ago and i'm hoping to be wearing this cozy sweater very soon too. i'm just about at my hips and plan on making mine a tad longer and doing short sleeves instead of long ones.  i'm hoping it will cure the horrible case of sleevitis i have going on. the yarn is one of our groups fave go tos for quick cowls and chunky sweaters at an affordable price and it's by lion brand yarn.  i used the lion brand wool-ease chunky in colorway "wheat " for my oatmeal pullover.  i also recommend their wool-ease thick and quick weight as well.  both chunky and thick and quick are regulars for gifts and quick knits.
that lovely rainbow colored yarn is patiently waiting for the new year for me to cross one of my new years resolutions off the list.  i really want to make my first pair of socks.  i've knit my whole life and never made socks.  you see i hate wearing socks. i know it's sorta weird but i just hate having them on my feet. it's bothered me since i was a little girl and used to pay my younger sister pennies to put my socks on for me. i couldn't even touch them.  word to the wise never ever put socks fresh from the dryer near me.  it's like nails on the chalkboard.

needless to say it's weird that i want to take all that time to knit socks when i hate wearing them but the way i see it is that maybe if i make them and i choose the feel of them i just may wear them?  what do you think?  yay or nay?  well i ponder this life altering decision (not) the sock yarn is hanging out with my startings of "folded".  now this yarn i want to just wrap around my body and wear as a cloak (so now i'm nude, with no socks and a cloak made of gold malabrigo sock yarn...not a pretty picture my friends) it's that glorious.  i've got enough to make a garment and chose folded in the springtime.  it's now sat there crying for me to pick it back up.  sad thing is that i feel like i've lost my gumptcha (is this a word?) to make it anymore.  i've been tempted to rip it out and start another project with the yarn but each time i go to start to unravel i stop and think about how long it took me to actually knit what i have done and that i really do love folded.  so it still sits all curled up in it's knitting bag....waiting.....and waiting....for me to actually do what i wrote about at the start of this post. time to be brave ladies.  who's with me?

what are you all working on?  seriously, i love to hear about what you're making. i think it's one of my fave questions to ask you all.  i also adore when you link up posts showing what you're working on or recently made so i can pop by and say hi!  so come on...put the mug down and say hello :)  i promise it's fun.....

Weekend Wishes

yahoo!  today is a wonderful, amazing and oh so special day for our family! one we have been waiting on for almost 5 years!!!  we found out at 7am this morning that my hubby passed the big exam he has been working towards! a few more things he has to do and he will be a chartered accountant. so proud of you my love!

he has worked so very hard for our little family and i couldn't think of a better thing to happen to such a special man.  he's my best friend and i'm so proud of his huge accomplishment.  so instead of my normal weekend wishes i'm just wishing to enjoy this moment and savor every second of it.  i'll never forget waking up to seeing him say "i passed, i passed"!  it was so special and seeing as they make the poor students wait for months to find out (torture) we were so relieved to finally know the outcome of all of his hard work.  he has worked full time and studied since we had mackenzie and it hasn't always been easy, in fact it has been very hard on him and us but it has been so worth it.

so congratulations hun!!!!! i love you so much and the girls and i are so very proud of you.  we never doubted you for a second. thank you for doing all that you do for us. we can't wait to celebrate with you.

wishing you all a very happy and oh so special weekend.  see ya on monday :)

what are your weekend plans?  do you have a hubby or partner who is working/studying tons?  how do you cope with it?  what have you been crafting this week?  let's chat! i'm so excited!!!

Bella Collage Quilt Tutorial!!


i'm so excited to tell you all that we finally had some gorgeous weather here and i got the "bella collage quilt" photographed!! yay!!!! i heart this quilt.  it was such a fun one to whip up.  it's all about the fabrics on this one. i'm a huge fan of lotta jansdotter's work and fell head over heels for her new line bella.  i wanted something that was a great beginner quilt for all you fellow newbies but also something that let you have some wild fun with quilting if you were more experienced.  you know me...i'm all about a bit of wild fun :P


one of my main goals for designing the bella collage quilt was to enable the sewer to use 6 yards of fabric fully with minimal cutting.  i'm always looking for a way to use full yardage (i gotta thing for it) and i'll admit it...i suck at cutting.  so if i can't get a pre-cut bundle i tend to lean towards yardage and fun quilting to add some flair.  the finished size of this quilt is perfect for one adult. i'm all for that. i believe in selfish sewing these days and heck if my toes are warm and i'm all cozy and snuggled i'm happy.  when the hubs is out and i need a warm me up i go straight to bella now.  she keeps me nice and toasty.

i had the most fun with the layout of the quilting pattern for bella.  from far away she looks unquilted but if you look close - bam....tetris baby!  i wanted to highlight the outline of the blocks in the quilt front but also play up the 2 pieces on the back by splitting the pattern in half so to speak.  it enables a new quilter to jump in and make something that looks complicated but is fairly straightforward.  all straight lines (no curves). if you can sew straight lines you can make the bella collage quilt.


being a blogger i make collages a lot...and i mean a lot.  so the idea came to me when i was trying to figure out how to preserve as much of my yardage as possible to just make a collage.  i lurve it and it is going to be well loved by this momma in our little apartment.  i've been snuggling up with it non stop since i finished hand sewing the binding on and it really brightens up my sofa (which is definitely not as nice, or clean, as my friends whose is pictured above).

the bella collage quilt tutorial features:

: : 4 page full color pdf pattern complete with clear & easy to understand step by step instructions with bright photos and digitally drafted diagrams

: : instructions for a finished quilt including the tetris style quilting pattern.

: : fabric requirements, notions needed

: : a fun quilting/sewing experience :)

the bella collage quilt tutorial is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD here:



we had a blast photographing the bella collage quilt.  this is one of my fave places in victoria.  a beautiful lookout bluff that has 3 bright colored anorak chairs perched atop it.  when you sit there you feel as if you're floating in the air above the ocean.  it's one of my fave places to go and just breathe.  it reminds me how amazing this place is and how to not sweat the small stuff.  i can tell you that i needed it that day.  it ain't easy photographing quilts peeps. i freely admit i stressed with this one.  i wanted some shots that i could look back at and enjoy that weren't just for tutorial purposes.  something to document that moment and our little family.  i'm thankful the hubs & even the kidlets helped me out!  i adore the pics and i get relaxed and calm just looking at them.  i think one of these bad boys is going in a frame cause i need all the help i can get these days to just remember "to breathe".

so come, grab your fave quilt and a thermos of coffee and join me on the bluff...let's chat...and dream away an hour or two atop the ocean......
i hope you all enjoy this quick and easy quilt as much as i did. sometimes it feels good to whip something up that makes you feel fabulous that you adore that doesn't take months and months to make.  it was refreshing to just let my mind go and have some fun and just make what i felt like making and not worrying about how tricky or "new" it was.  i just enjoyed the whole process and i hope you will too.  so if you've been scared to try quilting now's the time to jump in.  i promise i'll hold your hand if you need it and i'll be here cheering you on!  you can do it...i know you can!


happy sewing from my home to yours!  xoxoxo  oh, and if you make one please upload some pics to our flickr group so we can all see your lovely quilts!  i can't wait!

what do you think? do you think you'll make one? what fabric line are you crushing on that you would use? i can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Sweetheart, Delaney & Albatross Dresses - Birch Fabrics Booth Quilt Market

our holiday crafting support group post has been postponed :( this momma is still under the weather and has now lost her voice. torture i tell you. if you know me i hardly ever shut up never mind not be able to talk at all!  good thing i'm a good whisper talker...lol.  but it is hard to yell at the kids now and yes, they are taking full advantage of it. smart little whippets.  so i'm taking tomorrow off and taking it easy. this bug is taking forever to get over and every time i think i'm on the mend it hits me again with a different symptom.
sweetheart dress
i realized that i haven't had a chance to show you all the dresses i was so lucky to have on display at the birch fabrics booth at quilt market this fall.  i so love all the fabrics that cynthia's fabulous company comes out with and the fact that they are all organic is icing on the cake.  it was so fun to make 3 dresses - the sweetheart dress, the delaney dress & a new one - the albatross dress.  i love each one of these little dresses for their modern yet retro vibes and feel like they pair up great with birch fabrics prints.  i managed to grab some shots of the dresses before they went off to their new home :)
first off i squeezed my tiny 5 year old into both of these dresses which are a size 3!  yep, that's how small she is.  they were a tad tight but hey, what else do you do when your 2 year old is being stubborn and won't let you take one pic of her no matter what you do. i did get a few but they were about as good as it got. i tried everything. i even had a temper tantrum of my own (embarassing), i bribed, i begged...didn't matter.
 
 
in the end we gave up.  i decided to move on and use the eldest kid who in that particular moment felt sorry for me and agreed to be photographed so please ignore the fact that the armholes are way too small for her little body (shown below).
the albatross dress (shown above and below) is a new dress i designed with the birch fabrics prints as my inspiration.  i love these two prints together and couldn't resist doing something very flowy and feminine.  both of my girls loved it.  it's got a zippered back, faux belt and an adorable cut out with a feminine hand sewn bow detail on the neckline.  this dress will hopefully be available as a tutorial for you all in the next month or so.  i'm working on doing the dress with a lined bodice because my girls like it better and also because i'm really picky about finishing details inside and outside the dress and i think it will just add that extra nice finish to it.
what do you think? would you like to see a tutorial and a free pattern in one size for this dress?  or would you rather buy this dress as a full pattern with sizes from 2-10yrs?  i'd love to hear your thoughts :)
i also can't forget about our delaney dress.  this dress is still a fave to wear in our house.  harper is finally growing out of it...sob sob.  it's a great beginner dress and a good way to practice sewing that bias tape.  isn't that fox print adorbs?
here's some shots of the birch fabrics booth at quilt market.  lindsay (from the cottage mama) and i got to be booth buddies again with some of her clothing on display as well! so fun!!! thanks again linds for taking pics for me! she was at quilt market so it was fun to watch her post pics of our little outfits.  a big thank you again to cynthia for letting me make a few of my dreams come true!

i'm wishing you all a wonderful thanksgiving weekend and in honor of your holiday i'm having my first sale!!! woot woot!!!!! gobble gobble!  use the code "THANKSGIVING" in my etsy shop for a 10% discount off your purchase through till nov.26th!  have a fabulous day tomorrow!

have you made any of the dresses above?  would you like to see an albatross dress pattern or tutorial?  what have you been busy sewing lately?  let's chat :) i can't talk but i can still type <3

||  FABRICS USED  ||
SWEETHEART DRESS
outer dress -  bear orange from camp modern by birch fabrics
lining - bobbers from camp sur by birch fabrics
DELANEY DRESS
outer dress - sly fox from camp sur by birch fabrics
bias trim - bobbers from camp sur by birch fabrics
ALBATROSS DRESS
bodice - flight mahogany from camp modern by birch fabrics
skirt -  las flores mahogany from camp modern by birch fabrics

The Blair Bag - K.I.D. Series on Me Sew Crazy


i'm so excited to be guest posting over on my good friend jessica's blog - "me sew crazy" (and the awesome sewset) today for her K.I.D. series!  i love the whole idea of this awesome series.  we all got to get our kidlets to draw and design a project that we had to make. my oldest came up with a fun bag she called "the blair bag". 


the blair bag features a fun bow tie closure so she can practice tying her bows/knots (something she is working on at the moment) and is fully lined, interfaced and features another pocket inside and an extra wide strap for comfort.


come pop on over to me sew crazy to see more pics and read about our K.I.D.S. experience and also to check out all the other guest posts in this series! 

do you involve your wee ones in the design and sewing process?  what things have they designed that they have made? do you let them choose their fabrics and colors?  let's chat. it's monday and i'm slowly coming out of my cold coma & the coffee's on <3

moments in the daddyhood - foggy fall

the hubs was at it again.  my fave moments in our home are sometimes the ones i'm not a part of that i find later on the camera and now our ipad.  cracks me up every time to see how their little adventures play out.  here's some shots of the latest installment of them on a foggy fall day....
 

victoria is always filled with the most gorgeous and inspiring leaves at this time of year and i could probably easily fill this blog up with just leaf pictures alone...lol.  it's heavenly.  as long as it's not monsoon raining i'm a very happy lady during this lovely vancouver island weather.

do you find unexpected pics on your camera? what happens when your partner takes your kiddos out with you?  are you relishing in the fall weather where you are?  it's a blustery one here today and it's  filled with blue sky, leaves crisp and blowing and warm fresh coffee - want some?

quilting 911 - creative bliss


i have a confession.  i've been cheating on my vintage sheet inspired quilt with a new one.  i know, i feel guilty.  i try to work on only one quilt at a time but this time i've cheated.  i blame it completely on lotta jansdotter.  yep, it's all her fault.  why did she have to come out with such a lovely line that i just could not absolutely resist making a new quilt for myself out of?  it lured me over to the dark side.  i quickly bundled up my other quilt and put it aside to jump head first into the frenzy of lotta sewing.  the line - bella.  the result?  can't show you yet...hehe.  but i loooooove it.  i think it's my fave quilt to date.  why?  because it was completely spur of the moment and i just winged it. 


sometimes my most favorite projects are the ones that are totally unexpected and not on my schedule or list at all whatsoever.  it feels wild and freeing to do this once in a while.  i'll just drop everything and immerse myself completely in something new and unplanned.  i just lose myself in it and boy is it fun.  even though i feel guilty for dropping my other quilt faster than a hot potato i feel that it's worth it to have this new baby to snuggle up under.

how to sew binding roundup
want to know what the best part is?  it's going to be my first quilting tutorial!!!! yes!  i'm so excited!  it definitely is something i wanted to share and it's the perfect quilt for all you fellow newbie quilters like me to sink your teeth into.  so watch this space....it's coming soon.  i spent all my kid free time yesterday quilting my brains out on this bad boy so that today i can start putting the binding on. i had tons of work to do but i just. couldn't. stop. quilting.  speaking of binding....don't forget about our how to sew binding roundup! this is a great resource of tips and techniques for binding your quilts.  i refer to it all the time.

1. rocky shore in schooner 2. scattered sand in seaspray  3. seaside stripe in seaspray 4. seaside stripe in warm grey 5. rocky shore in sunspray 6. woven in schooner all from bella by lotta jansdotter
want to know what prints i used for my new quilt?  i used the lovelies shown above & even had to add some color palette boxes below the prints just for fun! aren't they purdy?  i don't want to reveal too much and all i can say is i'm digging it.  yep. i even snuggled under it for a few minutes after i was done quilting it.  i feel like that is the moment of true quilting love for me. i love the quilting part the best out of the whole process.  it's so exciting and fun for me.  this time was tricky though.  this was a much bigger quilt than i'm used too and it was a good workout trying to fit it in my machine.  it was tricky and time consuming but i managed to push through and i'm happy with the outcome. it ain't perfect but heck...who is right?  it's all a learning process for me.


i simply love the feeling of getting lost in a quilt and watching the time fly by while i'm having a heckuva lot of fun. there is something so soothing and relaxing about quilting that i just can't put my finger on it but man is it good for the soul and oh so rewarding when you are done. i even have to admit that this is the first time i'm actually looking forward to the binding process.  i usually detest it but have started to grow a fondness for hand sewing my binding.  i sew the first side by machine and hand sew the binding down.  this works great for me and i love snuggling up under the quilt with my trusty thimble.  it's starting to become fun for me and i'm so looking forward to this evening.  that is exactly what i'm going to be doing tonight. i can't wait to show you all the finished product and share the tutorial.

what quilt are you working on right now?  do you love or detest the binding process? which part of quilting is your favorite?  do you find yourself getting lost in creative bliss while quilting too?  let's chat m'dears!  it's monday and it's finally not raining here! yay!!!

moments in the mommyhood - pumpkin boobies

and yes, these do look like my boobies...muahaha...lmao!
i heart fall.  i don't heart the endless rain and miserable grey misty cold but i heart the glimmers of goodness about fall.  pumpkins, leaves, trees, fresh air, warm knits, and the calm before christmas.  one of our fave things to do in the fall is head out to the local pumpkin farm to pick our pumpkins.  we had a good time even though our youngest refused to look at the camera.  not even once...poor little thing.  she had just woken up from a nap and no matter what i did she wouldn't lift her head up to smile or even scowl...haha.  i'm sure you can all relate to those moments when we really, really want to get pics of our kiddos and they just won't pose.  oh well....such is life..haha.

here's some of our faves from the last few weeks....(i love getting pics of feet...can you tell?)


we did get some other great pics and i couldn't resist sharing them all today.  it's back to the misty, grey rain today but we were lucky to have a break of no rain for trick or treating last night.  i hope you all had a safe and fun halloween and before you ask - no, i didn't make any costumes for halloween and never have.  one day i will though :)  we had a great night and it was soooo fun to see harper have her first halloween that she will remember and to see the 2 girls together trick or treating so fun!

my fave moment - there is a house in our neighbourhood that goes all out for halloween every year and i mean all out.  scary...like adult freaky scary.  it's not for little ones.  it's frightening and each year it's my favorite house to go to. i slowly creep up and wait to get scared. last year someone grabbed and pulled me across the yard....awesome.  now this house happens to use santa as one of it's freaky compenents..and yes, i said santa.  i told you...not for kids..lol.  we were almost at the house and all of a sudden santa came running out of the yard and literally chased 3 kids about a block and a half scaring the wits out of them (these were teens) and i almost peed myself. the screams were so fun!!! honestly...loved it.  that may be twisted of me but it was a riot.

how was your halloween? how has your fall been? do you pick your your pumpkins or have other fall rituals you do?  hope you're having a wonderful week!  let's chat....i've got tea and coffee...want some?

We Interrupt This Program....

take a pic mom!
we interrupt this regularly scheduled program with some more pics of my girlies. i know...i know...2 days in a row..lol...but i just couldn't help myself and i have an excuse.  see that cutie patootie above? well she's sick. poor little thing had a really bad fever all day and by dinner time yesterday it was getting really bad and not responding to tylenol and she was just not well.  i took her to the walk in clinic who told me to go to the ER.  so that's where our little fam spent a good chunk of our evening. not fun. 

outtake from my upcoming pattern
 anyhoo she's ok, still has a fever but is hopefully on the mend.  so i'm curled up with her on the couch drawing pics and watching caillou today and hopefully i may sneak in some knitting.  i will be back soon with some winners, another fun giveaway and hopefully a new pattern so stick around peeps!

kept meaning to post this shot from sept :)
btw..totally off topic, is anyone else hopelessly addicted to the new show Nashville? omg! loving it! please say i'm not alone...lol.  anyone else loving the DRAMA and the music! yeehaw!  can't wait for this week's episode!

hope you all have a cuddle filled and crafty day.  thank you all so much for your supportive and oh so kind comments yesterday.  meant a lot to me and seriously helped me get through my day yesterday. big hugs to you all.

moments in the mommyhood - tissues anyone?


today is just gonna be one of those days where i wish i had bought stock in kleenex.  yep, the tissues are my best friend today. no - not a cold....worse....saying goodbyes.  i hate them.  i also dislike "see you laters" and all other sorts of goodbye greetings.  i especially dislike them when it comes to my parents and others whom i love dearly.  especially when they live far away and i only get to see them once or twice a year.  it's so hard.  so yes, today i'm letting myself just have free range of the kleenex box and allowing myself to not feel too guilty about it.

i'm very close with my parents and we've been so lucky to have them down visiting for almost a month.  it seriously was such a special thing to get to visit with them that long.  especially for the girls.  we got to have thanksgiving with them which i haven't had in like 12 years and many other fun moments to share like the birth of my new nephew (such a cutie pie!).  they got to stay in a house rental half way between my sister and i that was literally a 5 min drive for me.  it felt like old times.

i know some of you have prolly never dared to read my "about" page but i grew up in a very small town with almost all my family living there.  anytime you wanted to visit them you could walk there.  all my friends were within walking distance too.  so being in a city was a major culture shock for this northern bc gal.  it was so special to have that comfy feeling of being able to whip over to my folks place this month just to visit or stop by for coffee and let the girls run in the yard.  it was awesome to have those shoulders to lean on and those hours after school was out to visit and play.  it honestly became my fave part of the day instead of dreaded.

we're in a condo so yards are a gift to themselves these days.  so each day we were over there to visit, play and get spoiled.  we had gorgeous weather and lots of fun.  bonus is my mom is where i get most of my crafty gifts from so i got to wind her new yarn, talk quilty goodness and sewing fun too. she loves to go thrift shopping & had craft parties with the girls! yep...i'm gonna miss her.  she even drinks more coffee than i do..lol.. and the girls just loved having their opa (my dad) to play with, have tickle fights with and do his hair.  my omi (my grandma) was with them as well and it was so nice to get to spend so much time with her as well.

i could go on and on and i'm sure you can all relate somewhat to those people who are family (or like family) in your lives and how hard it is to say "see you later" when you know later is a long way off.  when later means phone calls instead of real hugs, when later means emails and pictures instead of hanging out in real time, when later means who knows when.

so i'm going to pray they get home safe and await the first phone call of many and hope that the "see you later" will be more like "see you soon".  i hope that one of these days everything will align and they will be down here for good instead of just visiting and that my hugs goodbye no longer have to be the hugs where you can't let go.  in the meantime i will bond with my kleenex, hug my babies and try to explain why nana, opa and omi had to go home & let my hubs tease me for crying so much.

- to my folks and my omi:
we love you and we'll miss you guys....come back soon.


anyone up for virtual hugs?  i could use a few and i know some of you are going through similar things or have loved ones away working or living far from home so let's console each other.  how do you make it that much easier on your wee ones when you have to say goodbye?  what do you do to stay in touch besides facetime and webcams?  tea's brewing and i've got a cozy couch...you up for a chat?

ipad knitcity view

knitcity vancouver weekend as seen from the ipad....
missed our gosh darn ferry....working at the terminal to kill time.
friday night booth set up!
our badges
a very rainy dinner with arika <3
jane and i torturing arika at dinner :)
rebecca knitting of course :)
the shoes
taking a group pic is hard...lol
what we slept under
breakfast before our big day
sold out!!!! we're amazed and overjoyed!!!! thanks everyone!
our coffee angel - holly (holly's red bike) head of the vancouver modern quilt guild! she came by to visit us & bring starbucks. Holly - you are the BEST!!!!!
booth set up day 2
rebecca and i meeting up with the gourmet faerie & her cute wife sherwin. so fun!
what sustained jane and i all day - tamarind almonds...yum!
getting ready for day 2 - i'm tired of the monsoon rain....my hair is rebelling from the water and i had to wear hats all weekend
saw my downton cowl walking around on this cute doll of a gal! made my day!
the gorgeous and oh so lovely  tasia of "sewaholic".  (i had a fan moment...love her) she came by with the first project someone else had knit from the book! a special moment for us!
the weather the. whole. time....bah!!!!! can we say nasty?!

i thought it would be fun to show you all my weekend away at vancouver for knitcity from the view of my ipad.  they weren't all instagrammed due to lack of wifi wherever i was but they were all meant to be :)  i got home very late last night and am still in a hangover of sore feet, amazing fun and just happiness at how well it all went and how many wonderful and lovely people we got to meet who embraced ISLAND as much as we do.  i'll be back soon with more pics and info on the book.....xoxoxox

how was your weekend?  what did you all get up to?  any knitting or sewing? were you at knitcity?  let's chat!

creating...


life has been crazy the last 2 weeks.  school is now in full swing for my girlie and she's loving it!  the hubs finished his giant 3 day exam and we are slowly starting to learn how to breathe and be a bit more of a normal family again.  we've all had to adjust to a new morning routine and an evening one.  it's exciting to see mackenzie loving school and to have my hubby home at night with no studying to be seen.  it's great!


i've been a busy, busy bee.  i've been working really hard on the sidelines trying to get the sweetheart dress pattern out to you guys asap.  i'm gearing for next week ladies!  yeehaw!!!!  i'm excited to have my first sewing garment pattern for sale!  the dress will be sized for 2T - 6years!!!  yay!!!  i'm just working on the final edits/diagrams and photos, and finishing up the pattern testing.  let me tell you though....it's been a long and tiring process and i think i will be happy to move on to all the other fun new projects waiting so patiently in the sidelines for me. 

like these....

1. bella by lotta jansdotter 2. field study by anna maria horner
some lotta jansdotter love.  i think these piles will both be quilts someday when i have time to quilt again...lol.

1.  from indie by pat bravo for art gallery fabrics 2. fine feathered in pomengranate from field study by anna maria horner
these 2 prints are going to be my washi dress and washi tunic!  i picked them and the rest of my "field study" bundle from a great bundle sale the other week from our sponsor fabricworm.  i couldn't resist the sale...lol.  to say i love the fabric is an understatement.  the unicorn is there care of harper.  she thought it upped the wow factor on my photo and i agree because the washi dress seems like a mystical creature i keep longing to meet that i haven't had a chance to find yet.  oh to have 48 hrs in a day....soon rae...soon....the washi will be in my wardrobe rotation.  the top print is afro fusion dusk from "indie" by pat bravo for art gallery fabrics and it's one of my favorite prints from that line. it's going to be a washi tunic that matches perfectly with my jeans & leggings.  that other to die for feather print is "fine feathered in pomengranate" from field study by anna maria horner. looooovvve it and cannot wait to wear this with my fave pair of boots for fall.

rock 'n romance by pat bravo for art gallery fabrics
i also have been busy dreaming up a quilt block and quilt layout for my amazing gorgeous and drool worth line "rock 'n romance" by pat bravo for art gallery fabrics.  i am loooooooving this line.  seriously.  i keep taking it out and petting it over and over.  as soon as i received it i started sketching like a mad woman....hopefully i will have some pics for you guys of the block in progress soon.  i hope to sneak in some sewing time on it this weekend.  for now...i just keep sketching..lol.

rock 'n romance by pat bravo for art gallery fabrics
gorgeous right?!  so many projects could be made with any of these prints!

 modern bear orange from camp modern by birch fabrics (coming november 2012) lining is bobbers from camp sur
btw...how cute is this bear print?!!!  this is "modern bear orange" from camp modern by birch fabrics it's 100% organic and i'm obsessed with it (both camp sur and camp modern are set to release in november 2012). i have a really bad phobia of bears in real life so to sew with them instead is kind of bringing me some peace in a weird way. i'm always having nightmares about them. darn bears.  that's what i get for growing up with them in my backyard all the time.  even though i'm in a city now i still think they will find me.  i've had way too many face to face encounters with the furry beasts for my liking.  stay tuned for more pics of this dress and for the sweetheart dress pattern release!  i can't wait! 

i love seeing other people's fabric purchases and stash so if you've treated yourself recently share a pic!  link up your blog post or pics!  let's see what you've been inspired by lately!  it's time to get creating ladies.  sip that coffee and let's chat fabric love!

p.s. i'm taking tomorrow off peeps.  i'll see you all on monday!  i've got friends visiting in town and a sister about to have a baby so it's sure to be a good weekend.  hope yours is wonderful too <3

p.p.s don't forget to enter to our giveaway to win a prize worth almost $100 from voilette field threads!  who wouldn't want the whole collection of their paper patterns! awesome!

Weekend Wishes


we're going to be chilling out in the mommyhood today.  the hubs finished his last exam yesterday and we are all riding off the high of major stress this week.  we're dropping mack off at school and spending the day together.  our first day with no looming school stress.  it feels great but also weird at the same time.  i hope it's the first day of many days now where our little family can just....be.

can you feel me breathing again...phew.  holding my breath for 3 days was hard.  it's hard watching someone you love deal with all that stress/pressure and feeling helpless in the fact that you can't take the burden off of them.  we survived though and i have to admit....i may have had a stiff drink in there somewhere...lol.  thank you for all your kind words and emails during the last few weeks - you guys rock!

our weekend is going to be filled with more breathing...haha.  i'm also working on some upcoming patterns, a secret project with one of my besties and some knitting.  my knitting has been sadly neglected.  i'm also going to keep hugging the heck out of my hubs and kids and just being thankful that we made it this far.  

wishing you all a relaxing, stress free, breathing filled, knitting/sewing & coffee goodness kind of weekend.

what are your plans this weekend?  are any of you dealing with a big family deadline that you've now made it through?  are you working on any fun projects?  let's chat m'dears.  fill me in on your week!  i've missed you guys.

p.s. the winner of the petite kids pattern giveaway will be announced next week.
p.p.s. watch on monday for my new fat quarter gang project for art gallery fabrics!

Summer Sweater Knit Along - Sleeves


i was finally able to get around to starting the sleeves on my "something silver".  i will openly admit that i detest knitting sleeves.  it's like the end of a party when all your friends are getting ready to go and you are having a fabulous time and you don't want it to end but you know it has to and you are faced with the reality of the dreaded mess of clean up when all you want to do is go to bed and wake up the next day to a clean house & fond memories :)  this sweater has a been a fun knit and a joy to make and at this point i would loooooove to be able to wear it but sleeves seem to take me forevah!!  and i mean a looong time. 


they will prolly take me even longer because we have so much going on right now.  i haven't hardly any time to knit and boy am i feeling it.  it's therapy for me and i know i have to get back onto my schedule of knitting for a tiny bit before bed each night.  it helps to calm my mind and relax me.  only problem is it takes a lot for me to pick this up cause i know it's "the sleeves".  blah.  i also won't allow myself to knit on anything else right now because i need to finish this bad boy up.  there's a crispness in the air already and too many times have i been getting dressed and thought to myself "my new cardi will look FAB with this" only to remember it's not done yet :P


so sleeve knitting it is for me this week.  i must forge ahead and get them done.  thankfully they are only 3/4 and the lace pattern is a breeze and joy to knit.  so close.....my friends....so close.......


until then i will be looking at this view.... one (don't judge me...lol, there was more than 1. in fact my daughter even said "mom, you soooo don't need any more journals".  to which i replied "you can never have enough journals luv, it's all about the little things in life" and i quickly got the eye roll....she's now 5 going on a judgemental 13..lol) of my newest journals, my new best friend "the cuppow", and my sweater.  how's your summer sweater knit along project coming along?  join in the linky party below ladies.  i want to see pics!

you can follow along with all things summer sweater knit along:
 

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moments in the mommyhood - daydreaming

 
 
 
 
 

i'm going to be busy daydreaming this week.  daydreaming about next week, daydreaming about spending more time with the hubs, daydreaming about how much stress will be lifted off of his and my shoulders, daydreaming about more family time, and daydreaming about more moments like the ones shown above. i love island life and boy do i love my little family.  i couldn't help but post these shots that so simply depict my fave part of the weekend.

can you hear the waves, can you smell the ocean breeze, and can you feel the suns rays trying with all their might to fight through those dark, deep green forest trees to soak you in all that is wonderful?  it's amazing how you can go from stress & worries and then sit down on our beautiful coastal island and just feel it melt away.  it's breathtaking and just one of those important places that reminds you not to sweat the small stuff and to just......well.....bask.  bask in the sound of the kids splashing in the surf while dad pretends to throw seaweed at them, bask in the sound of the birds, the freshness of the air, the feel of the sand and pebbles between your toes, the taste of a yummy pumpkin spice latte on your lips and cozy in your hands, the happiness of knowing you are holding a camera in your hand and that these little memories might just last that much longer if you can just catch them. snap. snap.....snap.

 see you all on wednesday <3

what are you daydreaming about this week?  what's it sound/feel/look like where you live?  i've got coffee and tea today...come join me :)

*all images luvinthemommyhood

moments in the mommyhood - big events


things may be a bit up and down around here for the next 2 weeks.  i've got my girlie starting kindergarten (wahhhh!) and the hubs writing the "big exam".  mack starts kindy on thursday and the hubs writes his exam next week.  yep, that's right....it's here.  after 5 long years of endless studying the date is here.  we are so proud of him.  we're also proud of our little 5 year old who's about to embark on her own new journey.  so excited for her and i've managed to hold in my tears around her....for now....lol.  the day of may be a different story :P


in the midst of all of this i've also been spending way too many late nights on the computer working away.  on what you may ask?  well, the sweetheart dress sewing pattern is almost ready to be released! can i get a woo woo!!!!!!  yes......!!!!!  it's going out to testers today and should be up for sale in about 2 weeks.  i'm so excited and also very proud of this wee pattern.  it's been a long process and a lot of learning and hard work.  i also had some awesome help from someone i'll fill you all in on later (thank you ld!).


but that's not it....i've also got my newest fat quarter gang tutorial coming up for art gallery fabrics, a new knitting pattern in the final stages of editing, and 2 new dress sewing patterns also primed to come out for sale as well!!!! can we say busy?  yep.  it's a bit of a gong show around here but worth all of it.  life is always fun (even when you're stressed) when you are doing what you absolutely love and i love what i do so it's a win win.

mackenzie doing her "model pose"...lol!
i blame my busyness (is this a real word??) all on that darn creative process...  you all know what i mean right?  when you're a highly creative type it becomes almost like an addiction.  once you get the ball rolling a whole big world opens up and you just want to make and create all day.  you see it all around you where you never saw it before and your mind keeps processing/thinking/imagining all of the things you could be making.  it's amazing how things just seem so much more clearer and vivid once you get on a roll.  that's why i need a gazillion journals because once i get going i'm like a steamroller...lol.  it's a wonderful feeling.

this sea otter eating some fish drew a huge crowd to watch him chomp down last night. was quite the sight to see all these people pulling over and rushing to the beach all to get pics of a sea otter eating???!!!??? island life :P
it can make it hard to slow down though.  and slow down is what we did for a tiny bit yesterday.  we grabbed the kidlets and set out to soak in the sounds of the ocean and to skip some rocks (the girls love to throw rocks..honestly, they could do this for hours if we let them).  we haven't really had any beach days this year but that's because neither the hubs nor i have had any time off to really have them :)  so when we hit up the beach we go before/after dinner when it's quieter and we just chillax down there.  it's nice.  i like to try to photograph and just memorize those kinds of moments for when i'm at home and feeling a need for a brain buzz.  i'll pull up those images/memories and i swear i can feel the sun on my face as i cuddle the hubs, smell the ocean breeze, and hear the waves echoed by the sound of my children laughing.  feels good.

view from our balcony at sunrise
any of you going through any big changes right now?  i know there are a lot of you with wee ones starting kindergarten this month. let's console each other shall we...lol.  who else has been on a creative surge lately?  coffee's a'brewin! come chat!

My Best Friend Series - Guest Post on Sew Together

Poppy the Pfaff and I
I was so excited when Maryanne and Caroline asked me to be part of their fun new series "my best friend" where they have invited guests to come on and chat about their sewing "best friends"! Can be a what or a who.  Such a great idea!  When it came time to write my post I had originally intended to talk about the people in my life who have had a huge influence on me when it came to sewing but I just kept coming back to one of my fave things in life - my sewing machine Poppy.  Yep, that's right.  She's got a name.  Poppy the Pfaff is one of my best buds.  I spend all my spare time with her, tell her all my secrets, cry with her, laugh with her, cheer with her, get angry at her, and just plain love the buckets outta her.  She's my sewing machine.


Wanna know more?  Pop on over to "Sew Together" and check out my whole post about Poppy and I's relationship and my tumultuous journey before I met her.   

So...who/what is your best sewing friend? An indispensable tool? A machine like me? A family member or friend? C'mon...join in! it's fun!

P.S. I'm taking the day off on Monday for the long weekend :)  I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing long weekend and I'll see you on Tuesday <3