A Bit of Sewing and Some Knitting

So, I finally managed to get iPhoto to cooperate with me.  Turns out I had a few 10,000 too many photos for it to keep up with.  Oops.  I'm slowly working on weeding through my photos and in return, iPhoto has begun to work again (albeit slowly).  

Regardless of how slowly it's working though, I jumped at the chance to get these photos uploaded so I could share them.  

I made a whole set (8 or 9 I think) of these mug rugs/oversized coasters  one afternoon with a pile of scraps that had been sitting out on my sewing table for too long.  It was either that or sort and put away and I'm not a fan of putting fabric away.

The middle coaster is my favorite so far.  I love the center square with the feather and the teal background.  Makes me smile.  I bound them all in the black polka dot print.  To be honest, I had a large amount of it leftover from another project and was feeling lazy so I used it.  I'm so glad I did! I love it! I think it frames the rugs perfectly and draws attention to the beautiful fabrics.

I do have more of these finished but just didn't get a photo of all of them.  And the scraps? It doesn't look like I used any of them.  *sigh* I guess I'll have to make a table runner or something.  Or a mini quilt for the wall next to my sewing machine.  Or a whole bunch more mug rugs.  Anything to keep me from the dreaded task of putting fabric away.  Besides, it's too pretty to put away.

This little sweater (it actually looks much smaller than it is) was a gift for a very dear friend's baby girl.  I love knitting for little one's so this was such fun to make.  It uses super bulky weight yarn so it knits up so quickly and is wonderfully warm and snuggly (perfect for my Alaskan friends).  This was taken before blocking so it wouldn't lay smooth and I'm sorry to say I didn't get any more photos of it.

The knit blanket was a gift for Nephew.  I blocked it out in the sunshine the day before he was born and then quickly packed it up so we could start the 2 hour drive to meet him.

This photo of it all folded up is a more accurate depiction of the color.  It's called "marine" and while I can't remember which brand of yarn it is I know I got it from KnitPicks and it's a worsted weight.  The pattern I used was also from KnitPicks.  It was a downloadable pattern and I believe it's called "Welcome".  It makes the perfect size blanket to snuggle a little baby up in.  My sister-in-law says it's her favorite blanket to use for Nephew.  That makes me happy.

And the gnome hat I knit for my little Wiggles.  This was taken a few months ago and man has that kid grown since then, but the hat still fits.  I loved making this hat so much that I made a matching one for Nephew (they're only 8 months apart) and several in different colors for baby shower gifts.

This little guy just melts my heart every day.  He really is the sweetest little boy and he's so happy.  All the time.  Seriously.  I'm so lucky.  I've had 3 babies and they were all such happy little babies but this guy, he takes the cake.

Really though, when you have 2 older brothers who absolutely adore you and shower you with attention and love all day long, how could you not be happy? Oh, and, by the way, he's laying on the quilt I made him.  Love that quilt (and that boy)!

Another sweater I made for my Alaskan friends little girl.  I actually made two of these.  The other is just the same except the body is striped with the cream and a hot pink.  I managed to not get any photos of the other one.  Nuts.  I've got to do a better job at taking photos of all the cool stuff I make. I was working with a self-imposed deadline looming over me though so I was distracted.  I used organic cotton for the sweater and some sweet metal vintage buttons my mother-in-law gave me a little while back.  Worked perfectly for both of these sweaters.

And speaking of my mother-in-law, this is the mug rug I made for her.  She gave me the fish fabric and a few pieces of orange and turquoise and I pulled in the grey and a few of my own scraps to coordinate and fill it out.  I have to say this is one of my favorite mug rugs ever.  I love the colors and the sweet little fish, Splashy and Spooky, just make me smile.

I noticed after finishing this that the binding matches up almost perfectly (the orange and blue) and I did not even plan it so score! I finished it up with about 2" of fabric left after binding.  Don't think I could have planned that better.

 Since I had so much fun making the mug rug for my mother-in-law, I dug out my tiny scrappy bits of the same fish fabric and made this one for myself.  I just love it! I can't figure out how I want to quilt it yet so he's just hanging out next to my sewing machine for now, keeping me company.

Bjorn looks a little lonely though so I'll have to make him a friend soon.  Helen was giving him those big fishy eyes last week so we'll see.

That's all I got for now folks!

Scrumptious Table Runner

i did get some time at the machine to finish this little beauty yesterday.  it's not a color combo that i traditionally go for so it was actually kind of fun to break out of my box for a bit.  

fabric line used is Scrumptious by bonnie and camille.  i used 2 of the new mini charm packs moda has started making (a collection of coordinating 2.5" squares for those that don't know).

isn't it great!?! i really like the bright spring colors.  i think it would make a wonderful christmas gift for someone.

and that red polka dot binding? love! i may have to purchase more.  soon.  it's from bonnie and camille's happy go lucky collection.  

it's in the shop if anyone's interested.

that's all i have for today.  we leave this morning for a trip to Long Beach.  out of the 5 of us, 3 are sick (me included) so it should be an eventful trip.

hope you have a great week!

Life

 Not as much sewing has been happening around these parts lately.  We've been too busy enjoying the end of summer and loving on a new baby.  A new baby that is almost 3 months old now! I can hardly believe so much time has passed since this little bundle was first placed in my arms.  He's such a happy guy.  He always has a smile for everyone (though he keeps his best smiles for his favorite people).  

At 2 months.  I just love this little guy!

A bit of sewing I managed to do one night while everyone was asleep.  I have it quilted now and am waiting for the binding to arrive in the mail.  I'll post more pics once it's finished.  This one is destined for the shop.

The tiniest of frogs found in our front yard.  We have a lot of frogs around our house and outside in the garden.  I love hearing them croak at all hours of the day and night and the boys sure do love catching them.

A stack of fabric I picked up from JoAnn's a few weeks ago and forgot to share.  Not sure what it will be yet.  I'm thinking the bottom fabric (red poppies on a white text background) will become some placemats with a red border (pictured right above).  I ended up buying the last of the poppy fabric.  Love it!

Playing with a set of new knees just like the ones they put in Jake's moms knees last month.  He was really interested in how the new knees worked and how everything went together.  Benefits of having a grampa that works at the hospital.  He got to see and play with a pair of metal knee joints.

And building.  So much building happening.  With Duplos, legos, wood blocks, stuffed animals, rocks, acorns, old boxes destined for the recycle bin.  These kids love to build.  I am always finding little "creations" (as we refer to them) around the house.  On the floor (and most certainly exactly where you're going to step because why would they be anywhere else?), on counters (right where you just cleaned so you could start making dinner), on the couch (in the very spot that you sit down to nurse the baby every single day, many times a day) and scattered all over their bedroom.

I don't mind so much though.  They're learning and developing skills and it cleans easily enough.  These are the little moments that I cherish.  I love seeing their minds at work and their hands busy.  And really, at such a young tender age, is there anything more important than learning through play? I think not.

And I tell you what, just since this summer this boy has blossomed. He's picked up on writing pretty well all on his own, without any interference, which is exactly how it should be I feel.  His penmanship is great!  He was so proud of himself for reading the sentences and figuring out the word needed all by himself.  And I was too.  He's a pretty amazing little boy.  'Course I think all three of them are and I'm a little biased.

And one more pic of this little sweetheart.  Just because he's so little and smells so sweet and we all can't get enough of him around here.

So that's life these past few weeks for us.  I will hopefully have some more sewing pics to share soon.  I did manage to get a few more small things pieced together last week but no pictures yet.
Hope you're having a great beginning to fall!

A Bit of Sewing

So I finally managed to get some sewing done in between being a mom to 3 young ones.  Both the older boys were occupied one afternoon and little Ronan was taking a wonderfully long nap so I decided to sneak over to my sewing machine.  I spent the better part of an hour sewing a few of these blocks together with all my gorgeous little 2.5" scraps.  I was unsure what to make them into... A quilt would be gorgeous with all this bright happiness, but a table runner could be nice too... then my sister-in-law (who isn't even a quilter) mentioned what a nice pillow cover a block would make.  Well duh! Why didn't I think of that?!?  So... I think a few pillow covers and maybe a table runner will be in my near future.  I'm just loving all this bright scrappiness!

Just a few other glimpses of what's going on around here.  My husband surprised me by bringing this beautiful hydrangea plant home to me.  I love these trees and this color was so perfect.  We will plant it in a pot for now and transplant it into the ground once we are moved into the new house (which is hopefully going to be built this fall).

A few samplings from the garden one day.  Some incredibly sweet little tomatoes, basil, spearmint and apple mint.  The tomatoes were gone soon after the photo was taken and the herbs are all drying now - along with many other bundles I've managed to cut, wash and dry.

And how could I not end a post with this sweet face? He is such a joy.  So very loved by all of us.  Doted on by his big brothers.  While I may not be getting much sewing done lately I am enjoying my quiet times with his guy so very much.  Sewing and fabric will always be there.  This little face will not.

New Curtains

Yesterday I managed to get these curtains finished and hung.  Quite a feat I think, since I'm currently at 36 weeks with this little boy and tired almost every second of the day.  The boys helped me get the clips on the rod and hang it up.  It was fun to do together and they just loved seeing the curtains once I got them clipped up.

Aren't the colors so vibrant? It makes me happy to look at them.  And this morning, when I walked out and saw the sun shining in through them, it just made me smile.  Funny what a little curtain can do to a mood. 

I just love them.  I used Anna Maria Horner voile fabrics from almost all of her collections, cut them into 6" squares and sewed them up into rows of 8 x 9 which seemed to work perfectly for my window.  There are two 8 x 9 panels here so the curtains open in the middle.  This is very important since I have a dog that will rip the curtains down if they aren't left open when we leave.  (He likes to see outside).

I chose not to line or hem these since once we get the new house built I'll have different sized windows.  This way, I can simply take these down when we move and make them into 2 little baby quilts or join them, add some more blocks and make a bed quilt for myself.  The latter option is very appealing!  And with the soft, lightweight voile fabrics and a crisp cotton backing, I think this would make a wonderful summer quilt on my bed.

Enjoy your day! I'm off to the doctors for a check-up and another ultrasound.  They want to see how big this little guy is getting.