Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 RESOLUTION MET!

I started off 2011 with the goal to make more quilts. My goal was 11 in 2011. In the process of achieving this goal my addiction grew and I also made some pretty great gifts for the people I love most! As the year turned i was just finishing up my tee shirt quilt.

Uggg..did you see my naked living room behind me in those pics? I also did alot of diy project this year which have really brought that room together. Anyway, as I was finishing up the tee shirt quilt which I discovered the world of pre-cuts and moda. I instantly fell in love with a line of fabric called "central park" I orded two charm packs with no plan in mind and in the end created this last January.
(Lewie before he got his best friend Clark!)
Gosh I love that fabric!!!! After I finished up my central park quilt I helped out Alicia and made little Faith a snugglie flannel quilt with her name. This was a learned alot on this one with using the flannel and doing that applique. I kept a simple design and let the fabric be the adorable part. Its came out great and my favorite part was the back heart.
Its nice to see these quilts again. Its been a while since they were in my hands. After this quilt I decided to take the leap and follow a pattern. I did a simple disappearing 9 patch with some great happy fabric with cute birds on it for Alicia's Birthday.



With Alicia's quilt I also did a cute stripe boarder and quilted the entire thing which was a great effect for the blanket. After that quilt I followed another pattern I had been eyeing for my mother. This is called the lawn chair quilt and was made using moda jelly rolls. The patterned fabric is from the lovely line.
This quilt was the perfect lap size and really fun to make. After that quilt I started working on a gift for another little boy, but after struggling with the fabrics someone had picked out for it I ditched them and created a simple cozy quilt for this little lucas. I backed it with fleece which was great with the satin binding.
After that quilt I began work on a gift for Trish's wedding. This quilt took some planning. I asked all the bridesmaids to make a square and sent them fabric and squares in the mail and they sent them back to me. I had no clue what anyone would come up with but in the end it turned out pretty fabulous. I debated alot of fabrics and it took me a long time to pick out the ones I used but I couldn't be happier with this wedding gift.


Opp did you see it? That was the first of my quilt tags!!!! I designed them, pretty cute huh? A few days after making this quilt we added another baby to our family. Clark!!!! I found him in need of a good poodle loving home at the Tacoma Humane Society and we adore him!

I could probably talk about my poodles all day but instead I will keep with the sewing review. I whipped up this little gift for my mothers birthday! Its a very handy lunch/snack bag. Reusable and oh so cute! It was good to begin to develop some different skills.


After my mom's birthday I began to think about Christmas. I had orded this fabric in July and before the end of August started this quilt for Breanna's Christmas Present.


Simple Moda precut patter using a layer cake and the flurry line. I loved the brightness and cheeryness the fabric had. As fall went on I found less time to sew with grad school and shortly November came and I missed quilting a little, so i found some fabric and made this beauty of a little boys quilt which might be my favorite of the year.
 

I love the vintage looking animals and the way the quilting job came out. The quilt was a gift for Landon who was born the day after Christmas to my alpha xi delta and wrpa sister Parker. Also known as Amanda Richardson.
Finishing up that quilt in November I got started on the serious Christmas projects. The first a tree skirt for myself. I followed a few different tutorials and learned how to make these wonky stars! After that I looked at a few other tutorials and decided to make them in to pants for my tree.
 
After teaching myself to make these stars I discovered I could now just as easy make the more traditional quilt star. So I started work on a quilt that I think makes me a real quilter. Each block took a bit of time but I had an organized assembly line and since cutting the fabric is one of my favorite parts it was not a big deal to get over 200 squares cut. This gift was for my mother in law. The fabric couldn't have been more her.
The trim of the quilt and the strip on the back have words like "snow day" "Merry Christmas" "Deck the Halls" there are even little barns on it. So perfect for her and her home! That was my final completed quilt of the year but I did happen to start some others that I hope to finish this winter. So stay tuned for those. To finish up the Christmas sewing i also made a total 6 stalkings in one week. I had plans of more but finals got the best of me and i had to focus. This first stocking was for Jaiden.

Love that Micheal Miller fabric! I cant wait to use more of it next year for other projects. I also mad three of these for Alicia.

I also made these for Jason and I and our fireplace.
So in total I made and finished 11 quilts (I count the tree skirt because it was just as time consuming if not more) and a hand full of other sewing projects. I gave all but three away to others as gifts and greatly improved my skills.

2011 resolution met! What a great year!!!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

a gift that I gave


 
FRONT

BACK

 This is my most ambitious quilt to date! I made it for my mother in law and picked out all the fabrics and did the design with her in mind. I adore how it came out! I taught myself how to make the stars and while time consuming they were enjoyable to put together.

and now for a poodle pic...Clark couldn't have been more excited about the Octies he got for Christmas.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Stocking Addiction!

Stockings are one of my favorite Christmas decorations and traditions. Growing up I had a classic Red one with my name on top and everyone in the family had a different one. For some reason I love when everyone has a stocking that represents them and that are a little more individualistic and I think that goes back to the fact in my family they were all different.

Anyway, Christmas stockings are on the list of items someone who knows how to sew should never buy and being that I have greatly improved my sewing skills in 2011 I thought it was time I whipped up a few. This one below I made last night for our niece Jaiden, she didn't ask for it, but I know she will love it! The fabric is from Micheal Miller and I got it on sale!!! For the batting I used scraps from my latest Christmas quilt, I picked up a half yard of the poms, and in total, with plenty more fabric to work with, this stocking cost at most $7 to make!  I can not wait to see her get excited about having a pink stocking!

 

In other sewing news, I also just finished a Christmas quilt that is totally different than anything I have done before. It is very traditional design with dark warm colors. I have also been enjoying my wonky star Christmas pants. I will post more soon!

I am loving this holiday season!!!! 

Friday, November 18, 2011

100!

This is blog 100! 
so I have decided to name 100 happy things!

So in no particular order 100 happy thoughts. :)
  1. my entire family
  2. special Google days
  3. the way my ugg boots keep my toes cozy
  4. sushi rolls with cream cheese and salmon
  5. curly poodle hair
  6. burts bees chapstick
  7. hot coco with marshmallows
  8. fresh snow
  9. betsey johnson jewelry on sale
  10. freshly brushed teeth always feel so good
  11. bobbi pins- they can be used for everything.
  12. highlighters - i like classic yellow
  13. pretty smelling lotion 
  14. that softballs are called optic yellow
  15. Krusty Pups! yum
  16. Maple scones - boarder days style
  17. lemonade on a hot day
  18. beer at the pyramid brewery 
  19. a banana that is still green
  20. jeopardy games with my husband
  21. Sunday naps
  22. Starbucks red cups
  23. first daffodils of spring
  24. parades
  25. E-A-S-T-E-R-N Eastern Eagles GO-FIGHT-WIN
  26. chocolate oranges at Christmas
  27. sparkling diamonds
  28. saving up for a big purchase and buying it
  29. airports - i like them for some reason
  30. amazon.com - its my all time favorite
  31. new mascara
  32. baby name website that generate funny options
  33. sticky notes
  34. koosh balls
  35. red robin honey mustard
  36. running in to a friend unexpectedly that you actually want to see
  37. Dallas cowboys
  38. free things like coffee on your birthday
  39. parks and recreation - the show
  40. happy hours
  41. getting a dream catalog in the mail where the pictures are pretty but u will never buy anything
  42. a perfectly ripe pear 
  43. door chants on the first day of recruitment
  44. matching outfits 
  45. new shoes
  46. changing fall colors
  47. getting an A on a paper
  48. getting surprise crafts to decorate my desk with
  49. etsy.com
  50. wine
  51. vintage furniture upcycled
  52. yankee candles
  53. FABRIC! 
  54. creating something that was once just a vision in my mind
  55. a yummy piece of pie
  56. a Sunday school class of laughing kids
  57. a good hair day
  58. a hot black dress
  59. the Sandlot
  60. Lew and Clark cuddled together
  61. babies in tutus
  62. a kid making their first hoop
  63. wordfued
  64. WRPA conferences
  65. a clean bill of health
  66. clam chowder
  67. watching seaguls eat fries
  68. nice hotel rooms
  69. lazy rainy day
  70. sleeping in front of the fire place with the Christmas tree on
  71. family meals
  72. a day on the lake
  73. mariners games on clear Seattle days
  74. a pretty manicure
  75. wedding vows
  76. bachlorette weekends
  77. driving around new neighborhoods looking at houses
  78. walks around deep lake
  79. poodle skirts
  80. championship tee shirts
  81. kids jumping rope double dutch
  82. camp sealth
  83. ferry rides
  84. getting take out
  85. Hurricane Ridge
  86. fresh flowers
  87. people who write emails complimenting staff
  88. winning dollar bets
  89. iced grande no room white mocha americono
  90. reaching a goal
  91. saving a dollar
  92. cheese samples at the grocery store
  93. compliments on curly hair
  94. seeing a play
  95. finishing a project
  96. having a clean house
  97. trying a new recipe with great success
  98. a perfect cheeseburger
  99. collecting inspiration - (hence my pinterest addiction)
  100. Keeping in touch with my most cherished friends
so happy 100! to me. That list really didn't take very long. Another quilt post coming soon. I am working on quilt 10 of the year!!!  Goal is 11! lots to do.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

why i like babys being born

Ready to be gifted this quilt started with an attraction to some pretty cute fabric picked up on a whim with a certain baby in mind.
I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the six fabric choices I had made. I would like to decribe them as modernish-vintage- kid-but not to baby. Together they all look great and bottom line is I had to have that animal print!!

The fabric features a random collection of some pretty cool animals. Giraffes, lamas, camels, penguins, elephants and more. But of course I had to add one more.

A poodle! My favorite animal and quilting buddies.
Clark wasn't so sure why I wanted him to move. I kept getting the sweet little head tilt.

Making this quilt I wanted a little vintage feel, so I decided to quilt it by following the seems on either side creating a great boxed effect. I love the way the back looks too!

My new machine was a life saver! the Machine still needs a name, but the first time using the walking foot and I adored it. Made the stitching during the quilting stage so much easier. I now understand why the walking foot hype is so big in the blog world.

Lastly, the poodles were sad to see the quilt go, but it found a great home and is just waiting for baby Richardson to arrive some time around Christmas.

I must say, people having babys is the best for someone who likes to make quilts. So hints to all my friends who read this....make a baby so i can make more cute quilts!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Today

Just a preview. By the end of the night these stacks will be a gift for a little boy who will soon be born!


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Is it Christmas Yet?

 Normally, I would not show off a future Christmas present, but I just cant help it. I finished this lap quilt this weekend and just had to share! Its bright, cheery and festive. The fabric is the Flurry by Kate Spain for Moda and the quilt was made with a layer cake. Very simple design, very happy I purchased the fabric during a Christmas in July Sale! Saved so much! total quilt cost me around $45 to make! Which is very good!
 The person this is for loves snowflakes, so I choose the red snowflake print for the back!
 I used a solid green for the binding and I really like how it worked out. Oh and I finally put my tag on before I made my quilt sandwich! Proud of myself for remembering. Anyway, I am happy with it and had to share!

Lewie would also like to point out that he was a good dog and watched from the couch instead of laying on the quilt while I made it!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Love A Lamp

One day about a month ago i stumbled upon this blog post...


ever since that day I have wanted to fill some of the empty space on my end tables with a old lamp that look brand new.

A lamp that when I looked at it, it would instantly make me smile. A lamp that instantly make me smile can not be found at ikea, or at target. However, those store do tend to try hard with there low prices and sometime creative colors.

Anyway, I was in Spokane and on a random little trip to find a boutique fabric store, which was of course closed, Trish and I ran in to a little funky store where i found this lamp...
Pretty huh? OK its down right dated and ugly. But look at its cool shape!!! Never mind that odd extra tall lampshade, that can be replaced! After all, look at this price!
The lamp functioned well, and even came with a light bulb! The shape of it reminds me of a genie lamp.
The lamp even had a button so I don't have to reach up in to the shade to turn it on! Another plus!

OK so this is what I did to make it pretty....
I first had to find a new lamp shade. The first one I tried was to small, but this one I think worked great with the proportions.
Next, I taped up the eclectic part and took the lamp outside and found a semi sunny spot without weeds to place the lamp on
.
Next I shook up the spray paint! and......
 
Sprayed about 2 coats quickly! Totally loving the color!

After it dried I put the lamp shade on and put the lamp in its new home!
The purple looks a lot darker dried, but still more purple than these pictures make it appeared.

I debated adding a little silver trim to the lamp shade but I am glad I didn't. I like the simplicity of it. It keeps your eye on the shape of the lamp.
The glossy paint came out perfect!

And now my lamp lives happily in its new home!


 Cost of this project:
Lamp: $5
Lamp shade at target size large: $14.97
Purple Glass Spray paint (found at home depot) 3.98
Total for my new one of a kind lamp: $23.95
UNDER $25 FOR A COOL LAMP!  


BEFORE                                              AFTER


I just love this lamp!