Dec
27
Handmade Holiday – AMH Scarf
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When I saw this tutorial by the infamous JeniB, I knew I had to make one of these scarves. At the time though, I didn’t realize I’d be doing it as a gift.
But when Chris and I drew a blank on what to get his mom — she has everything! — this scarf popped back up to the front of my mind. I had an entire set of Little Folks fat quarters from Anna Maria Horner that I’ve been hoarding for a quilt for myself, but I decided to bust into it and chose two neutral shades of the same forest hills print.
There just wasn’t anyway to substitute anything but an AMH voile for such a luxurious silky scarf. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to the snuggly flannel. And I love the way the pom poms add just a tiny playful touch.
Boy was Sean mad when I confiscated his new lovey Grandma’s new scarf. I hope she loves it as much as he did.
Dec
18
Thanks to everyone who entered! I am slowly working my way through all of your favorite blogs, and also trying to implement some of the tips you all gave. Thanks for all of the constructive criticism… and Thanks to those who like the blog just the way it is.
And now… the winners.
#38 – Kim says: “I love karencheng.com.au. She’s inspiring and funny! I didn’t even know about those Wendy patterns by Simplicity. How awesome!”
Kim chose the Built by Wendy pattern.
#16 – Taryn says: “I love the Sew4Home blog. There has been so many great projects I want to try.”
Taryn chose the Emma pattern.
#36 – Erin, chose to pass since the two remaining patterns would not have been something she could use.
#20 – Ashley says: “I love adventuresindressmaking. She posts awesome tutorials and always makes cute stuff!”
She chose the Maddie Bee pattern.
#39 – Kim says: “To improve your blog I would perhaps have a page of Tutorials cos I always go to that page on every blog I find. It’s either that or Recipes, lol.”
Yes, that’s the same Kim as the first prize winner, so she will also receive the Giraffic Park pattern. And Kim, you’ll notice that I already added the tutorials link up there. That was a much requested item. Thanks!
I hope all of you enjoy the patterns. I’d love to see what you make!
Dec
11
Giveaway Day!
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Twice per year SewMamaSew.com hosts a Giveaway Day. A whole bunch of bloggers get giveaways together, and SewMamaSew compiles a big list. Or in this case, there are multiple lists for different categories. And this giveaway day is actually a giveaway week! You’ll want to head over there to find all the other give aways! But not yet….
Today, I have 4 patterns to give away. All of them are uncut. Some are extras that I won’t use, some are from Sewing Summit swag, and one is a pattern I bought forever ago and have never managed to make. But it’s so cute I think someone should try it out.
The first is a much sought after copy of Simplicity 3835 Built By Wendy top. I bought it as an extra ages ago when I had a very lucky day! It’s the smaller size range from size 4-12. I have hunted high and low for a second copy in the larger size, but have not found it.
Next up are two patterns left from my Sewing Summit swag. I know that I will not have occasion to make either of these, so I’m offering them up to someone with a little girl of their own to sew for.
One is an The Maddie Bee apron style top from Brassy Apple. So cute. (Sizes 2 – 7)
And the other is a modkid pattern… emma. An adorable dress with lots of layers that reminds me of a butterfly costume for some reason. (Sizes 2T – 7)
And finally, The old quilting pattern that I never got to, but someone should! It would be an adorable wall hanging in a newborn’s nursery. It’s the first block from the Giraffic Park series quilt by McKenna Ryan called “Tippy Top“. And in my humble opinion the cutest block from the series… but I have a thing for giraffes.
I’m going to give away each pattern as a separate prize, so I will randomly draw 4 winners after December 16 (Friday), 2011 at 7pm CST. All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment telling me what one of your favorite blogs is and why. (For a second entry, leave another comment telling me one way I can improve my blog.)
First name drawn will get to choose which pattern they want, then the 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Feel free to leave your first choice in your comment. And this one is open to everyone. Even overseas.
I hope you are all as excited about this as I am!
Nov
14
Stockings for Kids
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I was going through my (not that big, but still too much to comfortably store in my way over crowded house) stash when I came across the fabric leftovers from when I made the kids’ stockings. (The whole story of the stockings is perhaps a very long story for another time.) I was going to just donate it or throw it out (as some of the fabric was as old as Alexis), but then I came across this post on Faith’s blog. I know, I know, it seems like all of my intel comes from her blog. I think I might be completely clueless in the awesome quilty blog-o-sphere if it weren’t for her.
So anyway, I obviously knew what I needed to do. So here they are. Two stockings for the Stockings for Kids — a very worthy cause that provides (stuffed) stockings to foster kids. Quick to whip up and cute to boot.
The stockings are made from a template I created from Chris’ and my stockings (both store bought) years ago when I first made Alexis’ stocking. Oddly enough, when I went to cut the second stocking out, I realized I must have inadvertently thrown away the paper template that I had saved for over nine years… So I had to recreate my pattern from the first piece I’d cut out.
There are two differences from the stockings I made for my kids and these. The first is that the quilting is just horizontal(-ish) lines instead of a criss cross pattern. I actually like this quilting much better. Or maybe I just like that it is quilted in half the time…. Ok, not really. The only thing I’m not sure about is the tracks across poor Santa’s face. It looks like he’s been run over by a freight train or something.
The second thing is that these are actually lined. I did not line the ones for Alexis and Sean because Chris’ and my stockings are not lined. I really don’t think it was necessary, I’ve never had any trouble with the stocking stuffers catching on the batting, but the lining does add a nice weight to the finished stocking. And I had these two adorable green prints that have been in my stash forever.
The only thing that bothers me a teensy bit, is that the stocking on the right has two different thread colors for the quilting. I didn’t want to use red thread on the front of a very bluish fabric scene. Do you think it’s too obvious?
Nov
8
do. Good Stitches — November
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This is my first month of do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}. I signed up to be a sewer, but Rachel talked me into being a quilter. Our bee group is Dream and is working on quilts for Project Night Night. Project Night Night donates loveys to homeless kids who need a bit of security in their life. As such, they ask for only smallish blankets and quilts (around 30″ x 40″) so I expect many many of our months will produce two baby size quilts.
Our quilter (and host) for the month is Lindsey of LRstitched and she chose to do a squares pattern like this one. She asked for one girl block and one boy block of about 12″ square. Of course, I immediately made the whole thing harder than it needed to be by making a new block pattern with multiple squares. And then, I didn’t have ANY of the color suggestions for either gender. So, darn. I had to go fabric shopping.
I also should note that they are vastly different in size because I figured out after I finished the first one, that the quarter inch marker on my sewing machine is rather about 1/8″ off. Nice huh? So I guess it’s good that Lindsey said they didn’t have to be exactly 12 inches.
I don’t know why, but I’m really nervous about these blocks. I’m not sure about my squares pattern or the colors. I think I stayed in the guidelines, but I don’t know. That’s just me. I worry about everything.
But on the upside, I’m really excited about being part of such a great cause and getting to work with all these awesome ladies. Looking forward to a good year of good stitching!