Meanwhile...

I have a house. I've always had a wonderful place to live, but now I. Have. A. House. With stairs and a studio. I'm still as busy as ever, but home is such a wonderful place that you have no choice but to stop and take it all in. I sew when I can. It never seems like enough, until I look back at the photos I take before I give things away.
Apparently, I sew a lot.
I've noticed that even with a studio, I love nothing more than to curl up with the family and hand stitch something. Anything. Usually some silly cross stitch. Or a simple crocheted afghan. I think it is the intimacy I have with the fabric and thread when I push the needle through with my own fingers.
I'm not really sure why I have this passion, but it seems to gain in strength as I grow in numbers. I am extremely thankful to have a hobby that drives me. That has me sketching in my journal when I have a peaceful moment at work. That keeps my purse full of floss and needles and little scissors.
It is snowing like crazy outside, and I must shovel before it turns to rain and makes a big, heavy mess.
And then, I shall sew.

An adorable stocking from https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewlola

Table runner in proces...

Minecraft diamond necklace. For my cool son.

A quilt for an uncle.

 I might have made more than one. Because, well, how cute is this?

"After winter comes the summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies."

While the snow sits, lazely melting in my yard, I am pulled toward daydreams of warm, sunny days. It has been a doozey of winter, beginning with a treachorous wind storm. As the snow melts, I am amazed at how many trees were felled during our early winter winds. Quite of a bit a destruction is beginning to reveal itself. Makes me wonder what our summer has in store for us. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to live somewhere a little less extreme. Then I look out my window at my beautiful new house and feel quite content where I am. While our moving plans become more concrete with each hired contractor, I wander into my soon-to-be sewing studio and stand in the middle of the room. Life is good, and about to get even better.

Front of bag with button.

Currently, I sew away in my little corner of the living room. It takes me weeks to complete most projects, as I have to put them away each time we use our dining room table. I finally finished my Fourteen May June bag last night. I used some Anna Maria Horner fat quarters and one of my favorite, over-the-top vintage rhinestone buttons.  

This was a fun little bag, and I love the colors. I still have to stitch up my Zakka Pencil Case for the sew-along, but maybe tonight... I have it all cut out, and that is half the battle.

Back of bag with pocket.

Dada's beard, Mama!

Now, if I could just keep my darling Carly from coloring herself from head to toe every chance she gets. Thank goodness for "washable" Crayolas. It is really hard to get mad, for she has such an appreciation for color and decoration. Really, whose fault is that?

Tie one on (an apron, of course)!

When I find a pattern I love, I tend to use it over and over again. I can't even remember how many multi-tasker totes I've sewn up. Probably enough that some would consider it a problem. Anywho, I was lucky enough to take an apron class around Christmas. The pattern was the Emmaline Apron from Sew Liberated. Ahhhh, pure awesome. Reasoning? It is reversible, for starters. The lines on the apron are flattering. It has a gathered bodice! And although I have a weird aversion to all things binding tape, I pushed through and made the straps. 

This is the bodice piece for the oilcloth side. I sewed a beautiful strip of ribbon from AMH's collection across the top bodice piece. 

The oilcloth side of the Emmaline.

The cotton side of the apron.  I. Love. This. Fabric.

Sew you need to bring it with you?

So, do I mention the fact that I haven't posted on here since, oh, 2011? Or do I just dive in and talk about my quick little sewing project? Sewing project it is!

I received the book Zakka Style in the mail a couple of months ago. I fell in love with the simple sewing style, but couldn't find the time to sew. Then, the sew along. I don't know what it is about a sew along, but I suddenly find the motivation to finish a project. This was fun, and what a wonderful gift idea! zzzzcvbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb says Carly Jean. Two baby thumbs up!



If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

If I were to sit back and consider all the things I am thankful for, I originally thought it would it would be a very long list. I was quite surprised when, thinking about the things that truly matter, my list was fairly short and consise. I mean, sure, I could go on and on about the chocolate and coffee at Rogues's Garden, and I am thankful that we have such a wonderful escape in our frozen little town, but I wanted my list to go a little deeper.

That deeper list was my life. My deeper list was my family, my friends, my health and my home. Isn't that what life boils down to, really? What would I fight for? What would I defend to the end? What would I never give up on? Those four things.

Rudy lost his first tooth. He's been waiting a while to get tooth fairy loot.

Rudy's tooth fairy pillow :)

"I can't do magic or grant wishes, but if you unfold me, I can do the dishes."

Samantha's napkin turkey.

I am thankful for a million other things, too. I thank my mom everyday for teaching me to sew, and for her humor. I am thankful for my wonderful step-father, who raised me as his own, although I may have given him quite a bit of hell from time to time. I am thankful for my wonderful job, which I often wonder how I got so lucky to obtain. I love my job.

This has been a hard winter so far. Truly, it has barely started, but with hurricane force winds, single digit temps, wrecked vehicles (that was for my brother) and frost-bitten cheeks, we are easily put into a dark state of mind.We question why we would chose to live in such a forsaken place. Then we go back to the list. It really doesn't matter where we live. As long as we have our family, friends, home and health.

The few feet of wonderful, fluffy snow we are getting as a type this helps, too.

It's the most (insert your fav adjective) time of the year...

I got married on November 25, 2000. We had originally planned a spring wedding, but I couldn't picture myself getting married in spring. I love this time of year. We have a few feet of snow on the ground, and as I glance out my window, I can see the chickadees digging their way into the feeder. It so peaceful outside. I live for these Sunday mornings.

My plan for today is to dig my snowshoes out of the shed and check out the trails behind my house. We have a ski conversion kit for our stroller, so I tow little Carly behind me while the older kids come with. Quite often, they end up hitching a ride on either side of the stroller. We never venture too far from home.

I also want to make a Christmas sewing list. I have some great ideas, but I know Christmas always sneaks up faster than I'm ready for. 

I have been playing around with Anna Maria Horner's new pattern, the student art tote, in the evenings. I finished it, but didn't like how the middle divider turned out. So I went to the Calico Whale, found some fabric that was absolutely perfect, and redid the lining with the divider. I think it will be a great entry for the Celebrate Color contest. Too bad you can't feel how soft the outer panels are! Perfect bag for this time of year...

Student Art Tote with new lining. Second time was most certainly the charm!

Outside of the tote. I used denim zippers and upholstery fabric for the outer panels.

 I realize that this would have been one of those times that I should have used muslin for my first attempt. Perhaps I should invest in some serious yardage. I have been experimenting with projects more and more lately. I want to venture into clothing, and I found the most beautiful, inspirational book last week.

Kay Whitt is a teacher turned designer, and her book, Sew Serendipity, is wonderful. I am still carrying it around with me. She also has a blog that I have been visiting lately.

If I could live in her clothing, I would. I love her eye for color, and how she mixes fabric prints. 

MItered Corners and All...

I think the brakes in my life just went out. The days are flying by and I don't like it. I can't seem to find the time to, well, just breath. Let alone sew. Which is what I really want to do. I would love to finish my Halloween table runner in order to use it some time before, oh, I don't know, HALLOWEEN? Is that too much to ask?

I did knock out my first mitered corner this weekend. Yup. One whole corner. I had to watch a You Tube tutorial 3 times before I figured it out. But-I did it.

I have since found the time to finish all four corners and  am getting ready to quilt. I don't want to jinx myself, but I'm hoping to sew a little this weekend.

I also discovered this really cool fabric from Micheal Miller. Look at those cute scissors! And buttons for the eyes! Might I say that this man is a genious? Quilt Pirates....Naturally I ordered a few yards, as I have several projects that need some 'tude.

This fabric makes me feel like the kick ass quilter I am. At least the one I think I am. Or want to be. Whatever.

I do so love this time of year, however. Check out my super awesome earrings and necklace! They were handmade by my amazingly talented friend Lisa. I may end up wearing my witch year round as it makes me feel a little like the pirate fabric-kick ass.

My kiddos are prepping for Halloween-which is almost better than the actual holiday. Samantha has been running around with a sword and an eyepatch all week, Rudy is a furry blue monster-complete with giant pink tongue, and Carly is rockin' Samantha's chubby spider costume. The very same costume Sam trick-or-treated in with my mom 6 years ago.

Everytime I see my Carly run by with the little spider legs dangling, I think of that Halloween, and wonder how it is possible to feel so much love and sadness all at the same time. I know life isn't fair, and that no matter what, it goes on. But for just one second, I would like to stop and show my mom her youngest grandaughter all dressed up as a little spider.

Samantha and Grandma Bonnie, 2004