Baby, Baby, Baby

I promised pics of some baby quilts ages ago, and then never managed to get them posted.  I will share some here, and some made since.  I have a real treasure to show you though...the first quilt I ever made.

I made a baby quilt for a young man who will be 20 very soon.  Eek!  I asked his Momma if I could take a photo of it, and she graciously pulled it out of its storage box  My heart is so happy that she knew right where it was..that told me a lot.  When I took some photos, I noticed a seam that had come undone.  I offered to bring it home to fix it.  As I looked at it, I was appalled and embarrassed and simultaneously thrilled to look at it.  There are elements that are so, well, badly done.  The quilter I am now just wanted to go through and "fix" it.  It took a lot of restraint to just fix the seam (a quick little zig-zag), and not go through and add quilting and more quilting.  There was a little of stitch in the ditch and that was about it.  It's amazing it survived the wash with so little holding the layers together.

By the same token, it is a time capsule of who I was then  And the comparison of who I am now, and how far I've come.  Things like using quilt shop quality fabrics, and using Warm 'n' Natural as opposed to the puffy poly stuff.  And now more quilting.  And bindings that are either done with tiny stitches that you can barely see, or machined for long wear and tear.  I used the pattern religiously back then, and now they are usually a jumping off point for me.

I can honestly say I've grown...I was a total novice and made it with love.  And even though I'm no longer a novice, I'm still learning.  And I still make each quilt with love - because every item should wrap you in love, and be blessed with prayers and happy wishes.

 I'm fortunate for the ability to do what I love and get to make baby quilts for my colleagues.  My administrators have enabled this habit, and it is baby season at our school.  These two have all gone to their respective homes, and the babies involved.  We are on baby watch for the most recent.  As a matter of fact, they were finding in-house emergency coverage today - I hope that means there was a last minute call to the hospital.  The one in the chair will be handed off tomorrow morning...this baby is due this summer, so it will find it's new home before the school year ends.

Also, I was so excited to make a baby quilt for an OLD friend.  I met him back when I was an undergraduate, and he was one of the engineering physics TAs.  I hated physics, and really didn't understand a lot of it, but it was a requirement for a BS in Mathematics.  I'd actually like to retake a physics class now as an adult, just to understand the ideas, since the math wouldn't get in the way at this point.  Anyhoo, Harry and I became friends, and over the years have stayed in touch.  A few years ago he met his love, and they married.  I was and am so happy for them.  They were trying to get pregnant for quite a while, and they have just recently been blessed with Miss Eve.  She is tiny and precious.  A week before she was born, I got the style, color and theme information.  Momma wanted a fish/marine theme, with blue, green and yellow.  Well, that was right in my stash!  I sent a few pics her way, and she chose one. The book was not available in print, and I was thinking I'll create my own pattern.  I found an electronic pdf of the book - it was only $6 ish for the entire book, or $3 for the one quilt. Of course I got the book (and am so glad I did...so much inspiration inside!).  The only purchase was a half yard for the background of the fish.  And I probably could have made it work with my stash, but on such a short timeline, I didn't want to fuss with it.

Funny story, as I was about to mail this off, I realized I had no good pics.  So I went across the street to the park and tried to take pics.  Of course, every time I stepped away to take a pic, it fell to the ground.  Two middle-school aged boys were walking by, and I thought I'd risk it.  "Gentleman, can you help me with something?"  "Maybe..." (They probably thought I was a creeper at that moment).  I explained what I needed and they were happy to each take a corner.  They were impressed that I had made this thing.  I forget that not everyone gets to see handmade items created in their lives and homes.

 The quilt made it to it's new home, and I'm thrilled that they love it.  That really is the best praise ever. That and using it.  I need to send them washing instructions (I was so focused on getting it there on time, I forgot to include them), and an explanation that it is meant to be used, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.  So please, use it, and try to wear it out.

Life really is good!

A Tote for Fun and Important Decision Making

Pink and Gray totes are the cutest!  At least they are sitting on a "Caribbean Blue" chair.  

My TACMQG president had a bag making class. We met in a police substation (and it was a great space!). We used Bijou Lovely's Market Tote tutorial and spent the day making bags. The pattern is a fairly typical bag pattern, but is designed with a triple layer of fabric at the base, which means that you can carry a lot of groceries, or whatever.  Since Tacoma is going plastic bag-less this summer there is increased interest in fabric bags.  I love sewing with others sewing nearby. The conversation and support are always amazing.

I got to play on my Grandmother's 1938 Singer Featherweight.  It is a joy to sew on - if the stitches aren't perfect, it's because I haven't threaded it correctly. 

Some of my Guildmates were cranking them out! I managed 1. Sometimes I think I'm a fast sewist, and then I see  my masterful friends at work and re-learn better. I thought I might make it a carry bag for my Featherweight, but it wasn't quite the right size. We worked out the size needed and the necessary adjustments to the pieces to make one just perfect for the task. On my way home I stopped by Joann's and picked up some Home Dec fabric. How could it take me hours to pick 2 fabrics? No idea, but I finally found two I loved together. At the checkout line, I found totes for sale (7.99 or 9.99?) and it was cheaper than I could have bought the materials for. I bought it (in navy and leaf green, of course) and it happened to fit Mary/Flossie perfectly! 

Who is Mary/Flossie? I have never named my machines before, but many of y'all do and I love it when I see it or hear it. .I'd love to hear your opinions about this - either naming your machine(s) or what their names ought to be.  My paternal Grandmother (who is turning 100 this July 2nd!) gave me her.  She originally belonged to my Great Grandmother Florence. My Grandmother Mary purchased it from her (many decades ago)  and then several years ago sent it home with my Dad who had been out visiting Wyoming. I love it, and grateful for it every time I see it. She is a joy to sew on. So that's where Mary comes from. And Florence isn't an option -she wasn't a very nice woman...

My mother, Sally, who passed away in 1999, was the daughter of Flossie. Flossie (one of 4 kids: Acey, Dewey, Flossie, and Cossie) died when my Mom was 13. I don't know if she was a sewist, but my Mom sure was. I would love to honor her side of the family even though the Featherweight comes from my Dad's side. My big fancy Brother doesn't have a name either. 

I don't think I could name either machine Sally.  Should the Featherweight be named Flossie or Mary? Should I name my Brother the other name?  Or do you have any other suggestions? I'd love your feedback.

Funny how I can take something so silly, so seriously. If you haven't gathered yet, if there is something to worry about, I find it.  

Love to you all!

I'm Dreaming of a Tropical Vacation

 



Hello! 

I hope this finds you on a sunny day - at least sunny in spirit!  It's (still) raining and gloomy here.  It just snowed over 2 inches on one of our mountain passes last night!  We've had the weirdest weather this spring, and the sun has made a few random appearances. 

 

The only perk to blecky weather is that, as a high school math teacher, there are less wardrobe issues at school.   Our district has a dress code that basically says, in legalese, keep your private parts covered.  And don't expose shoulders.  That's so tube tops and halter tops don't happen.  And then there is no risk of a wardrobe malfunction.  Of course, some say that is sexualizing students and an example of gender discrimination.  It's distracting to see any students private bits exposed.  I don't want to see it, really.  And if I'm holding my breath that you might move the wrong way and expose your private bits, then you don't have enough clothes on.  Regardless of gender. 

Of course, it's never that simple.  We had a day and a half of nice weather (it broke into the high 60's) and there were issues.  In fact, we had LOUD protests outside my portable, with lots of drama, and news cameras(!) and interruptions to class.  All during AP testing, of course.  It was a challenge to teach that day.  Then the weather gods smiled on our school, and there has been no more sun.  They are promising some next week.  I'm not holding my breath for it.

Anyway, all this dreariness has me dreaming of sunny, tropical locales!  My best girlfriend and I are going to meet in Orlando, FL (she'll be finishing up a conference there) and I'm flying to meet her, and then we road trip to Key West!!!!!  I'm so excited..  I love, love, love, love tropical pictures and locations.  Seeing Key West has always been on my bucket list, since I was a wee child.

I grew up in a small town in the Pacific Northwest, where ocean water is dark and freezing.  There were pictures of my Mom standing in a very large pool.  Nope, that's from when my Dad was stationed at Key West Coast Guard Station, and she was standing in the Atlantic Ocean.  Ever since then I've loved water that looks like that.  I even got to go to Hawaii once, and that was amazing.  But Key West has been a part of my dreams from childhood.  My Mom was going through old boxes (again when I was young) and pulled out a navy and green paisley dress, and matching shoes - 60s kitten heeled pumps.  I thought it was beautiful, but I was already to big to fit into the dress my Mom wore when she was in her 20s.  I loved it though, and it was made of "Key West fabric" and the shoes were made with identical fabric as the dress. 

 

As I write this, I know where my love of blue and green and tropical comes from. 

 

I'm so lucky to have a friend who loves to travel, and thought to invite me and make a trip out of her work week.  We haven't traveled together, but we work shop well together.  We "get" each other, and can spend many (many!) hours together, and still wish we had more time to hang out.  We respect each others needs and tastes, and I think we will travel well together.  She is a planner - thank Heavens!  There are reservations for every part of the trip, and she has a list of activities that we can do.  I'm really easygoing, and I'm just up for the adventure.  As planning was happening, she'd email "what do you think about...." and I'd just reply "Sounds great!"  It all sounds great, and I can hardly wait to go.

 

One of our planning conversations revolved around a day trip to the Bahamas.  I admitted I didn't have a passport, so it wasn't an option.  My friend (who has travelled internationally for decades now) said no worries.  And it turned out the trip didn't have great reviews.  I wanted to us to not go because we didn't want to, not because we couldn't.  Hence, the photos.   (Edit: My passport came in the mail - only 3 weeks - and I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!).  It took weeks to get the appointment for the passport interview.  The actual interview only took about 10 minutes...filling out the paperwork in advance took way longer than that! 

 

So you can see I've had sunshine on the brain.  I used a Cluck Cluck Sew pattern, and this came out of it.  It just makes me smile, and the tangerine binding is the happiest fabric I can imagine at the moment. Note the tropical blue chair?  Yup, it's my favorite. 

I'm wishing you tropical times...

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Gift for Fundraising

Hey All -

Here are some pictures of the "garden" pillow I made.  I saw this on Pinterest, and the Dance Team Coach saw it on my page and asked for one for her team's fundraiser.  Of course!  I followed the link to an online free pattern.  Once I find the link again, I'll link it here.  It is raw edge applique, and I adjusted the pattern to an oblong rectangle as opposed to a square.  I think it came out super cute, and I like it a lot more than I thought I was going to.

 

 

Best,

A Happy Single's Awareness Day - I mean Valentine's Day!

Time does fly, yes?

For Valentine's Day, I made a pillow for myself.  Several folks saw it, and wanted one.  I ended up with 13 orders for pillows.  Most wanted whatever I felt like color-wise, and some had specific color requests.  It was so fun to make them, and to have people like them so. It was just total gravy that folks paid me for them!

Yes, I know, I need to have materials covered, and my time paid for, but that's challenging for me. I plucked an amount out of the air, and it seemed high to me, but clearly, it wasn't.  My husband and I actually had a fight about me not charging enough for my work.  I thought I had charged plenty, he felt I should have charged more.  That's a good thing, I suppose.

The pillows came out awfully cute.  I started with IKEA pillow forms.  They are inexpensive, and down.  They are soft, and give great support.  Starting with such a great base, how can you go wrong?  Well, actually, it's pretty easy to go awry...I started with 2 layers of white fabric, and drew a line with a Sew-line air erasing pen.  I did a heavy stitch, twice, as the "line" the hearts were hanging on.  The hearts were drawn on fusible paper, ironed onto fabrics in red and pink and purple, cut out, and ironed on the line  I outlined the hearts, and Voila! I did envelope style closure, and they are OK, but I really need to work on my invisible zippers  I did a binding,, because it just seemed to frame it so well - it really completed the look.  I am enamored with the effect of binding the pillow.

The closure fabric was made from a variety of fabrics I had about the house.  The "I LOVE YOU" fabric looks like there are blank lines between the red words, but in reality it is printed with glow in the dark words  It says things like "Take out the trash" and "You don't bring me flowers" and so on.  A guild mate said it perfectly summed up marriage!

I made mostly 16" x 26" sizes, but a few 20" x 20" tucked in for fun.  I made one with lots of little hearts in a heart shape  It was cute, but not what was in my mind's eye.  I gave it to my folks who were visiting.  My chiropractor ordered a custom one for his wife.  While he was adjusting my husband's back, he described what he wanted  I sketched and before it was my turn, we had a design.  I think the initials turned out super cute!  He was pleased, and more importantly, his wife was thrilled and surprised.  It's a win all the way around.

I'm now working on a garden scene for a pillow.  A team at my school is doing a Bunko night, and there will be raffle/auction items.  The coach requested a pillow with flowers.  I will be reimbursed for the supplies.  I'm excited to get my work out there, and it's helping the dance team pay for it's costs.  They did a fleece scarf fundraiser, and I will get one of them, in a color of my choosing.  I think it's a great trade!

I hope your Valentine's Day had some joy in it, and that you got to sew and let a loved one know you cared.













Best,