Goodbye, 2011!

I can't believe another year has come and gone.  2011 has been a crazy, exciting year for my family.

At the end of each year, we try to set some goals as a family, a couple, and as individuals.  Last year I was feeling rebellious and the only goal I set was to: "Simplify.  And I'm starting out by not setting any goals besides this one."  I went for the "no-guilt" approach.  Funny thing is that I can't say that I accomplished this one goal.

So this year, I am back on the bandwagon!  I'll be setting some specific goals that I will know whether or not I make any headway on them.  My goals will look something like this:  Print past pictures and get them into albums.  Type up all my favorite recipes.  Very specific.

What are your views on goal-setting?  Like it?  Hate it?  Neutral?  In any case, here's to a wonderful 2012 for each and every last one of you!

PS.  Here is a gorgeous Ruffles and Rosettes Handbag from Aimee.  I love her fabric choices!  

Here's to Hoping My Mom Doesn't Read My Blog...

When I showed my mom my On-the-Go Mini Purse, she loved at.  This was back in April or something.  Right then, I knew that I would be making her one for Christmas. 

 So, I got right on it and it's been ready since May.

OK.  Not really.  I just barely finished it.  I think it was worth the wait!  I went with more neutral colors because this will go with my mom's wardrobe better.  I think she will love it!!

How are your Christmas projects coming along?  Or were you done back in May? 

Up and Coming: Star Flakes and Glitter from Tina Givens

I received a fun little email about this new line from Tina Givens called Star Flakes and Glitter.  It's an amazing holiday line scheduled for next winter and the reason I love it is that the colors are so unexpected for a Christmas Collection and yet they work!!  I really, really want to see this one in person!

 It's lovely Tina!  Way to go!

When Life Gives You Lemons....

We had the craziest wind storm last week.  The winds were hurricane level and I wouldn't have been too shocked to see a cat flying through the air.  When it was all said and done, we had this:

Yep.  Our tree fell onto our truck!  I watched it happen.  There was a huge gust and the tree just sort of laid down... on our vehicle. 

Luckily, my husband thinks of this sort of thing as a huge adventure.  Anything involving the chainsaw is an adventure.  Plus, he is really safe about it, so don't go trying this at home!  Also, we had amazing friends and neighbors who jumped right in when they heard the chainsaw going. 

And now for the lemonade.  I salvaged some branches and spruced up the front door with a lovely garland:

It's kind of tucked under the eaves so it's a bit tricky to see, but it's more of a psychological victory really.  When life gives you lemons, make a lovely garland...  Or something like that.  Happy Holidays!!!

Spotlight: Heather's Scripture Tote

Heather was kind enought to send me some pictures of the scripture tote she made for her daughter.  Here is what she says, "

I got it all made and it didn't take too long.  And I love the finished project.  I have already had tons of comments on it and my daughter loves it!  I attached a picture of the final if you care to take a look.

Thanks for the great pattern!
Heather"

One thing I love about these patterns is that there is room to change a few things up and make it work for you.  Heather changed a few things, including how the ruffle was made and how to sew the top of the bag.  She did an amazing job!

Way yo go Heather!  And thanks for taking the time to send the pictures to me!

Spotlight: Omega's Show

I woke up to a sweet email this morning from Omega.  She does a few trade shows here and there AND she has an Etsy shop called, Selby Lanes.  She made bunches of stockings from my fun little Heirloom Stocking Pattern and sent me some pictures from one of her booths.  I had to share because I love her fabric combos!  The whole setup is charming as can be. 

It looks like fun!

And her Etsy shop has even more inspiration.  I'm loving this sweet wreath:

Happy Holidays, everyone!!  And thanks, Omega, for sharing your creativity with us all!

Spotlight! Becky's Ruffle Cuff Stockings

I LOVE to see what people are sewing with my patterns.  It thrills me to think that someone else can enjoy these patterns that I love so much!

Becky was kind enough to pass along some pictures of her Ruffle Cuff Stockings.  She whipped some up to sell in her Etsy shop.  I love her pattern combos.  Check these out:

Great job Becky!!  So, head on over to her shop if you are interested in these cute things.

Or, if you'd rather whip up your own designs, you can get this pattern HERE. 

Have a great Monday!!!

Free Tutorial: Pleated Skirt from Tanya Whelan

I was so happy to stumble across this amazing tutorial from Tanya Whelan.  It's for a wonderful Pleated Wrap Skirt.  The picture caught my eye and I decided to share it with you.  I could totally make these for my daughter... maybe for next Easter...

Isn't this lovely?  That Tanya is one amazing, creative gal!!

Ruffle Cuffs: Heads Up Stocking Lovers...

FYI,  I added a few of my Ruffle Cuff Stockings to the Etsy Shop.  Now's the time folks!  It's snowing today at my house, so that means, it's time to get ready for the holidays!

I added this purple and white one:

AND, the blue and pink one. 

I can't seem to pick a favorite.  Also, for the sewing readers out there, you can buy the pattern HERE.  It's easy... promise!

Are there any Stocking Experts out there?  I'm trying to figure out the proper way to hang a stocking.  Toe-right, or toe-left??  Can't make up my mind!  Have a great weekend!

Etsy Feature: Vaunty Victorian

I stumbled on the most charming little Etsy shop with some seriously good deals.  Someone knows how to bargain hunt!  So, as an Etsy seller myself, I decided to share a few shops I love.  Nothing like a shameless shout-out, right?  And she has some sweet vintage fabric, which makes it all fit in with my sewing theme, I'm sure.

The shop is called VauntyVictorian (don't you love the name??)  Tara, the owner, is the mastermind behind this shop and she really has an eye for a treasure.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Vintage Daisy Fabric.... love this.  I want a summer dress for my little girls out of this!!

Or look at this sweet writing desk.  Yep, that price is for real... $50! 

And I am in love with this candy dish.  The colors make me happy!

So, here's wishing Tara at VauntyVictorian, the very best of luck with her new shop!!  I love Etsy!!

Make Yourself at Home....

...or at least make yourself a home.... ornament.  Did that make any sense at all??

Anyhow, I found these amazingly adorable home ornaments over at retro mama's blog.  I was so excited that I decided to try one.  I was originally thinking a fun little advent tree with 25 of these babies, but I'm not so sure now.  It' took a little time, but the result was amazing!  Not as amazing as Kim's, but for my first try, I was happy and I learned a LOT!!!

Here are Kim's gorgeous house ornaments.  NOTE:  This must be like 20 hours of her life, so I hope you are as inspired as me.

via Retro Mama

Are these amazing or what?? 

And now, prepare to be not quite as amazed because here is mine...

I love the sweet little bird and the house number cut from some selvage! (Great idea Kim!!)

Here are my notes for next time:

1)  Go bright!  I love Kim's bright colors!

2) Stitch the house closed more carefully.  It was 11:30 pm folks!!!

Anyway, these are super cute.  Just might have to make more.  Maybe a teacher's gift with the house number as the classroom number???  We'll see!  And thanks, Kim, for sharing!

PS.  Linked Up...


*All Things Heart and Home  *  It's Sew For You  *  Not Just a Housewife  *  Creative Itch  *  Quiltstory  *  Ladybug Blessings  *  Sew Much Ado  *  Trendy Treehouse  *  Sew Chatty * Women Who Do It All *  Sugar and Dots * Li'l Luna * Tea Rose Home * Polka Dots on Parade * Somewhat Simple *  Fireflies and Jellybeans  *  Blue Cricket Design  *  733 blog  *  House of Hepworth's  * Paisley Passions  *  A Glimpse Inside  *  Fingerprints On the Fridge  *  Fun To Craft  *  At The Picket Fence  *  Stuff and Nonsense  *  Inspiring Creations * Just a Girl *  Sassy Sites*  504 Main  *  WhipperBerry  *  Sew Many Ways  *  The Girl Creative  *  Making the World Cuter  *  A Round Tuit  *  Sumo's Sweet Stuff  *  Life Made Lovely  *  C.R.A.F.T.  *  Sew Modern Monday  *  Today's Creative Blog  *  Pinkapotamus * Cherished Bliss  *Ginger Snap Crafts*

Designer Feature: Centsational Girl

I'm sure many of you have come across Kate's fun blog, Centsational Girl.  I check 3 blogs every day and this is one of them.  I love this gal and her creative spunk.  She does the DIY thing, but it never looks DIY!  Her creations are always beautiful, classy, and they will save you money! 

She just posted all about sweater pillows and I thought it was perfect with Fall and Winter coming up.  Best part, she made these from sweaters found at Goodwill!!  This gal is seriously amazing!  Way to go Kate!

via Centsational Girl

So, if you haven't already, go check Kate's blog out.  I KNOW you will be inspired!! 

Have a great weekend!!

Farewell Halloween...Until Next.... April?

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  I sure had a good time.  I love that my neighbors come trick-or-treating with their kids and they stay and gab for 10 minutes!  What great friends I have!  It was also the most amazing weather ever for Halloween!

But, I have one last Halloween note before we let this holiday go...  I found this over at Tula Pink's blog!

It's a new line, due out in April, called Nightshade.  I have seriously enjoyed this gal's fabric designs and her creativity.  I can't wait to see her quilt samples with this stuff!  I'm sure it will be thrilling!

So goodbye Halloween... until next April!

Designer Spotlight: Three in the Nest

Happy Halloween!  The pumpkins are carved, the treats are packed, the costumes are assembled.  I am ready for a fun holiday.  I hope you are too!

Anyhow, I wanted to introduce you to Kristen from Three in the Nest.  She is a super sewing gal who scours the web for patterns she loves, mkaes them, then blogs about those patterns.  I love this idea! 

So I sent Kristen several of my patterns to try out and blog about and I can't wait to see what she comes up with!  I sent her my Scripture Tote...

My Ruffles and Rosettes Hangbag...

And, my Simple Bunting!

It will be fun to see her take on these ones!!  So head on over and check her out.  She's been sewing tunics, dresses, quilts and more. 

Free Pattern: Spiders and Webs

I stumbled onto this sweet quilt and had to share with you.  This is a wonderful Halloween Quilt brought to you by Heidid from Boys, Buttons, and Butterflies. And good news.... this was featured over at Moda Bake Shop so there's a tutorial over there as well.

I especially love how she quilted it to add to the spider web effect.



Thank you, Heidi, for this fun, spooky inspiration!  Love this quilt!

Giveaway With Seven Thirty Three Blog

Hi All!  I have been running like a crazy woman with birthday parties and Halloween adventures.  But I did take a minute to notice the gorgeous leaves around here and to enjoy that Fall sunshine.  It's been nice!

Heads up... Kim over at 733: A Creative Blog is hosting a Yards and Yards giveaway.  Not only will you get a chance to win some free patterns, but you will also meet one creative gal with one creative blog.  I love visiting 733 and make it a regular stopping place on all my creative haunts... (Halloween pun, intended.)

Kim just barely threw an 11-year old rock star party.  I loved the thought and detail.  Check it out here.  And just for fun, look at this great idea!  These were the invites.  How fun is this?

via 733

So head on over and sign up for those patterns.  And glance around while you are there.  Inspiration is guaranteed!

 

Up and Coming: Summersault by Erin McMorris for FreeSpirit

I stumbled across this from Erin McMorris.  I like it!  Plus I like the name: Summersault.  I just like her stuff better and better!! 

Baby Boy Bunting

I had an sweet client contact me to make some custom bunting for her twin baby boys. You bet! I have a brother and sister that are twins AND two sisters-in-law that are twins so I am partial to those duplicates!

The twins room is a fun primary color/vintage football/plaid theme. It's going to AMAZING!

And here's the bunting to top it all off...

I know some of the colors are tough to see, but it's all red, yellow, blue and green.  I love it!!

Custom Stockings for Five

I had a customer request 5 coordinating stockings for her family.  I was super excited to take this one on because I LOVE these stockings and I LOVE the holiday season.  It's fun to make something unique and heirloom-quality and know that it will last for years and years!

So, here is what I came up with.  I love these!!!  I hope my sweet customer will too!!!

via Heirloom Stocking Pattern

Have a great day everyone!!

PS.  Linked Up...

*All Things Heart and Home  *  It's Sew For You  *  Not Just a Housewife  *  Creative Itch  *  Quiltstory  *  Ladybug Blessings  *  Sew Much Ado  *  Trendy Treehouse  *  Sew Chatty * Women Who Do It All *  Sugar and Dots * Li'l Luna * Tea Rose Home * Polka Dots on Parade * Somewhat Simple *  Fireflies and Jellybeans  *  Blue Cricket Design  *  733 blog  *  House of Hepworth's  * Paisley Passions  *  A Glimpse Inside  *  Fingerprints On the Fridge  *  Fun To Craft  *  At The Picket Fence  *  Stuff and Nonsense  *  Inspiring Creations * Just a Girl *  Sassy Sites*  504 Main  *  WhipperBerry  *  Sew Many Ways  *  The Girl Creative  *  Making the World Cuter  *  A Round Tuit  *  Sumo's Sweet Stuff  *  Life Made Lovely  *  C.R.A.F.T.  *  Sew Modern Monday  *  Today's Creative Blog  *  Pinkapotamus * Cherished Bliss  *Ginger Snap Crafts*

Fabric Trends: Ikat

I look at fabric.  A lot.  And I've seen a trend in a few up and coming fabric lines.  Ikat.

Just for curiosity's sake, I looked ikat up in Webster's.  Ikat is "a fabric in which the yarns have been tie-dyed before weaving."  So there you go.  Here are a few I've seen lately:

Annette Tatum's Boho Line

Amy Butler's Lark Line

There is another nice one from Dear Stella, but I can't find any pictures!  I've seen it popping up everywhere...

Pillows....

via House Full of Pretty

Curtains...

via Monica Wants It

And chairs...

via Second Story View

I'm telling you-- ikat is all over the place.  So, here's the question... Do you like ikat prints?  And are they classic or just another come and go trend?  What do you think?