Fabric Stash Giveaway

You knew it was coming! I cleaned out my glass cabinet full of fabric goodies, packed away two very overflowing boxes full of fabric that will be moving to the new place and still had a very large pile of fabric (both new and old) left over.

In the pile there are some great old embroidery and cross stitch pieces. Things that would look great cut up and given a new life - also you won't feel guilty for doing so, since most have imperfections. Doilies, both square and round, will be included because for some reason I have just a bit more than one person needs.

 Each piece is a different size - but some pieces are yards long and others may be less than a fat quarter. There was so much that I couldn't even picture it all. But one lucky reader will get the whole stash! If there are pieces you get that, well just aren't your style - can't even think of a possibility for them, feel free to pass them along or host your own giveaway with them.

Here is how to enter :
1. Leave a comment telling me how you would use the fabric if you won.
2. If you are a follower of this blog with google friend connect, twitter, Facebook, Bloglovin', or any other way just leave me one comment telling me how you follow me for an extra chance to win.

Unfortunately due to the weight of all this fabric this giveaway is only open to anyone with a US shipping address. (sorry my international followers but the next one will be open to all). The winner will be randomly selected on August 17th, 2012. Goodluck ♥

Package for Felix

Awhile ago I couldn't contain myself and shared with you the Hexagon Bib that I made for a lovely friend and her soon to be little girl. What I didn't show, because I promised myself that I would wait till it was delivered, was the baby quilt, embroidered bib, and crochet booties. 

I debated over the blanket for a little bit. Usually I like to make children's blankets something they can grow into and use on a toddler bed or even a throw blanket but this time I made it smaller. Small enough to take on car rides, carry around the house, or fold into a large tote. The inspiration came from my youngest son Odyn. To this day he still has his "fuzzy", a small blanket that doesn't cover him anymore, that is WELL worn, and often gets toted around the house even up and down the stairs. "Fuzzy" has a hard time getting put into the washing machine, getting left behind, or not being slept with at night - in Odyn's own words - it's his best friend. If this blanket should be special enough to be a best friend to my friend's daughter, than it would need small enough to go many places. 

As for the fabric, I used Hideaway by Moda for one side. It's a nice cheerful collection of pretty chateau villages, gingham, cuckoo clocks, and sweet woodland deer. The other side I wanted to be a bit softer so I used soft white fuzzy dot fabric, pretty vintage floral sheet fabric, small red strawberries, butterflies, and bicycles - a nice random mix of fun patterns all in the same color pallet of yellows, oranges, whites, and pinks.

There was a bit of horror story with the second bib. One that had me gasping and praying that once washed everything would be fine. I know my sweet friend is naming her daughter Felix (love that name for a girl!) so I decided to embroider an F on the bib. I picked out a very Old English Script font and traced it onto the fabric with...pen. Let me right now, not recommend regular ink pen to do this. I stitched away, added the cute little flowers to the side. I sewed the bib all together and even added the pretty turquoise snap. Noticing that some of the ink tracing was sticking out a little from where I stitched I decided to try to remove it. With rubbing alcohol and q-tip in hand I slowly began to rub the ink away, a trick I have used many times before. This time, however, the ink began to bleed and go everywhere. It wasn't looking pretty. So with one last effort I poured a larger amount of rubbing alcohol on all the ink, rubbed it a little bit together, and quickly put it in the wash. I didn't even have the heart to look at it before drying it - so into the dryer it went. As you can see from the final result, it all ended well, but was very close to being scrapped.

The little Maryjane booties I made from a pattern I found on Ravelry. Without the little bit of paper stuffed in them they kind of lose their shape. It could have just been the yarn I used though - not sure. But who can resist baby shoes and tiny baby feet?!? They were a must to put into this sweet little package. Also not pictured were my favorite cookies, the mom to be's favorite cookies, and some tea that I swear caused my water to break when I past my due date with Odyn (don't worry I put the story on the sleeve containing the tea).

I had so much fun creating this package. Hope my vintage soul sister loves it just as much. 

Lazy Days

This weekend there were so many plans, to go to the beach, to cut into some new fabric, and to start packing up some things. But lazy days hit us when I re-tweaked my back. Instead we stayed home and watched some movies. 
On the home front, we have made it to inspections - hopefully by the end of the month we will be moving....then lots and lots of painting.

Fabric Giveaway

As promised I rummaged through the fabric cabinet last night for a fun giveaway. I'm in a total destash mode lately. Must be spring cleaning time.
Here is what called out to me -

4 Fun Fat Quarters

I can only imagine all the fun things you can do with all of these!

Maybe a purse, some quilt blocks, or even fabric brooches.

(If you win I would love to see what you will make with them)

How to Enter:

I've been wanting to explore more blogs, usually I click on comments or spy other peoples favorite but I want to know my readers favorites. So to enter just leave me a comment below telling me what your favorite all time blog is 

(maybe include a link to it).

Also for another entry follow this blog and leave a comment telling me how you are following. Whether it's by my twitter posts, maybe Facebook updates, Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect, or you put it in your favorites on your computer 

~ Any way counts.

Recap:

This giveaway is open to everyone anywhere - 

if you got an address I can ship it to then you are eligible.

You have two ways to win (see How to Enter)!

**Please and Thank you** make sure you leave a way for me to contact you if you win!

Enter by March 14th, 2012 11:59pm EST

After that comments will be closed and a winner will be 

randomly selected by a method of madness.

Good Luck!!!

Bits of The Weekend

There are so many bits of things that happened this weekend I don't know where to start! This package of fabric happiness arrived on Friday. It's for a very special quilt that I am hoping to tell you more about shortly. Only seeing Freshcuts by Heather Bailey on the internet, it made me a little worried that colors would be a bit bright or maybe the patterns would be too much for the project. Thankfully it's just what I was looking for - amazingness.

Saturday was the day to prepare for Damien's 9th birthday party. He wanted a Sonic The Hedgehog cake for awhile but when he wanted chocolate frosting too ... well I had to get my thinking cap on. Sunday the day of the party, he gave me his approval (whew), now that he is 9 that is a little harder to get.

Also arriving in my mail box was this lovely book!! Gosh I am still in shock over this giveaway win. Tif was sweet enough to sign it for me. The pages have been turned, read, and stared at. Funny how it's been on my must have books and now that I have it I don't want to put it down. There are a million little details to this book that I adore. If you are a fan of granny chic, vintage, or handmade - it should be in you hands too. Thank you so much Dottie Angel ♥

Last but not least is a new journey we are starting to prepare for. So this weekend I started going room by room organizing and downsizing. Taking pictures of items you may have seen and inquired about that were in my house, for the shop and the bay. Only the absolute must have can't live without items will make the cut. Something that is much harder than you may think.
Hope your weekend was full of bits like mine :)
P.S. Can you spy what Aries' item snuck into my last photo?

Knit, Sew, Jacket

Outside the air smells like crisp fallen leaves, earthy pumpkins, and cabin wood stoves. At night it's starting to get chilly enough to huddle under a blanket and curl your toes under your loved ones leg. With winter right around the corner I have been trying to make time to knit my scarf. Against the bright white snow, and my cherry colored nose in the winter, I think it will end up looking rusticly perfect on me.

There are still some sewing that needs to be done before Halloween. Miss Aries has one blue gingham Dorothy apron that needs to be cut and sewn. Odyn's traffic cone costume is in the works and Damien has all the items needed to be the perfect Star Wars Clone Trooper. While out shopping for all the tid bits a Yoda costume caught my eye for Odyn. There was some debating on making a costume or buying one but when the costumes sound like a beginning of a joke, " A Clone Trooper, Yoda, and Dorothy walk into a bar.." , it's best to stay with the original plan.

In the works is a special little jacket . If only time would slow down a bit and spare a couple hours. 

To Start or Not To Start

With all the projects I already have going on why am I thinking about starting a new one? Making crochet snowflakes to try to beat the holiday rush of garland orders is on my things to do, along with finishing Odyn's ripple blanket, making more snack bags, Halloween costumes, finishing the 2nd embroidery block, and finishing a pattern I've started for the holidays.

After cleaning and reorganizing the studio this weekend, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to hang this up.

Itchin Stitchin Cottage Kitchen - Block 2

Block #2 of the Doodle Embroidery Block Quilt is a cottage kitchen. Inspired by Eileen, who left a comment about how much she loved my kitchen. She got me thinking how lovely it would be for everyone to stitch their own dream kitchen. Doodling away this was the cute little cottage kitchen I dreamed up.

This time the lines of the doodles did come out a bit darker. If  you are planning on stitching in a lighter color, like myself, I would recommend 4 strands or more of floss. I only used 2 and the lines are showing a bit. The printed blocks haven't arrived yet but once they do they will be available in my shop to purchase.

This block has tons of little details. It's taking me a little longer to stitch up than the first block but it's also fun deciding the stitches and what colors to use. The fridge is blank but could always use a cute kids drawing. No plain pot holders for me, so I think I'll stitch them with a pattern. The window outside needs a season...as you can see there are so many fun decisions to make.

I wish Aries was a bit older, not that I am rushing anything, but I really think this would be a great starter embroidery project. Her kitchen would more than likely be filled with pinks and she would need to stitch a little cupcake on the counter. That girl loves her sweets!

My block is going to be a little different than the one I envision she would make. Once it is all stitched up I will share it in it's completeness. If you decide to stitch one up I hope you'll share yours too ... after all that's part of the fun.

Sunny with a Chance of a Winner

Back from the Farmer's Market with smiles. Thank you everyone for stopping at my booth and for all the lovely comments. If you were not able to make it, but were interested in some of my bags, I do have some left over and will be posting them in my shop this week.

On to more exciting news, the 1st Embroidery Block: I'm Sew Happy Giveaway is over. The lucky winner on this very sunny day is .....

Lynn ~ who said she would love to see me doodle a tree house!! Thanks for the suggestion Lynn and thanks everyone for entering.
Next block will be a retro cottage kitchen inspired by Eileen from Bluebirdluxe's comment. Eileen is also hosting a giveaway of the I'm Sew Happy Block - If you didn't win you still have chance - go visit Bluebirdluxe before the 19th. Also with each new block there will be another giveaway.

Making Bags

First day of the farmer's market is coming up FAST! Getting out some of my best vintage sheets, pillowcases, and linens ... cutting, sewing, stitching, and designing is going on in this house.

The agenda is to make several different types of bags - market totes, hobo bags, ruffle purses, embroidered slings, and quilted pocket books. Finding time to sew is difficult lately. The outcome will be worth it!!

Doodle Embroidery Block Quilt

My new exciting project is called the Doodle Embroidery Block Quilt. The quilt will feature 20 doodle drawings that were drawn by myself and hand embroidered. I know I was a tease about the details of this project and it did take all my might not to share it sooner. Hopefully you will love it as much as I do and want to join along.

The idea came into my head when I was doodling one night for my art journal. Looking down at the piece I thought it would be nice to have a quilt of all doodles. That was the ah ha moment. I began drawing something I knew I could stitch up. Keeping in mind the whole time how happy it is to even think about this sewing project. That is when the first block was born "I'm Sew Happy".

Tulips, sunshine, rain drops, and a dove are just a few of my little doodles that made it to the stitching process. Buttons always come to my mind when I think of sewing. Being that it is spring here, I tried to give the block a spring feel with flowers, a caterpillar, an ant, a butterfly, and a happy rainbow.

I had the design transfer to fabric for me - that is my least favorite part about embroidery, transferring designs.  The lines will not be erased with water like most transfer pens but it really made me focus on the lines. I had to stitch the design exactly how I had drawn it in order for the lines to not show up all over.

Funny how when I was finished with the last stitch I sat back and said "I'm Sew Happy" and that was the exact feeling it was meant to give. If anyone wants to join in and make this block quilt or if you just like this sampler pattern (it would also look mighty cute in a little frame) I have ordered 30 of them to put in my shop. Don't worry if they run out I will place another order and can reserve one for you, just send me an email. For a closer look just click on the pictures for a larger picture.

Now how would you like a chance to win one? Head over here for details.

Scrappy Scarf Fashionista

How do you get a 4 year old control freak to calm down? Well if she is a fashionista have her make a scrappy scarf.

Miss Aries has been into this thing where she wants complete control of everything and everyone. I could say "Aries I'm going to give you chocolate ice cream." and I would hear "No Vanilla!" So it's all about compromises at this stage. Do I really want to spend my time fighting with a 4 year old? Not really. Do I let her take complete control? Not really. So yesterday it was compromise day. I informed her that she needed to listen to me, eat her dinner, and no arguing, in return I would help her make a scrappy scarf anyway she wanted it.

Complete agreement on that one. Win!!! I let her have at it in my scrap pile. Cutting was done by her. Fabric scrap choices - also all hers. When the sewing machine started to sew it all - she wouldn't have that either. Advising that it needed to stick together some how she informed me that I needed to sew it all together because the sewing machine was too loud. It didn't really come out the way I expected it to but does it really matter. It's her scarf, she loves it, she wears it to school, she won't take it off, and yes she is sleeping with it right now.
P.S. Sorry for the bad pics (I'm sure scarf will be sticking around awhile to take more) it has been raining here for a week or more.

Coming Soon

Something exciting arrived in the mailbox yesterday. It's a project I have been hush hush about ... but to you my dear readers I will give a special viewing.

More details will be coming soon - let's just say if you fall in love, must have it, want to make it - you will be able to as well.

Spring Cleaning

Then it snows. Yup it is snowing today - Welcome to New England. I am over the snow and refuse to believe that it is outside my window right now. This weekend I was cleaning like a mad woman. Sometimes you just get that decorating itch.

Craft room is all organized. There is just something about color coordinating fabric that is therapeutic. Having a clean studio really gets you in the mood to finish some projects.

So with a clean kitchen I think today will be a homemade bread day. Some comfort food that is much needed if you live in Connecticut. I'm sure everyone here is looking out their windows sobbing. Spring was so close.