Around The Worldy, Worldy

In my efforts to use what I have, I unearthed a charm pack of Joel Dewberry's Modern Meadow. Then I decided to try my hand at a values quilt. Around the world style.

I really love it. Since it was a charm pack it was pretty small so I finished it off with some blue Kona on two sides. It's a great size for a stroller quilt, or for a sweet babe to drag around. It could even be a nice wall hanging. 

The back is finished off in blue Kona and some of the extra blocks. Not so perfect diagonal quilting lines and a hand sewn binding finish things off.

I think this qualifies as my first quilt finish for 2013.

It'll be up for sale in the shop.... Unless I decided I need it for my wall...

Goin' Round in Circles Quilt

So last year I lost the beginnings of a quilt. It wasn't a tragedy because I ended up making this quilt instead. 

It was a mystery.

Maybe meant to be.

 About three months ago it was found. 

Seriously, I don't understand this. Jessica and I both must have looked over it a dozen times.

It turned into a collaboration.

It became a gift.

 A Joel Dewberry charm pack, some Kona solids and a yummy Michael Miller Dumb Dot in aqua. Machine applique, plus lots of hand stitching with different colored pearl cottons.

Two tags because it amused us and we knew it would amuse the recipient. 

She says she loves it.....

Because, who doesn't need a stump?

First off I would like to say I have no idea where this idea came from... one day, a few months ago I decided I wanted to make a stump ottoman for Baby MAC's room... Why? I don't know. Anyway, I went through a lot of different ideas on how to do it - I even searched Etsy to see if it had been done already so I could get some ideas... unfortunately I totally struck out.... then I saw a post on Young House Love featuring a small storage ottoman they had bought at Target for a ridiculously cheap price and knew that was my best bet. I ran by Target and picked one up.

Fast forward a few weeks to my Mum's arrival and soon after that, the excessive amounts of wool roving I had asked her to pick up. I finally had all of my supplies in order and a slave to do my bidding... ahem I mean my lovely mother who is exceptionally awesome, talented and helpful.

We got busy collaborating on what I was wanting and then she got to work sewing the whole trunk together. So all I had to do was the fun stuff! How awesome is that?
We didn't bother taking a lot of in progress pictures... so here's the final product and a brief run down of how we accomplished it.

Using the cylinder ottoman, we recovered the whole thing with 100% wool suiting that we washed in hot water, sliced into bark like pieces and sewed together; leaving the seams exposed to give it the raised look. We stuffed it with poly-fill it to give it a trunk like shape.

I used wool roving to add in all of the detailing.
The inside is lined with a Joel Dewberry print.
I wanted to add a zillion more animals... but decided to stop and live with it for a while before doing anymore... I don't want it to be crowded!
MUSHROOMS! I can't wait to make more of these!
The leaves are cut from felt sheets and then the veins are needle felted in.
A little sneak behind the scenes of Mum cleaning it up for the photos.
Which of course she took and edited and handed to me to blog... because she is awesome like that.

It looks fantastic in the nursery... which is SOOO close to being done!

New Things

 My grandbaby is a grandson! Jess and Uber found out Friday that the little Uber IS in fact a little Uber! Now that I know of course I had to sew something. I chose an Oliver & S pattern, big surprise.... the sandbox pants. Why is everything teeny tiny so cute??? I used a Kaufman corduroy, it's very soft, and for fun, a bit of Amy Schimler for the pocket linings and the waistband.

Yes, the pants are surrounded by more animals. Since you know who doesn't sew, this is his contribution. I think he has contributed about 20 new animals. He thinks he may be done. I'm not so sure.

Next is another dress for the baby mamma. I'll get these in the mail soon Jess, promise! This is more of Joel Dewberry's fabric line. I love the way this looks when it's shirred.

One of Heather Bailey's new patterns, Saturday Market bag, made for the shop. This was an easy pattern and I used the same fabrics she chose for her pattern cover in a different colorway. I love this fabric. L.O.V.E.

Last but not least, we had some sunshine this weekend. You know who and I managed to make it outside a couple of times. I think the sunshine didn't set too well with me on Saturday. After sitting outside for a couple of hours, not in the direct sun, I got a migraine and my face was not so pretty this morning. Can you become allergic to the sun if you don't get to see it for awhile?? This evening we went out again and so far I've had better results. I still stayed under an umbrella...

28 new hexies.

Jessica's Dresses and Market

Jessica requested two more Socialite dresses from the pattern by Anna Maria Horner. She sent this fabric and I was able to get them done this weekend. She chose Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry in herringbone and a Michael Miller fabric called Esther. I have a couple more in the shirred style to finish for her. I need to get to work. Hope you like them Jess!

Here are some highlights from the Handwerk Markt. It was fun. Not too much not too little to walk around and see on such a chilly day. I had to wear a heavy coat... blah.

Where would you wear this hat?

These fire bowls are pretty but seem kinda dangerous to me.

Pillow yumminess.

Another Dress

Requested by Jessica.

Is it ok if I think it's yummy?

If I keep making dresses like this, will you all insist on an intervention?

The fabric is Joel Dewberry's Iron Work for Westminster.