Stress Relief

Lately I haven't been doing much of anything besides work.  After a full day of chasing 1 year olds around I'm about beat.  I've come to learn that all my sewing project have become a nice stress reliever.   That's not to say that sometimes I don't get frustrated with my sewing machine and want to chuck it out the window ... espeically when the thread comes out of the needle eye for about the 100th time.   With Todd being gone more frequently now (planned or not) I've gotten quite a few projects completed.  Here's what I've done since moving to Germany.

1. An Apron (for myself)

The fabric line is by Amy Butler

2. Placemats, Napkins, and Napkin Rings

This is the same line as the above apron (if you hadn't figured it out yet).  I decided to make 8 of each.  After doing most of the hand stitching to finish up the placemats (6 of 8) I got bored and decided to start on another project.  I still have yet to sew together the napkin holders.  Its all cut and ready to go, I'm just finding it a bit difficult.

3. Baby Owen's Quilt

This quilt is for a very special friend of mine.  We met at Auburn, both starting the Med Tech program at the same time.  We've both traveled across the country to attend each other's weddings.  Even though we don't get to talk as much as I'd like she will always be someone I call a friend.  Her name is Carolyon and her husband is Chris.  They recently had a baby boy named Owen.   This project was one of the reasons why I quit the placemats and napkin holders.  And its a good thing I did - she ended up having Owen a few weeks early.

I've used this line before, but I've found that everyone loves it, so I continue to use it.  For those of you who don't know its called Lollipop.  I also used this fabric for a baby quilt for my sister-in-law.

4. Diaper Clutch

I also made a diaper clutch to match the baby quilt for Owen.  This was the first time I've ever made anything like this.  It was definitely a learning process .... just ask my mom how long it took me yelling talking to her on the phone about how to do the bottom corners.  Overall I think it turned out pretty good!  Hopefully after a few more under my belt I'll be able to do these in my sleep.

The clutch should hold at least 1 diaper, a small diaper changing mat, and travel wipes

When I started sewing I had no idea it would become such a stress reliever for me, but either way I'm glad I finally got into it!

Quilts, Quilts, and More Quilts

Before we left the states I started working on 2 more quilts.  One was for my in-laws and the other was Grandma-in-law (is that a word?).   I was lucky enough to finish them before the move which is a good thing seeing how we aren't going to be getting our stuff at the new house until the end of this month (see post below).    Here's the final products ....


The first pattern I found in a quilting magazine that my mom gave me.   Its for my in laws.   The pattern is called "Brick by Brick".  I used over 50 different 1930s Feedsack Reproduction fabrics in this quilt.  I can't remember the exact measurements, but its about the size of a twin bed comforter, but a little larger in width and a little less in length.  I used a pastel variegated thread with just some random stitch on my machine for the quilting.

The green/white/pink flowers is the fabric I used for the backing.   

A close up of the stitch, although you can't really see it.

Even Laine likes it!

The second quilt is for Todd's Grandma.  I used all the same fabrics from the quilt above plus some.  Its a pinwheel pattern with a total of 63 pinwheels each one a different fabric.  Each finished block was 8" with the quilt's final measurements around 74" x 59".

I did the same variegated thread and stitch as the Brick by Brick.

The backing

The two quilts each with their own hand stitched label.

Toboggans!!

I mentioned in my last post how I was going to be doing some other projects, one being the cutest baby toboggans from the Make It and Love It blog.   (If you have the slightest interest in sewing, this is a great blog.  She has everything from stitching tips, info about sergers,  how-to's, .... you get the point.)   Yesterday I made my way over to Joann's Fabric and bought some really cute cotton knit so I could begin my new project.   *Sidenote: I had no idea that cotton knit would be so expensive!  Luckily I've started receiving my Joann's Fabric coupons.   They had a ton of solid prints in many colors - I'd say at least 20 different colors.  On top of that they had quite a few printed fabrics which to be quite honest I really only liked the one fabric that I ended up buying.   The ones I didn't really like were cute, but not what I was looking for (i.e. monkeys).*

I ended up purchasing 1 yd of the green stripe, 1/2 of both the gray and hot pink.

At this point, I'm not going to go through and tell you everything I did.  If you are interested in making your own click here.    I'm pretty happy with my final results.  I think I'm still getting the hang of it,  but the more I made more I figured out better ways of making the toboggans.   Here's my final products ....

A for Aiden, I for Isaac

One of these is for Laine

Just in case you wanted to see what they looked like on a model.  

I recently did another blanket for my friend Becky for her birthday.  Her and her husband are big Steeler fans and it just so happened that I found some Steeler's fleece fabric.   (With the help of my mom) I sewed it together, cut, and tied all the edges.   Without further ado, my first tie blanket ....

More new posts to come soon ...

New Creations

This weekend I came to Murfreesboro, TN to visit the family and more importantly be at Laine's 1st Birthday Party.  The day before the party Becky and I went out to do some shopping and while were out the idea came to me.   The plan was for Laine to wear her hot pink tutu and a white onesie.   I thought putting a "1" on it would make her even cuter!   So we found some material that matched her tutu, made a "1", and I started sewing (with the help of mom).  Here's how it turned out ...

Up close

Long sleeve and short sleeve

Laine wearing her new outfit at her party.

Laine wasn't happy, but its a good picture of the LS onesie.

Later we decided I would make her another one, but for Valentine's Day.   Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of Laine modeling it, but here's the final product ....

Front

Behind

Up close of the heart on the front

So these clearly aren't perfect, but I'm learning and I guess that's all the really matters!