A New Sewing Room

Hello all! Last weekend, Linwood and I moved into  a different house in Yuma. The August/September months here are NOT ideal for that, but it cooled down a little bit because of the rain. I am so tired of boxes that I could scream! We are definitely not finished yet, but today I've gotten a lot more done. We are now living in a house that belongs to a couple that are serving a mission for our church. They have been given the assignment of family history/genealogy in Budapest, Hungary. They are pretty amazing and will do a fantastic job! They didn't know what they were going to do about their house while they were away, but it ended up that we were invited to live here to care for it while they were away. So Linwood and I didn't buy a house like we thought we would, we waited till now and moved. Pros- No rent and we can save more money for a down payment. We can also get our student loans paid off, and third- if there is a transfer opportunity, we won't be stuck with a home. Cons- I can't personalize my space, because it doesn't belong to me. Yep, only one con and it is SO not even comparable to the pros. So, I am trying to figure out my new sewing room at this point and I have finally put my fabric into my Beatrice Amoire! I know, it's so exciting! If you don't remember, this is what it looks like!

 

 

So, now it's in the new place and the bottom two drawers are how I want them, but the top is still a bit of a mess. My in-laws came and I was just trying to keep things out of the way, so I filled it up.

 

 

I painted a desk with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint a while back and I was so prepared to love it. However, I hate it so much that I've invited Haley to come over in October to help me strip it and re-paint it with Miss Mustard Seed, like this amoire. I followed the instructions and read so much about chalk paint that I thought it was going to be a breeze. I used it and the texture, the finish, the wax, the process- I hate it all. I say kudos to anyone who likes it and uses it though! Well, that's it for today, I need to get in that room and sew, but its hard when my house needs to be organized and things still need unpacking!

~Rachel

 



Alena's Quilt

This was the last handmade gift that I included in the gift for Elise. The quilt! I knew she wanted brown and pink and she mentioned cherry blossoms, so I decided on something simple for this quilt. I'd never done a nine patch so I decided to try it out with some sashing and embroidery. This was my result. I think I'll try again sometime with more colors and some different techniques. Here are the pictures, Haley quilted it for me free motion! Isn't she the bomb?! Yes, yes she it :)
Enjoy!
~Rachel

 

I embroidered the baby's name!

 

Haley quilted flowers :)

 

 

 

 

Diaper & Wipes Case

This is the second part of the baby shower gift! I decided that when you are taking diapers and wipes with you everywhere, it might be handy to have a little carrier for them. I used two fat quarters for this project and got to use my automatic buttonhole thingy on my machine for the first time! It worked perfectly (that never happens to me)! So, I know this doesn't match the dress, but I didn't really care at this point, I just wanted to use fun fabric. So, here is Elise's wipes case. I used the tutorial from Feed the Dogs and it worked beautifully!
~Rachel

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Dress

There are many of you out there who may be feeling like EVERY SINGLE lady you know is pregnant. I'm feeling that way at the moment, so I decided to brush up on my kid sewing and make a few things for the first baby shower I was invited to attend. The first thing that I decided I was going to make was this dress. You get to make your own piping and tie little knots at the shoulders AND I had to add buttons. Couldn't help myself. I found the Itty Bitty Baby Dress Pattern. It was on the Made By Rae site and there was another version of it here. Read through both versions before you start, it'll help! You just print the top and get to work! Here is what happened when I made it, enjoy!
~Rachel

A Few of my Favorite Quilty Things

So, a few people have asked me about where I find ideas, patterns, inspiration, etc. There are so many ways! Sometimes it happens when I'm watching a movie and I see a design or prop, sometimes I just see someone else's quilt that I want to reproduce because I love it so much, or a lot of the time, I just piece a few ideas together. Today I will be sharing my secret list of blogs that I stalk follow! Just so I can share the wealth of eye candy for those of you who want to quilt. I'll be linking to particular posts, but please browse through these blogs, as they all have so many good things to share!

1.) All time favorite is Red Pepper Quilts. Rita has an amazing eye for color combinations and perfect fabric! She always has precisely pieced quilts and sharp, crisp lines. I can't even tell you how many times I've nearly drooled into my keyboard while looking at the new things she creates. Just look at the heading of her blog and you'll see what I mean.

Finished Checkerboard Quilt

 

2.) Next on my list is the talented Anna Maria Horner. She is a fabric designer and lives in my lovely homeland (Tennessee) with seven children and her husband. Her daughter, Juilana, now has her own line of fabric too (it can be purchased at Joann fabrics). Anyway, Anna Maria does it all, quilting, sewing, embroidery, knitting, designing... All of it amazing!

Patching

Feathers

 

3.) Next, we have Jeni Baker. She has recently designed two lines of fabric, Color Me Retro and Nordika. They are both very nice and I think there will be lots more lovely things from her!

Warm Cool Quilt Along

 

Giant Vintage Star Quilt Tutorial

 

4.) Fourth is Faith at Fresh Lemons Quilts. This is where I learned how to paper piece! I never even knew anything like it existed, but I saw a finished product and knew I needed to learn. Fresh is exactly how I would describe everything here! Lovely and fresh :)

Summer Sampler Series

 

Prism

 

5.) I really like the blog Mommy by Day Crafter By Night. Ashley is super-cute and has projects that I love and uses fabric that I love too! I have these fabrics and will be using this quilt as inspiration for my own! What is it about mermaids and ships that I love?! 

Out to Sea Quilt

 

Scrappy Weekender Bag

 

6.) Last but not least is Camille Roskelley at Simplify. This picture will be enough to clarify why I like this blog. Color, fabric, and precision!

Farmer's Wife

 

Now, some ways that I like to find patterns is by using Google Images to do searches, by browsing pinterest, using free patterns like McCall's, and of course the blogs. Another thing that helps me is just to go fabric shopping! Sometimes an idea doesn't emerge until you know what fabrics you'll be working with. For me that holds true anyway. Many of the fabric designers that I love are only available to me online, so for them I shop online at Hawthorne Threads, Fat Quarter Shop, Pink Chalk Fabrics, and Pink Castle Fabrics. Most designers have their own blogs, and a couple that I love that I didn't mention earlier are Aneela Hoey and Heather Ross. They are two of my favorite fabric designers. I know that I'm forgetting something...

Oh. Graph paper. Simple and handy. That's where I make a lot of my quilts first and check if the math works and to get my fabric requirements. I also like to color and see what works best where. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer it that way to most online tools. Hope you all enjoy!

~Rachel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patriotic!

First, I DO know that the 4th of July is over.
Second, this is not for me.
Third, my mother has a thing for flags & red, white, & blue.

This is for her birthday, which is July 22nd, and I know that she has been wanting a patriotic something or other. My mom has been asking my dad to put a flag in our yard for... oh, my whole life, basically! She made herself a throw pillow that was red, white, & blue when she was at my house, but I wanted to add a little something to it. She found this tumbler pattern on YouTube that she liked, but I didn't feel like buying a template, so I just used 3" x 4" rectangles of scrap fabrics that I have left from projects. Some of the fabrics are from this quilt, and others just came along the way! I'm happy with how it turned out, I just hope that she is too! I had use two different fabrics for the binding, but it's all good and navy. Muslin is the backing, and I machine quilted in straight lines and used my Janome walking foot (used these instructions). Why have I never tested this foot out?! It's awesome!
By the way, I checked out the first season of Lost to watch while I bound it (I'd never watched one episode) and now I'm a bit weirded out. Didn't people love that show? Maybe I'll like it if I keep on watching..? I don't know. My favorite series at the moment is Doc Martin. Sarcasm & British accents? Yes, please. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but what else is new!?
~Rachel

 

 

Summery Table Runner

It's summer in Yuma! What better way to get you table ready for summer foods (like watermelon!!!) than a new table runner?! This one is a simple one, made out of 3/4 yard of fabric and sewn together with no measuring and no pinning. Gasp! Don't tell my mother ;)

Anyway, look at the wee little ants! Don't they just remind you of a little picnic around the 4th of July? Not in Arizona maybe because its way too hot for that nonsense, but in other places maybe, like Tennessee, where I will be in July, woohoo! A while ago I got a Janome Quilters Edition that has several cute stitches that I haven't gotten to use yet, so I seized the opportunity to try the heavy border of Xs on this one. I love how simple little designs can make things look so much better!

 

Now the only problem is that I need to find some good ideas to decorate my table! This just isn't cutting it for me right now!

 

Since we are on the subject, I've decided to find a few little things to share with you guys to make your 4th parties a little more festive! I hope you go check out these and find something that you like.
~Rachel

Oh Sew Crafty Life has a post showing ten different 4th of July desserts!

 

Red Bird Banners has a picnic garland/banner that is so cute!

 

A to Zebra Celebrations shares some 4th of July party ideas. Even one for when you are on a tighter budget!

 

Want more 4th ideas? Here is a pinterest board with some cute ideas!

 

 

 

Marriage!

I have a thing for pillows (among other things), maybe because they are simple and quick to whip up, but at the same time they can make a room feel different-just with a little color! So here are a couple more simple pillows, they are another version of Mr. and Mrs., just because I feel like I know a few people getting married soonish!I'm definitely a fan or marriage, it's the best thing I've ever done. I've been thinking about it a lot this week, and about how fast the time seems to go when you really like your spouse. Don't get me wrong, we are still human and get on each other's nerves at times, but usually there is a pretty happy feeling in our home.  One example of why I like my Handsome so much is: Saturday night I'm shot because I've been staying up late working on projects, patterns, or just folding laundry to an audio book. I don't even remember how it happened, but I zonked out on the couch around 7 or 8 o'clock that night, and didn't wake up until 6:30am. That never happens to me, I always brush, floss, take out contacts, and scrub my face before bed. Well, when I woke up, I'm disoriented and look around. I spot him on the floor asleep with a blanket, and he had tucked me in and given me a pillow too. At that moment (mind you, I'm usually very grumpy in the morning) I felt such a rush of gratitude and love for this person that happened to find me. Later he told me that he just didn't have the heart to wake me and didn't want to leave me downstairs all alone. I was happy all day and his back hurt all day, poor guy. So now that I've gotten all sappy, I shall stop! I made these by randomly chopping and piecing fabric, and by cutting out letters with my Silhouette Cameo! I love that thing, it's so handy!
 For an update, I'm working on another pillow sham right now that matches a quilt, and that will be unveiled soon! My Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Tutorial should also be getting close. I just need to wax on, wax off. But then I get distracted because I'm having the opportunity to design not one, but TWO nautical quilts for someone! I must say I love nautical and so I just ordered a bunch of very adorable fabric from Hawthorne Threads.  Now that you know a little bit about what I'm doing, how about a picture of the pillows that made me ramble about marriage?! And a fabric sneak! Enjoy!
~Rachel

In my Etsy shop here!

 

 

 

Commisioned Quilts

Just so everyone knows, you can commission me to make you a quilt! I've had a few people pay me to make specific quilts for them and I'm actually working on one now. It is a Minecraft quilt for a 10 year old boy who really likes that computer game.  These kinds are fun because they give me the opportunity to make things I wouldn't have made otherwise, and to buy and use fabrics that I wouldn't have! Sometimes, I've even had people go buy their own fabric, so it is just what they want, or pick their own pattern. One such quilt was Brylon's quilt. Brylon and I went to school together from kindergarten till graduation! He recently joined the Marines, and while he was waiting to get in, he decided that he wanted a change of decor in his room. He knew I did quilts and asked for a queen-sized patriotic quilt. I knew the pattern that I would use immediately! What better than a star pattern?! I used patriotic fabrics that are more common around the 4th of July, and got to work. I love this pattern so much, it is called No Diamonds in the Sky from Calico Carriage Quilt Designs. This pattern didn't strike me as gorgeous until I saw it done in a different fabric. One of my local quilt shops had done this quilt in yellow and blues and it was GORGEOUS! Just thinking about it makes me want to make another one for myself! Anyway, I'd used the pattern to make a wedding quilt for my brother and his wife. They had chose white, black and gray to match their room, and it was fun to remake the quilt with red, white and blue! I love those colors together, makes me feel all patriotic and stuff. So I took pictures of fabrics and sent them to Brylon (we live 2000 miles apart, so we couldn't just meet at the store or anything), and he chose which he liked best. Then I got to work washing, drying, ironing, folding, cutting, and sewing! It took a lot of work, but when I was finished with that quilt, I can tell you I was pretty proud of how it came out. I had my lady quilt it with navy thread and a star pattern, as shown below. She did a great job! I felt like it was a quilt worthy of a Marine :) So, I took it to the post office and shipped it off. Then, when I thought all was over, Brylon liked the quilt so much that he said he needed some matching pillow shams! I had never made any before, and really didn't know what I was doing, so I read a few tutorials, found a block I liked, and made them. It took a LONG time because I kept putting it off. Sorry Brylon! The block I chose was paper pieced and given as a tutorial by Faith at Fresh Lemons Quilts. It is a block from the gorgeous Summer Sampler Series called simply, the Star Block Tutorial. I had used that block before when I made Haley's daughter, Scarlett a quilt. Maybe I'll post that one later! Well, now you know the story, do you want to see some pictures?!

-Rachel

 

 

 

He sent me a picture when it arrived!

 

Trying to figure out how to make a pillow sham...

 

The end result of the pillow sham fiasco!

 

Janome

This weekend was a busy one for me! On Saturday though, I managed to find time to go buy another sewing machine. This is a Janome 6260QC (quilter's companion) and has been discontinued BUT I used my grandmother's and LOVED it! When my Bernette was out of comission for a while, I was really wanting a backup machine so that I wouldn't have to put other people's projects on hold! So, this lovely thing popped up on Craig's list a bit ago and I contacted the lady. Linwood and I went and met her and her husband and the showed us their long arm quilter as an added bonus ;) It was awesome and the machine I bought had only been used lightly as her backup machine. Sweet! These people are becoming permanent residents of Arizona vs just being winter visitors, so they are consolidating their stuff to make moving and traveling easier. Good for them and good for me! I brought the machine home and tested it out by sewing a baby quilt top with a pack of Aneela Hoey charm squares. I'll post about that later!