So, speaking of "children at play", the little guy, my hubby, and I visited my parents-in-law this past week for fall vacation. I am not usually one to talk about the weather, but with weather this beautiful, how could one not talk about it? It's been a while since I've had a fall this nice. The perfect kind in my opinion... cool, clear, sunny, and fresh. With such days like this, one just has to stay outside the whole day. Aahhhh!
What do you find yourself doing on beautiful fall days?
I could imagine that many of you are familiar with the adorably sweet children's prints from Sarah Jane, children's book illustrator and mother of three small ones. If not, just sit back and let a big "awwww" escape from your lips.
Having been familiar with Sarah's work for some time now, you can't imagine how excited I was when I heard that she was coming out with her own fabric line, Children at Play, for Michael Miller that she introduced at Spring Quilt Market. (found here)
Not only does Sarah write a fantastic blog filled with sweet childhood memories in the making, but she has come out with a few equally as sweet embroidery patterns.
I've also noticed since having a little guy in my life now, how many "things for girls" dominate the market... but luckily the boys aren't completely left out of Sarah's picture. Even though there is no pink in them, I think these prints are equally as adorable.
I have my eye on a couple of fabrics for projects for my little man. I love how Sarah captures the adventurous side of boys in her fabric. (found here)
... and of course she offers a few embroidery patterns for boys too!
Since having introduced her fabric line, she has since added some coordinating prints to her shop. Be sure to check them out soon, because she is now offering a sale in her shop.
So, how ironic is it that I am an online fabric retailer, who sells patchwork and quilting fabrics, but yet I don't quilt? I ask myself that a lot. I guess I belong to that "new generation" of sewers/quilters, who love to sew, but don't like the traditional fabrics that their grandma used to use. I love the evolution that quilting fabrics have seen over the past several years, even if I don't quilt... and especially the fact that quilting fabric is not just for quilting anymore. But it seems as though recently, what I've been working on has been looking a lot like quilting. If my aunt read that I think she would literally jump for joy right in her seat (she's the one who makes absolutely gorgeous and fantastic quilts that I already told you about)
I've been having fun with adding a little bit of linen to what I'm working on, and even though this muted blue/gray fabric is not my usual style, I gotta say that it too is working for me. Some I decided to leave plain, and others I added a few embellishments to.
But what I've been having the most fun with is this zig-zag patchwork... I was inspired by Anna Maria Horner's quilt that she had done a while back. O.K., O.k., I know... this really does look like quilting, but this "start a project and then put it down if it lasts too long" girl gets just enough satisfaction from doing something that is close to quilting without having to do the real thing.
Maybe this is just my way to actually working my way up to a quilt... who knows.
Do you have some days where you feel like you do nothing but spin your wheels?... and then the next day it's like you got more than double the amount of stuff accomplished than the day that you ran around in circles? So, from this notorious circle-spinner, I have to say that it is nice to actually get somewhere.
Last week I was a little hesitant to give you any kind of preview because I wasn't sure if I would get a chance to work on them anytime soon... but here's a little taste of the new cosmetic bags that I've been working on.
I think this one is my favorite... I first fell in love with the "Summer Totem" fabric, and mixing it with the quirky "Buoyancy" fabric was quite fun.
... but I was asked the question after my last post if I had picked a favorite between red and blue yet... I'm probably drawn more to deep reds than blues, and I just fell in love with this deep teal accent ribbon... I think it gives it just the right "pop".
Hmmm... but with this deep, rich red velvet trim, kinda makes a girl teeter on the fence, huh?
... but I think I had the most fun with the mix/match patchwork bags. I can't say that I'm planning on taking up quilting any time soon, but when you can't pick a favorite, what better way to work than to take 'em all, right? Do you like to do patchwork and quilting, or are you a small projects kinda gal? (or guy)
Things have been a little quiet here on the sewing front for two reasons: First, this is now my husband's busiest season and once again full time little guy duty has me doing... well, other things than sewing. Who would have known that boys would like heavy equipment machines rather than sewing machines. Well, I guess I've pulled out a few projects here and there, worked on them for a few minutes when time allowed, but I wasn't able to show you anything because said husband also took the camera with him... hmmmpf!
... and secondly, I guess I've been a little caught behind the scenes doing all the fun computer work that needs to be caught up on from when we were gone so much this summer. But I could hold out no longer with getting my fingers on the fabrics from Anna Maria's LouLouThi collection... (swoon!)
... just trying to figure out if today I am a blue girl or a red girl. What about you? Well, most of the time I'm neither, but I gotta say that this collection is really working for me. Maybe it's the deep rich colors that reflect the upcoming season.
Oh, Fall... I love your colors, but not the cold that is coming after you.
So have you noticed I've kinda been on a theme here with buttons lately? But hey, I've seen some blogs where just about every other post is about their cat. (no offense cat lovers) Since I have no cats or dogs or any other pets... would you allow me just one more post about buttons? I guess I kind of got on a roll and just couldn't stop.
So I realize that not everyone sews and that perhaps such a little thing like sewing on a button is more like work than fun, so I thought I would share a few non-sewing related ideas that one can still do with buttons. Looking for a couple home decorating ideas or even a fun twist on decorating wedding tables?
Why not simple white buttons for a soft but elegant statement?...buttons, buttons, and more beautiful buttons!
Or do you find yourself really in your element in the kitchen? Edible buttons... who would have thought that they could be such a tasty notion... cakes, cupcakes, cookies and lollipops?
Maybe your love for paper surpasses your love for fabric... or at least this week anyway? Who doesn't love a sweet homemade card that says to that someone that you are special... all jarred up, how to grow buttons, snail buttons, and button tags.
Or do you fall more into the "computer geek" category... well, never fear, here's a downloadable wallpaper, and the great thing is that it is filled with buttons that you will never have to sew... how great is that?!?
So, whatever your "thing" might be, there might be a little more room for some serious button love.
Every year when I travel home to visit my family in the States, I have one standing appointment. My dad's sister, who is an incredible quilter and seamstress, and I always make a trip to the local fabric shop that is filled from top to bottom with beautiful quilting fabrics. We leisurely work our way through the entire shop oohhing, aahhhing, and touching just about every single bolt of fabric in the store. You see, we have a special bond that only other creative people can understand... that connection for a love of crafting. On a recent visit, she gave me some vintage buttons that had been given to her... pehaps from her aunt or other relative, who obviously shared the same passion. I'm not sure if I had even told her before about my passion for buttons.
For some reason, I seem to be fascinated especially by vintage buttons... almost feeling the history behind these tiny little accents. I absolutely fell in love with the sweet little cards that once displayed these small notions, and while there are several missing, I feel that it only adds to their charm.
Perhaps I too will never use them, or years down the road that perfect project will surface that is calling for just a touch of sweetness, or maybe I will one day pass them onto a creative niece that shares the same passion... but for now, I will just simply enjoy them.
What do you find yourself doing on beautiful fall days?
