New Beginnings

Sometimes the hang-up in being creative is that it is easy to be all over the place and the next new project idea is an all too frequent distraction. I suffer from this in a big way. Even though I am not a let's be disciplined about making a long list of New Year's Resolutions kind of girl, (hmmm, very fitting to this time of year) I do have some creative goals/challenges to reign myself in a bit.

"Santa" (aka Hubster) was very nice to me this Christmas in giving me two books from my wish list... now how did he know it was exactly what I wanted?!? Even though I don't buy sewing and craft books very often, I'm totally excited about adding the new books from Carolyn Friedlander, Savor Each Stitch, and Alison Glass Applique to my small collection. Perhaps it might be interesting to know that I´ve been stalking the quilting scene as a quiet and non-participating observer for a very, very long time. My skills and knowledge are there, but I haven't trusted myself enough with my focus to jump in. You, know... just a toe in the water kind of thing.

Well, I've jumped in now and have hit hard. I'm finding that I really enjoy the process, but putting my projects to the side (because who finishes a quilt in a day, right?) feels a little undisciplined and like I have too many UFO's in the works. But with that being said, I had a Eureka moment while flipping through one of my books. One book gives a variety of project size options from mini to small, medium and big, and then it hit me... I think that I would get the most satisfaction out of exploring a variety of quilting techniques if I don't try to eat the whole whale all at once, but instead get full on a variety of little mini appetizers. If you happened to miss my figurative language here... essentially it is my goal to take on lots of little bite size projects before I tackle my "whale".

So, here it is, in black and white:

to finish at least three sewing projects inspired from each of my new books. That's six in total, not including other projects along the way. So, here I am (surprisingly) already done with a couple blocks from the Facing East quilt from Carolyn Friedlander. I've read a lot that paper piecing can be the scary monster that keeps people from buying certain patterns or books, but now that I've gotten a few blocks under my belt, paper piecing has become somehow a little more mouse-like.

So, start at the beginning, and then go!

... and another new beginning is a first time link-up for me for WIP Wednesday on Freshly Pieced's blog. What are you  working on?

Read More

Reflections

Have you ever had one of those years, where you inwardly say to yourself… oh, it just feels like Christmas? What is it that gives us that it’s” the most wonderful time of the year” feeling?... the decorations, the hustling and bustling, the favorite music carols heard everywhere, the delicious high-calorie comfort foods, a dimly lit room lightened by the soft flicker of candles, spicy smells floating through the house, maybe even snow in your part of the world?

I would have to admit that for the past several years, I’ve spent a good deal of time inwardly pondering once the grey winter months arrive, what makes me feel or not feel like it is Christmas. Having lived in a foreign country for the past eight years, my challenge has been to create that Christmas feeling while the one element that makes me “feel” like it is Christmas is missing… my family.

This year will be the very first year that my husband and I have had a Christmas tree together… funny that the 8^th year means “new beginnings”. Each year I’ve wanted a tree, but because of travel plans, whether to my parents or his, or sticky finger children that leaves only one option to set up a tree inside the playpen instead of outside of it, we’ve somehow never managed it. But this year we did manage … a little later than I had hoped, but accomplished nonetheless. It was essentially the first tree that we stumbled on, and a fine tree it is. Despite the kids excitement, I felt a certain melancholy mood as I was decorating the tree. This year has been full… full of good, full of busy, full of loss, full of change,  just plain full. 

Somehow unpacking my ornaments was a pure delight because it seemed as if each one was a surprise… “oh, I remember you” having been packed away all these years. With those memories, I thought about my family a lot. I thought about those that are mourning a much beloved friend that I lost just a few short months ago to cancer, and how this year will be about survival and just getting through for them, and not about “Merry and Bright”. While other friends that are mourning the loss of “what if” … and it makes me very grateful. 

This year during the Advent season we have been sharing each day what we are grateful for, and even my oldest has joined in. Of course, in keeping with kids say the darndest things, he has not disappointed, but I love the fact that he is learning to search out even the little things that he appreciates. Perhaps it is an attitude that should not be limited to just a day, or even just a season. So, despite the fact that the most important people in my life are missing this year, the truth of it is that my life is full of abundance. 

Wishing you the brightest this year for Christmas!

Read More

Anna Magazin

At beginning of January of this year, I submitted a couple of Easter projects to the OZ-Verlag magzine, Anna Magazine. To my surprise, I was told that Easter was a long gone theme and that they were currently working on Christmas. I think I was shocked into silence for the first few minutes having just packed my own Christmas decorations away. I obviously knew that magazines have to work ahead, but I never imagined that far ahead. So needless to say, I've been waiting quite a while to share what I've been working on since January. "Weihnachtsfreude", which are five of my projects are featured in the November issue of Anna Magazin:

Anfang Januar dieses Jahres, habe ich ein paar Oster-Projekte an das Anna Magazin vom OZ Verlag eingereicht. Zu meiner Überraschung, wurde mit mitgeteilt, dass das Thema Ostern schon längst vorbei wäre und derzeit an den Winter- / Weihnachtsmodellen gearbeitet würde. Zuerst war ich etwas schockiert,  weil ich meine Weihnachts-Deko ja gerade erst weg gepackt hatte... Mir war zwar bewusst, dass Magazine einen gewissen Vorlauf bei Ihrer Planung benötigen, aber so etwas langfristiges hatte ich mir nicht vorgestellt. Also habe ich mich dann an die Arbeit gemacht und Weihnachtsmodelle mit Stoffen aus einer brandneuen Kollektion entworfen. Verständlicherweise musste ich dann einige Zeit warten, bis ich endlich mit Euch teilen durfte, woran ich im vergangenen Januar gearbeitet habe, aber endlich ist es soweit: "Weihnachtsfreude" ist in der November-Ausgabe des "Anna Magazins" erschienen und beinhaltet fünf meiner eigenen Projekte samt Schnittmustern:

I used Cori Dantini's "Merry Stitches" line from Blend Fabrics, which I just adore (as you might have noticed from my last few posts) What a pretty little stack of fabrics? In addition to sweet little birds and angels, you will find...

Ich habe Cori Dantini's "Merry Stitches" Kollektion von Blend Fabrics verwendet (habt Ihr vielleicht schon hier gesehen). Was für ein wunderschöner Stapel Stoffe? Außer kleiner süßer Vögel und Engel findet Ihr...

... a Christmas wall hanging decor (Freude in German means "joy")

... einen Weihnachtsfreude-Wandschmuck,

...decorative accents for the perfect wintery table setting.

... die perfekten Akzente für eine winterliche Tischdekoration,

... mittens to line the chimney with care.

... Winterfäustlinge als frische Alternative zu den "alten Socken" für den Kamin,

... winter lovebirds snuggled in for the long cold season.

... süße Vögelchen, zusammen gekuschelt für die kalte Saison,

... and all wrapped up to give your special gives that extra touch.
 
... und einzigartige Geschenkanhänger, die Deinen Geschenken das gewisse Extra verleihen.

These and more great holiday crafting ideas can be found in the November issue of Anna Magazine.

Diese und andere tolle Ideen kannst Du in der November Ausgabe des "Anna Magazin" finden.

Read More

The Star of the Show

I love embroidery hoops as an alternative to traditional straight line framing. A round element added to a favorite photo wall is such an unexpected and welcome design feature. Embroidery hoops are fun, but even sometimes a new twist on the trendy craft alternative is a welcome change.

I was so excited when I found these wooden stars... perfect with a little patchwork background, freezer paper applique angel, interfacing, and stapled on the back side with a staple gun (an absolute must in any girl's toolbox!)

Just a simple red version for the smaller star is a great pop of color and perfect for Christmas decorating.

 

Fabrics: Cori Dantini "Merry Stitches", Basic Grey ("Figgy Pudding" and grunge basics), stash fabrics.

Stars: Depot (Germany) 

Freezer Paper

Read More

"One Pin a Week" Reversible Wrap Top

When I make things like this sweet little wrap top, it really makes me wish that I had girls of my own. What sewing mom does not want to whip up cute little dresses and tops to adorn her little princess? I'm sure that many could argue, why not sew for your boys then? But I guess I have never really had the same desire to make things for little people who have the talent to rip open a pair of pants faster than I can blink an eye.

Wenn ich Sachen nähe, wie dieses süße Wickelblüschen, wünsche ich mir immer ein bisschen, dass ich eigene Mädchen hätte. Welche nähende Mutter würde nicht schöne Kleidchen und Tops für das kleine Prinzesschen machen wollen? Ich bin sicher, dass man fragen könnte: Warum nicht auch für deine Jungs nähen? Aber ganz ehrlich, ich habe keine Lust, so viel Zeit in ein Projekt zu stecken, welches im Nullkommanix auseinander gerissen wird... ;-)

The thing I really like about this pattern (here's my inspiration pin) is that it is reversible... and free at that! It is a really well done pattern, and I am always pleased with the end result. I used Cori Dantini's "Tiny Seeds" in red and decided to use the same fabric for the second side in grey.  Great with jeans, mixed with white, or other holiday combinations.

Was ich am Schönsten an dem Schnittmuster (hier ist mein Inspiration pin) finde, ist dass es zweiseitig ist... und auch kostenlos! Das Schnittmuster ist toll gemacht und ich bin mit dem Endergebnis immer sehr zufrieden gewesen. Ich habe Cori Dantini's "Tiny Seeds" in rot ausgewählt, und habe bei der zweiten Seite für den Stoff in grau entschieden. Super mit Jeans oder mit Weiß kombiniert, oder chic für Weihnachten.

For the bird applique I used the Freezer Paper technique. This is a little more complicated than a straight line template or a circle. Stay tuned for the how-to!

Den Vogel habe ich mit der Freezeer Paper Technik gemacht. Etwas aufwendiger als bei einer geraden Linie oder einem einfachem Kreis. Wie ich es gemacht habe, zeige Euch später!

Read More

All Wrapped Up & Advent Calendar Idea

I often find that sometimes I get more excited about giving gifts for Christmas than I do about getting them. When I have the time, I really like to make each one personal with fun little accents and extra details... besides half the fun of getting a gift is the eye-candy wrapping, right?

Oft finde ich es fast schöner Geschenke zu geben, als Geschenke zu bekommen. Ich liebe es, jedes mit kleinen, feinen Details individuell zu gestalten... und außerdem; Ist eine super-gelungene Verpackung bei einem Geschenk nicht schon die halbe Freude?

One of my favorite ways to wrap gifts is using simple brown kraft paper, simple twine, with fabric accents. I had some leftover scraps from my Merry Stitches fabrics and made more of my sweet Freezer Paper gift tags, essenitally using the same concept as my Freezer paper gift tags found here.

Eines meiner Lieblings-Geschenkpapiere ist einfaches braunes Packpapier, eine einfache Schnur und natürlich Stoff Akzente. Mit ein paar Resten von den Merry Stitches Stoffen und Freezer Paper habe ich noch weitere Geschenkanhänger gemacht. Im Prinzip, das selbe Konzept wie meine anderen Deko-Anhäger hier:

Aren't these bags great as small gift bags?... or even better all stacked up together for an elegant Advent calendar? The fabrics from Cori Dantini are perfect for making them.

Sind die Geschenkbeutel nicht süß?... Und noch besser, wenn man 24 Stück davon für einen super eleganten Adventskalender benutzt? Die Stoffe von Cori Dantini sind einfach fantastisch dafür geeignet.

What are your favorite gift wrapping ideas for the holidays?

Wie verpackst Du am Liebsten deine Weihnachtsgeschenke?

Read More

"One Pin a Week" Cotton & Steel

When I first saw the Cotton and Steel fabrics reveal this past spring, the one thing that was so appealing to me, is how well they combine together. It was so much fun doing this Patchwork pillow, noticing where one color played off the other, or repeated in a totally different print.

Als ich die Cotton and Steel Stoffe zum ersten Mal gesehen habe, fand ich am Schönsten,  wie genial man alle Stoffe zusammen kombinieren kann. Es hat so viel Spaß gemacht, diese Patchwork Kissen zu nähen und zu staunen wie super die Farben zusammen spielen.

So, joining in again on Lillesols und Pelle's One Pin a Week action, here's my inspiration pin, which by the way is also a free tutorial! The original pin is for a mini quilt that can used as a table centerpiece, but since the finished piece was large enough, I decided to turn it into a pillow.

So, nochmal nehme ich an Lillesols und Pelle's One Pin a Week Aktion teil, hier ist mein Inpirations Pin - der übrigens eine kostenlose DIY Anleitung ist! Das original Projekt ist für einen Mini-Quilt als Tischdecke gedacht, aber weil der fertige Block  ziemlich groß ist, habe ich mich nochmal für ein Kissen entschieden.

 

I find that I am very much enjoying smaller quilting projects... there is a lot of satisfaction in getting to the end result quicker.

Ich mag es kleinere Quiltingprojekte zu nähen... man kommt viel schneller zum Endergebnis!

Read More

"It's Tea Time" & Lena's Patchwork

As I've shared so many times before, with me quiet always equals busy, but today I actually get to share with you what I've been sitting on for months now... I'm now offically published!

Ich habe ja schon häufiger davon gesprochen, dass "Stille" bei mir immer "Geschäftigkeit" bedeutet. Von daher war es in der vergangenen Zeit wieder sehr still um mich, aber heute kann ich endlich mit Euch teilen, was ich "ausgebrütet" habe: Ab heute bin ich publiziert!

 

At the beginning of the year I started working with the OZ-Verlag magazine, Lena's Patchwork, and today is the offical release date featuring five of my projects, including patterns and instructions! (German only)

Anfang des Jahres, habe ich angefangen, mit dem OZ-Verlag und der Zeitschrift "Lena's Patchwork" zusammenzuarbeiten und heute ist der Erstverkaufstag der aktuellen Ausgabe mit funf meiner eigenen Projekte, inklusive Schnittmuster und Anleitungen!

 

When I first started thinking of what kind of projects I would like to make with the "Sweet as Honey" collection from Bonnie Christine, I thought hmm, bees... hexagons... honey... and the tea time theme grew from there.  Here are a few snippits from the magazine which can be found in stands now!

Als ich begann, mit den "Sweet as Honey" Stoffen von Bonie Christine zu arbeiten, dachte ich "Hmmm, Bienen, Sechsecke, Honig… und daraus ist dann das "Tea Time" Thema erwachsen. Hier sind ein paar Glimpse von dem Magazin, das jetzt überall zum Verkauf ausliegt.

 

I've set up in the shop a special category for materials and supplies.... happy sewing!

Ich habe im Shop eine spezielle Kategorie angelegt, unter der Ihr die Materialien und "Zutaten" für die Projekte aus der Zeitschrift findet. Viel Spaß beim Nachnähen!

Read More