Happy Halloween, Matey!

Happy Halloween!!!

Boy my little pirate crew sure is excited for the day!

Although I LOVED making the kids costumes last year, I just didn't have the time or the energy this year. Some things just aren't worth taking valuable time away from spending time as a family, and this year, it just wasn't worth it to me!

Alora wanted all three of them to match (remember yesterday how I said I too have a matching condition?? She comes by it honestly!). After throwing out a few ideas, they settled on being a band of pirates.

ARG!!

Up for the day ahead is Everett's preschool parade, then the elementary parade for Alora, then down to our small little downtown Crystal Lake for Trick or Treating. The shops have a candy handout every year, which the kids love. I know several of the shop owners, so it is so fun to see all the kids in town dressed up and visit all the shops we love. (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE living in a small town?)

Lastly, we'll head back to our neighborhood to trick or treat some more!

For dinner, we're planning on making hot dog mummies the likes of which have been all over Pinterest this fall.

Photo Credit - Head to Seakettle for the details

Those are for the kids, and I'll whip up some hearty, warm, chicken chili for us.  This recipe from Cooking Light is one of my favorites! Topped with some avocado, and tortilla chips, it is delish!

Photo Credit - Lee Harrelson

Lets hope the rain holds off for all the kiddies!

What are your plans? Do you have any Halloween traditions? I would love to hear about them!

Have a fun (and safe) Halloween!

Strip Piecing the Nights Away

The hubs has been traveling a lot lately which means I have had quite a bit of late evening sewing time after the littles are off to bed.



When the Mr. is in town, I have a hard time keeping my eyes open past 8:30 or 9, but when he is gone, I have to MAKE myself go up to bed at midnight or later! That quiet "me time" is oh so valuable when it's just mom holding down the fort!

A few weeks ago a stumbled upon some precuts of PB&J by Basic Grey for Moda at my LQS, Material Girl. (you can also find it here)

Photo Credit

I pickup up two charm packs and a layer cake, with really no idea what I was going to do with them!
I started poking around blogland trying to find a precut friendly pattern that I liked, and the instant I saw Angela of Fussy Cut's Starry Eyed tutorial on the Moda Bake Shop, I knew this was the one!!

Photo Credit

Just look at those blocks stark with contrast! The primary colors of PB&J and the pairing of modern geometric prints with softer florals was the perfect fit.

As Angela mentions in the tutorial, there is A LOT of strip piecing...like...holy moly. BUT, that's what is lending this top such an ease of assembly! It's flying together now that all these pretty little strips of color are all ready to go!

And, lets be honest. There is a part of me (the type A OCD 'ish' part) that really kind of loves the accurate cutting and methodical strip piecing of quilting!)

Here are the first four blocks taking up my pathetic modest sized design wall! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

I love how the contrast really makes those prints POP!

I grabbed a few extra fat quarters for adding a little piecing to the back with my scraps and possibly even for a pillow or two to match. I am a sucker for things that match. Maybe it stems from my mom dressing all three of us (my older brothers and I) in matching outfits for most everything growing up. Truly, I have to resist the same urge with my three littles.

Okay, maybe I don't always resist...

Instagram doesn't lie :) Hey, if you are on IG, come find me here and follow along!

I chose this lovely floral for the backing and who can resist and stripy/chevrony/herringbony binding? Yes, I totally made those words up and I'm sticking to it.

I also couldn't resist picking up this awesome newsprint fabric from my LQS as well. I have no idea what it will be used in, but the possibilities are limitless!

With 20 blocks total in this quilt, I could really use a bigger design wall...basement floor it is!

In other news, I recently finished this sweet churn dash top for a baby boy quilt.

The pattern is from Camille Roskelley's book Simply Retro. I love this book...I mean lurve it...

This pattern is called Baby Love and comes with two different variations. I chose to make mine in navy, red and black on gray. The fabrics for this quilt were from my stash.

Most prints are geometrics, except for those sweet little elephants! It adds just a touch of whimsy to this otherwise masculine baby quilt. Once I get it quilted up, I'll post completed proper pics!

 On deck is a Christmas Quilt! I've always wanted to make one, and I stumbled upon this custom roll at Material Girl and had to have it.

I love the bright reds and greens with the black and white (so apparently I'm on a high contrast kick!). The strips are 3.5' so slightly wider than a traditional jelly roll. I'm not sure on a pattern yet. Anyone have any good strip quilts or jelly roll patterns they love? Please share in the comments below if you do!

What works in progress are you working on? I would love to hear/see!

Have a great Halloween tomorrow, and I can't wait to show you my little crew's costumes!


God Bless,



I'm linking up today at WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced :)

A whirlwind catchup, a Mother's Day gift, and a new item for the shop!

I'm back! I'm back! It's a miracle!

It's been "ahem", a while since I last posted. To say the least.

We've been busy around these parts. Our family of 4 has grown to a family of 5 with the addition of our little Reid.

We were smitten from the moment we laid eyes on him. He's a handsome little fellow who looks a lot like his daddy. Hence his middle name, Justin.

His big sister and big brother took to him instantly and are so in love. 

Especially this one...

My how he has grown since those early days. 

Here are are now, and he's six months old TODAY! Amazing.

Even though Reid is our third baby, there are still items on the "baby wish list" that I never purchased. I had a Bijorn with my first two which worked fine, and have loved using my Maya Wrap ring sling and New Native pouch style sling with Reid. I'll tell ya, when you have to make lunch for two hungry kiddos, it sure helps to have your hands free and a happy baby! Pop him in there, and it's one happy crew on my hands!

One of our favorite family activities is walking, either in the woods or even just in our neighborhood. The slings work great for short periods of time, but the boy is getting big (read: heavy) and I have been wanting something a little more, well...ERGOnomic...for our walks...

YES! My awesome husband bought me an ERGO for Mother's Day, among a few other niceties (like pretty jammies, a maxi dress, and yoga classes!! I feel more relaxed just thinking about them. But I digress.)

I't s amazing. It feels amazing on my back. He is so supported and it's nearly effortless to put on!

I have to say, the little dude is very happy in there. 

But of course, what is the first thing he does? Gnaw on the awesomely padded, soft straps right in front of his mouth. Not too big of a deal, but washing the entire carrier all the time would not only be tedious, but may cause it to fade or wear out before it's time. 

So I, being the crazy lady that I am, ran down to the sewing room before our woods walk on Mother's Day, and made up a quick set of drooler pads for that little guy to work his teething gums on to his heart's content. Reversible with easy on, easy off snap closure, they are perfect. And as a bonus, I can add a little of my own style to my carrier! 

Perfect for our Mother's Day Walk. And my back didn't hurt a bit!

After a request from an old high school classmate to purchase some for herself and her darling new baby girl, I decided to add these to my shop!

Aren't they darling?? I just love these prints by Sweetwater for Moda. It's part of the Noteworthy line. Perfectly sweet.

This is the first set listed, and you can find them right here, but there will be more to come! I will let you know when I'm all stocked up. Are they any colors or styles you would like to see?

I can't wait to make another pair for myself (and my little man) as well. He sure seems to like them!

 Did you do anything special for Mother's Day? I hope it was spent with those you love.

Warm regards,

Knitting for Project Hope and Threads of Love

I'm busy knitting away on some very special, purposeful, tiny hats for a great cause. Enter Laura, of Splendor, a lovely woman and mother with a beautiful heart. She has spearheaded an awesome project called Project Hope. 


Laura is collecting items to be placed in boxes made by a wonderful organization called Threads of Love. They provide clothing, blankets and other handmade articles for tiny premature and sick infants, as well as for parents facing the death of an infant through miscarriage, infant death or stillbirth. Here's their mission statement:


"We desire to show God's love to the parents and loved ones of these babies in their time of uncertainty. Perhaps those who are experiencing incomprehensible pain may know a peace and serenity that extends beyond the situation. We want to simply be there to bring the unsaid message of God's presence and His infinite love and compassion."


You can read more about Laura's personal story and her special mementos here. What specifically are in these boxes you may ask? Here is a more concrete list from Laura of items that will be contained in the boxes:


-Tiny crochet hats and booties for shadow boxes {25 sets of blue or 25 sets of pink}
-Small teddy bear
-Small cross charm to be worn on a necklace or bracelet
-Small token coins with word Hope hand stamped.
-Christmas ornament
-Small lovie blanket
-Small bag with pink or blue ribbon for a lock of hair {25 of each color}
-Tags for hair lock bags with scripture verse- Matthew 10:30 "For even the very hairs on your head are numbered" 
-A small print with the verse Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to bring you HOPE and a future"
-Each box will include a printed prayer as well that has been donated. Moms can frame this prayer as a memory as well.  
-Burial gowns are also made for the baby and put into the box.


If you would like to be a part of Project Hope by contributing these special keepsakes to a family, giving a monetary donation, or help with decorating the boxes, click on the button below to find out more and get involved. 

Being a mother and a NICU nurse, this project hit very near to my heart, and I immediately wanted to be involved. I pray that God uses everyone involved to collectively be a comfort and a ministry to each recipient.

Warm up for fall!

Fall is here.

The trees have ushered in the the season with flaming torches quivering on their branches. We love to watch how each day transforms the leaves into a new more autumn saturated hue.

My refrigerators are loaded with apples after last weeks trip to the orchard.

Nothing like a fresh picked, juice running down your sleeves,
apple 

Everett is my sustainability champion. Waste not, want not.
Why pick from the trees when there are plenty of great apples right here on the ground?

Is there anything better than a big stick?

Lucky for us, this means a table full of harvest recipes piping hot and filling the senses with delight, from apple pork roasts to apple crisp.

This truly is one of my favorite times of year. 

Cooler weather also means my fingers are itching even more than usual to create some warmth on those needles! That means some new additions to the shop as well as many custom orders (thank you to my wonderful customers!)

Cashmere / Merino Boys Stripe Hat

A few new hats that are ready to ship as well as many to custom order.

Dusty Pink Cashmere / Merino Hat with Pearl Rosette Clip

Cashmere / Merino Wool Eyelet Band Hat with Rhinestone Rosette Clip

100% Organic Cotton Ladybug Hat 

Also, new detachable rosettes! They are mounted on an alligator clip (or brooch pin) so they can be attached to the hat as well as worn alone as a hair or clothing accessory.

The colors are stunning and the fibers sumptuous. Go grab something for yourself or your kids and use this coupon code so you can have 15% off!!

WarmUp4Fall

It's time to cozy up and enjoy the season!

All the best,