Summer Sewing

It has been incredibly hot in Michigan for the past few days.  I am not complaining since the sting of this past winter is still fresh in my mind as well as the gray every-single-day of January.  So I'll take the heat, literally.  Since the weather has forced me inside, I've been able to cross some things off my project list.  I've been wanting to make this top for my daughter for quite some time.

The pattern is Amy Butler's "Sun Surf Halter Tunic Top".  I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was, lining and all.  I was careful to take good measurements as my daughter needed the size three times larger than what she normally wears.

The pattern was written quite well, easy for even this novice clothing maker to figure out.  My daughter loves it and loves the fact that no one else will have it.  I hope that it encourages her to try her hand at sewing as well.  We'll see!

Joyfully,

Fun Quilting Blog

I am in love with a blog that is new to me and wanted to share it with you today.  Over 1200+ people follow Red Pepper Quilts located in Melbourne, Australia.  Rita is the creator behind these wonderful quilts and I just stand it awe of her creativity.  

Rita takes the most basic, simple blocks and with her use of color and pattern turns a quilt into a breathtaking work of art.  Her color palette is much different than mine but I am drawn to it like a magnet.

The colors in this quilt are stunning and I love her random use of aqua for a bit of interest and variation. Be sure to stop by her blog for a visit and check out her Flickr for photos of other outstanding quilts.


Blessings,

From Trash to Treasure

Yesterday I was looking for a simple project and after cleaning my sewing room I remembered I had a footstool I've been wanting to recover.  

I was excited when I found this at Goodwill for $9.50.  I already had the rose decorator fabric and so I got to work.

I decided to add some vintage yo-yo's and make some leaves just to add some whimsy.  I really like the way it turned out.  What are you up to today?

Joyfully,

Something Old to Something New

I hope that all of you experienced a safe and festive 4th of July.  I had a bit of time to sew this weekend and have been wanting to try a pattern I have seen on two blogs, Cottage Cozy and Sweet Cottage Dreams.  Carrie and Becky both made beautiful blouses and since I don't usually make clothing, I thought I would give it a try.  I didn't want to use any "good" fabric since it's expensive and I didn't know if I would be able to figure it out so I search around in my pile of goodies and found two vintage tablecloths that had bad stains in places and had been purchased to make into something else.  I used the floral cotton cloth for the front and back and used a linen, crochet trimmed cloth for the sleeves.  I really like the way it came out and as my post title states, something old became something new.

I did learn a couple of things that I want to share.  First of all, pattern sizing is not like purchased clothing items.  I normally wear a size 10-12 top and needed to use the size 16 pattern for the blouse.  It's important to take your measurements.  I know we all get hung up on numbers (I'm one of the worst) but we are what we are, beautiful any size, and it would be so frustrating to finish it only to find out that you couldn't get it over your head.  Also, the grain of the fabric is important.  There is not a whole lot of stretch with a cotton tablecloth, but the little there is should have been placed in the opposite direction for sure.  You want it to bend and stretch where you do.  For a test sample, I'm quite pleased and plan on wearing it.

I ventured outside to see how the garden stood up to the intense heat on the 4th and caught a shot of this dragonfly.  Honestly, it hung around so long that I thought it was posing!

I couldn't resist sharing this fantastic lily with you.  I love it's ruffled edges and intense center color.  It seems to me like it's sporting a fancy ball gown.  I hope this day finds you thankful and rested from the weekend.

Hugs,

Sunday Scripture

"The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

the will run and not grow weary

they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31

Wishing you a wonderful Fourth of July!

Be blessed,

Friday Pretties

I have an unusual Friday Pretty today.  This is my son and he's been on my mind ever since he called last night.  It was one of those calls the Mother of a ball player does not want to receive.  I don't remember most of the conversation before and after I heard, "Mom, I took a ground ball to the forehead tonight."  I realize that it was a good thing that he called and not a coach, or a doctor.   I'm calculating in my head that a 225 pd. twenty-something year old hitting a ball pitched at 89 mph, ricocheting into the ground and my son's forehead.  I squeaked out a "are you alright?"  No stitches, just an incredible goose-egg sized lump/bruise and the makings of a major headache.  I do remember him saying that he was lucky it just missed his eye.  I weakly handed the phone to his father and offered up a thankful prayer to Jesus.

Taylor, who is going to be a sophomore this fall, plays baseball for a wonderful Christian college.  His coach has placed him on a team this summer in New York, far away from us in Michigan.  Though I miss him terribly, it's a great team and he's doing good community service, teaching youths about Christ and growing spiritually himself.  I'm so thrilled with the man he is becoming.  So while my heart aches a bit today and I wish I could see him, I trust that he is where he needs to be.  So he's my Friday Pretty today, cause I think he's pretty special (and pretty cute too!)

Visit Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things for more Friday Pretties.

Blessings,  

It's Hunky Dory

All of your comments yesterday about the "Kinship of Women" were a balm for my soul.  Thank you!  I have had some time to do a little sewing this week, another balm for my soul.  The quilt above is for my daughter.  She picked out the fabric, "Hunky Dory", and I had strict instructions to keep it as simple as possible (what is she implying?) She wanted to see big fabric pieces and let the fabric do all the talking (even though she doesn't want to quilt yet, she's got the lingo down).  I had two layer cakes, a jelly roll and some yardage of fabric.  I did some big rectangles, squares and threw in a few rail fence blocks for interest (couldn't help myself...)  She loves it and I need to get it off to the quilter.  I'm planning on surprising her with crocheted pillowcases to match. 

I had big plans to sell this pillow at the barn sale but never got it finished.  Clearly my camera is dirty because there is not a spot in the middle of the pillow (I checked, twice).  I found the piece already embroidered and put red gingham fabric on the back.  It's a big pillow, measuring 26x26.  The redwork is amazing, the stitches are so tiny.

The garden is just breath-taking this year.  I keep bringing fistfuls in so I can enjoy them while they are here, before fall comes peeking around the corner.  I was so disappointed to see some fall clothes at the mall the other day.  Really?  It's not even the 4th of July yet.  Maybe that means there will be some good summer sales!

Joyfully,