Animal Crackers

I plan to make a quilt for my littlest nephew for Christmas. So this is what I am thinking…

I am not keen on making it too fussy or decorative, he is a little boy after all. I just want to make something fun! I thought that 2 or 3 fabric choices would suffice. Just a simple design with a polka dot or striped backing. I’ve had my eye on the Zoology fabric since last year, and I am thrilled that I am still able to get my hands on some from Tonic Living.  With the blue and chocolate polka dot fabric, I think it’s just so cute and perfect for a little guy! I am sure it will live to see countless naps, cuddly time and animal cracker crumbs.

As this will be the simplest of quilts that I make in the next couple of months, it should be a good warm up for the more complex designs that I plan to tackle. I will share the results with you soon.

sew pretty!

While perusing the Fabric Worm website, I came across some new fabric bundles that I may just have to give in to and purchase. I love, love, love these:
 

The Monaluna Organic Monaco 1/2 yard bundle in teal is made up of 8 fabrics.  It is just so sweet and quirky, just like my teen-aged niece.  This has her name written all over it.  I have been promising her a quilt, and I think I have finally found the right fabric.

This Cocoa Custom Cocktail 1/2 yard bundle is a mix of 12 various designer fabrics (Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, Monaluna, etc...), and I absolutely love it for myself.  I adore the warm pinks and cheery yellows against the deep cocoas. 

Every bit of this bundle screams me.  Such a lovely mix! I definitely have to plot out a design that best shows each fabric in all of it's beauty. No room for mistakes or improvising here.

I am so excited, I am not sure which to dive into first.

cooler temperatures = motivation

I find it hard to believe that August is over and we are just over 2 weeks away from Autumn.  I feel like the past month as flown by in an instant.  While July I feel I have missed entirely.

I find myself sitting here indoors on Labour Day, marveling at just how cool the temperatures are and how quickly things have changed. After having such a hot and humid June/July/August, this sudden damp and chilly weather has caught me off guard.  The one good thing is that I am far more motivated and ready to get sewing (something that I have found difficult to settle into these last 4-5 months or so.)  After all, who wants to sit indoors during the sun-shiny weather when you can spend it walking by the boardwalk, taking in as much daylight as possible, or pushing yourself through an outdoor fitness boot camp ?(yes, willingly making yourself sweaty on a 30 degree celcius day--but so much fun).

My urge to "make something" a few weeks back was more a vague idea or feeling, but not a very strong one. Now, it's an itch that I must scratch.  I have somewhat of an aversion to the cold and dampness. The cooler temperatures have me thinking about quilts and pots of spicy tea--both in large quantities.  Two things that I like very much.

=)

Feeling Crafty

2 cans of Rustoleum + 1 red metal tool box = an interesting adventure.

This little tool box is in for a make-over... a bit of personality, with the help of some vanilla and pink hues. I intend to use this as an organizer for my sewing supplies and tools. I love the durability of metal over plastic, I am just not all too keen on the colour red.

Hey, if this actually turns out looking half decent, I may just have to do another one.

Stay tuned for the results!

A remedy for a creative block?

I do this all the time. I feel stumped--stuck, unable to come up with an idea. For days I will doodle and sketch in a vain attempt to produce my next project.

Silly me, I have a nice little library of sewing books to inspire me! When I cannot come up with something on my own, there is always the trusty bookshelf to get me all warmed up.  A simple apron here, a book bag there and I am all revved up and ready to sew!  In browsing Amazon.ca, I came across some newer titles that I'm very excited to get my hands on.

Of course, there's Amy Butler's Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags.  On principal alone, I must add this to my library, having collected all of her other books...  But then there's The Bag Making Bible: The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags.  A companion guide perhaps?  Oh, and then there's Joel Dewberry's Sewn Spaces: Fresh and Modern Projects For Your Life and Home.

There are actually a great many titles that I want to check out. I will share them with you in the coming months, and review them as I acquire each book. It's been a very long time and I think my library (as well as my creative soul) needs a bit of refreshing. Part of me wants to just put them on the old birthday wish list, but I am not sure if I can wait that long.

This is good... I am starting to feel like my old self.

a cry for help!

So, after a busy week and even busier weekend of cooking, planning, decorating and throwing a surprise birthday party, this chicky is wiped out!

In spite of how tired I am, I have had this itch to make something. I finally had my sewing machine fixed about 3 months ago and managed to purchase a new one during that time. So being so well equipped, why haven't I actually produced a single item yet? Sorry, I haven't any exciting or acceptable excuses other than the fact that I have simply been too tired, too busy, too something...  To be honest, I have been feeling out of sorts and rather uninspired in the last little while, a rut that I desperately wish to come out of. I need some inspiration.

While venturing to the basement to locate some scissors, I heard a little whisper.  It was my pretty little pile of Sandi Henderson Meadowsweet fabrics, begging to be used.  I've had 4 piles of these fat quarters since early Spring. I had purchased it with the intention of making a sweet quilt or picnic blanket for the summer. I was so excited when I opened up my package, but somehow managed to set it down and not return to it.  I actually have several fat quarter bundles of designer fabrics that I had intended to whip up into something special. There is the Heather Bailey Nicey Jane collection, the Amy Butler Love collection.... fabrics just waiting to be used.  The more I look at them, the more my fingers start to itch.

Let's see what develops.

Amy Butler Soul Blossoms

A little something to look forward to, old news to most of you.  Since early Spring, I have been relishing the release of Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms fabric line, due out this September.

Inspired by Amy's travels to India, this collection consists of rich colours, patterns and beautiful textures.  3 colour collections, Passion, Joy and Bliss make up this stunning collection, in quilting/fashion weight, home decor and laminated options.   Here's a sneak peak.

If only I could afford to buy them ALL... *sigh*  I am  actually quite excited!  Having missed out on a great deal of the Love supply (boo!), I intend to purchase my Soul Blossoms supply promptly here.  Oh, and guess what? There's matching thread.  I love it!

=)