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This came in the mail today. I have a love/hate relationship with Pottery Barn. The catalog is oh so beautiful, but the prices exceed my budget. This issue made me really happy because I can sew. I can make these
well maybe not the quilts ( too labor intensive for my short attention span), but after my experiment earlier this month with patchwork, I could make one of the pillows. Who knew paying attention in home ec sewing would pay off one day!
I am not sure what it is I love so much about this catalog. I think it may the photography. Somehow, some talented photographer is able to elicit emotions from home furnishings. I love this photo mosaic in the catalog
it reminds me of the photo mosaics that I adore on flickr. It also makes me want to buy those candles, and those towels, and make labels for my cheese.
23 years ago today my son Gavin was born. It is hard to believe that so much time has flown by. He has been a joy to me every minute he has been a part of my life.
The hardest part of parenting is letting them leave the nest. Gavin recently got his own apartment, and the house doesn’t seem the same without him.
He is really an incredible person: funny, generous, smart and independent. He has marched to the beat of his own drum since he was a little boy, and I love that about him.
Happy birthday. I love you.
I’m not sure what this is called. If you live in England, I think it is called a bunting, but here in American it is called a banner. I love the idea of cute little flags flapping in the breeze and adding a bit of color to the yard. This was a fun and easy project, and I am sure I will be making more. Maybe some for inside during the holidays?
Here’s what’s in bloom in the backyard right now. Painted daisies, chartreuse zinnias and day lilies. I hope I cropped out most of the weeds 
.
Hope you enjoyed the weekend doing all the fun things that make you happy!
Here it is! Ta-Dah! I actually made a bag without a pattern! Becky showed me a picture of a bag that she really liked, and I thought, hmmm, I think I could make one.
I started out by cutting a rectangle out of the floral print, made a few pleats, then attached to the strip of the pink polka dot. The hardest part was making the lining, as I now had angles to work with, and wanted to make sure it would fit without any puckers.
Here’s a close up. Is this fabric combo not totally adorable?
The straps were super easy. I added a divided pocket to the inside as well as a magnetic closure. It took me a few minutes to remember how to make a buttonhole.
All in all I think the bag turned out cute, and Becky really loves it.
After waiting all weekend, the mailman finally delivered the fabric I ordered. It is gorgeous, and I am having fun just looking at it and deciding what it all should become. Do you want to see?
This fabric is part of a collection called Summer Soiree by Paula Prass. I love the turquoise print and the bright colors.
Next is
This fabric is by Jennifer Paganelli and her line is called sis boom. I think it looks like something you would find in grandma’s attic, but with a decided twist.
Becky has requested a handbag, so the yellow floral and pink polka dot may be used for that. The turquoise print is my inspiration for my craft/sewing room. I was thinking of turquoise and red, but love the blast of orange and pink. I have no idea what I am going to do with the rest. I am sure I will be inspired by something.
I have another small project to share with you. I have been seeing custom camera straps and wanted one for mine trusty nikon.
So I made one. Again using my stash of fabric scraps, this took me about 15 minutes from start to finish. It took me about an hour to figure out how to put the camera strap back on my camera. The fabric is Amy Butler’s Kashmir and I lined the inside with fleece. It is much more comfortable than the standard issue strap. Cute, no?
Knitting in the summer in a house with no air conditioning presents something of a problem. Wool and heat and humidity do not make for a pleasant knitting experience. Enter the cotton dishcloth. I love making these things. They feed my need for instant gratification, the cotton yarn is cheapy cheap and you only have to cast on and cast off 4 stitches. And look at the colors!
As much as I like making these, I really love using them. I have a stack I use in the kitchen, and another stack for in the shower. One of these cloths and a squirt of philosophy shower wash is a little daily luxury.
As you may or may not know, I LOVE to read blogs and check out flickr. There are so many inspiring photos of things I would like to make, and was inspired to sew. After months of inactivity, the sewing machine was hauled out to make this
I ordered gorgeous, yummy fabric earlier this week, but did not get it in the mail in time for weekend crafting. So I dug through my scraps of fabric left over from last summer’s bag making marathon. I don’t know why I never thought to sew a pillow before because it was relatively easy and completely fun. I loved doing the patchwork so much that I then made this
My table was really looking dull and drab so this perks it right up. I am looking around the house with new eyes, thinking of all of the things I can cover in patchwork. I have an old bench moldering away in the bedroom with some seriously ugly maroon velvet upholstery. Next project may be a patchwork cover. You may be be seeing some before and after photos. Who doesn’t love a good makeover?
Remember my idea of having a pink and green garden? Here are the zinnias from that grew from the packet labeled pink zinnias. Am I mad? No way! I love the mix of colors.
Isn’t this orange scrumptious. There is no way I could have mixed these colors the way that mother nature did.
I have to admit I can take very little credit for the growing of these beauties. Other than buying the seeds and potting soil, Becky has been the gardener this summer. She has planted and watered these zinnias to the peak of perfection. I am so glad she has a green thumb!
