house on hill road

Project Life :: 2012

I just completed my 2012 Project Life project.

What is Project Life? It's a scrapbooking system that is the brain child of Becky Higgins. For me, it's scrapbooking light. Take the photos, print the photos, journal a little and stick it all in a binder. You don't need a dozen different embellishments or really anything fancy at all. Just photos and words. And as someone who has boxes of photos that aren't in albums along with computer drives chock-full of digital photos, I wanted to have something concrete to look at, to hold in my hands and this system works for me. I have also never scrapbooked before in my life (yes, boxes and hard drives full of photos) and I love this project.

I began working on it in January of 2012 with the intention of documenting each week on a weekly basis. Sometime in April I stopped. Life got busy and something had to give and I guess that something was Project Life. My girls kept looking back at the first three, completed months of the years and asked when I was going to finish. I paged through the album and realized that I had to finish. Over the Christmas holidays, I spent the better part of two days culling through photos and uploading them to be printed. And then over the last two and a half months, I put it all together.

I've captured all our vacations and every day moments in one place. And while the layouts I did at the beginning of the year certainly had more detail and journalling than those that happened later, they all put a smile on my face. I have done a 365 photo project on Flickr for the past 5 years and while I adore that (and am still taking a photo every day), this has far more photos and moments captured than that project ever could. This is probably the best job at memory keeping I have done since, well, forever.

My 2013 album is empty and waiting for me to fill it. The supplies are at hand, the photos waiting to be uploaded. I'm anxious to get a start on this year and catch up to the present. I figure it shouldn't take me too long - maybe a few weeks. No matter. Did I mention that I love this project?

Liberty Love

I've had Alexia Abegg's book Liberty Love for awhile now and I really cannot say enough good things about it. It's beautiful to look at with a wide range of projects. There are bags and quilts and clothes. Things for children, women and men. And the best part? While they all contain gorgeous Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics, many of the projects also have other fabrics paired with the Liberty. This brings down the overall cost (that Tana Lawn can be pricey) and keeps the sewn items from looking overly floral and sweet. The projects are all solidly designed with straightforward instructions and excellent diagrams. I think it is worthwhile to add that they could be made from fabrics that aren't Liberty as well. Prime example - the Marcelle Medallion quilt. If you are on instagram, check out the hastags #medallionalong and #marcellemedallion to see what I mean. I'm *this* close to joining in on the fun.

All that said, I purchased a couple sets of Liberty scraps from esty seller PickClickSew to play with. (As an aside, Dee was a delight to work with and I highly recommend her etsy shop if you are looking for Liberty lawn). I started by making the pin cushion - mine is a bit smaller than the one in the book, but it's the same idea. It was also fast and easy. I also bought a hunk of charm squares for another project - the spools quilt that is in the book. When I will get to that, I have no idea, but I will. I love me some Liberty.

Snow Oyster Quilt

I finally finished this quilt that I started in July at the Denyse Schmidt workshop I took in Portland at the PNCA. I am beyond thrilled with how it came out, mostly because it was a creatively inspiring exercise for me. Every step, from the colors I used to the quilting design and everything in between, had me pushing myself a little out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. And now, I have this quilt. And I love it.

The quilt is based on the Shoeman's Puzzle from Denyse's book Modern Quilts, Traditonal Inspiration. In the workshop, we began by making four blocks using the templates. From there, rulers were put to the side and all the cuts were done freehand. As my number of blocks grew, I decided to vary the scale of the middle triangle and added a slight curve to the smallest one. I sewed a good number of blocks over the two days of the workshop and was very happy with the way it was coming together, so I came home and finished over the next few months. It is small - 44" x 59" after washing. The blocks were originally 8" finished, so it was 48" x 64" before I laundered it.

The solids are Kona Snow and Kona Oyster. Blair (who took the workshop with me) consulted her Kona color card and gave me some options of other off-whites that would work with Snow. I'm not sure that I would have chosen Oyster - the difference between the two colors is very slight and I think I gravitate towards more contrast. But, the Oyster was a wonderful choice because it IS a subtle difference in comparison to the Snow. (Thank you, Blair.) The other two prints I used in the quilt are both from my stash. I think they are from the Joelle Hoverson's Cake Rock Beach collection. Maybe? Regardless, they were put into the mix when the improvisational cutting left me with blocks that were too small and because their backgrounds are very, very close in color to the Snow and Oyster. After using them each once, I intentionally sprinkled them a tiny bit throughout the quilt top. I love the depth they add, as well as the element of surprise.

The back was constructed with my leftover solids. A swath of Oyster divided from the Snow by a simple strip pieced from the two prints. The quilting is an interlocking figure-8-ish design that evolved as I started quilting. I did not mark any lines on the quilt, but instead used the center seam line as a base and then worked above and below it until the quilting was complete. I think this quilting has an allover quality that this quilt needed without being too fussy, but still interesting enough. For the batting, I went with Quilters Dream Cotton. This is quickly becoming my favorite batting to use as it is low loft and very light, but crinkles nicely when washed.

The binding is a dark grass green from my stash. I'm guessing it is a Free Spirit solid. And although my original intent was to bind it with something a little more neutral or something a little flashier, I do like how this blends with the small green lines in one of the prints. Plus, I like green so it's always a good choice in my book.

When I look at this, I see something that is very different from other quilts I have made in the past. I can see how this quilt has pushed me to let go and to grow creatively. It is a good visual reminder of what can happen with improvisation and experimentation. And because I took my time, picking it up and putting it down over the course of seven months, it ended up being much different than I had envisioned it would be when I started it in July. It ended up better.

Lesson learned? Let go, play, take my time.

Recent stash additions

Any way I look at it, my recent fabric buying binge means that I need to stop shopping and start sewing. And probably de-stash, as well. Scrap bags anyone? What about small scraps? I'm never sure if anyone has interest in those. I use them to make little log cabins and for applique, but I could be a lone duck. Is it worth bagging those up as well? Tell me what you're thinking.

The quilting makes all the difference

 

 

This in progress photo was a few days ago. I've finished the quilting and I love how it has given this piece depth and texture that light solids didn't. I am ready to bind, but can't decide if I should stay neutral and unassuming or go for something a little bold and flashy.

Cullin Cowl (x 8)

Over the years, I have been part of a craft swap group. Each person in the group chooses their own craft and makes one for each of the other swappers. We took a hiatus a couple of years back and just started swapping again this past summer/fall. When I found out that our next swap would be in the winter, I immediately knew that I wanted to knit something. I had seen the pattern for the Cullin cowl on Quince & Co.'s site. It looked like a fun, fast knit and any excuse to buy a rainbow of yarn works for me.

I started in September, carrying various cowls around town as I sat in various waiting rooms and gyms while my kids did their things. Over the course of the fall, I knitted eight cowls. And I was right about the pattern - this is a fun and fast knit. The lace pattern is simple and easy to memorize. Plus, size 10 needles and a good, chunky yarn was easy for me to manage without my tendonitis flaring up. Each cowl took a little less than one skein of Puffin so it was fairly economical as well.

Last night I plopped the pile down in front of my friends and they each chose the color they wanted. In exchange, I received a set of patchwork coasters, three stone topped bottle stoppers, an adorable fabric and paper decoupaged canvas and a cool leather cuff. Oh, and four cowls to put in the gift closet. Or maybe it'll be three for gifts and one for me, seeing that no one picked green.

Back in the saddle

Basted and already partially quilted. Done on the spur of the moment when I realized that there really was nothing to stop me from starting a big project.

I didn't realize how much I missed this until I was wrestling it under the machine.

It feels good to be back to making.

Really, really good.

 

To do

This month is getting away from me! I have done no sewing at all since I finished the Tova dress. I did, however, finish my first painting and start a second one. I'm really liking that. But, back to the sewing....Last year I made a small list of projects that I wanted to tackle for our house and it was good inspiration to get sewing. Also, I loved checking items off the list. Who doesn't? I thought it would be a good idea to jot down what I hope to accomplish this year. As I made the list, it occurred to me that I have all the fabric I need for all of these projects on hand so I really have no excuses. I should just get sewing.

And so, in no particular order of necessity or preference, these are the sewing projects I hope to complete this year.

- Baste, quilt and bind quilt from the Denyse Schmidt workshop I took one weekend last July in Portland.

- Baste, quilt and bind the blue crazy star quilt.

- Make a sleeveless Painted Portrait dress in rayon.

- Make new bedskirts for Kate's two twin beds.

- Sew a shower curtain for the clawfoot tub.

- Sew a table skirt for the round table in the sun room.

- Make a quilt with the Liberty prints I picked up in London last October.

(That pile up in the photograph? Top to bottom: projects three, one and two.)

What do you hope to sew this year?

Tova dress (in a day)

I purchased a few yards of Chicopee corduroy in the fall with the express intention to make myself a Tova dress. After my failed attempt at a sleeveless Tova, this seemed a little foolish, but I just couldn't get the idea of a super soft corduroy frock out of my mind. I sat on the fabric for a couple of months and, finally, this past weekend decided to go for it.

After the sleeveless shirt didn't fit, I decided to take a closer look at the sizing. The first Tova I made was a size L and ended up being too small in the bust so I had gifted it to a friend and made myself a size XL. I wear that shirt all the time and because it was an XL, I made the sleeveless one an XL, too. The problems I had with the sleeveless one (gaping under the arms in particular) pointed to it being too big. A quick text to my friend later, I had the L in my possession to try on. Lo and behold, it fit me well! That made the dress decision easy - size L. (As an aside, I have lost a few pounds, but I think the real difference in fit is from new bras. As silly as that sounds, it made a huge difference.)

I cut the dress out on Friday evening. This is the process of garment sewing that I dislike the most, but it went fairly fast as I had all the pattern pieces other than the front and back already traced. I added 4 inches to the length as I am a tall girl and the dress as designed looked like more of a tunic on me. The sewing happened in two sessions on Saturday - about two hours in the morning and another hour and a half later in the day. I even managed to keep the nap running in the same direction throughout. Success! I should add that this pattern is extremely well written and easy to achieve if you take your time and go step by step. I have made it six times now and each time I learn a little something new.

I wore my new dress out on Saturday night. It was so satisfying to complete a project in a day! It's not always possible, of course, but starting 2013 with a garment sewing success is a good feeling. Now to finish the numerous other projects sitting around here half completed and start the ones that are just ideas floating through my brain. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Here we go.

Over the summer, I took a one night painting class in a local artist's studio with some girlfriends.  Almost immediately I wondered why I had ever stopped drawing and painting. Sitting there, with paints in hand, I felt creative for the first time in a long while. My brain was stretching, being used in a way that it hadn't been in a very long time. Before I left the studio that night, I talked to the teacher about it, got her card and declared that I would be back in January.

And Friday was that day.

I am excited to see where this will lead me. Right now, I am copying a painting instead of working from a photograph or memory or the like. During the first class I was able to get a first, light coat of paint finished and I began painting the background. It was completely enjoyable and I'm a little antsy for Friday so I can go back and do some more.

Taking Stock

Two days into the new year and I feel like I need to look back a bit. 2012 was a good year for me - a really good year, in many ways.

I started off the year with a word as my focus: make. It was about making time, making memories, making choices, making things, making friends, making food, making a home. And while it was not at the forefront of my mind at all times, I do feel that it was the guiding, and sometimes driving, force by which I lived in 2012.

As the year got underway, I felt like I needed a purpose other than being a wife and mother. I needed something for me, something to do, something to focus on. I said that bit out loud, to Fatty and a few friends, and the universe listened. An opportunity presented itself shortly thereafter and it felt right.

We tackled some long and overdue projects around our house. Rooms and woodwork were painted, light fixtures swapped out, wainscoting installed, carpet removed, the basement and garage trashed out. I admit it kind of snowballed, one project turning into another. In the end, though, I feel like this house we have lived in for 7+ years is finally feeling like us. 2013 will see more painting, more carpet removing, more organizing and less stuff.

We traveled. Some trips included the kids and extended family, others were just the two of us, one was by myself. We like to go places, see new things, eat and drink our way through cities. Many of my favorite memories of the year were made during our travels. Meeting friends I have "known" for years because of this blog and hanging out with our loved ones invigorates me. Still, I like home best. And I know that to be grounded, I need to be here more than anywhere else. I'm glad I finally realized that.

Sewing-wise, there were a couple completed quilts and two quilt tops that are waiting to be basted and finished. I sewed some clothes for myself and the girls. I finished a dress I started in the fall of 2011 and it has become a favorite. I finished a sweater that was started around the same time as the dress and I don't love it. Granny square fever struck in the summer. As with every year, there were some real winners craft-wise, and some real losers. Many of them not blogged. It's my intent to go back and chronicle some of these in the next month - stay tuned. I also took a one-night painting class with a group of girlfriends. Immediately, I knew I needed to get back to art. It felt good to play with paint and I wondered why I had ever stopped. Top of my list for 2013 is more art, both sketching and painting. I'm also continuing to focus on moving my body every day. It became abundantly clear that exercise, like making, is crucial to my mental well-being.

I made a definitive effort this past year to be present with my family when I am with them. This involved me saying no to some opportunities and leaving work to weekday school hours. I don't regret it one bit. My days had structure and I was very aware of what could be done in the number of hours I had. I think it helped me get beyond my procrastinating ways, as well. In the end, these girls are only home for a limited number of years and I am lucky that I get to spend a good part of my day with them. I want to be able to look back and know that I did everything I could for them and with them while I have the chance.

I'm in the throes of documenting our days from the last year using Project Life. I had started out 2012 strong and steady, but stopped sometime in April. This is one project I don't want to let go so I am back at it, halfway through August at this point. I will be continuing for 2013, too. With my fifth year of 365 under my belt, I have developed a strong habit of taking photos every day and I can't imagine not doing that. Recording these moments helps cement the memories. This is really important to me and the girls love looking back. So do I.

So, onward! I'm happy to be in 2013, feet firmly planted where I stand with lots of room to continue to grow. At 41 years old, I feel like I am finally settling into my own skin, my own being in ways that have escaped me previously. Kind of exciting, if you ask me.

Best gift I've made this year

Ok. I know that's a big statement - best. But truly, I haven't made many gifts this year so I'm going with it. Mama Cat and her skirt dwelling kittens were made last week and promptly given to my eighteen month old niece (which explains the bad quality photos - sorry). Evelyn would not put the kittens down during dinner - she calls them "meows" and was hugging, patting, and kissing them. She (and the cats) were killing me with cute.

You still have time to make this, if you can string a few hours together. The pattern is straightforward and easy. Plus, cute overload! Seriously, that little baby cat is under 3" tall. Tiny, tiny. Perfect for little hands. I used a lightweight, chocolate brown Italian wool (repurposed from a pair of Fatty's work pants) for the cat bodies. In theory, it was a good idea. But, woven wool = F R A Y I N G. And a fraying 1/4" seam allowance was a bit tricky to work with, but I managed. Next time I'll stick with quilting cotton or flannel for the bodies.

I hope that everyone has a nice, blessed holiday season. I'm taking a week or so off from everything to spend time with family and just be. I'm looking forward to 2013 - it looks to be a good one.

Merry Everything, Happy Always!

Rory's quilt

Look. I made something.

This is a Christmas gift, but since the recipient is only a couple months old, I figure I won't ruin the surprise. If his parents are reading, I'm sorry to blow it. But only a little. It felt really good to make something. I need more of that.

The quilt is on the smaller side - 33" x 44". It's the snake trails pattern from Denyse Schmidt's book, Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspirations. I really like making this one, curves and all. So much easier, for whatever reason, than the single girls I made for Kate. I cut the trail pieces from a jelly roll of Chicopee - each strip gave me 14 pieces, although you could maybe eek out 15 if you are super careful when cutting. Regardless, the small size is due to the fact that I only had 12 blocks to play with. Still, I like it. The background in Kona Snow, my favorite white. I bought 20 yards of it in one fell swoop last year and am down to my last 3 yards. Time to re-order.

I quilted it with straight lines, 2" apart on the diagonal. I couldn't think of another way to do it that I liked and that I had time for. If I had hours to spend, I would have tried to echo the curves in some way, but I didn't. I think this works nicely, though. I totally copied what Denyse did in the book so it has to be ok, right?

The binding is Moda Bella Solids in Marine. I bought it from Pink Chalk Fabrics - I totally adore them for taking the time to pick out the solids that go with different quilting collections. It makes internet fabric shopping a breeze. I used the leftover bits from the jelly roll to make a patchwork strip across the back, flanked by Kona Snow again. All of the fabric in this quilt was on hand - I just had to pick up batting. Score!

I have one more gift to make if I can find the time. Tiny cats, anyone? I'm feeling pretty optimistic about it, actually. I have adopted "all is calm, all is bright" as my mantra this holiday season. It's working.

Surfacing for a moment

We had a doozey of a week(end). Last Sunday (the one before Thanksgiving), Kate came down with the stomach flu. Jane was home on Tuesday with a migraine. Wednesday had Fatty in bed with the same bug as Kate - he surfaced on Friday. Thanksgiving morning, I had a fall at the beginning of a trail run complete with split lip, black eye and other scratches and bruises.

I am thankful it is all over.

Beyond that, Thanksgiving day itself was nice. My parents were here along with one of my brothers and his family. Our friends who were planning on coming stayed away (I would have, too!) and I was feeling lucky that I had two 12 pound turkeys so I could give one to them, along with a pumpkin pie and some other fixings. The food was great, the wine wonderful, the company good and the blessings bountiful despite all the illnesses.

The rest of the weekend was spent going to basketball games and hanging out, both at the house and elsewhere. I woke up this morning completely exhausted, but happy to return to some semblance of normal. There is another holiday coming right around the corner, and a certain someone is turning 13 later this week, and I am desperately trying not to lose sight of the magic of this season. Twinkle lights, anyone?

I'm wrapping up a big project in the next few weeks so bear with me if my posting continues to be spotty. With so much going on right now, something has to give and, at the moment, it is the blog. But! I want to be here - I miss making things and blogging about them. Soon.

Recently

I spent some time sewing the last two weekends. I was unmotivated both times, but plowed on because I like to see progress and my head is more right when I am making. The crazy star quilt top is complete. Another quilt top that I finished in August got a backing. I'm holding out high hopes for basting this weekend and quilting over Thanksgiving.

I've been reading every night before bed. My kids just finished their first trimester of the school year and I was thinking of the amount I have accomplished for myself in that time. The list of books I've read since school started is long and there was only one I didn't like. I'll post it later this week - no time for the links right now. I have been working solidly on other things as well. Things I'm not ready to throw out there, but I want to remember that despite all my doubts (which were and still are big), I am proud of myself.

Kate turned eleven yesterday. And this is blowing my mind. How did we get here? It doesn't seem possible, but it is. She is an amazing, helpful, smart, beautiful, stubborn, strong-willed, enthusiastic girl. I feel blessed and lucky to call her my daughter. She had a nice birthday even thought it was a school day. I let her eat whatever crap she wanted (cupcake after school, pie at the restaurant, cake later - oof.) and she even consented to practicing her piano without any fuss. Fatty and I gave her a sewing machine of her own. The two of us set it up in the playroom and she got busy trying out the fancy stitches on scraps. It was fun to watch.

Fatty's birthday is closing in on us, with Thanksgiving and then Jane's birthday to follow. I don't think I am making any Christmas gifts this year. Well, that's not true. I'd like to finish the snake trails quilt for my nephew - crossing my fingers on that one.

The dog just came up to the back door with a bird in her mouth. Nice.

Back here soon.

 

The Makerie Sewing

Just popping in quickly to let you know about a wonderful sewing event taking place next April in Colorado - The Makerie Sewing! They have a star-studded list of talented teachers (Amy Butler, Heather Jones, Liesl Gibson, Jenny Hart to name drop a little) for four four-hour classes over two days. There are meals and yoga, too! It really looks like an amazing event and if I can figure out how to get there myself, I'd love to go.

They are also offering a scholarship! It includes the classes, meals, lodging, activities plus a $500 travel stipend. Nice, huh? The scholarship deadline is quick approaching...November 5th. Update: the deadline has been extended until January 15th! Go check out the website to see how you can apply.

And because I can't post without a photo...here's an instagram of the snake trails sewn. Now to cut the background!

A start

Thank you all for you good suggestions and comments on my sleeveless tova. I haven't looked at it again. I know I will try to correct the fit in some way, but with the beginning of colder weather, working on a sleeveless top just hasn't appealed to me. I will get there, though, I'm sure.

There have been moments this week when I have wanted to sit down and pound out a few paragraphs on the computer about things I have made in the last few months, but it has been hard to find a good moment. I do have things to share, but they aren't photographed and all that stuff takes time. And truly, right now, as I'm typing this, I should be doing something else entirely. But I'm fried and spent and just need to take a moment for myself. Most of the week has been packed full of things that needed doing, that still need doing, and other things that need even more attention, but that I have been neglecting. That elusive balance thing? Even more so elusive for me recently. But! I am still trying to find it, still working hard to find my groove.

Things are happening in the background around here that I am not ready to talk about on the blog yet. It's all good - really good, actually. But in the meantime, there hasn't been much time for making. I found myself almost in tears on Tuesday night because I can't find the time to wash my car and really, it's so not about my kid-crumb infested, dirty vehicle. When I thought about it on Wednesday morning, it's more about how am not creating anything at the moment. Not trying new recipes, not sewing quilt squares, not even knitting although there is a small project in my purse at all times. No handmade Halloween costumes this year, either. I miss the creativity and the joy it brings to me. And the time to do it. I miss that, too.

All that said, I took 30 minutes and started cutting some fabric for a quilt.

It's a start.

Sleeveless Tova No Go

Back in July, I started making a sleeveless Tova for myself. I was really excited to use the gorgeous green Nani Iro fabric I picked up at Purl in June. I knew the Tova fit me - I wore the Liberty one a bunch last winter and spring. And based on my success making sleeveless Tovas for the girls, I thought this was a no-brainer.

I was wrong.

There is something off with the fit on me. The gaping under the arms and the too large shoulders totally surprised me when I tried it on. I think the problem has to do with the fact that I had to make an XL to fit through the bust, when a L is just slightly tight but fits me under the arms and through the shoulders. To say I'm bummed is an understatement - I love this pattern . And I love this fabric, too. It was expensive so I don't want it to sit unworn in my closet. But what to do? I'm kind of at a loss. Do I try to take it in under the arms? Or do I just try to use the fabric in some other way?

All that said, I'm glad I attempted it. I'll take it as a teachable moment....muslin, muslin, muslin!

 

Home from Munich, with a pit stop in London

I'm back. Completely exhausted, but happy to be home.

The London leg of our trip was all business, but I managed a stop at Liberty for a little stash enhancement. I went there in search of the remnant table, which on our last trip 2 1/2 years ago was a mecca of good deals. No remnant table in October. Only in June and December/January, just so you know. Still, I found a sweet bundle of tana lawn in blues, reds and greens for a quilt for the sunroom and then purchased yardage of the red solid lawn for a backing. The other stack is the quilting cottons that are also available in the U.S. I hadn't been able to see them in person so I was happy to pick my favorites.

New fabrics give me the itch to get sewing, creating, making, but my time is so limited right now. I've been struggling with how to fit the making into my schedule. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day. I know I can figure it out, but I think I am going to have to get creative. Maybe an hour a day? Or setting aside one morning or afternoon? Ideas, anyone?

That said, I do have some finished things to share. Back with the good and the not so good just as soon as I finish the last load of laundry and go through 10 days worth of mail.

Right now

I'm *almost* finished packing for a trip that Fatty and I are taking tomorrow. (Oktoberfest, anyone?)

I'm going over the information for the babysitter, hoping that I haven't forgotten anything. (And knowing that they are going to manage just fine without us.)

I'm strategizing about how to squeeze in a workout in the morning, a trip to buy a raincoat and taking some cushions to an upholsterer. Something is going to have to give. And I think I know what that is. (The chairs are going to have to wait).

I'm wondering how many pairs of shoes is too many. And trying to figure out which ones should stay back. (Sorry, Toms. You aren't making the cut).

I'm charging camera batteries, getting ready to back up the computer and deciding if one lens will be enough. (I'm thinking the 18 - 135mm should do the trick, but I'm on the fence about the 50mm)

I'm not cleaning the house (which is what I should be doing).

But I am waiting on Fatty to open some champagne. (We're practically on vacation.)

xxxxxxxxxxxx

See you back here when I return. (With something crafty. Pinky swear).