Glass Act

I only made the one up front with the word GROW etched into the glass. This craft day was organized by my neighbor Kate -- she has the funnest ideas!

I made two other things, that will not be pictured here, as they are now part of my clandestine preparations for gift giving.

Darth Vader Blankie

This doesn't really count as sewing. All I did was sew one remnant on top of another. But my son was begging me for a Star Wars blanket. I left all the edges raw, but I did cut off the selvages.

Stylist Apron: II

I've decided to revisit the zippered pocket on an apron idea. This time I extended the pocket all the way across the apron. (I used a 22" zipper.)

The 4th R

Reduce.

Reuse.

Recycle.

Restyle.

I restyled these workout pants. They were a funky pair of ankle-length yoga pants that were steadily shrinking every time I wore them. The last time I wore them to the gym I felt like I had floods on. So, I brought them home, cut them off, put a funky cuff on them and voila! Now they are sassy cropped, yoga pants.

Also, this is a great way to use fat quarters (this one was a batik).

Following Patterns

Just a funny pic of my littlest helping me layout a pattern.

Spring Quilt Exchange: It's Here

OK... Just as I was starting to feel like my spring was getting ruined -- first lots of torrential rain, now everyone in the house is sick -- this little darling showed up. I was so excited I opened it at the mailbox (which is about a block from my actual house). When I saw just the edge of it I knew which one it was -- as I'd been lurking the flikr group like a hawk -- and gave a little yelp of joy.
It's got raw edge aplique and tons of quilting. A really fantastic piece. The embellishments are the perfect proportion and the colors are so cheery. I could not be happier. Well, maybe if it was like King size I might be happier. It's so bright and marries modern with vintage.
Perhaps my favorite feature is the label. The artist used baby necklace beads. So stinking original. I love them.
I hung it in the entry to our kitchen where all the world -- at least the part of the world that comes to my home -- can see it. As soon as I did my 3yol said, "I like it. It's really cool!"
So, cheers to the artist, Nikki, who I know worked very hard on this little thing. It was a challenge for her as she has little kids, too. I know only too well the stress of that. Thank you!

Nap Time Tote

Were you wondering where I was? If I was creating something new? Well, it's true... I kinda fell off the creative planet there for a bit. We had some home renovation going on and I read two phenomenal books... so all my time was usurped. But, I did do a little sewing here and there. I mended some pillowcases and some pants... you know, that kinds of sewing.

Finally I got my act together and whipped this up for a friend with a new baby -- her first boy after three girls! It's the Superhero Nap Time Tote for power naps. It's a little blanket that can zip up the middle to create a tote (with two large pockets) with handles. In this way mom can pack it up with a diaper, a lovey, maybe a bottle and run to church, her moms' group, even daycare. When baby gets sleepy, or wants to play on the floor... just unzip the tote and voila, instant blankie.

It's also great for big kids, too. They can pack it with comic books, coloring books, crayons and take it along for long road trips. Once at the destination, it unzips to provide a little piece of home on the road.

I made this once before for my nephew. That time I made it with fleece and pre-quilted fabric. I like both versions. The prequilted one was a bit stiffer and was a bit more suited to being a functional tote. This one is much softer (as it is for a newborn) and is a bit more suited to being a blanket. I'm looking for the perfect medium and haven't found it, yet.