Settling In

Oh how I've missed you guys.  Man a month has flown by with business.  Thankfully I can now say, life is back to normal.  Well at least a new normal!  Sadly the only boxes left to unpack and organize are my fabrics.  Selfishly I would have unpacked them first, but if you know me, I'd never sleep until my house, especially the kitchen is in order.  Two hungry boys depend on me for food.  Soon I hope to share with you pictures of our new home, but I haven't picked up our new couch yet, and my walls are naked.  So stay tuned...

I did manage to meet one of my 'before I move' goals.  A finished a quilt.  Not just any quilt, but one for my mother. 

 Freedom Quilt

She received it at her birthday dinner at the end of March and has mentioned more than a few times how much she loves it.  I still can't believe it took me this long to make her a quilt.  She has been high on my priority list, but I had to collect the perfect fabrics over time.  She was worth the wait and I'm so happy with the combination that unfolded.

Please pardon the picture quality.  It really doesn't do the quilt justice.  The FREE pattern/tutorial I used was Starry Eyed by Angela of Fussy Cut.  Its was an easy tutorial and I thought the star theme went really well with my Red, White and Blue selection of fabrics.  

This here is my favorite block because I managed to add a piece of Anna Maria Horner into the center.  This small piece of fabric was a swatch thrown in with an fabric bundle I received a while back.  I kept it on top of my growing fat quarter stash for my mother's quilt for inspiration.  In this quilt, it adds a fireworks kind of effect. 

You may have noticed I used a bit of Bliss by Bonnie & Camille, as well as a very large variety of DS Quilt fabrics and a few reproduction prints from Darlene Zimmerman and P&B Textiles.  But my ultimate favorite was that I was able to use the Holly Hobbie-ish fabric as my white background.  It was the perfect low volume print.  This print I picked up at JoAnne Fabrics, oh gosh, I don't know.  Maybe 8 years ago.  I had 3 yards on hand so I had just enough for this large throw quilt.  I think it was the perfect touch, don't you?

For the back I scored on the clearance rack both DS Quilt prints for only $6/yard...and then I did a center scrap strip to join the two together.  It was really fun to design the pieced quilt back.  

For the quilting I don't have a detailed shot, but in case you are interested I used my walking foot to quilt in the ditch.  I quilted in the ditch between every print and the white background, including every star.  It was a serious trying of my patience, kind of test.  But the end result was just what I was hoping for.  

Well I'll be back hopefully soon to share some pictures of my sewing corner all set up.

xo,

Lindsay

bedroom

This Katie Jump Rope pillow makes me HAPPY!   Its the little things...every time I look at it I smile.

This week started out a little rough.  Jack (my 2 yr old) decided it'd be fun to color my carpet with a blue crayon.  Not just a little, but about 3' x 3' circle filled, then he moved on to his train set.  Not that I care about the train set getting colored.  After scrubbing the carpet for what seamed like forever, I must say, I'm so glad I only have washable crayons!

On another 'happier' note...I got this today in the mail:

pillowcase top

A great new addition to my Holly Hobbie collection.  This vintage pillowcase is so cute.  Not sure if it will be used for its original purpose.

the back

I might just have cut and frame the  two sides.  Happy!

The sun is breaking thru, so I think I'm gonna take Jack out doors:D

Hugs,
Linds

Holly Hobbie Hope Chest

Okay, so you may have already read about my desire to have a baby girl and that I want to do a Holly Hobbie/prairie themed nursery (this is all of course just a dream). Well a few months ago this dream began with my mom moving and returning saved childhood items to me and my sisters. This cradle was first my sisters' then passed to me (now back to me). Although it has water damage, I love it and can't wait to see a little Miss Lloyd playing with it, one day;)

Well my dreams are growing, (as dreams sometimes do), I started a Holly Hobbie search on Etsy. Finding lots of treats, I was very tempted, but feel the need to wrangle my desire to hoard in hopes of a baby girl. (we aren't even trying yet) I held off buying anything. Then, my girlfriend and I went to the flea market first Sunday in May and I saw the lunch box...in nearly perfect condition.

The price was half what Etsy (out-of-this-world) prices are and...I got the vendor to come down another couple bucks. SCORE!
So, here I am admiring and dreaming on this rainy day.

What do you like to do on rainy days?

Hurry Ba-a-ack

My sister was just visiting over the weekend and I must say, I can't wait to see her again this summer.  Our time together is so sweet, but too short.  Hoping to get a trip out to her new home before she comes out. It'd be so nice to see her new dwelling space.

As for an update on what I've been working on, well, not much sewing, unfortunately.  But hope to dive back in tomorrow. Today consisted of grocery shopping and listing sample products for my granpa on ebay. 24 items to be exact. Hopefully this time next week, the $$$ will be rolling in and I can give my gracious hubby his garage space back.

A little something I saw the other day that makes me hope and dream of someday having a baby girl of my very own, my childhood Holly Hobbie doll cradle. Yes thats right, my mother kept it and recently returned it to me. Of course, my son is playing with it. He put Curious George to sleep in it. So cute. This cradle got me thinking though...I think Holly Hobbie would be a great nursery theme for my baby girl. What do you think? Found these on Etsy:

vintage lunch box

 vintage twin sheet set

precious vintage holly hobbie cloth doll (I think we used to have this same one)

I want to buy them all NOW! Is that silly? I mean a daughter is really just a dream at this point.

And so my obsession for prairie/amish/county themed life grows.

Y'all com back now, y'hear!

Lindsay Mae