While I Work : :

At this busy table of ours, there's something happening here all the time.... The mess all around us is a sign that good things are happening, that good times are happening.

It's a sign that we are making new things, learning new things, but most importantly we are learning more about each other.

It's inspiring, I tell you.

And, there is only one thing better than these days when I somehow find so much more time to work...

our days spent doing it all...together.

Knitting, knitting, and more knitting : :

I spent a good part of this past weekend knitting. Now that it’s Fall and much cooler, it’s so easy to turn to the yarns. Every year at this time I want to knit everything, so that is what I'm doing. A dozen new dolls, several new dollhouses, and a couple mini totes are all waiting to be felted and I can't wait to show you all! 

I don’t know what it is about picking up my needles that creates such an all-consuming effect. It's been this way since the day I learned. When I begin a knitting project I'm either happy as one can be, starting out with a new idea and so excited or I'm in the deep, dark throes of trying to finish it as fast as I can and feeling like it’s never going to end. Once I start, I don't like to stop until I'm done. Thankfully my husband and children are all very used to me saying, "Just let me finish this row first...." If you're a knitter --- you know what  I mean. : )

I hope you had a lovely and productive weekend, too! ~ Maureen

Who-o-o, Who-o-o

I so love making these owl dolls! And, noticed tonight that I am getting pretty close to 500 followers!!! Once I do, I am planning a HUGE giveaway...the mother of all destashings!!! So, be ready!!!

xo, Maureen

Aprons for my Etsy : :

Fall is here and with that cool weather, returns the need for a little warmth that only baking can bring! And so, I spent some time this past weekend making a few new aprons, this time for my etsy shop. I decided to make three different styles, inspired by each of my sister's : :  Bohemian, Vintage, and Modern ~ Catherine, Biz, and Angela.

This is my Bohemian apron --- With bright, colorful, and fun Anna Maria Horner and Alexander Henry fabrics, with vintage ric rac details, and extra long straps to tie at the front for a pretty detail or in the back, as well.

This center Alexander Henry fabric reminds me of how much I used to love painting with watercolors. A perfect apron for an artist, don't you think?

This is my Vintage inspired Apron --- With sweet yellow, orange, and gray fabrics, with vintage ric rac details,  yellow crocheted ball fringe along the hem line, and extra long straps that can be tied in the front...

or the back...

Here is a close-up of the crocheted details...my favorite part. Perfect for those of you, who like me, dance around in the kitchen while cooking.

This is my second Vintage inspired apron --- With cool blue, yellow, orange, and gray fabrics, with vintage ric rac details, a vintage doily pocket, and extra long straps to tie at the front or back.

Here is a close up of the fabrics and the subtle pleating I adding under the waste band.

The is my Modern half apron wrap --- With brightly colored damask, graphic, and large modern floral printed fabrics, designed to be a wrap style, with extra large straps that can be tied in the back or...

in the front as a bow or simple square knot for a modern look.

I have always been an apron wearer. I wear them in the kitchen, when I'm gardening, while I'm crafting with the kids, and often when I'm knitting with my wool --- since wool + black pants = not a good look. I always thought that if I were a teacher I'd wear a different apron each day of the week, so I had something to keep my chalk in and the students would have something to remember me by.

I'd love for you to let me know in the comments or stop over at my shop, have a look, and heart your favorite. I really enjoyed making these and would love to know what style is the most popular!

Wishing you all a beautiful day! ~ Maureen

Owl Picture Day : :

Doesn't this remind you of school pictures? It must be the background. I didn't do this on purpose, although it seems so fitting now that some of our little ones are back in school and this day for them is quickly approaching. The truth is my other pictures of these little owls just didn't turn out and these are all that I have since they've already flown the coop. Now that I see that connection, I'm finding these pictures so silly!

Well anywhoo, this is "Blue Screech" owl --- name given by 10 year old Hannah, whom received him as a birthday gift. : )   : :

And, this owl is for my etsy shop : :

I have decided to stick with this design for a while. I think it's my favorite so far...

What do you think?

 I enjoyed using some of my new fabrics...

Designer fabrics from Sew Fresh Fabrics.

And, I just LOVE adding little details like this...

I have never shared this before, but this is how I sign each doll. It's not as clean looking as a tag, which I am considering, but to me it just makes my handmade items look a little more handmade.

How do you put "your stamp" on your handmade items?

Upcycled Chair : :

My chair is finished and we are thrilled!

 

 Here's the before picture from last week, my $7 yard sale find...

It's a very dark day today...

So, I am taking photos with every light on in that room, because I just can't wait! Unfortunately, it's making everything look a little yellow-y.

I was hoping to just recover the old cushions, but when I started stripping the chair I realized right away that the cushions were broken down to orange dust. It was a HUGE mess! I decided then just to make a fluffy, pillow cushion for the seat. I overstuffed it knowing that in the next few weeks my three little ones are going to want to sit in it (jump on it) and it will most likely (hopefully) flatten out quite a bit.

See the orange piping. I wasn't sure what I was going to use at first? I was leaning towards this fabric to make my own piping, inspired by this chair by guess who. Then, while searching "drawing room fabrics" via Google images, I saw a sofa recovered in the same fabric I bought and followed that photo to this blog....I was in love! Especially when I realized I already had in my possession enough store-bought piping, in a very similar color. Yay!

This cushion is made up of the many colors and fabrics I plan to use for all the new pillows in the works for our living room. Since I have a few different curtain prints going on, I used the tie-backs from these curtains and these, to tie everything together and make it "flow" a little more. I have never been a "matchy, matchy" person -- I usually just buy what I love, believing that because I love it, it will fit in well with all the other things I own/love, too. Well, lately I think it's looking a little drab...actually, ever since I made my new drawing room curtains I have been wanting to redo everything! Isn't Fall just the most perfect time to take on a project like this? I think this Fall(ish) weather has influenced my color scheme. I like the warm colors and how cozy they make me feel...

Thank you to everyone who rooted me on --- I'm glad I gave it a shot and hope that you will, too!

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend! ~ Maureen

Vintage.Sewing.Notions.Love : :

Just as soon as I fell in love with knitting, and more recently sewing, I began to keep an eye out for old knitting and sewing baskets and boxes while we are roaming around town and elsewhere. Each time I come across a new one and search through all the goodness, it feels like I am learning a bit about whomever owned it before me.

I'm always fascinated by the glimpse of someone's life that one can get from their sewing basket. How, years ago, nothing went to waste --- buttons from an old coat were carefully put away, tiny, pearly buttons from a baby's outfit were strung together for future use, embroidery floss, sewing scissors, and other sewing tools were treated with care and saved in these sewing baskets.

 

 Last weekend I picked up another one packed full and look what I got! New needles. New, sharp pins. Crochet hooks. Transfer pencils. Buttons galore. All other sorts of things that I have no ideas about or what their uses might be??? : )

And lots of my favorite --- Colorful threads on those wonderful wooden spools. There is something about those old labels on the ends of the spools...love.

I love finding new ways to appreciate some of these sewing related items by getting them out of the box, so to speak?  Of course, we can use the scissors, pins, and seam rippers, but other things might not be so useful.  I've learned from trial and error that it's not good to use the older spools of thread, especially with the sewing machine. The old threads weaken with age, making them prone to breakage.  But those colorful spools.....they can still be appreciated --- on a wooden spool rack, as bowl fillers, or in an old glass jar.

And I just love the history and connections behind all of it!

Drawing Room Curtains : :

A little over a week ago, after the kids were asleep, I decided it was time for me to make some new curtains.

I had found the most wonderful deal on Fabric.com for the 5 yards that I would need. I chose a fabric I have been searching for a need for ever since I began sewing in March ---  Anna Maria Horner's Shadow in Ivory from her Drawing Room Collection.

I love, love this fabric! It was hard for me to resist one of her brighter prints, but I new this fabric with it's cream background, large floral print, with light brown and darker brown accents would be the perfect neutral I would need to balance out the insane amount of bright pillows I plan to make for this room next, of course. This fabric is also not as heavy as I had thought it would be. It's 100% cotton, much sturdier than a quilt weight, but has this wonderful sateen feel that makes it seem lighter than most Home Dec fabrics I have looked at.

I used this tutorial I found a while back at design*sponge for a little guidance, but didn't really need it. Making curtains is actually the easiest sewing project I have tried, but that may just be because of my helper. ♥

I actually decided to order another almost 5 yards of the same fabric. This time the fabric came from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics, at another incredible price!

I plan to use it to reupholster this chair I picked up last week. Yikes!

It will be the first time I attempt a project like this. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it. : )

Fabric Stashin'

I have been busy getting more and more ready for all the sewing projects and MCH items I hope to make this fall and winter, yes yes. For weeks I have been foraging for even more fabric to add to the ever growing towers in our craft/toy room.

Many nights, when the kids are asleep and my hubby is at work, I can't think of anything I find more relaxing than puttering from online fabric shop to shop, searching for more 1/2-yard cuts and fat quarters to add to my collection. I actually "need" to stop looking for fabrics and begin to look for a taller shelf to store them all --- which of course means that once I have that I can resume with the stashing.

If I don't know what I'm going to use the fabric for, I usually just buy 1/2-yard cuts. I only pick up fat quarters for what I plan to use for my dolls, dollhouses, or if it is an irresistible $1 deal from the fabric shoppe.

I rarely get the opportunity to buy fabric in-store, but when I do I love the wandering experience of searching through and feeling each bolt. It would be my dream to do this for hours, without talking to anyone unless it is about bias tape or what I'm going to make.

If I ever go crazy my plan is to convince my husband that doing this would be more beneficial and cheaper than therapy. : )

I also like to learn and keep up with fabric designers and their new lines. But generally I just pick what I like, without rhyme or reason --- I love color, sometimes earthy tones, but usually fabrics that will brighten up my home.

Have you noticed? : )

*** I feel like I should add the usual links ***
Fabric pic #1 : :  Anna Maria Horner's Garden Party and a few Good Folks -- via  Quilt Home.
Fabric pic #2 : :  Anna Maria Horner's Chocolate Lollipop -- via Quilt Home.
Fabric pic #3 : :  A variety of designer fat quarter cuts -- via the Fabric Shoppe and Sew Fresh Fabrics
Fabric pic #4 : :  A variety of prints that I picked up at the closest JoAnne fabric store
Fabric pic #5 : :  A variety of designer fat quarter cuts -- via the Fabric Shoppe and Sew Fresh Fabrics
Fabric pic #6 : :  Two Alexander Henry prints that I found at a beautiful quilt shop in Watkins Glen, Ny

Our {Long} Weekend. In Pictures : :

We all love these. I made books for each of my kiddos here.

Enjoyed the town-wide yard sale. So much goodness! (I'll be sharing more here soon. :) These wooden hangers were free -- I love them.

One was left in the car. So, while I played around with some scrap yarn in my bag, I watched the boys play at our favorite spot.

And then once we were home...

 Hmn, should I make more? In prettier colors maybe?

Labor Day. Craft Day.

What a beautiful, fun, busy weekend. I hope you found a little bliss with your family, too!