Thursday, June 7, 2012

Sewing Again : :

I'm here and am finally sewing again! We really appreciate all the sweet comments you left us -- congratulating Kevin on his races, on understanding the disappointment we were feeling on the house situation, and in regards to the passing of Grandma Jane. Thank you!!

I brought back a pretty glass of roses from her garden, aren't they beautiful?!

Jane's Roses

Yesterday in the late afternoon I found my opportunity and dove right into sewing. It felt great, just what I needed in fact!

Felt Applique Pillow

My niece Josie and I share a birthday this Sunday on the 10th, woohoo! I'll be thirty-one, in case you're wondering! :)

So... just as I've done for all my little nieces and nephews this year, I made her a Birthday Crown and Pillow set.

Josie's Birthday Set

I tried out two more stitches on my new Janome -- the applique stitch, to add all the pillow details and the oval satin stitch, to add the flowers to her crown. I am having so much fun with these stitches! It's amazing what a huge difference changing up the stitching can make to a project. Even to something as simple as a birthday crown, which I have made over 500 of now -- WOW!!

Josie's Birthday Set

I'm hoping Josie likes both the birdie themed pillow and the color coral, you know I love both!

Applique Bird

I tied them together in my favorite yellow Divine Twine and sent her package out the door just before the Post Office closed last night. I hope she loves it!! Happy Birthday, Josie Bear!! Love, Aunt Maureen -- which she actually pronounces "Aunt Mean" -- can you believe it?!

Tied with Twine

Last night I even finished up my May AND June bee blocks, but I'll save those to share another day!

Bee Blocks

It's feels SO good to be back! Thanks again, friends!! Maureen 

p.s. Here's a little peek at tomorrow Fabric Giveaway!! Be sure to stop back!

32 comments:

  1. I LOVE that little pillow! Did you use a pattern or is it your own design? Very very cute and I'd love to have one for myself. Thanks!

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    1. I used my AccuQuilt GO!Baby for most of the applique pieces -- the bird, bird wing, and the scalloped door shapes for the birdhouse. Everything else I hand-cut for the pillow. Feel free to make one for yourself! :)

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  2. I love that pillow!! And the colors are just gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  3. Josie is going to love it because Aunt Mean made it just for her! I sure do love it!

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    1. Hopefully in a year or so I won't be Aunt Mean anymore! :) It is SO sweet, my sister says that anytime you ask her when her birthday is, she says, "June 10th, the same as Aunt Mean's!" lol

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  4. So adorable, I think she'll love it! Happy Birthday to Josie and to Aunt Mean! LOL =D

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  5. Josie is one lucky lady. Maybe you should yourself a crown too :)
    We just bought our first house and it was so stressful. I can't imagine going through most of that process and not ending up with it. I hope you guys find your dream home soon. I'm sure it will be worth the wait and stress!

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  6. So cute! And the birthday crown is such an awesome idea!

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  7. Gorgeous and inspirational! Happy Birthday, Maureen!!!

    Lee T.

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  8. Your gifts for your niece are adorable! Happy Early Birthday!

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  9. What a lovely birthday set! I'm sure she is going to love them!

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  10. The roses are lovely, so sorry about the passing of your grandma.

    The pillow and crown are gorgeous, such a lovely idea for a gift!

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  11. Well "Aunt Mean" you're going to have to email me your address. Because every birthday girl needs a little birthday fun mail!
    You never cease to amaze and inspire me with every new thing that you create. You are so blessed!

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  12. Five hundred crowns!!! Yikes! And every one cuter than the last! Happy Birthday Sunday!

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  13. Loving the pillow! The crowns are so cute. Can't believe you've made 500..well I can because you just said, but you get what I mean. Hope you have a fantastic birthday =D

    I'm having a giveaway on my blog. Feel free to stop by and enter (if you haven't already) =D
    http://ibescheraldine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/official-150th-post-giveaway.html

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  14. Very cute gifts, and welcome home :o)

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  15. So sorry about the house but you are right...it wasn't meant to be and I'm sure the perfect house for you will be in your future soon!
    I love the coral pillow and crown! Your nieces and nephews are so lucky to have you for an Aunt that makes such special things for them
    I also love that lampshade in the picture you showed with a "peek" of giveaway which is also sweet! Did you make that lampshade? I love it! Was it in a previous post perhaps? Glad you're back and sewing!

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    1. The lampshade is from Anthropologie, purchased at least 2 years ago. I have a thing for their lampshades -- LOVE them!

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  16. I'm wishing you the very best in all things. Hope your birthday is blessed and full of silly joy. The birthday gifts are precious. I can just see the collections these lucky nieces are accumulating.

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  17. I'm sure Josie will love them. Beautiful work, as usual, Aunt Mean! Happy early birthday!

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  18. Kevin was fortunate to have had his Grandma Jane for so many years. My kids still have their grandmothers, but have lost both grandfathers in the past 7 years. My boys are 39 and 41 and have been very lucky. There are always other houses...many more than there are people to buy them. We tried very hard to buy another house before this one and just couldn't negotiate with the seller. We finally offered her asking price and she wanted 4 months to get out (this was her mom's empty house, not one she was living in) so we walked away. Two weeks later we found this one and it was exactly what we were looking for. We made an offer and had it accepted the day we looked at it. I still drive past the other house and it is still for sale two years later. I'm really much more satisfied with this one. Just don't give up. You learn something with every experience. Your niece will love the pillow and crown. I think Aunt Mean is cute! :) Enjoy 31--you are still so young.

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  19. happy early birthday aunt mean! i hope it is a great day for you! so glad you are back and were able to bring home some of her Beautiful roses. i bet they smell delicious! xo

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  20. I know what you mean. I sewed for the first time since we moved into our house. I just cleared off enough space to sew and cut out a pattern. I merged a couple of patterns and made my own knit pattern. I basted my first jersey knit dress and it actually turned out just like I wanted it to, much to my surprise. It totally made my week! Now I just need to find time to serge it.

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  21. Beautiful pillow! I'm sure you're niece will love it and the crown. Great idea!

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  22. Glad you found some time for sewing, and I can't imagine she wouldn't love such a pretty pillow :)

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  23. Such a sweet gift! I love the pillow, and the crown looks so perfect for a little girl. They also look great together!
    And happy early birthday! Hopefully you have lots of fun and relaxing plans :)

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  24. My birthday is also tomorrow! Happy early birthday! What a cute pillow. It makes a lovely gift for your niece. She will love it! Have a great day tomorrow!

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  25. Adorable bird pillow!

    Hugs,
    Tatyana

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  26. Aunt Mean, that is a super sweet crown. Do you think it would look okay on a grown woman's head, because I might have to make one.

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  27. Happy birthday, Maureen!!! I hope you had an amazing weekend! I'm super behind on your blog, so I'm heading backwards to hear your news, but I'm sorry in advance for a rough week! Thinking of you!

    Also, 500 crowns?? WOW!

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  28. I love the crowns (I have two of yours for my girls. I need to buy a third!), and the pillow is so so sweet!

    If you don't mind sharing, what type of wool blend do you use? I have some that I've purchased, but it seems so stiff. I'm wondering if there is a type out there that is softer and better for pillows and plushies :)

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  29. Adorei a almofada de passarinho, linda!! Parabéns!

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