A Little Girl's Quilt

Four years ago, when my daughter was born, I bought some fabric that I knew would make a darling quilt for her when she moved to a "real" bed. Four years later (and a much simplified design), I finally made it. She loves it. The pillow shams really needed to be done because the quilt looked unfinished without them. I think it all turned out quite well. The ribbon pillow is from Sewing in No Time by Emma Hardy.

Aprons and Pot Holders

I have a housewarming party/shower to attend this coming weekend. What to make for the honoree? My favorite apron, of course! I whipped up six of them this past December, so creating another one went fairly quickly. I also tried my hand at some potholders--not as easy as they look, let me assure you! But, I think all turned out well. The girl has picked teal, taupe, white, and yellow for her kitchen colors. I didn't find fabric that incorporated the yellow, but this old-timey-kitchen themed fabric met the other requirements nicely! See aprons in this post. Pot holder pattern is from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing.

The T-Shirt Quilt

This t-shirt quilt is a LONG promised project: I coerced my husband into cleaning out his t-shirt drawer a few years ago, promising I'd turn those old t-shirts into a quilt. Several years later, I decided the time had come. I made it for his birthday (end of January) and I think it was a hit!

Quick Table Runner

This table runner was very easy and quick to make. I originally made it for my sister Carrie, but she moved by Christmas to a new house with different dining room colors. So, it's now gracing my dining room table in this picture! Eventually it made it to Carrie's house. Made from pattern in Sewing in No Time by Emma Hardy.

Tea Cozies

I made two identical tea cozies (and matching finger mitt--not pictured) in 2009. They were fun projects. One of the recipients sent me a fat quarter of the Mary Engelbreit teapot fabric featured on the middle strip. What, she wondered, could we do with this great fabric? (Incidentally, this is my friend Megan who hosts Literaritea). I thought of this tea cozy pattern from Sewing in No Time by Emma Hardy. They turned out well.

Drawstring Bags

These charming bags were for two little girls down the street, one of whom had a birthday, and for my daughter. The bags are big enough to hold stuffed animals, a few books, and other necessities for a car ride somewhere or an overnight. I made them from the directions in Emma Hardy's Sewing in No Time. (a book I highly recommend) 2009 project

New Year's Goal 2010: Use it, Enjoy it, Love it!

My neighbor, Lisa, and I have a joint goal this year: "use up the stash." We both have accumulated a wide variety of fabric pieces/scraps/yards from various projects (both hoped for projects and finished projects that didn't use up the fabric).

So, as much as possible, I'm going to create with "what's on hand." I have a somewhat unfair advantage going in because I've already bought fabric for some planned projects this year. The rest, though, will come from the stash (which I plan to use with wild abandon, with no regard for future possibilities that could be made from said fabric....). I'm going to apply the same premise to other categories (food stuffs, arts and crafts supplies for the kids, etc.) because it's not doing us any good just sitting on the shelf.

We are going to love using up our "stuff!" Crayons, stickers, markers, paper of all kinds, fabric, ribbon, buttons, beads, felt, popsicle sticks, the list goes on.

My first project using up the stash: a portable changing pad that rolls up (with pocket for wipes) made out of 6-year-old fabric (the twins I made quilts for from this fabric when they were babies will be turning 7 this coming summer... why I kept 8 random 9-patch blocks, I don't know...). The first of many projects using up the "stash."