My Spare Time

Flats Weather

2010-03-14T09:46:00.003-05:00

New $10 flats and weather warm enough to wear them with a dress. I love spring!

Up soon - I finished my swap buttons! My package will actually be going out on time. I have to admit I'm slightly amazed!

Edited to add after several requests: I got the flats last week at Target, I'm sure they're still there!

Off to a Good Start

2010-03-07T07:44:00.004-06:00

I guess posting my goals online really helped with my motivation!

I've already finished the circle quilt top, trimmed the Red Barn quilt and cut the binding, and I have the Feeling Stitchy swap buttons planned and on the hoop.

It's a good thing I have this strong start - we are going on a ski trip at the end of the month and it is amazing to me how quickly that will be here. Planning and packing seems to be a lot more complicated when you throw a 3-month-old into the mix!

March Already

2010-03-02T08:57:00.003-06:00

I feel like I have a new appreciation for the expression "time flies" now that I am watching my baby grow. It is hard to believe my little boy is already two months old! The days go by so quickly, and I never do everything I think I can accomplish looking ahead each morning.

For example, I only have a few seams left on the circle quilt but these strips have been sitting here for over a week waiting to get sewn together.

I also got the Red Barn quilt back from the quilters and it is waiting to be trimmed and bound. Of course, everything that was stored in the nursery is now stored in the guest room where this quilt will live, so I have a little work to do to make the bed ready for its new covering!

To give me a little more crafting motivation - to get back on the horse, so to speak - I joined the button swap at Feeling Stitchy. I can't wait to get to work!

In the spirit of looking ahead, I think I will post some March goals. I am keeping them quite simple, because my to do list often gets filled with baby snuggles - and laundry! - instead of sewing time.

March Goals:
1. Buttons for swap - finished and mailed on time!
2. Finish circle quilt top.
3. Bind Red Barn quilt.
4. Pick up guest room enough to make the bed!

Administrative Note: I've upgraded to threaded comments! From now on I will be replying in the comments, and it will show up tied to the original comment on that post. If you include your email when you comment I believe you should be notified that I've replied. Hopefully it works smoothly!

Personalized

2010-02-15T09:49:00.000-06:00

This is a project from December... I made this big kid hooded towel for my nephew for Christmas using these instructions.

There are lots of tutorials out there but this resulted in my favorite hood. The towel is just from Target, and I added a monogram on the back.

My sister was kind enough to send along these action shots. I think he likes it!

Back at It

2010-02-11T15:29:00.002-06:00

Ben is taking naps pretty well in his crib now, so I find myself with my hands free and able to spend some time in my craft room!

After some much needed straightening up, I got back to work on the circle quilt for Ben's room. I can't wait to get this quilt done! Of course, this is never far from my side:

(We love our monitor, by the way, if you happen to be in the market...)

Start Small

2010-02-03T17:37:00.000-06:00

I made sugar cookies yesterday, and felt such a sense of accomplishment. It just felt so frivolous! It wasn't laundry, or baby-related, or necessary for nourishing me and my husband (i.e. dinner). I'm also working on repairing a bag for a friend - the magnetic snap on the exterior pocket started to rip out! I have to say this is definitely the most well-used bag I've made, a true test to my construction integrity! And I just got word my Red Barn quilt is ready at the quilter's, so I can't wait to pick that up and get the binding on. Big plans, with a small start...

Due Today

2010-01-20T17:28:00.002-06:00

Today is Benjamin's due date, and his 3 week birthday. I feel so lucky to have had these three weeks with him. Today was a really good day. For the first time I was able to see that I will be able to get things done in the days to come, that there will be a time that I can care for Ben and still take care of things around the house - maybe even have time to do a little sewing.

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on our baby boy. We are over the moon. The blog will still be quiet for a little longer but I do plan to return. I have many projects in the works and am looking forward to getting back in front of my sewing machine!

Welcoming the New Year

2010-01-03T12:03:00.004-06:00

Benjamin Arthur
Born December 30th, 2009 at 9:59pm
7lb 6.1oz 21.5"

Three weeks early but doing wonderfully. We are so happy to be home with our little boy. As you can imagine, posting will be light as we settle in. I hope everyone had as wonderful an end to 2009 as we did.

Two Thirds

2009-12-28T13:05:00.001-06:00

I estimate I am about 2/3 done with this stocking now... As long as I don't put it away again, I can pretty much guarantee it will be ready for Christmas 2010!

Dragonflies

2009-12-27T16:02:00.001-06:00

Well, that week flew by. In addition to working on a few Christmas presents, I made some progress on the circle quilt and the stocking... I hope you and yours had as nice a holiday as we did! This is one of the gifts I made for my mom. Can I just say how much I admire the nice jewelry stores on Etsy and their awesome photography? I had the hardest time getting a decent picture of this necklace.

My mom has always liked dragonflies. So when I heard from my sister that Mom wanted a dragonfly necklace, I knew I had to try to make her one myself! I found several dragonfly pendants I loved at Dimestore Emporium and used my bead stash to make her this necklace. She loves it!

Behind the Scenes

2009-12-16T15:29:00.002-06:00

Working on a couple Christmas presents behind the scenes. Looking forward to sharing after they're gifted!

Pointy Towels

2009-12-13T13:34:00.001-06:00

When I saw this pile of points before I started assembling the towels, I wondered just what I was getting myself into, making 22 of these towels!

But they went together fairly quickly.

Just in the nick of time - I'm packing everything up and shipping it out tomorrow. I definitely seem to work better with a deadline!

Thanks Jodi for the awesome tutorial!

Stitching Away

2009-12-10T21:24:00.000-06:00

In addition to making decent progress on my December goals, I am making a dent in the stocking cross stitch, also. It is so satisfying to see the scene emerge on the blank cloth...

Quickie Ornaments

2009-12-09T20:33:00.000-06:00

One of our work holiday parties has an ornament exchange and of course I wanted to make something. Last year I made a felt star and wanted to step it up a little. I love this little trio of birdies! From Last Minute Patchwork Gifts, with an added beaded dangle. My tiny-pieces sewing definitely needs some work. Next time I might do this out of felt and hand sew instead!

One Christmas Project Done!

2009-12-07T18:25:00.003-06:00

I made vanilla extract tonight! It was crazy easy. I got the vanilla beans on Amazon (these), the bottles from Specialty Bottle (these), and just some normal vodka. Two beans per bottle, sliced lengthwise and then in half to fit in the bottle, top off with vodka, and voila! Labels and cute tags will be added this weekend.

Keeping Me Busy

2009-12-02T20:27:00.000-06:00

My pile of addressed Christmas cards, waiting to be stuffed with our letter and stamped. Holiday stamps and new return address still on their way in the mail.

Monthly Goals
I say this every month, but I can't believe it's already December. The month of Christmas. The month before I meet my baby. Crazy!
1. Finish crib circle quilt.
2. Christmas presents - not making a ton this year but have a few plans.
3. Finish nursery - I'm full term Christmas week!

November Goals:
1. Rainbow Sherbet Quilt
2. Finish circle crib quilt. Um, nope.
3. Bind Red Barn quilt when it comes back from the quilters. Not back yet...
4. ~~Do prep work for my Christmas gift project.~~

Grateful

2009-11-26T15:11:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I am off to spend the day with family and friends but wanted to share really quickly - I did manage to finish this little table runner for my centerpiece.

Inspired by this quilt by John at Quilt Dad. It's reversible, so I can use it for Christmas, too (but that picture came out blurry, I'll try after dinner). I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Preparing

2009-11-25T18:27:00.000-06:00

Working on the table runner. Making cranberry relish. Prepping sweet potatoes. Thawing beans. I can't wait for dinner tomorrow!

More WIP's

2009-11-24T17:34:00.000-06:00

Rather than joining Jacquie's push to finish WIP's, I keep coming up with more. I'm working on a table runner for our Thanksgiving table and doodling for a long overdue wedding sampler. The flowers are part of my fall decorations, hopefully everything will be cozy for our feast on Thursday!

Circle Progess

2009-11-19T09:48:00.002-06:00

I told you I'd be boring you with circle quilt updates! All the circles and squares are cut and arranged. Now it's on to assembly!

Christmas Prep

2009-11-18T12:43:00.002-06:00

I stocked up on some cute Christmas towels at Target this weekend in preparation of making many of these adorable towels for family and friends. It will be fun to put some of my stashed Christmas fabric to good use!

Couch Time

2009-11-17T17:46:00.001-06:00

It is getting harder and harder to motivate myself to get off the couch and go into my sewing room. When is this fabled nesting supposed to happen? With all the motivation to finish projects and deep clean? Haven't experienced that yet. Instead I've just been propping my feet up and resting my cross stitch frame on my big belly and stitching. Books on my iPhone make this especially enjoyable. I still don't think I'll be finishing this stocking by this Christmas, but maybe I'll surprise myself!

Rainbow Sherbet!

2009-11-13T20:47:00.001-06:00

The rainbow sherbet quilt is done!

I love this quilt so much. I wanted to keep the design simple because the fabrics are so bright and happy on their own.

I've discovered a better balance of relying on my walking foot versus pinning that has drastically improved my piecing accuracy - I figured this out while making the 9-patch blocks for AmandaJean's quilt-along. This is a big step for me!

To preserve the white border I just did a white binding. I was going to do a pieced binding but I am using this same fabric for the circle quilt and need all my scraps!

Sentimental label. I couldn't help it!

TV Work

2009-11-12T22:54:00.000-06:00

I always have good intentions to work on a hand-stitching project while watching TV in the evenings, yet it never seems to happen. Finally I'm doing better, since I have several projects in the works. I'm slowly growing my granny square blankie - I made some progress on the plane to and from my conference last month. I'm also planning to get back out the cross-stitch stockings I've had kits for since my husband and I got married. I guess they won't be done by this Christmas, either...

Smells Like Thanksgiving

2009-11-11T18:49:00.001-06:00

Our church dinner group met on Sunday night for a mini Thanksgiving dinner - turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and so on. I volunteered to bring an apple pie.

I used my mom's pie crust recipe, and a ton of apples. My mom actually came over to help make it, which was fun. I was lucky enough to have a few leftover pieces - they won't hold up long to my current appetite. Don't you wish they'd invented scratch-and-sniff computer monitors?

Pie Crust
- Mix in a bowl 4 cups flour and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Cut in 3/4c shortening - I used half butter and half coconut oil shortening.
- Lightly mix in 5-6 tbsp cold water depending on the humidity (more humid = less water).
- Knead the dough just until it holds together.
This is enough for top and bottom pie crusts - break in half and roll out with a rolling pin. If you use a flexible mat to roll on you can kind of fold up the pie crust to transfer it to the pie plate more easily.

Just add a ton of peeled and sliced apples mixed with sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, cut a bunch of vent holes and sprinkle with more cinnamon-sugar. Bake at 425F for 30 minutes, then lower to 350F for 15-20 minutes until juices are bubbling out of your vents. Let sit for 3-4 hours.

We cut the fruit up before making the crust so that some of the juice came out of the apples, this way your apples don't all sink leaving you a big air gap between your fruit and your top pie crust. We also sprinkled a little flour in the bottom of the pie before adding the apples to help thicken up the juices during baking. Delicious!