simple Analogy

The Piecing of Pillows - Part Two

This one was also made from a pattern in Stitch by Malka.  It is really just improv piecing.  If you've ever wanted to try improv, but aren't quite comfortable about diving in on your own, use this pattern.  It takes you step by step in the piecing process.

I was more free with reaching in the bag and pulling out a strip this time.  It think I'm getting more into the true improv spirit.  I had two bags:  one for cool colors (mine were green and aqua) and one for warm (orange).  I did want to add a little black and white as well, so I threw some of those in my warm bag.  This pattern starts with a cool center then rotates around the center with two cool, two warm.  You keep going until you have about a 7 1/2 inch block then square it up.  There are nine 7 1/2 inch blocks altogether.  Since I have done improv before, it was a breeze.  Now let me tell you just because it was a breeze doesn't mean it didn't take time.  Sewing all those little pieces together does take time, but it's really fun.  Each block comes out as a surprise at the end.  This is exactly the look I was going for - fresh and fun.  Time for free motion! 

*** Take a look at the variations on this pillow at Wise Craft! 

The Piecing of Pillows - Part One

Care for a piece of pi?  I am going to make a real pie (with store bought, roll out pie crust - thanks for nothing Williams and Sonoma) this week for Joel, but I'm talking about my Pi pillow.  There are sixteen pieces to be exact and the cutting of them took the most time on this one.  The piecing flew together, though sewing through the middle where all those pieces come together was a little difficult.  It probably would have been easier if I would have had a fresh, sharp needle to do the job.  Why do I always forget to change out the needle until I get bogged down?  Note to self!

My pi doesn't exactly lay flat.  It's a little wavy.  Either I didn't sew some of the pieces exactly at the 1/4 inch seam allowance or my pieces stretched while I was sewing them together.  I'm thinking the latter is more likely.  Wavy or not, I think it will make a great pillow once the quilting is done and it's all put together.

Pieced using the Pi Pillow pattern by Malka Dubrawsky in Stitch Magazine.  Her book is coming out soon!

Favorite Baby Blankets

Did you have a good weekend?  Ours was relaxing.  I did a lot of sewing (more on that tomorrow), cooked a ton for my hungry boy, and started a new family read.  One of my sewing projects was to finish a baby blanket.

My mom makes great baby blankets by crocheting around the edge of flannel.  I can't crochet like her, but I can add binding.  My favorite way to make a baby blanket:  square up one yard of flannel, add binding, and applique.  I like to use one main color and at least one or two smaller pieces of different fabric for the binding.  Simple, but with handmade love behind it.  This one's for the Craft Hope project.

He's Back!

 

We've only been meaning to hang these magnetic boards in Landon's room since we moved back in.  That would be five months.  Good grief!  Joel hung them for me Friday evening and Noah and I did the messages right before we went to pick Landon up from camp.  He came back H-U-N-G-R-Y!  The boy ate a piece of fruit for breakfast, pizza for lunch and dinner - EVERYDAY!  Did they not have anything else to eat?  Yes, but it didn't look that good to him.

We used magnetic pattern blocks if you're wondering.  They are great to use for problem solving, patterns, fractions, art... the list could go on and on.  You can use them on cookie sheets, the fridge, the back of a folding chair...

Sweet Turtles

When I was picking out fabrics for Micah's gift I was drawn to traditional baby blues.  I added some stone Kona cotton and some lime green to perk it up a bit.  The whole thing turned out sweet, just like Micah.

 

 

Becky's comment, "I was hoping you would make me a bag!"  Not only that, but a stack of improv burp cloths and a blanket.

Can you tell I took the pictures inside?  Just too wicked hot to step outside even for the shortest of photo shoots!

My List

• Finish Micah's present 
• Groceries
• Take Noah to the library
• Make a blanket for the next Craft Hope Project - Almost able to cross this one off.  That's my binding up there.
• Make the dress
• Hang my gallery
• Hang magnetic boards in Landon's room - I miss him!
• Try my hand at printing
• Get my car inspected
• Start my pillows

I thought I'd be way more into this list by now, but Noah's social calendar has been quite full.  The last half of the week is looking like it will be my best chance - hopefully!

Aahhhhh!

It is so quiet around here this morning.  What with all the VBS fanfare of last week, not to mention the 4th of July and all the dry ice bombs my guys made, I forgot just how good it is to hear NOTHING! 

We spent the morning of the fourth making a mad dash to buy socks and athletic pants for Landon to take to camp.  The afternoon was spent at my in-laws.  The adults (except me because "I'm exhausted of it") played cards, the kids played Twister all afternoon, and I held the baby and took a few turns being the spinner.  Micah is an angel I tell you!  The dry ice bombs were and always are a hit.  It must be a guy thing - the urge to destroy and make noise.

Sunday was a blur of activity:  church, packing for camp, church again, and more church, and more church.  Those of you that were there will know what I'm talking about here.  I had to pull out a VeggieTales video for the nursery kids to watch, and I NEVER do that.  Then after the marathon church service Landon went off to camp for the week, and Noah went to a friend's for the night.  Joel and I went to dinner at one of our favorite places before kids and enjoyed each other's company.

This morning, I'm all alone making lists of fun stuff I want to do this week.  My first real week of summer break! 

Gratitude Friday

So much to be thankful for...

It's the last day of VBS!

The children were very good and had so much fun.  I love to see that all the fun plans I made were not in vain and that they truly enjoyed themselves.

Awesome helpers!!!!  Thank you Lissa, Melanie, Megan, Ruth, Amanda, and Ruth.  The notebooks are their thank you gifts.  I used composition notebooks, fabric, and Heat 'n Bond.

My 20+ trips each day to the potty with the kids end at 12:30pm!!!!!!  That potty training business will wear you out!

I get to sleep in tomorrow!!!!!!!

July Craft Along - Fingerprint Art

No one's fingerprints are exactly alike - each are unique!  So is our project for this month - fingerprint art. 

Ruth - age 12

Supplies:  Ink pad, paper, pens/markers, an Ed Emberley book (local Barnes and Noble bookstores usually carry them as well as many other bookstores)

Approximate cost: $3 for stamp pad, $10 for the book - I promise this book will get used!  Keep it on hand for rainy day projects, activities for nieces/nephews, play dates, use it yourself to illustrate notes to your kids, make gift tags, decorate wrapping paper or a gift bag.  Endless possibilities!

Abbie - age 6

A little bit about the Ed Emberley books:  he's got several different ones (Complete Funprint Drawing Book, Fingerprint Drawing Book, Great Thumbprint Drawing Book) each filled with simple step-by-step how to's.  A five-year-old should be able to follow the directions on their own.  Younger children may need help.  After the first few, turn them loose to make their own creations. 

Esther - age 7

If you can't put your hands on the book, there are online sites that you can go to for directions.  Here are a few:   DLTK's Growing Together, Cool Mom Ideas.  Also you can look at the pictures in this post and this one to get some ideas.  You can click on any picture to see it larger.

Post your pictures on our Kid's Craft Along Flickr Group!  Be prepared to get sucked into this one with your kids.  It's really fun!  Thank you to my nieces Ruth, Esther, and Abbie for helping me with the artwork!

The World's A Stage

 This is mine for the next week.  Made out of plastic tablecloths which are much cheaper than fabric.

My audience...

 

along with eight squirmy little two and three year olds.

Public service announcement***  Due to exhaustion that sets in after VBS is over for the day, posting will be at a minimum this week!