Thursday, June 23, 2011

Fleece Diaper Soakers



Let me start by saying that I love cloth-diapering folks. I wanted to do it so badly with my boys, but couldn't get my hubs to be okay with the thought of 'poop in the washer'. Geeps. ;)



So I was super excited for my friend, Lindsey, who just had her second baby, when she decided she wanted to give cloth-diapering a go. She did her research and decided on un-bleached pre-folds with Snappis and soakers. I thought, perfect....I definitely want to buy her some wool interlock soakers for her shower. THEN, I did my shopping. Whoa. I found out that I can't afford wool interlock soakers, nor can I afford or FIND wool interlock yardage to make them myself. Sooooooo, here's my story of a comprimise, that hopefully will work wonderfully for my sweet friend's new baby Lilly.



My (other) friend, Lynsey, is a super-pro on cloth diapering, so I sought out her advice. She directed me to this pattern and advised me to try fleece instead. While not as natural as wool, fleece is also breathable and can be thrown in the dryer (perfect for folks who can't afford to have Nana 'accidentally throw their $40 wool soaker in the dryer on high' and end up with an extremely expensive, tiny wool scrubbie).






They were VERY fun to make. The pattern is spot-on. Just be advised that you have to stretch the waist and leg bands as you sew them on. I had some fun making appliques for the bum side...in this case, apples, which had me humming, "...apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur..." I'm sure her daddy would not appreciate my humor here. :)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Plum Bo Peep

Welp, my hubbers has officially started his MBA studies, and for the time being, I've turned down an illustration job on a new crafting book. Reaaaalllly tough decision, but family-first seems like the wiser choice right now. Friends keep giving me great advice to enjoy my babies while they're small. So, you'll find me kissin' chubba cheeks this summer and tripping to the pool and library. It also gives me a wee bit more time to SEW and illustrate for FUN....


...I mentioned the cheeks, right?


Saturday, June 11, 2011

NEW! Pocketful of Pinwheels Bookplates


These have been in the works for awhile....so long, that I finally said to myself 'just do this!'



Our boys LOVE reading and love books. Reading to your child is one of the most precious gifts you can give them. I'm in the process of adding new bookplate designs to the shop, and I hope you'll enjoy them! These are available in PDF format. Each file you purchase contains a sheet that fits 6 bookplates to a page. Use adhesive paper, or simply glue them into your book's cover with a glue stick or other acid-free glue. Use them over and over to print as many as you like! These would also make great gift enclosures.


What would you like to see next?

Monday, June 6, 2011

'Sew To Swap' by Chrissie Grace


YAY! yay, yay, yay!

There is finally a cover design for the book that I just finished illustrating. Sew To Swap by Chrissie Grace is set to hit stores and quilt shops in October. It's also available for pre-order here.


Listen, folks...even if I hadn't been illustrator for this book, I'd STILL want you to have it. Some of my very favorite quilters have contributed to the projects laid out in the book. If you've ever been part of an online quilting/sewing swap or even swapped in your quilt guild, OR never have done either and are curious about it, check this book out. I've met so many online friends with the same love for fabric through swaps. The book is very modern and full of gorgeous ideas. Thank you, Chrissie, for suggesting me to work on this!


Wooooot! (can you hint my excitement??)

Saturday, June 4, 2011

'Water for Elephants Quilt'




I've been sitting on these pictures for a couple weeks, hoping I would get a chance to edit them. Alas, here they are...un-edited :)


When I saw this quilt pattern from Cluck. Cluck. Sew., I knew it was perfect for my friend, Julia's modern baby boy nursery. She has great taste and is decorating in a mod baby transportation theme.

Don't look too closely. It was my first straight line quilting attempt. Boo of a job getting even spacing and straight lines. I'm going to go ahead and say that I heart free-motion quilting far better. Who knew? This was also my very first quilt pattern to follow. I highly recommend this one. Allison is always spot-on when she shares her quilting techniques. I can't wait to try another one of her patterns. MUST finish quilting the two I have in-progress first ;) My poor hubby has been waiting forever for his quilt to be finished. If you listen closely, you can hear him sniffling behind this one as he holds it up for the picture ;)