Frock by Friday with GROSGRAIN

GROSGRAIN is hosting another Frock by Friday project starting next Monday. This one will use a pattern by Burdastyle called "Anda" that promises to be easy enough for beginners.  I just printed out the pattern and I'm already confused. Plus, I saw the words "bias tape" and "elastic."  Gulp!

Still, I'm going to give it a try.

Here is my fabric:

Fabric from FABRICWORM

It is a cotton voile even though the pattern calls for a knit or linen. I think voile should be light and flowy enough.  Guess I'll find out.

Want to join in? You still have time!!!  The project starts on Monday.

Craft Bazaar Items

Since I am getting pretty good at making toddler aprons, I decided to make a few cotton ones in a holiday print to donate to my church bazaar. I headed to Joann's (they are starting to recognize me there) to pick out fabric.

I chose this one for boys:

And this one for girls with a red background:

I may make a few of the warmer rice bags as well. I made one this weekend and it was pretty easy. The one change I would make to the tutorial would be to sew four chambers into the muslin rice bag to help contain the rice so that it doesn't all run to one side. 

Now, if I could just go home to my sewing machine instead of spending the day working.  Sigh.

Rivertown Revival

It was a Rivertown Revival in my little town last Saturday. We headed to the riverside of Petaluma (the Greatest Slough on Earth) for a little music, food and fun.  The revival was meant to evoke a riverside carnival of 100 years ago. To that end, we saw many people dressed in mix of steampunk and Victorian carny fare.

There was music by groups such as El Radio Fantastique (complete with dancing lady):

And we saw a bearded lady:

There were decorated boats in the river such as this magnificent dragon boat:

And Noodlebug got to make his own boat from a milk carton:

I even indulged in some delicious fried pickles!!!

A good time was had by all. This was the first year for the Rivertown Revival and I look forward to seeing what happens next year!!!

Child's Apron: DONE!!!

Here is an action shot of the new apron:

One yard of fabric:  $2.99

Iron-on Vinyl at 40% off:  $5.40

Pattern: FREE!!!

Lots of leftovers of both items to make something else!!!

I'm inspired to make more of these aprons using different fabrics.  My one challenge was the vinyl. It crinkled a bunch when I turned the apron inside-out.  I may try ironing on the vinyl last before I do the topstitching.  Still, I think the experiment was a success!!!

A Quilt Project and Tutorial Roundup

Lately, I have been obsessed with sewing and quilting.  This is not becoming a fabric crafting blog though! I am also working on a paper project for the Vintage ABC Swap! (more on that later)  I wanted a way to practice some quilting techniques that wouldn't break the bank. So, I joined this Block of the Month club:

Each block set is a pieced block so I should be able to handle it. No applique necessary. My first two kits arrived yesterday and I'm anxious to get started. I figured I can handle a block a month. If you want to join in, go here. 

I have also been digging into my fabric craft drawer to drag out old projects I haven't finished. I have boxers for myself from a Sis Boom pattern and a shorts and top set by Oliver + S for Noodlebug. I am waiting on some fabric to make Noodlebug some chalkboard placemats from this tutorial. I also found two tutorials for some great gifts/craft bazaar projects: a neck cooler and a rice bag warmer.  Both projects would be a great way to use up some left over material.  What is on your craft project "to do" list?

Next Project: Child's Apron

(photo borrowed from and owned by Sew Liberated)

UPDATE:  Done!!!! I did the apron last night in about two hours. I like the pattern. Very easy to make. I ended up not binding it with bias tape.  The one snag I ran into was my desire to iron vinyl onto the front panel of fabric. I did this first and when I turned the apron inside out it crinkled the vinyl.  Still, it looks okay and it is definitely functional. Maybe next time I will iron on the vinyl last.  I will post photos soon!!!

Noodlebug needs an apron for both helping in the kitchen and for messy art. I have had a hard time finding a pattern that I like. I really wanted more of a smock but I'm going to go with this child's apron from SEW LIBERATED.

I hit Joann's today and got more of this fabric that I used to make Noodlebug's boxer shorts:

I think they are discontinuing it which is too bad because it is so darn cute!!!  It was on sale for $2.99 a yard.  I really wanted to use oilcloth but it is expensive and has limited patterns. So, I'm going to use iron-on vinyl for the front panel of the apron. HeatnBond makes some for $9.49 for 2 yards. I used my Joann's 40% mailer coupon on that. I'm going to use a bright yellow bias tape for the edges.

I'll let you know how it goes! In the meantime, I need to finish the Anna Maria Horner museum tunic I have been working on and start my Christmas rag quilt!

Buy a Net, Win a Quilt

Many of you know that I have had quilts on the brain lately. I am just obsessed with quilts!!!  One of my very favorite bloggers, Crystal, has been working on a very special quilt.  Crystal has been inspired to create a quilt to raffle off in order to buy life-saving nets for people in Africa. These simple nets help prevent diseases such as malaria that are transmitted by mosquitos. So, if you buy a net for $10, you get an entry in Crystal's raffle to win this beautiful quilt. Find our more information about Crystal's project here. And while you are there, check out all the other wonderful things that Crystal creates. My favorite is her series of HOHO monsters.  Or maybe it's Noodlebug's favorite.

Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway

My friend Kim revived my love of birds recently and I have had birds on the brain every since.  I was looking at this charm pack on Fat Quarter Shop yesterday and was thinking about making a quilt from it.  I just don't have the money to buy more fabric right now, though.

THEN....I went onto one of my favorite blogs, V & Co., and saw that she is doing a Fat Quarter Shop giveaway! Kismet!!! 

The giveaway is for a Lumiere de Noel Moda Quilt kit. Wouldn't that be a fun project to tackle?

Might need some help with this one, though.

If you would like to enter the giveaway, go here.

Catalog Living

Even though I feel terrible about the amount of paper that is wasted, I have to admit I LOVE catalogs. I get so much inspiration from catalogs. Clothing and furniture are always styled in ways I never would have thought of.  Sometimes, though, I marvel at the way rooms are styled.  I think to myself, "Clearly, these people don't have toddlers."  Here is one such setup:

My caption for this would be:  "Starfish...nature's teether?"  Because no one with a toddler would put those type of items within reach of little hands.

That is why I need to thank Amber for introducing me to Catalog Living.  This site takes photos from a variety of catalogs and puts funny captions with them. I can't remember the last time I have laughed so hard. 

Go check it out and come back and tell me your favorite.  I have to admit that "Reading is fundamental..." really got me laughing.

Picnic Quilt

FINISHED!!!!

We sat on it while watching fireworks.  It was the first time Noodlebug really saw fireworks and he didn't know what to think.  His final commentary?  "Lights going BANG!"

Four Years

This picture was taken at Noodlebug's first birthday party in May 2009 and it is one of my favorites.

Four years ago, on July 3, 2006, I did this:

And that made possible the joy of the first picture.

Happy Fourth Anniversary to my husband!

May there be many more to come!!!