my ornate quilt

You might have spotted and guessed which mini quilt I was working on in my last post.  Yes, I know you scour every inch of all my posts looking for all the tiny details, ha, right.  Anyway, I finished up the binding this weekend and it's a keeper!  I decided it's going in my sewing/playroom space to stay.  I'm excited to finally hang a quilt on the wall, I haven't done that before, but I may become addicted, just a warning.

It's Christina [The Sometimes Crafter]'s lovely pattern that she originally surprised us with at Sewing Summit.  It's now available in her shop - Ornate Mini Quilt Pattern, it would make a really great Christmas present if you're thinking ahead.

I really enjoyed the curves, she gives tons of great tips in the pattern, so don't be worried about whether or not you'll be able to do it!

Liberty Mini Rainbow Bundle | Gray Quilter's Linen by Robert Kaufman | Hello Pilgrim by Lizzy House backing

If you want a little taste of Liberty, you can't go wrong with the mini rainbow bundle, put it on your Christmas list!

magazines and doughnuts

I made my way into this Better Homes & Gardens Make it Yourself magazine!  Pretty fun seeing it in print, I even spotted a copy at
Target.  You might recognize my little project in there, the boys wallets.  It's also filled with so many great other projects, and from lots of bloggers you probably already know.  So check it out!

I also felt really compelled to eat some Pumpkin Spice doughnuts (recipe from Blue-Eyed Bakers).  So we got a doughnut baking pan (still need to hunt down the mini size) and I got to work.  Right out of the oven they are heavenly, and I can't imagine much better.  Seriously, you need to make them, they're easy and fun.

And I've been working on a little sewing.  Hoping to finish it up this week.  I've been so lazy about sewing lately, especially with the unseasonably warm weather we've been having - not complaining!

sewing summit 2012

I'm not sure why this took me so long to write.  I think to sum up the experience is difficult, but one word I would use is overwhelming - in a good way.  It's crazy to be in the same room with so many people that are into sewing.  Gosh, I met amazing people, it was awesome.  Plus, there just wasn't enough time to meet everyone.

Erin [Two More Seconds] and the Sewing Summit staff did an amazing job, I can't even imagine running an event like that and everything went so smoothly.

My lecture went really well, even though I wasn't feeling that great (and a thanks again to Erin for bringing me very last minute feel better remedies).  I hope it left everyone feeling inspired.  I think I would do it again if given the opportunity.

Overall, the hardest part for me was the lack of quiet time to myself, I'm definitely an introvert.  Next time I'll have to remember that!  I feel so lucky though to know all of these amazing women.

It was so amazing to talk to those I've never met, but had made something from one of my patterns or tutorials. I even got this cool clutch!  How totally sweet.

I did start one sewing project at Sewing Summit (sounds kind of backwards right? to not sew much at sewing summit) during Christina's Mini Curves Quilt class.  Hoping to finish it up this weekend.  ♥

sidekick testers

I had a great opportunity to work with these lovely women to help me test my Sidekick Tote Pattern.  They are seriously the best testers, very detailed and really helped catch so many things.  For that I am very grateful.  I've learned that a smaller handful of testers works best for me, otherwise things tend to feel overwhelming.  So I'd like to show off their creations here:

Darci, you can view her flickr stream here.  I love how she used such happy colors.  Even the back of the bag looks awesome!

June, of JuneBug's World.  She upcycled some wool gaberdine for the exterior, perfect!!  Read more about her bag here.

Gail, of Probably Actually.  She pulled off yet another beautiful combo, love it with her baby belly.
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Aren't they great?!  I love how the different options make for lots of opportunities for something really unique.  Don't forget to add yours to the flickr group!

Well, I suppose my next post might be about Sewing Summit, since it's only a few days away now!

pajama pants for me!

Wohoo!  I'm super excited about these pants.  I love how they turned out.  Pajama pants should be pretty easy right?  Well, I decided to draft my own pattern and majorly messed up the first round.  I found myself driving to the fabric store on my lunch hour the next day just to get more fabric so I could try again.  I was super bummed.  So I reworked the pattern pieces.

These turned out just like I wanted!  Honestly it feels so good.  I love how comfortable they are.  And did you notice the flat front and shirred back?  Oh, and that little decorative tie and bound hem, fun stuff!!!  I love the nice long length, seriously, someone needs to tell clothes manufacturers that they need to make longer pajama pants, the ones I buy are always too short!

Clothespin People/Crafty Chloe by Heather Ross, waistband is Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater, tie front is Washi Waves by Rashida Coleman-Hale

In other news I made these yummy s'mores cupcakes for my dad's birthday treat.  They were so good.  Get the recipe HERE by Pastry Affair.

fall

As I'm preparing for my Sewing Summit class, I thought I'd share some fall pictures I've taken from here in the lovely midwest.  I wish I could take a whole day just to drive around and take pictures, but the backyard and around town will have to do for now.

 Someone's hiding in the pampas grass.

The last of our raspberries ready to be eaten.

Neighbor's wood pile.

Lastly, we have two apple trees in our yard, combined they produced one apple this year, yes one.  Usually there are so many, but with the crazy weather this spring and summer it just didn't happen.  So we were in awe of this one apple, carefully leaving it on the tree so it ripened.  Until the other day when I went to check on it, and found it in the grass - being eaten by the ants.  Hmph.