Apron Strings

Yesterday afternoon, I stumbled across a sewing magazine with instructions on how to make three different kinds of vintage aprons. I had some free time and an urge to sew something so I pulled out my box of vintage fabric scraps and started piecing some colors together! I absolutely fell in love with the first apron pattern (far left in above picture) because it looked so feminine with the ruffled pocket and ruffles on the bottom. A sewing we will go....

Mom helped me dig through my huge pile of mismatched fabrics and, with her excellent eye for color coordination, came up with these three matching fabrics which I love together (probably because they're pink and green :)! I am really happy with how this apron turned out because normally I am terrible when it comes to following unfamilliar sewing directions. :) I absolutely love wearing aprons! Does anyone else or is it just me? There's just something about putting on an apron that makes everyday tasks more enjoyable! This is so silly but this morning I was actually planning today's outfit to match my apron! :)

This afternoon I was inspired after reading about Hannah's recent bread making post! I had always wanted to try making those beautiful artisan breads and thought I'd try my hand at it today.

I found this recipe on Panera Bread's website after Googling "artisan breads". I made their Three Cheese Bread but with two kinds of cheese because we didn't have any Asiago cheese. We're having soup tonight for dinner so I thought that would go nicely with the meal. Next, I really want to try Hannah's recipe for Italian/French bread! Is anyone else starving? :) ~Alli

From Trash To Treasure...

Yesterday when Mom and I went to the Pregnancy Center, we stumbled across a goodie that was laying in a trash pile in front of our storage units.

Here it is! :) Yes, it looks like a total piece of junk! There were chips, scratches, spiders, and stains all over this thing, but I had something in mind for this desk. :) Mom and I hauled it into the van, spiders and all, and took it home. Some very strong cleaner and many paper towels later...
A new sewing table! I am so excited! Before, I had my sewing supplies on my hope chest, and my knees kept knocking up against it when I tried to sew. I had always wanted a little sewing area! Sure the drawers get stuck sometimes but that's okay. :) The insides of the drawers were stained really badly so I scrubbed them and cut out some drawer liners from scrap fabric.
I'm ready for some sewing! I already have some projects lined up that I'm working on and need to finish soon. :) Maybe I'll post them when I finish! ~Alli

Whistle While You Work!

Yesterday we had a real treat! Nan, Aunt Rhonda, and little cousin Emily came out to our house for a sewing project! Aunt had to prepare a craft for her Brownie troop and she needed the help of some reinforcements and more sewing machines ! We made little denim cushions for the Brownies to sit on and carry with them for hiking and such.

We had an industrious assembly line going! Mom was the photographer. :)

Here's Nan sewing away! We had the hardest time with that stubborn machine. It is a really old one that I had yet to use. Nan adjusted a few things and now it runs a smoothly as silk!

Here I am trying not to sew my fingers together. :)

Almost finished!

Here Aunt is stuffing a pair to see what the finished product is going to look like.

Well done ladies! Sixteen cushions were sewn yesterday. We were even able to make an extra one for Emily to enjoy. I hope the girls can get some good use out of them! Thanks Nan, Aunt, and Ems for coming out! We loved it! ~Alli

More Sewing?

Yes, there is another sewing project in the works! Last week in Wal*Mart (our home away from home), Mom and I spotted this very simple-looking pattern for a basic draw-string skirt. I had always a basic pattern with which I could make many skirts that would go with everything and anything. I thought I would give this one a try!

I made the A pattern (the blue and white stripped) and was surprised at just how simple it was to make! I didn't even have to call my grandma for sewing help this time (and I usually need a lot with patterns!) . :) I would really recommend this pattern for anyone who just wants a basic but stylish skirt. If I can make it...anyone can! Another great thing about this pattern is that you only need 2 1/8 yards of fabric. Therefore, it's not awfully expensive to make!

I have already made two skirts...one for myself and one for Mom. Since I enjoyed making them so much, Mom took me to Hanncock Fabrics today to pick out some fabric for two more skirts. I think the fabric we chose looks very much like Fall. :) Anyway, I can't wait to make them! I'm going to go and wash my fabric now! Stay tuned for pictures. :) ~Alli

Sew, Sew, Sew Your Quilt...

Today was a "sewing day" for Alli and Meredith. First, they both made love knot blankets for their hope chests. This was a very easy blanket to make. They were excited to finally get something completed.
Next, they worked on their quilts. This pattern was very time consuming. I overheard a lot of laughter upstairs so I'm not sure if they were working or playing.... Can anyone guess the name of this pattern? No fair Sarah G. You're the only one who can't guess...That is unless no one else can guess it. :) ~Julie

A Sewing We Will Go!

Alright! My friend Meredith and I have officially started sewing on our new quilting project! On Friday, we completed lessons one and two of our quilting book, which took us quite a few hours to finish. :) First, we cut out the many strips that are going to be used for the inward borders in our quilt and also the outward border. After that, she and I broke out the sewing machines and pieced together our first block, the "rail fence". We are both really happy with the way our first squares turned out!

We decided to work on the next lesson on our own over the weekend. In this lesson, we had to make the "double nine patch" square. Pay no mind to the crooked squares and stray strings...I am still learning. :) I can't wait to see Meredith's when we meet up again for the next lesson. I'm sure it turned out beautifully with those colors! I can't wait to start our next lesson during the upcoming week! Thanks again Sarah for getting us hooked on this quilt. It is so much fun! ~Alli

Sewing Frenzy

Help! I can't seem to stop making these! :) I'm hoping to start selling these on eBay. Stay tuned for some girly onesies!

Strawberry Pin Cushion

I just posted this one on eBay if you want to take a look! It should be listed on this page with the other strawberry pin cushions. ~Alli

An April Baby Shower

An April baby-shower gave Mom and I the opportunity to make some girly baby gifts! The shower was for a dear family from church who finds joy in having a full quiver! :) Mom made the new little one a soft and cuddly fleece love-knot blanket.

For my birthday, I received a embroidery book that comes with iron-on transfers. I had never used them before, but I decided to give it a try! Mom suggested that I embroider these plain white onesies. They were so much fun to make! I hope the new baby can get some good use out of them. :)

~Alli

Sewing Disaster!

Yesterday, after we went thrifting, Mom spotted this lovely sewing book on the shelf. It is full of fun little projects such as handbags, quilts, lampshades, pillowcases, etc... along with the instructions showing you how to make them. The book itself is so pretty inside with the many different bright colors and pictures.

After flipping the pages, I saw these cute little slippers and thought I would give 'em a try! I decided to use cotton material instead of going out and buying terry cloth for this attempt. I wanted to be safe...just in case I messed up (which was very likely with a new pattern :)). I cut out the fabric and started sewing! This is what I ended up with...

Here it is! The only problem is... it barely fits over my big toe! :) I have a feeling I'm going to be giving this pattern a tad bit more practice before I can have a new pair of slippers that actually fit... ~Alli

Very "Impatient" for Spring!

Get it? hee hee... ~Alli

A Gift for Mom and Dad

Today I received hand embroidered pillowcases from Alli. She did a beautiful job and I will always cherish these. Her love for the home is inspiring. ~Julie

More Pincushions!

Hello everyone! I set up an Etsy shop today for the first time! Please feel free to visit...the link is on the sidebar. :) ~Alli

Guess What?

Can anyone guess what this is? For those of you who said a pin-cushion, you are right! These little felt projects have been so much fun to make, and I've really enjoyed playing with all of the different color combinations and flower designs. I was actually able to sell one on E-Bay last week for the Spring!

I have been named the "crafty" one in the family because I always have my hand on a new project! Sometimes I think I have too many going on at once, but I love creating things and seeing the end results. I have just begun to get into embroidery, and I think I have embroidered just about everything in the house. My next project to tackle is embroidering pillowcases for Mom and Dad. Hey, they aren't complaining! :) ~Alli