Wishful Wednesday

Today I am wishing I had these fabrics! I found all of them over at Robert Kaufman's website. The cat one describes my life; cats climbing all over me and destroying things while I am sewing!

Quilting and cookies

Last night I had the most fun that I have had at my quilting class. It's probably because I spent the whole class talking! I love the women in my class, we spent the evening talking about books we have read, TV shows we like (Mad Men!), and antique shopping. I wish I had friends to talk about books with or maybe I just need to join a book club.

I sewed together that small block pictured above. The colors are pretty wild, so hopefully the quilt comes together when I'm finished.

Some guy brought me cookies today. Poppyseed and apricot. Thanks, dude!

I have some friends

This weekend I was very social, more social than normal. My good friend Megan K. came over on Saturday morning and she painted her nails the same color as mine, we gossiped, and talked about her new hobbies. It was SO good to see her. Then I rushed off to San Luis and met my other good friend Libbi "Kardashian" for lunch at Natural Cafe. We shopped (surprisingly, I didn't buy anything), ate frozen yogurt, and tried to find things that made her look more like a Kardashian. On Sunday we went to Mike and Vanessa's house for an amazing BBQ and then went with Curtis and Jessie to see The Help.

While hanging out with friends was fun, I was NOT productive project wise at all. I was complaining to Luke about how I feel like such a loser because I haven't been sewing, reading, cooking, or designing as much as I would like. He told me that instead of focusing on what I haven't done I should be focusing on what I have done. He pointed out that I am a busy 27 year old business owner and I have a lot on my plate.

So, please forgive me for not finishing my projects, I'm busy working and having fun with my friends :)

Vintage Photo Friday - Beachy

One project crossed off my list

Remember last week when I wrote that huge project to do list? Right now I get to cross off one item:

I need to make a cute bandana for work. My work outfit consists of Levis, a plain white v-neck t-shirt, and Converse. A bandana would complete this outfit.

Sorry you can't see the top of the bandana. Since I was alone yesterday I had to take one of those awkward self portrait photos with my iPhone and I wasn't too successful. I'm not sure why one of my eyes looks blue because both of my eyes are actually hazel. Weird.

Yesterday was pretty wild at work. Very busy. I bought my first power tool for Luke since he couldn't get to the store. I sent this picture to him to make sure that I was buying the right one. Because it was so wild I didn't have time to go home and change before my quilting class. One of the older women in the class told me that she used to wear her hair in a bandana just like me! She said that I brought back memories from her high school years.

This was actually the first bandana I made, but it doesn't fit! It is just an inch shy of fitting on my huge head. If anyone would like to have it for their non huge head/kid/dog I would be more than happy to give it to you. Please e-mail me or leave a comment here.

 Another project completed, but it wasn't on my list, so I can't cross it off. Do you remember this post? Well, the frame is finally being put to use! I was digging through the eight boxes of fabric my quilting instructor gave me and I found this fabric that is almost thick enough to be canvas. The selvage said that it was made in 1978! The scrap was perfect, if it had been one inch shorter it wouldn't have fit in the frame. It was meant to be in that frame, now I just need to figure out where I want to hang it...

Happy Monday!

What a great weekend! I hung out with my friend Ari, spent time with my family, shopped, and ate good food. I can't complain.

I have posted about my favorite food blog, Addicted to Veggies, a few times now because I am obsessed with Sarahfae's cooking. A while back she made this amazing recipe for me and I finally got to make it myself and it did not disappoint! The Lime in the Coconut Cream Pies were sooo good and I can't stop thinking about them.

Here are the ingredients I ended up buying. From left to right: coconut flour, a young Thai coconut, coconut water (for me to drink, not for the recipe), coconut oil, coconut crystals, and coconut butter. These are all new cooking ingredients for me, but I know I will get use out of them. I even found a recipe for a hair mask using coconut oil here, so it will get used one way or another :)

 I bought and successfully opened my first young Thai coconut. And I did it myself!

The finished product is not even close to being as pretty as Sarahfae's, but they taste amazing and that's what counts, right? The crust  is to die for!

One of my good friends, Brandon , is raising money for Alzheimer's research through art. He is making custom pieces starting at $30. I asked him to make a Cary Grant painting for me and he sent me the photo above within a few hours. I love it and can't wait to hang it up! Thank you Brandon! Please contact him on Facebook if you would like to have something made.

On Sunday Luke and I drove with my mom and grandma to Santa Barbara. I gave her the quilt and she liked it! I was nervous because she was a very talented seamstress and I am sure my amateur mistakes are painfully obvious, but she seemed very grateful and appreciative. I also got to see my aunt and uncle, who I haven't seen in over a year.

Afterwards we went to downtown Santa Barbara, got lunch at a Hawaiian restaurant, and shopped. I didn't buy much, but Luke found lots of things for himself at American Apparel. It's hard for me to shop because I always think to myself, "I could make that or learn how to make it." Plus clothing can be so expensive that it is hard to justify such a pricey purchase for something I probably won't wear too often.

 Here we are waiting for my mom in Nordstroms.

Wheww! What a busy weekend. Happy Monday!

Vintage Photo Friday - Cats

American Rose by Karen Abbott

I don't know a thing about Gypsy Rose Lee, but I'm about to read her biography, which is apparently amazing. The reviews on the book are quite good and the praise from Kathryn Stockett and Sara Gruen are glowing. Ready, set, read!

Past, Present, and Future Projects

TO DO FOR 2013
Note: if an item has been crossed out that means it has been completed. Click on the link to see photos of the finished project.

• Mint, pink, white, and black quilt for Ariana
• Pink floral Macaron
• Burdastyle Shift Dress
• Jasmine blouse by Colette Patterns
• T-shirt quilt for Luke
• Rooibos dress by Colette Patterns.
• An overnight bag
• A 1920's style kimono robe
• Clover by Colette Patterns
• Juniper by Colette Patterns
• Ceylon by Colette Patterns
• Anise by Colette Patterns
• The Bombshell dress by Gertie and from Craftsy
• Chelsea dress by Christine Haynes

COMPETED IN 2011

• Renfrew, long sleeve.
• Six grocery totes for Christmas gifts
• Los Angeles Clippers Hazel dress
• Chelsea dress by Christine Haynes
• Grocery tote for Shawntel
• Chelsea wearable muslin
• Apron for Sarahfae
• A fall Meringue
• Peony wearable muslin
• Alma Blouse, view B
• Mustard Renfrew
• Shark apron for my friend Megan
• Pink polka dot Hazel
• Cambie dress in yellow
• Strawberry skirt - New Look 6872
• Green Renfrew
• Hazel dress by Colette Patterns
• Hazel muslin
• Napkins for Kim C.
• Sorbetto in black and yellow.
• Renfrew in coral
• Renfrew in animal print
• Truffle wearable muslin
• Blanket for Frankie
• Skull embroidery
• Dog bed for Frankie
• Floral Sorbetto
• Colorful fabric sash
• Red dress for The Sew Weekly challenge
• Quilt for Lori's baby
• Tea embroidery
• Cat embroidery
• Red, white, and blue Sorbetto top.
• Neck warmer for Collin
• Camera case
• Meringue Skirt by Colette Patterns
• Pastille Dress by Colette Patterns
• Truffle Dress by Colette Patterns
• Taffy Blouse by Colette Patterns
• Licorice Dress by Colette Patterns
• Peony by Colette Patterns
• Macaroon wearable muslin by Colette Patterns

COMPETED IN 2011

• 1940s slip/nightgown
• Christmas tree skirt.
• Red, white, and blue quilt.
• Scrap bag.
• Capelet for myself.
• Capelet for my sister.
• Rose earrings.
• Neck warmer.
• Scrap bag.
• Lavender neck warmer.
• Quilt (the new, beachy, colorful one I started in summer quarter 2011).
• Green shirt from a vintage pattern. 
• I need to make a cute bandana for work. 
• Makeup bag. I hate mine.
• Make a new purse. My old one is falling apart.
• Black pencil skirt.
• Sewing machine cover.
• Headboard for our bed.
• My first quilt.
• Pillowcases for Kim
• Blanket for Krista and Matt's baby
• Pillowcases for me 
• Teddy bear
• Baby quilt for Sammy and Brittany's baby 
• Quilt for Kala and Mike's baby
• Wizard of Oz skirt
• Napkins for our table. I want them to be pink, green, black, and white to match my kitchen.
• Gift for Cali and Chad's baby girl.
• Purse #1
• My apron
• My first dress
• Headband
• Clippers blanket for Luke

WWII - Manzanar

On Saturday morning I was on page 40 of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. By mid afternoon I had read the 300 pages and finished the entire book. It was such an amazing read. I loved hearing about the different cultures (Chinese and Japanese), time period (Seattle during WWII), and of course the love story between the two main characters.

Some parts were emotional for me because they involved the Japanese being moved to the internment camps. I felt horrible hearing about their treatment and living conditions because my grandparents had to live in an internment camp, Manzanar, and possibly had similar experiences. My grandmother has never talked much about Manzanar and her life there, but a few years ago she opened up and shared something with me that even my mom had never seen:

During her time there she lived in Block Eight. In 1944 she had the others in her block sign their name on a handkerchief. Over the years she sewed over their signatures to make them permanent.

A close up.

Baby Bronson!

I realize that this is the darkest picture ever, but I am so excited that I had to post it anyways. I got to meet baby Bronson yesterday and he is soooo cute!

Luke and I went to Sierra Vista Hospital last night around 7:00 to see Brittany, Sammy, and Bronson. Bronson is eight pounds exactly and is a healthy, adorable baby. Britt went to the hospital at 4:00 am, started pushing at 3:05 pm, and had the baby by 3:50 pm.

Sammy gives us frequent updates and the family is doing well. Hurray!

Vintage Photo Friday - ???

I don't know who the person is in the photo, but I have some exciting news today: one of my best friends is in labor right now!!!! Her fiance (Luke's best friend) texted Luke at 4:00 this morning to let us know that today is the day. In a half asleep stupor, Luke managed to send him the following message: "Yerevan whoop." No one knows what that means, but it's pretty funny!

The baby should be here today and I can't wait to meet him!

My "first" quilt.

I am hesitant to call this my official first quilt because I have actually made three now, but I feel that this is my first one. I started it in Bobbi's class for the Spring project and finished it (with the exception of the binding) before I started the other quilts. This is the quilt where I made mistakes and learned basic techniques which will help me when I make others in the future.

It all started earlier this year at Quiltin Cousins when I saw some beautiful Civil War reproduction fabric, but didn't buy any because I didn't know what to make. The next day I saw online that there was a quilting class that started Monday, the next day. I joined the class and learned that the project would be a Civil War pattern. It was meant to be, I knew immediately that I had to go back and get that fabric!

Here is the finished product... and Luke's foot! There are many mistakes throughout (pieces sewn/cut the wrong size, pieces not lining up perfectly, far from perfect quilting, etc.), but overall I am really pleased with how it turned out. Hopefully my Grandma Rosie will be too since I am giving it to her in a few weeks.

The back is made from scraps I had left over.

What I learned when it was all over: how to measure/use a rotary cutter properly (yes, I'm serious), basic free motion quilting, how to use my 1/4 in foot/walking foot/free motion piece, the importance of cutting and sewing as precisely as possible, stitching in the ditch, sewing on binding, and many other things that aren't coming to the top of my head right now! :)

Little Miss Stella approves!

While making the quilt I kept wondering if it was something Scarlett O' Hara may have used.

Maybe?

Lebron, it's not a cat quilt!!!

I finished my "first" quilt last night! I have been working on the binding for the last week or so and now it is officially done. Within minutes of me putting the quilt on the couch Lebron decided that the quilt was his and immediately fell asleep. I really wanted a photo of the finished quilt to show all of you, but I didn't want to wake him.

Then this morning where do I find him? STILL on the quilt! So, no finished photos yet :(

Weekend summary

I had a really good weekend! On Friday Kevin came to visit me at work and he gave me marketing advice. Basically I got marketing advice from the marketing genius! :)

Saturday morning I learned more about myself and past lives. Apparently, I was somehow connected to the Vanderbilt's in New York in the 20's! Exciting.

Saturday afternoon Luke and I met up with friends at the Obon Festival in San Luis Obispo. The festival is held the first weekend of August every year. We enjoyed Japanese food, a bonsai exhibit, and saw some amazing arts and crafts. 

It was a hot day, so we sat in the shade and people watched for a while.

I spent many hours on Sunday working on my quilt. As you can see, my assistant was very helpful as usual. Speaking of quilts, I need to get my act together! Tonight is my last night of quilting class for the summer and I am nowhere near being finished.

Vintage Photo Friday - Lucille Ball

Tomorrow would have been Lucille Ball's 100th birthday. Happy birthday, Lucille!

I'm alive, I swear.

Hello friends. I apologize for my lack of posting this past week. I have felt uninspired for some reason and suffered from food poisoning. Bummer! Luckily my husband and cats took good care of me. Luke got me all the beverages I needed and Lebron and Stella must have known I was sick because they would not leave me alone! They followed me into every room, sat on my lap whenever I was sitting, and insisted on sleeping on me too. They were showing me they cared in their own cat way :)

My quilting class has been going well. It is a five week class, so it is a bit rushed and I am falling behind! I have cut and sewn almost all the little pieces. The next step is sewing the little pieces together to form a quilt block. Since the quilt is a "mystery" quilt the instructor, Bobbi, didn't show us what the finished quilt would look like until this last Monday, week four. Her quilt looks amazing and I can't wait to finish mine!

Let's talk about the quilting instructor for my class. She is amazing! She is so talented, has a good eye for color, is friendly, nice to everyone (and that is an accomplishment because there are some people I wouldn't want to be nice to...), and most importantly is very patient. Patience is important to me because as a newbie I have LOTS of questions about basic, easy things that she can probably do in her sleep!

Here is another reason she is awesome: she gave me FIVE boxes of fabric!!! I haven't had a chance to sort through it all, but she said that a lot of it is for garment sewing, but there may be some quilting fabric too. How sweet is that??? And how spoiled am I??? THANK YOU BOBBI!!!!

It's Monday.

The pattern came today. Hurray! I can't wait to start the sewalong. Now I just need to get an invisible zipper foot...

I am going to read this book next. It has good reviews and my Grandma Vicki thinks that I will like it. Speaking of Vicki, I had such a fun day with her on Saturday. I went to her house and we talked about sewing/quilting, looked at each others projects, had an amazing lunch from New Frontiers, and went to Betty's to look at fabric. What a good day!