easing back in

Well, here I am. Slowly, very slowly, I am getting back into the swing of things and we are finding our new normal. I still don't know how much sewing time that will involve, but I am hopeful that I'll squeeze in some time. I am super thankful that my ridiculously wonderful husband has been home and given me a little time to start working on a few things.


First, here is my fabric that I collected for my penny sampler quilt.

I went a little overboard, but I love it. I am going for mostly black/white/cream/gray with pops of blue, pink, and yellow. I am hoping I can keep it balanced but it is going to be hard to do without a design wall....or any space large enough to lay it out really. Class started last week so obviously I am already behind, but I have been thinking about it at least so I'll be ready to go.

I also decided that I am going to go ahead and make the practice quilt. The project choices were a pillow or a quilt and while I know I don't need to do either, I like the quilt and would really like to learn/practice some sketch applique and work on the different applique techniques before I do it on the quilt, since that was the main skill I was aiming to learn and improve in this class. So I am downsizing and making a baby quilt with 9 blocks to practice. And get this, I already have the fabric cut! Excuse the blurry phone picture; getting out the real camera was just not on the agenda in the short time I had.

I don't know when I'll have time to actually make the blocks, but I am on my way. At least they don't look difficult and I'll get to try out both applique methods. Not to mention it should be a really cute baby quilt when it is eventually done. I am using pretty much all the brown fabric I have and mixing it with some pinks and I am loving it so far. I am pretty excited about having these blocks finished so I am hoping I will find the time to make them this week so I can get started on the sampler blocks. I am hoping I don't fall too far behind, but who knows. One day at a time :)

she's here!

Finally. 10 stinking days late! Little bugger.

But totally and completely worth it :) All 9+ lbs of her haha!

Anyway, I'll be busy soaking up some baby love, which I obviously can not get enough of, and getting used to our new family of 4. But I suspect I will be back here sooner than I should be. Since I am already plotting and planning and as a matter of fact, my penny sampler class starts today (totally excited!!). I spent my time while waiting for baby collecting my fabrics, so I've got quite a pretty stack and I can't wait to get started!

booties!

Still no baby, but guys, guess what!! I must be nesting because I sewed something this week! And then I baked cookies, and then I cleared and organized my desk, put all my fabric away...you get the idea. So hopefully that means the little one will be here soon, but either way, let's not lose sight of the fact that I sewed something!

Yesterday I totally made a little pair of booties from Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings book. I love them and just hope they will fit at some point. I made the 3-6 month size since I figure it will be colder by then and maybe they'll get worn, but they seem so big!

I used voile and flannel for these so they are super, super soft. It makes me think I might try the pattern for a pair of slippers in my size that's in the book one of these days. I do wish I had used thinner elastic, but oh well. They came together pretty easily and I managed to get them done during a naptime, which felt impressive.

In case you are wondering, they do indeed match the receiving blanket I made. I used the same voile/flannel combo and seriously, it is dreamy. Rounded corners and a nice white binding just make it even better in my opinion, and I don't think anyone would be surprised if I just went ahead and curled up under it :)

I am hoping that if this new found energy lasts, I will actually get some posts together with at least all the other baby stuff I've made over the past couple months, but I guess we'll see what the little one has in store. I also finished knitting my hat and started on a baby sweater which may or may not be done in time for her to wear. Fabric ordering has also begun for the Penny Sampler at Stitched in Color which will start up in a couple of weeks, so that's been fun, and I still have a bit more shopping to do once I get these and see them in person. I am really looking forward to this quilt...heck! I am looking forward to getting back to any quilting at this point. Hope everyone is doing well!