Tuesday, February 25, 2014

ellyn's NEW place!

Well it's official! We're moving into a new house.... just over a mile from our current home. We're downsizing a bit and the new house is all on one story, which is wonderful news for my achy knees. The most exciting part of this is a studio makeover for me! We have a couple of weeks before we move everything in, plenty of time to get things ready. Here's my new space before any changes....
 Three big windows AND a skylight! Lots of natural light!
 Beautiful french doors that open right up to the main living space. LOVE!

 I've been seeing these IKEA Raskog carts in everyone's studios all over instagram. Had to have one! Yesterday I put it together and I must say I love it. Can see so many uses for it! And the color! It will be perfect in my new space.
 Today the painters came....
And this lovely pale aqua (not true color here as it was getting dark when I took the shot) is exactly what I wanted!

I can't wait to share all of the updates with you as we go. But I thought you deserved to know why there hasn't been any sewing going on at ellyn's place these days. Stay tuned!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Liebster award

My blogging friend Wendi over at Prsd4tim2 nominated me for a Liebster Award.  She says "Liebster means cute or darling, but in Blogland is really just a way of connecting and getting to know each other better".  Makes perfect sense to me.

So here's how it works. I, the recipient answer 11 questions  and then I award  other bloggers a Liebster Award and then they answer 11 questions and so on, and so on....  


So here are my answers, in case you're interested.

1. Why did you start blogging? I loved reading other people's blogs & thought it would be a fun way to document my crafty ventures and a few family events. I never really figured anyone would actually read it!

2. What is something this year that you are really looking forward to? We're moving into a new (smaller, one story) house. I'm really looking forward to decorating. Especially my new studio space!

3. What is your favorite thing to do to unwind? sew. duh!

4. Photo's say a thousand words so share a photo that means the most to you. Why is that picture important to you?
these are my people! Everyone was home for Christmas this year and my friend Stephanie took this awesome photo for us!

4. What quote inspires you the most?
I'm going with my favorite Bible verse. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
5. Name a quilting tool you can’t live without & why?
Tool? hmmm does my sewing machine count?
6. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I don't have one favorite. I love to explore new places, usually cities. London was a great vacation! New York City. Chicago...
7. What is your favorite blog?
Oh nice try! I refuse to answer that question! I love them ALL!
8. What is your favorite way to work out?
Well I don't love to work out, but I do ride my recumbent bike every morning (while I listen to sewing podcasts!)
9. Where do you like to shop?
At my local quilt shops (yes, we have more than one! How lucky am I?). Assuming I'm shopping for fabric that is (and why wouldn't I be?)
10. What's the best advice you've ever been given?
I'm not really sure?
11. What is your favorite blog post you've written? 
I think the post I wrote on Home  back in November. It came from my heart.

So here are the bloggers I want to know the answers from! I hope you all will play along...

Here are your questions....
1. Why did you start blogging?

2. What is something this year that you are really looking forward to?

3. What is your favorite thing to do to unwind?

4. Photo's say a thousand words so share a photo that means the most to you. Why is that picture important to you?

4. What quote inspires you the most?

5. Name a quilting tool you can’t live without & why?

6. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

7. What is your favorite blog?

8. What is your favorite way to work out?

9. Where do you like to shop?

10. What's the best advice you've ever been given?

11. What is your favorite blog post you've written?

Sunday, February 16, 2014

weekend getaway

Not much (ok, none if you must know the truth) crafting or sewing going on around here. This weekend hubby and I took miss Ally down to Texas State. They had a gathering of students who have been admitted for the fall and their families. It was neat to see the campus again and get more information about things to come.
It's such a beautiful campus and we had 70s & sunshine all weekend long. Ally was excited to be there & can't wait to get started in August!

Meanwhile, back home, I am attempting to revive this old glider which has been beaten up by weather over the years. If the makeover works, I'll be back with more photos! Stay tuned...

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

lucky lucky me!

I just love swaps and giveaways! I always seem to come out of both a winner. Last week our Modern Quilt Guild had a Valentines swap. I shared the mug rug I made for it here. There were so many beautiful Valentine treats swapped that night. I wish I had gotten pictures of all of them! But, lucky me, I came away with this beautiful pouch made by Sarah....

 She tucked fat quarters of the pretty solids she had used inside, along with some candy treats! Thank you Sarah! You totally rock!

As luck would have it, another Sara, over at Sew Sweetness, announced that I was the winner of this beautiful bag!
 You can read all about this awesome bag here, and learn how many of us contributed scraps toward it's creation. I have to be honest, I had totally forgotten that I had sent Sara scraps for the bag! When she posted about it's creation (and the publication of the pattern in the newest issue of Fat Quarterly) I was shocked to see my name as the winner of the bag!
I adore this bag, Sara is the queen of awesome bag patterns, so it's no surprise the bag is fantastic!

Not much sewing going on in my house for reasons that will soon be revealed to you. I did finish up a zippy pouch for a swap that I will share with you after it has been mailed and received. Meanwhile, I think I'll just enjoy the things that everyone else is making for me!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

treat bags

This year I decided to make some little treat bags for my friends on my birthday. I wanted them to know how much I appreciated them! I made these up as I went along and I must say, they turned out pretty cute! It would be fun to make them in kid-print fabric for a child's party too. 
Here's how I made them. First off, you need 2 pieces of fabric (I used contrasts) one for the outside and one for the lining, each 6 1/2" X 16 1/2". Put them right sides together and stitch both short ends with a 1/4" seam.
 Now flip it right side out and press flat. On both finished ends, measure down 1 inch and make a mark 3/8" from the center in both directions, so you have 2 marks 3/4" apart on each end. Beginning at each of these marks, make a buttonhole about 1/2" long (so you are making 4 buttonholes, 2 at each end. Make sense?
 This part is a little tricky. Flip your bag back inside out. The buttonholes will prevent you from laying it flat. That's ok! Fold your bag so the seams are in the center, matched up, and stitch your side seams. Make sure you leave about a 3" gap on one side of the lining fabric so you can turn it when you are done. This is a little bit finicky, you will need to straighten your edges as you go, just go slowly and it will work!
 Flip your bag right side out through the gap in your lining seam. Hand or machine stitch the gap shut and press your lining to the inside of the bag.
 Now take a 12 inch piece of ribbon and thread it through the buttonholes, from the front, through 2 holes to the back, then back through the other 2 holes to the front again. Here's the front...
 And from the back with the ribbon peaking out....
 I glued a button on each side of the ribbon ends to prevent them from popping out of the buttonholes when you ope n the bag (also they looked cute so why not?)
 And there you have it! Fill it with goodies (mine had magnets, post its, a pen, emery board, a candy treat) and tie the ribbon shut.
 Put them in a cute basket and share with friends!
Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Crafty Tuesday February style

Six of us gathered for Crafty Tuesday yesterday. First up was a bit of show & tell.....
 Trae finished her scrappy trip along topper & I do love it. Especially how she strategically used ivory strips in each block. Fabulous!
 Grace is making this pretty quilt as a gift.

 Next up, birthday celebration! Happy Birthday to me (I'm not shy!). This pretty package arrived last week from Maria in Australia. Check out the fabulous text print fabric she wrapped it in! That's a gift in itself.....
Inside was this beautiful table runner which I just love! (see how happy I am?)

Also a fat quarter of darling sewing machine fabric, a pretty scissors fob and two adorable barnyard buttons! I'm a spoiled girl! Thanks Maria

 And all of these wonderful goodies from my crafty Tuesday buddies......
 Gluten free cookies, a fun water jun, tons of pretty fabric, a book, some notions, Tiger Tape, a project bag.... OH MY! The best gift of all is their wonderful friendships. I'm so blessed to have awesome friends.

We enjoyed some crafting time & all went out for a Birthday lunch of pizza and salads. After they all left, I cleared off the dining room table and put my pretty runner in the place of honor.

Life is good.


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Valentine Mug Rugs

I promised you some Februaryish projects, didn't I? I've been having some fun with Valentine fabric. First off, my quilty small group, Seams Like Sisters, had a gathering the other night. We never managed to get together over the holidays so I decided to surprise them each with a Valentine mug rug, a mug and some conversation hearts.....

 And for our Valentine swap at Modern Guild tonight, I made this fun mug rug....

I appliqued the birdies in the center to match the ones printed on the fabric. Made it into an economy block (have you jumped on this bandwagon? This is it for me, ONE BLOCK!). I'm loving the stripe binding on all of them. Are you making any Valentine crafts this year?

Saturday, February 1, 2014

goodbye to January

Wow, January sure did fly by, didn't it? I actually accomplished a lot. A few things I can't show you yet because they haven't been gifted, but here are some of my finishes....
starting top left and going down each column:
Raincheck Mini
UMD Bunting
UMD Pillowcover
Mini Swoon
Full House Quilt
Liberty Top
Olivia Top

I will have some fun, Februaryish (nice word huh?) things to share with you in the coming days. Happy February my friends!