A is for Accordion

I'm really challenging myself this year to draw just for the sake of drawing to try to build my portfolio of vector work. I thought it would be fun to work through the alphabet making little drawings for each letter each week. Maybe I'll make a poster of all the drawings when I'm done, or maybe I won't do anything with them. Either way, I think it'll be fun! So, here's A...

30 Before Thirty Update

1. Get more tattoos

2. Grow my hair

3. Learn to spin yarn

4. Overcome my fear of flying (I'm TERRIFIED of flying) 

5. Print the millions of photos on the computer and make my kids photo books

6. Design a line of fabric

7. Finish sewing something for ME

8. Eat better (Less Processed)

9. Talk a walk at least twice a week

10. Design a sewing pattern

11. Refurbish the bathroom

12. Knit a sweater for myself

13. Pay off our two credits cards - ONE DOWN! ONE TO GO! 

14. Bake a pie from entirely from scratch

15. Have a date night with my husband (more than once would be great)

16. Have a family portrait taken

17. Finish decorating the master bedroom

18. Finish reading the Harry Potter series ( I have this thing about not wanting things to end...)

19. Watch Man Men (people keep telling me I'll love it)

20. Take better care of my skin (actually buy some good products)

21. Redesign blog

22. Knit one pair of socks each month for the next year

23. Print and frame my wedding pictures (I got married 9 years ago, seriously, it's about time)

24. Pay my library fines and use the library

25. Write more thank you notes

26. Ride a roller coaster (I'm TERRIFIED of roller coasters)

27. Go on a vacation

28. Learn to make a martini

29. Make pasta from scratch

30. Read at least one book a month

It's been awhile so I thought I'd do a quick update on my 30 Before Thirty list. I've crossed a few things off and few more things are long term projects. I haven't gotten a hair cut since the fall so 

#2 is coming along. I'm at the stage where there's nothing I can do with my hair and it's driving me bonkers. Thankfully it's winter and I can hide under a hat if I have to be seen in public. 

#4 I wouldn't say I'm OVER my fear of flying but I've figured out how to manage it and will no longer let it consume me the way it has in the past. I know I can get through it without a panic attack and just that knowledge makes it easier.

#6 I designed a line of fabric for Cloud9!!!  It's in it's finalization stages and will winging it's way to print soonish. The release has been pushed back to the fall of this year but that gives me tons of time to come up with some fun projects for you. I'll share more soon!

#22 I'm well on my way to knitting a pair of socks each month. I am one month behind but I'm on track to make up for that this month. I've had some really, really wonderful motivation from Amanda, Angela, Amy, Megan and Sharon among others. We're having a little informal sock knitting party via Twitter and Instagram. It's been so fun to see everyone's socks take shape and it's always great to have a group of wonderful ladies to gab about knitting with! 

#30 I've been terrible about reading lately. If I can count audiobooks I'd be doing ok on this one!

I think that's about it for an update right now. I've got about 5 months until my birthday, still plenty of time to knock this list out of the park!!

Sampler Quilt Progress

It's been so very nice this week just to slow down and piddle around the house with not much to do, aside from full time work. After the craziness of Christmas I always really look forward to that week after, time seems to slow and I don't feel so rushed. This week I managed to eek out two blocks for the quilt I started in November. I've been working on these Summer Sampler Series blocks whenever I have a few free moments to myself. I can't recommend this series of tutorials enough. I've learned so, so much about piecing. Anyone looking to get started with more complex quilting should definitely try these! It sounds so funny but the sense of accomplishment when you finish a block is just so gratifying. I've said it before but I absolutely LOVE fiddly / precise sewing. I have no idea why but maybe because it require so much more concentration, I actually feel like I'm "getting away" when I sew. There's no room to daydream about other things. This has fit that niche perfectly and I think it's shaping up to be one of my most favorite things I've ever done. I'm using this gorgeous fat quarter bundle from Fat Quarter Shop and a few additional colors I picked up locally. I'm planning on sashing it with white with a few colored squares thrown in and backing it with a matching vintage sheet I have. I really want to hand quilt it but I have no idea yet how I want to quilt it. Since I'm only half way through the series I've got some time to come up with a plan. Although, I really can't wait for this to be done so I can snuggle under it!

I hope everyone had a really lovely holiday and is enjoying some quiet time this week.

December Socks

I know, FINALLY a post! I've had such a hard time lately remember to document my projects. I've been in such a rush to finish things for the holidays that I've already finished and wrapped up the FO before I remember to take a picture. I've also been really dis-satisfied with any pictures I take lately. My "good" camera isn't working well anymore so I haven't felt like anything I've taken has been "blog worthy" but I'm trying to not be so picky!  This time of the year is always nuts and I need to remember to take time to slow down a bit every day. I did manage to eek out a pair of socks this month (started last month) so I'm only two months behind on my monthly sock goal, haha! (Which reminds me, I need to give you an update on my 30 Before Thirty list!) These are the Log Cabin Socks, knit in Dream in Color Classy for my dad. I love this pattern, it's fun and super fast because it's knit with worsted weight yarn. I don't love knitting with this yarn but I know from experience that it's very hard wearing and I think he'll get a lot of good use out of them.

I still have two more knitted gifts to finish before Christmas but I'm actually not stressed about it anymore. It'll get done, it always does! What are you all working on??

Bad, bad blogger!

Hey all! Just a note to say yes, I'm still here. I've been a very, very bad blogger. Work is insanely busy this time of the year. (Such bad timing) I'm getting ready for a craft show this weekend, making lots of Christmas gifts and somewhere in there was Thanksgiving and our trip to Florida. Phew, it's been a crazy few weeks. I'll try to pop in later this week and share some of the gifties I'm working on for Christmas. I hope everyone is well and getting into the holiday spirit! Even though it's always hectic, I absolutely adore this time of the year!

A New Jacket

My littlest one needed a new fall coat and I've been searching the thrifts / consigments for a a few weeks with no luck. I normally don't like to sew things like this as it seems like you spend way more to sew a jacket than to actually buy one. But I had this adorable flannel from Cloud 9 Fabrics already so I thought I would give it a go! I picked up some coordinating wool flannel for the outside and I used this pattern, from Etsy. It's inexpensive and SO simple! I love the clean silhouette and the style is perfect for super active toddlers. The only modification I made was to add a layer of batting between the lining and the outside to make it extra cozy. It only took me a few hours to whip this baby up and I'm super happy with the result, not to mention that I was able to make it for less than $20! I made a size larger than the munchkin is wearing so hopefully it'll last a few seasons.

A few of my favorite things...

I've been dying for ages to come up with some embroidery patterns for the shop and here's the first of them! It's a few of my favorite holiday things for you to stitch up! I'm definitely not the best of stitchers so I really debated not showing this close up photo, haha! But it shows that even the most meager of stitching skills can make a cute sampler for the holidays. I'm sure you all will come up with some really great ways to use this sampler! The PDF pattern is now available here.