Wednesday, March 31, 2010

I'm in Love

The internet was down. I had finished my book. There was nothing good on TV. With all this free time on my hands (i.e. no more excuses) I sat down and finally tackled something that has been scaring me. Do you remember this post? Even after I was inspired to make it into a purse, I was intimidated to try something new, especially since a zipper was involved. But I faced that fear and I love it! I love it! I love it! I love it!


Yes the seams aren't perfect. Yes the zipper needs work (next time). But I love it and I'm going to make more. That is a declaration and a promise. Right after I finish up a project that will debut later this week.

Monday, March 29, 2010

New Items in the Shop

I tried something new. Check out these neck scarves at my etsy shop.
I did a little shop rearranging as well and added sections.
Enjoy!

Spring Circle Quilt V

Dear Juleah,
Happy belated Birthday. When your birthday was fast approaching this winter I really felt the need to make you something. At first I thought something small, but as I spent more and more time with my fabric, these colors and this quilt just came together. I truly believe this quilt is meant for you. From my home to yours.

Love,

Sarah

Friday, March 26, 2010

Spring Inside and Out

Spring is showing up inside and outside around here.


















ps - I did not make this, lest you think my embroidery skills are up to par. This beautiful little hand towel (or hankerchief, we're not really sure) was found at my parent's house and found it's way into my car and then my house!

pps - I write these posts at the beginning of the week and then schedule them to publish throughout the week, so I did not forsee the cold spell we experienced today. Hence the idea that spring is outside is not entirely true today.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Spring Circle Quilt IV

I better hurry up with this quilt before I run out of roman numerals!

Well I'm happy to say I've finished tying the quilt and I've moved onto hand sewing the back of the binding on. This is the part where I really feel my love is going into the quilt. This is where I put my time and energy. This is what makes the quilt personal for me. And this time around I'm motivated to finish this beauty very quickly. This quilt belongs in a different home and she knows it. She belongs to a dear friend and I can't wait to see the two together.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Remembering Who I Am

There were many tasks listed in "The Artist's Way" that I did do, and many more I didn't. One of the best ones I did was to make a quick and dirty collage. I went to the break room (during a break of course!) and found a travel magazine, science magazine and even a few smutty, gossipy magazines for good measure. I sat down at my desk and just ripped out whatever caught my eye. This was the end result.



It surprises me, every time I look at it, how accurately it reflects me. Sometimes when you just go and don't stop to think, analyze or judge, the truth comes out.
This collage holds a place of honor on my wall at work. I can look up from my keyboard and soak in the things that I love. Babies, my baby, my husband, working with my hands, white, cultivating, growing, plants, blues, small bits of surprise color, flashes of red, and above all else...walking on this earth as a princess, a woman of God, His child, His beloved.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Binding Tutorial

I have learned many things over the years to make each quilt better. And each thing I have learned has also lessened the frustration I feel over mistakes that gather and grow in the process of each quilt.

I have learned to wash and iron fabric before I sew.
I have learned how to measure and cut correctly. A straight line goes a long way.
I have learned how to keep a consistant 1/4 inch seam.
I have how to press a seam.
I have learned how to baste a quilt.

But my aha moment, when the light of God shown down on me, well it felt that way at least, was when I found this. This tutorial on binding was sent straight from an angel in heaven and her name was Crazy Mom Quilts. The binding of the quilt, the ultimate finish to a quilt, was finally an easy and beautiful process for me. I know it sounds like I'm fawning over nothing, but this was and still is very big for me. It really helped me take my quilts to the next level and I will always remember that.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Spring Circle Quilt III



Can you believe I'm done with the machine sewing aspect of this quilt already? This one has really moved along, well at least by my standards. What are my standards you ask? Well lets just say the last circle quilt I did took me years. Yes YEARS! I couldn't find the right fabric for the border. I couldn't get the seams to line up. I had to learn how to embroider. Am I whining?

Well years later it came together and I absolutely love it. Every single inch of it. This is my favorite quilt...

Monday, March 15, 2010

Indecision No More

Remember my inability to cut into that brown square with the yellow ribbon edging? Well I didn't cut, but I did rip out seams and have an idea for a great little purse.

And what do you know...the yellow ribbon is turning into the cutest little flower. It reminds me of the blossoms you see on pea plants. I want to eat it.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Spring Circle Quilt II

I was sewing along last night with low light, tired eyes and a foggy mind.

So it was without much surprise that I found a mistake. A 3/4" mistake.
Where oh where did this missing 3/4" go?


I asked my measurements....


They spoke only truth and accuracy.


I asked my measuring tape...



It confirmed what the measurements said.



I asked my sissors...


They were hiding in shame.
Measure twice, cut once!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hope Springs Eternal

Yes - it was much too hopeful of me to expect the binding and basting of this spring quilt to be finished last night. Instead I spent my baby free time (8 PM to 10 PM) baking zucchini bread and boiling our left over chicken dinner into chicken broth for chicken soup tonight.

Side note 1 - I am getting quite excellent at homemade chicken soup, not to brag or anything...

Side note 2 - when you freeze 3 cups of shredded zucchini, it does not thaw into 3 cups, more like 1 cup. This is an excellent thing to learn at 9 o'clock at night. I rallied and didn't throw a temper tantrum though. Aren't you proud of me!

But tomorrow I will have a funny little post about the one sewing mistake I found while adding the border to the quilt. Stay tuned and enjoy!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Spring Circle Quilt

Well the circles have been appliqued onto the blocks and the blocks have been sewn together. I pushed through a lack of desire to cut fabric last night and added the borders. By 9:45 PM my eyes were shutting down and so was I. Is it too hopeful to think the binding may be made tomorrow night and perhaps even basting the layers together?


This fresh spring quilt makes me smile. Yes, the bright colors help, but also because I can see so much improvement in how I sew now. My mistakes are less. My frustration is minimal. I enjoy more and more parts of this whole process and am really finding my style in all of this. I love sewing, but even more, I LOVE finding me!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Spring is Creeping In

Speaking of winter...


It's starting to look a lot like spring inside my house. Or at least that's what my husband said when he saw these fabrics laying out one night. I hadn't even realized it while I was sewing the strips together, but his fresh perspective has opened my eyes and mind to the way spring is slowly seeping into our lives, inside and out.
Don't worry, I'll be sure to keep taking photos of this project along the way so you can see the progress and final outcome. I'm so excited to do a circle quilt again. I just love them!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Winter Colors

We've finally had a few good snow storms up here in Northern New York. In a family of skiiers and outdoor enthusiasts it is greatly appreciated. I personally adore a fresh blanket of white, fluffy snow, but after each snowfall the sun rises and so does the temperature. The white blanket eventually melts and leaves us with varying shades of brown. Today I took a moment to appreciate the vibrant colors my daughter offers to the world when she steps outside in her pink boots, blue snow pants and equally hot pink coat. She makes me smile even when the rest of the world looks drab.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

mmm...Pie

Using last season's apples to bake a pie for my sweetheart. This is my second year making frozen apple pie filling. I've used the same recipe twice and I can't say it's my favorite. Anyone have a really good frozen pie filling recipe? I'm all ears...



Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Artist's Way

I originally started this blog and Seamingly Sarah because I had realized the creativity in my life had slowly diminished to next to nothing. I didn't even realize this was making me so unhappy underneath it all. I had a toddler, a husband, a house, a job, laundry, dishes, and more dishes to take care of. By 8 PM each night I wanted to do nothing else but sit in front of the television. So I did. I only sewed for wedding gifts or the occassional Christmas present, just so I wouldn't have to go out to a store and spend money. Have I mentioned I'm a spend thrift yet? Well that's a post for another day.

At that time in my life I had two different people mention The Artist's Way to me within a week of each other. That is all the prompting it took for me to go to the library and check it out. I just recently returned the book back to the library (only 1 week late!) and really believe it has had a positive impact on me.

I took the leap of faith to open a shop on etsy. I now know it's the process that I need to love, not always the product. I've given myself permission to spend time on things I enjoy. I addressed inner fears of not belonging in the art world, that I wasn't a good enough artist. I began to recognize what delights me and now reach out for those things. I understand the importance of having some alone time with my thoughts. I take pleasure in finger painting with my daughter and try to live in the moment (not a task I always succeed in!). I opened up my mind and eyes to beautiful things around me. I take the time to soak them in. I really don't know if I could fully convey to you how much this has changed me. All I can say is that I feel more like the me I've always wanted to be.

And it's more than art, it's having that happy life. Isn't everyone searching for that? Happy. Well I've just added another tool to my tool box. Another perspective. And it makes me happy. I am happy. And my life will continue to change, evolve and grow. I can't wait.

Monday, March 1, 2010