A Dream Date

You don’t have to live to be very old before you realize that life has moments that feel like waiting rooms…

wait…

wait…

wait…

wait…

we’ve been feeling that way regarding some shift changes that will give us more time together. In the mean time we are stealing little moments away. Except the Saturday before Easter when we stole a whole Saturday off together. We enjoyed getting up early, hooking up a trailer and spending the day together at one of my favorite places – an AUCTION!!! Getting to enjoy the day alone with each other made this feel like a DATE. We were a couple hours from our hometown, so we didn’t even have to do much polite mingling. We could hug and kiss and dare each other to bid – we felt like kids! PLUS++ we scored big time!!

Keep in mind that our main purpose was materials and fixtures for the 1800’s house, but we found other great trinkets along the way too.

DSCN2685

The middle panel of these cabinet doors have pieces like the ones that hold a back on a picture frame so they will be so easy to paint up in my favorite color of the moment – white or even be replaced with glass.

DSCN2686

We got many other doors and countertops that we really needed and brand new faucets and light fixtures for under $5 each!!!

DSCN2692

Although I was super excited about these next few trinkets….

DSCN2691

DSCN2690

My favorite moment of the day was in the tool shed when some big bulky table stand thing sold reluctantly for $7 --- I look up and see my cowboy grinning from ear to ear. I ask what did you buy? He giggles – yes giggled…and said, “I don’t know. Let’s go see!!”

DSCN2689

Why would any girl want dinner and a movie when you have all this instead?

That SNEAKY Bunny!

DSCN2694

DSCN2699 For real…it was at least 10 minutes and 10 kids before they saw what that bunny had done….

Thoughts on Sewing

I like to sew.

I did NOT say – I can sew. I said I like to sew. There’s a difference. So if you sew because you are good at it – navigate away from this blog.

I enjoy sewing for others. Not because they will be impressed with my handiwork, but because I can think of them; reflect on memories together; and pray for them while I work on a little surprise.

Sewing for kids and babies is especially precious to me because I can pray for them and their future that’s just beginning while I sew.

I know that new motherhood is to be glorious and special just like the new bundle of joy. Yet, I remember many days that in the midst of breastfeeding, bottles, diaper changes, baths, spit-up and exhaustion that the only thing that made me feel like I “had it together” was a fresh, clean and stylish burp cloth. For a stolen moment I could feel like a magazine mom – even if I don’t really believe in such…

DSCN2565

Now remember I only love the aesthetics of sewing, so I cheat. I cheat almost any way I can find. With that warning…here’s the how-to:

I used fat quarter panels for the decorative side and knit fabric in a coordinating fabric of knit, flannel, or terry on the reverse. Back in the day, I preferred different fabrics for different purposes, so I like to give the new mama a mix to choose from.

(A few I used a middle layer for absorbency)DSCN2554

Be sure to prewash and dry the fabric. (Iron too if needed) Measure out the fabric of choice for the reverse side. To cheater sew, I simply use the fat quarter as a pattern and cut around it.

DSCN2557

Lay the two panels together with the patterned sides touching.

DSCN2558

Pin the two together placing pins at intervals in a straight line around the perimeter of the desired shape and size of the cloth. Don’t forget to NOT sew about 3” of the cloth to leave room to turn it inside out.

DSCN2559

Trim the excess outer edges of the fabric off. Leaving about 1/4” next to your seam. Sorry for the blur. Holding the camera, the fabric, and the scissors can prove a little trickier than one would expect.

DSCN2563

Now you are ready to turn right side out.

DSCN2560

Hand stitch or machine stitch the last 2-3 inches. I wasn’t coordinated enough to take a picture of that. If the stitching lines bother you that are barely seen…you can also add a decorative ribbon to disguise the stitching.


DSCN2555

GOOD NEWS If this seems too complex, I have an even simpler method.

This time just sew the pieces together with the patterned sides already facing out.

DSCN2545

Use a zig zag pattern on your machine to give a decorative touch.

DSCN2550

Cut the excess off using decorative pinking shears and leaving about 1/2” clearance on the side.

DSCN2551

I’ve decided this is my favorite way! After taking this photo I might even make summer placemats using this method.

DSCN2552 

But for now I’m busy wrapping up this little bundle of best wishes for baby and mama!

DSCN2568

White and Wild: The Power of Paint

Often times we are inspired by a room and know just what we want from it.

Other times…we feel lost and confused. And when looking at this – maybe hopeless.

IMG_1476

For those of you who can’t decipher this room. It is a pantry/secondary kitchen/laundry room. In modern language we call this the most enviable Mud Room a busy family could hope for. I have learned that when I lack inspiration the place to start is adding simplicity via a clean slate. It doesn’t get any cleaner than white, so I headed in to the trenches and came out wearing white paint and a smile!

DSCN2661 

Obviously, there is much left to do including removing the stovepipe, painting the drawers, painting inside the cabinets

(Oh wait, this isn’t the place for my to do list) -- but sometimes by putting the cart before the horse you get that darned horse to move!

DSCN2664

Notice even the countertop was victim to my primer/paint combo

DSCN2653

DSCN2654

DSCN2665

 

 

 

 

 

Later the details and vision will be implemented, but for now. On to my next victim….

DSCN2666

To see more about this 1859 farmhouse we are tackling…click here.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...