I am having such a wonderful time cleaning out our house. Talk about liberating! This morning I spent some time in my studio; sorting, tossing, cleaning. It turns out there were quite a few handmades to be found in there!
In the spirit if all things tag sale... I'll be putting of these goodies into my handmade shop over the next couple of days. All items will be priced at studio tag sale prices - in other words, no item will be over $20 - many are under $15!
If you'd like me to come clean out your house when all is said and done over here, just say the word... but be warned, I toss everything!
This past weekend I picked up my embroidery needle for the first time in over a year. It was so nice. I think for me, stitching words with needle and thread brings the same meditative peace that my knitting friends speak of as they loop wool around long wooden needles. My knitting skills are so basic. However, I read through the Shalom pattern the other night and I think it made sense to me! Would you (experienced knitters out there) say it is a good first sweater pattern? I think my love for knitting would flourish if I could just move past scarves and fingerless gloves, you know? They can only be so interesting.
Anyway, much to show you about what this (and other) embroidery pieces are becoming.
(A hint... little pockets of lovely.) See you soon.
It has been awhile since I've shared about our Home Ec excursions, there have been plenty!
Home Ec is still such a highlight to our week. In March, after learning of the earthquake in Japan and the lifelong rebuilding that will take place for survivors, we knew there must be something we could do to help. Something beyond sending money (though money is a very real, immediate and future need), something lasting... and hopefully, something that provided another person across the world with some much needed hope and love.
I came across a small and lovely group of ladies in Portland who organized Quilts for Quake Survivors, and that is where we decided to place our efforts. Working with our hands, giving our time, sitting for long stretches while talking about the thousands of people left with painful loss and the hard work of rebuilding. Hoping that wrapping themselves in something handmade with love and intention would offer them comfort, and a feeling that life is worth rebuilding and there will be good things to come.
So we began sewing in earnest... the girls were very clear that the fabric combinations should be cheerful and smile inducing, of course.
But just as we got close to having our twelve squares of each pattern completed (enough for a quilt to be made from each colorway), this mama went onto the website and learned that we just missed the deadline to send in the squares! I don't recall seeing a cut off date when I first decided on this project for them, but alas, it seems that a large box of 30 (!!!) quilts is on their way to Japan through Mercy Corps/Peace Winds in Japan.
Although we missed the deadline for actual quilts to find their way to Japan, which of course would be optimal, Daniela and Susan have taken on another project of opening a quilt shop on Etsy which will officially launch very soon! All proceeds from quilt sales will be donated to relief efforts in Japan. In this shop they will sell finished quilts, made from the squares and tops they are still receiving from crafty folks around the country.
They have taken on this huge undertaking and are busy moms like you and I, they are very grateful for any and all help they receive. I'm going to talk to the girls here and see if they think we can tackle finishing these quilts and sending them to Daniela and Susan completed, finished quilts are very much appreciated by them at this point. They are also in need of quilting supplies, in particular, thread and batting.
Susan made a video tutorial to show how a simple log cabin block is made!
I have a feeling the girls will really want to get these quilts directly to people in Japan (understandably), so I will need to locate another organization that is set up for such a thing. If you have any ideas of groups I should look into, please let me know.
I've never completed a proper quilt before, but I do think this would be the very reason to give it a (very careful) try. I'd like to think we could have our two quilts finished by sometime in June, I will keep you posted here if they are listed in the Quilts for Quake Shop. If we wind up sending them directly to Japan, I will be sure to take a few pics before we send them off.
We envision these two sets of squares surrounded by crisp white sashing. We can do this!
Nova recently did a painful yet amazing program on the earthquake/tsunami and subsequent devastation in Japan. You can watch the program in it's entirety online.
I hope I've included enough information and links in this post for those interested in joining Daniela and Susan in any way. You know, immediate needs in an emergency seem to come quickly. It is the people still recovering six months or a year after the fact that hope we haven't forgotten about them. There will always be time to quilt for the people of Japan.
I've been wanting to make a couple of new couch pillows for quite a while now. For as long as I can remember, we've only had one throw pillow, and we are three people... three people who happen to be (expert) loungers, cuddlers, and readers. One pillow divided three ways has not worked for quite sometime, if ever.
Finally, within the slowness of January, I found the time to get going on some pillow sewing. Everything I needed was found right here in the house, meaning I didn't have to put on snow gear and venture out at all for this project! (I am hibernating like you wouldn't believe this winter.)
First, I needed pillow forms. I raided my linen closet and found two standard size bedroom pillows that could be spared. I measured the width of the pillows (20 inches) and cut a bit of length off the top to bring the size of the pillow length closer to the width, making sure to leave enough for seam allowances.
Depending on the fluff and firmness of the pillow, you can decide whether to remove some of the filling or just push it all down inside the remaining pillow. Then, fold the raw edges inside and sew along the open edge, closing up the pillow. I found using a well-filled pillow to be a good idea. Sofa throw pillows see a lot of use, better that they be firm and plump than flimsy and soft.
With the pillow forms done, I paid a visit to my stash and pulled some home dec Denyse Schmidt from the shelves. I cut the fabric wide enough to cover the front of the pillows (with extra for seams), then cut the different patterns into various widths of 2, 3 and 4 inches.
Two hours later, I (and my loungy family) was rewarded with this...
What a way to perk up this crazy winter we've been having.
The pillows were backed with linen, using a fold-over envelope style for easy removal and washing.
Ahh... now if I can only get that man (outside the window) to get down from the roof once in a while to enjoy them. Bungalow's have so. much. roof. - it's a never ending task dealing with the removal of snow and ice this year. It's something we normally don't need to do, but this year seems to have taken over the record books... and the forecast for Tuesday through Wednesday? S n o w!
Last week Emily and Adam were outside playing in the snow. Instead of the usual snow forts and sledding, they just surrendered to what was, and made tunnels.
Tunnels! Not in the snow banks where you might expect, but throughout the backyard! Oh my. As for me, I've made great use of these new pillows... inside, where it's warm.
Wishing you a wonderful Monday (I'm a big fan of Monday).
