It has been awhile since new fabric has arrived at our house. I have been busy saving away for some landscaping for our front and backyard. Our goal was reached for the yard and while there are a few more things that I would like to do I really needed a fabric shopping spree. Okay, need isn’t the word. . .wanted! Many fabric places have been having great sales this summer but there were some older fabrics that I really wanted that many were out of. Fabricworm had some great stuff and it was hard to narrow it down but I did have to use some kind of self control! The goodies arrived today in the mailbox and I cannot wait to get sewing soon. . .just after I finish up the 4th of July outfits for tomorrow! What can I say, I love last minute projects!

I have had a pillow case dress pattern for a very long time but I had never tried it. The perfect occasion arose so sew I did! I am excited about the way they turned out! These are for a friend but I am anxious to make one for Sister now. I am hoping to use Sandi Henderson Farmers Market Apple Dot Fabric to make Sister a first day of school dress. Hopefully I will be able to accomplish that before school starts. Our local fabric shop has a 40% off the end of the bolt on the last day of every month so I was super excited to find 2 yards left on that bolt!!! I know 40% off! Wow! Stay tuned hopefully I will sew that up soon!

With sister’s quilt done it is time to move onto brother’s quilt for his birthday. I was a little burned out after sister’s birthday quilt and I had fabric that I loved for brothers quilt that I did not want to cut up so his will be pretty simple but super heavy on the quilting.

I am quilting along each side of the roads, yes, I am crazy but I really like the look of it. There will be a million tiny strings to cut when I am done as well, maybe hubby and I can have a sting clipping party one night (what do you think hubby???). I found this fabric (Michael Miller Merryville and Street Stripe) well before Christmas and knew that it would be perfect for brother so I added it to my wish list and was super excited when I unwrapped it. I am pretty sure that brother will be excited about all the trucks, airplanes and people. It will definitely be a fun surprise! Well, I am off to sew more roads!

We celebrated Sister this past weekend with a royal party! She invited a few prince and princesses over and while we were hoping to play in the backyard the rain had other plans for us. The royal party was held indoors but the princesses and princes did not seem to mind. It was so fun to see all the kiddos dressed up and playing together. It was a wonderful time and sister really enjoyed it which was fun to watch.
I used this tutorial for the crowns and we filled the gift bags with paint to decorate their crowns with. Super fun and easy!

The work of Mushroom Meadows on the gift tags. She actually made a few things for the party including the incredible invitations! Thanks again to her! If you have not seen her work check out her Etsy shop! I am a huge fan!

Every year for the kiddos birthday’s they get a quilt. I started this when sister was turning one and decided that it would be a fun tradition. The quilt usually has something that they like in it. This year for sister I made her a blue jay quilt as they are very special to her. I took a pattern that I love and messed with it a good deal adding the blue jay head and changing the fabric arrangement up a bit. We wanted the quilt to match sister’s room and we purchased enough fabric to make (yet to be made) curtains as well. Hubby (yep, he helped pick out the fabrics) and I ended up picking Feathered Friends by Wendy Slotboom. I did finish the quilt the afternoon before the party (just in time) and I am now happy with how it turned out. There was a large struggle within me about it though as I started realizing that I am often afraid to like the things that I make for other people. I am fearful of liking them or even loving them because what if the recipient does not like it. What if I pour myself out into this gift and no one likes it. God really taught me a lot in making this quilt. He taught me that it is not about who does or does not like it. I do feel that He called me to make the quilt and by being obediant to Him, well, that is all that matters. I have learned that if someone does not like what I make it is not that I poured out extravagance for nothing because I poured it out for Him. Doing what He called me to do for His glory. . .not mine or the recipient or anyone else but for His glory. This was a huge thing for my heart to grasp and I am still trying to grasp it all and take it in but I am excited about this new found freedom. The freedom to use the gift of creativity which God has given me and to not be fearful in wondering will it be liked. Jesus poured out His life extravagantly and a lot of people did not and do not like Him. Just trying to grasp all that and continuing to learn.

Front of the quilt.

Back of the quilt.

There are actually several things on the cutting table but I keep putting this one on top of all the other projects. I have been wanting to make the Zig Zag Quilt ever since my SIL made one last year. Hers turned out so well that I wanted to give it a try. I have started sewing a few of the squares to make triangles and I am excited to see how it turns out. It will be awhile before it is finished as I mentioned the other projects are for such things as birthdays, baby showers etc. that need to happen in a timely manner. I am excited to see this quilt come together though!

We got to celebrate my SIL pregnancy this weekend. It was fun having a Valentines Day Baby Shower! It was a sweet time and I am so thankful that she made the long drive so we could celebrate with her. It was also fun to have an excuse to make some extra Valentines Day goodies as well!

Here is the spread

and then you of course need to see a close up of the brownies and cupcakes!!!

I had a lot of fun making baby gifts as well. It was a tough decision of what to make with so many cute things out there but I did finally decide on the Amy Butler Little Stitches Kimono PJ’s

and this new little one has a daddy that loves fishing and hunting so while mommy had snuggly pj’s for her little one daddy got a hunting outfit for his little boy!

I was really excited about the hat. I actually stumbled across a tutorial which I resized to fit a baby. I am really happy with the way that it turned out (the picture does not do it justice).

Last but not least I finished out the gift with a little blanket (can you believe that fabric is from Joanns) and burp cloths (one for mom and one for dad).

It was a really sweet morning and a fun time of celebration!

Sister is headed to a birthday party tomorrow and I really struggled over the gift. . .should I go store bought or should I make something. After much indecisiveness I ended up making a version of the gratitude wrap using the tutorial from Soule Mama as well as Adrienne’s modifications as well as adding some of my own in there as well. What a collaboration! I am excited about the way this little wrap turned out! I did leave the edges on the pockets rough and just serged around them giving it more of a masculine, rough and tough feel. I also shortened and used velcro for the fastener (it just seemed easier for some reason). I hand stamped the stationary and then added the little goodies. Sister seems excited to give the gift so I hope that the birthday boy enjoys it!

Sister received preschool homework for the weekend of making a Valentines Day box to house all her little Valentines in. I understand why this is homework as it takes a large chunk of time. We worked for about and hour and a half today and she still wants to add a lot more. I think that she has a lot of her mama in her! It was really fun to work on it with her but yet so hard not to have my hands all in it! I love watching her thought process and just her all in attitude of creating the most incredible Valentines Day Box known to mankind! The picture was taken at about an hour into the project so it has come a bit farther. She still wants to add some ribbon and some other goodies so I will have to update if and when we ever finish the best Valentines Day Box ever!!!

There is a new baby boy on the way! My SIL is due this summer, therefore, it is never to early to celebrate! She and her hubby are headed into town next weekend for their baby shower. I have been working on a few top secret projects for Baby Asa which I cannot wait to share but alas the SIL reads the blog and I am pretty sure that she would not be able to keep from peeking! Here is a small glimpse of what is on the cutting table but I will look forward to sharing more next weekend!