Seamingly Sarah

MIA

2012-01-15T14:20:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it's been awhile since I last posted. Life has gotten in the way, with all of its ups and downs.

Ups

watching my 3 year old blossom into the person she is today (almost 4!)

cradling my baby whenever I want to

Downs

having almost no alone time for myself

the hard moments right before you figure your child's behavior out and seeing how mean I can be in those hard moments - but maybe those hard moments are "ups" too because I'm learning from them?

I have actually been getting some sewing done. I participated in my first ever craft show! I made way more inventory than I needed, but at least now I have the inventory. I just have the problem of trying to sell it! Need any reusable cloth gift bags or hair clips? I've got plenty!

Now I have the typical pile of to do projects laying around my sewing corner. A pink and brown baby blanket, a blue garland, and something to make with all my leftover christmas fabric.

The latest project I've completed is baby bibs. My 9 month old is not a neat eater. What baby is? So why are there still bibs that don't even begin to cover her clothes? Therefore I made my own. I didn't make the neck hole small enough so I have to move the velcro, but so far it has saved quite a few white shirts (who makes white shirts for babies?) from figs, blueberries and prune juice stains.

I'm off to ignore the to do pile and make new baby blankets and toys since I just heard a friend is having a baby this July!

Summer's Bounty

2011-08-22T08:30:00.000-04:00

Of course these photos were taken a few weeks ago, right at the tail end of July when the summer really peaks in my neck of the woods, but posting in a timely manner is beyond me at this point.

I love the summer peak. When my flower garden is flooded with color.

Even the unmowed lawn looks lovely. A field of wildflowers.

And our garden is blossoming. My favorite is the Asparagus bean, just based on the lovely blossom it produces.

We went with raised boxes this year. The native clay soil was beating us down. And I knew weeding was out of the question for me this year. So far we're pleased. But when the plant does well it just seems to attract more pests. You win some and you lose some.

And of course my absolute favorite thing to come this summer....

fresh, ripe tomatoes. My mouth is watering at the thought.

I Promise I've Been Sewing...

2011-08-18T20:30:00.000-04:00

Well I wish I could share with you all the sewing projects I've completed this summer, but I can't. It seems that the best I can do is just complete them.

I turned 30 this summer. Wow. I don't like being in a new age bracket, checking a different box on surveys and forms, but I refuse to mourn. This is life, I'm living it. I'm 30 and that's young to someone else. Now I just need to befriend this someone else so they can make me feel young! =)

My husband threw a birthday party for me. It was wonderful and he did all the work. Good food, great friends and well behaved children (until they reacted to the ice cream cake like it was crack). Did I mention it was wonderful?

But I couldn't let this milestone birthday go by without receiving something handmade. I just had to make it myself. I treated myself to a birthday banner. I cut into one of my favorite fabrics, this navy blue with white polka dots. And then didn't even cry when I cut apart a stark white doily and sewed pieces parts randomly onto the exactly 30 pennants I had cut out. They were strung together with white binding. I hung it up on our porch for the party and I think I'm the only one who knew they were there. But that's all that counts. Of course I took lovely photos of them and then accidently deleted them. I'm too l~~azy~~ busy to go back out there and get more photos to show you.

Then I put together a LOT of reusable cloth gift bags for the Christmas in July sale on Etsy. That was a bust. Not a single sale. But I got my items into a second shop around here! Hip hip hurray for cold calls.

I made a bag for my sister that traveled to Africa and back. Jealous.

I finished a quilt (queen size no less) for my other sister to celebrate her graduation from college (to be bestowed upon her this weekend). Not so jealous at the idea of going through college, but proud none the less.

I made two table runners and one baby quilt from the scraps left over from the queen sized quilt. Lets just say I have a problem with over estimating how much fabric I need. I still have a grocery bag full of scraps left over. I'm just so sick of the colors that I can't do anything more with them.

I am in the process of finishing 7 cute cloth color books for babies. I'm building up my inventory for a craft sale I'll be participating in for December.

On the not so glamorous side I also altered at least 13 cloth diapers. Boring, but yeah for having properly fitting diapers now and less leaks!

And of course on my to do list/pile is a lap quilt for a wedding present, a dozen or more flower hair clips and bobby pins, felt crowns for dress up, a purse/clutch designed just for me, and lots lots lots more reusable cloth gift bags.

Sometimes It Really Is That Good

2011-07-22T20:27:00.000-04:00

Something has turned recently, like a tide or the phases of the moon. It was slight and gradual each day, but all too apparent when I spent the time to look. I find myself coping with staying at home better than I did before. I question my decision less at the end of the day and spend more time just being here.

Don't get my wrong. I've still lost my temper with the three old at least once this week. She visits time out more regularly as the day wears on and the heat adles our brains. And I still count down the hours until Daddy comes home. But I'm not resentful to be making dinner and still watching the kids. I don't feel the need to check out earlier in the day. I can make it a little bit longer. Of course all bets are off on Fridays.

And most of all, when they get to go visit Grandma....I miss them.

I start missing them before they're even gone.

I can see a little bit more now just how good things are.

A recent Saturday morning...

Mommy Monday

2011-07-04T08:28:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about the value of a day. I read alot on Ashley's blog - Under the Sycamore - about how she wants to live intentionally. I guess I've had to read her vision of what that means several hundred times for it to sink in for me, because I'm starting to get it.

When I spent a recent day building a train set for a preschooler and staring into the eyes of newborn I found myself asking what the value of this day was. And immediately I knew that the value was just in me being there, participating in their lives. It may feel like I measure my days by the loads of laundry and sink full of dishes I am able to complete, but just because I'm doing "nothing" doesn't mean it's not worth anything.

I Can't Believe I Finished!

2011-07-02T20:22:00.000-04:00

Well this blog was started with the intent of posting sewing projects. So lets back up from mommy world for a moment, and take a gander at the latest finished project in my house.

This queen sized quilt is a graduation present for my youngest sister. I hope she enjoys it (and keeps it out of the dryer...hint...hint). I just can't believe I was able to start and finish such a large project with two kids in the house in just a couple months (to be fair I did the majority of the sewing on the days my mother in law was able to take one or both kids for the day).

I cut a lot of fabric for this quilt. A lot. So much that I had enough fabric to make a baby blanket, two table runners - all three are now assembled and pinned, waiting for a moment of sewing to finish them. I really need to get better at estimating my fabric needs.

There's probably another small project or two in the scrap pile on the stairs, but I'm starting to get sick of these fabrics and color scheme. Until recently the extra scraps were living in my preschooler's tonka truck, but they've been hidden (in the plastic bag) so I can stop picking them up off the floor every night!

Next on my wish list of projects includes some doilies. Yummy!

Summer Plans

2011-06-29T08:09:00.003-04:00

I saw this post on Whatever and was inspired to make a family summer checklist too. I've seen Meg's summer list before, but this summer I'm at home with the kids and am really feeling the time fly by before I can grasp it. Last summer we had every intention to go camping and we never did. So this year, I don't want to see opportunities slip past us again.

My husband said "oh, it's a checklist, you'll like that." Okay, I admit I am a list oriented person, but still. He really did think it was a good idea though. And my preschooler loves it! She made me explain what each picture meant and then she spent the rest of the evening teaching daddy what they meant. She is a wonder to watch in action.

Well wish us luck. We've already checked off two and even did an extra activity...fishing! Can you tell we're outdoors kind of people?

Turning Thirty

2011-06-27T15:12:00.000-04:00

So in just a few weeks I'll be turning thirty. I don't feel old as in -life is over I'm so old - but more like - I don't understand teens anymore/I find clothing from Eddie Bauer appealing/I have children/am I really all grown up - old. The prospect of facing a milestone in life is making my mind wander with questions.

Am I supposed to know who I am by now? I feel so unsure of myself in this moment in time. This stage of life where I am staying home with my kids is still new to me. Who am I? A daughter, a sister, a wife and a mom. But those feel like labels. I know the things I like to do. I know what I have done in the past and wish for in the future. But what am I really capable of? Where are my limits and can I push them? What does my heart speak of when all else is silent? What does the future hold for me? Will I accomplish the things I hope for some day?

Of course asking questions just makes me feel more unsure of it all. But I suppose a little soul searching doesn't hurt every once in awhile. I know in the end I'll be turning 50 some day and I'll say to my daughters, I just wish I could be 30 again, just like my mom told me many years ago.

Find a Replacement Please!

2011-05-30T20:00:00.000-04:00

I told my husband today that I feel irreplaceable, but not in the warm fuzzy feeling way.

As bedtime drew near for a 3 year old who was as crispy as toast and I held a hot, sweaty, fussy baby I suddenly realized how intregral I am to them. I am irreplaceable in their eyes and hearts and yet all I wanted to do in that moment was escape. Not escape and flee the ~~country~~ house, just escape from their need for me.

Remind me that I said this when they are teenagers who view me as unnecessary.

Some Sewing Has Been Done

2011-05-25T19:11:00.000-04:00

I finished my second custom order for Seamingly Sarah. A cute little bag for a world traveler. I think this accomplished young woman (it's for my sister, I have to brag about her!) will enjoy it while trekking through Africa this summer!

But I may have been a fool to take on a queen size quilt too (since it's for my youngest sister, she won't mind if it takes awhile!). I can find 5 minute increments to sew, but that takes a while to add up when the project is in the dimensions of 90" x 96"! Oy. Right now I'm stuck on what to do for the backing. I love to repurpose stuff and make do with what I have (i.e. whittle down my stash of fabric before another single piece comes into this house!), but I just don't have something that will work. I'll just dig deeper.

I'm feeling better about this whole mom-hood gig. I read something on Momformation (on babycenter.com) that resonated with me...something along the lines that this is just a season. Similiar to "This too shall pass." But more like this is the season for playing pretend, dress up, nursing, making silly faces to entice a smile and nothing else. Yes, I feel boring when I recite what I did for the day to my husband (who by the way is my biggest supporter). Yes, I yearn to dive into my bin of fabric and not come out for days. Yes, I feel socially awkward at the thought of finding mom friends (that's a whole other post). But this is now and now requires reciting Cinderella or Beauty and the Best to my three year old and carrying around a chunky newborn (love her to bits and pieces). Tomorrow may be different.

Am I Cut Out For This?

2011-05-18T14:54:00.001-04:00

I've been staying at home with my two girls for two months now. I can't believe my littlest is two months old, time flies. But I can't believe I've only been doing this for two months, time is dragging.

I love to watch my kids interact. The baby gives her big sister the biggest smiles. And her big sister tries so hard to win those smiles. I love it.

But I'm exhausted. I know there is missed sleep from nursing at night, but I'm also exhausted from just being at home. I feel like all I do is laundry and dishes.

The past several days have been building up to a temper tantrum day for me. All these moments of a whining preschooler and my tiredness made me fabricate doubts. Doubts that I'm not cut out for this stay at home mom thing. And so today I flipped out on my 3 year old like I was a three year old myself. I even gave myself a time out. I felt like a giant ass. I asked God to give me a moment to remind me, remind me that I loved that 3 year old. And He did. We flipped on some music and all three of us danced our little hearts out. I sat on the floor holding my baby and my preschooler wiggled her way inbetween my legs. I held them both tight and just loved them. Thank you God.

Sew sew sew

2011-05-12T12:08:00.000-04:00

I totally sewed today instead of writing a blog post - yipee!

Seven Weeks

2011-05-09T20:19:00.000-04:00

My baby is 7 weeks old and I thought I'd be back to regularly blogging by now, but I'm not.

There's so much I want to write about. So many pictures I wanted to post about projects I was working on, but now are done. Such is life. There's so much I want to do, but at the end of the day I have done

1. laundry

2. dishes

3. fed both kids

4. clothed and kept clean both kids

5. changed diapers and assisted with the potty

This is my life right now.

I want to tell you about the birth. All three and a half hours of intense labor pains. The surprise and shock of how quickly it went really scared me. I felt so unprepared.

I want to tell you about the immense struggle I felt when I was faced with loving for two children at the same time....for the first time.

I want to tell you about the guilt I feel everytime I have to put the baby down to help my oldest. She'll never get the undivided attention my oldest had. That makes me feel inadequate.

I want to tell you that I quit my job. How scary it is to give up stability (and cheap health insurance) in this economy. But we're both really trusting on God (and our budgeting skills) to provide where ever there is lack.

I want to tell you how I wonder each day if I'm cut out for this. If I'm doing the best I can for my family.

I want to tell you about the countless moments I'm actively trying to savor with my newborn. This is our last and knowing that I'm really trying to breath in each moment. Each chin quiver could be the last. I love and drink in each one. Love it.

I want to tell you how I've seen my oldest struggle with the immediate decrease in mommy's attention and how I've seen her grow so much in just a couple of months.

So much to talk about and so little time. I just hope it doesn't take me another 7 weeks to start telling some of these stories.

The Ultimate Mommy Monday

2011-03-28T13:00:00.000-04:00

39 and a half weeks of pregnancy joys and pains broght me this

And we couldn't be happier.

My life is broken into 2-3 hour increments

I forgot how tiny newborn diapers are

Newborn burps are G-ross

The skin is sooooo soft

I'm surprised by the amount of love I have for both my daughterS

I LOVE saying "my daughterS"

I'm tired....naptime

Tip Week - Tip # 5

2011-03-25T08:00:00.002-04:00

Thanks for staying me with this week for all the tips. National Sewing Month only comes along, oh, once a year I think...so we should celebrate in style!

Tip # 5 - the ultimate tip of all tips...................

Keep sewing - or more accurately - keep doing what you love

If you love sewing, keep sewing, even if it's not perfect the first, second, heck one hundredth time.

If you fall in love with scrappy quilts - do it

If you become smitten with colors - explore

Follow your desires and keep going. I'm glad I do.

Much love to you all!

Tip Week - Tip # 4

2011-03-24T08:00:00.003-04:00

Tip # 4 this week comes from a friend.

I posted awhile ago about losing my pins (not marbles). My box of pins had tumbled on the floor and it always causes me some heart palpitations when I have a 3 year old running around at the same time.

Morgan commented that her grandmother used to keep a big magnet next to her sewing machine for such an occassion. A sewing tip has never been as welcomed! Thank you Morgan!

Maybe I can find an antique magnet to go with my antique pins?

Stay tuned for the final tip tomorrow!

Tip Week - Tip # 3

2011-03-23T08:00:00.005-04:00

Tip # 3 is...

drumroll....

PRESSING SEAMS!

Ah, yes, the tedious, but sometimes worthwhile venture of getting out the ironing board and iron each time you create a seam. Burn fingers burn! But it really does help, especially when you crate patterned blocks that almost need to lock into eachother. The "locking" or lining up of seams and blocks is much easier when the seams are all neatly pressed down.

It is also beneficial for pressing darker seams away from the potential light fabric counter part. Lets say you sew a piece of white fabric to a piece of black fabric. Press the entire seam over to the black side on the back. Otherwise you'll be seeing the seam through the front forever.

But something I learned was you can do a fingernail press too, just to stave off the iron for a little while. If you don't want to get the iron out at each step, take your fingernail and press the seam down from bottom to top.

But if you do get the iron out, remember, you're PRESSING, not IRONING. So put the iron down and press, don't move the iron up and down like you're ironing a shirt. Don't ask me why, that's just what I've been told. Anyone care to elaborate?

Stay tuned for Tip # 4 tomorrow!

Tip Week - Tip # 2

2011-03-22T08:00:00.003-04:00

The second tip for this week is:

Keep a consistent quarter inch seam

(or whatever width seam you're aiming for)

My first few quilts had blocks of all varying sizes because I would start out trying for a 1/4" seam and waver back and forth between 1/2" and 1/8" seam. I had one blue and pink quilt that I had to fill spaces in with extra fabric because the blocks were just so different in size that they would never line up.

Here is a horrible photo of said quilt, but you can see the pink strip on the bottom left hand corner. Yeah, that's a filler.

Beautiful color combo though, right?

Stay tuned for tip # 3 tomorrow!

Tip Week - Tip # 1

2011-03-21T08:00:00.009-04:00

So apparently March is National Sewing Month - or at least according to an article by a local quilt shop in the pennysaver.

So in honor of that I'm going to post a sewing tip each day this week. Don't hold your breath for anything magical. I just want to impart some of the first "aha" moments I had when I started sewing.

The very first tip I learned when starting out on this sewing adventure was ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS and ACCURATE CUTTING!!!! It doesn't get any better than starting with the basics. Of course my equipment was limited to sissors and my living room floor (and a general eyeballing technique), but eventually I acquired a cutting mat, straight ruler and rotary blade that greatly aided the entire process. The right tools helped me achieve this accuracy. Maybe this tip should be about the right tools?

But remember, from the first cut you make to the last, keep accurate measurements.

Square up your blocks as you go and keep checking along the way.

Press down hard on the ruler and focus on a steady hand. Nothing brings a long and tired night to an end faster than letting the rotary blade slip every so slightly off course and ruining a piece of fabric.

Measure twice, cut once

(that one's curtesy of handsome husband)

Stay tuned for tip # 2 tomorrow!

Home Decorating

2011-03-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Apparently my nesting instincts go beyond sewing and cleaning. I've been inspired to actually decorate my house lately, as evidenced by the very color coordinated room for Whirlwind and the soon to be baby.

Thankfully my handsome husband has been enabling my whims and has even agreed with some of my suggestions (yeah)!

He even went the extra mile to build me three frames to stretch these beautiful dish towels over. We're going to hang them in our bedroom (hopefully this weekend). I think they're just gorgeous (ignore the flash)!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

I made Irish Soda Bread for the first time this week!

Delicious!

You can find the recipe here at the From Scratch Club blog.

Addiction

2011-03-16T08:00:00.002-04:00

Well after I finished Whirlwind's quilt and the baby's blanket I had all these scraps left over.

Since my bin of fabric is tucked away in the closet to make room for the bassinet in our room I'll be darned if I'm going to lug that thing out and put away these scraps. So instead I decided to start another sewing project (like the psychotic pregnant woman I am). Let's just face it....

My name is Sarah and I'm addicted to sewing.

There it's out and it's the truth. God help me (finish this project before the baby comes).

I'm thinking a scrappy lopsided log cabin pattern is emerging.

Baby Blanket - Check

2011-03-15T11:19:00.000-04:00

Look what I finished!

I've officially finished all the sewing projects I had set out to do before the baby comes.

And I thought perhaps this baby blanket would be a reach for me to finish on time.

But here it is in all it's glory and still no baby!

I did however skip the binding and just topstitched around the edge to save time.

As I approach the last week before my due date I get more and more physically ready to have this baby (i.e. cranky and achy).

On a sidenote Whirlwind keeps asking if the blanket is for her. I keep pointing out the beautiful quilt I made just for her, but she is in love with the stars on the back.

SPRING CLEANING SALE!

2011-03-11T10:13:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that the flower accessories are 35% off at the Seamingly Sarah shop.

Shop now while you still can!

*****And if you're local (i.e. I can hand deliver the item to you) I'll even take off shipping******

Tah Dah!

2011-03-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

Here it is, Whirlwind and baby # 2's room!

This is the growth chart I made them. It's what you see as you enter the room. I still have to write Whirlwind's past measurements on it.

And then this is Whirlwind's toddler bed (hand built by handsome husband himself). Quilt and pillows are supplied by moi!

To the left is the crib.

To the right is the closet turned dresser area. This is the least visually appealing part of the room for me, but we had to do it to make room for the toddler bed and crib. I would love a house with another bedroom, but for now this will do. And it will do just fine! I am on the hunt for cheap/free organizational boxes, but for now stacking and diaper boxes are the modes of choice. Such is a budget.

I am particularly proud of the pillows/pillow covers I made for Whirlwind. I used the scraps from her quilt. All I can say is: cute.

I wanted some new prints for the room, but with a limited income I didn't want to spend $$$. Microsoft Publisher and dafont.com to the rescue!!!! I made this myself and actually ended up using a default font on Microsoft instead of one of the twenty I downloaded from dafont.com. All it cost was the price of matting at our local frame shop.

I made this banner for Whirlwind for her first birthday. It's been in her room ever since. If baby # 2 ends up being a boy, well he's just going to have to get use to a little pink. =)

The fabulous green walls are also courtesy of handsome husband.

I can't believe there is going to be a little baby in here soon. Swoon.

And it's little butt is going to be in these. I do not look forward to diapers again.

Magic Wand

2011-03-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

Did I mention how rough Whirlwind can be on her toys? Forget getting her plastic, it'll break within seconds and sometimes even wood doesn't stand a chance. After breaking multiple magic wands handsome husband and I created this handmade magic wand for Whirlwind.

Don't judge me. You try cutting a star free hand!

Of course the burlier we make the toys the more chance they have to become lethal weapons in her hands. I may have to rethink any hard objects!

Does the To Do Pile Multiply at Night?

2011-03-03T09:47:00.000-05:00

How is it that my to do pile continues to grow? And how does it continue to grow at a faster rate than my "done" pile? Oh right, I keep going back into my bin of fabric and pulling out all the projects I want to do. When will my brain realize I have a baby coming in +/- three weeks?

DONE PILE:

quilted canvas

black and white tree quilt (white binding is awesome - really makes the quilt pop!)

TO DO PILE:

pillow covers for whirlwind from the scraps of her quilt (one down, two to go)

cloth wipes for baby # 2

baby blanket for baby # 2

(obviously the priority is the cloth wipes!)

Wish me luck this weekend. These projects need to get out of the way in order for the true nesting to take place.

(i.e. cleaning the base boards! are pregnant women considered psychologically insane?)

Spring Cleaning SALE

2011-03-02T16:06:00.000-05:00

Maybe it's nesting, maybe it's just an urge to do some spring cleaning, but either way all the flower/hair accessories in my Seamingly Sarah shop are on SALE! Everything is marked down 35% and ready to go. An added bonus: if you're local (i.e. I can hand deliver the item) then shipping is free. Just contact me to arrange it.

I'll be introducing new items and ideas to the shop later on when the cleaning purge has ended.\

Because You Really Wanted to Know About Diapers...

2011-03-01T10:46:00.011-05:00

I made two cloth wet bags for baby # 2. We're going 100% cloth diaper this time. Remind me that this was my idea when I'm in the throes of laundry soon.

They're not water "proof", but more on the repellant side. Hopefully they work.

With whirlwind I tried all cloth diapers for about the first three months. We had all in one cloth diapers that I had bought super cheap off of ebay. They leaked. I had to change her every hour and when I went back to work I couldn't keep up with the laundry. But then a friend bought us a gdiaper kit. I was hesitant because there were so many parts: a cloth diaper, a plastic liner and then a flushable insert. But I tried it one day and we are now officially big fans of gdiapers.

Gdiapers now has cloth inserts, so I stocked up on used gdiapers on our local craigslist and bought all new plastic liners (the key to no leaking!!!!) and bought a ton of cloth inserts. Hence the wet bags to store the dirty cloth inserts until laundry time. Wish me luck!!!

Our little diaper corner. Newborn disposables for the first couple weeks of extra smallness and overnight diapers for Whirlwind. When do toddlers/preschoolers start staying dry through the night? I'd love to buy less diapers.

Nesting = Sewing

2011-02-28T10:50:00.000-05:00

I can't stop sewing. I would say it's an addiction, one I'm not likely to seek help for, but from previous experience I can feel the nesting hormones kicking in. I'm just using a needle and thread this time instead of a vacuum cleaner, mop and rag. Did I ever mention that I went around cleaning the baseboard in my entire house last time I was pregnant? No? It's certainly something my mother will never forget to remind me about.

Well the binding is on the black and white tree quilt. I just have to hand sew it onto the back.

And the custom order for a quilt/art piece is done!!!!!

I had originally planned on quilting large gold thread circles on the top, but after just one the fabric became bunched and wouldn't lie flat. So this design will have to do. With my limited resources and tools (i.e. no quilting frame or fancy long arm sewing machine) there are just some things I can't do. At least not for now. But I still like the outcome a lot. I hope the customer does too!

And I fit in one more sewing project into the weekend. I actually got around to some of the personal sewing projects I've had on my mind. More about those tomorrow!

My First Stamp!

2011-02-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my first handmade stamp!

I love the final outcome (the print), but I hated making it. Can't I just think of a design and voila...it appears? No? Maybe I should work on inventing teleportation first.

I ended up stabbing my fingers at least twice with the carving tool. Not cool. Minimal blood loss, but those suckers hurt for weeks afterwards.

I have so many other doodles I want to transform into stamps, but I've got to tell you, carving the linoblock sucked. That's a pretty harsh word for me, but it did suck. I'm going to try a softer material next time. Perhaps the lines will be less crisp (not that you can tell from my first attempts at carving the lino), but I'm going for a more natural look anyways, not precision.

Custom Order

2011-02-24T08:46:00.000-05:00

I received my first custom order awhile ago. This is very exciting and nerve wracking for me. I'm so afraid that what I create will not be exactly what the customer had in mind. But it's a friend of my sister's so they have been very reassuring that they are flexible and also understanding of my schedule (trying to finish up my nesting/sewing list). Anyways....I am tasked with making a large 3 x 4 foot piece of fabric art. I'm new at this, so bear with me, but I'm basically making a quilt top and the customer will mount it on a frame in their home.

Here are the inspirational photos the customer sent me.

Here are the fabrics I bought.

And here is the basic design I have in mind.

What do you think?

Did I mention this custom order is for a man!?! Also intimidating. I've never sewing anything for the masculine point of view. But I am extremely excited to get paid to try new things with my sewing machine. Here we go!

Almost Done!

2011-02-23T15:34:00.000-05:00

I finally made some progress on the black and white tree quilt. Everything is basted/pinned and ready for quilting now.

I even learned a few lessons along the way:

1. Taping the quilt backing to the floor is not an optional step, even on small quilts. It helps eliminate wrinkles that later require taking out and putting back in pins. Ugh.

2. Some fabric is better than others for raw edge applique. I'm still figuring that one out.

3. I tried sewing on leaves in groups so that I wouldn't have hundreds of tiny pins poking my belly while I sewed. This worked. Unfortunately it also led to some uneven grouping of leaves and not my best layout ever. Perhaps the poking of pins in my belly will not be a problem in a little while.

4. I want to find a different width for my binding. Cutting strips at 2.5 inches, then folding it in half makes for too narrow of a binding for my tastes. I'll work on this one.

5. Not so much a lesson, but I need to figure out why my permanent fabric marking pens died on my so quickly. Not cool.

Wish me luck as I finish up the quilting and binding this week/weekend! I'd love to have this quilt done and move onto a special custom order I've received. More on that tomorrow!

Saving a Birthday Party

2011-02-21T10:29:00.000-05:00

I have not made any progress on the black and white tree quilt, but it seems I can't go a day without sewing!

So instead of doing something productive I made a pretty little crown for Whirlwind's 3rd birthday!

Whirlwind had requested:

cake

ice cream

balloons

party hat

We were visiting my parents in a small town with a very small general store and I had not brought anything with me. So Whirlwind and I made a trip to the general store the morning of her party. We found abosolutely no appropriate balloons or party hats! Unless we wanted to celebrate her being "over the hill" I had to think of something else.

I lucked out when we found a pile of felt instead. My daughter chose blue (but I bought a sheet of purple too because part of me couldn't fathom my little princess-y girl not wanting purple or pink) and I had an idea in the back of my head how to make it into a crown. I've always wanted to try it anyways.

Was she excited to pick out the color? Yes!

Was she delighted to help me finish it when she woke up from her nap? Yes!

Did she immediately put it on with pride? Yes!

Did she then proceed to have a hissy fit about how it didn't sit on her head correctly...........yes

So there you go. You can create all you want for a small child, but only they determine if they are happy or not! I for one think it is ridicously cute and want to make a dozen more.

And of course she had also requested balloons, but there were none at the general store. So my mom's cupboards came to the rescue with some ancient and small water balloons. My fabulous mother and sister helped me create this impromptu garland and voila! Balloons! I was able to give Whirlwind everything she had asked for (patting self on back).

But no birthday is complete without some cake.

Note to self: apply sprinkles immediately after frosting so they stick and do not tumble everywhere, including off the cake.

2nd note to self: do not leave a three year old alone with a pretty candle. It obviously looks like candy.

But from the look on her face, I'd say the overall day was a success!

Beautiful Containers

2011-02-18T08:26:00.001-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love some of my containers? Well I do. I love them to bits and pieces and I'm so glad I snagged them when I saw them. The darling peter rabbit tin came from a second hand store nearby and the wodden cigar box came from my mother. I stole it when she wasn't looking. Well actually she was looking and she was shoving it in my hands. She just loves to give things away!

One Down, Two to Go

2011-02-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

It must've been all of your positive thoughts because I buckled down and in two nights I finished the binding for Whirlwind's quilt. And look at that! It fits her toddler bed perfectly. I have left over fabric from the binding so I plan on making her some matching (or at least coordinating) pillow cases.

I have a whole post planned on showing you her whole bedroom soon. We've done a lot of work to get it ready for baby # 2. I'm just waiting on the curtains to arrive and to hang the frames on the walls. I'm getting excited about the impending family addition!

And just because I'm obviously throwing valuable nesting energy into sewing instead of cleaning the house I finished the top for another quilt. I've had 3 quilts on my to do list for at least 6 months. They are all getting done now! Whirlwind's quilt (done), a black and white tree quilt and a baby blanket for baby # 2.

The black and white tree quilt top is done! I'm really into this raw edge applique look. Look for it in upcoming Seamingly Sarah products.

Now I'm off to iron, cut, baste, quilt and bind this quilt.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

These lovely paper hearts finally made their way to my sewing machine after I finished the white quilt that was starting to haunt me.

I love to use up some of the old thread my mother gave me when it comes to temporary projects such as this. The thread is so old that you can break it with a few strong tugs. So if I'm making something that Whirlwind will inevitably break, I might as well use thread that I can't use for anything else.

Whirlwind will use this darling little garland as a jungle gym for her many stuffed animals. They are particularly rambunctious toys.

Happy Valentines Day to you all. I hope you're feeling the love!

Black & White Tree Quilt

2011-02-11T08:00:00.005-05:00

I've got a binding to hand sew at night while handsome husband and I watch horrible television.

But I've also got a nifty little tree quilt waiting for me at the sewing machine.

I can't wait to see this quilt finished. It has a very special purpose!

Valentine Cookies

2011-02-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

Don't you just love dropping pins on the floor with an almost 3 year old running rampant in the house.

I know I do.

After it was confirmed that no toddlers were hurt in this incident we made some cookies!

These are a one time annual cookie I make for handsome husband just for Valentine's Day.

Apparently I did not make them last year, so he made sure to ask me if these were coming his way soon.

So Whirlwind and I got out our aprons and had a pretty good time. She didn't lose her patience and interest in the project until it was time to pull the cookies out of the oven. Not bad for a toddler.

I even made a few mini cookies just for her.

Doe It Ever Get Any Easier?

2011-02-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

I had the best of intentions of finishing this quilt last weekend, but it felt more like I took one step forward and two steps back.

I had the whole quilt top put together, then I decided I didn't like the borders, too many mistakes. So I went to JoAnn's and bought the right fabric. I ripped seams and sewed on the new borders lickety-split. I was even impressed with myself.

Then I basted all 3 layers together and quilted the top in a zig zag pattern. Bad news, it looked awful! I just had bad luck with this quilt and too many errors in the beginning that built up over the course of its completion.

Error 1 - I repurposed an old bed spread for the white squares on the quilt top. The fabric is slightly stretchy, not even a match for my walking foot. Plus it's thick and soft (why I chose it) so it was hard to quilt, causing pulling and stretching while I quilted. The stretchiness also let me get away with not squaring up the squares as much as possible, leading to the pattern not always lining up perfectly. I cannot emphasize enough that cutting the fabric correctly right away in the beginning is so important to a stress free project!!!

Example of the squares not lining up - I do love that white fabric though, look at the raised details!

And when everything doesn't line up and the mistakes start to accrue, it leads to even more wonkiness in the end

Error 2 - I picked a soft and cuddly fabric for the back. I think the feed dogs couldn't pick it up as much, causing more stretching and bulging.

post edit - here is the back after quilting from the middle first. Of course I miscalculated a row on the front and the middle rectangle isn't centered on the back! Oy a quilt of many mistakes, but I tried my best.

Error 3 - I didn't start quilting in the middle. I started on one end and worked my way to the end. Oy. I felt like an idiot when I realized what I had done. The stretching and pulling just magnified itself as I went.

So I spent the weekend pulling out stitches instead of putting the final touches on the binding and we're back to square one. I have a freshly basted quilt on my sewing table and I hope to find the time to finish it. Wish me luck!

post edit - I hunkered down and got all but the hand stitching of the border done yesterday

Valentine Mobile

2011-02-08T08:00:00.002-05:00

I love sitting down and helping my daughter paint, draw, create...But I already have limited room in the house as it is, so keeping all of her creations is not always feasible. Yet somethings I can't let pass without trying to craft with first!

So when I had this mostly red finger painting sitting around for awhile I decided it wouldn't hurt to try and make another hanging mobile for Valentine's Day like we did last year. But this time I was going to smarten up and sew hearts together, no glue! It was so quick and easy, it made me love this project even more!

And just for full disclosure, this is what my kitchen really looked like when I took this photo:

I won't show you all the other nooks and crannies where I am stashing things. I need a bigger kitchen.

Mommy Monday

2011-02-07T09:52:00.000-05:00

The "Monday" part of Mommy Mondays is slightly relative. Let's just say this all took place on a day that's more along the lines of "Sunday."

But this is how Whirlwind and I passed some time before going to church on Sunday morning. Please note the tutu dress and wings. This is standard operating procedure most days. It's that or naked. I'll take what I can get.

But Whirlwind really does enjoy her watercolor paints. She'll even repeat the mantra I've drilled into her head: Water...Paint...then Paper! I'm so OCD.

I tried to take more pictures to capture the concentrated look on her face, but shortly thereafter she said "No Mommy, put that (camera) away." I have no idea where she gets these control issues from.

Later in the afternoon we moved along to a craft more for me. I lugged my box of paper supplies from the basement to the kitchen and made a few Valentine Day cards. I can't let this craft-tastic holiday get away without making something!

Whirlwind occupied her time with using random objects as stand ins for the characters on her favorite movie. I love to listen to her in the background repeating the key and sometimes random phrases she's memorized after watching a movie upteem times. (Don't worry, the cap on the glue bottle is closed.)

But I had all this pretty paper and not enough cards to make, so I couldn't stop there. I cut out quite a few hearts and I'll be turning these into a project soon enough. Right now the pile of paper hearts are sitting on our stairs and I'm just waiting for my handsome husband to get fed up with my multiplying piles!

I also used the last of the paper to cover this hot chocolate can (courtesy of modge podge). I covered the two containers on the left earlier this year, but I don't know what to do with them yet. I wish I had finally hunkered down to try these projects before Christmas, actually made Christmas cookies, and then delivered said cookies to friends and family in these containers. Oh well. There's always next year, when I'll have two kids trying to destroy the Christmas tree.

New Items in the Shop

2011-02-01T13:32:00.001-05:00

I've been experimenting with a new way to make flower hair and shoe clips. This is the end result!

I like them a lot and I hope you do too, or someone out there does. I was able to use up the last of these three fabric scraps (a goal of mine is to use up everything I have before I go buy more).

Check them out at Seamingly Sarah

Mommy Monday

2011-01-31T07:00:00.014-05:00

So this is what a sleeping toddler looks like.

As a side note I've really enjoyed reading Under the Sycamore. Ashley not only shows glimpses into an inspirational world, but she also has great tips for photography, even for us point and shoot users. She wrote a tutorial for Lil Blue Boo and I used tip # 6 for the photo below. When I focused on Whirlwind's face versus the snowy background I got two very different pictures. Take a look and learn something new!

Abandoning One Project for Another

2011-01-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've had a grocery bag full of black and white scraps sitting on my bedroom floor for awhile. God bless my handsome husband for not cursing my overflowing fabric bin!

I had an idea to make black evergreen trees on a white background in a repeating pattern.

Then I made this tree quilt for a wedding gift and now I'm hooked. So I cut out some leaves and even found some solid black fabric for the tree trunk. I pulled out a soft gray fabric for the background....and saw faded spots! No!!!!!!!! I washed it in hopes it was just from storage, but alas, the fade spots stayed.

Not happy.

There goes my idea to make a quilt with only materials I have on hand.

So while I mourned the death of that idea (for now) I moved on to making a quilt for Whirlwind. She's been quickly outgrowing all the baby blankets that were lovingly gifted to us when she was born. I "accidently" bought too much fabric for baby #2's quilt, so I've decided Whirlwind needs one too, but big enough for a toddler bed. I saw an excellent pattern in a quilt magazine that Santa put in my stocking.

Wish me luck that I can actually finish this one!

Adventures in Printing

2011-01-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

I've been collecting interesting shapes from nature lately. Every time I go outside in the farm fields across from my house my eyes are searching for unique shapes that I think might translate into printing. I'm brand new to printing on fabric, so every time I try my hand at it is an experience and an experiment. I was using water soluble ink for block printing, but I couldn't get it to stop bleeding or fading after heat setting. Plus the heat setting was tedious. Perhaps I'll learn more in that arena later on.

So I tried some basic fabric paint that does not require heat setting. It's thicker, but I still like it. Hey, I printed our Christmas cards with finger paints! I'm not picky.

Well I took this scrap fabric and tried some printing with some dried flowers I had on hand.

You may have seen the one on the right before. I used them for our Christmas cards.

But the ones of the left are new. I love how it looks like a cross from fireworks and stars.

I also love how each one comes of different. Sometimes I want to create blocks for stamps so I can create uniform designs, but there is something about how organic and original the print is when it comes to using the original material. It goes against my perfectionist nature, but I'm going with the flow. Or at least trying to!

Now what to do with this fabric? I chose a color I didn't really like in case it was a disaster. But it wasn't. So now what? Any ideas?

More Adventures in Hand Sewing

2011-01-26T07:00:00.002-05:00

Of course I couldn't stop after just one craft!

As I made the heart barrette for my daughter and then for the Seamingly Sarah shop I decided to just keep on sewing. I made some heart magnets for the upcoming Valentine's Day. I used some magnets from some broken name badges I had been saving for over a year now. Does that make me a pack rat or a frugal woman?

Then I made three new sea creatures to replace some broken ones from a set I made my daughter (also over a year ago now).

New guys.

Old guys that aren't broken.

The old set of sea creatures can be found at Purl Bee. I'm not a fan of following directions to a T, so I made mine in different colors and eye balled the shapes. Just be forewarned: make sure the felt sea creature is big enough for the magnet! And expect the Jellyfish to break first. Their dangly legs are prone to tugging and my toddler is none too gentle!

I Couldn't Help Myself - Valentine Craft

2011-01-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

I was snowbound last week when a snowstorm brought several inches and some "wintery mix" to our doorstep. Good thing it was a "work from home day!"

So while my now napless daughter gave me a few minutes of alone time I frantically searched through my overflowing bin of fabric to find a sanity saving craft to do. I've been wanting to make a felt heart barrette for about a year now. I whip stitched one up and loved it so much that I made one for the shop too!

Whirlwind* here is modeling the one for the shop by the way. I've given up on trying to hold my arm over my head and wait for the perfect product shot after 100 some odd clicks.

Isn't it cute? I just love it so much. If you don't buy it, I will. =)

*I've decided that Whirlwind will be her blog name, because let's be honest, it describes her. This girl regularly breaks things, even classic long lasting tinker toys made out of real wood. You should see what she does to plastic! And when she gets going things start flying. She is a force of nature to be reckoned with. And I love her all the more!

Shop Make Over

2011-01-20T15:44:00.000-05:00

There is a weekly challenge on Etsy to participate in a Shop Make Over. It took me two weeks to complete the uniform photo/shop make over challenge. So I'm a bit behind, but I'm impressed with how much more uniform and pulled together the front page of the Seamingly Sarah shop looks! Hop on over and take a look for yourself. What do you think?

I'll have a variety of small and big projects I've been working on to post later. Stay tuned.

Excuse the Absence

2011-01-17T10:51:00.000-05:00

I'm in the midst of focusing on a Seamingly Sarah shop makeover amongst other projects. So bear with me while I spend my spare moments snapping, editting and uploading photos.

Valentine Day Bags!!!

2011-01-13T15:19:00.001-05:00

I've been busy at work perfecting some reusable cloth gift bags for the Seamingly Sarah shop. I'm smitten with the burlap like fabric of the off-white bags, but I could be bias. Take a look and tell me which ones you like best, or even what you would do/want differently. I am always open to suggestions and criticisms. I'm a big girl, I can take it.

After Christmas Sales

2011-01-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

Have I mentioned how much I love sales? The only thing I love more than not spending money at all (my mother openly calls me tighter than bark to a tree) is seeing how much I saved during a sale.

So I hit up Target and JoAnn's after Christmas to stock up on supplies for next year's Christmas bags. There will even be Hanukkah bags this time!

I'll admit I feel like I'm taking a gamble on some of these fabrics, but I couldn't resist them. I do believe the pink, red and green dotted one will be a hit though, so I bought extra yardage of that.

Forgive the low lighting/flash photos. Sometimes the only free time I have is at night. That's my life.

The 2010 Christmas bags are on sale at my Seamingly Sarah shop. Stop by and find out how you can save during the after Christmas sales as well.

Check Out This Feature

2011-01-08T12:57:00.000-05:00

Ever wanted to find out a little bit more about me? Just check out this Q&A I had with The Art of Craft. Of course, you could just browse through my old blog posts for hours, but perhaps this might be a better use of your time! Enjoy!

The Zoo's Side Show

2011-01-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

I had quite the productive weekend over the New Year. Not only did I finish that purple table runner, but I FINALLY made a project I've had in my head for months!!!

I saw similiar toys floating around on the internet (I can't remember exactly where), but when my nesting instinct kicked in for this pregnancy I knew I had to make some. Then I found out some friends of ours are pregnant too. So my in pregnancy haze I made another one as a gift. Is it just the hormones that are making me flippin' crazy excited everytime I hear someone else is pregnant?

I think they're cute and oh so not perfect. Mostly I'm more excited that I finally sat down and made them. I put little jingle bells in them and the giraffes have ribbon tags for along their necks (if you can't tell from the picture). The only weird thing is when you actually pick them up to play with them it is suddenly very evident that they look better in 2-D rather than 3-D. Welcome to the zoo's freakish side show of two legged elephants and giraffes! It's slightly disturbing.

But overall I love them and want to make a million more. Would someone else please get pregnant?!?

The Table Runner that Wouldn't Finish

2011-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

I finally finished this table runner. I posted over a month ago about the origins of this table runner. It was supposed to be a quilt, then I didn't have enough fabric, so it was down sized. Then I didn't have anything quite right for the back. This past weekend I also found out I didn't have enough fabric for the binding. Ugh. Get this thing out of here! So I just sewed it together inside out, flipped it right side out and then top stitched it. Done. Finally.

Now do I give it as a gift to someone? Or try to sell it at the Seamingly Sarah shop?

Hmmm.......

Promoting Myself

2011-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Etsy may or may not be the only avenue for me to sell products from Seamingly Sarah.

So I got the idea to approach some stores about selling my items on consignment (I'm looking into craft shows as well, but let's face it, I have my 2nd baby coming in March. I'm going to be out of commission for awhile). I know there are pros and cons to almost every approach of selling your handmade goods, but I need to try them out for myself and figure out what works best for me.

But before I approached shop owners I needed to be able to show them my products. That's where Shutterfly came in! A photobook (after waiting for a coupon!) was just the way to go.

I put my shop photos on my Shutterfly account and created a slim, pocket sized, photobook that I can carry with me and whip out (with business cards of course) at a moment's notice.

p.s. - so far no takers, but life is all about trying!

Our Christmas Corner is No More

2011-01-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

This is what our house looks like after the Christmas purge:

This is what it looks like 15 minutes later when Handsome Husband is bored and decides to test out our new Christmas present:

To his credit he did wait all weekend to set it up. A big thank you to my parents for a present that will continue to give and shape our family vacations from now on. We are all TOO excited to go camping this summer.

A New Year...

2011-01-03T13:04:00.000-05:00

Handsome Husband and I both agree that New Year's Eve is a bit hyped up. We have spent many nights trying to attend parties, throw parties, stay up bleary eyed until midnight and celebrate like teenagers. But alas, I don't think either of us were ever really your typical teenager. We like to go to bed and wake up early. So that is why for the third year now we've especially enjoyed our little family tradition. We go to the local Mexican restaurant (toddler included) and we eat food we don't have to cook off of plates we don't have to clean. We come home and put the toddler to bed and then we follow suit after watching less than stellar tv/movie. No staying up, no watching a ball drop, no noise makers, no confetti. We love it.

Another little tradition we try to do is ask each other what we're looking forward to in the new year. Don't get me started on resolutions. I just don't do them. Handsome Husband on the other hand made a resolution to slow down and think about situations before diving in. I asked him if this meant he would start skiing more slowly. He said "no." I love him.

Well when I started thinking about what I'm looking forward to in the new year it started to come out like a to do list (my most beloved of handicaps) and it went something like this:

get through this pregnancy
finish up some projects at work
make more things for Seamingly Sarah
sell more things on Seamingly Sarah
give birth
work how to be a mom to two
try attending/selling at craft shows

Then I stopped myself when I realized I sounded like a to do list. I narrowed it down and I really feel that what I want to look forward to in the new year is being a mom of two and how I want that to be. I want to make sure I'm in the moment with them, present and engaged, and not going over another to do list. Handsome Husband said "good luck." I still love him in spite of himself.

After Christmas Sale!

2010-12-29T10:17:00.000-05:00

I personally love to buy Christmas supplies and other doo-dads after Christmas. Who doesn't love those sales? Well I just added a SALE section to the Seamingly Sarah shop for the reusable Christmas gift bags. Stop by and take a look.

Soon I'll be hard at work making new bags (for Christmas, other holidays and birthdays) to add to the shop. So take advantage of these sale prices while you can!

A Few of My (Current) Favorite Things

2010-12-24T08:00:00.004-05:00

I AM IN LOVE!

I found these beautiful, lovely, pieces of heirloom artwork and love on my local craigslist. And there's even more! But I limited myself. I do have an overflowing tub of fabric in my bedroom to deal with. But I'm not going to give any hints on how to get them yourself, I'm greedy like that.

After they soak in some oxi-clean for a few hours they'll be ready for some crafting. Of course some will find their way into products for the Seamingly Sarah shop and others would be just too heart breaking to part with. I really am in love. I can't stop touching and fondling them.

Oh Dear Lord, save me now. These blue napkins and table cloth make me squeal.

And this one, this has to be my favorite. How could I ever part with this?

And just so you know...MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all tomorrow!

Done, done and done!

2010-12-23T08:00:00.001-05:00

I finished the binding on the tree quilt in just two nights!

That is a record for me, especially with a lap sized quilt.

And once I got the tree quilt done and out of the way I felt like a busy and productive little elf.

I made these little characters for my daughter with some empty food coloring bottles, felt and glue.

They'll sneak their way into her stocking!

I finally fixed the gdiapers I'll need for the baby in my belly...

And even dyed the clothes with heinous spit up stains on them for the new baby.

I'm pretty darn impressed with myself. If you want to pat me on the back I won't mind. =)

Tree Quilt

2010-12-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

Isn't it just gorgeous!

I have fallen in love with making this quilt. I had more fun making it than I can remember while making other recent quilts. It's a lap sized quilt (I hate going beyond 44" wide!) and I think the most fun was the quilting part. It's just pinned in this picture, but I ended up outlining the whole tree and then adding branches amongst the leaves to quilt it.

I've practiced free motion quilting a bit since I got my sewing machine back from the maintenance shop, but it still isn't working out. I even used the tips they gave me at the shop, but to no avail. Perhaps my work horse of a sewing machine just isn't meant for free motion quilting. But I was able to get away from "stitching in the ditch" with this quilt. And that felt gratifying.

The binding has been sewed on the front. All that is left now is some handsewing for the back of the binding. I can't wait to gift this to the wonderful couple it's meant for. I know it makes me smile just looking at it. I hope they feel the same way.

Inspiration from Children's Books (Part II)

2010-12-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Good old Sesame Street, good for the characters my daughter loves and surprisingly I love the way this illustrator drew the flowers.

A favorite of my daughter's. I love it for the shading and texture. It looks like colored pencils to me. I want to rub my fingers over it and feel the color smudge on my skin.

Our Little Christmas Corner

2010-12-20T09:12:00.000-05:00

Since I gave you a sneek peek of the finished garland

I thought I'd show you our little Christmas corner in our house.

Of course no Christmas is complete without this little booger, applesauce and all!

Advent calendars are a childhood memory for me. It just doesn't feel like Christmas without opening up a tab each day. My daughter on the other hand just loves to count the Christmas ornaments in the pictures!

Various decorations given to us throughout the years, some for fun, some for momentous occassions (like, oh gee, getting married!).

The angel is a relic from my childhood. I'm not sure if she used to sit on the family tree or not, but at some point she lost her wings and she stayed in my room each Christmas. I just can't bear to part with her.

Christmas Garland Complete

2010-12-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

I was pacing around one morning before work. My daughter was lollygagging around while eating her breakfast and I had nothing to do while I waited for her to finish. Trying to apease my cranky listless self I sat down and turned these little paper discs into a garland!

I hung it up over her "little table" and then got both her and I ready to leave the house. It was quick and satisfying. Now if only I could say it kept me from losing my temper that morning.

I do think it is cute, but I'd like to try making one with more solid and vibrant colors. The details in the old Christmas cards get a little lost when they're all cut up.

Inspiration from Children's Books (Part I)

2010-12-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

Anyone else ever been inspired by the artwork in children's books?

Some of my daughter's books I love to read just because I love to see the beauty that lays in front of me.

Here are a couple of my favorites. I'll share more next week.

I just love the detail and patterns in every scene!

My all time favorite book and page! Beautiful.

Boxes from Boxes

2010-12-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has saved cereal boxes for me. I officially have plenty! Now what I'd really like is for someone to order something from the Seamingly Sarah shop so I can test how the boxes hold up through the mailing process!

POST EDIT:

I just wanted to let you all know how my day went yesterday:

(Tuesdays are now my Mommy Mondays)

Cleaned bathrooms

Dusted

Vacuumed

Mopped

Photographed rainbow purses for etsy shop

Washed, dried and put away 2 loads of laundry

Started binding for tree quilt

Sat through an hour long webinar for work

Cuddled, fed, played with and read to my daughter

Play date

Edited purse photos and posted them to etsy shop

Let me tell what I did NOT get to:

A 3rd load of laundry (those two extra loads of laundry were thanks to my daughter)

Iron tree quilt top (photos coming soon)

Iron binding

Baste tree quilt

Go to the library

A fully cooked dinner

(it was slightly undercooked and handsome husband had to take over)

All in all, I'd say it was a GREAT DAY!

New Items in the Shop

2010-12-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

The entire collection of rainbow purses are up in the Seamingly Sarah shop.

Take a look!

Printing with Finger Paints!

2010-12-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

Do you remember the dried flowers I found during a family walk this fall?

Well I finally made a date with them to do a little printing!

Does it count that this date was a double date with my daugther and her finger paints? I cut up some brown paper bags for her to paint on and I decided I had ~~waited~~ procrastinated long enough. I jumped up and cut off a few blooms from the stems and stamped away with the flowers and finger paint on my own piece of paper. I loved it. The photo above shows you the detail that came out in some of the stamping. The photos below show you the overall effect.

And then guess what I decided to do for Christmas cards this year?

I guess I just hadn't had enough yet.

And this time my handsome husband even joined in the fun. His prints came out even better than mine. I'm blaming it on the flowers I chose to print with. But we're both going to ~~blame~~ give credit for the blurred prints to our daughter (who was asleep at the time of this activity). Shhhhhh....don't tell anyone.

Christmas Garland

2010-12-13T08:00:00.004-05:00

Now this is a Christmas project I have wanted to do since I first saw paper garlands.

I kept putting it off because I don't have a circle punch, but I finally sat down and took a pair of sissors to all the old Christmas cards I have been saving. My sissor dented hands are now begging for a circle punch, but at least I finished! I hope to find the time to push these little discs through the sewing machine and create my own Christmas garland.

Leaves and Pins

2010-12-10T08:00:00.004-05:00

Remember how I told you the christmas tree and sewing machine are sharing space still? Well it's because of this little beauty. Which will hopefully look like a tree in fall foliage when I'm done.

I'm excited to be creating something so beautiful and yet the tension in my neck and shoulders would tell you otherwise. I've sewed many leaves on already and have many more to go.

Speaking of all those leaves I have officially used every pin I use, including these oldies, but goodies. My handsome husband saw these and said "Dear Lord Sarah, how old are these?"

I laughed because I knew he was more shocked that I've kept them all this time more than he was shocked by their actual age. If something goes missing in our house it is the basic assumption that I threw it away. I'm a minimalist, a declutterer, a putter away of things, a ruthless tosser of cherished childhood memories and objects. But these pins have been tucked away inside my sewing box since I was a teenager. My paternal grandmother gave me a birthday gift of a sewing box filled with odds and ends I would need. These pins were included. I don't know why, but I just never got rid of them. And today I'm glad that I did not.

Purse Rainbow

2010-12-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

The rainbow blocks rear their crazy heads again!

I had created each of these blocks when my scrap pile started to dwindle and I needed to use up the very tiny pieces left. I ended up making one in each color and was going to make either a quilt or a set of placemats from these. Then I laid them all out and saw that the blue block's diagonal stripe went the wrong way. Ugh! I BRIEFLY contemplated tearing out the stitches and fixing it. Then I threw the whole pile back in my overflowing bin and closed the lid (or at least tried to close the lid).

A little while later I saw one of the blocks folded in half and it looked like the perfect purse. Yeah! Problem solved and now back tracking on my sewing. So I got some zippers and interfacing and finally faced my fears of purses and interfacing. I learned a few things and still NEED to learn more. But here they are and if I do say so myself, they look pretty darn cute!

I hope to have these in the Seamingly Sarah shop as soon as I find a minute to photograph them during daylight hours (rare in the winter). Stay tuned...

Christmas Tree Photos

2010-12-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

Let's pretend the fuzzy, low light photos are an artistic statement on my part and not my laziness to get the tripod out when we're decorating the tree one late evening.

Our little helper was very eager to "help."

Thankfully my handsome husband has a plethora of patience compared to me.

So far she's only broken two ornaments. And trust me, we put all the "non breakable" ornaments on the bottom and all the fragile ones up top. She still breaks "non breakable" things. This little girl is a whirlwind, not a gentle breeze.

Christmas Time...

2010-12-07T08:18:00.000-05:00

Good news

I finished 6 purses, one for each color of the rainbow

(stay tuned for photos after I charge my camera's battery)

Bad news

The belated wedding gift/quilt is not finished (who was I kidding?)

Good news

The christmas tree and sewing machine are peacefully coexisting while I prick myself with pins

(again stay tuned for photos)

Time to Hunker Down

2010-12-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

I've got 5 rainbow blocks waiting to become purses, a few more flower hair clips to finish and a belated wedding gift to finish by this weekend. I'll be speeding along so that my sewing area can be packed up in time for the Christmas tree to move in. And then I will spend time reveling in Christmas and all that is winter. Wish me luck...

The Aftermath of Thanksgiving

2010-12-01T07:00:00.004-05:00

Who else would go visit family for Thanksgiving and come back with more sewing supplies? I love raiding my mother's house. Love you mom.

Multi colored zippers. Love it.

Technically these were given to me by my sister. I'm like the save-a-stray for unwanted fabric.

Many moons ago my mother attempted to clean out her stash of fabric. Thankfully I was there and saved many scraps and yards of fabric from being discarded into the unloved pile. Unfortunately I still have limited storage space at my own house, so a bin of fabric still resides at my mother's house. Ultimately she didn't really accomplish the whole declutter mission, but at each visit I select a few lovelies to come home with me. Who doesn't need more white....and black....and blue....and red stripes....and gray....? I ask you, who?

And buttons. Need I say more? I'm in love.

Stamping

2010-11-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Guess what I got in the mail???

I am super excited about this custom stamp I ordered from Terbear Collectibles.

Thanks so much for the excellent work. I can't wait to get the ink and fabric out!

Tackling the World of Purses

2010-11-29T12:53:00.000-05:00

Well I finally bit the bullet and bought some interfacing at JoAnn's. Days later I finally took the interfacing out of my car and brought it inside. Yet several more days later I finally used it! My daughter had this skirt passed down to her and it never fit right. It fell right off her flat bottom and down around her knees. The elastic in the waist was shot and instead of fix it for her, I thought it'd make a much nicer purse.

Isn't it cute?

I think so.

Just look at that rear pocket with the button!

And with the interfacing and flat bottom it can actually stand up on it's own.

Now on to documenting the major pains in the butt I experienced:

I made this up as I went along. The 2nd purse I did followed a little more of a pattern, but still caused me to sew things on backwards at least twice!!!

Repurposing clothing into other objects is less than ideal compared to cutting from a single piece of cloth. Pre-existing hems, seams and liners are a pain.

I'm getting better at zippers, but we are still not bosom buddies.

Note the less than perfect finish to the zipper on one end.

But hey, I'm doing it! One purse at a time.

Thanks & Giveaway Winner

2010-11-26T08:27:00.000-05:00

After a wonderful day with family and food I wanted to just leave you with an idea of what I'm grateful for. When it comes down to it, I'm grateful for the basics.

I am thankful that we have a house.
I am thankful we can always feed ourselves.
I am thankful I was able to give life to my daughter.
I am thankful I can give life to the child in my womb.
I am thankful that if all else fails, we have each other.
Thank you God.

And now for the winner of the One Year Anniversary Giveaway...

drumroll......

Heather - I love looking at you creations! Good work Sara way to just do it!

I'll be delivering the delicious flower hair clip to you as soon as I can! Thank you to everyone who entered and thank you for entering to win. Your comments were very uplifting. I'm glad I have each of you in my life one way or another.

It Was a "Banner" Weekend?

2010-11-25T07:00:00.002-05:00

Is the title too corny? I'm not feeling clever today.

But I was a busy beaver this past weekend. I finished up some new flowers, I started a table runner and I even finished up a new party banner.

You've got to love scrap piles! If you recall this was the interior to the red shoulder bag I made for the Seamingly Sarah shop. I love the curves. I wanted something softer than triangles and rectangles. Next comes multiple curves, like a puffy cloud. I'm really not sounding clever today.

And don't forget to enter for a chance to win a free flower hair clip!!!!

Today is your last day to enter. All entries must be made before midnight (EST) today (11/25/10). I will announce the winner tomorrow.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

New Flowers

2010-11-24T07:00:00.002-05:00

Remember when I told you I was trying a new technique on the flowers? Well here are the results.

I loved my my first attempt with the gold ones. All subsequent trials were just that...trials...trials of patience. But here is to learning, not burning your fingers, late nights and always trying new things.

Look for these hair clips and shoe clips at the Seamingly Sarah shop soon!

This is a tried and true way to make my typical flowers, but this fabric is so thin and sheer I doubled it up this time for a little added poof! Poof is such a great word.

And don't forget to enter for a chance to win a free flower hair clip!!!!

It is Not What It Seems...

2010-11-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've had this pile of purple scraps laying on my bedroom floor since I finished all the rainbow blocks. It seems I had more purple fabric scraps than just the rainbow blocks could finish off. In fact I thought I had enough to make a lap quilt.

I finally got around to using these scraps (for crazy blocks again) and it turns out I only had enough for a table runner.

Here is the front. Now I just need to find something for the back. If I want to use something I already have on hand then it's going to have to be pieced on the back as well, or a really uncoordinated color. We'll see.

I have a few more projects I completed this past weekend. Stick around for more tomorrow.

And don't forget to enter for a chance to win a free flower hair clip!!!!

Mommy Monday

2010-11-22T14:01:00.001-05:00

It's a Mommy Monday. We're off coloring, painting and pounding playdough (stored in those nifty hot cocoa tins) while it rains outside.

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win this delectable flower hair clip.

Did I mention I'll send it to you free of charge if you win?

One Year Ago...

2010-11-19T07:00:00.004-05:00

One year ago this week I opened Seamingly Sarah on etsy. I had the opportunity to network with a motivational speaker at a Toastmasters event and told him about my dream to start something with fabric. To create with it and sell it. He told me to just go ahead and do it. What was I waiting for? I heard excuses coming out of my mouth, but I knew the truth at that moment. Just do it (sorry Nike). So I did. I took a vacation day from work and I created till the cows came home. I listed maybe five measly things in the shop.

Circa 2009

I feel like I've improved so many things over this past year and yet all at the same time I feel like I'm still just starting because there is so much more to grow from. Will I ever feel like an expert at this? I hope not, because then it might start get boring. Besides, what do I do when I stop impressing myself with my learning prowess?

Circa 2010

So in honor of that one year anniversary and hopefully many more to come...

I'd like to give away this fabulous little number.

When I first made and put this flower in my hair it felt like I was wearing one of those fancy hats to church. I felt pretty. It is 4 inches in diameter, so it's one of my larger flowers and just the right size to make a statement. But if you're not in the church hat going mood, it looks good everywhere else too: belt, scarf, coat, sweater, bag, purse...you name it, it can go there thanks to the alligator clip in the back.

To enter this giveaway just leave a comment with your name and an email address to contact you with (use "at" and "dot" to spell it out and avoid spamming). I'll pick a random winner one week from today (November 26th). Good luck!

New Items in the Shop

2010-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

Those buttons keep popping up all over the Seamingly Sarah shop! I do so love them.

I NEED to make more. More so for me, not so much for you or anyone perusing my products.

I'm selfish like that.

PS - Keep an eye out on Friday for a special announcement...

Speaking of Creativity...

2010-11-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

Here are some new flowers in the works. I've been wanting to try a different technique to make flowers. And I have many more ideas in my head, but here is one technique that is a work in progress. Look for them soon in the Seamingly Sarah shop.

Mending is Creative?

2010-11-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

While I was sewing away Monday night on the growth chart I kept looking over at my mending pile. I had a cheap diaper bag (one of those freebies the doctor's office fills with samples of formula and gives to every expectant mother) with a side seam coming undone, an open seam on the baby blanket I made my toddler oh.... 3 years ago, and ripped seams along the edges of my two braided rugs. Why do they always come undone at the edges of the long part of the oval? Weird.

I have to admit, those rugs have needed mending for at least a year. I kept telling myself I'd sit down and do it someday, but they were oh so easy to skip over. I can not believe I sat down last night and actually mended everything!!! I read once in The Artist's Way that mending was one way to open yourself up to creativity. Weird, I know. But I can't stop thinking of all these other projects to do now. Once the mending pile was out of the way, my creative to do list can't stop growing. I love it!

Go Go Go

2010-11-15T21:25:00.000-05:00

I am just plowing through this growth chart project! I've wanted to do it for awhile and usually it takes just as many months of thinking about it as it does to actually sew it. But I finished the embroidery in a couple days and sewed the buttons on and put on a the back panel and top stitched it all in ONE night. I think my husband may have been a little annoyed while he tried to watch t.v. I believe the words "are all sewing machines that loud" came out of his mouth towards the end. I explained a newer sewing machine would help. I'll show him the price tag next time.

But back to the growth chart. I love it! It's so cute. Of course I kind of forgot my living room walls are beige when I chose tan/beige linen in my head. So it'll have to hang in a different room. All that's left is to stamp or write the inches/feet along the edge. I'm so excited and proud of myself to be moving along with sewing projects!

Hand Stitching While the Machine is Away

2010-11-12T07:57:00.002-05:00

Well my sewing machine had a 10 day hiatus. And while she was gone I made the most of my hand stitching time. I finished the tablerunners/placemats I had started earlier. Yeah for finishing projects that have been lying around in my fabric bin for a year or more!

(trust me - they're done - I just didn't feel like taking another picture of the final product)

And I got all the supplies I need to make my dear daughter a growth chart!
No, I did not make the one below, that is the inspiration...

I got the idea from this lovely seller on etsy. (I absolutely adore her stuff!) Except I'm going to make it work for two kids, because I'm not going to make this again! And we're going to sew the buttons on as markers of their growth, not for decoration beforehand. But with the sewing machine back in place I hope I make the time to sit and hand sew the embroidery parts of it. Wish me luck.

Buttons!

2010-11-11T07:57:00.000-05:00

I made buttons!

I have had a button kit from JoAnn's for about 6 months now and it just kept sitting and sitting on my bedroom floor. Yes, my bedroom holds my stash of fabric and supplies. Who wants to build me an addition to my house?

And I have to say...I'm in love with making buttons! It's as much fun as I thought it would be. And superbly satisfying. I want a bajazillion more! And I want them with flat backs in case anyone does buy some for me! =)

Look for these on some of the flowers to come in the Seamingly Sarah shop!

New Items in the Shop

2010-11-09T09:28:00.000-05:00

Check out the Seamingly Sarah shop! I posted 4 new items that I think will be just perfect for New Year's Eve attire. Okay - stop hyperventilating. I know, I know...it's not even Thanksgiving yet. But when it comes to making and marketing products, this is how I have to think. So browse away.

Dark Iris Hair Clip

Silver Flower Hair Pins

Golden Flower Hair Pins

Emerald Green Flower Hair Clip

Mommy Monday

2010-11-08T12:36:00.000-05:00

Well this Mommy Monday content actually occured over the weekend. In accordance with my love of rainbows I found some rainbow toddler activities on Pink and Green Mama. I've wanted to do the rainbow rice activity for months now. I finally bought the rice and a plastic tub. Then several weeks later I actually got everything out and made it.

Here it is pre toddler mixing.

Here it is during.

Here is a great reminder to do this activity during warm weather so you can do it outside.

And when it was all said and done we played for maybe 5 or 10 minutes and then I couldn't stop her from trying to eat it. So we were done. Months and weeks of planning this activity and then 5 minutes of fun. Live and learn. I only wish I had done it sooner so I could have more warm days in front of me to get the rice out again for play time. But it's getting cold over here. We'll see how long the rice lasts in the tub...

Red Tomatoes

2010-11-05T07:00:00.001-04:00

Would you believe me if I told you we're still enjoying tomatoes from the garden? I know I know. The trick is to pick the green tomatoes off the vine before the first frost, then take them inside and wrap them in newspaper. Check them every few days and take out the ones turning red. The second trick is to try and not get sick of tomatoes!

Happy Birthday!

2010-11-04T07:00:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday Sister!

I love you and I miss you.

I wish I could send you these flowers in real life, but let's face it, they wouldn't endure the trip. So look for the card and gift in the mail.

Love, Sarah

Hotel Surprises

2010-11-03T07:00:00.004-04:00

Another added benefit of going away for a conference? Finding insipiration in unexpected places!

I wish I had opened up my eyes to this sooner in life, but last week during my conference I couldn't stop noticing all of the patterns and details around me. In the carpet. In the wallpaper. In the napkins. In the glasses. Women's earrings and necklaces. I couldn't stop sketching.

(Don't worry I got some work done too!)

It was inspiration overload and I loved it.

I'm even seeing new things (or things in a new way) at home.

Fleeting Flowers

2010-11-02T07:00:00.001-04:00

I've learned the best time to create is when I'm away at a conference for work. Who knew? Whenever I have to spend a night away from home (in a swanky hotel room with tv channels I never see and take out just for me - do you feel sorry for me yet?) I always bring a bag of scrap fabrics, sissors and a needle and a thread.

While watching 3 back to back episodes of Bones I churned out these lovely little flowers.

(I also later had nightmares about someone breaking into my room and murdering me - Bones is only good in moderation)

I love the metallic fabrics! New Year's Eve anyone?

And this one...

Let's just say I almost keeled over in delight when I saw how the fabric pleated itself.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

Look for these in the Seamingly Sarah shop soon!

PS - I hope everyone finds time to go out and vote today!

Centerpiece Today, Printing Tomorrow

2010-11-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Turns out my dried wildflowers made a spooky enough centerpiece for our Halloween party this weekend. But don't worry, they'll be dipped in paints and inks soon enough.

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!

Spa Day

2010-10-29T19:50:00.000-04:00

I sent my sewing machine off for some "spa" time today. I'll see her again next week. The lady at the counter gave me some good tips on why things may have gone oh so wrong for me. I'll let you know how free motion quilting works out for me next time.

As for the crabbiness, sayonara. I spent Thursday with my daugther. A little finger painting, playdough mashing and kitchen sink splashing cured me.

In the end it looks like everybody got a bit of a "spa" day.

My Crabby Day Part III

2010-10-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

So my husband brought us outside for a walk after my less than stellar afternoon. We walked along the canal path and pointed out the wonders of nature to our daughter. She was enjoying herself, despite the fact we have to fight her to do almost anything now a days. but at the apex of the walk she lost it. We wouldn't let her walk down a steep and not so stable embankment to fetch a rock to through the water, mean parents that we are. We said no and she lost it. Funny. God said no and I lost it. I hate life lessons.

I won't tell you everything is hunky dory now. It's not. I'm still a little mad. It doesn't help to have 5 months of pregnant hormones coursing through my body, but I'm still mad. And I'm okay with that. I will wait on my God. He will bring me what I need and I trust in that.

On a positive note I found these beauties during our walk. Aren't they just perfect for some printing/stamping? I can't wait!

My Crabby Day Part II

2010-10-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

After 3 broken needles in one hour I came undone. I went into our tiny half bathroom and cried. I hate to admit this. I hate to admit how much I lost it, but I want to be honest and sometimes that means sharing the uncomfortable, the truth. I cried. I didn't just shed a tear or two and dab it away. I bawled. I let it out. I sat on the toilet in the dark and ranted.

Apparently I was upset over more than a few broken needles. I was mad at God. And I wasn't afraid to tell Him as much. Hey, if He's the God I believe in, He can take it.

I was mad at the great plans my husband and I continue to make for our family that always fall through. I was mad that I didn't know or understand His plan. I still don't. And I'm still not perky and happy about it. But I accept it. Because His ways are greater than my ways. And His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I believe that and I try to remind myself of that, even when I'm sitting on a toilet seat yelling at Him. I also know He has a sense of humor in all of this. Why else would I end up in the bathroom?

When my husband came home I shared my lovely rendition of the day with him. He corralled the toddler into a coat (not an easy feat) and ushered us all outside for a walk...

Views of the backside of my free motion quilting experience

When I first started the backside had these loose stitches.

But the straw that broke the needle's back (corny I know) was when the tension discs for the top thread grabbed the thread and created these messy knots on the back. (Please note the really nice stitches to the right!! I did something right!) This is a regular occurance even when I straight stitching, but in the free motion quilting aspect it actually broke the needle. I'm taking my machine in for some maintenance. And hopefully I know enough about what I'm doing now to guide the store employees towards correcting this problem. It's not as simple as adjusting the tension knob, something else is going on. If all else fails I'm going shopping.

And as always any advice is always greatly appreciated!