Spring Fling (Swing) Jacket!

Spring fever has officially set in this week, now that the enormous snow bank outside our front walkway has melted. On a recent spring break trip to Tecumseh, NE to visit college friends, I found a stylish trenchcoat that I would be fun to make. Now, it's not quite quilting, but it involves most of the basic tools. So, under the guidance of Master Seamstress Linda Louder, we whipped up this jacket in two days.

The pattern is called "The Sophia Trenchcoat" SDG-99 from Serendipity Studio (available to make at fingertip lengh, or knee-length). I found it at a quilt shop called "Common Threads" in Syracuse, NE. The lady at the quilt store was nice enough to let me try on the in-store sample, and Eric and I both agreed - it was cute. So I bought the pattern on a whim (being a very NOVICE seamstress) and began the hunt for fabric.

We used interior decorator fabric for the outside of the coat, and found it at a steal (like $6.99/yd!). The contrast fabric is a batik that looks like it was made to compliment this coat.

There are big, fun cuffs in contrasting fabric that I can shape if I want to "pop" my collar, or just lay low.

And we opted for contrasting cuffs - it just looks classy and fun at the same time, don't you think?

Yours truly, modeling. I'm smiling at my hubby - who REALLY likes the coat (and says I'm a "cutie bear"). The best part of making a garment like this is it is custom made for your body. One of a kind!

Even how the back gathers is cute! What's best, I feel like a million darn dollars in this garment - and you can't put a dollar figure on that. Happy spring!

Pressing Problems...

I just finished volunteering my time with the Prayer Quilt ministry at my church. I had mixed feelings about going, but I went, and am glad I went. There's something magical about being surrounded by women working on a project. There's a steady hum of the sewing machines. The varied chatter of ladies pinning. And there I was, pressing.

Now let me tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed the iron I was working with. It was super heavy and gave off lots of steam. I like pressing. I think of my time ironing a time where my mind can wander. Many prayers are said while I press. So, I thought I had the perfect job before me.

That was until I saw the many different ways there were to create seams on these prayer quilt tops! Oh, my goodness! There were seams that were sewn "open," other sewn to one side, and then there were seams that were sewn in one direction and opposite on the other end! Goodness, what do you do with a quilt top like that? I did my best. I can't believe there were quilts being assembled without pressing (perhaps I came from a pressing-nazi camp...the more I think about that, the more I think that's true). So I did my best. And realized that I'm lucky to have been taught the importance of pressing while quilting. It's a small step that makes a huge difference as quilts come together.

Happy pressing!!

Needing a little Sunshine

I'm not sure what the weather is like outside your window, but here in South Dakota it's a drizzly, gloomy mess. And it looks like it will continue throughout the week. So, I'm giving you a post that brightens up my day! It's called "Good Morning, Sunshine!" by Pincherry Road Designs (Linda Van Arkel). Linda is one of my local shop owners (ABCs of Quilting, Grand Rapids, MN).

I just call this "Hungry Catepillar" and it has brought loads of sunshine into our lives already. Can you see how he eats his way through all the food in the border?

While my husband was on Safari, I was able to finish the binding while visiting his family in Nebraska. Words cannot express how special it was to finish the quilt at my sister-in-law Stacy's house and wrap her son, Wyatt, in it. Baby Morgan happily joined her brother playing on brightly colored squares. Wyatt has been reading the book "The Very Hungry Catepillar" illustrated by Eric Carle and told me the entire story when he saw this quilt. What a beautiful way to break-in a new quilt!

When my husband came home from South Africa, he was so happy to see all the bright colors (he picked out the back, isn't that cute?!). We hung it on our quilt rack as soon as we could (replacing my Winter Joy wallhanging). It's been up since mid-February (I LOVE TO READ month).

It was a real family-effort. I purchased the kit just before Christmas and my best-friend Becky help me to "randomize" the interior blocks. She's got a good handle on random - don't you think? I hope this quilt brightens your day, like it does mine!!

Sold!!!

The SDARL fundraising auction on Saturday night went gang-busters, the Safari purse being no exception. In total, the auction raised just under $29,000. I was hoping the purse would bring $25. I can only say that it exceeded my wildest expectation - selling to a Mrs. Ray Epp for just over $300. I've included a few photos of the happy new purse owner. She wasted no time putting the purse into good use.

They didn't even care about the South African wine I put in the purse!

You can see Ray was the one doing the bidding. Pam and I were discussing the details. I thanked her profusely for her generous contribution to SDARL.

And then I celebrated. It's a pretty sweet ride, for a princess (which I totally felt like that night)!

Safari Purse - SDARL Donation

A few weeks ago, my husband traveled to South Africa as part of the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership (SDARL) program. He is a member of Class V, which consists of about 30 people, who are committed to agriculture and rural development. Each class gets to go on an international trip - for Class V, that was South Africa.

Unfortunately, it was a class members-only trip. While he was away, I went on my own safari to northern MN, and south-central Nebraska visiting family. It was in Grand Island, NE, (Material Girl) where my mother-in-law and I stumbled upon "Big Cats" fabric that embodied all of what hubby was probably seeing on his safari. I couldn't resist purchasing fabric, envisioning a wall-hanging, and a quilted purse as a donation to the SDARL group.

I could hardly contain my excitement over having found African-type fabric that I practically wrapped my husband in it the moment he got home. Naturally I decided it would be fantastic to donate something back to SDARL and decided a purse would be perfect. My local quilt shop owner, Linda, and I went hog-wild over "Amy Lou's Purse," pattern by "Totes By Sandy" which would showcase this special fabric so well.

It was a super purse pattern, and came together very quickly. I decided to go with a "boxy" bottom, per hubby's recommendation (and that I am going to stash two bottles of South African wine inside to help it stand up, and sell). What I fell in love with was the hand beading I did around the top - I call them "zebra" beads. Paired with a cute giraffe button on either side, I'm not sure I'll be able to give it away.

 
Here is one side of the purse (see, one lion)

And here's the other side (two lions!). What you can't see are the zebras, elephants and giraffes that are along the bottom of the bag.

Here's what the inside of the purse looks like - green safari grass and two sunny horizion pockets! A magnetic snap-closure helps the bag stay shut.

What a lovely purse. I can't wait to donate it to SDARL and meet the lucky lady who will become the new owner. That is, if my husband doesn't buy it back for me. :)

Woven Heart Wool Project - finished!

Last fall, on a crazy quilting road trip with a new friend, I stumbled into the world of wool. I had eye-balled some beautiful woolen table runners in quilt magazines, but didn't know the first thing about it. It was then I discoved a must-have quilt pattern: the Woven Heart Mat, by Lily Anna Stitches (Pattern LAS210).

It has significance because I made little woven heart baskets for my May 1st wedding as favors. I must have made 150 of those things. This pattern was infinitely easier! I assembled all my materials and brought it with me on a road trip to Nebraska to visit in-laws, but didn't get around to it until a road-trip to northern MN for Christmas. (I don't recommend stitching around hearts on the winding roads in northern MN - it makes you sick).

Now my stitches probably aren't the worlds most-beautiful, but it captures a beautiful memory of our wedding day. I proudly gave it to my hubby this morning to put next to his side of the bed (on the beautiful bed-side tables he made for us). The back is a lush green (his favorite color), while the hearts are done-up in cream and blue (our wedding colors, minus the brown). Check it out!

That background photo was taken on our first date, paired with a photo of a castle from a trip to the Ukraine. Just reminds me that I'm a princess, after all!

See the pretty green background? Mmmm.... green, hubby's favorite. Curious about the coaster? It's a Thirstystone set we received as a wedding gift - very nice.

 All done and being used!!!

Why I love my husband...

Last night my hubby and I were discussing quilt projects. More specifically, why I feel the need to finish them. You see, quilters have no problems starting a new project (unless they're intimated by it - and yes, that does happen!), but often times never finish a project. I used to never start a new project until I completed the last one. Since I've been married, my ways have changed a bit. I like to have a few different projects going:

• a "big" project that's either too difficult for me, or just a large, large quilt
• a "small" project that gives me a break from the "big" project (like a wall-hanging, purse or table runner)
• a "new technique" project - like the hand-applique piece I'm learning, which will ultimately by the one creation I ever accomplish in this field
• a "inbox" of new projects I want to start. These are either bits of fabric I want to work into a pattern, or an entire kit just waiting to be opened and explored

While thinking about these projects, I realized why I feel like I need to finish a project (and show it off, usually to my hubby): to feel like I've accomplished something. You see, when we got married I left a big career in the magazine business (some say: dream job, which I agree). Since then, I haven't found my new life's-calling. So, I create quilt projects. And yes, each one is like putting the finishing touches on a monthly magazine.

Anyways, I asked hubby if anyone really cared about me finishing these projects (thinking that no one besides me does) and he answered me: I CARE.

Why? I asked him.

Because he wants me to feel accomplished. He wants me to be successful. He's glad that fabric doesn't just magically multiply in my quilt room, but actually gets used in projects (then nicely nestled away). All I can say is, "it's great to have a man who loves me, and supports me." :)