crafting in 2010

This morning I spent a little time browsing through my photos, remembering all of the sewing and crocheting I was able to squeeze in this year. I'm a little surprised by how much I was able to accomplish during this crazy time. I was pregnant with our third child, we moved from our first home to our place in the country, and we had our baby. Between morning sickness, packing, spending time with my husband, parenting the two little men in our house, unpacking, starting our little farm, and having our beautiful little baby girl, it has been quite the year.

I thought I'd answer a few of the questions from Sew Mama Sew's Reflection & Prediction post to help wrap things up for the year.

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?

Hexagons! That is the first thing that came to mind. I've loved watching this traditional quilting style came back to life this year.

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)

A technique that I loved this year was raw edge applique. I had never done much of this in the past, and I really enjoyed making a couple hoops with it this year.

I've really enjoyed my sewing friends this year as well. I finally met a fellow quilter in the real world (no kidding, before Mary I had zero sewing friends), and have formed some really great friendships with fellow bloggers. I am thankful for them and the constant stream of emails, tweets, inspiration, and encouragement that they are always sending my way.

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)

My favorite fabric line of the year has to be Anna Maria Horner's Innocent Crush. This is the first full collection from her that I have purchased, and I absolutely love it. The colors are so deep, rich, and very different from what normally catches my eye. I've only used bits and pieces of it so far, but I can't wait to make a quilt out of it in the new year.

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)

I don't know about the best thing that I made, but I definitely have a couple favorites. I'm pretty fond of the set of quilts I made for Weston and Elijah's bunkbed this past spring. They were simple patterns that they picked out themselves, and I enjoyed using some of my favorite fabrics.

I also loved making this Girl on a Swing hoop. It was the first time I sewed anything like this and I loved every minute of it. And my fall pillow set was a lot of fun to make as well.

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?

My favorite quilt that I've seen online is this gorgeous snail trail made out of Flea Market Fancy by Silly lil Doe. Make sure to click on the photo to see the picture in her photostream.

Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?

I'd like to see people get over their favorites, in terms of stepping out of their comfort zone and using new patterns and color combos. I hope to do that myself.

What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about?

One thing I'm excited about this coming year is meeting some of my blogging friends in real life. My goals? To stay true to myself and what I like. I don't want to be swayed by what is trendy and popular, but continue to make what I love because it makes me happy. And my sewing agenda? I'd love to make a quilt comprised completely of solids (remember this post?) and a quilt with curves (either a pickledish or the single girl pattern).

If any of you take the time to answer these questions, make sure you let me know! I'd love to read them. And I'll leave you with a mosaic of some of the things I made this year. If you'd like to see the photos in detail, just click on the picture and it will take you to the links.

Happy New Year friends!

xo, Angela

Merry Christmas

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I hope that you and your loved ones have a very merry Christmas. My family and I will be spending these precious days together celebrating Jesus. He really is the greatest gift ever.

With love,
Angela

more Christmas gifts.

I made several gathered clutches for Christmas for the ladies in my family. I used Anna's wonderful tutorial, which is really great. I had a lot of fun picking out fabrics, that is always one of my favorite parts.

Hopefully they'll be a big hit. I just wish I would've made one for myself!

xo, A

ornament swap

As I mentioned in the past, some friends and I had an ornament swap, and check out the amazing treats I got from Jeni!

She sent me these amazing ornaments! I absolutely love the house and the fabrics she chose for it, and check out the stars! They are so beautiful and intricate.

As you can see in the top two photos, she was kind enough to send me some extra goodies, like a beautiful set of vintage sheet fat quarters and some yummy tea and hot coccoa for the little guys in the house.

She also sent me two pieces of vintage Pyrex for my slowly growing collection.

The Friendship bowl is my absolute favorite piece, and the snowflake print is right up there at the top of the list.

The bowl is currently holding our Christmas cards on my dining room table, and I can't wait to use the divided dish during the holidays.

Thanks again Jeni! xx

xoxo, Angela

PS - If you are new to vintage Pyrex like I am, be sure to check out The Pyrex Series.

kidlets

I've been spending most of my free time sewing Christmas presents this past couple of weeks. I made a bunch of these kidlets for some close family friends.

These are cute little totes, and I think they would be adorable hanging on a hook beside each child's bed or on the doorknobs to their bedrooms.

These really were so much fun to make! They came together so quickly. I used a bunch of natural colored linen that I had on hand along with some leftover fabrics from my scrap box.

I can't wait to make some for my own house now. They'd also be great to organize some of my sewing supplies! Anyways, check out the free pattern HERE, and I'll be back soon with more gifts! Hope you are having a great weekend. :)

xo, Angela

Christmas came early.

I have been so blessed to have very sweet and generous quilting friends by way of the web. Other than my friend Mary, I don't know anyone in the "real world" who sews at all. I really appreciate my blogging friends, they are a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.

Speaking of those friends, Christmas came early this week via this wonderful package from my friend Aneela!

She made me this beautiful mini quilt featuring many fussy cut prints...

...and this pretty little mug rug, featuring her very own fabric line, Sherbet Pips. I've used it the last two mornings with my morning cup of coffee. And how cute is that Cath Kidston pin cushion?? That is one of my favorite shops.

And last, some of her Sherbet Pips. I'm so excited to make a couple things for myself out of them. What a sweetheart she is!! I love everything. :)

Projects for ME are definitely next on the sewing agenda. I'm a little burned out from all of the Christmas sewing that has been going over here the past couple weeks. I'm thinking a patchwork zipper pouch, a needlebook, maybe a crochet hook organizer...

Okay, off to wrap a few gifts with the boys and watch Spiderman. Weston is really into superheroes right now, it is pretty fun.

Hope you are having a really great Friday!

xoxo, Angela

an ornament and an anniversary.

Five of my wonderful online quilting friends and I are doing an ornament swap for Christmas. My contribution is this 3in Rudolph hoop.

I used raw edge applique plus a couple different shades of linen, American Jane rulers in red, and Lush woodgrain to make this cute little reindeer. I really love raw edge applique, it is so much fun to do! As with the girl on the swing hoop I made last month, I used some black thread to outline each piece of fabric after using fusible web to attach it to the background, which I believe is Kona Bone (or maybe Snow?). If you have never tried this technique, you really have to! Be sure to check out my friend Aneela's tutorial.

The backing is Crosshatch (I think that is the name!) from Early Bird by Cosmo Cricket. I really love this fabric and have it in all three colorways. I use them all very often, it is a great staple for your stash.

Here is a shot from the side. I used this really great tutorial (found here) to finish off the hoop and give it a nicely padded look. Now I just need to find some cute red ribbon to tie on the top and it will be ready for the mail.

And now I'm off. Today is our 6th anniversary, and I get to spend the day with my best friend.

We are very blessed.

xoxo, A

Sewing with Mommy

Yesterday morning Steve snapped a couple shots of Finley and I. She was being a little grumpy and wanted to sit on my lap. I was trying to finish up some Christmas gifts (more on those soon), so she sat with me for a little while. She is at just the right age to do that- sturdy enough to sit comfortably and not grabby. I am glad that he caught this moment, and I look forward to when we can really sew together someday.

Here is a little peek at a project I worked on today. Any ideas of what it is? I was able finish it while the kids were napping, but it was too dark to take any finished photos. Hopefully tomorrow!

And last, I'll leave you with a picture of Steve and Finley. She is looking a little goofy in the earlier pictures (you can tell she just woke up, and I am still in my pajamas), so I thought I'd include this really cute one.

Hope you have a really great Friday.

love, Angela

snow day

We've been hit with a pretty crazy snowstorm the past few days.

Here is Steve shoveling out yesterday See the mailbox in the distance? Almost covered! And Steve is 6'4", by the way, and the snow was up to his waist at this point.
Since then it has snowed even more. Our barn is buried in 4ft of snow here!

I crocheted myself these cozy slippers while he was out playing with the kids.

And also made some homemade pizza dough in my newest piece of vintage pyrex.

Hope you are well! Be back soon with some Christmas gifts!

xoxo, Ang

Christmas pillows

Well, I finished up my Christmas pillows a couple days ago, and I took a few minutes to take some photos this afternoon. I liked every shot, so I decided to share them all. Sorry for the picture-heavy post. :)

And last, the cutest picture of them all...

xoxo, Angela