Spring To Finish, April End of the Month

New Top! (Tiny House)
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

Hi! It's been awhile. I have a sad, sick little boy, and a husband who is getting over his sick. It's been a l o n g week. I just took Bug to the doctor, who said it's no longer croup, but an upper respiratory infection (thankfully not pneumonia!) He sounds awful when he coughs, and is constantly asking me to hold him or wipe his nose. Poor guy! Here's hoping I don't catch the bug myself (seriously--my immune system is on overdrive right now. Last night was the first "real" sleep in about a week.)

Anyway, I made a new top this past weekend, from Made by Rae's tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew! I do love it, though I really had to tweak the fit to make it less maternity-ish. But, overall I like it, and it will make it's way into the weekly rotation. (The main body fabric and chest/straps are from JoAnn's, and the embroidered detail on the chest is from a vintage dresser scarf I found at Value Village.)

I managed to complete 4 WIP's for the Spring to Finish challenge. I think I'll get the DQS6 done tonight (actually, I have to) so I'll count that as well. It's looking good, and I'll post pictures of the finished item this weekend. We're meeting one set of my parents for brunch tomorrow morning, and another set is staying the weekend. Busy, busy, busy!

Finally, I wanted to keep up with my monthly meme, End of the Month:

Growing ...
Drowned seedlings. Seriously, I left them out overnight, and it rained, and now they're dead. Ugh. But, I am dreaming of a wonderful garden in our new house (if it goes through--we're still waiting for the bank to approve the short sale.)

Reading ...
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski. I just finished it the other day, and let me tell you I was none too happy with the ending. Blah! But, onto the next book (I haven't figured that out yet.)

Watching ...
Fringe on Tivo! I love this show, though this week's episode gave me some pretty wicked awful nightmares last night.

Dreaming ...
Of more time to sew. I have a lot of projects I want to finish, plus lots I want to start.
Of a healthy son. Kick the virus!
Of a successful craft show next weekend. Wish me luck (and come visit if you're local!)

EtsyRain Sodo Craft Show
Saturday, May 9, 2009
10am to 4pm

Location: SodoPop
2424 1st Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134

Ok, that's it. Have a lovely weekend!

Schmap Widget

Do you see the Schmap widget at the bottom of my page? Scroll down, look on the right side. Go on I'll wait.

OK, I put that there because--drumroll please--one of my photos was chosen for inclusion in the Seattle Waterfront section! Yey!

And my face scrub recipe has been included in today's Daily DIY over at One Pretty Thing.

OK, enough about me. What about you? What are you planning for this fine, fine weekend? My husband is going out of town for work, so it's just me and the Bug. We've got an exciting weekend planned (not really, but it sounded better to me.) We're just going to the farmer's market tomorrow. And I have some purses I want to sew. And a new top I want to try. Excitement all around, I tell you what! Have a great weekend!

Face Scrub

Face Scrub
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

Part of my nightly routine! I thought I'd share what I use, though I imagine it might be too oily for some to use as a facial scrub. It works great as a body scrub, especially for rough knees and elbows.

One batch lasts me about a month.

In a jar, combine:

1/2 cup coarse sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grapeseed or sweet almond oil
1/4 cup brown sugar

You can also add some vanilla extract, or a few drops of essential oils for a different smell, although I happen to like the "kitchen-y" smell that it has naturally.

Enjoy!

Housewarming Gift for Friends

Housewarming Gift for Friends
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

I whipped these up last weekend for some friends' housewarming party. They said autumn colors, and these were the most "autumn-y" in my stash. I love how they turned out!

The tea towel was bought from Target, then I made a patchwork strip of cotton fabrics and appliqued it to the front.

The pot holders are 8 inches square, and have four layers of batting between the two patchwork layers. I included a ribbon for hanging.

I love bringing hand-made gifts for people--the reaction is great! Plus, I didn't have to buy anything I didn't already have, which is always a plus!

We put an offer in on a house tonight--wish us luck!

Just a Quick Post

I'll be in and out the rest of the week. My 2 year-old niece has been diagnosed with leukemia. Her particular type has a 90% survival rate, and she has 2.5 years of treatment ahead of her. I spent the evening in Seattle visiting with her, and am really, really tired tonight.

I was so happy to see my son when I got home, and we talked for a bit on his bed before I (re) tucked him in. I love his little face, and his voice, and am thankful for his health. Hug your kids, OK? :O)

Bug's First Mama-Made Quilt!

E's Mama-Made Quilt, Back
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

We had a four hour drive last Friday (and Sunday!) so I took along this quilt to finish. I only poked myself three or four times, so sewing is definitely a car-friendly craft!

Bug LOVES it, and spent a good part of the weekend cuddled in his new quilt on Grandpa and Grandma's couch.

Happy Belated Easter!


Spring to Finish Progress = 3

New Item in Shop: Fabric Covered Buttons!

I've listed six sets of fabric covered buttons in the shop!

All fabrics are Japanese imported cottons, covering brass buttons, with shank backs.

Spring to Finish Progress = 2

In which I spring to finish

I'm working on various projects, and though it sometimes feels like I'm not making any progress, I know I am. For example, I finished one project that I have been meaning to do for a long time. I finally organized my stamps. I moved them from my little boxes to the shelves on the wall, which allows me to see what I have, and hopefully to use them all. All my stamp pads are in the little drawers. (The little dog was a thrift store score. I found a dresser scarf with this little image, plus the embroidery hoop, and voila, a new wall hanging!)



After two consecutive nights of sewing, I managed to not only finish Bug's quilt top, but quilt and machine bind the front. All that's left is the hand sewing.



In between quilting, I also started my DQS6 project. Of course, it's all a secret until they receive, but here's some progress!



Finally, I received the most awesome package from Kajsa. She sent me her "J" mini quilt, as well as some much-loved postcards of her artwork, some Marimekko napkins, and Finnish chocolate! I've never had anything from Finland, so I am so excited! We swapped, so I sent her one of my embroidered necklaces, as well as a bunch of fabric.



This will be my last post for a few days, as we're heading across the state to visit with family for Easter. Hopefully I'll have some finished projects to show when we get back!

Spring to Finish Progress = 1

Good Mail Day!

Good Mail Day!
Originally uploaded by Tiny House

Hi Post Office Lady! I love you!

Look what I got in the mail today!

One half yard of Heather Ross' new Far Far Away fabric, one bunny from the talented Rebecca at Edward and Lilly, and 5 skeins of yummy yarn for a new sweater for the Bug!

I'm totally doing this

Spring to Finish!

I need some motivation to get some projects done--I've been going through some state of depression for awhile, and not able to focus on finishing any projects. So here we are--I'll be recording my finishes through the end of April. Wanna join me?

P.S. I have lots of photos on my camera to upload.
P.P.S. The weather has been awesome.
P.P.P.S. When we get back to rain, I'll upload pictures. :O)

Etsy-Versary Sale!

It's my Etsy-versary Month, so I thought I'd have a little sale! All items (excluding wholesale orders!) are 25% off until the end of April--You can either wait for a revised invoice, or I'll refund the 25% to your PayPal account.