Olivia skirt

For the first day of first grade, I made this super-easy skirt for "my" Olivia using the free Lazy Day Skirt pattern at oliver + s and Olivia (the Pig) fabrics from Andover, purchased a few years ago. Here are some newer fabrics in the line.

Monogrammed Pillowcases

I've just completed this half of a set of commissioned pillowcases. The monogram is from Aunt Martha's Three Alphabets, and the peacock fabric used for the pillowcase is Hoffman Challenge 2008.

A blink or two and it's almost gone.

A crazy-busy, glorious summer just flew past. Here are a few crafty things that have been going on...














I finally made a new pillowcase for Sadie.














My loyal onesie client base (a.k.a. Gina) continues to place orders.














O is now a skilled weaver of potholders.














No matter how hot it is, happiness is a new skein of yarn.

Such a handy little bag

I saw this pattern on the Sew Spoiled blog and had to make my own Ladybug Mini Purse. My iPod and earbuds fit inside perfectly.

Hostess gift

Tomorrow morning we're flying out to the Midwest to spend a long weekend with some friends. For the hostess gift, I made another set of bird towels and crocheted some cotton washcloths to match.































I'd hoped that Olivia and I would get a chance to make our own soap for the package, but you know how that goes...so I substituted a set from Colonial Williamsburg.

Tiny embroidery

This little monogram took about 5 minutes to stitch but makes me very happy. The square will be appliqued onto a onesie for a baby named Jenna. The pattern is from "Six Alphabets for Monograms" by Aunt Martha's.

A Generous Craftsman

My parents moved into their dream house just as I was going through a divorce. For my dad, the highlight of his new house was going to be a basement woodworking shop. He generously postponed that dream so that I could move back home (“home” being where my parents were) for several months until I got my life back on track.

Nine years later, the basement I once shared with my three cats looks like this:














Dad creates some stunning furniture and treasures in his shop. Recently he focused on box-making and treated me to this:














Notice the dove-tail joints, felt lining, and secret bottom compartment.


























I love it. Thank you, Dad. For all you do.

Saving the Earth, one coffee cozy at a time

Inspired by Bean's genius chemistry, I thought I'd whip up two or three little coffee cozies last weekend. But as usual, I was way too optimistic; this is the first and only one so far. After stitching the monogram and sewing the cozy together, I was disappointed and bored with it. So I copied some floral designs on each side, and that's when my weekend ended.














When the stitching is complete, the finished project (and a Starbucks gift card) will be a thank-you gift for a friend who loves coffee as much as I do.

Peas in a pod

Amazing discovery: Olivia will eat peas! They just have to be (1) raw and (2) in the pod. Yay, summertime!

Nine months later...a ruffled skirt

My niece requested a ruffled skirt last September. Instead of the back-to-school gift she envisioned, she'll finally receive it today, for her 9th birthday. Once I buckled down with it, this project went fairly smoothly (considering that I never found a pattern I liked), but it reminded me why non-clothing projects are so much more gratifying. I'm keeping fingers crossed that this will fit the birthday girl!

Pillow Plans

It's been eight years since we bought our sofa and loveseat, but we're still using the throw pillows that came with them. Result: a total overdose of green. In an effort to give the living room a teensy bit more character, I've been making plans for new pillows.

This fabulous block-printed fabric is from HomeSweet. I'm picturing a simple pillow that highlights the lovely print, like this one.














A few months ago I fell head over heels for this faux bois crochet pattern from Crochet Today. I had great fun making it, but the result is pretty wonky. I'm hoping I can block the heck out of it and finish it up one day soon.














Finally, I have some pretty brown linen that's been waiting patiently for the addition of an embroidered Mountain Bluebird (courtesy of an old Martha magazine).

And our winner is...

...Mel G, with comment 23. Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and left a comment, including special guest EllynAnne Geisel, author of the scrumptiously lovely The Kitchen Linens Book!

Here's a peek at one of my favorites in my own linen collection, a vintage embroidered table scarf from Trina.

One hundred

Well, now, here I am at 100 posts. Have I mentioned that I adore the online community of sewing bloggers, and I cherish the kind, encouraging, and inspiring comments you--my dear readers--leave for me? Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts!

In the spirit of sharing, I have a like-new copy of The Kitchen Linens Book to give away. If you're interested, leave a comment and O will randomly select a winner on Monday night, 7:30 p.m. EST, just before her bedtime.

P.S. A shout out to my mother, whose birthday is tomorrow. I made her this tote bag from Last-Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts. Happy birthday, Mom!

Whooo can't stop embroidering towels?

I just finished another owl towel, this one in the nick of time to give to a special teacher at tomorrow's kindergarten graduation. (Owls are the school mascot.)

Tree of Life

My mother made me this "Tree of Life" afghan for Easter. The photos don't adequately show the color; it's a lovely, soft tone of yellow (my favorite color). I'm amazed by the intricacy and the fact that Mom knitted this challenging pattern in about a month.









































Happy Mothers Day, Mom, and thank you for teaching me how to create beautiful things.

A dress for O

I took this photo at the end of the schoolday, and I'm afraid my little diva isn't as enthralled with Mama's creations as she used to be. After I made this dress, she said, "I actually don't need any more clothes, Mom." But it was fun to work with the darling fabric--a Japanese interpretation of the Wizard of Oz, featuring a blonde Dorothy.

I finally built one!

After drooling over the Spring Boden catalog this morning, I was inspired to make my own "Built by Wendy" top. I used the size 10 pattern, expecting it to be large enough to shrink nicely...but it's actually a little tight, even after I narrowed the seams to 3/8 inch. Still I'm quite pleased; it's been years since I've sewn clothing for myself. I figure I can wear it as long as I'm not going out for a big dinner.

My Happiest Tax Day Ever

No, I’m not getting a refund. In fact, I had to use that other IRS label…the one for the payment voucher…but let’s not talk about that. What made today so wonderful is the package that arrived from Jessica, my partner in Lindamade’s Patchwork Swap.

Jess sent a happy orange box filled with so much color and wonder that I can hardly stand it!


















Vintage and other gorgeous fabrics, ribbons, lace, ric-rac, trims, an embroidery pattern, a darling deer pin, colorful labels, and a charming little box of lovelies from her button collection.






























And then there are the sweet handmade coasters (!) and another package of the most wonderful fabric scraps for my crumb quilt...pieces she cut from favorites in her collection of vintage fabrics. And these aren't just scraps tossed willy-nilly into an envelope, either. They're carefully trimmed, artfully arranged little gems!















I couldn't have asked for a more thoughtful (and generous!) swap partner. Big thanks, Jessica, for making my day!

Happy Easter

One of the last eggs to be found in the hunt.














Spoils from the lambie cake.

Taxes due? Make a potholder!

I couldn't sleep last night from worrying about the fact that I haven't yet done my taxes. So I got up at 4:30 a.m. and sewed a potholder. I feel much better now. Maybe I'll go back to bed...