Slowly I return...

I am slowly returning to the land of Fabric!  I've worked on a couple of small projects over the last couple of weeks and today I started a Baby quilt for my great-nephew, Jack, who was born yesterday! I have a few small holiday goodies I want to work on, but most are handwork and I am thinking of making a mat for my sewing table with a drop down pocket to hold scissors, seam ripper etc. Although, I am not sure how practical it would be to sew with those thing between me and the machine!  Gotta think on that one.

So here's what's been happening in the Study-O concerning sewing / quilting / fabric...

My machine did not come with a sewing machine cover and honestly, when I first started sewing / quilting I didn't think there was a need for one. Wrong!  Machines get so dusty (at least mine does).. even when it's being used fairly reguarly. I have a clear vinyl cover I bought at a fabric store some time ago and it definitely does the trick, but I wanted something cute.. fun... and so I whipped this up...

I love the bright colors and especially the pink and green ribbon for the ties!  Goes very well with my bulletin boards.

I have seen several scrappy pillows on Pinterest that include a bit of Embrodiery.  There were lots of 2 1/2" squares left over from the Christmas Granny Squares quilt, so I decided to play a bit. I created a pillow front.. here it is turned 2 different ways.. a bit raggedy and such right now.

I plan to embrodier Merry Christmas in the white space and then finish it off with some cording or trim and backs (I do 2 pieces and create an envelope so it can be removed and washed).  We shall see how it turns out.. no matter.. it is fun to do something.. well, just for fun!

For months now I have had plans for a baby quilt for a great-nephew due in Novemeber..the fabrics have been ironed and draped over the back of a chair for weeks.. and today I finally cut the up and started sewing!  Baby Jack was born yesterday!  His dad went to LSU and loves the Tigers! As soon as I heard a baby boy was coming, I knew I'd do an LSU quilt. I am not an LSU fan.. I bleed red and blue and yell Hotty Toddy quite often (my hubby's alma mater, Mississippi State, is ranked #1 in the Nation right now.. we are a rather diverse bunch!).  You know I love the boy if I'm spending my Saturday messing with anything purple and gold! LOL!

And lest you think the mad quilter (a.k.a. my hubby) has given up the hobby, he has taken the granny square blocks and is adding a frame to each one.  This will create the look of white sashing between the blocks.  Can't wait to see this on the iron bed in the guest room!  It's going to be lovely!

Hope you are having a fabulous day doing whatever makes you smile!

"Belle"

The "Study-O"

The beginning of this year brought the beginning of a new season for me (and my husband).. our nest is empty and I am working full time again. We were also exhausted having started off the year with our son's Wedding on Jan. 4, 2014.  Very little sewing / quilting has happened this year as I strive to find a new rhythm to life.

One of the "new" things in this season is a sewing room / studio / study for me. :-)  I have sewn on the dining room table for years... and that has been fine, but we are one of those families who actually use their dining room table. So we were constantly packing up sewing central and then taking it back out.  I toyed with the idea of taking over one of the kids' rooms once they were gone, but then felt a bit selfish doing so. Obviously that feeling left! LOL!  One bedroom is now a lovely guest room with a wonderful iron bed (belonged to my husband's grandparents) and one of our quilts adoring it.  And the other is the "Study-O"  (combo study and studio.. so clever! LOL!)

There are still a few finishing touches to come, but here are some photos of where it is now... the color is Benjamin Moore's Grant Beige.. a grayish Beige that we are using throughout our house right now. A HUGE change as we have always had lots of color on the walls.

This is my bit of a reading nook.. and also just a great place to sit and pray or meditate or rest.  We bought this chair 23 years ago for my sweet husband. He lost it to the kids and I very quickly. Poor fella!  It's been in several rooms over the years and has been my quiet time chair for at least 15 years. I love it! The table was made by my husband's grandfather. My husband never knew him (though they share their first and last names). This is a treasure for him and he is sweet enough to let me use it.  The lower shelf is perfect for holding a few of my Bible study resources and books.

This shelf came from a local second-hand store called When Pigs Fly.  It was dirty and brown and rather ugly when I bought it (for $15).  Lowe's was giving away a free sample of some specific paint colors. I grabbed one in this tealish color and transformed the ugly ducking.  It now holds some pincushions (I love pin cushions and most of these were made by friends for me) and some dachshunds.. to say I love wiener dogs is an understatement. The painting hanging from the knob was done by our daughter's best friend who lives in Ireland right now.  She is a precious young woman whom I love like one of my own kids. 

My sewing area is a bit blah but that will change!  I plan to hang a design board above the table. I also hope to create a skirt / cover for the table and a cover for my machine. I plan to use the space under the table to store some of the necessities of a sewing space (a.k.a. more fabric!!!)

I inherited this table desk from our son.  I am debating painting it, leaving it as is, or covering it to match the sewing table when I make its cover.  The box on top was originally our daughter's, then our daughter-in-law had it and now it's mine. We are into hand-me-downs here!  I spend a lot of time at this desk working on Bible study. It has quickly become one of my favorite places.  I am thinking of recovering the chair. Anyone every recovered a task chair? I've read several how-tos and a mixture of comments on whether it is worth it or not.

I did add a bit of color to this area since this photo was taken. Bought 2 bulletin boards and with my amazing husband's help, they have been transformed from blah to fun! 

For a number of years, my husband worked out of our home. He stored some of his drawing items in this cart.  It's been tucked away in his closet for the past 2 or 3 years and he was thinking of getting rid of it.  Instead, he passed it on to me. Again, that hand-me-down thing at work!  I have it tucked in the corner, but can roll it over to my sewing table when needed. The cat on top is yet another hand-me-down. We bought this for my younger sister-in-law years ago.  She later gave it to our daughter, who left it here when she moved out. I have a feeling there will be a granddaughter one day who will enjoy this kitty in her room. For now, she hangs out with me. This is the only kind of cat allowed in our house.My allergies and 2 wild wiener dogs prevent a real one. 

Our son and daughter-in-love gave me the top print... a water color of one of my favorite places, Square Books in Oxford, MS.  And my husband surprised me with the bottom print. Our daughter took these photos and had them framed a long time ago. They were at my mom's house. The frame broke and they've been sitting in disrepair ever since. He had the frame repaired and painted and now I have a bit of her talent to inspire me. 

Had to include a shot of the dog bed for Mac and Mia. Mac loves it.. Mia prefers hanging out under the desk or table as close to my feet as possible! And the door to the closet.. we are painting all our doors (which are now white) with this dark brown called Sweet Molasses and adding the molding to dress them up a bit. There is new hardware coming in an oil rubbed bronze finish. It all looks great!

And last but in no way least.. in fact.. this is probably my absolute favorite thing in the room.. a place to hang quilts!  And the one there now is soo special to me!  It's actually a quilt top (soon to be quilted).  A small group of quilting buddies who live in different states.. Let's see, I believe this top traveled through MS, IL, NC, PA and VA or RI (Cannot remember which state that friend lived in when we did this).  This was a Round Robin. I did the center with the house. Then my friend's added the additional pieces. It is so fun and cheery and whimsical. I adore it!

Hope you enjoyed this peek into my Study-O. Not fancy as some, but I love it!  Looking forward to creating gifts of the heart here and spending time digging into the Word. 2 of my most favorite things to do!

"Belle"

Quilting in February

Slowly getting back into the swing of things and carving out some time for quilting.  I have had a bag full of t-shirts waiting to become a t-shirt quilt for over a year.  These belong to our daughter's fella, but the quilt isn't for him.. it's for her. I hit the ground running and got the top made and then hubs used his mad quilting skills to get it quilted in time for her birthday (Feb 14.. she's our best Valentine!) She loved it.. knew she would.  :-)  I love how hubs quilted it. I even love that he didn't use invisible thread this time. 

I also start a baby quilt for a little one due in April.  Here is are the blocks put together. Just need to add a border or two and the top is done.

"Belle"

Sewing Central is on the Move

I started quilting 11 years ago  and from day 1 I've used our dining room table. There was no other spot available.  It worked great until we needed the dining room. Yes, we use our dining room... mostly for holidays, but really anytime we have more than 6 at the table (that's all the kitchen table can hold) and more than 6 has become more and more the norm. So down Sewing Central would come and then up it would go again. Not the worst chore.. but not the most fun either and as life has changed and I've gotten busier..working full time again as well as other outside activities, the up and down of SC has made it more difficult for me to get motivated to sew.

Well the times they are a changing. The nest has been emptied... all the chicks have flown... we now have a bit of "free space" and I've decided to claim some as my own!  LOL!

It is will a while before it is fully set up.. we are slowly painting and redoing throughout the house, plus there is furniture to move once walls are painted. However, this belle was ready to stake her claim, so I set up shop in the corner bedroom. Son decided to leave his desk / table and I find it makes a great sewing table.  Eventually there will be a skirt on it (Going to use the space underneath for storage).  The double bed is being moved to a different room too and other things will make their way to what will be the new and improved Sewing Central, but for now I am excited about this humble start...

And it appears the pups are pretty happy with it too. They just want to be close!

There has been sewing happening too!  I put together a special t-shirt quilt top and the mad quilter (a.k.a. my sweet husband) has it quilted and bounded. In fact, it is swishing away in the washer as I type.  I am in the midst of a cute construction themed baby quilt that is looking super fun!

So be on the lookout for quilt pix soon and updates on Sewing Central as it evolves.

Belle