Sunday, December 25, 2011

Holiday 2011

It's Christmas now and I can't sleep, not because I'll get lots of great things in the morning but because I want my children to be happy more than anything on Christmas Day. Yesterday my aunt Alice and her husband Tom came to visit from Pensacola.

They brought Izzy a beautiful baby doll cradle that Tom handmade and a volley ball and net for D. I'm not sure who was most excited but Izzy rocked various things: teddy bear, balls, sweater, jacket off and on all day. We ate ham and potato salad, cream style corn, green beans, and rolls for lunch. Sweet tea was perfect. I'll update late in the day when my brain is actually working with photos and more on Christmas day.

We actually made the gingerbread houses a few days earlier, but we did get them done despite the Florida humidity.



Christmas morning, presents from Santa.



Great-Grandmother Annie B. with three great girls.


The day after Christmas we ate another Christmas meal with Aunt Sherry and Uncle David. It was so delicious! Smoked turkey breast, broccoli cornbread, hashbrown casserole, green beans, mac and cheese.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Honoring my craft.

I posted this on my sewing forum in response to sewing goals for 2012.

For me I just don't want to get bogged down/depressed that we are moving now and moving again early 2013. I want to unpack and decorate this home as if we will live there for years and years. In accordance with that...

1. Deck out the playroom: drapes, toy bags, bean bag covers, slipcovers, whatever. This is a long term project and things can be done over time.

2. Deck out the girls' room: bed canopies, quilt for Izzy, pillowcases. I'd like this complete by April.

3. Organize stash: Get a good storage system for apparel fabric (Leaning toward something like this) and ribbon, finish getting my wovens onto the CBB and onto shelves. Create look book with patterns that I want to make and fabric samples. Buy as little as possible both patterns and fabric.

4. Make placemats, napkins, and table runners. And use them! (Ongoing project)

5. Deck out girls' bathroom: shower curtain, hand towels, embroidery large towels. (Ongoing project)

6. Make as many clothing items as possible for me and Izzy instead of buying. This includes customizing an underwear pattern for myself and finally trying pants. (Ongoing project)

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Hello Again!

Yes I know it's been awhile. But no apologies, sometimes life gets in the way and it did in the form of my graduate school work. We're moving soon for the second time this year and spouse is leaving for overseas yet again. I thought I'd wind up this year by answering the questions Sew Mama Sew asked some people in the sewing scene, but answers my not necessarily be about sewing.

SMS!: Looking back at the 2011 sewing scene, what trends stand out in your mind?
* Bikes, forest animals, aqua with red, modern quilts.

SMS!: What were some of your favorite things?
* My last trip to Happy Quilt with my friends in Korea.
* Coming back to America.
* Passing my comprehensive exam!
* Going to Boston.
* Going to Acapulco.
* Thanksgiving with my family.

SMS!: What did you make that you’re most proud of?
*This is tough but I think I'm going to say the dress I made myself for the Graduation Dinner in Boston.



SMS!: What sewn projects have you seen this year that you absolutely love? Do you have a favorite sewing book or pattern from the past year to recommend?
*So many gorgeous projects to choose from, but I did learn about modern quilting recently and I am head over heals in love.
*I recently purchased the book Simply Charming Modern and I hope to be sewing and showing some quilts from it.

SMS!: Are there any trends you’re over and done with?
*Etsy resalers, Etsy Chinese junk, and pretty much Etsy aesthetic in general.
*Women wearing children's prints and child-like clothing. A little is okay but all over is too much.
*Hipsters.

SMS!: What are your thoughts about social media? How is it going for you? What do you love or hate?
*Facebook pissed me off terribly this year, but I stuck with it and it's gotten a bit better.
*I use Twitter much more than Facebook. My handle is @DarnHeather.
*I've also started using Pintrest and I love the visual layout. You can find me there at https://pinterest.com/funda62/ If you can tell me how to change my user name I'd appreciate it. The directions on the site don't work, and I don't use funda62 for anything else anymore.

SMS!: What was your favorite fabric collection or print?
Joel Dewberry Aviary 2 for Free Spirit.



SMS!: What do you predict for 2012?
I hope my personal life will be busy and happy. The girls and I plan to spend lots of days at the museums.

SMS!: What blogs do you follow?
*I check True Up at least every other day to see all the new fabric coming out.
* Sew Mama Sew! has wonderful give aways and always inspires me.
*For clothing for me I adore Sewing Fanatic. She's also a larger woman and is always dressed fabulously.

SMS!: Can you tell us anything about what to expect from you in 2012? Any projects or life-changing goals you can share?
*Walk on treadmill 3 to 5 days a week.
*Sew 3 to 5 days a week.
*Read at least 50 books.
*Blog about my projects.