Lavender and White

When I was 14, my family built a new house.  And my sister and I got to pick, out of the four upstairs bedrooms, which one we wanted.  We also got to choose how we wanted to decorate the room.  I wanted lavender and white.  But my sister wanted blue and green and pink - in pastels.  So we compromised.  We did all pastels - lavender, blue, green and pink.  Our room came out beautiful - and rather "patchwork-ish," which I love.

In my twenties I moved into my own apartment and I finally had my own bedroom!  I could get my lavender and white room.  So, two years ago, I began the quilt for the bed.

The main fabric - the calico - is one I found in a quilt shop years ago.  My grandmother was with me and she heard my exclamations over the fabric, so she went back later and bought four yards for me.  I had saved it for something special and I decided this was the "something special."

I used the reverse Irish Chain pattern and, after finishing the top, I took it to my friend here in town who has a quilting machine.  She quilted it over a year ago and then it just sat in my pile of unfinished projects...

And sat...

and sat...

Until a few weeks ago.  I finally got the binding on.  And I handsewed it as a watched a movie.  Finally, the quilt is done...six weeks before I move out of my apartment.  O well!  Now I have it for my next bedroom.

Summer...

In the middle of winter, my thoughts turn to summer.  Yes, I know.  I may be unusual.  I like summer.  Even hot Texas summers.  I will say that last summer was a tad hotter than I would have liked, but summer still beats winter.  Hands down.

So, this winter, I have been making beach dresses.  One for my good friend.  One for me.  One for my sister-in-law.  One for another dear friend.  And so on and so forth. 

"Beach dress" is a loose term.  It just means any dress that is summer-y.  The reason I started calling them "beach dresses" is because some of us are planning a beach trip together for this summer.  So, of course, we are going to wear our dresses.

I actually started on my one friend's dress last June.  It is a linen look white eyelet - a piece that had been sitting in the fabric stash for years.  I combined two Simplicity patterns to create the look that my friend wanted.

I had the best intentions.  I was going to complete the dress for her to wear last summer.  Somehow, these things never happen in my overcommitted life.  Finally, in November, just in time for my friend's birthday, I finished the dress.

Now, she lives in Michigan.  Michigan is cold.  Especially this time of the year.  (Just call me Captain Obvious.)  But my dear friend very creatively "layered" and changed the sash/shawl into a scarf.  Then she had her sister take pictures and sent me the pictures.  Isn't she just beautiful?

Burp Rags

Now for the second part of the project :-).  After making the flannel baby blankets, I combined the smaller pieces of flannel to make 10 baby burp rags.  See?  Aren't they cute?

They are now listed in my boutique...$3 each or $5 for two.  Go pick some!

Baby Blankets...

My latest sewing project, since the rush of the Christmas creativity has settled down, was making baby blankets for Stitchin' Addiction's boutique.  Here are the finished products:

They are soft flannel - pastel green, pastel yellow and pink gingham.  Check out my shop if you want to buy one!

Facebook Drawing!

Stitchin' Addiction has a facebook page.  Right now, the first 100 people who "like" Stitchin' Addiction's facebook page will get entered into a drawing to win a $20 Stitchin' Addiction gift card.  If you have a facebook, go "like" the page!  Maybe after we get 100 "likes" on facebook, we can try for 100 followers on blogger - complete with a drawing for that, too!  Spread the word!

Stocks...Medieval Times...Christmas

So much water under the bridge since the last time I posted...

I set up a booth at the local Renaissance Faire and got put in the stocks!

Then I went to Medieval Times with a dear friend and her family in honor of her daughter's Sweet 16.  But before going, I made a costume for the daughter for her 16th birthday gift...

And then, for Christmas, besides sewing a whole other multitude of gifts, I made a Christmas dress for my niece...to match the one I made for my sister almost a year ago...

And here is my sister...adoring my niece...and my niece looking curiously around.  As always.  She is one inquisitive little girl!

Those are only the highlights.  I have made more things than even I can remember. 

Look for sales in the near future, new items in my boutique, and a giveaway.  I also now have a facebook page for Stitchin' Addiction.  Please go out and "like" my page...and recommend it to all your friends!