Artsy Fartsy

So I've had a huge blank wall in our living room that seems to be screaming at me that it's ugly. SO....I designed and made my first quilt. Tonight, it was picked up to be quilted by this amazing quilter (http://www.lizardcreekquilting.com/LizardCreekQuilting/AboutUs.htm) a.k.a my mom. She said she has some fun ideas and is excited to try a more contemporary quilt than she's used to. I thought I'd try take some pictures through this process in case any of you are interested in creating a similar one for your blank wall that is screaming at you. :) I've never made a tutorial or even documented a process (cuz I usually make it up) so bear with me!

First I found my "base color" and 6 coordinates. I plan to change this quilt out seasonally so this one is all fall colors.

I cut all my fabrics into 2" strips. My final quilt is going to be in a vintage 24" x 30" frame so I cut 16 strips of my base color to start. I'm using 1/2" seam allowances.

I also cut 2 2" strips of each of my coordinates. I sewed them all together with 1/2" seam allowances and pressed them open.

When all of my base pieces were sewn to a color, I laid them out "inside the frame" and moved them around to what I liked. I found that it was a little too narrow to figure inside the frame. I trimmed the long edges that were too long and used them to make more rows. I used a 1/2" seam allowance and sewed them together. It was super simple and only took an afternoon. Now I'm super anxious to see the quilting and it all hung when it's done! I'd LOVE to see if you try this out.

Click HERE to see it finished and on the wall!

For the love of 2nd hand

So after a crazy day I came home to unwind with a glass of red wine and check blogs, to find that Sew a Straight Line (Thanks, Sabra!) had featured one of my previous donations! I totally agree with her that the world of blogging is a small community with the best neighbors you could ask for. In my small town, most people think I'm a crazy creative 22 year old, until I enter the world of blogging, and then I become normal again :)

After a long crazy day today, I thought I'd unwind by hitting a few thrift stores and garage sales on my way home. When I got home I found that a few of my favorite pieces in our home are thrifted antiques and garage sale finds. I found this globe for only $2 and just placed it on our desk until it finds it's real home. The picture frame still has the pictures it came with. Feel free to comment with and creative ideas rather than the standard picture.

Both of these pieces are thrifted for a steal of a deal. Now if only I can un-lonely them in our office corner and find a few friends for them!

Sooo, I've sort of been collecting and antiquing since I was about an 8th grader...ya i was even weird as a young student. I found this for practically free and it's amazing how I recently found it in my stash and it perfectly matches our home. I have to show you the before because next week I plan to show you the after of my idea for it!

This is my favorite vignette to decorate (even though it seems to look WAY better in person than in pictures) The vintage bowl was another find in my stash that I recently came across and I've probably had this since high school as well :) The authentic lamp is one my favorites, which is why this is the first thing you see when you walk into our living room. Am I crazy, or do you also have thrifted finds that end up being your favorites in your home? I'd love to see a few of yours!

Donations #2-4...Mailed!

Tonight I was VERY excited to complete three more adorable children's pieces to send to another Breast Cancer Fundraiser in Tennessee! They were a blast to design and create with a specific event/fundraiser in mind.

As I was laying them out for pictures a little bit ago, my hubby thought he'd point out, with a tidge of concern in his voice, that all of the pieces are going to fit different kids. (I simply used whatever I had fabric left for.) Since we don't have any mini munchkins running around our home to try these on yet,  I'd LOVE to see yours modeling the pieces if you buy them.

I've never made any real fussy children's clothing before and this "Josie Jacket" from Sew a Straight Line inspired me to create something. Her instructions and pictures are great! And even though I've never done a little garment, I created one that I thought turned out pretty stinking cute. The ruffle skirt is the same pattern I used for my Litttle Helpers in my wedding that I posted about below. I love how it's easily toddler adjustable with a toggle. The apron was also a pattern from Quilts and More. I made up the apron pattern to match the little girls'. It's made to fit an 18" American Girl doll, or any other 18" doll.

Donation #1...Dropped Off!

We have a lady in our church that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is about the same age as my mom and also has a daughter getting married this summer. She's been through a lot. I found out on Saturday that she's having a benefit this coming Saturday afternoon and they are accepting donations for a silent auction. I thought, how perfect! I have half done projects and fabric for this sitting in my studio! Last night and tonight after work I whipped up a full front apron with some matching pot holders. I forgot to take a picture of the project before I packaged it up all cute for dropoff. The apron has a pleated front and ruffle bottom with some white vintage ric-rac detailing. I'm pretty impressed with my first apron and accessories. And even better, it's going to a great cause!

Happily Ever After

I figured since it's been a few months since the wedding I'd add a few pictures. Eventually I'll add some tutorials about how I made all of the decorations. It was the perfect day in June for a vintage inspired wedding. From the personal details to the fun filled reception. The night was completed with a game of kickball with the whole family and Grandma even caught a pop fly to get "The Boys" team out. I found an old vintage bright blue necklace and had it turned into a gorgeous bracelet as my "old and blue." It was the perfect pop of color.

I custom designed the wedding programs. They were filled with our engagement pictures, both of our parents' wedding pictures and a thank you to them, and a small story explaining the canopy that we were married under. My mom is a quilter and she collected heirlooms and pieces from parents, grandparents, and great grandparents of ours that are Christian role models in our relationship. She turned them into a quilt and it was hung over a canopy that we stood under for the ceremony. A few of the items were my husband's mom's wedding hanky, copies of love letters of my grandparents during the Korean war, and fabrics with pictures of things that we both love. 
The quilt is actually at a National contest right now that my mom entered it in. I'll post pictures when I actually get it back! :) I was also brave and designed and made all of my bridesmaid and flower girl dresses. Looking back now I was crazy but LOVED them! I also did this while finishing my senior thesis to graduate with my BA in Interior Design!

The ceremony was just right (even though I have no idea what the pastor said, I was just waiting for the "I now pronounce you...") The dresses of the girls looked the best from the back. I thought this was the most important because that's what the guests see.

We ended the night in a huge game of family kick ball and bean bag tournaments. It was completed with an ice cream sundae bar with soft serve ice cream. I could include a thousand pictures but I thought I'd spare you. In a small town, it was crazy to quickly hear that everyone thought it was a great wedding with fun creative ideas. I thought so too, but I was a little biased! :)

Breast Cancer Fundraiser Donation

This week I was on Alchemy at Etsy and sumbled upon a request for homemade donations. The lady is doing her part in helping the Susan G. Kolmen Knoxville, TN Race for the Cure. The Race is on October 30, 2010 at the World's Fair Park. I'm going to be making a few fun items, and will for sure let you see a peek before I send them off. If you too, are interested in helping, let me know and you can include it with my package or I'll give you the address to ship them to her. I found some pink flannel with ribbons that I'm going to do something with and a pink and brown cotton that I'm going to make a little girl ruffly skirt and matching headband, as well as a mother/daughter set of aprons. Super excited to use the fun fabrics and see them go to a cause!

Wedding Helpers

I have to show off that I had the cutest "Wedding Helpers" ever at our wedding this past June. I had so many little cousins and not enough places for them. So they were designated as "Chalk Hander-outers." Our reception tables had chalkboards on them to keep the guests busy as well as they could leave us notes for our married life. They had a blast all matching and looked adorable as well!