pretty in pink

this is another fun project that i took on while listing to christmas music, a gift for the best hostess i know.

the materials and colors, mark helped me to choose, and i can't thank the fabric store sales assistant enough for her helpful suggestions and tips!

here's what she taught me:

• pre-washing the fabric helps to prevent uneven shrinking
• before beginning, use fabric finish on the freshly washed material to give it light body and a crisp (but not stiff) ironed look. this also makes it easier to sew. note: always allow the fabric spray to dry before ironing - this prevents spots and flaking.
• sewing a double layer of material, with the "right-sides" facing, is easier than having to roll edges. simply sew the pieces together leaving enough room to turn them right side out, and then topstitch around the edges again for a clean finish. this tidbit gave me the added piece of information for the gift:

hostess apron...

...fully reversible.

there was a byob wine bag made primarily out of the smaller-print fabric, too!

i'm really starting to get the hang of this sewing thing....

freshly lined

a few weeks ago, i had mentioned that some crafty projects were in the works, and that i intended to spend my week of vacation completing and sharing them with you.

as it turned out, i was sick at the beginning of that week and we had guests over the thanksgiving weekend, so my high hopes quickly went out the window.

our living room curtains were purchased rather that made, as i had originally intended. and while i'm happy with how they look (and that buying them allowed us to also find matching throw pillows), i was a little disappointment with myself.

i have, however, since then been able to complete the other project that i mentioned. our wicker laundry basket - a bridal shower gift from my mom - now has a fresh, neat, new lining! and our clothes are very happy to be snag-free.

i must say, i'm pretty happy with the results of my sewing efforts. it really is an enjoyable hobby, and i hope to keep my sewing machine busy this year!

and with this photo i'll share a funny story.

the first time i visited brandon's new condo, it was still in a partially-furnished state. as he took my mom and i on a tour of the rooms, we paused in the guest bath, and he proudly reached into the cabinet under the sink to retrieve the shower curtain that had been picked out for the room.

yep - it was the same shower curtain that you see here, and that we had hanging in our bathroom in chicago! i find it funny that in the many times that he visited us there, he never noticed it, and had no idea that he was picking out the same one:)

quality friday: warm and fuzzies

i consider myself a relatively creative person. through the years, i've enjoyed projects that involve sewing, knitting, crocheting - and crafting in general - and have loved wrapping myself up in the process of creating. from choosing the materials to work with, to deciding what pattern or layout to use, i've poured myself into each project and have been known to spend spend hours-on-end working on this or that.

that's why when we've moved into new apartments in the past, i've usually enjoyed the opportunity to sew curtains for our windows or make dinner napkins to match our decor. and for years, christmas gifts of hats, scarves, blankets and purses have been lovingly made for my family and friends. i've crocheted many a baby blanket for the beautiful bundles of joy that grace my friend's lives, and have made items [mittens and scarves were my specialty] for the crafty angels, a group from our church in chicago, to be donated to those in need - both in our community and around the globe. and i've also found scrapbooks and photo albums to make wonderful gifts for loved ones on special occasions, such as 30th birthdays and bridal showers.

so, then, why have my creative juices dried up, as of late?

i'm sure i can find a million reasons [and even more excuses] for why this has been the case, but the bottom line is that i'm fed up!

projects - like re-lining my wicker laundry basket [so the clothes don't snag], or making curtains for the living room [so the neighbors can't see in]- have made fleeting appearances in my thoughts, but never seem to find their way to fruition. or to state it more accurately, they've never even been started.

its time for a change.

which is why this quality friday post is dedicated to the knitting needles and crochet hooks that i've pulled out of hiding and have actually started to USE this week. i've uncovered a few old projects that are begging to be completed, and have even made my way to my favorite crafts store for some new supplies. the photo above is one of the knitting projects that i started many moons ago, and i've got another one sitting next to me right now, that can't be shown because its recipient just might read this entry:)

PLUS, and i'm on vacation next week [hooray, HOORAY!], so the timing couldn't be more perfect. i've got lots of warm an fuzzy things on my adjenda [and maybe a few practical ones, too], and hope that i'll have some completed projects to share with you soon.

happy quality friday - hope you have a wonderful and creative week ahead of you!