Mad for Madras

At long last I have three out of the four pairs of these shorts made for my kiddos. Jonathan's will be done tomorrow, but I am too tired tonight!

I LOVE DAD shirt

And here is the matching shirt :)  This was SO much fun to make.  My daughter will soon have another patchwork skirt... once I get caught up on orders, that is...

Custom Made Skirt

This is part of a custom order I am working on for special repeat customer.  She has the best ideas!  I will post the matching shirt when I complete it.

Into the Blue

When we moved into our house we were thrilled that it had a swimming pool.  I lived in a pool growing up and dreamed of having one of my own for my own family, so it was a selling point for us.  Problem is that the liner really began fading in the past five years, and the with the constant sun it began to break down. 

We budgeted money to replace the liner this summer, and here it is.  I cannot tell you how stressful this seemingly simple choice was for our family.  My husband had definite ideas about what color liner he wanted, and then there were other issues that arose from my expectations of the service.  (I may or may not share them here.)  However, I did want to share these especially cute pictures of some of my little ones enjoying their Daddy and their pool (and their new watering cans). 

Six Pack for Babies

Here is the six pack of bibs I made for my coworker and his wife who are expecting twin girls.  This was so much fun.  Almost makes me want another girl... almost.

PROJECT: Tea Quilt

The domain of quilting is territory somewhat unexplored for me. I made two crib size quilts for my daughter when I found out that I was having a girl. I mean the DAY I found out I was having a girl. The sheer glee of sewing with pink inspired me to whip off a rag quilt and a minky backed quilt in a what seemed like no time. I just remember being so happy sewing those together knowing that my daughter would someday use them.

Okay - so what does that have to do with today? I have begun to piece a long queen size quilt. After a LOT of thought about design and color and pattern, which is ongoing, I chose Tina Givens' Tea Quilt pattern and a mix of some of my most favorite fabrics ever. Kaffe Fassett's Suzani in Red (below) is simply stunning - cannot imagine a prettier fabric - so I had to include it here. I also love Tina Givens' Heaven in the Oberon Red colorway and all of Anna Maria Horner's prints, but the Social Climber in gold (above) is to die for. Oh, and I almost forgot Amy Butler's Acanthus in Teal (not pictured here) - divine! I love it even more in olive, but that didn't work with the other prints I have chosen.

Yesteday I pieced and sewed three blocks and snapped pics this morning. I also realized that there is no way I will be able to machine quilt this baby - it's HUGE. Then again, maybe there is a way... I have to look into it more. The thought of hand quilting anything makes me want to run for the hills. I get antsy just thinking about sitting still that long!

P.S. A coworker and his wife are expecting twin girls - how adorable, right? I have been trying to figure out what to make for a shower gift. I think I have decided on a pile of bibs because I never really wanted to buy bibs myself, but babies definitely need them. Plus, I could make really pretty, girly bibs. I was going to use my pattern when I started thinking about quilted bibs I had seen on Etsy... I modified my pattern and gave machine quilting a shot with this bib. Let's just say I have a LOT to learn!!! Here is my first one.

Sprinkler Love

If you have little ones and are looking for a way to entertain them in the sweltering heat, get this sprinkler.  It is from Little Tikes, and it is really, really cool.  My kids absolutely loved it and it was $10.  Love that!