Random: for Savannah

 { spring outfit}

 { little tag}

 {1/8 yard of skirt}

 {tag to check in}

 {fussy cut for the pocket, but didn't match so well}

 { Savannah's mama said, it would be a perfect place for cookies}

 { dots in the back}

 { oh.. the pocket is for Kuper, the gardener that S and I made together}

 { Savannah ate his ears}

 { spring spring spring..}

 { A library tote for her to take.. in another year}

{ very happy visit}

The day started sunny and warm here in ND! After dropped S off to school I went down south. I have had a date with my little girlfriend, Savannah and a quick stop at the bookstore to pick up some books for S. 

Savannah is my graduate colleague's baby girl. The first time, I ever met her in person was last November. she was just 5 weeks old {Our birthday is three days apart}. I held her in my arms and she was just comfortable and slept the entire time when she was with me.  Last week, her mama and her came to visit and she has grown into a too cute baby! She has dark blue eyes and pink cheeks. She is so mellow and happy all the time! She smiles a lot and welcomes new friends. 

I couldn't help not to make her some spring outfits after she left last week. It is a little crazy, but I went through all my stash, but I can't find {Savannah} fabrics!  Another  fabric shopping was made and I found the blue print and the soft floral print for her. 

It is always fun to make baby clothes. They are quick to make and the pattern can be modify in many ways. I used the same pattern made {S' preschool graduation dress} 4 years ago; only much smaller.  Since many paper bags have been donated as we pack. I used the linen tote for gift bag and though it would be a perfect library bag when she is ready! 

She had the little skirt and shorts on while we visit. They fit perfect on her! Since I have more blue prints, I plan to make few more shorts for her.  Of course, S needs something, too! 

link up with {crazymomquilts: Finish it up Friday post}

xxc

Random: random Thursday

 { knit fabric; $2.5 a yard}

 { she is home}

 { quiet Thursday morning}

{S; the packer}

 { new read}

{re-do}

 

 {for S}

Have you ever sewn with knit fabric? I have had, but such a failure when I did.  A few months back, I was in local fabric store and found the blue floral print on sale {$5 at the time}. I though I could get a yard to try while I was in the store, but the bolt was put back after walking around the store. A few days ago, I went back to the store and the same bolt of fabric was in the 50% off section {$2.50}. I took the bolt and took them home with me. It is knit fabric and I am still not sure if I'll be able to make something cool, but it would be great to try something new. The fabric has been washed and tumble dry and not much shrinkage on the print. The print is soft and comes with great texture and the colors are just great for skirts, dresses, or tops.

The single girl quilt arrived earlier this week. The edges are trimmed and still thinking about the binding fabric. It will be a nice weekending project for me. The quilting is really sweet! more on that later ..

As you can see that our plants have left our home to a new family. It was sad to see them go, but sure they will be happier to be in a larger home. S has started to pack her books. Her packing style is really fun. She is being careful to pack her books, so she will know when we settle again. She is packing slowly, so she can enjoy books that she always loves to read and always ask where is the book came from, who bought the book for her, and when was the first time she read the book..

The knitting project didn't go so well; too many mistakes. I wish to have a knitter friend live close by, so she can help me to make a nice scarf and I can make her some yummy cakes in return. 

The weekending posts will be randomly being post for now. As the weather gotten warm that S likes to be out and about more. For next few weekends, she is having many music recitals to attend.  I hope not to disappoint you without regular weekending posts.

xxc

Random: Spring outfit

almost time to pick S from school. I have been in the new spring outfit for the entire day.. and i LOVE it!!  There will be more of this top to be made soon..

Pattern: Tova Top {PDF file}
Sewing along  posts: {verykerryberry}
Photo taken by: S.J.H.

xxc

Random: time to sew

Snow came and mostly gone from yesterday. The air smells soft, maybe we can't really smell the soft air. It is unlike the bitter cold air that's so harsh when we inhaled in during the winter. Oh, may I say, Spring is here?

I have taking so much photos lately with the lovely flowers. I am so inspired by my friend { M}. I love her photos and of course her {quilts}. I wish to visit her someday and play with her {pup}.  This morning, Tulips were most ready to say goodbye. S saved some of the flower petals and there are a few still living.  A little celebration of spring, so a little flower arrangement seems appropriate by the sewing machine.

Last night, I finished the half-triangles piecing and I must admitted they needed a little redo here and there. There are some points didn't match up as I like.  The sewing skill on the angles is not being exercises for a long time and the new intention is sew more now on. Next project would be hourglass that would help points matching and sew with triangles.

Did you make a Tova by any chance?  It is on my {to-own} sewing pattern list since it was out. The last time I made a top for myself was nearly 5 years ago. I have hard time to make shirts for myself, since I am between sizes. Sometimes, it is too small on the shoulders and narrow on the arm holes.  Then my good night reading was  {Kerry's Tova Sew along posts}. Thanks to Kerry's posts that given lots great tips on adjusting parts of the pattern.  I plan to use cotton fabric that has been pre-washed. It is going to be a perfect fabric for the sample sewing. Then could use some other fabric that I have been saved for sewing garments. So far, I think the big challenge is sewing the center front inset and placket. Oh.. It would be a wonderful spring outfit.

time to sew

xxc

Random: Sew more snow!?

More snow for us! We have had over 6 inches snow overnight and more on its way! Spring snow somehow is so pretty! Maybe a little farewell to the winter and a little celebrating of spring summer will be here anytime.  The last Spring snow we had was 4 years ago when we were still lived in Iowa. I have missed the spring snow days when I went pick up S from Julie's house and got a big piece of homemade brownie and a cup of delicious coffee.

Right now,  it feels so rewarding to watch snow falling, drink tea { today is raspberry tea; sweet}, and clunk the sewing machine with new project I have had in mind for so long.  I can't recall when was the last time I play with half-triangles. It seems like very long time ago.  Now, I have all the time to sew and play and pack! I plan on making a bag and hope to have everything piece and ready to quilt soon! New projects are exciting! Of course a little scraps playing..

On our weekending, S has slowly going through her books and made pauses as she went. There are many great books that we have had read together when she was a wee baby and the books that sent in her birthdays. She sat and read to me!  I have going through S' drawings, school notes, and her outgrown clothes. It is the time I feel that this girl is growing so fast and so fun to be with as she grew older each day. All the winter and rainy boots are being saved! Someday when we settle in a small cottage home; I would like to use them for flower pots and past them to S when she move away.

How I love time to myself in Monday mornings... quiet, productive,relax, and best of all... I get to sew and watch a great movie..

xxc

Weekending : catch up

What a fabulous week we have had here! {Thank you. thank you. thank you.} for all the congratulate comments and emails.  Today, I took a weekending nap for the first time in three years when I woke up that really felt good and full of energy!  S was quietly reading her new books from the library. S and I have been hanging out together more, have had full meals together { i won't excused myself in the middle of meal and return to work}, watch movies together and laugh so hard together,  Talking more about the moving plans and our coming very soon visit to our family in Taiwan... really. crazy!

Today's post will be a bit of catch up the week rather than our normal weekending post if you don't mind. Julie's signature's didn't finish when she got here. {Oh dear}... that's what I said to her.. After came home from the celebration dinner, I picked up the binding part and Julie was sitting next to me. We cuddled in her quilt together while I was working on the binding. I really loved the moment that our Iowa family was with us! To celebrate our big time together! They drove 468 miles north to see us and that mean so much to S and I; so much! It is a flat drive and very long as well, but they came.

Peter was so busy even though he was here! Stella secretly put his quilt in their bed for him, but he didn't even notice on the quilt in the bed and there was a note that S wrote {sleep well.}.  Peter had no idea that quilt is for him! Two Stellas { Stella, the pup and Stella, the girl} went in the room and got the quilt out. We began to sing the birthday song. Oh, Peter was shocked and kept asking ..the quilt is for me? for me? How did you have time to do this quilt for me? Of course, there's always time for making quilt to  dearest friends.  It is no my usual color; purple, brown, yellow, and gray. There were many questions that I had ...what if he is not liking the colors and maybe it is wrong purple?  Julie and I have had so many emails on the process of making Peter's quilt. Yes! he loves his quilt!! They both used their quilt while they were here!

We took a {family} photo on the snowy Sunday in N.D. The light was really dim and cold, too! We are so warm in our own quilts. So, here are four of my finished quilt of 2013. I love them all together! It shows each of our personality and the friendship that we gained over the years.

Today, S was playing for {Walk for Autism program} and we are slowly back to our normal schedule. Spring flowers are here and so pretty! Even though our home is full of boxes, but we really enjoy being home and have a few days quiet to ourselves. No sewing for the week, which I miss so much! It feels the itch in the back hasn't get reach and really need to get it.

Do you know my {single girl} is on her way home? She should be here early next week! I'll be working on the binding and few things still needed to take care! more later ...

xxc 

Random: April, the 10th

{Thank you. thank you. thank you. thank you}

My friends....It's a PASS!

more later... preparing the reception food and tea for tomorrow night..  this afternoon.

xxc