December 23, 2012

Holiday baking

Yesterday was a fun filled morning baking my favorite sugar cookies. I packaged them up for some of our neighbors. Our neighbors have small children so I created cookie decorating kits. I included a variety of sugar cookies, 2 bags of royal icing, and some sugar to sprinkle on top. I hope they enjoy decorating and eating the cookies :)



December 15, 2012

Sewing machine fun

I was looking at the Sunday paper today and happened to come across this add for a simple beginner machine. If any of you guys out there want something inexpensive for a starter I would take a look at this one. It's being sold at Target. Haven't had the time to look at reviews for the machine, but thought it might be a good option for a few of you out there to look into. If you can leave a comment with thoughts on the machine.

December 11, 2012

Dc modern meeting

Saturday was the last DC Modern Quilt Guild meeting for the year. I was only able to stay for a few hours, but I was able to see some fabulous work!

It was also the last meeting the my friend, Katie heading the meeting off as president. She has done an awesome job taking over for me! It is a lot of work though, so am glad Elle had volunteered to take over for next year.













Oh Christmas tree ....

I absolutely LOVE Christmas time. It makes me so happy and I have the best memories from when I was a kid. My house is all decked out in merriment and thought I would share.
The last picture is my favorite ornament :) makes me laugh every time I walk past it.

Hope your Holiday season is kicking off to the right start no matter what holiday you celebrate!













November 25, 2012

Winter classes

It's been a crazy month! Ever have one of those moments where you realize it is the last week of the month and you could swear it was just the first of the month a few days ago? Well, it has definitely happened to me.
We had Little Man's first birthday (will post a little about it soon), Turkey day! and I've been busy organizing more classes.

I just received the winter parks and rec catalog today :) if you flip to page 14 you will see 2 classes from yours truly.

A NEW class: Knitting for beginners. Figured it was a perfect winter class. Knitting is actually quite an easy (only 2 stitches) craft. Plus the materials are inexpensive and you can take it anywhere!

A classic: intro to sewing!
This class is great for anyone who wants to learn some basics of using a sewing machine (or needs a good refresher) AND for those who have already taken the class and want a little independent study time. If you want to extend your knowledge you will work on small independent projects and get help along the way.

Hope to see a you in one of my winter classes!!!

Remember if there is a class you would like me to offer just let me know. I have to put in my requests for spring session so don't hesitate in contacting me.

November 1, 2012

Happy Halloween!

Hope that everyone out there was able to enjoy the Halloween season! I know Hurricane Sandy put some glitches in plans :( but hopefully kids (& adults) were able to put costumes on do a little trick or treating!

October 20, 2012

Birthday party cont'd

I had told you a few post backs that I'm already getting started on my little man's 1st birthday party! The invitations have just gotten sent out and I thought I would share how they turned out.
I ended up creating a leaf sticker to address the envelops with. Then stuffed them with a leaf invitation and a little hungry caterpillar. I love the way these have turned out. I hope our family and friends enjoy it as well!

October 17, 2012

Crafting Christmas style!

My absolute favorite holiday is Christmas! Ever since I can remember it has been such a magical time of year. I want to make sure that my son feels that as well. This year I am working on kid friendly tree ornaments to trim our tree with. I came up with this concept...

What do you think?

Oh and the embroidery patterns are from Wild Olive. Aren't they the cutest?

October 16, 2012

Another fabulous class

Last night we had our second to last class. Everyone started on their free choice project and we got NEW sewing machines to use from the county. A very productive night to say the least. We have to be very busy bees next week so we can have all finished projects! So bring your game faces one, hahaha.
Thanks for another great night guys :)

October 13, 2012

Wreaths in progress

I have been seeing lots of burlap wreaths in the Internet world. I now have two doors to decorate for, so I thought these looked pretty and easy. Sure enough these are the easiest wreaths to make. I might have to create a short tutorial. I did them both in about an hour. Now I just have to figure out what I want to put on them for the accents. Any suggestions?

October 10, 2012

Halloween is creeping in

Today I got into the Halloween spirit. I started to decorate a little. Still a few more things I want to add, but at least it's looking more like October inside!

October 9, 2012

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

My little guy is 11 months today! This means I have to start prepping for his very first birthday party. I decided to go with the theme of The Very Hungry Caterpillar since I am a huge fan of Eric Carle.
Of course I start me search online and low and behold pottery barn kids has done a whole little set up on it already. So naturally I'm doing everything they suggest, haha. I started working on the invites today. It's going to end up being a leaf with chew marks that holds all the pertinent info and a little caterpillar snuck inside the envelope. I thought it was too cute!
I still have to print the leaves of information but the caterpillars are all set.
Can't believe my little man is so grown up!

October 1, 2012

Another great class!

With 2 classes lefts, students are on a roll. Everyone will be working on their free choice projects. I'm excited to see what everyone chooses.
I actually remembered to take a few pictures too!

September 26, 2012

Class

This past Monday was the 2nd of 5 classes I'm teaching to adults. Students have really picked up on sewing with a sewing machine. Most have gotten up to the last step of there 3rd project! Only 1 more to go and then they get to pick their free choice.
Oh and I did remember to take a picture. Only 1 but at least it's something.

Guest bathroom revamping

I wanted to make the guest bathroom (that also serve as my little mans bathroom) a little less sterile. The house was painted beautifully when we moved in, so the blue walls where a keeper. Then I added a white shower curtain and had white towels. Can you see where the sterile is coming into play? So I decided to splurge on a fun shower curtain and towel set from pottery barn kids. I didn't want to totally tip the bank getting more colorful towels for guests to use, so I decided to revamp the white ones I already had. I added a strip of navy blue gingham that matched the pottery barn kids things and Ta Da! I also decided to make a tissue box cover (which was, yes you guessed it, white!).
Super easy, super quick and I think it really makes things look nice in that bathroom.
Have you Worked on a quick and satisfying project lately?

September 19, 2012

Wall of pictures

An update on my wall of pictures...
All frames have been painted (except 2 I want to keep them as is and switch them out for new frames eventually). I just finished putting pictures and backings on them yesterday so it has been laying on my floor, looking like this.

What are your thoughts?

September 18, 2012

Fall class

Last night was the first day of the adult intro to sewing class. Can you believe that I didn't take one picture? I even thought about it but never actually took my camera out. Typical, right?

It was a great night! I have 9 fabulous students and all finished their first project, a fun pincushion. Not to mention that all of them can successfully thread their machine!
Hopefully next week I will have some pictures to share.

If your interested in sewing classes don't hesitate to write and put in a specific request :)

September 16, 2012

Dc Modern meeting

On Saturday I attended a DC modern quilt guild meeting. It had been a few months since I have been able to go to a meeting so I was very excited. Everyone worked on charity quilts for Katie's 100 quilts for kids (check it out at her blog swimbike.blogspot.com). It's always so nice to see old friends and meet new ones!

September 11, 2012

Crafting

My mind has been consumed with my picture wall. I want it to look fun but not very uniform looking. I don't know how it will end up but the plan is to take this mix of thrift store and store bought frames and make it look good. In the end all the frames will be black (I am really liking spray paint!). Still debating the arrangement. So far this is my favorite. I'll audition a few more once the frames are painted so you can voice your opinion and help me make a decision.

September 6, 2012

Chair make over

I have these great foldable chairs for when we need extra at home. I wasn't a fan of the fabric on them so I'm giving them a make over. This is the easiest kind of reupholstery you can do. I highly recommend doing it on your own and not paying someone else.

I got fun fabric from Ikea for .99/yrd! You can't beat that price!
So here is the before and after.

August 30, 2012

Other craftings

So now that I'm an official stay at home mom, I am finding odd little bits of time to get fun projects done around the house.
I inherited these chairs from my cousin. They are so cute but I wasn't a fan of the colors. Nothing a little spray paint can't fix!
What do you think?

Class spaces still open...

If you are at all interested in signing up for classes this fall you only have a week and a half left.

Also if you have a class that you would like me to teach but isn't in the Arlington parks and rec catalog let me know. I have to put in my class requests soon :)

August 29, 2012

Quilt Con

For those of you interested in the modern quilt movement...The Modern Quilt Guild has created what looks like to be a very fun convention down in Austin,Tx. Registration is tomorrow so get your computers ready! I will be there with my cousin. I am so excited! Just a sewing weekend in a fun new city I've never been, eek!

August 27, 2012

Slip covers here we come...

I was able to pick up the final fabric for the slip covers and get started. I have finished 1, cut up pieces for all 6, and in the middle of 2. Not a bad start.

What do you think?

August 21, 2012

More progress...

Since I couldn't move along on my slip covers I decided to take out a quilt top from 3 years ago?! I really like this one but is was lost and forgotten for too long. Everything is even cut out. All I have to do is finish piecing it. The goal is to get as least half of it done before starting the slip covers. Cross your fingers!

Anyone else have projects that stick around for way to long? Or is it just me?

Some progress...

The muslin slip cover was completed today. I now know what things I am going to tweak but am very happy with how things came out.

Going fabric shopping tomorrow for the real deal!

...any suggestions?

August 20, 2012

next....slip covers

We ordered some fun new dining room chairs for our new house.  I ordered them online and was a little nervous when they were delivered since I had never seen them in person.  I ended up LOVING them! The next big project over at School of Crafts is making some slip covers so that hopefully these chairs last a long time with minimal stains. I hope to make a muslin sample this week to work all the kinks out.  If you have any tips on this one I would greatly appreciate it :)

Take care mucho,
-Natalie

August 15, 2012

Rollie Pollie

Finally finished little mans bean bag chair (aka Rollie Pollie from Dana's Made Blog). I had to make slight modifications to have it turn out just as I wanted, but am SUPER happy with the way it ended up.
Doesn't he look like he is enjoying his new chair?
 

I highly recommend checking out Dana's website and her fun patterns.  I get so many ideas from her and will be trying out some more of her patterns because she does a great job of explaining every step.

take care mucho,
-Natalie

August 10, 2012

Getting my sewing on

Getting some sewing time despite my chunky monkey not wanting to take regular naps :(

This is a baptism outfit for my brother-in-law's nephew. So far so good! Have to get this finished and in the mail by Saturday. No time to waist......