mi.avril

Unfortunately I cannot read French, which I am sure I have mentioned before. I can however share some beautiful photos I found on mi.avril.

All photos via// mi.avril

Embroidery Hoops as Frames

Via// Purl Bee

I was in New York yesterday to visit some friends, and spent some time picking out new fabrics from Purl Patchwork. On the wall where you walk in they had a whole collage of embroidery hoops with fabric in them and it really got me thinking. Last week I went through my bins and realized how much awesome fabric I have accumulated, some of it I love too much to cut up. This would be the perfect way to show off some of my favorite patterns instead of keeping them locked up in a box! Here is a link to Purl's tutorial for creating the frames, and some more lovely inspiration!

Spring Chick's Craft Room via// Modish

Paige's Nursery via// Megan Carty

For Phoebe's Room via// EmmyLizzy's Flickr Stream

Stockings Complete!

A few days ago, I mentioned that my mom and I were going to attempt this. Well we did, and they turned out even better than planned! We used the pattern Martha provided, but enlarged it about 180%, and chose not to fold the tops over (your stocking has to be big enough for wooden spoons and soup ladles if you are part of my family. That is the law. Even if you are only 5 months old).  I purchased some Wollfilz felt from Purl, including some bigger pieces for the stockings themselves, and a couple of color bundles for the decorations. Yes, it was expensive, but we have enough left over to make more!

My mom is not daring when it comes to baking (she always follows the recipe to the letter) but when it comes to sewing apparently she lets loose. We traced the pattern for our seams, but she freestyled the edge pinking. It was madness.

A Quilt for Baby Tse

Yay! my coworker Konrad and his wife are quickly approaching the due date of their first baby, a little boy!

Konrad has a serious aversion to butterflies and chrysalises (good thing he isnt having a girl!) but hopefully not sea creatures because they are all over this quilt.

I finally made the pilgrimage up to Purl in NYC, something I have been dying to do for EVER. It was just as amazing as I had hoped! They have a wonderfully edited selection of fabrics arranged in rainbow order (as all things including sweaters, crayons and books should be) from floor to ceiling.

I found the cutest little fat quarter set including Alexander Henry's Marina print, some cool faux bois (eat your heart out, Martha!) and the most delicate white fabric with teeny tiny blue circles.

My sewing is really improving, i was even daring enough to attempt actual machine quilting for once instead of using my hand ties that I have done in the past. Just one rectangle of it, but hey, you have to start somewhere! All of this is a warm up for the extreme task that lies before me: Quilting not one, but TWO blankets for my niece and nephew that are due this summer. Thats right, TWINS!