Sewing Tova Dress

I've been sewing many Tova dress lately , I saw tova pattern about year ago but just have gut to order the pattern a couple months before.  I had doubt in my mind, if I just waste my money or I will like the pattern .. and after first attempt , and check Tova sew along on Kerry blog so many times, finally I know I am in the right path.   Even my daughter has faith in me, she asked me to make same tova dress (I can say Tova Top) like mine.    For her case, I used Small Size and adjusting in several places, I cut little bit small and cut arm hole about 1/4 inch bigger , and voila.. its fit.

Here is some of tova top I made , and I still have 1 more fabric to cut for myself .. so what do you think ?   

2 gingham tova for my daughter

 2 tova top for me

Modern Maple Quilt

One of an autumn quilt theme that I manage to make this year finally is here , it has been in my bucket list for so long .. just realize how fun block I can make everyday, until my head spin again... should I or should I not do hand quilting ? off course the last choice always win !!   Hand Quilting , off course ...  is like relaxing therapy to me .  There is so many empty (negative) space in this quilt which I happy to add 'maple leaf' hand stitches pattern to add durability to this quilt.

The Quilt finish is 57 x 67 inches which is a perfect size for cuddle - for hand quilting I used a pumpkin color Egyptian Cotton Thread 

Have a wonderful Autumn , friends..

Friyaaay..

It's friday ... is time to doing some little working on pictures that I taken almost entire week, doing some little work on editing pictures that I taken almost everyday - updating my blog - adding recipes , Nothing fancy thou ..

The second fancy fox quilt is on the way to the new owner, a little smart girl who has bright talent on music.. I hope she will enjoy the quilt and happy to read her mom message on the back of the quilt that I personally hand-stitches for her.  I admit, it was take a lot of time making this quilt and tears also, I think just because I am so distracted with something else on my head ..  but I am so happy the quilt is come very nice ...

if you thinking about next quilt for yourself, kid or just for gift away , please don't hesitate to contact me , this day it will take 2-3 weeks before you get on your hand.  :)

FInish Weekend - Patchwork Bag for me ..

Hubby say 'shoe maker doesn't have a shoe' , eeehmmm ... so this momma decided to make a bag so she no longer bring a plastic bag *what a shame*  LOL

 

The exterior fabric (red and white stripe)  is using outdoor fabric , so it's a bit heavier than the tan fabric is cotton linen blend by Robert Kauffman

The latest quilt

I'm not really start my sewing activity yet, what I mean is sewing big project like I used to do such a making quilt , I sew some little thing that I'm not considering as a big one but I love to put some of my latest quilt from 2015 just to encourage me to make more and filled up my online store soon .  Oh, well .. where's the time goes ?

 

 

 

the blue quilt above is the latest quilt I made for a lady who loves blue and math.

Blue is not my thing,  it take me too long to decide what pattern I should choose  but I think I did good by choosing Irish chain pattern and using so many different kind of blue fabric to make look like a patchwork :)  

 

the other quilt I proud to show you is my *a very long over due* Swedish bloom quilt - it's really take forever to finish this one (I think 1 year to be exact ) . I don't know what I was thinking to make this so big, queen size ... doh ... anyway, this quilt won't go anywhere . I keep it and will giveaway to my daughter for her memory sake :)))  

 

That's all for now , I promise will show you more ... 

Happy Sewing

Sweet Treats ..

Aah, some people probably won't understand even my husband when I so thrill to open the package that has been sitting on my dinning table when I came back home after an exhausted day took kids to the Magic House - Children Museum .  It was a quite surprise when one of my beloved friend, E sent me a sweet treats .. a lot of beautiful Japanese Fabrics, Japanese beautiful zippers , hand made pouches with so many details  , and so many more ...  

I do !!! I've been spoiled .. I'm a lucky lady.  Some  may say life is not fair, even my daughter's friend who always complaining and say "it's not fair" every time my daughter or others friend get something sweet as rewards from school.   I tell you, indeed in some case life is not fair but you earned  Whatever hard work you did always has something in the future, you earned. But sometime as like my daughter said "it just a random luck" - so don't be jealous ..

 

So in this case I'm the lucky one, oh well ..

 

 if you are not crafter you might not know how precious fabrics for us ha..ha..ha ... seem crazy, but to see piles of beautiful fabrics make me smile, make me happy ... my head spinning , what pattern I should use, what should I create with this beauties ?? so many ideas coming.. and you just need to wait and see what I 'm going to make LOL

 

 

see how beautiful this pouches is ??  my daughter already claimed the stripes one because she loves the cherry on the zipper, and we will bring this pouches into our journey .. stay tuned ..!!

 

So far life is bring me friends, enemies,  frienemies, hatter, but I don't count the last three,  I might not see them in person yet, but they are just too nice to me. Life is too short to think about negativity. Again, dear E thank you so much ...

summer, hot weather , water ..

Play water during hot summer in Midwest is fun , its only 1 week past of 2 months summer break, so far I just invite 3 kids have play day at our home .  Not like last year with bunch of kids around home, this time is more simple with a little group since I still busy working everyday in our workshop and I don't have much time to taking care of more than 3 girls .. 

 

 

They like to swim, play water in the park near by our home or just walking for ice cream , well sometime I take them to the zoo together too.  Not always easy handle 3 girls, they argue sometime but overall they loves each other.. :)

 

 

 

 

 

I spent my weekend sewing 3 city gym short, it was fun sewing really - get your free pattern from Purl Soho - trust me, you won't stop just making 1 short only ... who doesn't need short during hot summer like now ?? and the best part is you have a reason to go to fabric shop .. wuhuuu..

 

 

 

ps : there is 2 mallard ducks take over the swimming pool when the girls swimming , now those 2 friendly ducks become our pet, they always comes for short time, eat bread that my daughter given and go , and come back again. ... it has been 4 days , I'm sure they will come often

 

sweet year ..

Summer is officially here - kid already out of school.  It was a very nice year for my daughter, she closed her school year with amazing result.  As a parent we proud of her.  So many nice moment during a school year, she has her first violin concert, her art project selected for 3rd time to be part of art exhibition, and the last good news is she won her first time ever a granting dreams project and receive fund for her summer project.   

 

 

All her hard work during last school year was pay off, now she can enjoy her 'sweet treats'  - she will go for summer camp with a program that she loves most .. painting class , play a lot with her best friends, going for summer trips...  and many more .

 

I know she feel sad must to leave her favorite teacher, but in other hand she is happy that she will move to the next level and meet new teacher and new friends.  On last day of school, I sent 3 gift for 3 of her favorite teachers ..  I made a simple patchwork tote bag , inside the bag I put : summer flip flop, body lotion, lips gloss , sunblock and candies..   I think that was a perfect summer gift :)  In fact I never feel bored sewing this patchwork ...

 

 

 

 

Noting Hill Mini Quilt - Pattern Tester

 

 

My secret sewing reviled ... :) about 2 weeks ago, Nadra from Ellis and Higgs sent me e-mail ask if I want to try her new pattern , I love try a new sewing skill - as I told her, that I am just a beginner and occasional quilter , so don't expect me to do the perfect sewing but she still send me her pattern to try. So, what else I can tell ? I do really love the result, cutting a small pieces is not 'really' my favorite thing, but as soon as I sit on my sewing chair, everything just come easily.

 

I made 2 time mini quilt using her pattern, but I wasn't happy with the first one, I choose a very similar color of fabric for the roof, so the result is not really "pop ups .. "  and than in the last minute, I made the second quilt , I really nervous since I didn't have enough time to sew any more, our office is really busy , but since I had an experience with the first mini quilt, I know what should I do ..  voila... I love it !!

 

For you who want to try a new level of sewing , please check Nadra website, HERE .. she will launch her pattern very soon.  The pattern is so clear and easy to follow ... trust me, even you just a beginner, you always can tackle it ... (ps : I had fun add flowers around the window panel)

 

 

Hello ... (new year) ...

Oh .. hello friends , it has been awhile not even try to add story in this blog, my last post is about 6 months ago . Where is the times go ? I hope you are doing fine and new year bring a new hope and positivity into your life.  As I like to updating my blog daily well .. at least once a week, but seem impossible for now , I am juggling between working daily in our workshop , come back home in the afternoon, pick up my daughter from school, take her to several courses , again back home put dinner for everyone , do laundry etc. it's getting too much , at the end of the day I am so exhausted.  I try working on my craft over the weekend sometime , still taking an order from customer .. not much, since I know my capacity .. but overall my life is good..  I feel bless ..

 

Glad to be back, I will try to put more new recipes here ... let see.  And here is some of the quilts project I did last month , they are already on good hands now..  :)   

 

 

 

Smocked Sun Dress

I think my daughter will need smocked sun dress during summer , ooh .. wait .. I even sew 3 dresses - it is fun sewing , I can't stop ... I think I will add more dress for her .

I might taking an order for age 3 - 6yo only for now - please feel free to contact me or leave message on my blog .

Hourglass quilt

Hello .. how are you, all ?

As much as I love to updating my blog ; I hardly get enough time for myself to sit - and type what was going on in our life or put new recipes .  Life has been busy around us , with summer time is approaching , and school will end soon .. I know what will happen with my time is , spending time with kiddo and enjoy the summer .  I am not sure yet, but seem we will have a hot summer time this year, but hopefully not reach triple digits like last summer.

 

 

Finally I manage to finish my last quilt before end of May, as I promise and wrote on my note book.  I love the colors I put here.. so many cutting fabrics,  I fallen in love with the pattern as I saw at beloved quilter blog, Rita from Red Pepper Quilt Blog. Since than I told myself to make one :) to me, quilt must to bring happiness to everybody who will receive the quilt .. and I think I nail it ... the quit size is 53 x 68 inches..
 

The quilt will sending out the end of this month , and while still on my hand.. I have  privilege to keep looking and touching the softness of the quilt .
 

 

all right, will be right back for new recipe soon. meanwhile, please take care and stay safe everyone

ps : for some reason, I can't upload another quilt pictures - for you who knows me through IG already see the whole quilt pictures , and if you still wonder about whole picture check on my flickr photostream.

Play Pretend

 

No school (again!) due to the weather .. and this what we love to do together, 'play pretend' .. mom as a teacher and daughter is a good student.

Soon, my little one will take a break and do baking as she like to do next. No school sometime mean I won't have much time to sewing, but I don't mind at all .. time is running to fast, before you know .. the little one will grow as a teenager ... *well.. maybe too soon .. but that what I feel as a mom..not always have enough time to holding her while she was a baby ..

Thank you to uncle Reza for sending her a package of coloring pencils,. its so pretty, though ..she using it alot . :)

Fun learning ❤️

 

No baking today, since I let my little one using my baking scale . She measure all her stuffed animals , and make a note for every one . It was fun learning for her, keep her busy and off course you will have a peaceful sunday morning a little bit. :)

And another quick update is .. kids still going to school for make up days after snow storm last week, so no long weekend for them ; Friday and next Monday supposedly day off but the school still want kids go to school. I assisted the valentine's party at my daughter class room last Friday, and typical of me .. always decide to make something in last minute... but I happy with the result .. new cosmetic bag for valentine's gift for my daughter teacher , well .. we as a parent not obligate to give present for valentine's party but since she turn 30 that day... so why not.. make something simple and add a little things :)

 

 

***update : eeks.. mother nature knows better than us, no school on Monday since freezing rain in the atmosphere .. wuhuu, another home schooling project will be given to little one. :)) **

 

 

The beauty of freezing cold ..

 

A polar vortex is coming back , we are facing another freezing cold today. Just 15F - even though the sky is so bright, but still not help .. still cold ... after all this is winter .. what do you expect ? :)) Is alright, I am not complain especially in other of the world facing drought weather even some has water flood, hang on there everybody .. mother nature is show her power !!

 

With the weather like this, mean is schools closed again .. so far 10 days total no school during winter , and another day to play pretend with my daughter. This time I pretend as her teacher ... get some free printable worksheet from online site, print out, getting ready , study etc. No problem so far, she is a nice girl I ever have ; she is enjoy play pretend with her mom. Even preparing her lunch like he regular lunch box .. a small portion this and that .. and at the end of the day, as I promised she will get reward for being a nice student, watching Martha Speak Movie on my computer .

Just another day ....

Let it snow .. Let it snow

 

The temperature in Midwest is so brutal lately - this is what happened since last Saturday, resident in my city got warning about the temperature change so drastic ahead of time .  Every one take so seriously ; even me went to grocery to stock up some stuff for home on Saturday, filled up gasoline for my car too.  Oh .. as you know, a very long line at casher, long line at gas station..  but that what you need to do, always have a backing plan.  No going out if not necessary, the warning that we heard over and over from our Mayor.

That is the picture I took from backyard, ooh .. I couldn't stay out just even 1 minute .. just took one snap , than running back inside ... brr...
 

Indeed the weather is totally crazy cold, snow started since Saturday eve until Sunday afternoon,, we received 10 inches of snow total .  And the temperature drop to 0 F on following day.  Bitterly cold, so crazy.  The school has been canceled since Monday until tomorrow; and you know.. I have 1 so active little kid at home, you must to do many thing to make her happy and not get bored easily...   My husband is so nice to taking care of her and create some kind of game together, they really play along nicely.  And what mom did than ? well ... making quilt block for my new project than ... after all, the snow days are not bad at all ...

2 best buddies..

 

This 2 best friends decided to hang around my front yard today, they came this morning and again in the afternoon.

I don't have any idea what's kind of seeds they like to eat from my yard to make them coming back often since no more vegetables plants on my back yard due to winter. But definitely I must to build tall chicken fence around the garden for next summer. The deer loves my chilly plants ... LOL

Last Quilt

 

Phuiiih ... I feel relief , my quilt is done - and already on a lovely lady hand by now. This is my last quilt for 2013 - for now, at least a week my sewing room will be a quiet room . I need to dusting, cleaning, organizing around that room. I might start to sewing again soon.  I love the finish quilt, I can't believe my self , I did hand stich for this quilt.  I must be crazy.  For you who always say that you have no talent or can't sewing, please .. there is so many tutorial that you can follow , there is so many nice people out there will answer your question if you can't do it.  Trust me..
In fact you can find the tutorial for this quilt here: http://blueelephantstitches.blogspot.com/2012/01/granny-square-quilt-block-tutorial.html

I can't believe less than 10days before New Year 2014 !! where the times fly ?

See you again in 2014 - Thank you for all my reader who stop by here and read my stories .. I love you all .. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year..

Being Old is cool ...

 

Alright, I'm 1 more year older than last month .. * I will tell you know exactly  how old I'm next year -grin- * well, when I was young I always worry about the aging process, but when I over 30 I no longer worry... you can say that you have moree experiences to share to younger generation LOL - bla..bla..bla..  but I tell you being old is COOL ... !!

It was a nice surprise party that my husband and my step daughter throw for me last night ; I really didn't expect that will happened - thought, I almost ruin their surprise party because someone got sick .

Off course, like they said : the shoe maker doesn't have shoe and the baker doesn't have cake either - well, it will be funny if I bake my own cake .. don't you think. And I decide not to bake yesterday.

So, the party was great .. I really feel blessed surrounding by family and friends who loves me so dearly. At the end of the night, everyone stop by to our house for tea and off course there was a birthday cake .. that my friend bring for me .. so cute..

And look what I got ? seem someone checked my Amazon wish list ... aaah, I don't need to telling you how lucky I'm - this books are already on my list for long , finally on my hand now .. thank you a bunch, dear..

So what on your list ? can I see it ? :)

Modern I Spy Quilt

 

This is a short posting before I become busy tomorrow preparing for Thanksgiving Day. :)

Finally I finished this quilt - it's a very long process and time consuming also too many individual blocks ; all together there is 80 blocks. And a hundreds of nice fabrics, some are rare fabrics, Japanese Fabrics, some even no longer in market. The fabrics are my collection , that I collected for so long, Ebay Auctions even gift from my nice flickr's friends. 

 

The picture below is one of my favorite block, a vintage fabric 'ginger pancake recipe'

I use Aneela Fabric's collection for backing, isn't look adorable ?

Please contact me if you like to order similar quilt like this. So far I work base on order only and not doing mass production .

**Quilt is Reserved**