The River

This is the Williamette Rive that runs through Eugene, Oregon.

It is very wide, clean and super blue. It is such a lovely surprise to have in town. It weaves and turns a bit, but basically runs through the middle of town. Autzen Stadium is very close by the river which seems to be a lot of fun on game days. We have actually avoided this part of town and campus on the last few Saturdays because of the games. The weather has been beautiful. Its kind of a shame that I haven't felt like exploring more. I have been crafty and I will up date soon.

Kaffe Cloth Napkins

This might just be my favorite project i've worked on in awhile. 

I have been unemployed since leaving NC two months ago and moving to Eugene, OR. I have moments of thinking that my husbands  income will barely sustain us, then in tears that I left my seeming perfect job in NC, and finally excepting of the time off as a vacation. Recently, I seem to lean more to the fact that this is a much needed vacation. The lack of employment will end and I will be mad that I didn't use my time better.

There have been a few things to hinder my wise use of time. First, I have been sick, my stomach is just not happy at all. Second, within two days of moving into our apartment we decided we wanted to move  into the more accessible part of Eugene. So, when it came to unpacking boxes some boxes were never opened and shoved into the garage. I finally found the desirable Kaffe fabric that always inspires me. How could you not be inspired by all those colors.

And Third, I've spent more time on Pinterest than any person should admit to. Today, I decided to finally make a few things on my "Make this NOW!" board. These napkins were perfect for the Kaffe scraps. So, between bouts in the bed, on the computer sending resumes and Pinterest rabbit trails, I churned out these six lovelies.

 The Kaffe Scraps came from the quilt I made my Mom last year. I had tiny pieces of some and yards of others that I purposely bought too much of. It is hard for me to cut down the bold Kaffe flowers. I enjoyed using the chevron ikat and organic prints to balance the bold flowers. Kaffe's prints all work so well together sometimes there were too many choices. I tried to use the scraps first that could be joined with out cutting or trimming. I also hesitated on cutting any yardage piece, therefore this project probably too me longer than it should have.
 I adore the eggplant shot cotton from Kaffe's line. I am unsure of the precise color name but it is a dark purple warp and orange weft. Which looks different in lighting and perfect solid to compliment all that color from the print side. The current kitchen is rather boring but at least their is a lot of natural light.

I think cotton napkins give a nice pop on the light wood table and they are not so formal that they wouldn't be unpractical for everyday use. Stay tuned for coasters and seat covers from the smaller scraps that I can't let go to waist.

Nana's Quilt

Here is my 92 year old grandmother, I call her Nana. Nana is a piece of work. Her body is failing her but, she is very sharp. She remembers so much and lead a super interesting life. She started getting super fixated on things lately. He has always been feisty, but her fixation is the newest thing the family has noticed with her age.
She wanted these fabric curtains panels made into a light weight bed covering. She ripped out the old seams herself a year ago and started trying to pin it together. When I got to her house it was all laid out on the bed.
She had apparently asked everyone about who to take it to. They all told her that I might be able to help her. So right before I left NC I made this quilt for her.
It was quickly made and super basic. I simply pieced together two curtain panels and added a solid back and thin cotton batting . The cornice board is still up on the window in her bedroom from when she picked out the sweet birds in the 70's.
The heavy drapes panels had been taken down along long time ago.
She had a heavy comforter on the bed and couldn't move it around with her weak wrists. She didn't want batting but I convinced her otherwise.
I tried to tell her that the black acidic ink in the birds beaks were eating through the fabric. She did not care, she wanted the blanket. I did however spend quite a bit of time trying to patch some holes.
I think that it lightens the room and I have since heard her say so many nice things about it. I am concerned about it being washed and worsening small holes. I just hope that it lasts and my aunts don't wonder why it's so hastily done.

This is my Grandfather holding my Dad, Nana and Aunt Elayne
I would say 1952. I recently learned that women purposely would pose like this in the '50. I think it is awesome and I would look this amazing too.

We Made It!

Well after a month to take our time getting across the country, WE MADE IT!
It will take me a bit of time to get set back up to enjoy my crafting and sewing. We just got internet today which is very very exciting! Hubby has been to his new lab a few times and we are feeling like we made a great choice to move to Eugene, It is truly beautiful here and the "folks" are just as nice as southerners!

Here are a few more lovely iphone photos of our cross country trip

Palo Duro Canyon, TX

Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

Huntsville, UT

Idaho City, ID

Blue Lake, OR

Wedding Love

I just completed an awesome project for dear friends of ours that are getting married soon. I wish I had thought about this for my wedding! I feel so honored to help with their wedding. Instead of a guest sign in book, these fabric patches will be signed and for the wedding reception they will hang around the deck of the cabin. I was super stoked to use up all this scrap fabric I was hoarding. I did buy the crisp white Kona solid cotton.

I live in a different city than my dear friends so they have yet to see these in person. Her wedding colors are teal and lime green. I was amazed at how much I had in that color pallet. Her favorite animal is owls and I had that awesome owl in the tree fabric. Then I went with a earthy feel to work with the mountain cabin location. The intention is that the flags will eventually be made into a beautiful quilt for their home. I have offered to piece it together for her. I don't have the ability to quilt it. 

I completed this project while packing up my house in order to move to Oregon. I am amazed at myself for getting this project done. I am generally a super procrastinator. I think they turned out beautiful. This will be something that the will be able to have and enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Look and here they are at the wedding!

Vintage quilt

I have had too much going on recently. I don't know where to begin.  We are still moving to Oregon, we didn't get to visit when we had planned in June. I went to Texas where my husband grew up for his grandfather's funeral. It is cattle land desert. The decor is not for me . I flipped for this quilt his grandmother pulled out for our bed. I loved the use of color and polyester. So that's all I can muster. I apologize.

Scrap Wreath

I was searching on Pinterest recently for ideas for scrap fabric. This idea was by far my favorite.
I simply untwisted a wire hanger with pliers. Then smoothed the corners and shaped into smallish circle. I dug through all my bags of scrap fabric for spring colors. I had a lot of thin yellow that I never saw myself using. I used the yellow as a base. I folded scraps in half and looped then around the wire, pulling tight. I filled the entire wire with the yellow, it was not full looking though. Then I started with the brights and patterns. Making sure that I spaced similar colors evenly around until the wreath looked full. I then tied a long length of ribbon so it can be hung. Finally a bow to add a focal point. This project was so satisfying , using my scraps, making a gift for free, getting to sit in front of the tv while making it and my mama's love when I gave it to her.

Wash Cloth Project

I had a bunch of washcloths. They were rather thin. I made hot pad/ kitchen rag things for camping. Not pictured. I saw on Pinterest where the washcloth soap holder/ saver had been made. Then I decided to make toothbrush covers. These are easy to throw in the wash after a few days of use rather than gross plastic tube. I I am not a big fan of plastic. I basically cut a fat quarter in half long ways. I then folded over along the folded edge i sewed a border. Then sewed along three edges with the washcloth and hair tie pinned down. I made a pocket. I flipped the pocket a stitched again around the three edges.

Sparkly

I had two great aunts that never had children. When they passed, all of their fun stuff came to my sister and I. I have held on a lot of their stuff for awhile. I enjoyed getting them out and thinking of the things I could make from them. Ive had this huge box of jewelry for 7 years, unfortunately, it hasn't made its way into a project yet. I am moving across the country and I need to pack everything up, or get rid of it. Its hard to think about getting rid of some stuff. I have had one yard sale and we sold mostly old jewelry that was from the 40's and 50's.  These earrings were sold. I miss them, its hard and ridiculous that I miss them. I wish I wasn't materialistic. I love my junk, especially the stuff my great aunts sparkles.

Floating

Ive been craving water and to float. We got out on the lake in the boat last weekend. It was bittersweet, i was in heaven in the water, but sad to be leave my home and family here. I've been going to the lake with my dad since I was little. We never do much more than float.

Iam a water/ air sign and feel very connected to water. I always crave it this time if year. The ocean is a great fix. A lake is awesome when it is calm and few folks were out because the water is cold still. This is Lake Tillery, NC.

Helping Pockets

My grandmother fell in her home a few months ago. She is in a rehab facility and will be going home soon. She will need to use her walker at home, so I made her pockets for the walker and gave them to her for Easter. She seemed very pleased. I wasnt able to measure it myself, I think I'll make it a bit smaller if I ever do this again. I used heavy cotton and canvas and clear plastic for the pockets so she could see what was in the pockets. It took me abt 3 hours to make and it didn't cost me a thing, all from my stash. I loved making this.

Set of Three

Check out the set of three canvas bags and plastic travel bags I made for myself! I love them I am making more soon.