Well if your going for it, Go Big!!

Life's been nuts. We decided to move to Oregon for my husband to obtain a Doctorate in Linguistics. It is paid stipend and grants for four years it also includes health insurance we are very excited. We have been busy since the decision seeing family and friends. We will be moving across the country in two months. I have a lot of stuff and this will be interesting trip. I am nervous about the cost of it all, but once we get there, it is a beautiful spot. This is one of the few pictures on the blog I didnt take myself of crater lake, but soon i will see this for myself.

Fun Skirt

I had searched for straight shorter skirt that weren't made out of knit. The body con look is not for my hips but, I wanted more of a mini skirt look. I shopped for the better part of a year with no luck. I had a super basic solid skirt black skirt that was out of a rayon. I basically copied its construction. I love love love this bold zig zag Brandon Mably fabric. I had used it in my Mom's quilt and purposely purchased too much. I recently realized it was enough to wrap around my hips. I think that the high quality cotton fabric will be nice for the spring, summer and even the fall with tights. I like the brown & black paired with bright teal and orange. Yum!
Here's how I made it-
I took three measurements:
1.  H- Around the widest part of hips/ buttocks
2. W- Around the smallest part of waist or where you would like to wear your skirt (dont suck in if you want it to fit!)
3. L- Start at point you took measurement W, measure down as long as you would like your skirt to reach (if you are going much past your knees you will need to add in a slit into the hem.)
4. Cut a piece of skirt fabric H+2 x L+3
5. Hem bottom longest side 1 1/2 inch
6. Cut piece of Elastic 1 1/2 width x W-2(or 3 if you want it to have a tighter feel)
7. Cut piece of coordinating band fabric H+2 x 5
8. With a simple fold over 1/2 inch hem the band fabric along both of the longest sides, hem both sides to same side (this seam will show at the top of skirt).
9. Fold the band in half on the longest side, with hems to inside, sew along the fold with a 1/4 seam allowance, Creating finished binding
10. Tack elastic onto the inside of one end of band, make sure the elastic fits tightly into the binding pocket.
12. Take time to pin in the piece of skirt fabric making sure keep the raw edge of the fabric into the binding, matching up seams onto one side of binding.
13. Fold over binding and sew paying attention to outside seam, use piece of elastic to keep straight line. don't sew into the elastic (your just making a pocket over the elastic).
14. Find the unattached end of elastic in the binding pull tight and attach to end of binding.
15. Match ends of the binding and hem of skirt and sew 1/2 seam allowance
16. Roll over seam allowance and sew again (creates a more finished inside)
17. Turn right side out and ENJOY!
This skirt took me 45 minutes , including fabric brainstorming time at the beginning.
 I can't wait for this cool weather to move on and I can test it out!

Nom Nom Nanner Puddin'

This is amazing Nanner Puddin' I had last night at The Pit in Raleigh. Isn't that meringue beautiful? It is rather tasty. I always find room after BBQ to eat it.

My day!

My big weekend started off with a big bang! My mom and sister came to Raleigh and we decided to go to Poole's in downtown. It is a super amazing restaurant that has wonderful food and equally amazing cocktails!  This was the best short rib I have ever had in my life. Everyone loved their meal and we had a great time chatting over cocktails.

 

It has become so important to me to make time for family and to enjoy life. We are so happy with all the amazing news that has surrounded us lately. I think I smiled all day because it was filled with relaxation, family, silliness, and yummy food!

The Big Life

I have had a crazy stressful but exciting January... February is shaping up to be the same. I may have failed to mention that I have a very very big birthday this coming weekend. I have plans to try to relax and pamper me. I have been working super hard on my feet and I am getting a massage to treat myself and care for my body. This is something that I realize that I don't do enough of. I don't do much exercise other than yoga or chasing the dog around the yard.

 I would also like to do more for myself beyond exercise. I would like to have regular hair cuts and eat more wholesome food. I feel I have come to a point where I need this in my life.
I also realized recently how much relationships play apart in my health. I carry all stress in my back and shoulders. I have gotten to the point where I have weeded out very negative relationships in my life and worked to surround myself with those who truly love me for who I am. I know life will throw me curve balls, but I also know that I am not going to stand in a batting cage with the pitch machine turned all the way up.
I want to make more time to do the things that make me calm and smile.

We had some dear friends visit us from the mountains for the weekend. We did nothing more than tell jokes, eat great food and watch movies, but by far it was one of the best weekends that I have had in a long time. I am hoping for an even better birthday weekend. I guess I am showing my age, because I want the simpler things in life, that make me smile.

MacBook Case

I had promised my hubby awhile ago that I would make a computer cover for his new MacBook Pro. I told him this to deter a 48.00 purchase at the mac store.  It took me too long to make it but, it had everything that I wanted to include. It is made out of duck canvas. I used lots of thick and rigid batting to pad the computer. 

 I made sure it had a big enough pocket so the power cord is always with the computer. I ended up stitching a pen pocket to make the pocket tighter. The pocket and computer opening have a large tab and button closure. I like buttons over velcro normally.  This is an awesome vintage blue button from my great aunt's stash.

I used navy micro fleece as a super soft liner. Then I used navy thread with a zig-zag stitch in order to create a pattern on the duck cloth and quilting it at the same time. Making case included a bit of trial and error. At first it was too loose and then too small. I had a time getting my Singer through all the layers of the padding and canvas. My arms hurt the next morning from force feeding the fabric. The top thread  kept. breaking. It took many adjustments to get it finally. He started using it right after I made it and loves it. I just hope it wont get too dirty, since the duck canvas is a light color. Next time, I hope I can get projects done when I want to. The entire project only took me four hours. Most of the time was spent troubleshooting my pattern and the sewing machine thread tension. I love the modern look of the finished project. 

Camera Strap Cover

I made this camera strap from $5 worth of velcro, scraps of fabric I had and about fat quarter of fabric, and batting. I looked up the sizing of the camera strap (Its a gift, I didn't have one to measure) on the Canon website. Make sure you find the width and lenght of the exisiting strap and double that and add 3 inches. Most padded part of all straps are 20 inches, but look that up too.

 I started by piecing Kaffe scraps to make one side of my strap. It was about 30 inches wide and 10 inch tall.

 I sewed on the 20 inch Velcro piece along the pressed scrap pieces leaving 5 inches at the top and bottom. The opposite side of the Velcro was attached to the outer fabric onto the opposite side. This allows for the strap to be reversed! I layered the scrap side batting and stripe fabric and sewed almost all the way around. I flipped it inside out. Then pressed with the iron. Then I top stitched all the way around making sure to seal up my hole that allowed it to flip inside out.

 I picked a favorite fabric of Kaffe stripe for the other side and included a folder over pocket for battery pack or card. Batting between the two pieces of quilting fabric makes the camera much sturdier.

The Velcro hides the strap and is set back enough so it wont scratch your neck..well my sister's. This was her birthday gift from me. Love ya Lady!

Obsessed

I am sorry, I have abandoned the blog since the holidays. Honestly, I am not that busy. We have been home for a week,  took down the decorations and I am working (hard), but I have time.  The time I usually spend writing on the blog has been pinning on Pinterest. I am officially obsessed. I have spent hours pinning and scrolling. I love the concept. I am not one to want to steal others ideas and act like they are my own. That is why every picture on this blog I or my sister took. Or, I asked if I could use it. I like Pinterest because it is a great way of keeping track of all the super ideas and inspiration that I see out there, Now I can hold on it with out claiming it as my own. I LOVE it! Check me out!
Hope you are having a more productive 2012 than I am. Use with caution.

I have been productive, if you can define that as getting well deserved rest and relaxation and feeding my heart and soul so I can start the year off filled with awesome ideas.
I am also obsessed with the Camellias from my back yard.

Christmas & New Years Wishes

We have big plans for the holidays. The next two weeks including driving two trips and seeing my entire side of family,  a seeing a huge concert with lots of friends, quite a few parties and work between! I am honestly rather excited to get on the road. I am not really tired or overwhelmed. I have been very excited to start 2012. I have many things that I would like to accomplish. One of those things being selling a few of my creative items. I am not really a promoter and hope to work on this. Before I get to far ahead of myself, I thought I would reflect on this year.
2011 has been amazing for my little family. I got two job promotions and love my job. My hubby got his Masters Degree and became a Professor of Linguistics.  We were able to travel and see lots of N. Carolina this past year.

The wonderful trip to OBX in May was a great time for our family and two graduates! We had a great time visiting my aunts home in the summer on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. This fall we went to the N. Carolina mountains for my mom and hubby's birthdays.  We just got back from visiting my in-laws in Texas and had a great time.

Kuma is in heaven in the back yard this winter, after the hot summer we had. She is still all smiles and make us laugh everyday.

I created two quilts and quite a few other items, I still love creating and cant wait to get started on some other projects. Hubby has started on his applications for doctorate programs and continues his research and works hard on his beard.

We feel very fortunate for all that we have and we are so excited to see what the future has to hold for us.
We have big hopes and dreams for this up and coming year.
Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with Love, Laughter, Friends and Family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love,
Molly

Gingerbread!

 I saw on The Daily What where someone had made a gingerbread house that looked like The Weasley's home from HP, The Deathly Hallows. It is dang impressive. It made me think of this huge one we saw in Texas at The Gaylord in Dallas over Thanksgiving. This bad boy in Texas had over 40,000 pieces of candy stuck to it. 

 They had Shrek in Ice on the other side of the hotel and this was in the giant atrium with "gingy" on it!
It had a candy store inside where a single lollipop cost 5 bucks! We'll I am sure it was an expensive house to build on prime real estate.

I love how children have pulled off pieces of candy. I cant imagine myself doing that even as a child, nor would my parents allow it! I made one once out of graham crackers when I was in girl scouts. Its just not the same as these masterpieces! I must say it is rather folksy and crafty and it crys out to my creative side saying oh you know you want to make one!

Busy Little Elf

I have been a busy elf as of late. I wanted to try to make as many gifts as possible. I have not only made gifts, but I am also making gift wrapping. I gave my mom a set of different fabrics and sizes last year for her gifts. She said she would use them again this year. I wanted more for my self to use and so I made these today.
My original thinking was that I wanted to get away from the bags and bags of paper and trash that are created every year from the wrappings on Christmas morning. I realized how special the handmade bags made the gift receiver feel, which is an awesome plus. So, I purchased more fabric in January again when Christmas fabric is on sale. I use ribbon and bells that I have had in my stash to cinch up the bags. The bells keep the nosey types from opening before Christmas. I hope to have these bags for many more years to come. I hope to make more in larger sizes. Would you reuse a cloth bag like this if your gift came in one?

Pretties

 I helped my mom polish silver recently before Thanksgiving. She keeps these hidden away in the chest most of the year. When she was a kid this is what her family ate off of every single day. They didn't own cheap stuff until she went off to college. This pie server above is by far my favorite. The etchings on the handle are absolutely beautiful.

 These are the dessert forks. They are so small and delicate most are engraved with either a M or a W.  I can tell the original set from the pieces bought in the 50's.

This is about the size of a soup spoon. I have no idea what this is really for. I love the cut metal part. I feel very fortunate that my family treated them with care even after eating off them everyday for 60 years or more. I would never eat off them everyday but, I will never part with them.