Give Thanks November, Week 4

Nov. 22:
     Thankful for a girls night out, even if it wasn't a perfect night, it was nice to get away from the kids and have some adult time.

Nov 23:
     My father-in-law found a local train museum (well the beginning of it), and I am so thankful that he did. Both of the boys enjoyed roughly 30 minutes of train time, making all the cars go fast or slow. Lots of screaming "choo-choo" and "look, its Thomas" was happening.

Nov. 24:
     Every time I get to hangout with my mom, it doesn't matter what we do, we find the most ridiculous or inexpensive ways to have fun. Thankful that I have a wonderful mother who is willing to be spontaneous and crazy with the boys and I.

Finding the fun at the mall, sending off a letter to santa while giving money to an organization!

Nov. 25:
     So excited that I am able to re-do the binding on my first ever quilt, that I made my mother. Thankful that she loved it to death, and thats why I have it back, to re-do the binding! Yay for my first quilt, and laughing, loving, and admiring all the flaws and mistakes.

Nov. 26:
     Thankful that I can invest some time, for myself, into a new facebook group called, "quilter pen pals". Now quilters from all over the world can join the group and get paired up with other members and exchange fabric, patterns, and quilting items. It will be a great adventure.


Nov. 27:
     Thankful for my family, friends, and all the blessing around me.


Nov. 28:
      Thankful for a quick errand out of the house without kids, as I was able to purchase a new sewing machine at an amazing price! YAY!!


Give Thanks,
Sarah

Give Thanks November, Week 3

Nov. 15:
      Thankful that the baby quilt is finished! Now that adorable baby can enjoy the warmth of this quilt.

Nov 16:
      Thankful today that I made it safely to southern California. Thankful to have helping hands, friendly faces, and a warm bed to sleep!


Nov. 17:
      Today is my husbands birthday! I am thankful to have him in my life, be the father to our two boys, be the most understanding person I know, and still stays strong and energetic each and every day! I love you babe, happy birthday!


Nov. 18:
     Thankful that I was able to see my nephew and my sister, as well as my mother so far, while on this vacation! So far, so good!


Nov. 19:
     I am always up for a new experience and to see new things. My mother-in-law took my sister, mother and myself to a quilt art show. Yes a quilt art show. Thankful that I was able to see what I love to do in an art form, it was a wonderful experience!

Nov. 20:
      Thankful that my son is not seriously ill or injured. A night at the ER and some antibiotics later, he has strep, but so thankful its not anything extremely dangerous.

trying to sleep while in the waiting room at the ER

Nov. 21:
     After the last few days with a very sick kiddo, I am thankful for a few short minutes to do some sewing and quilting. Yay for some alone time.


Give Thanks,
Sarah

Give Thanks November, Week 2

Nov. 8:
      Thankful that I could have such amazing clients to make items for. I am enjoying all the new and unique items I get to make.


Nov 9:
     Thankful for the random lady at the pond that came down and gave our boys several loafs of bread to feed the ducks. They were so happy, and it really just goes to show what wonderful people are still in the world.


Nov. 10:
     Thankful for the simple crafty mind that I was blessed with; it makes making paper piecing patterns extremely easy.


Nov. 11:
     Thankful for a slow day with lots of cuddles from the neighbors dog (who we are babysitting for a month). She really makes me feel appreciated, and loved.


Nov. 12:
      Excited and thankful that I found a fabric swapping group! I can't wait to send out the first batch, and receive fabric too.


Nov. 13:
     SOOOOOOO Thankful that I am NOT a thanksgiving/black Friday shopper. If we shop on Thanksgiving, thats tons of families and family members who wont be able to enjoy the time with each other. Thankful to those who boycott Thanksgiving day shopping.


Nov. 14:
      Excited and thankful to have the chance to make a mom-to-be, a special baby quilt for their new bundle of joy. I really hope she likes it, and tonight I will finish up the binding so that it is ready to be delivered.

Give Thanks,
Sarah

Give Thanks November, Week 1

Nov. 1:
     Thankful for a husband who is an electrician and can fix our dryer, which broke AGAIN! I know, samsung front loader dryer, you suck... stop breaking PLEASE!


Nov 2:
     So thankful that my client, Renee, loved her first quilt that I made and finished today. Its a great feeling knowing she has something to remind her of all the wonderful days she put her son in those adorable outfits. I am so happy for her, and glad she loves it!

See more pictures at Pitcher's Boutique FB Page.

Nov. 3:
     So thankful for the cooler weather, not the rain, just the cold air. I love snuggling in a quilt, with my tea, and watching a Holiday movie with the kiddos.

Nov. 4:
     Thankful that I finished the MA portion of my class, and got an 86% on my final! Now on to the EKG portion of the class.


Nov. 5:
      Thankful that my friends and family are willing to pay me to make items for them, and help promote and push my Pitcher's Boutique Etsy shop forward!


Nov. 6:
      Thankful for the little extra few coins and random change in my purse, house and my car. It helped me get a REALLY WELL NEEDED coffee from starbucks, while I drove around to get my kids to nap, because they are not sleeping well, thanks to being sicks, and are on nap strike...... HELP!!!


Nov. 7:
     Can't thank all my friends enough for spending this wonderful Friday at my house for a play date! I am so thankful for each and every new mom, and old moms I see and get to know. Its crazy how much my life has changed, and how many new friends I have truly been blessed with.


Give Thanks,
Sarah

Tula Cover Tutorial by guest writer: Brita Denton

All our babywearing mamas wanted a quick tutorial on how to cover a tula with unique, different or stylish fabric. Brita offered to make a quick tutorial, with a few photos along the way, for all of us to enjoy. If you end up using this tutorial, be sure to show off your before and after photos, as we love to see all our other mamas DIY projects. 

Now time to get to that awesome tutorial we promised you... enjoy!

Step 1: Trace out your tula onto a piece of paper. Making sure you mark where the straps come out of.

Step 2: Lay the trace out over one piece of lining and the piece you want on the reverse (so your second choice fabric as this will be reversible). Pin together and cut out leaving enough around room around for the seam and to turn out (what I left seemed perfect)


Step 3: Now do the same for your main fabric and lining but this time you need to add extra for the tabs on the side and bottom where you will apply the Velcro to join the two pieces together. I have folded the tabs over to show the lining so you can see what I mean. I just guessed this bit. Wide enough to put a piece of Velcro and the length of the gaps between where the straps join. 

Step 4: Now sew the pieces together. The main piece with its lining, and the reverse side with its lining. Make sure the right sides are together. Then turn them inside out and stitch around the edge to keep in place.

Step 5: Join the top of your pieces together along the top. Make sure you mark where to stop sewing so it isn't joined where the shoulder straps come out. Put the two right sides facing each other to sew.
Check how the size is before adding anything else.

Step 6: Now line the two pieces together to put the Velcro on. Pin in place and check it over the tula and with a child in if you can. This picture shows where the Velcro is in the lining of the reverse fabric and the Velcro goes on the tabs on the good side of your main fabric and folds in to attach.

Here it is finished.

 
No you can't access the pocket or hood but you could add a hood to go on top. I didn't bother as my toddler never naps.
This covers all parts of the tula except a tiny bit at he buckles on the waist and I also made suck pads, twice the normal length, to cover most of the shoulder straps.

Excuse the 7 year old model. My usual model was out with daddy.

Thank you to Brita for sharing this quick tutorial. I hope all our babywearing mamas love it!

Babywear In Style (or a New Style),
Sarah (and Brita)

A Quilt for a Special Baby Girl

While stationed in New Mexico, we made some wonderful friends. Right after we PCSed to California we found out they were pregnant, and shortly after heard they were having a GIRL!!

I have been so busy with my own life, I never stopped to ask how she was doing. I randomly sent her a text, only to find out she had given birth to her wonderful adorable baby girl. I was just so in awww of her, and her precious little hands. She really looks like her mommy.

I then, instantly began working on a quilt for that adorable little one. I picked out the girliest fabric and colors I had in my stash. I loved the idea of using the purples and pinks, with a soft yellow and soft blue.


I decided on these fabrics, and little by little pulled some or replaced others.

I did a bunch of HST (half square triengles), and started my process of putting them into a pattern...

Did some random sewing.... to help with ideas...

I then fell apon this star like design, and just fell in love with it.

I laid it out, and tried a few different styles of it...

I then picked this one:

...and sewed it all together....

I placed a white boarder around it, and felt it needed more.

So using, the purple fabric, I added an even larger boarder and that was it, I knew this was a finished, adorable perfect top.

I had some wonderful pink mink, and used some left over scraps to create a unique backing. I don't do simple for the people I love.

Time to quilt...

Finishing up the light blue, beautiful binding.

All done, and I am in love with it. I just wanted that little baby girl to have something extra special, just for her.

Front with back.

The FMQ (free motion quilting) I did. Not as bad as I thought it would be.

Back detail.

Had to add the label.

I also hand made her card, and really loved how the colors matched.

All in all, I received a wonderful photo and text saying they had received the quilt, and loved it! I am glad that little princess can cuddle up in it, and hopefully she keeps it for years to come.

It Was A Blessing To Make It,
Sarah

Give Thanks October, Week 5

October 29:
      Thankful to have reached a point with the clients quilt that I am getting really excited to see it finished, and see her reaction! So close.

October 30:
     Thankful that my husband is an electrician and a wonderful one at that. He is going to attempt to fix our dryer!

October 31:
     Thankful that even while it rained during trick or treat, both my kiddos had a blast, and they seemed to really enjoy themselves!

During the day time, while it was NOT raining, he was Dobby the House Elf.

This is our Harry Potter

During the night, when it was non stop rain we put him in a monster costume.

Give Thanks,
Sarah