Give Thanks October, Week 2

October 8:
      I am so thankful that my wonderful kiddos let me sit in the dinning room, while they played with toys and watched a movie, so that I could finish quilting and putting the front side of the binding on a door hanger for Halloween.

October 9:
     Thankful that my wonderful husband had a few extra minutes to help me with a Halloween decoration, and get that sucker up! The kids love it, and keep saying "look mama, spider"!

October 10:
      Had a precious moment with my two boys while putting them to bed tonight. Thankful that my boys love me enough to want to lay on their bedroom floor and look at glow in the dark stars, while they fall asleep next to me. Its a great feeling.

October 11:
     Thankful that my husband was willing to watch the kids all day while I worked on school work. It was so nice to catch up to where I wanted to be in the class, but also know that my husband is a very helpful Dad.

October 12:
     Thankful that one of my new friends was kind enough to give us a cloth diaper to try, and it has been such a difference. My son seems happier, and loves all the colors and designs. Its a great feeling knowing he likes to put them on.

October 13:
     Thankful that we could get out of the house and enjoy some time walking around a few stores and our kids seemed to enjoy it too. They really only threw a fit when we had to leave the toy store. However, it was easy to distract them with the chickens running around in the parking lot.

October 14:
     Thankful that, when my oldest son stole my phone today, that he texted his Dad and not a client or someone  I just met. It made for a great laugh, and even his Dad had a nice life while at work.

Give Thanks,
Sarah

Finished Scarecrow Hanger

Awhile back I posted a Quilt Inspiration Post about my scarecrows. I had started working on a door hanger however, when I posted it, I had not finished the hanger. I wanted to show everyone the finished door hanger and how it came out.


Here is where I left off. I had the scarecrows appliqued on and I was starting in on the hand sewing of the scarecrows faces.

Heres some of the faces done, but still a few more pieces to do. I appliqued on some pockets for each scarecrow.

This is the pair, after I finished. I put a few patches on their clothing, and their faces are complete!

Heres the male scarecrow.

Heres the female scarecrow.

I then did some free motion quilting all over the open areas, around the letters, and around the scarecrows.

Time to finish the binding up on this door hanger and add the triangles to hang it!

Complete and up on the door.

They came out so cute, and I have gotten a few compliments from some of my guests.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the finished scarecrow door hanger for fall! I hope I helped inspire your next project.

Welcome To My Home,
Sarah

Nautical Door Hanger and Photo Banner

I always love seeing those door hangers that welcome you to the party in style. Its my new obsession for any party. I made a mickey mouse wreath for my sons 2nd birthday party, and a 4th of July door hanger for the summer; so for me it was only fitting I made one for my sons nautical themed birthday party.

To make the door hanger, I wanted it to be an anchor as the main focus; so I purchased craft foam in orange and navy blue. I also grabbed foam letters in white to add a description on the door hanger.

I then printed the anchor at about 300% more than the original, cut it out, and traced it onto the foam. I then wanted to add a little more to it, so I cut out an orange foam sail boat and a wheel; which were about 175% larger than their original. I then used tacky glue to glue everything together. Lastly, I added the foam letters to say, "Jareds's 1st Birthday".

I added the twine to tie it onto the door.

It was so cute, and I hope everyone felt welcomed!

This door hanger can be made in any theme, any color, and for any kind of party. The craft foam they sell these days is in such an array of colors, you can pretty much get anything and everything.

A 1st birthday is one of those days I sit back and try to remember what my little guy looked like, how he has grown, what he has learned, and so on. One of the things I love to do is take a monthly photo and post each one at the party. Its a walk down memory lane for my guests but also for myself.

To make these photo frames I used a white card stock paper, and cut out a rectangle. I then cut out the center of it so I have a perfect frame with no cuts or piecing, its all one continues rectangle. I then use that white card stock as a template and trace it onto the scrapbook paper I got. I then cut those out and attach the printed photos to the back. I use simple photo mounting squares to attach everything together.

I then lay out how I want the banner of photos to look, and once I have it how I like it I grab my hot glue and twine. I use the same twine I have been using for the entire time, and carefully hot glue the twine to the back of each photo top and the decorative items on the end. I left a little extra twine on each end to hang them up.

Once the banner was up on the wall I was so happy with the end result. Everyone said how cute it was and a great way to see him in his stages of his first year of life. I am so happy with how everything turned out for this nautical themed birthday party, but the best part was my little guys smile!

I can't thank everyone who helped, came to the party, and gave Jared a special gift. Thank you everyone so much, it was such a special day.

Time to Party,
Sarah

Quilt Inspiration 365

Have you ever been in a hurry to get a project from start to finish because you need to make one for a party, birthday, gift, or something else? I know I have. I have sat in front of my hoarding collection of fabric, looked through old quilt magazines and books, and I have even gone to quilt shops in the area to see if I get inspired by any of the local fabric or quilts/wall art. Most of the time I find fabric, patterns, or ideas but never for a quick project when I need it. Always for the OTHER long term projects. I usually waist a day or two doing all the above, and then spend the third day hunting for pictures or items on pinterest to get inspiration.

With some luck, or just a gut feeling I eventually find something that jumps out at me, and bam I have inspiration and hopefully an idea.

This month I wanted (and needed) a door quilt/hanger for the front door at my house. I currently have a 4th of July hanger on the door, and well its well past that date. (Check out how I made it over here). I wanted a end of summer/school/fall/autumn feel to the hanger; I just had no ideas in my head. I was blank. When I say blank I mean NOTHING! I had no inspiration. I obviously have procrastinated on it for weeks and still had no idea or inspiration on what I wanted to do.

I went to Joanns for some fabric one day and walked in to all the Autumn items in the front. I looked around and saw the cutest little scarecrows just sitting there on the shelf. A boy and girl scarecrow.

I just fell in love with them instantly. I had to remind myself I was not there for decorations and to stay focused. The next time I went to Joanns, I looked again, and sadly did not see them anywhere. (They did go on sale, so it was possible they sold out.) I looked online and saw the photos (above) and was thinking, "Thats it, those are so my inspiration!"

Kona Shale, Kona Lipstick, Kona School Bus, Kona Corn Yellow, Kona Bonsai, and Kona Gold

Kona Spice, Kona Steel, Kona Bonsai, Kona Citrus, Kona Yarrow, Kona Tangerine

 Once I had the colors and an idea of what I wanted to do I printed the color pallets out, and an image of what I wanted to use. The image is there to help visually see what pieces of fabric, and how I wanted to cut them out.

I then grabbed a handful of different colored fabric, trying to match as close to the pallet colors as I could.

I then began to use the different fabrics I chose to create a field where the scarecrows would stand.

I then pieced together the male and female scarecrow. Which I was so happy with when I was done. They still need faces and some patches on their clothing, but as of right now I am so happy with how they came out.

Here are some close ups of the scarecrows:

I then added the word "Welcome," as this will be hanging on my front door. I will hopefully be able to hand sew the faces and patches on soon, and then finish this door hanger up.

I can not wait to hang it on my door and see a design come to life. I just am so glad I went into that Joanns, and was able to find them online for visual help!

For more Quilt inspiration, check out the other ladies:

Kitty: http://nightquilter.com

Chelsey: http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Laura : http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Jennifer : http://neverjustjennifer.blogspot.com

Brenna : http://www.beknitpicky.com

Cheryl : http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Jessica: http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Cathy : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com

Sarah : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com

Be sure to come back and visit here, as I update and post new tutorials, DIY projects, and show you how to make tons of fun projects and quilts.

Find Your Inspiration,
Sarah