Random: from

 { from: Krista}

 {From: Jackie}

 {From: Jackie}

 { From Jackie}

 {From: Kerry}

{From: Kerry}

It has been a fabulous 2013 that full with excitements and new adventures that awaited us to come forward. It also have been a fabulous year to learn more friends here at {1/4" mark} and friends via {Flickr}. I have joined groups' projects for the first time and felt really amazing how quilters work together as a team! They are sweet, encouraging, supportive, and always generous! We have received many really sweet packages this year and they are way generous and sweet.  

{Kerry} sent the package way back in March when I was about to have my citizenship interview. S and I careful open the package together. When she saw her name in the card she was overly happy~ { You all know how to make a child happy}!  Kerry made her a little pencil case. The pattern can be found in her and Penny's {sew-ichigo}. S just loves her little pencil case! She is bring it with her in her new bag that's almost ready.  We saved the chocolate for the Easter Sunday.. um.. It was so good! The vintage fabrics are always so sweet~ I have been using some of them into projects lately.  It would be so great to make a quilt { this quilt} from all the vintage fabrics that I have been collected! The little tea pot mini quilt is SO lovely made! We hope to hang it with our other mini quilts together.  {Thank you, Kerry} 

Another great mail from {Krista}. It is a super amazing thread catcher. The size is so roomy and perfect for the new {sewing table} I made last week.  The little square piece that attached to the pouch is the pin cushion. Oh.. and the extra fabric to play with.  S and I will have thread-free clothes when we walk out the room.  The big bowl that sits on the table will be gone and that would leave more table space for us. {Thank you, Krista}. 

I have always amazed by {Jackie}'s applique zippered pouches. Isn't the little birdie too cute?  She also made me a travel set of sewing kit which I love so much! I have few things that I would love to add into it to  and take with. Jackie is so sweet and made S a bookmark.  The little bookmark is in the second book that she is reading now. Thank you for always thinking of S. She is a very lucky girl! { Thank you, Jackie}. 

The bag for S is nearly completed! She just pick out the fabric for the cross body strap. It has been really great that she is playing fabric and asking if she can pick out her own fabric.  Adding her little ideas make the project extra special. Of course, they are green and blue.  Another sew day will start fairly soon~ May you sew more and more and again { Thank you} for join the group! 

xxc 

Random: sew, slow down

 {for elise}

 { small sewing tape}

 { for elise}

 { these two skirts reminded me that S used to wear skirts that i made for her when she was littler}

 { for S}

 { little girl v.s. big girl}

 { of course, scraps time}

 { sure, lots scraps}

{ they will keep me busy}

Our internet server won't be back up till the end of the week, so I try to get emails done before leave the studio here. Baby Elise turned one-year-old last Friday. She is very healthy and fun to be around! As I was focus on sewing S' quilt last week. I didn't make the time to make anything till last night. I made two spring skirts for Elise. They might be a little longer, but I think she will be walking by summer time.

After the green spring skirt was hung in the room. S asked if she can have one, but she would like the top trim with darker fabric. With those requests I can't say no! It used to take 1/4 of fabric to make one skirt for S, but this time was 1/2 yard of fabric. It is the time that I feel a little sad that she is not a baby girl anymore. She is a young lady! 

More scraps sewing in action! I am still waiting the backing fabric to arrive.. I am a little nervous with the completion of the quilt.. fingers crossed! 

The {strawberry coffee cake} is update! Enjoy if you make one!  I will be busy sewing again for the decoration tonight and more.. hope show and tell very soon.... 

xxc

Random: Sew, my friends....

Another parcel has arrived our doorway this week and this time it is from Elnorac.  Elnorac and I were talking about feedsack and decided to have a small feedsack swap. We shared some of our feedsack collection to each other. She is super generous sending some of her sewing tapes, too!! Each feedsack prints are so fun! I think the lipsticks one is super cute! No to mention extra special kitchen prints that she sent with.

Elnorac is super super super super sweet!!! She sent these super cute stationary in the package for S!! She also made the super cute pouch for S! You should have seen when S was opening these little packages! She was so excited and just kept telling me " I think this is so cool!".  Elnorac, you have spoiled her not just a little, but a lot!! S told me she felt that yesterday was Christmas already!!  S read the card that Elnorac wrote to her and was amazing how people learn about her via her mama's blog!  She is so shy and sometimes I must get her permission to write about her projects. Later on I show her Elnorac's Flickr images. I let her know that friendship can be made anywhere and true friends will always caring and willing to share!

Super cute pouch!!  S loves it more than anything! She loves the little sleeping girl  print. Just perfectly made and perfectly for a little 3rd grader!

She keeps this pouch on the side of her table and put all the new stationary in. You can read more about this pouch here.

 These just too cute!! She had a little picnic this afternoon when she came home from school.

She pretends she is drinking from the cup! She came home this afternoon and pull all the little treats out and play a little! A mini picnic quilt needs to be made soon!  S is a very lucky girl!! { Thank you, Elnorac}

The scrap quilt piecing keep me going this week. I spent 10-15 minutes each night and slowly piecing this scrap quilt top. I don't have a timeline for this quilt top, but it will just be a side project for now. It would be great if I can make it into a lap size quilt.  The top left corner pieces are from the paper piecing project that I did few weeks back. I saved all the little pieces then rejoin them together.

Lots fun prints and super small scraps! Some of these pieces were smaller than 1", but I enjoy the small uneven cuts. I sew about every scraps together!

When I woke up this morning the first thing came to my mind was pulling all the quilts out and give them a nice wash! Have you pull your Fall quilts out?  I have been using a small lap quilt in the sewing room during the late nights. I must admit that I enjoy the lap size quilts more lately! It is not too big for the washer and great size from room to room and easy for storage!!  sew, my friends, I have a desire of making a pink quilt lately! Pink, Purple, brown, and orange prints are hard to find in my stash. I am keeping myself open to these colors and hope to find some soon!

xxC

Random: Sharing

It has been warm here! My sewing mojo is very limited!  I have been sitting when I came home from school this week so far! Most of the time, I turn on the music and just sit and read a little! It feels like the summer is coming to the end, but still try its best to bring out the sun out and makes everything sweat and allows us to enjoy the last minutes of it!  S has been back to school a week now! Please read her little rhyme! It will make your day I promise!! I knew she is having a great teacher when she started writing this rhyme!!  Isn't this funny and cute? I wish to keep it, but I have these images to keep in my folder! 

The illustration is wonderful! These possum bunnies are adorable! Did you notice the four corners? They are different bunny smiles if you wondered! Inside the tree cave there are three more bunnies in case you can't see it clear! Today I went to lunch with S at the school's lunch room! This is one of favorite part of being a mom! Do you happen to know I have a different name?  I am { stella's mom} when I am in her school? All the kids called me {Stella's mom}. It is funny to start with, but I love it!! It feels very comfortable and good! I have many little boy/girl friends. Since the school is very small. I have known most of the kids now. I got to met some new students today! They are very sweet kids! I love going to lunch with S, so I get to know the friends that she talks about when she comes home. I can finally can match their names and faces! As you know, lunch room is loud! They have so much to talk about even little things!

Yesterday when we got home there was a package in the mailbox that I saw from the parking space { very close to our door}. I can't think of anyone sending me a package! Slowly I walked out the car door and moved to our door! Open the mailbox and read the mailer's name! my goodness! It is Jackie aka{choleandme}. Quickly I put the key in the key hole and open the door! Dropped everything on the floor and open the package! Jackie sent a surprise package for me!  {BIG Thank you to you, Jackie}. You are too sweet!! I will add these to the scrap quilt that I am making and will use these for some other projects.  You made my week sweet and happy!!

These are woven/canvas fabric that I pulled out! I am making these into simple grocery bags! I have been swapping food/ veggies with my friend here! Each time, we seem to use different plastic bags for swapping! I plan on making swap for goods bags for us! It will be nice each of us get one or two!

I really am looking forward September to come! It is the month that we will slowly entering the season and the month that S and I can still hangout before mid semester arrives! 

Stay cool if the heat is in your area! Stay warm if the cold is in your area!  I shall make my last jar of raspberry tea this weekend! S is hoping an apple pie to be make/bake!


xxC 

Random: Wednesday

The story after the {haircut} was the mail carrier came right after S went in and clean herself up. It was an amazing parcel from {Kerry aka verykerryberry}. This is our second fabric swap! We both have lots love about feedsack fabrics! She also included some fun fabric for me.   Am I such a spoiled  by her?

These special chocolates are being saved for Saturday's celebration of first week of school.  S was amazed the parcel was from U.K.  She loves the Harry Potter books and wants to go to London someday! It is one of city that has been listed on our {where to go list} and hope will be very soon! We'll needed to wait S is a little older, so we can enjoy the backpacker style. It is the best way to travel from my past experiences. We get to know people from the local area and enjoy the local dishes. We have done it last summer when we visited Japan and had the best time ever!

Washi tapes are one of my collections. My friend just return from Japan and bought these for me as gifts. I love love all of them!  The blue washi tape in the middle has similar theme to the one fabric print Kerry sent. 

S was invited to a birthday party yesterday! She had fun hitting the Pinata and got lots treats home! The haircut looks good on her! I think one of the biggest fear for her is she gets nervous not able to see what's going on in her back! I might need to find another mirror next time when she gets haircut!

Today she is officially moved into the 3rd grade classroom! It is making me a little sad, but happy at the same time! I walked her to the school door and she was so excited to see her friends. I gave her a big hug and she ran to her friends! School bell rang and I saw her was chatting with her friends into the building. I left.., but this time I didn't have tears as I had last few years! I trust her to be independent and knew she is ready!

xxC

Random: Weekending

Our second short trip was to the berry farm. It was an hour drive to berry farm and we got lost twice. The farm is far away from the center of the town and lots country road drive, but we made it! I can't describe the Strawberry patches. We were not able to see the end of the patches. We hop around each patch and just thrilled to discover berries under the leaves. The sun was harsh during the noon hours even though we got our hats and lotion on, but still got sunburn. I told S it is the healthy marks that we bring home!

These berries are small, but very sweet!! The real strawberry taste in them and juice. We bough some crackers and fruit with us, so we could have a picnic afterwards. The lunch was great and we got some ice cream there as well. The fabulous time went way faster than we like. Slowly we head back home and didn't get lost this time.

Aren't these fabric scraps amazing? I came home with two packages in my mail box.  This package is from Jackie aka {choleandme}. She send me these amazing scraps to play with! I went through each piece and have so many new ideas about these  fabulous fabric.  Thank you, Jackie!

The second Package is from Karen aka{kpeachey}. Aren't these fabric sweet?? I plan on  making a top with the floral print by Lecine. It is super soft and super super lovely!!  The two kitchen prints are going to be save up with some other kitchen theme fabrics that I slowly building up. I would like to make a nice quilt that would fit well to our kitchen table!  Thank you, Karen!

You might wondered how many strawberry we got. We bough home 14 pounds of strawberry. It is for two jam receipts. Total of 16 half pint jars. S kept go back and put one in her mouth. mmm... Our home still smells sweet..... very sweet

Getting up in early morning and started the first preparing process: gave each berry a good clean shower and nice cold bath and quick ran to the store got all the canning jars. While the first batch of berry on the stove, I sat on the yellow bench chair and slow sipped my morning coffee. S was excited and got her hands clean and wanted to be the helper of the day!

 It has been a great summer seeing her wanted to be involved with cooking, sewing, and cleaning home together.  She meshed berries with care and of course saved some fresh juice in the jar to award herself. 

Careful written jam labels and added extra fancy to the labels with her drawing and the Y in the cursive way.. As she reminded me how labels in the stores are extra fancy, so we shall have some extra fancy in our labels, mama..

 Helped put labels on each jar and ready to share with friends. She has a long list of friends that she reminded me to share. I think we've got plenty for everyone.

While S was waiting her jam to be ready. She was reading her book on the little stool next to the stove and peeked the pot every other minute. Her only question was, can I taste it? She would got out a spoon from the freezer and sample the jam.  It was our first jam making. I am nervous.. still...   I crossed my fingers and hope they are not so bad! We will open our first jar tomorrow morning. Hope it turns out good...

Meanwhile, I finished the hexagon paper piecing and basted it. Few more editing for the tutorial I am also anxious to turn on the sewing machine again, since it has been in break for a week now! Our next trip won't be coming up in another few weeks. I will be able to stay home and sew again which I miss.   .. please check back tomorrow. I have a tutorial for you..


xxC

Randome: Sew. Fabric. Fun

Summer break result lots fun time here and there. I whipped up this zippered pouch this morning for Stella. Since it is for her to store her things { can you imaging anything from rocks to tiny papers that she saves??}, I asked if she'd like to have her name on the pouch! She stamped on the sewing trim with her name and I sew it inside the lining. She was happy to have her name in this pouch!

I though I'd put a little width on the base this time, so that would create more room to store anything that's thicker in sizes.  These are the patchwork pieces that left from the messenger bag I made for her last week. She was a little disappointed the little deer print didn't make it into the messenger bag.

This side of the pouch has my favorite color scheme put together. I love how tiny these umbrellas are! Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt is just wonderful for any patchwork making.

For the zipper,  I used the metal zippered as always! It is sturdy and great of patchwork style bags and pouches!!

Lately, I have spend more time on flickr and viewing amazing works by talented people!  I wasinspired by Jeannie's  Sizzix Die Cut Tags. Instead the Sizzix Die Cut machine I used a pair of scissors that comes with large teeth { I got it from Michael a few years ago}. I used the heating bone as Jeannie suggested and press linen on both side of the fabric. I used the fabric ink for the stamping and go over with iron to make it permanent. If you are getting ink for fabric, make sure there are two different types. One is for normal stamping one is for fabric. These handmade tags are going to be great for swaps and gifts to friends!

My second fabric Swap with Paula aka paulapatchwork. She spoiled me with these 30's prints and some hard to find fabric!! I love how tiny these tea cups are and the abc print is just adorable! I am a lucky person to receive these yummy prints! Thank you, Paula! xxx

Another busy day ...

xxC

Quilt making

Today is a busy day! I got some project done at school and was feeling so good when I got home. I began basted the quilt.  This quilt was pieced awhile ago and when I made it I wanted a very simple block look.  I used Deyse Schmidt's Fairground and Picnic line for Joann's. I tried the free motion quilting again and feel comfortable about it as I have been working more lately. This quilt  will be given away soon. I will not be able to show the whole quilt until I sent it out and the person receives this quilt. 

It was a quilt making night and I am off to hand-binding now. 

xxC