May days!

It is that time of the year that the car pulls in and out the garage multiple times a day. Some of the day, it just being park out on driveway. It seems much easier to pop in the car then go! Then once it rains, it gets park inside again. It feels like playing insy-outsy game all the time!

There are lots rehearsals for S towards the end of the school year. When she gets home from school, there is a 30 minutes break time then we are on the go again! Often time, she reads a book by the passenger seat and have good chat with me about her day at school and some funny things that her friends told her. Lately, it has been lightly snore sound and radio flowing inside the car. I saw her eyes closed and felt in a quick nap during the drive to the rehearsals! I try to reduced the speed, so that she could get extra 5 minutes nap time. I often admire her commitments that she made and getting works done. It feels great telling her, how proud I am that she is doing great job for herself! Oh, another few weeks then she will have a bit break time from all that the end of school busy schedule! We look forward a full day to stay home, I sew and she reads!

It has been slightly humid here and just slightly clutter around the home. I've been sewing downstair and really enjoy these bigger space and nice spring breeze comes in from the open patio door. The dinning table has became a nice cutting table and it is so much nicer to have a table for cutting only! I like how the cutting mates stay in the same place when I need the access to it. Then the machine is on the kitchen countertop. It is not a fantastic space for sewing, but for what I need now is perfect! Now, I am not longer upsy and downsy! It is so much nicer I can pour a cup of tea for myself without too much spill from downstair to upstair and trying to find a space in the sewing table {laugh}! plus snack a few cookies between times! 

There are 242 of hourglass blocks made for S' 12 birthday quilt! It is such a nice blocks for layout variations. The quilt top is finished over the weekend and it is measured 82"x86". It will take some extra time to finish as I would like to hand-quilt this for her! Simple cross lines for the quilting pattern. The backing will be simple with label in the back and a little appliqué and some embroidery, a little birthday messages, something from me to her.

Did you know? It was probably the first time walked into the fabric store with a purpose in mind. Often time, the girl at the cutting table ask me, what are you making? I often responded with a smile and said not quiet sure! Last time, when I was there the same girl asked me the exactly same question again. I replied, some summer shorts! Then she started a nice conversation about making shorts while she was making the cuts! When I saw the owls bolt in the mess of clearance section, I could not help myself to added it to the cart as I know how much that S loves Hedwig. It is just fun to add some fun prints to the stash just for her. Then I found the golden bird print and though I'd make a matching pair for myself as well. The back of each shorts is used linen. The combination between linen and cotton is so nice and soft! With all S' shorts, I added the "S" sewing tape for her. She have tried all of them on there are two pairs need to extend the elastic length, so it is more comfortable fit for her!

I celebrated the finish of 99 Farmer's wife blocks ! It is such a nice accomplishment to completed a whole sewing book! I look forward more of similar accomplishment in the near future! It is such a nice approach using some of last prints from the years to come! There are few prints are long gone by now, but it is in the quilt! So many DS prints to pick from and so many possibility to work around with them.  According to the book layout, I'll need 8 more blocks to make the edges and will be a queen size quilt! It will be a mighty quilt to hand-quilt, so I plan on start saving up for sending it to a professional quilter!

A broken full size bow from last night's concert, oh dear! After the first concert piece, I saw S with a bit nerve in her face and then next thing I saw was a broken bow in her hand! I saw her approached the symphony manager and ran away from the stage then I saw she got her 3/4 bow in hand back to stage before the performance. She looked calm, but I knew she was worried! I'll be insy outy again! Getting  the bow situation take care this morning then a few errands to run in the city, fix up the elastic length and fit in a little hand work time for myself, pack up a few things, likely winter clothes, but it is chilly... 


Just wanna be sure stopped by in say hello!

xxc

Dear Stella

S' 10th birthday quilt looks so festive now! A little holiday-ish look? Oh, you might want to bring a cup of tea or coffee and join me with this quilt making business journey!  Many of you know that each year, I make a birthday quilt for my little girl, S. I still love the idea of a year a quilt for S. It indicates the year, the time and almost a bit of story telling! S always loves and proud to share each quilt story when friends visit. Oh.. She will tell you how she loves drag quilts from one place to another, use quilt for picnic blanket, set up a tent with lots quilts to hide under, quilt that she snuggled up..., so on... and for the 10th birthday quilt it just like every other year. It was late!

"Is that Christmas Candy Cane, mommy?" S asked! It was probably the first time S saw quilt blocks lay on the living room floor. " It is a little early for Christmas sewing, don't you think?" S said to me. It was probably back in September sometimes. The quilt layout has been moved around every other day for a good two weeks then finally finalized to the final version. To avoid my indecisive mind, I went ahead and sew the blocks together right away! You know, I really don't like rip sewing seams off!

This is the S' 10th birthday quilt and I was only 7 months plus late! You know she didn't mind it at all! I love how the red and white stripes shifted around this quilt and how the other 25 different prints added the charm to it!  This quilt has two different quilting pattern and was quiet a challenging for me to attempt two designs. For the backing, I used the Far Far Away reprint in cotton; Princess and the Pea.

After finished the quilt { my birthday; it was one of the birthday gift to myself; sew all day long}. I stored the quilt away till next day. I spent the morning pin up the quilt on S' room and photograph it. Did a little bit of cleaning in her room. Around 4p.m. I heard the key turning in the front door then the sound of  "I AM BACK"! Loud and Clear! When S gets home from school, the first thing she always does is find me and with a must tell mama how school day been time then went to her room unpack her backpack! After shared her day, she went to her room and she spoke loudly to me from her room {studio is just right next to her room}, "Is the candy cane quilt for me? I though you love red and white and thought you made it for youself! I had big giggle!  When I walked in her room, S was looking at the fabrics and tried to find the quilt label then I show the quilt label to her and told her it wasn't a fancy one! She gave me a big hug, a big kiss then a big {Thank you, mommy}!

First of all, I would like to Thank my friend, Doe helped me to start out this quilt! She sent me a stack of varies width of red and stripes fabric then from there I ordered a few yards more. I have had the vision of this 10th birthday quilt to be a little bit grown up look; less colors and focus on just two values.  It gives nice strong statement and in a very simple way! Half triangle sewing are great and perfect for interesting composition layouts.  I didn't love all the trimming at the beginning, but I learned to love it after all!

Sometimes, it is hard to believe having a 10 year-old in the house! It feels like having a little friend sometimes, but the 10-year-old is still my little girl! After 10 years parenting, I'd say I am a better parent now,  but not a perfect one! I learn to share with S in good and bad! The good part always covers the bad part! There are always challenging days at our home! Oh, yes! There are name calling and you are in big trouble moments here as well! She tries her way to push the boundaries and rules around as she always does! When she was a little one, she kept good manner up for months.  Now, it seems like she pushes more often! As this pre-teen stage coming around our home, there are much to make it right then make it perfect! More respect, more responsibilities, and more thankful to life!  I hope these will help S in her life time eventually!

I am always thankful when she comes home with a smile and lots to share! The new school has been wonderful! I can't really ask for more! Teachers are kind and school friends are fun! Best of all, she is feeling comfortable and settle-in at HOME again! It really has been a challenging move for both of us! She has been the biggest cheerleader and always my number one fan!

Having the 10th birthday quilt ready for S is a big satisfaction for me! I do think that this birthday quilt making will be a big impact in her life and cheers in the memory lane as she gets older! There will be the 11th birthday quilt soon, then 12, 13, 14,15,16... I do look for that opportunity comes every year! Each year, I noticed I ordered extra yards of fabric for the quilt backing. This year was 5 yards of backing and last year was 3.5 yards. I plan on making the quilt to 80"x90" now, so she has enough room for her long legs! Yes, kids don't get smaller, they only grow bigger! I found this so true as I went through the all the infant and toddler stage boxes last month! I had to show S how wee bit she was and she looked at me, I wore that? Indeed, lots baby clothes have been saved! Someday I like to make a quilt out of clothes I made for her and clothes that were wore in the traditional ceremony.

The 11th quilt fabric has been pulled and I can't wait to share with you the next birthday quilt! I need to order a few more print to contrast some of prints then have been pulled. Lots hope this quilt won't be too late!

{Thank you} for all the comments! I careful read through each one of them! Thank you for all the support and encouragement! I never though how this blog would have reached out so many of you in world wide! I am honored to have so many friends out there and thinking of us and thank you for all your kindness! All from our button of heart!  

Check out S' birthday quilts  2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008,

xxc

Penny Patchwork Passport Pouch

In the middle of decision making,  I also try to finish a few patchwork pieces that I have started last month. Not so surprise to see more hand-quilting here. Hand-quilting is one of my favorite handmade process the second of that would be hand bound off the quilts. I love taking time to make small stitches and not hurry to complete the work. It seems like a better way to work the project that I've been working on.  Lots of these hand-quilting were made while waiting S in lessons or the quiet reading time during homeschooling. Mostly, I heart the time and process that add into the work.

Do you mind I go a little more about this project? Not sure if we are alike, but I get nervous whenever we travel or making any moves. I can't tell you how many version of passport pouches I have made. Many got put away in the handmade box and many were half done. Each time when we travel I make something to travel with then I know, oh it works! oh it is not working! I love the {dumpling pouches} that I made. They are best for USB drives and little devices for computer. It is a super fun project and really save me in this move/trip.

Why I called this project penny patchwork passport pouch? With limited studio space and time to myself the small projects help me to meet the happy medium; sewing and schooling S. The portable projects have made time usage much functional and I can spend time alone even few minutes to a few hour.  Sometimes, I try to finish patchwork on the machine before schooling starts or S' in reading time... Sometimes.. things happened! Each square supposed to finish at 1", but they got finished at 7/8".  It was a mistake that I made at the beginning and didn't pick up the off set seam allowance when they all pieced and ironed.  Oh, I didn't scream.... just .......WHAT? wHat? WhAt? ........then I decided to went along with the patchwork and discovered the size of each little square is about a penny size! So I called them penny patchwork instead of mistake patchwork.. oh dear..

I've tried a few different sewing on these pouches. I used some loose count fabric/ alike linen and cotton blended fabric and made them into bias binding. It is great in contrast with the modern and vibrate color fabrics. It helps focus the patchwork and give nice finish look of the work. The binding really added completion of these pouches! The {leather closure} gives a nice contrast of hard edge and soft fabric in style. It is much easier to open and close the pouch. It also give nice secure of the passport inside and holds everything in place!

The a sort of blue version is for S! She is shifting greens to blues lately! I keep a sort of candy colors to myself. One is for my sister who we hope will come visit us in states someday and one is giving to a dear friend of mine who will turn 35 next month. We have been friends since we were 12. It is a big celebration of her birthday and our friendship~   We always laugh together when we meet up for lunches and hope she will love it!

{THANK YOU} for all your encourage words... I am still touched by many of your supports and thoughts! It does make things hard when I seem not able to make all balance at the same time. We always ready to fail and ready to grow. It takes time to reboot the energy and optimistic attitude, but it always nice to have someone along this path, together.

Meanwhile, I will be taking S for more half day trips, few more patchwork sewing and start our packing.
packing. Enjoy the last few weeks of family gathering and the southern Taiwan air, people, food, and culture.


Have a fabulous day...

xxc 


 

Belated birthday handmade

{ to be warn: Lots photos for the same project.. if you get tired.... scroll down quick}

{ Hope you have enjoy your trip down here}.

As you know that this is my last spring break as a student, but you probably don't know it will not be my last {fulfill promises break}.  Another S' birthday gift was a Ukelele that she has been hoping to have one to play with!  When the Ukelele order arrived, I waited till mid-night to open and check on the condition of the instrument. Then I realized it came with a  plastic bag to carry the ukelele. I knew I need to make her a zippered bag instead, but that did not happen till two nights ago.

S has been very kindly waited for me to sit down and design the template. We looked through my fabric stashes over the last weekending, but there are no prints that she likes!  I tried to convince her and set out prints together, so she can have some ideas, but then she rejected them all! Later, she told me, " Can you surprise me, mama?"  I can't tell you how I felt the moment she told me. It was a feeling that must. go. to fabric store right away and just find the right fabrics.

I spend long hours in the fabric store and tried to find the {right} fabric on Tuesday! Nothing floral, not too girly, not too boyish, not too pink, not too much colors, not too much shapes on the print...When I saw this blue and yellow polka dot with pup and kitty in them. I knew it would be a perfect print for S. Then since the blue and yellow might be considered a little boyish I went ahead and look for a softer print for the lining. The random polka dot print was a perfect match for it.

I came home with a stash of fabric and explained to S what I plan to do! The machine quilting took the action right away. As the process went, S asked if I could add  a pocket in the front for her. Of course! I replied to her that I can custom made any changes. She also asked for messenger strap for the bag. She waited till her bed time and wished to try her new bag on, but I had a zipper sewing mistake, so didn't make it before her bed time!

The binding is used bias tape binding, which allows to stretch a little more around the curves. After attached the bias binding, I went with hand-stitch to finish the binding, so it makes the bag a cleaner look.  Insert zipper was the most fun part on this project. I never sewn a zipper so thick and wide before and it really make the bag super sturdy look.   S picked out the handle print- Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt and it is just the right green to highlight the blue and yellow.

For the messenger strap, I went with clasp, so S can remove them if she is not wearing the bag on her. I am really proud to have this bag done during the spring break! S came home and was so happy to put it on and ready for her next lesson to come! Although it is a super belated birthday gift, but she was just happy to have a promise and strong bag to protect her instrument. 

I am making another one for my niece who has a Ukelele as well! It might be a perfect birthday gift as she will be turning 9 in July.   Now, I am onto finding the right fabric for her..
 

Note: I would like to let you know that I won't be able to host the incoming {weekending} link up party.

Link up: {crazymomquilts: Finish it up Friday post}

xxc