Crimson Lily Blog

I promised you a link to my new sewing blog, so here it is:

Crimson Lily Designs

Please feel free to "follow" me and tell your friends as well!

New Blog?

As I have recently been pondering the idea of an actual business and new name for it, I have also been pondering the thought of a new blog, just for my sewing and crafts. The Dancing Mom began as a way to showcase what I created while also talking about my everyday life. However, since Crimson Lily is coming to fruition I feel that Dancing Mom would be a better place for my everyday musings. Crimson Lily will then be the business blog. I am also comtemplating Etsy as my springboard for sales of my wares. Since I tend to be somewhat pessimistic, though, I have a fear that no one will be interested in what I have to offer since there are so many other more-talented-than-I-am artisans out there.

Why this is such a hard decision for me is beyond my comprehension. It's what I really want to do, but my insecurities are holding me back. Maybe if I knew that there would be a definite market for what I make, then it wouldn't be so bad. I know my friends and family appreciate it, but would the average handmade-items-buyer buy it? I guess I'll never know if I don't try, right?

So I guess at this point my next blogpost here on The Dancing Mom will be a link to introduce the all new Crimson Lily blog. Give me a few days to work it out, though. And thanks for reading!

Long Time

I guess it's been a while since my last post. I hate when life gets in the way. At least for not-so-great reasons. I recently left my job and now I am half-heartedly looking for something part-time. I feel that it is unnecessary to spend $300+ a week on childcare for the summer when I wasn't bringing home much more than that to begin with. Bobby is also on the lookout for a new job as well.

However, I have done some sewing recently. (Pictures to be posted later because they don't seem to want to post right now.)
I made a lap quilt for a friend's birthday, a wallet and clutch for my mom (for her motorcycle), a yoga mat bag for myself, and a shopping bag (prototype), as well as a cute little sundress for Emma. I've been trying to keep busy while figuring out what I can sew to make me some money at craft fairs this fall.

Happy Easter!!! And A Little Sewing...

I hope everyone out there in Blog World has a fabulous Easter!!! I know we will! It's going to be around 80 degrees where we will be, here in Maine. I know, crazy, right?

But yesterday I did a little sewing. After walking around beautiful downtown Bath, Maine and visiting the Bath Book Shop and Mariner's Compass Quilt Shop, I came home with some lovely purple & green batik fabric for another birthday throw quilt for a coworker. Again, I have decided to use my new favorite white Kona muslin to offset the deep colors. This is only the center panel of the quilt top, but so far I think I'm liking it. One it's complete and quilted I'm sure I will be loving it. It does have a name already, Magic 39 Quilt, but I'll disclose the reason behind the name once it's finished.

Have a great day!

A Sew-lful Weekend

Finally.... another weekend full of sewing. Gramma took the kids overnight on Friday so I was able to
a) Go to JoAnn's for some fabric,
b) Sleep in Saturday morning - or not...
c) SEW!!!!! I had the day to myself until about 3:30.

Brittany had recently asked me to make some bibs for her little cutie pie, Zander. As I was waiting in line at JoAnn's with the fabric for said bibs, I saw a copy of Quilts & More Magazine with a bib pattern. One 40% off coupon later I was out the door with new fabric and a magazine full of new ideas.

On Saturday I made 3 bibs and today I made 2 more, plus a new purse that has been floating around in my head recently. Moda + Muslin = Love.

It's funny how once I started making purses about 2 1/2 years I haven't bought one at a store. Every once in a while I just feel the need for something new, as do most people. But instead of shopping around at the nearest TJ Maxx or Coach outlet (I wish!), I head to the fabric store. This particular Moda fabric was a member of the "discontinued fat quarter bin" at Mariner's Compass before Christmas. Jeanne bought it for me because for some reason it just whispered to me "I want to be a purse..." So today I pulled it out, grabbed a 1/2 yard of muslin that I found on clearance for $.79, found a few scraps of sueded blue fabric and a bit of canvas strapping. Voila! My new bag! I even used the floral Moda to make a matching button. I guess I'm kind of liking triangles lately.

So that's that for today. I really need to get the backing done for my mom's Christmas quilt as well as the borders and backing for my own Moda quilt. Maybe next weekend...

Shannon's Book-Writing Quilt

This weekend I was finally able to sew something from start to finish.

I made a lap quilt for my friend, Shannon, at work for her birthday. She is an aspiring novelist and has been working diligently on her first novel which we are all hoping will get published.

Shannon's favorite color is pink, so I used Moda fabric in the Boutique Line by Chez Moi for the squares. The white fabric is my favorite discovery of all time: Kona White Muslin. This is the softest, most lovely feeling fabric ever. I'm talking Egyptian Cotton Sheets quality. Yumm! The backing is a basic bubble gum pink flannel for warmth and coziness.

Since I don't have a darning foot or a nice quilting machine (ssshhhh, don't tell my Singer) I am forced to improvised when quilting. I actually sew the 3 layers together inside out, flip it right side out, then I sew along the edge about 1/2 inch in. I usually have a little bunching when I connect the end to the beginning, but I'm learning to accept that for now. On this quilt I added a pink wavy border all the way around and a pink wavy line down the middle. Again with the bunching where the stitching meets up with itself, but, ah well.

So this quilt is named Shannon's Book-Writing Quilt because I want her to cuddle up in it while she writes her novel. I'm not quite sure how inspirational a pink floral quilt can be when writing a murder-mystery, but at least she'll be warm while she writes :)

Edited to add: Oops!!! Sorry! It was the Charisma Collection by Chez Moi, not Boutique.

Paige's Birth Story (From Missie's Perspective)

At 5:56pm on Friday 2/26/10, 7lb 5.8oz, 19.75in long Paige Sophia came into the world.

She is the first child of my cousin, Cally.

She is beautiful and perfect in every way.

I had the amazingly good fortune of being there, right there, when she was born. Aside from the usual medical staff, Cally and Matt invited both me and my aunt Becky into the room with them. It was a very long day for all of us, but it was an even longer 2 days for Cally as she started having contractions at 7am on Thursday. By 8:30am Friday she was having contractions about a minute long and 5 minutes apart. After heading to the hospital she decided on the epidural around 11:30. This was definitely a good choice for her, as Paige seemed to be sunny-side-up at the time and back labor sucks! Cally rested throughout the afternoon as Becky, Matt and I tried to keep the humor going while we all waited.

At about 3pm Cally was fully dialated and almost ready to push. At 4:25pm the pushing began. The epidural worked quite well as Cally was in fairly good spirits throughout her labor. Finally, around 5:30 Paige seemed to turn herself into proper position and things moved quickly after that.

At 5:56pm we had the pleasure of welcoming Paige Sophia into this crazy world. Cally did a fantastic job and I am so proud of her for her strength and ability to push through the pain and produce a perfect little girl. Within 10 minutes, Paige was nursing and Cally finally had a chance to relax.

Matt, although a little (ok, a lot) nervous, was amazing as well. We were all surprised that he remained upright throughout the delivery process. He gave Paige her first bath and dressed her for the first time (first time for both of them!).

I am so lucky to have been a part of this incredible experience. I love Cally so much. I have always considered her more of a little sister rather than a cousin and now we can both experience the joys of motherhood together. We have wonderful role models in our own mothers, grandmother and aunts.

It's funny how becoming a mother really does change you, but experiencing childbirth from the other side really makes you realize how totally incomprehensible it truly is. A life is created and a woman, who may otherwise consider herself not strong enough, has the ability to bring that life into the world. Simply amazing.

Nothing to Report

Sorry, Folks. I've been MIA for a few weeks, I know. Unfortunately, I have nothing to say. I haven't sewed (although I did do some fabric shopping). I'm very disappointed in myself for that. Perhaps I'll doing something worthwhile today and come back to post about it. Until then....

Today I Made...

A patchwork pillow sham for the chair pillow to match the couch quilt and pillows

The 4th and almost final Christmas gift (yes, I know...) to send to NJ

Pictures are not really necessary today. On the bright side, after a morning of freezing and no hot water, it is warm again in my house. I really hate spending money to get things fixed, though. Especially on a Saturday. Those guys make out pretty good....

More Baby Stuff

So last weekend, after I finished the infamous diaper bag, I decided to try a few more projects. I bought a book of baby patterns over a year ago just so that I could make some bibs. (Here's the book) I finally pulled it out, cut some fabric, and low & behold I made a bib! So I made 4 more.

And then today, another idea popped into my head. I vaguely recall seeing somewhere a burp cloth that was contoured to fit over one's shoulder. So I cut some more fabric and the next thing I knew I had 3 contoured, and quilted, burp cloths (and one receiving blanket, not shown).

Yes, they look somewhat like large maxi pads, but I'm sure they will do the job just fine. Unfortunately, the lighting in the hallway at 5pm left a little to be desired, so sorry for the muted colors, but you get the idea, right?

Wonder what I'll create next weekend???

She's 7

My, how time flies. So many things have happened in 7 years. I have gone from having no kids at all to having 2. I have gone from working full time, to being a stay at home mom, to being a working mom. I have made scrapbooks, crocheted scarves & hats, sewed purses and quilts and everything in between. I have gone from a dancer of over 25 years to not dancing at all. Size 2 to size (you didn't think I'd actually say, did you?).

And all along, the things that keep me going are my awesome family. My babies, who aren't such babies anymore, my wonderful husband who puts up with all my quirks, my mom, dad, brother and sister who have always been there unconditionally, and my extended family and friends who have always shown me much love & support.

So there you have it. 7 years in a nutshell, with one of the biggest nuts turning 7 today. She's crazy. She's funny. She's emotional. She's talented. She's smart. She's beautiful. And she's all mine. Ok, I do have to share her with a few other people, but all that hard work was my doing ;)

I love her - my beautiful baby girl.

Sssshhhhh.... It's finished....

Here it is! The final product. This is THE. BEST. DIAPER. BAG. EVER. I even made a quilted changing pad to match. I love this. I cannot wait for next Sunday to see her face when she opens this and sees how completely awesome it is.
Haha. I'm not proud of myself or anything, am I????

Sneak Peek

Here's a little sneak peek at how I spent my entire day yesterday.

My cousin is having a baby (yay!) next month and her baby shower is coming up in less than 2 weeks. In November she gave me 4 yards of fabric & asked me to design & make her a diaper bag. Of course I couldn't refuse. Well, yesterday morning I found out about the shower and realized that I hadn't even thought of how to start this thing. I had many ideas running through my head so I just went for it. 8 hours later this is what I came up with. It still needs a strap and a button/button hole to make it complete, as well as a matching changing pad, so I think it will be officially finished on Saturday. I have to say, I am quite proud of this one. This is quite possibly my biggest undertaking yet when it comes to sewing. I can't wait to see her reaction when she sees it.

Photography 101

January 3, 2010: First Snowstorm of the year and boy was it a good one. We got about a foot and a half from Thursday-Sunday. I love it! Here are some of my attempts at amateur photography. I love taking pictures but unfortunately I have a point & shoot camera (for now). For what I have to work with I don't think these pics are all that bad. Tell me what you think!

First Finished WIP of 2010

This year I plan to finish some WIPs that have been hanging around throughout 2009.

This is the first. I finished it last night. I am calling it "Every Way But The Right Way," aka Couch Throw Quilt.

This started out with good intentions of being an easy and quick quilt. I had some leftover fabric from the pillows I made for the couch last spring, so I bought a few coordinating fabrics and 2 yards of flannel for the backing. What I didn't do was plan ahead. I just started cutting squares & rectangles of various sizes. Then I started sewing. It started out great, until I realized that since they weren't all the same width I wasn't going to have an easy go of it. But I kept on trucking. Sometimes I had to sew a piece to another piece and then sew it to yet another piece that was already in the quilt to make it fit in properly (if that makes sense). Once I got to the finished size last night I noticed that it wasn't even squared up right. So I trimmed it down to make it rectangular which then threw off the look of the sides.

At that point I didn't care anymore. I just wanted it done so I could put it on the couch (and mysteriously "lose" the fleece blanket that already existed there). So I sewed it, right sides together, with the pink flowered flannel backing, turned it rightside out, and sewed around the edges.

At some point I might try "quilting" it or tying it, if I feel like it. But for now it looks just perfect, albeit a bit wonky, on the couch keeping my sick little 7 year old girl cozy and warm.

Maybe I'll Win For a Change

http://sugarnspicecreations.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway-time.html

One of the blogs I frequesnt is having a giveaway of these cool vintage sheet fat quarters. Let's hope I win!

Goals

I don't make resolutions. Not because I don't want to, but because I never follow through. I really never even have good intentions to follow through. I just say something and hope it happens.
But not this year. I have some goals. I don't know how or when I will achieve them. They are just some goals that at some point in the near future I can say, "Hey, I did it!", and be happy with the results.

Goal #1: Lose Weight
This has never been a goal of mine until this year. Until recent years I have never had to struggle with my weight. Now I am not impressed with myself and I know it's now or never. If I don't start getting healthier soon I know I'll go downhill.

Goal #2: Make Money With My Crafts
This is something I have been wanting for a couple years. I would love to start a website or an Etsy store in which I can sell the stuff I make. I want to be known for my crafts. Even if I'm not known worldwide, I'd love to be known locally. And make some extra cash.

Goal #3: Spend More Time With My Family
There are many ways to achieve this goal. The one way that I have pondering lately is to work part time. I do enjoy my job. The money is decent and I have health insurance for myself and the kids. However, I miss being home with them. Since Jake will start school in September there will be no need for either Bobby or myself to be around during the day. I'm kind of hoping he can find a new full time job that will allow him to get insurance for all of us and be home on the weekends. I'd prefer to work a few hours a day or maybe just 2-3 days a week and be home when the kids get off the bus. This would allow us to all be together more often and hopefully I could get more done here at home.

So that's about it. I don't know if any of this will happen this year, but it's a start. I'll try my absolute best to get the first 2 goals accomplished. The 3rd goal will take some extra effort on my husband's part as well. Hopefully this year we can start working together more to create the best family environment possible.

So, Happy 2010! Another decade done. Another decade started. Hope it's a good one!

I Got A Makeover!

Ok, so I didn't get a makeover, but obviously my blog space did. It took a little extra work, but I'm quite happy with the result. Tell me what you think!

2 Days Later

December 27th, 2009. 2 days after Christmas. The house is pretty much back to normal, with a few adjustments in the living room with which I am very pleased (much more open and spacey, perfect for Wii playing). And it's raining out, which is a big difference from yesterday's lovely snowflakes that covered the ground.

So I thought it was time to finally post some pics of the projects I was making for my mom. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog, but better safe than sorry. So here they are:

My Mom has been wanting a Christmas Quilt for quite some time, so last weekend as I was making these 4 pillows for her I decided to get the matching fabric and start her quilt (normally my grandmother makes the family their quilts, but it's time for me to start doing more to pull my weight). So on Sunday I spent about 5-6 hours cutting & sewing to get the quilt top done. It still needs a backing and needs to be quilted and a binding sewn on, but that's a whole other project...

Btw- She Loves It!!!!

Home-made Kahlua

Last week was our Secret Santa week at work. Those who participated drew a coworker's name and had to get them something small and inexpensive each day, based on a theme.

Monday: something green
Tuesday: Santa's choice
Wednesday: something edible
Thursday: something sticky
Friday: something that your gift recipient will love and appreciate that reflects their personality

We're a pretty small office of about 20 and know each other pretty well, so it was pretty easy.

My recipient received the following from me:
Monday: green tea and spearmint gum
Tuesday: 2 holiday body lotions
Wednesday: a Christmas mug with Hershey Kisses
Thursday: salt-water taffy and sugared peanuts
Friday: bottle of red wine, large wine glass, and a scarf crocheted by moi

I received from my Secret Santa:
Monday: 10 green fat quarters and a pack of 6 yards of various green-toned ribbon
Tuesday: ceramic Santa cookie jar
Wednesday: home-made chocolate covered peanut butter balls in a snowman jar
Thursday: basketful of fusible tape & webbing and a barrel of monkeys for fun
Friday: very large bottle of home-made Kahlua- YUMMMMMMMO

So here it is, 6:40 pm on a Tuesday. The kids are eating macaroni & parmesan cheese while watching Ice Age for the bazillionth time. And I sit here at the "bar" drinking a lovely glass of Kahlua and milk over ice. Thanks, Cindy, for the perfect gift!