Happy Little Projects

My oldest daughter just celebrated her 9th birthday (cannot believe how fast it goes by!).  For some reason, her birthday tends to bring out the sewist in me.  Last year, I went all out.  This year I managed  a little more moderation.  Instead of a quilt, I made a festive little bunting out of my growing pile of vintage sheet scraps.

The girl loves to read.  I like to think it is a trait she inherited from me. :)  She also adores all things pertaining to owls, wolves, dragons, Harry Potter...I could go on.  Just depends on what she's reading. I was inspired by this beach tote, and decided to make her a personalized book bag for road trips. 

On her birthday, I checked her out of school and we went out to lunch and to Barnes and Noble to pick out a few new literary treasures. Is there anything better than a book store?!

  Here's the back:

I also found the cutest art print on Etsy.  Too perfect to pass up.

 As for bigger projects, I haven't forgotten about the Bliss quilt. I want to throw a bit of hand quilting into the mix, and just haven't had the time to hunker down with it.

Plus, I've been a little distracted by something new.  Maybe someday I'll learn to finish one project before starting another.

  But, probably not.

Finished Spring Vintage Sheet Quilt

Remember my ambitious plan - a different master bedroom quilt for every season of the year?  Well, I can check spring off the list.  This is the largest quilt I have made - I definitely felt more like a tortoise than a hare during every step of the process, but in the end it was worth it because I truly love it.  It is bright and colorful and perhaps a little crazy for a master bedroom, but exactly what I am craving right now. 

I used yellow floral for the binding and I love the outlined in sunshine effect.

  

For the back, I used strips of vintage sheets in various widths. It's a little wild, but perfect in flipped over increments.  Here's a little peak...

After waking up yesterday morning to depressingly find ourselves in a white and wintery realm once again, this quilt is color therapy!

Vintage Master Bedroom

We have new (to us) furniture in our master bedroom.

Last year I inherited a chest of drawers and a nightstand and ever since then I have been watching the online classifieds for the matching pieces to pop up.  In January we scored and were able to get the nine drawer dresser, mirror and additional night stand for $80.  I also found a matching lingerie chest at a thrift store (I think it was $40).  Finally, it has been warm enough for me to spend some serious time in the garage working these over. 

This is the only before picture I took, although I do have a before picture of the chest posted here. 

Here's what it all looked like mid-makeover, somewhere between primer and paint.  There were 24 drawers total  - it was a lengthy three day process.

Below is the headboard we have been using forever.  This will give you a pretty good idea of what our bedroom looked like before the changes.  Since we didn't have a headboard to match the vintage furniture, I just decided to paint this one...for now.

24 newly spray painted vintage drawer handles.

They are one of the reasons why I like the "old stuff."

Here is how it all turned out:

(This tall lingerie chest is the perfect spot for our old school TV, but we didn't want to scratch the paint, hence the towel...just in case you notice the small details, like my mom, and were wondering)

I picked up a white Ofelia Duvet set at IKEA and, for now, we are using a quilt set I bought at TJ Maxx a while back (no new quilt progress to report).

Our 11 year old son came into our bedroom and said, "Dad's new dresser is not very manly."  He has a point - it is on the feminine side, but it's the same dresser my grandpa used for as long as I can remember... minus the gold accents. 

I happen to love the details that make it not so "manly", and my husband...well, he likes the new white look and loves the price. I almost have him talked into spending the money we saved on new bedroom furniture on white slip covered sofas for the living room. :)

Now it's time for something new on the wall.  I have been collecting picture frames and plan on enlarging favorite vacation photos...such as this one from the Oregon Coast.

And Bear Lake...

I kind of like the beach.  Bet you never would have guessed.

Next up:  we are thinking about refinishing our old bedroom furniture (at least the big dresser) for our 5 year old...

It's my never ending story.

Bliss Half Square Triangles

The lure of pretty fabric snared me again and I started something new...although I really shouldn't have. The fabric I need to finish the vintage sheet quilt is probably sitting in my mailbox right now.   But, after piecing this new quilt top, I am struggling to find the motivation to even go and look and see if it's here.  I think I have met my sewing quota for the week.

The good news is I crossed another item off my de-stashing list - I used up a couple of Bliss charm square packs. I have seen some amazing quilts on Flickr using this HST pattern, and I thought I'd give it a try.

It came together quickly and I am mostly pleased with it. However, there is a small part of me that keeps wondering what it would have looked like sashed in Kona Ash.  There is just something about that particular solid that has me hooked.

There will be NO weekend sewing happening at this house - the sun is calling my name.

(crossing my fingers that tomorrow it will still be shining)

Vintage Sheet Quilt Progress

First of all, can I just say how happy I am that today is March 1st?  The sun is shining and I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I've been inching along with my latest vintage sheet quilt.  The top would probably be finished, if it weren't for the fact that I ran out of Kona Ash.  I had a 50% off coupon, so I headed to Joann's to stock up and they were completely sold out. Bummer.  I ended up buying some on Etsy and now I am just waiting for the package to come.  The hard thing about buying online is you miss out on instant gratification.  But, I sure do like the shopping hours. 

I wanted to show you the progress I've made, but trying to find a place to display a queen sized quilt proved difficult.  First I tried the bed...

Next I draped it from the china cabinet in the living room...

Finally, I just hung it from a wall in my sewing room...

(the pattern is one I sketched up a few months ago - you can see it here)

I still need to add the top and bottom rows.  By the time it is finished, it will have outgrown the wall. I am already feeling a little intimidated just thinking about the effort the actual quilting will require.

We are in the process of refinishing furniture for our master bedroom. Everything will be white. I plan on having all white linens as well - comforter, bed skirt etc. To mix it up a bit, my goal is to make a different quilt for each season, and this vintage sheet quilt is what I have in mind for spring.  After the cold, gray winter, I am ready for color.  Flowers too. 

The question is, can I get it all done (quilt & furniture) by the time Spring officially arrives?