Look what we can do!: Part Four (right?)

This is our last batch of these unless you guys want to send me more, which we would all love!

Molly T in Florida made a special birthday outfit for her little girl Brooklyn.

I think it is the special details like this that our kids will remember... hopefully! Whenever my kids and I are having an "off" day I want to hold up all the "keepsakes" I've made or pull out pictures from a fun day as a family and say, "See, I can be cool sometimes! I'm not a complete monster... right?" Molly is a fantastic mom and I really look up to her so I love seeing what she does with her kids.


Rachel W in Oregon is actually visiting Hawaii right now! Here's what she was workin' with before her visit though:



I am always impressed with her ability to do more than one type of craft well. Thomas just photographed their entire extended family on the temple grounds the other day and we were looking at the pictures through the editing process and I just felt a great love for good people who love their families and do what is right. It's nice to have people like that in your life. I feel lucky to have so many good examples around me all the time!

Cammie Heaston in Utah is a gem. Seriously. I asked if people wanted to be involved in the service project knowing that it was kind of short notice and at a time when many people who would otherwise pitch in were on vacation so I thought, well, if at least one more person does it then that will be good. When I wasn't hearing much back I shrugged it off as bad timing and then one day in the mail I got this:

A fully completed quilt with expert stitching and even with Hawaiian themed, cheerful fabric! WOW! I was amazed! I know that the long-term patients at Kahuku will be cheered and uplifted by such a beautiful labor of love. Fantastic. Thank you Cammie!

I have one more entry, but I can't find it.... blast! Stay tuned for that one. Have a meaningful, inspired day friends!

Service Reminder!

I just wanted to remind anyone who was interested about the Society Service project! It's a fast, easy, and worthwhile project for sure. I did mine in an evening. Just 3ft by 3ft and it doesn't even have to be a pieced quilt. It can just be cheerful fabric cut 3' by 3' for the top and bottom. Whatever you like!

It can be as simple or fancy as you like. Here is one my mother-in-law, Linda, did:


So cool! And remember, you don't have to have batting or do any quilting because the ladies are going to do that on Wed night.

I know I have one more at least to look forward to in the mail soon. (Thanks Cammie you are awesome!!)

Anyone else? They are working on these Wednesday the 6th. Thanks friends!

Society Service!

Calling all society sisters!

Kahuku hospital needs our help!

They are in dire need of lap quilts for their long-term care patients. My ward has the goal to provide at least 12 of them for the hospital and I told them we would help!

No pressure if you can't, but if you can they are asking for "cheerful" fabric quilts. You don't even have to make it super complicated and fancy, but the dimensions of the top and bottom need to be 3 feet by 3 feet when the quilt is completed and that can just be as simple as a 3' x 3' piece of fabric for top and bottom.

I'm thinking about doing large squares for my top and one big piece for the bottom.

This would be a great way to
1. get your feet wet if you have never attempted quilt piecing before
2. use those scraps you have no idea what to do with
3. use your talents to help someone in need

If you have batting and want to finish the quilt that is great, but if you just want to create the top and bottom and drop that off or mail it to me make sure I get it by July 5th since the ladies will be putting batting in all the quilts and quilting them together the night of the 6th.

So anyone in? Please? :)

Email me if you live far away at stephaniexrobertson(at)gmail(dot)com if you need my mailing address! Or if you live around here, just drop off your cheery print 3'x3' top and bottom or finished quilt as soon as you can!

Hooray for the very first My Cup of Tea Sewing Society service project! Let's do this!


(Photo)

Look what we can do!: Part Three

Echo A in Hawaii gets a whole post dedicated to her craft spree she has been on lately. She sent me all these pictures with an email that said, "i have been on a bit of a roll lately. i don't know if you are like me but my sewing inspiration and desire comes in waves. it just so happens i am on one right now."

I think we all know what you mean for sure Echo! I have craft draughts and craft explosions and it comes and goes in waves for sure. I don't think that it hurts that she got a spiffy new Bernina for Mothers Day either. Yes, that certainly helps.

It helped her finish a quilt she has been working on for her son Gideon:


And she kept those creative juices flowing when she completed these sweet baby projects:


She's also been having fun creating a variety of circle skirts for her daughter Adelaide:



and I can't say I blame her. I mean, I'll spare you my usual, "Wah, wah, I need a daughter to sew for routine," and skip straight to, what would this look like in Mama-form? I want.

And last, but most certainly not least, she made this adorable apron for our friend Megan who just got married. Look at that workmanship and who doesn't love the Chevron look? I am a sucker for it every time, but a reverse Chevron? Now that's cool. I'll take one of these too please.



Let's tack her friend Matti from Hawaii on this one as well for good measure. You remember her from her cute sundresses and baby seat covers? Well, she made this precious little tie for her son Texton out of a man's tie:

She didn't even send this to me, I just saw it on her porch when I was hanging out the other day and I snatched it up and stole a quick photograph so SURPRISE MATILD! :)

Alright, who's ready to start their own crafting spree? How about a craft revolution? ME! I'm ready! See ya next time. We have a few more to go, but feel free to keep sending in pictures any chance you get so we can all stay-in-touch and inspire each other! Peace out crafty types.

Look what we can do!: Part Two

Ashley M in Hawaii made this for her baby girl's room:

It totally fulfilled it's mission too since Lola is the happiest baby ever. Ash has mad skills. I think I'll apprentice with her.

Bille G in California made these adorable dresses for her daughter Nico:


I think this post should have been titled, "Stephanie wishes she had a daughter to sew for!" Man, these little dresses are precious. Love them.

In keeping with the girly theme, Christy B in Arizona constructed these cute skirts for her and her daughter Evelyn:


Doesn't this make you want to riffle through your fabrics and get pleating? Anyone? Yes, me too. Way to go Christy!

Melissa P in Utah sewed herself a vintage inspired swimsuit:

You read that right. SHE MADE THIS PEOPLE! I'll start taking a list now of the people, who like me, would like to know what pattern she used and if she maintained her sanity throughout. It looks so cute! I want one. I actually have a few swimsuit fabrics in my stash that I haven't been brave enough to use yet. I need you to fly to Hawaii and patiently hold my hand and hover over my shoulder so I can be cool like you Mellie... oh wait, I think I would have to just boldly make it all by myself in order to be cool like you. Dash it all. This is rad.

Megan B in California pieced and quilted this little beauty for her daughter Rivers:

I think this post could also be titled, "My friends give their daughters really awesome names!" Lola, Nico, Evelyn, Rivers. Cute cute cute cute. Rivers is so lucky to get to roll around on this charming keepsake from her Mama. I am in love with the fabric selection too!

Meg T in Hawaii has been hard at work making things for her home with her husband Corbin:



I know I have mentioned it before on here, but Meg does everything well and everyone who lives around here looks up to her and her impecable style and flawless execution. I am a "that's good enough" crafter and so I am always in awe of people who do things the right way. Seriously inspiring.

Let's do one more for this round shall we?

Melissa C in Utah hosted an adorable birthday for her delicious baby Noah complete with an awesome teepee for the kids to play in:


This just makes me smile. I have always wanted to make one of these for my boys! It is so fun and nostalgic and imaginative. Those are the best kinds of crafts in my opinion. Well, there are so many great kinds of crafts so that's a grandiose claim to make, but don't you just love it when you make something that looks good, is well made, and your kids will actually love it and use it and play with it? I've definitely been guilty of making things in the past that I think are so cute and am excited to give to my kids only to find it discarded under the crib or in the bottom of the toy box and not missed. Kids definitely know what they like and this teepee is definitely in the cool craft category!

Who's inspired? (I wish you could see me over-eagerly raising my hand right now.) Make something this week and email me a picture and stay tuned for more!

Look what we can do!: Part One

Get ready to get inspired!

Rebecca (Aka-Boo) in Idaho is embroidering this adorable fabric for a pillow she is making for her daughter:

That fabric kills me. I want it. And a daughter to go with it I suppose.

Carol in Hawaii made these awesome earrings at girls camp:



Sure blows the puff-paint shirts I made at girls camp out of the water.

The Jorgensens in Hawaii made this table:

Yeah, they MADE that. I'm impressed.

Kahi in Utah made a bike basket for her daughter:

If that isn't adorable I don't know what is. I bet she's the coolest gal on the block!

Lorie in California is personalizing gifts for her family with embroidery:

I am always impressed by all you embroiderers. It is just something I don't know a lot about, but always love the look of! Side note: Doesn't she have the greatest header of all time?

Matti in Hawaii is well-known for her car seat covers.



She's got a few in the works that she is hoping to finish up soon so she can make more cute dresses like this one she made for her daughter recently:

So cute! I love the style of it. I want one for myself.

I think we'll stop there for now. Anyone inspired yet? Stay tuned for much more and feel free to email or text me your own creations! This is fun!

Ladies of the Society! Let's make a resolution!

To be more creative in 2011!

image
I went about six months not making a thing and it wasn't any fun. All of a sudden I am finding big and small ways to be more creative. We are on a tight budget (isn't everyone?) so the phrase, "Make do and mend" has been my mantra lately.

It's easier than you think. Haven't been wearing that one pair of pants because you lost the button?
Put a random one on and give it some flare:

Kid's chair scraping your bamboo floor every time they scoot it around?
Hand stitch felt on the bottom:

Bam. Problem solved. Oh, and maybe fix the top that's falling apart while you're at it...

Husband gone recording drums for hours upon hours and the kids are in bed?
Piece a new family quilt instead of browsing lame, stupid Facebook for hours!


Need some motivation? Browse crafty blogs that rule school or make a sewing mix to hum and stitch to. Mine is playing on this here blog right now and it kept me pumped all night as I designed, cut, sewed, ironed and squared out a quilt top and bottom. Magic.

Who's with me?

Let's get crafty together this Monday (Jan 3) after your kids are in bed!

I'm gonna start sewing around 7:30. See you then!

Sewing Society: Help wanted... inquire within... the post. Thanks!

When I don't have work I get to blog more and make more stuff. It's fun! So, we have been making a lot of food around here and making everyone crazy since I have been reading these:


every time someone turns their back for a second... book six, I'm comin' for ya!

But anyway, last night I finally made these:

Huck Finn pants for four little Huck babies named:
Gideon

Asher

Calvin

and Shiloh

There's something so appropriate about Huck Finn pants all on a clothesline like that:

I have one more awesome project almost done... just getting a friend to help me with the last step and I can't wait to show you!

Oh yeah, speaking of help from crafty friends- anyone have a favorite Roman Shade tutorial? I've had the stuff to make them for the boy's room sitting on my floor for months. I think this is a pretty good one from What's New? Although, I'll admit the process intimidates me slightly.

Jenny at Little Green Notebook has a great alternative, but will it last and hold up to heavy fabric, plus black out fabric on a big window??

I need help! Anyone have experience in the Roman Shade department?

I asked Ambrose for help because he's crafty, but he was too busy constructing this:

Oh well.