spring is for sew-ers

As is people who sew...not sewers :)

Today I purchased some fabric to make a Spring quilt for A.  She has a few quilts already but seriously, can you ever have enough?  I didn't think so.  Especially when they are handmade by your momma right?

With some birthday money, I purchased some Liberty of London Fat Quarters form this shop.

Their fabric line screams spring and the colors and patterns are just gorgeous :)

Here are the one that I chose.

gorgeous right?  I can't wait to get started on it.  After making A's Dollhouse Pillow, I have had the serious sewing itch.

And in other news:

*  Easter was amazing, He has risen my friends :)

*  A wore the most adorable little vintage dress and was the star of our little family celebration.  

*  She loved her Easter Baskets :)  

I added one more thing that I had forgotten that I ordered for her. Her daddy always tells her this story with A as the princess so I thought this was a perfect little gift.

*  I go back to work this week...Thursday!!  Next Monday now!! Can you even believe it!  Fortunately Adam will still be off and the school year is over in just a few weeks.  I honestly can't imagine days that aren't filled with this little one :(

*  We should have some very exciting news this coming Wednesday...like very very exciting.

I won't divulge in any details yet but prayers are appreciated!

*  32 is turning out as wonderful as I had imagined.  I had the best birthday week with the most amazing family a girl could ask for.

I hope you all had a blessed day!

loves.

xo

janel

  

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

Quilt Squares for Amelia...

** This post will remain on the top of my blog for the rest of this month.  Please scroll down for newer posts :) Thank you. xo **

Awhile back, I cam up with this concept for a fundraiser idea for adoption and it was a hit.

Our little tracker over there is inching it's way up but we do still have a ways to go.

I thought that it was time to put this little idea back out there for all of our new readers who may want to take part in our "Quilt Squares for Amelia" project!!

Here you go:

* I had been collecting vintage sheets to make a quilt for Amelia when she arrives.

This quilt is 10 squares by 10 squares so far.

That is 100 squares.

Here is the plan.

YOU can purchase one of these squares for only $10.00.

Why?

When you purchase a square, I will hand embroider your name onto it.  

During our fundraiser, last February, we were able to sell 40 of these squares!!!  It was amazing :)

There are still 60 squares left to fill!!!

I know that we can do this everyone!!

Each square will have a different name of someone who helped us bring our baby girl home.

Each square will be a lifetime reminder to her (and us) of all of the people who loved, and supported her, and brought us all together as a family :)

So, the goal is this...

Sell all 100 squares.

Have 100 names to add to Amelia's quilt

Thus, a keepsake to remind her forever of all of those who love her.

Click HERE to purchase your quilt square!!!

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

Faith Ringgold...

As I have mentioned before, I was chosen to attend a quilt workshop with THE Faith Ringgold, story quilt extraordinaire.  I have finally got some photos from the workshop, and although I talked about it before on here, I wanted to document the memory for my own sake :)

Faith Ringgold is the author and illustrator of many award winning children's books like:

 As a second grade teacher and now art teacher, I have loved using her books in my classroom.

She is amazing.

So, obviously, when I was presented with an opportunity to create a quilt with her, I jumped on the chance :)  (read: screaming at the top of my lungs and doing a little dance)

Another cool thing, was that many of the other art teachers in my district were chosen as well.  

Here are some photos from the day:

She even took time out to sign any books that we had brought :) 

They finished the quilt and it is now hanging up in The Foundry, an art gallery here in St. Louis. 

 It was such an amazing day and I will treasure these photos and my memories of it.

Thank you for let me share :)
AND, I found out that I was in a magazine from that day as well.  One of the teachers brought me in a copy!  So stoked.

xo
janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

a baby quilt

The other day I made a baby quilt for the little one.  It was so easy and literally took about an hour to do the entire thing.  I really love it a lot. 

Before I share photos of that, here are some more little nursery peeks:

I hung all of the bibs up so that Adam could see them when he came home.  I think Im going to keep them hanging for awhile.  It's kind of like a cute little bunting :)

And here is the quilt...

I made the quilt using this tutorial.  You should check it out.  It's so easy!

xo

janel

quilt magic

Good evening lovelies.

I've just been spending the last 20 minutes or so, killing time on pintrest :)

Today has been a long day of work, followed by massive cleaning, followed by accompaning my sister while she painted a mural in a baby nursery.

It was time for me to come home, take a shower and decompress on the couch for a bit.

I am obsessing over sewing lately, and I decided to search some amazing quilts.

Here is some beautiful quilt inspiration for you all tonight.

Enjoy!

You can see more quilt magic on my quilt pinboard.

xo

janel

The Pita Quilt!

The quilt top is sewn together and I am (slowly) hand embroidering names in each of the squares.  I wanted to make sure that each name was sewn with love <3 because I know what a special special memory quilt this will be for our little girl :)

Here are some close ups of some of the names so far:

I am spending tonight, during Parent Teacher conferences, embroidering more and more and more names :)

Have your purchased your square on Pita's quilt yet?  Don't you want your name embroidered as a lasting memory on this lovely quilt?

If not, grab your square here!

Also, while you are in the shop, check out everything because EVERYTHING is on sale!!

We are on the last lap of the fundraiser and we only have a little bit more to go!!

Let's reach the goal!!

xo

janel

Thankful 30-Day 2

Good Morning friends and welcome to Day 2 of the challenge :)

Here is my journal page for Day 2: 

Day 2- I am thankful for my husband, Adam.

This page is perfect for today because today, Adam leaves for five whole days :(  It's going to be sad with him being gone but I am really happy for him because he gets to go spend time with his family!  I really wish I was going with him because I really miss his family too.  I'm hoping to get a lot of crafty things done this week. 

I want to finish my afghan and sew a quilt top together for Pita's quilt for sure!

Have a great Tuesday!

xo

janel

oh deer.

(image source)

It's Friday.
It's a half day of school for students.
It's a full day for teachers.
I am finishing up my report cards.
One of my favorite teachers at my school got moved to another school today :(
I don't like it one bit.
Yesterday my mom found out that her best friend died :(  She has been a huge part of our lives forever.  We all loved her so much and the whole thing was just a huge shock to everyone...
I spent all night crying on and off.
It's great to know that she is in a MUCH better place and my mom is so happy that they had spent the whole day together before it happened.
Blah.
This weekend should be a lot of fun though.
Lot's of festive things and getting ready to start my "Thankful 30" project!!
I'm crocheting this weekend.
I'm quilting this weekend.
I'm reading this weekend.
I'm apparently 75 years old :)
I love you.
Tell someone that you love them so much right now!!
deal?
xo
janel

shine machine...

Hello Tuesday night :)

Tonight is all about Glee, puppy sitting Picasso, and pizza.

I already appreciate this week for moving somewhat fast :)

Here is a little bit of random blogging for you tonight.

**  First off, I decided that while I wait for more pink yarn to magically appear in my yarn basket, I will start on a little baby quilt for my little soon to be.

I have been scouring the etsy world, and garage sale world for vintage linens in pinks and yellows.  

Fortunately, I happened to stumble upon my new favorite etsy shop!

Sosovintage not only has amazing product, it gets to you so fast and so perfect. I am officially in love with this shop :)

So, I cut and cut and laid out all of my squares to decide how I want this quilt to look.  

Do I want to do a simple pink, yellow, pink, yellow patchwork design?

or, do I want to do something like this lovely cross quilt??

opinions please??

**  I also wanted to share these lovely little dolls that my friend Christen made for me :)

You can pick up some of your own, in her cute little shop.

**  I stumbled upon two little treasures from when I was a baby... they are a must for Pita :)

**  Last but not least, my friend Lindsay is having a really great (really cheap) blog yard sale over on her blog!! You really should go check it out here :)

**  Oh and before I forget, a ton of people have told me that my blog feed wasn't updating in their google reader anymore?!  So, if you can, please re-add me to your google reader and it should start working again!

Love you guys!!

ox

janel