Summer's End

I hope you have enjoyed your summer.  We have been busy here with swim lessons the past two weeks and a fabulous week long vacation to Orcas Island which is part of the San Juan Islands.

Sewing has definitely taken a back seat these last weeks of summer.

I did manage to post a photo every day [so far : ) ] for the SewPhotoHop on Instagram.  Sponsored by House of Pinheiro, she posted a theme per day and asked that participants posted a photo with the hashtag #SewPhotoHop  

The are my favorite images from the month.   

I also have posted a few photos on Instagram with the hashtag #BariJColor.  Bari J designs fabrics for Art Gallery fabrics and has a lovely Instagram feed.  Every week she picks a different color and asks IG'ers to post a photo. It has been fun taking color themed photos with some beloved items of mine.

I started an embroidery project with Summer inspired colors which was great since it is portable and easy to take to the pool.

Though I have missed sewing I have enjoyed the time spent with my boys.  

They are growing up so fast : )

xo

Charise

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt ~ Quilt Along

A few years ago I was introduced to the online sewing / quilting world on Flickr.  The first group I joined was the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along which was a quilt along sewing blocks from the book "Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt".  The book includes 6" blocks and letters from farmer's wives from the 1920's.  You can see my first blog post about joining the Quilt Along [HERE] way back in 2011!

Since then I have met so many wonderful people and have enjoyed this online community so much!

The author of the book, Laurie Aaron Hird has written another book.  Same premise but with letters from farm women of the Great Depression.  This book also had paper pieced patterns included!  I think that is wonderful and makes sewing the blocks much easier. The blocks are small so paper piecing is a great way to put the blocks together. 

There are two quilt alongs scheduled to start in September.

Kerry from VeryKerryBerry is hosting a quilt along.

You can find details for the quilt along with Kerry [HERE]

I will be one of the guest bloggers and have signed up to make and share a block every other month.

Gnome Angel will be hosting a quilt along using Marti Mitchell templates.  You can find info for the quilt along [HERE]

The blocks pictured above are from the first quilt along.  I am excited to add blocks from the new book and finish this quilt : ) 

I hope you will join in!

Happy Sewing

xo

Charise

Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes

I love movies.  Before having kids I would go to the theatre weekly as a way to unwind and escape!  

One of my favorite movies of all time  is The Sound of Music.  I've seen it over a dozen times and cry every time I watch : )

We are wrapping up the second round of the Cocorico Bee.  It is a quilting bee I joined a few years ago.  Amy is the last recipient in round 2.  Needless to say, I was thrilled she chose "My Favourite Things" from The Sound of Music for her theme. 

I chose "Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes". I used my Vintage Dresses Pattern as a starting point and made a few revisions to make it look a bit more like a little girl's dress.

The white on white dot I have had in my stash.  The yellow dot is from Lakehouse Drygoods "Lake House Favorites".  The scallop is from an older Lecien Print.

Enjoy your day!

xo 

Charise

Sunday Stash ~ Lakehouse Favorites

A few years ago Lakehouse Dry goods fabric produced the cutest line called Annie's Farm Stand.

My favorite prints are the text prints called Annie's Seed catalogue,  which came in white, black, red and yellow.

They are adorable and versatile and I love to use them for quilts and small fabric projects!

The print made an appearance in my block for the quilt in the book "Playful Little Paper Pieced Projects."  It is the text print in the apple on the left.

You can find them in My Vintage Block Quilt Along.

And most recently, a free paper piecing pattern.

I was so excited that Lakehouse decided to reprint them ~ and in new colors!

You can find the prints at Fat Quarter Shop.

Happy Sewing!

xo

Charise