weekly inventory

I get really excited when I can make it to Friday and look back at the week, either in pictures or in my head, and see some results. 

Here are some of this week's highlights, in no order whatsoever:

I have made noticeable progress on my quilt.  I keep it in a basket by the sofa and stitch on it whenever I happen to be sitting still.  Quilting in the winter is so fun- how many other crafts can be done under a blanket? 

We drank many hot beverages out of our new favorite mugs, which were a Christmas gift from my cool sister.  A little hot cocoa, some lattes, and mostly tea.  Lots of tea. 

I invented a new breakfast/snack/dessert.  Take some vanilla yogurt, add walnuts and a few chocolate chips, stir.  Then tell me that's not like a party in your mouth.  I dare you. 

We don't usually buy vanilla yogurt, we buy plain.  But the grocery store was out of plain last week, so I bought vanilla and couldn't stop thinking about how much like ice cream it tastes (which tells you both how tart plain yogurt is and how long it's been since I've had ice cream).  So then I started thinking of toppings I could put on it, this magical yogurt/ice cream and, well, you see. 

Moving on...

I made thirteen zipper pouches.  A baker's dozen.  They are all so cute that I want to keep every single one.  (Kind of a problem.) 

But since I don't actually need thirteen zipper pouches, I have posted them in the shop.  Some as sets and some as singles that could be made into sets.  The sets are a better deal, just so you know. 

Speaking of good deals?  I'm having a little January sale- use the coupon code "JAN10" for 10% off your entire order.  You're very welcome. 

Do you have anything fun planned for the long weekend?  We've got a few ideas and I can't wait to get started! 

better with sunshine

After three days of rain and gray and errands, today stretched out in front of me like an endless line of zipper pouches.  Do you ever have those mornings when you just can't wait to get started? 

I blame the sunshine.  I wanted to stay at the ironing board all morning with the sun warming my hands and the iron making those little hissing noises and everything else quiet. 

The colors and patterns of these pouches I'm working on are sunshine of their own and I have been grateful today to work with such a beautiful medium.  Truth be told, I learned to sew mainly because I wanted a valid excuse to buy fabric. 

Even cleaning the bathroom and dusting seem like more fun when it's sunny outside, and I know, because I've done both today.  I like to finish my chores in the morning and give myself the afternoon to sew, as a treat. 

This morning, I sat in the sun and read this and it's been on my mind ever since-

               "We thank you, God, we thank you— your Name is our favorite word"
                                                                                                 Psalm 75:1 (MSG)

So with my thoughts full of thanks and my hands full of zippers, I'm headed back to the sewing machine to stitch away the afternoon, in the sun. 

Levi's nursery

Remember our friends with the new baby?  His mom has been hard at work on the nursery and I have gotten to help her, which has been really fun. 

She found this triptych tree painting on Etsy and we added some brown ribbon before hanging it over the changing table. 

We went fabric shopping together and I spent last week making the curtains and a matching table cover.  I usually only make curtains for my own house, but really enjoyed making these.  So much so that I am considering saying "yes" the next time someone asks if I make custom curtains.  Do you know how often people ask me that?  There must be a lot of bare windows in this city. 

Now that Levi's curtains are done, I am planning to spend some time this week filling up the shop.  Have you been over there recently?  I'm almost done posting the items that I made before the holidays.  Today, my goal is zipper pouches.  Lots of them.  I sold almost every last one before Christmas and have lots of fancy new fabric that would look super cute in pouch form. 

Also?  There's one more amazing voile scarf coming soon.  I chose four new scarf patterns for this fall and winter season (here, here, and here, so far), but keep selling out of the fourth one before I get a chance to post it!  I've ordered more fabric though and have high hopes of getting it in the shop by the end of next week.  It's green and it's fabulous and I can't wait for you to see it!

bird party

Well, we finally took down the Christmas decorations.  As sad as it was, it was also nice to vacuum away all the tree needles and start the year with a clean slate.  I haven't decorated for January yet (see last year's mantle here), so our family room is very bare and white and looks a little bit like we've been robbed.  Or attacked by Pottery Barn. 

Speaking of white- I'm totally excited about these paper whites popping out of their bulbs by the back door.  Flowers in the winter?  Yes, please. 

Our weekend was filled with a little of this and a little of that, where "this" was mainly quilting and sewing and "that" was usually Steve taking pictures of birds.  We're so exciting, it's a wonder they haven't made a reality TV show about us yet. 

We also took apart my old sewing machine for a good clean and oil so that it will be in tip top shape when classes start up in two weeks.  Two weeks!  I can hardly wait! 

We also managed to get a few pictures for the shop this weekend and I'm working on posting some new products today, one of which is my first ever men's scarf!  I made one for Steve in November and he's been wearing it ever since, so I decided to make a few more.  Because why should ladies get all the handmade fun?

It is very dark out today and I am doing laundry and making lentil soup and trying not to miss the Christmas tree too much.  I'm also working on a small blog series of food how-tos and am looking for a few more ideas.  So if there's something you're dying to know how to make- let me know!

let's learn something new this year

 Steve and I are going to learn something new this year.  We are still talking about what that might be, but I will tell you that both voice lessons and dance lessons have been presented as options. 

This is going to be fun. 

 I think that January is a great time to learn a new skill.  The holidays are over (at least for some people) and there's not much going on outside. 

 Six years ago, I learned to sew.  I started in January.  And now, looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the most rewarding things I ever did. 

 So now I want to share.  I am so excited to be offering some sewing classes this winter, for beginners.  People who have always wanted to learn but never made the time, people who never thought they'd be good at sewing but are now ready to put that silly rumor to rest, people who want to make their own drapes and napkins.  And other people too. 

I have added a "Classes" tab at the top of my blog with all of the information about the winter session classes and a handy spot on the sidebar to sign yourself right up. 

So let's do this.  Let's make 2012 the year we learn something great.   Are you in?

january in my head, december in my heart

I have a confession: it is still Christmas at our house. 

I haven't taken down a single decoration.  The lights are still up- inside and out.  We're still watering the tree.  Every windowsill is full of greenery and pine cones. 

This morning, we came downstairs in our pajamas and did pilates with the fireplace on and Christmas music playing.  Just like we've done for the past four weeks. 

I'm just not done yet. 

We had such a lovely December and wonderful Christmas break that I want to keep celebrating it a little longer.  Over the break we saw lots of family and old friends, drank plenty of hot chocolate, and had five separate gift exchanges- one that happened at a Cracker Barrel off the interstate.  We also got plenty of time at home, ate great food, and went shopping. 

Growing up, we often left the Christmas decorations up through January 3rd, because that is my sister's birthday and she liked to have the tree up for it.  (Hi Bren!  Happy Birthday!)  This year, I think we're holding out for Epiphany.*

Last night was our final night of Christmas vacation.  I was feeling a little melancholy.  But Steve, who almost always knows exactly what I need, suggested that we make it a party evening.  We watched Midnight in Paris and roasted chestnuts and had more hot chocolate.  The movie was charming.  I loved the music and the scenery and the story was sweet and unexpected. 

Today, back in the real world, piles of laundry and ironing await me.  I have a list of emails to respond to, dinner to make, and several custom sewing orders to attend to.  And I plan to get it all done- with a smile- cozy by the glow of the Christmas tree. 

*Epiphany falls on January 6th and is the feast commemorating the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus

finishing up

Happy New Year's Eve!  Doesn't the end of the year make you super reflective?  I think we're going to list the top five things we are most proud of in 2011.  Instead of the end of the year reminding you that you didn't accomplish all your goals, why not focus on what you did get done? 

It is beautiful here today- sunny and 60 degrees!  We're using the unseasonably warm weather as a chance to get some yard work done before the real cold sets in. 

Our big plans for tonight include serving dinner to some folks who are really just like us, only they will be sleeping in a temporary spot tonight, while we come back to our permanent home.  Nothing like a little perspective to finish out the year- thankful, thankful, thankful. 

Once we get home, I've planned some appetizers for a late dinner, and then we may do something completely crazy like a Mary Tyler Moore marathon on Hulu.  And, if you can believe it, I'm super excited. 

One of the things I am so thankful for is how much my blog and shop have grown in 2011!  Thank you for stopping by and reading and maybe even commenting or purchasing!  I love sewing so much and I wouldn't be able to do near as much of it without your support.  I can't wait to see what kind of exciting things we can get into in 2012!