Finishing up and finding balance

Today was the first day in weeks that I have felt like my old self. At twelve weeks along, I'm officially (depending on who you ask or what book you consult) into my second trimester, so maybe my body has finally exited off of the major hormonal roller coaster it's been riding. I know I should be grateful I haven't been subjected to morning sickness, but I think I've made up for it in the crazy, weepy, insecure, irritable head I've been living in lately. Let's just say I haven't been a barrel of monkeys to be around. Besides these fun pregnancy side effects, my bionic fatigue has been compounded by my sweet little girl who has become downright nasty at naps and bedtime, leaving me riding about six hours a night of sleep, some of which has been spent on her bedroom floor, desperately trying to get her into a calm slumber. Add in the constant internal obsession I have to be constantly creating but no time in which to do it and top it off with crafting deadlines and the pressure to make a perfect homemade holiday, and it stands to reason that all I've really been feeling like is a big hot mess. Oh, and did I mention that I've already gained seven pounds (thanks to dear Mark's successful attempts at trying to perfect his pasta making skills, and my intense craving of anything sweet, gooey and baked)? Not quite so cute and pregnant looking yet, just really paunchy! It's no fun feeling this crappy anytime, but especially not at the most merry and bright time of the year.

Okay, enough complaining already! Today the sun came out and I didn't cry even once. I had the energy to do a little Christmas shopping and finish up my pillow for round four of the Pillow Talk Swap. Those curved hexagon stars didn't really lend themselves to the traditional square shaped pillow, so I stuffed it myself in a hexie shape. For the back I went with a simple grey and white dotty print from Momo's It's a Hoot line and bound it with some Kei dots. I like how it turned out pretty well, and I hope it's to my partner's liking, too.

It feels good to have a couple of things finished or in the final touches stage. My Honey Cowl is all done up and getting lots of wear - they say the cowl is the "must have" winter accessory this year! Mine is knit with some luxurious Madeline Tosh Pashmina in cerulean and it's super soft.

I've also finished a couple of bee blocks and believe it or not I'm already quilting my Christmas Pickledish quilt. I'm hoping to finish up another dolly for Lucia from the Wee Wonderfuls book for Christmas, but other than that I'm going to take a big, huge break from expectations on myself and try to enter 2011 with a fresh crafty slate. Until then, keep your fingers crossed for me that the hormonal monster doesn't return:)

I'm back! - with pillows and an announcement!

First things first - many of you have guessed that I am evidently not the best secret keeper. Baby #2 is on the way! Of course I was trying to wait until the recommended 12 week mark to make it public, but I'm just too excited! We've had our first ultrasound and everything is looking good so far. We're ten weeks along now (although I look more like I'm twenty!) so that puts the due date right around the first of July. I'm feeling pretty good lately as long as I get myself to sleep early. I'm usually a night owl so the ten PM bedtime isn't my favorite, but it seems to be keeping me from falling asleep in my one paltry half decaf cup of coffee in the morning.

Consequently I'm way behind in some sewing projects, especially bees (sorry Chris, Leslie and Angela!) but I'm working on it, and the above picture is the beginnings of my pillow for this round of the Pillow Talk Swap. My partner is down with bright colors and coal solid sashing so I'm hoping this will turn into something that will make her happy. I have a habit as using my swap partners for guinea pigs for new designs and techniques, and this round I decided to bust out the curved hexagon star template I bought after seeing these beautiful blocks by Amy awhile ago. The stars aren't the easiest to pull off, but if you're familiar with curved piecing it's definitely do-able. I'm already mentally drafting a "falling stars" quilt.

Although I am always mailing my swap pieces off on deadline day, I'm always paired with partners who are on the ball and get my present to me very early!

Look at this gorgeous pillow Lori made for me!

She did such a beautiful job with the design and craftmanship. I love the bird fabrics!

And as if the front wasn't lovely enough, check out the back:

Isn't it lovely? The cream and soft pastels look perfect in Lucy's room. Thank you again Lori for all the love and effort you poured into this piece!

Before I go, I just have to do a bit of bragging. My husband Mark was just featured in the latest issue of the Wine Spectator! It's a very highly regarded magazine that has the largest distribution of all the wino publications, so this was quite a honor. He's the big handsome one in the middle, and the photo was taken at our tasting room in Woodinville, Washington. I am one proud wife!

I hope you're all enjoying the beginnings of the holiday season. I've actually been getting a bit of sewing action in lately so I'll be back soon.

Lucky me! (And a Far Far Away sneak peek)

I just had to share a little view of the back of my new Far, Far Away quilt.....I think I almost like it better than the front! I'm still hand sewing the binding and then it needs a wash and a photo shoot before I show you the whole thing. I'm totally loving it!

Sooo....besides it being a completely gorgeous and warm Seattle day, this week has pretty much sucked at the L&N household. We had a big release at the winery this weekend and we were all feeling pretty wiped out by Sunday night. Then Mark started complaining of a pain in his lower right abdomen. This is a guy who does not even make a peep if he has the flu so I knew something was wrong. His doctor ordered at CAT scan for Tuesday and sure enough he was ordered off to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. After a night stay he is home with some pretty bad discomfort but luckily they got to it before it ruptured! So dealing with that (and consequently crabby husband) and a little girl who has decided to refuse her naps the last two days = mama who needs a little time to blog with glass of wine in hand!

Well here is the big, bright spot in my otherwise trying day: My pillow talk swap from the super talented and generous Ryan (imjustaguywhoquilts)!! Can you believe I was lucky enough to get this awesome Katie Jump Rope cushion cover?? If you love it as much as I do and wish it was yours, never fear! Ryan has just completed a detailed tutorial on his blog. Check it out here.

As if that wasn't enough, he also sent over a sweet little gardener set and cute crab toy for Lucy, and some beautiful journals for me. Thank you so much Ryan, and I'll get some photos up soon of the stuffed pillow in it's happy new home.

Swap Time Part II: The Pillow Talk!

I finally finished my pillow for the second round of The Pillow Talk Swap - leave it to me to wait until the last minute - and it is off to it's new home far, far away (hint, hint). I really fell for some of the other Anthropologie knock offs I've seen and then after visiting my local store and seeing it in person (along with the $88 price tag!) I knew I had to try it out. I had been itching to get to know applique a bit better too. Sorry that my partner had to be the guinea pig but I think it turned out pretty well.

I actually started this at the very beginning of swap time but it just took awhile with all the fussy applique. But what a great way to use up favorite scraps! The binding is one of my favorite Good Folks prints that I attached just as one would a quilt, and enclosed with a zipper. 

Just a little patchwork strip for the back and it's done.

I sure hope my partner loves it. It looks great on my sofa next to the Good Folks quilt;) I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new pillow soon!

Two very wonderful swaps

Wow! I really didn't mean to be away so long. I'm sure most of you can relate, between the holidays, illness and just everyday life time gets away and so does creative time. That being said, I did cook Thanksgiving for twelve and my husband, then me, and then Lu all got taken down with a nasty virus. I am feeling a lot better now, but she is still totally congested. Her first cold!

I did have enough time this weekend to finally finish my pillow for the Pillow Talk Swap. Sorry it is late - hopefully all the hand-stitching will count for some understanding.

Here she is! Finally my pillow case for the Pillow Talk Swap is finished. I hope you love it partner,

because as you can see, she was quite enamoured with my own Pillow Talk swap piece I received......

This came fro Isa, and I am also in LOVE. My husband is quite taken with this pillow as well:) And here is my absolutely gorgeous Little Red Riding Hood piece from Sam for the Embroidery Swap. I LOOOOOOVE her!!!

And Sam also sent me some gorgeous wool embroidery thread and beautiful buttons along with the package! So generous. I am thinking LR is going to find her way into a throw pillow case soon!

I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season, and I promise not to be away so long this next time!

Spoonflower Fabric Sneaky Peek

I finally did it! After months upon months of contemplation, I finished my first Spoonflower design and sent it off to be printed. Here is a little sneak peek of the artwork I scanned and sent in:

Yep, Snow White. I know that Little Red seems to be the reigning champion of popularity, but I am quite partial to this ivory faced, dark haired beauty (not that you won't see any Little Red from me in the future if all goes well!) Does this scene look familiar? Every artist has their muse, and mine was this japanese kawaii print which is probably one of my favorite fabrics of all time.....

Unfortunately it is out of print, like most of my fave fairy tale fabrics. I wanted to create something similar to the Cosmo japanese prints but with my own artistic style. It has been so much fun to create again! I am a bit nervous to see how the lines and color translate onto fabric, but if it works out then I can see this becoming an addictive little hobby. Look out Little Red, Alice, Thumbelina, Goldilocks and Cinderella! The fabric should be here in about two weeks!! Yay!

I am also making some progress with the hexagon top for the Pillow Talk Swap. Speaking of addicting, these hexes are just that! And I love the fact that I can just pack the project up and take it to go. I was toying with the idea of doing an all Flea Market Fancy hex pillow (my partner loves the line, but who doesn't?) but so far I am liking this one - I call it the Hexagon Hodge Podge. Or should I go back to the all Flea Market idea?? Luckily there is still time!

Oh, and I apologize for the crappy photos. It is crappy weather here in the Pacific Northwest and I can't get decent lighting to save my life.

And by the way, True Up, which is my favorite digest in the crafty world, has a great giveaway going on - japanese fabrics. I'm entering for sure!

Going a Little Hexy

So this is what I have been up to this week....

It is pretty addictive! I don't know why I was so intimidated to try this - they are super easy! I found this online tutorial, and here is a link for the hexagon template (mine are 1.25 inches). What a great way to use up scraps. I also dove in and fussy cut a few of my favorites, like the Munki Munki kittens and dogs and my new Cloud Nine Happy Garden birds.

What will I do with these, you ask?

Well, I joined the new swap group, Pillow Talk (see the button to the left). I am so excited - this will be my first swap piece ever. I am thinking these hexes are going to make their way into my pillow. If you were my partener, would you prefer a hodge podge of hexes or should I go for a color theme?

Also, does can anyone tell me how to respond to people's posts on my blog? I just can't figure it out!

Also here is a new pic of Lucy - 5 months old! She has her first hair-do (I did NOT do this to her, my silly friend Kari did!) and she is eating her first veggies, carrots, which she loves! And yes, that is my gi-normous sewing mess in the background!