I’ve been on a mission this summer to make my sewing room efficient and easy to work in. When I see a stack of something I go to work brainstorming a solution. This idea was inspired by the stationery shop. I purchased a wooden dowel at the hardware store and spray painted some curtain rod holders. Mine were ones left by the previous owners that I didn’t like but didn’t throw away and were sitting in the garage taking up space. Good thing I kept them. Picture of the rods before they got painted.
The sewing machines have been humming. Caitlin and Leil have been at work learning how to do simple piecing, how to press seams, and how to rip out wacky seams. I had to remind myself early in the process that I would not be getting much done myself. Of course, I still tried. Their attention spans get longer with each project. They’re up to an hour or two. Longer than it took me to cut their fabrics and get them ‘set up’. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending an hour on ‘set up’ only to have their motivation peter out after 15 minutes.
Caitlin’s four patch is the top one, she used the color wheel to help select her fabrics. Leil always goes for the Asian inspired designs. She picked the black fabric first and then I showed her how to look at the colors in her base fabric to choose others to go with it. I started some sample blocks for a Halloween quilt. Inspiration struck when I saw these quilts: one and two.
Purl Soho has launched a new blog. I’m looking forward to seeing the projects unfold and getting inspired by their modern aesthetic.
Gina posted some pre-release pics of some new Denyse Schmidt prints. They just scream baby girl quilt.
We’re off tomorrow for a final summer fling at Cannon Beach. Leave me your favorite eating spots. We’ll definitely be headed to Seaside for dinner at Norma’s and breakfast at Pig n Pancake. Salt water taffy here we come!
Have lots of fun and see you when you get back. Take lots of picturs. Clarice
Oh, I love to eat at Duger’s. Great seafood. I think there is one in Seaside and one in Cannon Beach. Have a super time. Looks like your weather won’t be too bad. I’ve been watching because our kids leave Saturday for camping at Ft. Stevens near Astoria.
Dear Kathy,
Thank you so much for posting about the Purl Bee! (My goodness that was quick!). You’re redesigned site looks so lovely!
thanks again!
Joelle
You’re a walking advertisement for not throwing out stuff. I really was going to sell/give away all that fabric, but I’ve changed my mind on your advice. When my garage gets to full to fit the car in, I’m blaming you!
The paper rod is a great idea. Will have to go in the idea file for ‘one day’ when I actually do have a craft room of my own, which is looking to be in about another, oh, 15 years or so…soon as my eldest leaves home, their room is MINE.
I love visiting because you always have something inspirational going on!
How funny, I have a small pile of dowels and hooks in my studio ready to be painted. Oh, I love Pig N Pancake. I also like the little ice cream shop on the main street. Have fun!
Is that a little monkey head on top of the paper hanger? Fabulous! And monkey fabric to boot! Woohoo. Monkey mania
I love your little houses! Your photos are so lovely. Also, thanks for the link to Purl Bee. I’ll be adding it to my favorites. Have a great time on the coast!
The houses with the little sock monkeys are too cute. I got a fat quarter (or maybe a 1/2 yd cut) of this a ways back in the hopes of making a boy’s baby quilt. How great is it that your daughters want to learn how to quilt like you do! That’s just so nice to know that the next generation is still interested in the needle arts too. Tell them that they did a great job on their blocks – nice print and color selections.
The sock monkeys are my favorites too! But the spider webbing is wonderfully spooky…
What other inhabitants do you plan to put in your houses?
The houses are too cute. The rod idea is a great one and good thing you didn’t toss the hooks! Those types are hard to find now, I’ve looked. Excellent idea! Thanks for the great links…the zig-zaggy border is pure genius and will have to end up in my halloween quilt still waiting to be started!
Your girls are so talented. I wonder who they take after
I’m so glad to hear that they interested in sewing and haven’t run screaming the other way. I really hope Bea likes it too someday.
I have been wanting to make some house blocks for Linus quilts — and those funny ones would be great I think.
Have a wonderful beach weekend.
hi, I’m new to your blog – can’t remember who sent me here but it’s lovely. You did a great job sorting your paper out (and I spy that gorgeous fabric on the window too)!
your houses made me so happy that i wanted to weep. i love how you’re teaching your children your art. i’m anxiously waiting for the day when i can do the same with Otis, and it’s exciting just to see him pick up a pencil and scribble now. this gives me more to look forward to.
hope you’re having a relaxing vacation.
where do you get that nice paper, been looking for that since i have been in the US since may but can’t find it locally–thinking the web is a better bet?
Don’t you love it when something you’ve been hanging on to comes in handy in your craft room? That’s been happening to me as well – 2 wall shelves that didn’t have a place and a magnet board – they are all going in there sometime soon.
I really enjoy hearing how your children learn to sew from you. My boys talk about learning now, but aren’t quite old enough to use the machine right now. I’m afraid that when they are old enough, they won’t be interested.
I love your color sense (in your Halloween quilt). I’m soooooo traditional, sometimes I’m bored with myself.
I’m enjoying learning from you!
I just found your blog & am having a great time browsing! Good stuff!
Great work on the sewing machine
I wish my sewing space looked so organized
Michelle