My quilting buddy Kesten just bought her first house. She’s been busy painting the walls and figuring out how to decorate each room. I made these little coasters for her as a housewarming gift.
Greg and I bought our first house in Oakland California in 1994. It took us three years of serious simple living and discipline to save enough for our down payment. Back in the old days (ha, ha, I realize it’s not that long ago) you had to put 20% down to get your new abode. We had an incredible sense of acheivement moving into our VERY OWN 1,400 square feet of pure ’60s ranch (complete with gold shag carpeting covering up the beautiful hardwood floors).
We’ve moved several times since into homes one might say are fancier and better but I don’t think anything compares to that first house. The one you scraped to save for and sweat bullets over picking out. The feeling of getting the keys (are they really OURS!, eek!, yippee!) Cranking up the music and dancing around the rooms, every room, screaming and knowing your neighbor upstairs won’t bang on the floor with a broom. And, OMG, my own WASHER and DRYER. I don’t think anything compares to the feeling I had knowing I’d never have to lug my clothes down the street to the laundry mat on the corner (Page & Stanyan in the Haight).
I wish my friend and her hubby lots of great memories and joyful times in their new home.
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Spare body parts. When I cut out Olive & Archie I originally planned for Archie to have red hair and Olive blond. Leil saw what was up before I started stitching and asked me to reverse it. I’m sure this has nothing to do with her best boy friend having blond hair and blue eyes. If you’d like these extra parts let me know. I’ll include enough linen to also cut out Archie’s head and hands for them both. Michelle was really fast!
Oh, I think those toupees are just the cutest… would love to receive them if they aren’t already spoken for!
The coasters look great – what a nice gift.
I think the coasters are wonderful! I remember our first house too. A small condo and luckily no 20% down payment. Luckily we had rented a house for years before than so I was used to no neighbors upstairs.
I was wondering what the white paper was on the front of the coasters, but I’m guessing they were a pattern for the stitching? I’ve never done that before, but it’s a great idea. The Asian-themed fabric goes so well together.
I had a hard time moving out of our first house right before #2 was born. It would have been a hard squeeze – especially after #3 was born, but I cried leaving that house for the first time. I hope your coasters will always remind them of their first home long after they’ve moved on.
Great looking coasters! I’ve been meaning to make myself some for weeks; maybe this will inspire me to add it to my official project to-do list.
We’ve been in our 1st home for a year now, and I still sit here in disbelief. We own a home?? WE OWN A HOME! And, oh, the joy of the laundry room. I never ever have to wait for a dryer, which must be one of life’s simple pleasures. ;0)
I used freezer paper. I couldn’t figure out how to transfer my design to the quilt top so I needled through 4 layers of freezer paper, ironed them to the coasters and then stitched them with a regular presser foot (no free motion). I then had to tear away the freezer paper but it was easier since the needle had perforated the paper first. Anyone have any good tracing techniques for quilting designs? I usually don’t mark the top & free motion quilt or I do a geometric pattern which I can draw on with a pen.
(I’m delurking…) Those are really wonderful coasters you made – a very beautiful housewarming gift. But what got me to leave a message was the cross street you mention where you did your laundry! How very familiar to me, I just drove by today
It still exists. Admire you for remembering how it feels to have your own 
Those coasters are great. Good idea to sew through freezer paper. Would never have thought of it! I’m sure she’ll love them.
I *loved* my first house and still have dreams about it. I still miss it even though I don’t think I’d like living there now (very old, drafty, no insulation!). I think first time homeowners are the cutest…all the home improvement projects, painting, gung-ho gardening. Been there, done that. Now I just don’t have the energy.
what a lovely houswarming gift – just cute!
the move to an own house is very special… we built our house two years ago, and still we´re not finished completely. but – who cares if there are tiles on the floor in the basement? or if the stairs to the door aren´t the ones that will stay there? it´s ours, and every hour, day, week and month spent working on the house or the garden is worth it.
think everyone goes through this kind of “mad happiness”
Those coasters are so nice – a really thoughtful & personalized gift for new homeowners!
I remember our first [town]house – orange shag carpeting, industrial textured wallpaper, and wood panelled basement. You know, it had a lot more personality than the new house we live in now (although I’m not complaining – I love this place!)
I love those coasters – they are really cute.
Those are the best coasters ever–ever! She is going to freak out when she sees them!! Those fabrics…the kitty with the paw…I nearly choked when I saw them! Excellent stitching, too
Who could ever forget their first house? Ours was only 1250 sq ft and brand spankin’ new, in a new subdivision. The facade almost all garage….identical to the house across the street…backed up to a cow pasture…a row of blue garbage cans as far as the eye can see…no trees over 6 ft. tall…about 8 ft. between each house, barely enough for a fence…pure heaven!
Lovely coasters!
Just popping in again to say thank you for the beginnings of my own Olive and Archie. Received them just minutes ago, and I can’t wait to get started. Now to carve out some sewing time… Thanks again, you’ve cheered upa rather hectic day.