I Made a Top!

I saw this post - a pattern that Jona made (can you believe that woman has 5 children and still looks so wonderful!) and fell in love with it. When I looked at my stash of recently purchased patterns, I saw that I! had! that! pattern! I was thrilled. Of course, the pattern I had was smaller one (sizes 4-12), because at the time, there wasn't a larger pattern at the store. According to the measurements, I was pretty sure that the 12 wouldn't fit, but I thought I would try to sew it anyway. I haven't sewn many clothes, and most of the ones that I have sewn have come out looking like crap. So, I figured that even if it didn't fit, it would still be good practice.

I had also gotten some fabric when I got the pattern, so I was all set.

I started and finished on Sunday. Before 2:30 p.m. The whole thing! I was very impressed - mostly with myself because I got finished in a relatively short amount of time, and because I started and finished (yes, finished!) something. Here it is:

The biggest problem with is that it's a bit too small. I can get it on, and it doesn't look too terrible, but I'm not sure that I could wear it comfortably. And, if I wash it, I'm betting that it will shrink. It's also a little short, too. Of course, now I'm not sure if I need to make another one (because I'd love to make another one) one size, or two sizes bigger.

I also finished the blocks on my pink and orange quilt, and got it all laid out. Now I just need to stitch them up!

I'm also looking forward to starting this quilt. Because really, we all know that I need another project to start.

Pink and Orange

My latest project is a pink and orange quilt. It was first inspired to this by this quilt. I started collecting some oranges and pinks while I was still living in Colorado - so more than two years ago. Yes, I know. I have two girls, but I still don't have all that many pinks. What's up with that? Anyway, then Pink Chalk Studio came up with her pink and orange quilt, and I figured it was time to get in gear and get my pink and orange top done. And after reading about the Bento Box pattern on other blogs, I decided to totally copy Pink Chalk Studio and use the same pattern. In the same colors. I hope she doesn't mind too much.

Here's what I have done so far.

I had to search for my stash for awhile, and use darker shades of orange than I had originally intended, but I have the rest of the fabric picked out. Did I tell you that I'm kind of short in the pink fabric department?

I'm totally loving these colors.

Starbucks Cups

I like Starbucks coffee, really I do. I can't say that I go there all that often, though. Maybe once or twice a month. But what I really obsess over like is their cups. You can run through them the dishwasher countless time and the colors never fade. The cups don't chip easily, either. They are very durable. Plus, coffee tastes much better out of a good coffee cup - and I do have to have my coffee every morning.

The last cups I got from there were Valentine's Day cups. I got one for me and my hubby. He's much more tolerant of my obsession getting these cups if I get one for both of us. Plus they were on sale! Two for one! How could I resist.

Anyway, I felt it was time for a new cup. Hubby was gone this weekend and I needed to go my daughter's lacrosse game alone. I felt I would be fortified to do so with a cup of coffee to take with me. So I went to Starbucks, and this is my latest acquisition.

I also think this color combination is great, and the style is great inspiration for a quilt! One of those Denyse Schmidt inspired ones.

And my coffee tastes great in it.

Yummy Book Cover

Okay, we're getting ready to go to Kauai on Friday. I figured that I would bring The Pillars of the Earth to read, since it's a huge book (about 1,000 pages), and it should last me the whole time that we're there. However, since it's so big, it's also kind of awkward to hold. So, yesterday, I got the great idea to make a book cover for it! I searched for some book cover tutorials online, but wasn't real satisfied with most of them. I ended up mostly using this one, but it was really hard for me to wrap my head around it, so there was a lot of seam ripping going on. In the end, I figured it out, and here's how it came out:

Yummy! I love the fabric and got it on sale at eQuilter. Now, mind you, this is NEW fabric, it hasn't really aged properly, but I STILL cut into it. You should be very impressed with that.

Here's another view of the side with the cute little tie for keeping the book closed.

Now this cover is very specific to this book. I'm not sure that it will fit on another book, so after I finish reading the book, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the cover. I'm almost positive that my husband will NOT read the book with this cover on it. So, I might have to give the cover away.

Here's a last look at the cover, with the cute little ribbon book mark in it. (Thanks, Rebecca, for reminding to put that in!)

I'm dying to make another one, now. And I think I've figured out how to one that's adjustable for thickness.