A Double Tablerunner for the Newlyweds

I almost forgot to share the gift I made for Will and Karen!  I actually had to ask Will to take and send me a few pictures because I completely forgot to take some before giving it to them.  Thanks Will!

Side 1: I used this Sharp Chevrons Template to do my first every paper piecing

Side 2:  Inspired by a friends table runner (you can see it in the first picture of this post).

 Looking good on there coffee table

And one more cool picture from my artsy b-i-l :)

Jersey Love Blog Tour and Giveaway! - Beachcomber Dress - CLOSED

I'm so excited to be part of the Jersey Love Blog Tour! 

When Bonnie of Fishsticks Designs asked Alisa and I if we wanted to participate in the blog tour we were in the middle of a fabulous family reunion and getting ready for a wedding. Alisa knew she wouldn't be able to do it so she signed me up...and I'm so glad she did!!  When we got home from holidays I had some beautiful Riley Blake knits waiting for me. 

I made a size 12 for my oldest and it turned out great.  The fabric was so soft with great recovery.  I didn't have any trouble sewing it.  I have had a few lines of stitching snap but I'm pretty new at sewing with knits and still trying to figure out the best way that works for me.

It's such a great pattern.  The instructions were very easy to follow although I kept wanting to put right sides together so had to watch for that.  I wasn't sure how I'd like the raw edges and thought I'd be hemming the bottom and finishing the edges of the sleeves but it turns out I love it.  The style of the dress and the fabrics work so well together!

And...my daughter loves it!  She loves to be comfortable and you can't get much more comfortable than this.

In action :)

I was so happy with it I right away made another for my younger daughter in a size 5.  I used the Riley Blake red polka dot that was left over and a couple other knits from Fabricland that I had picked up earlier this year.  What a difference in quality of fabrics!  It still sewed up easily but did quite a bit more stretching as I sewed and it's not nearly as soft.  It's still very cute on her and she loves it too.

Here's hers getting a good workout doing the dishes at camping.  We just got home from a week of camping and both girls wore them a lot!

There's a couple more days for the tour.  Go on and check out the other cute creations:

Tuesday, 8/13: Call Ajaire & Rock the Stitch
Wednesday, 8/14: imagine gnats & Busy, Beautiful and On a Budget
Thursday, 8/15: Shaffer Sisters & Blue Susan Makes
Friday, 8/16: Rooibos Mom & Mama Says Sew
Tuesday, 8/20: Designs by Sessa & Hopeful Threads
Wednesday, 8/21: Making More with Less & Sew Can She
Thursday, 8/22: Crafty Hour & Winter Wonderings … Wanderings & Whatnot
Friday, 8/23: Little Kids Grow & Max California

Thanks Bonnie and Riley Blake for the pattern and fabric!  It was fun to be part of this!

Now that you've made it this far, it's time for a giveaway! One of you will win a pattern for this Beachcomber Dress from Fishsticks Designs! Leave a comment and I'll pick a winner on Saturday

***The winner is....(Drumroll)....#19***

Lisa Van DamAugust 23, 2013 at 1:40 PM

You did a beautiful job on both of those dresses Suzanne! My Carrie loves comfort too and would love one like that - the brighter the better -lol!

A new bathing suit

I got this bathing suit made just in time for swimming lessons a couple weeks ago so it's been put to good use already.

The pattern is Jalie 3023 and the fabric is bought locally from Marshall's fabrics.

 

I really like style and so does Anneke!  This is the second swimsuit I've made and for the most part it worked out great. 

You can see both my issues on this photo though. 

• Gaping at the neckline - I had this last year too and thought maybe it was from the fabric which wasn't very good quality but it's happened again.  I think if I cut the fabric out at a bit more of an angle on the fold?  Any ideas for next time?

• Popped stitches on my twin needle stitching.  I was so excited to have figured out how to use a twin needle properly this time but now I have a bunch of places where it's coming out?  Any solutions/ideas on that?

Picture Post

Green Lake, British Columbia

Mr. Squirt didn't care if you were family or a complete stranger.  You better watch out!

 This guy loves the water!  He could 'swim' to the buoy with the life jacket on.

 Carolin thinks dragonflies and butterflies are wonderful.  She was thrilled this guy decided to have a rest on her leg.

Geocaching

Some very nice folks lent us their kayaks for awhile.  I think we may be looking for some of these!

The start of a thunderstorm.

A friendly buck.  Right behind our campsite!

Chasm Provincial Park

At the Black Diamond Ranch

I think I'll hang on to this photo.  I don't think Benjamin has ever let Melissa "lead" him around ever before.

Playing in the Coldwater River.

Trying to make a stunt video with his ipod taped to his head.

On the way home at the Othello Tunnels in Hope, BC.

This his 'nice smile' these days.

Oliver & S Family Reunion Dress...flipped

Recently I came across the term "flip" in connection with patterns. I know about flipping houses but I think it's kind of new with sewing. Taking a pattern and changing it to suit your style - something that's always been done but now has a name! :)  Check out Frances Suzanne who hosts fun monthly "flip this pattern" contests.

My flip came about because I had it in my head that I wanted to make one of the girls dresses a drop waist dress and when my first attempt didn't work out so well I had to try something else. Alisa, hearing the despair in my voice of time running out, mentioned she really liked the Oliver & S Family Reunion Dress. Best impulse buy ever!

Here's my version!

The details:

• I used the size 7 shirt length but took the curve out of the hemline so I could add the gathered skirt to it

• I pleated the pin tucks all the way down the length of the bodice

• Straightened the side seams

• Invisible zip and hook and eye instead of button placket

• Fabrics are all from my local Fabricland 

I love how it turned out!  Of the three dresses this is my favorite and fits her best!

Love this next picture.  I look at it and can hear the giggles :)

The pictures were taken at the botanical gardens in the town where we live.  Developed and maintained by volunteers it's a beautiful place to stroll through!

Tea Party Doll Dress

Saturday found me at home all day with just my two youngest.  Very rare during the summer!  I did some cleaning, some laundry and some baking.  But the best part was the couple of hours in my sewing room.

Deanna saved up for the better part of a year for an American Girl doll (funny b/c we're Canadian) and she finally got it earlier this month.  It's her birthday soon so I wanted to make her doll a dress.  It's the Tea Party Doll Dress from Little Things To Sew by Liesl Gibson.  I made the dress an inch longer than the pattern and skipped the hem facing (it's a doll dress after all) but otherwise I followed the instructions.   I think it turned out pretty well and it was sure great to be in my sewing room again.

The past few weeks

For the past few weeks, Alisa and I have been pretty occupied...

Us and our girls all ready for (Auntie) Karen's wedding!

Alisa's girls looking beautiful as the guestbook attendants

Our Dad giving away his youngest daughter!

The happy couple!!

Deanna and Auntie Karen

Alisa and I gave a little speech to Karen that only her and a few others in the room caught the humor of.  We'll share it with you - I'm sure you'll get it!

Our Dear Sister Karen 

The memory of the day you entered our lives more than 21 years ago is stitched securely in our minds.  You were a tiny 6 lb. honey bun, the last piece in our patchwork family.  You truly were your Sister’s Choice; another girl to balance out all those brothers.  We were thrilled to say the least.

As you grew you became even more fun.  All of your milestones were celebrated 9-patch.  We helped a lot when you were growing up – feeding you, changing your diapers, picking out your clothes, taking you to meander around the park and just having fun with you.  Being mothers now we know how much help that must have been for Mom.  Mostly you were full of charm but sometimes you were downright stippling.

At a very young age your passion for scissors was apparent but you never did go for hairdressing.  Now you save your cutting for fat quarters, paper and decks of cards.

I love to sew and already back in high school I could often be found behind my sewing machine.  You were the number one recipient of my creations.  I used pretty much everything to make clothes for you.  I dressed you in scraps of a table cloth, repurposed clothing and free fabric.  It was not all 100% cotton and not necessarily pretty.  You survived my love and by the time you were about 8 you were free from my obsession.

Alisa and I both still love to sew and quilt.  We were stashed when you joined us on our patchwork journey.  Imagine our excitement when you churned out your first quilt!  We are so proud of your binding, mitered corners and half square triangles.  Such good sister bonding time with our sewing machines and French vanillas.

And, now you’re married.  The cathedral windows were smiling.  The layer cakes and jelly rolls were delicious and we are more than happy for you!  You are blessed with William, a husband who understands texture and creativity, colour and pattern, and who has a long arm.

Cousins!

Special moments

And then it was time to go home. Always hard to leave. We had a wonderful family reunion with all 45 of us, a beautiful wedding and then a week of visiting and relaxing with family and friends. I'm thankful we only live a (long) days drive away. I'll leave you a couple pictures from out drive home. The Rocky Mountains are so awesome and majestic. I always feel so humbled in this beautiful display of God's splendor!

Rogers Pass