We've Moved!

Please join me at our new blog home, In Stitches.

After much thought and consideration, it's time to retire the Stash Resolution blog and move on to an updated look and name more in keeping with my goals working in this wonderful industry.

I hope you will take the time to change your feeds and continue to follow my sewing, quilting, knitting, and life adventures.

See you there!

Multi Tasking

How do I do it all? Well, right now, I'm making breakfast while writing this blog post. Sausage is sizzling on the stove, and I'm intermittently writing a word or two in between putting Isabelle's pacie back in her mouth, getting apple juice for Olivia, and flipping the patties. Ah, domestic bliss. :-)

This week, I was excited to have not one but TWO knitting finishes - and a great start to another project. Yeah!

First up was a neck warmer for a friend. I've watched this friend blossom as a knitter of the last few years going from basic stockinette scarfs to now hats and blankets, both of which she knit for Isabelle. I wanted to make her a little something in return.

She is super fashionable, so this floral pattern - called Flora (a free Knitty download) seemed to fit her well. The pattern has clear instructions and an interesting construction, including a new twisted stitch/technique that I had never done before. I used Malabrigo - yummy! - worsted in a bright pink colorway, which worked out perfectly for the project.

Next up is a finished sweater for baby Isabelle. The pattern is a Knit Picks download called the Offset Baby Cardigan. I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in a plum colorway. Just can't beat the price of yarn at Knit Picks for kids wear that they grow out of so quickly!

I love the offset cable. Such a quirky, unexpected construction. I purchased flower buttons from this Etsy shop and highly recommend it - great customer service and lightning-fast shipping.

Finally, I have the long-awaited Cha Cha scarf back on the needles. The scarf will get to its rightful owner by the end of October. I promise! :-)

Now, off to negotiate with Olivia on why she needs to eat her peaches with breakfast. :-)

Flying Geese

I found a little time yesterday to start my flying geese mini quilt project. Love making organized stacks of fabric. Something about it is so satisfying.

There are a million other projects I should finish before starting this new one. Sometimes one needs a new project to get inspired, right?

I'm using the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese ruler and this mini quilt tutorial from Purl Bee for inspriation.

What are you making this week?

Harvest

If I don't do a quick post today, there's no telling when it will happen. In the battle between parents and children, the children are winning today. Hands down. Olivia is presently screaming in her room because I told her she needed to have quiet time. Key word - QUIET!

Anyway, we did have a nice weekend and managed to finish a couple harvest-y of projects.

First up, a pumpkin made from this tutorial.

I think it looks okay in our family room - nice and festive. (Thanks to my mom for helping get the pieces cut and leaves embroidered!)

Olivia and I had a sewing date with my friend, Patty, and her daughter. We made ghost decorations out of muslin and batting.

The girls drew faces on them, and they were strung with floral wire to a piece of fabric. Great project for the under 10 crowd if you're looking for a fun Halloween activity - with parental supervision of course!

Finally, we made Halloween bunting using Alexander Henry's The Ghastlies fabric. Such a fun line in a spooky-silly way.

Hope you're getting this week off to a great start and are doing something fun to mark the beginning of autumn!

Episode 34: Newsie

Here are links to what I talked about in episode 34 of the Stash Resolution podcast. Download episodes for free on iTunes. Thanks for listening!

Moby Wrap
Knitmore Girls podcast
Pumpkin tutorial by Pink Suede Shoes
Fabric Pinwheel tutorial by Night Owl Crafting
Flower buttons purchased here
Super Quick Baby Bonnet
Upside Down Daisy hat
Sew Forth Now
Singer - My Singer Story
Project Modern Challenge 4
V & Co pillow cover tutorial
Lots of Pink Here
Cottonway ironing board cover
Generation Q Magazine
Quilting Daydreams
Quilter in the Gap
Very Lazy Daisy
Better Homes & Gardens Holiday Magazine

Flurry

It's been a flurry of activity around here. I feel like I never stop moving. There's the laundry to keep up with, children who need fed, bathed, changed, mail to sort, coupons to clip, carpet to vaccuum. Yesterday, when both girls were having breakdowns simultaneously, my husband and I looked at each other and I said, "They're trying to kill us!" :-) True, this is a happy time, though exhausting.

Isabelle turned one month this weekend. She has gained three pounds in four weeks, which is pretty amazing for a nursed baby. I bought monthly stickers to take her photo from this lovely shop. She has definitely filled out in her cheeks and legs (and wasn't feeling a photo shoot yesterday!).

Anyway, I finished another Simple Little Runner for a wedding gift, this time out of Kate Spain's Flurry. It was washed and wrapped within hours of the event! But a win is a win, right?

I just love this collection with the pop of bright blue. 

I did simple meandering quilting and used solid fabric for the backing and binding. Hope the happy couple will enjoy bringing this holiday decoration out for years to come.

If the stars align, I am going to record a podcast this morning. Stay tuned for a jam-packed episode! There is so much to share. :-)

Misc.

I have a hodge podge of information to share with you this morning.

First, lost in baby land, I completely missed the sign ups for the sixth round of the Pillow Talk {Swap} on Flickr. Did you get in? If not, join me on the side lines cheering on the amazing work we're about to see. The talent in this group is unbelievable!

Next up, my Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild friend, Heather, had a fantastic link to a Wall Street Journal article on Denyse Schmidt on her blog Olive & Ollie. A wonderful read!

Do you ever have design freeze? This is the situation with my master bedroom. It's basically a very ugly blank canvass right now. Nothing about it says "sanctuary." Instead it says "depression." So, I happened upon West Elm's room concept ideas when searching for new bedding (yes, I know I could make a quilt, but it will take too stinkin' long!). The site even tells you what paint color to use - Amen! Can't decide which I like better -

 this one 

 

  this one

Which do you like?

Finally, I love it when my customers send me photos of the projects they complete with fabric from the shop. Makes my day! Tina was sweet enough to share photos of an adorable bag she completed using Strawberry Fields fabric.

She used Lila Tueller's Cambridge Cargo Bag pattern - under the Pink Fig Design label. Isn't it beautiful? The finishing touches like the buckle and pocket flaps make it look like it was bought in high-end a store. Thank you, Tina, for sharing your work with us! (BTW, love the music on Lila's blog! Click the link, turn up your speakers, and get ready to groove!)

Wishing you a great weekend!

Wedding Bells

In the next several weeks, we have two weddings to attend. It's been over a year since we've attended a wedding, and now we have two back-to-back! I love weddings... Always a sap with my tissues in the church pew.

Anyway, I decided to make each happy couple a table runner using this Moda Bakeshop recipe. The first is complete!

I used one Sweetwater Hometown charm pack, Hometown backing, and a little Bella Solid in Ivory to complete the project. It uses minimal yardage and came together so quickly!

I opted to not use ric rac and keep it a little more simple as I think this will appeal to the recipient's taste a little better.

The backing is Cross Town in Cream. I like the scale and simplicity of this print.

I made a set of four coordinating napkins out of Flower Shop in Mist using this tutorial from Skip to My Lou for instructions on how to miter corners. It was a bit fussy to get right, I must say.

I hope the bride enjoys this set as much as I did making it for her!

The Before

I held back showing you pictures of my new attic sewing space because it wasn't perfect yet. The truth of the matter is that it may never be. So, here goes...

I have one adorable square window on the far wall of the space. I made a little valance from this fabric and have my sewing table with machine, serger, and notions. This is the mid-day light that casts into the space - the most direct it ever is, at least this time of year.

My iron is conveniently set up right next to the sewing table. Stacks of plastic containers of fabric fill the space beneath the table. Seriously, I think I have enough stuff to sew for the next eon!

The boxes stacked to hold my yarn look dangerously close to buckeling! I like having them on display, though. That way I don't forget what I have - plus all the colors together are kind of pretty. Books are propped against the yarn containers loudly mocking me for barely having made anything from them. I can't be the only crafter with this problem, right?

 On the left long wall, I have several Ikea shelves full of bolts of fabric. They're organized by line and then by print. Pre-cuts and fat quarters are stacked on the top shelves as are remnants. I'm very protective of this space - no one is to enter without first washing their hands and then asking permission! I'm a real sticker about that. And, yes, that is an Anna Maria Horner rug on the floor. It used to be in my foyer, but it suites this room much better.

Here is all the Echino and Kokka fabric - what a happy, fun shelf! It's Olivia's favorite to "shop" and tell me which ones she likes best, which is usually all of them. "Mama, I like this one, and this one, and this one... oh, and this one..."

I try to keep the fabric like I would organize it if people were coming in to shop it in person. It keeps me on top of inventory, and makes fulfilling orders a little more simple, especially if I have to call in reinforcements (a.k.a. hubby!).

Opposite the fabric is my cutting table. This creates a nice work flow cutting down the number of steps between bolts and cutting. Here is the business person coming out in me - efficiency!

Next to the cutting table is one of my favorite organizational purchases - a wire drawer system from Ikea. On the top, I keep shipping supplies (packaging tape, Sharpies, business cards, etc.). Then, each of the other three drawers are dedicated to my current personal projects - one for each of my daughters and one for household/gift projects. This keeps everything neat and visible, and it's the first thing I see when I enter the room.

Finally, here is a view of the other side of the room. The entrance is from my master bedroom. My desk is against the wall opposite the window, which is nothing special to look at, though I probably spend more time here than at my sewing table. :-(

These are the "before" pictures of this space. There is much decorating to be done in this space- mini quilts to be made and hung, sewing-related decorations to be purchased, design wall to be assembled, etc. As I make significant improvements, I'll show you updates. I created a Pinterest inspiration board (at time of writing this, Pinterest is experiencing issues and not allowing me to link to the board. Find me as Sarah Hibner and then look for my board called something like Dream Sewing Spaces) of other sewing spaces to keep me going.

I feel spoiled and grateful to have this wonderful area dedicated to my passion. The fact that many sewers only have their kitchen table, a closet, or a corner is not lost on me. With that in mind, I'm going to get in gear and show my appreciation for this space by making it an inspiring creative place to be!

Hope you all have a great week!

Baby Quilt and Give Away Winner

Today feels like a vacation day. Why? Well, the baby is currently sleeping peacefully in her bassinet and Olivia is at pre-school. Yesterday was my first day alone with both the girls at home all day and my goodness did they run me ragged! We went to the park, cleaned, prepped dinner, played games, changed diapers, nursed, changed clothes about 10 times... Exhausting but wonderful. But I'd by lying if I wasn't grateful for this quiet time, which I'm going to put to good crafty use!

A few months ago, I talked in a podcast episode about whole cloth quilting. While this may not totally qualify as the definition of the technique, I am hand quilting straight lines on Isabelle's baby quilt.

To prep, I sandwiched the quilt as I would to machine quilt it. Then I drew straight lines lightly in pencil across the top fabric. Using a square quilting hoop, no. 8 perle cotton, and an embroidery needles, I am going to town quilting little sections at a time.

The effect on the back is quite subtle since the fabric is dark. That doesn't bother me, though, because the front is a busy print. Fabric is Anna Maria Horner's Loulouthi.

Making sure my crafting is distributed equally between the girls, I am knitting Olivia a hat called Upside Down Daisy from Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitt Hats book. This pattern has been on my mind to make her since I first took up knitting over three years ago but wasn't confident I had the skills until now. I'm worried it may be too baby-ish for her but am moving forward anyway. 

The yarn is Mirasol T'ika, which is 8 ply 100% cotton. Unlike some cottons, this one has a buttery hand to it and doesn't feel dry or stiff. The pattern is perfect for middle-of-the-night feedings as I have to knit 7" in the round. Perfect mindless work while watching episodes of House Hunters International. :-)

And now for the winner of the Sweetwater Hometown fat quarter bundle selected by Random Number Generator...Congratulations Gretchen who said:

I was born in McKeesport, Pa, but moved away from there when I was eight. I spent the rest of my growing up years in Belleville, MI which really feels more like my hometown to me. Instill live in that general vicinity.

Gretchen, I'll be in touch to arrange shipment of your prize!

Reading your comments was such fun! Thank you for the enthusiasm and personal stories you shared. I wasn't expecting that but was reminded what a wonderful sharing and supportive community of sewers we have. :-)

zippity

After reading this post by Amy at Lots of Pink Here, I was inspired to make Olivia a travel pouch for her overnight visits at her grandparents' houses. But first I had to conquer the zipper!

On Amy's good recommendation, I purchased an assortment of zippers from Zipit and was super pleased with the quick shipping and friendly customer service. Her shop is like a virtual candy store of zippers!

Then, I used this tutorial by Vanessa Hewell of LBG Studio make the patchwork pouch. Using scraps of Heather Bailey Nicey Jane, I actually cut out for two pouches. Proving that bad stitches still happen to good (sleep deprived) people, one bit the dust when I accidentally snipped through the exterior in the very last step of the project. UGH!

The second patchwork was in a blue and green color way... And was intended for Olivia's ballet instructor as an end-of-summer gift. So, instead, I whipped up a solid exterior version using Echino fabric. Without messing with piecing, this came together in under 10 minutes. We added a gift card to a coffee shop and - voila! - teacher gift done.

I can see making a bunch of these for holiday teacher gifts. Maybe I'll add a little more jazz to them when I'm not under pressure to finish it in between feedings and diaper changes!

What's Your Hometown? Giveaway

While I've always dreamed of big-city life, perhaps Mellencamp had it right when he sang, "I cannot forget where it is that I come from, I cannot forget the people who love me, I can be myself here in this small town, People let me be just who I want to be."

I suppose that is the beauty of a hometown - small town or big town - that it is the place where your loved ones are, where you put down some roots, and where you can fall into the person you're most comfortable being. Maybe it isn't true for everyone, but I have found over the years that it is true for me.

Sweetwater's new fabric line, Hometown, captures the essence of small town America. With fabric names like Marketplace, Barbershop, Town News, and Flower Shop, the designs are a subtle blend of comfort and sophistication. You can almost feel like you're on Main Street USA smelling the local bakery's donuts as you walk down the cobble stone sidewalk to the farmers market to pick up this week's produce.

From a large-scale polkadot to a trendy typeface print in shades of blue, gray, red, and cream, this line of fabric is my new favorite! And I cannot wait to make something from it.

 Polkadot Bundle

We have a solid line-up of Hometown at Swell Cloth - 18 bolts in the range of colors and prints. Cuts are available from Fat Quarters up to multiple yardage. Feel free to convo me if you need a custom amount, and I'll set up a reserved listing for you.

Yellow and Gray Collection

Blue and Cream Collection

We also have a nice stock of Jelly Rolls, Charm Packs, and Layer Cakes to support all those fun new patterns coming out for pre-cuts. I don't know about you, but I can't seem to get enough of them - they make piecing so easy!

Jelly Roll

I can see this line translating easily from quilts to bags to aprons and more. In fact, here are some great project ideas over at the Moda Bakeshop.

The Road to Tennessee from Moda's Bakeshop

The Road to Tennessee quilt takes four charm packs plus background, binding, and backing fabric, but it yields a nice-sized quilt. With these colors, I can see it easily transitioning from a cozy fall quilt right into winter in my living room.

Pillows Gone Wild from Moda's Bakeshop

In case you're in the mood for a smaller project, here are some great pillow patterns, also from Moda's Bakeshop, in a collection called Pillows Gone Wild. Fun, right?

I'm also bringing in a couple other patterns to the shop that should arrive in a few weeks - Lighthouse quilt and Down Home Tote. You can see more of this collection over at Sweetwater's blog. They also have a Flickr group dedicated to projects made out of their fabrics and patterns. Feeling inspired yet? :-)

Want to get your hands on a fat quarter bundle of Sweetwater? Leave a comment on this post telling us your hometown (it can be whatever hometown is to you - where you're from, where you've settled, someplace you visited that you felt like home.. whatever it means to you). 

Red and Cream Collection

Enter your comment by midnight EST Sunday, August 28 for a chance to win the Hometown Red and Cream Collection of Fat Quarters. A winner will be chosen at random and announced next week. Good luck!