curtains

My Year In Review

| terriaw

I’m not one to look back or dwell in the past, especially since 2008 feels like a bittersweet year.  But I am forcing myself to appreciate what happened and focus on progress that WAS made over the year.

In January, I hosted a ladies tea party for my aunts, cousins and their daughters.  The little girls enjoyed dressing up in their princess dresses more than pretending to drink tea.

Me and the girls at the tea party

In late winter, we went to my parents cottage in northern Wisconsin for a winter retreat and had a great time snowshoeing on Lake Michigan on a sunny but very cold weekend. We also went to Upper Michigan for one last ski trip for the winter.

Terri and Dave snowshoeing

We celebrated our seven-year anniversary in May with a vacation to Destin, Florida.

chairs & umbrellas on the beach

In summer, we had a few great trips to my parents’ cottage in Door County, biking, boating and enjoying the outdoors.  We also went to the amazing Art Fair in Madison.

In August, Dave started his new job, a permanent full time job! It was a blessing for us because he has been working as a consultant for over three years.  And because of what was to come in the economy and job market for the months following.  My sister was in town for the family reunion party we hosted at our house before she and her family moved to China. 

In September, I went to the Madison Quilt Expo, which was inspiring but a little disappointing.  Why don’t any of the local shops carry my favorite modern fabric degignerss, like Anna Maria Horner and Heather Bailey and Sandi Henderson? We also went to a Civil War festival which was quite interesting, especially to see how the people dressed in those days, and to see a battle reenactment.

In October, we hosted a Halloween dinner party at our house, and my apron pattern review was published on Sew,Mama,Sew.

my lola apron

In November, I celebrated a big birthday in New York City.  I felt lucky to visit Purl, MJTrimmings, Mood Fabrics, the Guggenheim, the Met, and a few Irish pubs in between.

Me in front of Purl

In December, I participated in the Holiday Traditions Exchange with RaeAnn, and we  hosted a Holiday Open House for our family and neighbors.

Chocolate Lollipop PillowsPicnic Pillow with HandleGarden Party PillowcasesGarden Quilt - FrontMy Lola ApronApron for Holiday Traditions Exchange 08Close-up of Gothic Rose ValanceChristmasy Patchwork BagClose-up of Freshcut ValanceGarden Party TableclothPortable CushionsMy New Laptop Cover

In between all that, I made a bunch of pillows, a couple quilts, participated in a placemat swap, two sets of curtains, a couple tablecloths, picnic cushions, picnic pillows, two adorable padded footstools, a laptop bag, and a lot of other projects I am quite proud of.

Whew, that recap was good therapy and now I feel like 2008 was a good year.

Recap of Summer Vacation 08

| terriaw

It’s hard to believe summer is almost over. The end of August is just a few days away, as is Labor Day weekend, which always seems like the last hurrah of summer. It feels like just yesterday I was getting excited about sprucing up our gardens and spending more time outside. I had a ball over my summer vacation, so I wanted to share with you my fabulous list:

I watched my brother compete in his first half-marathon.

I spent a week in Chicago for a work-related conference, which was great fun, meeting people from all over the country.

We spent a week in Destin, Florida for our seventh wedding anniversary. It was the relaxing beach vacation we were hoping for.

We planted eight new trees in our yard, more flowers and a vegetable garden.

I watched my brother and cousin compete in a triathlon.

We spent the 4th of July weekend at my parents’ beach house in northern Wisconsin, boating and biking and enjoying the outdoors.

We went to Art Fair on the Square and Concerts on the Square. (lots of events in Madison are held on the grounds around the Capitol building)

We hosted twenty people from my family at our house for a family reunion.

I spent a week with my sister and family at the beach house again, with more outdoor adventures such as hiking and swimming, yet you can’t leave out cooking and baking when there are two or more women from my family together in the same house (we all enjoy the domestic parts of life).

I spent another weekend with my family one last time before my sister moves to China. (boo hoo)

I read a bunch of books, all of which I would recommend, including The Road by Cormac McCarthy, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg, Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larsen, and Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I’m almost finished reading Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, which I highly recommend.

I was much more creative than anticipated. I made portable cushions, a fabric beach ball, a tablecloth for our kitchen, curtains for our kitchen and for my sewing room, flower pincushions, a lunch bag with iron-on vinyl lining, and a garden quilt. (if I knew how to make one of those photo mosaics, I would have included that here, but you get the idea.)

I participated in a placemat swap, which was great fun, although I was sad that I never heard from my partner. (I wonder if she received the set I made for her? I wonder if she liked it.) Still, I was happy with the six placemats and matching napkins I made for her.

Oh yea, I bought lots of fabric too. How could I resist – there were so many wonderful new fabric collections – Midwest Modern, Drawing Room, Farmers Market, Garden Party, August Fields, Pop Garden – that came out this summer and so many convenient etsy shops to order from. I know, you understand.

My favorite parts of summer vacation were the adventures and the quality time spent with family. Thanks for stopping by. Cheers for Fall – I’m looking forward to beautiful sunrises, cool evenings, changing leaves, hiking in the woods, caramel apples, and more.

Curtain Call

| terriaw

I have been on a home decorating kick lately. This past spring, we finished painting our kitchen and living room. Since then I have been looking forward to making a valance, tablecloth and napkins using Heather Bailey’s Freshcut fabrics.

Finally, I had a free weekend! Here’s how the valance turned out:

First, I measured the width of the window and the length I wanted the valance to be (long enough to cover the blinds when they are open). That measurement came to 49″ wide x 13″ long. I added 2″ to the width for the side seams and then doubled the width to get more fullness. I added 2″ to the length for the lower hem, and 3″ to the length for the rod casing. My final measurement came to 102″ wide x 18.5″ long.

To hem the side edges, I hemmed the sides by turning under 1/2″ and turning under another 1/2″. Then I sewed close to the inner fold, repeating for the other side.

For the lower hem, I turned the lower edge under 1/2″ and then another 1-1/2″. Then I sewed close to the inner fold.

For the casing, I turned the top under 1/2″ and then another 2-1/4″. The top of the casing is formed by sewing 1″ in from the fold. The bottom of the casing is formed by sewing 1-1/4″ from the first line of stitching, or 1/4″ from the inner fold.

Finally, I finished off the hem with this cool ruffle trim, which added more length and a stylish accent.

I made a coordinating tablecloth from the Freshcut collection too. My table measured 41″ x 58″, and I had 2-yard piece of fabric, so I had to make that work for me.

I added a 2-1/2″ border to frame the main fabric.

Last winter, I found this cool tool – the EZY-hem by Dritz – which works great for ironing small hems, very handy when making handmade napkins.

great for ironing hems

I made the mixy-matchy napkins from Amy Karol’s Bend-the-Rules-Sewing book and some cocktail napkins from the Purl Bee to go with the new tablecloth.

I love how everything coordinates yet it’s not too matchy. Our kitchen has become the best room in the house! Wish I could have you over for coffee in the newly decorated kitchen.

Wait… I’m not quite done yet! I was on a roll Sunday afternoon, so I decided to make the valance for my sewing room, which has been on the sidelines for a couple months too. I used the Gothic Rose fabric from Amy Butler’s Belle collection.

I followed the same method as described above, and added a piece of lace trim for the ruffle. Isn’t that sweet?!

Wow, what a productive weekend!