The happiest

Happy Holidays!We're engaged!

Much love, joy, and peace to you and yours this holiday season.

Craft happens

Presents! (More details to come...)

Winding down - for a fresh start

I'm here. Life has been so busy. I've been working, crafting (so many things to show you all!), settling in to DC with my sweetie and Louie, etc. All is well and I can't believe that 2011 is almost done. Seriously! My birthday is fast approaching in less than a month (that would be 29 - eek!) and so many wonderful things on the horizon.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I promise I'll be back more, hopefully very soon.

xo

In the works

I'm not sure why I've been gone for so long - clearly I've been busier settling into my life here in DC with Louie and my sweetie that I realized.

I recently took stock of my WIPs - and I'm almost ashamed to admit that there are seriously too many. I'm obviously the kind of crafter who likes to have MANY projects going at once. But aren't we all?

This weekend my sweetie is going to a wedding in Florida. I opted to sit this one out as it's kind of pricey to get there and stay there and we didn't want have to find someone to watch Louie. I love going to weddings but I'm definitely looking forward to not traveling this weekend. I plan to hang out with Louie and do lots of sewing, knitting, and movie watching.

A few sneak peeks of some of my projects. This one below is the Jelly Stars quilt pattern - it looks much more complicated than it is! I'm going to be doing vibrant stars with probably a linen background and a yummy flannel backing. This one will be living with us!


These Swoon blocks are complicated (LOTS of pressing) but look so lovely! These ones are being made into a present for a friend. More details to come...


I'll post more pictures and more updates this weekend!

The shop is back!

My Etsy shop has reopened so check it out! New items will be added soon...

I'm here!

Well, as you can imagine, life has been a little hectic. Our move went great and we're settling in nicely. We've been busy almost every weekend since we moved, though and have yet to get a few crucial pieces for our new place. Thankfully, this weekend we'll be able to take care of it!

My crafting has obviously been on hold. I'm anxious to get behind the sewing machine again, especially since I need to finish 2 gifts for friends!

Stay tuned...I'll be back on a more regular basis soon. :-)

P.S. My dear friend, Brooke, is in the process of re-opening her fabulous Etsy shop. Check it out here!

10

Ten is a lovely number. Ten is the number of days until my sweetie arrives and we move into our new place!

Yep, we've made it. The past month has been a whirlwind - busy job stuff, vacation to Maine, apartment searching/finding/reviewing the lease, back and forth to NYC to pack... I can't believe it's finally happening!

We spent another glorious week in Maine where we played on the beach, met up with friends, read a ton, and ate a lot of lobster. As always, it was too short but I'm thankful we managed to go at all, considering how busy things have been!

I'll leave you with some pictures from vacation. Next time I'll check in here will be after we're in our new place!!!

Finally

Well, hello there! Yes, I'm still here. Are any of you?

As you can tell from the silence around here, things have been BUSY. Work is good, DC is hot (hottest on record - total insanity), and so many exciting things lie ahead.

After months of working hard, planning, waiting, and all other difficult tests of patience and perseverance, I have big news: my sweetie will be moving down here! He has a job (within the same company, just transferring to the DC office) and we will be back to our glorious cohabitation around Labor Day. Apartment details coming soon...

I am beyond happy. This giddy girl is ESPECIALLY happy because today I'm leaving for a week-long vacation to beautiful, relaxing Maine. There will be long beach days, plenty of reading and games, and a long-awaited face-to-face with Brooke (we've been blogging buddies for a year now!). The serene pic below is of my two favorite boys strolling the beach last summer.

I'll be back real soon. :)

Wow

It's been almost 2 years since I started this blog. A LOT has happened since Post #1 and I'm sort of in shock that it's been that long. If you had asked me where I'd be 2 years from starting this, I don't think I would have even come close to describing the crazy path that led me to where I am today. But that's how this whole "life" thing goes, right?! ;-)

I've now officially been in DC for more than a month. Summer is in full swing (yes, I know I said that last time but now I'm serious - not to mention we're approaching the longest day of the year) but every now and then we get a respite from the truly sweltering temps. On those days, we turn off the the AC, open the windows and turn on the ceiling fans. I'm sitting here in my pj's enjoying the breeze right now, in fact. My sleeping has been erratic here so I'm up early (and have been waking up throughout the nights) - I blame it on the small bed and lack of snuggle buddy. Oh well.

I'm learning more and more each day at work and loving getting to know my colleagues. Our office is just outside the District in a cute neighborhood with lots of shops, restaurants, etc. so it's nice to take a break away from my desk and have yummy food and cute places to pop into just around the corner.

I'm missing my sewing machine more and more. Now that I'm feeling more settled, I'm definitely craving some semblance of familiarity of life before which includes crafty time. One of my roommates actually has a sewing machine which she kindly offered for me to use but you know me - none of my own scissors, fabric, thread, etc. is here. I may just take her up on the offer anyway... I have a few cuts of fabric so we'll see. I'm trying to figure out a way to get my machine/stuff here. Not an easy taks considering its weight and the fact that I usually go back and forth to NYC by bus. Hm, we'll see.

Not much planned for the weekend. Some of you cat-lovers have been asking for pics of my roommate's cats so I'll oblige you. I'm not really a cat person but these rascals are a constant source of entertainment (except when Fitch whines for breakfast really in the morning when my roommate is out of town...). Example: Rigby (named for Eleanor Rigby) is not very good at being a cat - last night we were watching a movie and she suddenly just slid off the ottoman! My roommate and I couldn't stop laughing. Like I said, very entertaining.

I took some other pics since this space has been feeling kind of empty. Happy weekend, all!

Playing with fun nail polish!

Crazy, whiny Fitch

Rigby, the princess (and clumsy cat)

Skylight in the bathroom

Bowl

Awesome vintage cabinet (belong to roommate's grandma!)

In the kitchen

Coasters

One of the best seats in the house

Front door

In the dining room

One pj-clad DC girl

Summer

Hellllloooooo out there! Anyone still there? Haha, sorry for the lack of posting but as I warned, it's going to be quiet around here for a while. Thought I'd drop in and say hello and give some updates! Hope everyone is doing well.

I've been here almost a month now which seems crazy. Some moments I feel like I just got here, while at other times I feel like I've been here forever. Life here in swampy DC is going pretty well - I'm really enjoying work (just got my first paycheck this past Friday and MAN DID THAT FEEL GOOD!) and getting to know everyone there. As I said before, they're all friendly and welcoming and even though it's a big organization, it doesn't really feel that way. We're sort of in a calm period right now but things will pick up and get crazy busy before we know it. I'm trying to enjoy the down time and make sure that I learn as much as I can so when the real work comes down, I'll be ready to just jump in. My office is just outside DC and the whole area is pretty cute with lots of places to eat, bars, shops, etc. Always helps knowing that a fun lunch is just around the corner. :)

My roommates are great (I knew one of them before and am having a blast getting to know the other 2). The general living situation is going very well - especially considering I came from a pretty different one (living in a one bedroom apartment with my sweetie and dog for the past year and a half). Don't get me wrong, I'm so ready to be back with my boys in our own place but I'm really lucky to have such a nice place to live with fun, friendly, considerate people. We all get along and also really respect each other. Not to mention, we have a good time whether it's playing late-night Cranium (last Friday night), watching trashy TV together (The Voice on Tuesday nights), or sharing food (one of my roomies is going to make lemon meringue pie today!!!).

I went back to NYC last weekend to see my sweetie and it was wonderful. It felt totally normal to be back in my apartment though pretty quiet without Louie, since he's still with my folks. My sweetie and I plan to head to Upstate, NY where our folks live for the 4th, which is actually the weekend that my younger sister will be moving to NYC (she starts HER new job in a month!) so my sweetie and I will be dogsitting Louie and Winston (my parents' Westie). It'll be nice to have a whole big house to ourselves, not to mention plenty of dog time. :)

My sewing machine is still having its own summer break back in NYC. While I get the craft itch practically every day, I'm certainly occupied with enough stuff that I don't feel too craft-deprived (well, most of the time). There have been some amazing fabric line releases this summer and many more that I'm anxious to get my hands on! I've still been living vicariously though all my Flickr and bloggy friends. Keep up the creative work all! I know that once I get my sewing machine back, I'll have lots of stuff to make.

Off to enjoy Sunday - paper reading, festival-going, grocery shopping, etc.

Flying by

Wow, I can't believe that I've already been here 2 weeks! Thank you for all the checking in emails. I miss all my crafty activities and while I don't really have any progress to report, I wanted to post and say hello.

Work has been great. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. Even though it's a large company, it definitely doesn't feel that way. While the majority of the employees are scattered across the globe, in the HQ (where I work) we have a few hundred but you'd never know it. People are always introducing themselves so I'm meeting a lot of new faces. It's great since I'm such a people-person.

I'm settling into a routine too. My room is starting to feel like mine (thanks to Brooke for providing some fabulous pictures that now live on my wall!) I'm even making peace with my roommate's cats - well, except when they whine early in the morning! ;-)

Summer has definitely arrived here in the District. During the time I was a student here, I managed to avoid the "real" summer, as I arrived in the early fall, was abroad in between my first and second years of grad school, and then left before it got really hot. I know I'm in for a doozy - thank goodness for ceiling fans, central A/C, and summer dresses!

I've got a somewhat lengthy commute so I've gotten a lot of reading done (which I love, especially having my Kindle!) and am satisfying my crafty craving (well, sorta...) with a little embroidery. After seeing all the photos people took at Quilt Market, I'm itching to get some new fabric and have my sewing machine. ::sigh:: I'll be back in NYC next weekend and hope to get a little stitching time in. I'm crushing hard on Anna Maria Horner's "Loulouthi" and a number of prints from Tula Pink's "Prince Charming." So happy to still be reading crafty blogs and perusing flickr often. I'm living vicariously through all of you!

Well, off to do laundry, groceries, etc. Have a great long weekend everyone! :)

Make it mine

Today was my first day of work! It went GREAT! People were friendly, welcoming, and helpful. As is typical of most first days, there was a LOT of information thrown at me, and I tried to absorb as much as possible. Phew, going to take a while to get into the swing of things.

I'm settling into the house here just fine. My housemates are very sweet and fun. There are 2 cats that live with us and while I'm not a cat person, these 2 are pretty entertaining. (But man oh man, do I miss my sweet Louie!)

My room is pretty much all set up - it's small and since it's just me, I have a twin bed (outfitted with my sheets from college - talk about flashback) and a few other things. While I don't need to fill it with tons of stuff, I do need a few things for the walls, as it looks a little bare. My cubicle at work too could definitely use some sprucing up! Anyone who wants to send pictures or other pretty things, just let me know... ;-) I'd love make both spaces more homey and more "me".

I'm completely wiped (no surprise) and am waiting for my dinner to finish baking. I'll probably pass out pretty early but I just wanted to check in, say hi, and tell you all that I'm settling in well. I definitely have no energy to sew, so it's not a big deal at the moment that my machine is still up in NYC. I'm sure as I get more used life here, I'll be craving it. Hopefully I'll get it down here soon...

The big day

I can't believe it's finally here: tomorrow I'm moving down to DC! So many emotions but certainly excitement is at the top of the list.

After a whirlwind few weeks, I'm taking the day to pack up and get organized. Yesterday, I got my haircut - a pretty big change since my hair was down to the middle of my back. It was waaaaay to long (and big!!!) and now that I have a real grown up job, I wanted to a new look to go with it. :) I've had my hair a million different lengths, from pixie cut to long curls, but this look is so perfect! I really love it and think it'll be especially perfect for the steamy DC summer.

No crafty news to report as my sewing machine is currently sitting in my NYC apartment (I'm Upstate at my folks' house). Ah well.

Will report back soon once I'm settled. Wish me luck - my new job starts Monday!!!

Last day

Today is my last day here. I'm packing, hanging out with Louie, going to my favorite Italian restaurant with my sweetie for dinner, and getting a mani/pedi. I've traced out a new embroidery project to bring with me since my sewing machine will be staying here for a while. I think it's perfectly appropriate for me and my new journey.


This space will probably be quiet for a while as I settle in. But I'll be back! :)

Changes

Wow. What a Monday morning. As someone who is about to begin a professional path working toward peace (yay!), particularly dealing with development in Afghanistan, I can't express to you the significance of Bin Laden's death (but I don't need to, as it's clear to everyone). I must admit a sense of relief knowing that he is no longer alive (even as someone who doesn't favor the death penalty and other such acts), as he was responsible for so much death, destruction, and sadness. I'm not sure that any other end result could have provided the same sense of resolution that is now felt by so many of us. Let us all remember those who were victims of terrorism and honor their memory by working toward tolerance, peace, and ending hatred.

Anyway...

This is it - my last few days in the Big Apple. So bittersweet. I feel like I still have a million things to do but I'm trying not to worry as I'll be back in about a month! It's not like I'm leaving forever, thankfully. :) But I have finalized that agenda for the last few days. I also plan on pretending to be a tourist and am toting my camera with me for the new few days.

I've been packing (ugh I HATE packing as I always bring too much) and cleaning and organizing. I don't think I'll be sewing much but I'm going to try to work on a few things in between all the stuff on the to-do list.

But I did have one big finish: my Supernova quilt! It's all done and I love it. I backed it with some solid brown fabric and a few prints from Robert Kaufman's "Mingle" line in coordinating brown/green prints. I bound the whole thing with scrappy binding made up from some Katie Jump Rope strips. I'm so glad I finished it and can leave it here with my sweetie. Big thanks to Lee for a great quilt-along.

I'm off to start my busy day - hope everyone has a good Monday!

Enjoyment

I will be leaving NYC one week from tomorrow. Fortunately, I'll be back soon - and often, as my sweetie will be staying here in our apartment, at least for a little while. Also, my sister will be moving here in July!

Anyway, there's a bunch of things I have planned - crafty and not - for my last week here. The weather has finally turned to spring (almost summerlike, actually!) so all the more reason to get out and take advantage of the city.

Firstly, I decided that it was a little ambitious (and frankly unnecessary) to make another quilt to use on my bed in DC since I already have one that will be perfect. While I've been having a good time working on a new quilt top, it's big and involved and I'm thinking that I don't want to rush it. And frankly, don't want to be glued to the sewing machine my last week in the city. Don't get me wrong, of course I love it but I'm worried that's all I would be doing which is silly. I would love to try my hand at sewing a skirt or simple dress as I already have some fabric and patterns but I'm thinking that's also a big undertaking. I think I'll just continue to work on the never-ending stack of WIPs that I already have in my fabric cabinet. I'm not bringing my sewing machine to DC right away but I may bring some embroidery and/or knitting. We'll see...

Other things on the agenda: dog park (as many days as possible since this is Louie's last week here too!); manicure/pedicure; dinner at our favorite neighborhood spot; stocking up on some NYC faves (Zabar's coffee); and a number of get-together dates with friends. It's hard to believe that I'm almost leaving - I feel like I just got the offer! These 6 weeks have flown by...

And then we came to the end

Tomorrow is my last day of retail work. HURRAY!!!! I've been lucky - I work in a lovely store with fun people that sells great stuff (with a nice discount). It could have been way worse. However, I can't even begin to describe to you all the euphoria that comes with knowing tomorrow is my LAST DAY. It's been quite an experience.

I'll be back later with some other crafty stuff and more details about what I have planned for my last week in NYC. Whoa!

3 weeks

Exactly 3 weeks from today I will be moving back to DC. Whoa.

It's been one crazy week. Plans for Passover, stomach bug, oversleeping one morning (oops), and death of a family member. In between all the madness was finalizing travel plans (to my parents house, to see my sister graduate, and then to DC), crazy spring weather, another friend getting a job (hurray!), and just the day-to-day stuff. Needless to say, there hasn't been too much crafting (but there has been lots of TV watching). Today I basted and started to quilt the Supernova quilt, as I want to get it done before I leave in a few weeks. It will be staying here with my sweetie. :)

My grandmother - my last living grandparent - passed away on Wednesday. She had been in a nursing home for a number of years with dementia. I made peace with her illness and ultimately the loss of the woman I actually remember from my childhood a long time ago. She died peacefully and painlessly after a long, fruitful life at the age of 91. She was always creative and quirky: visits to her apartment in Queens were filled with singing showtunes at the piano, wearing crazy hats, plenty of delicious sweets (Seven Layer Cake and other classic Jewish desserts) and crafts of all kind. She mostly painted but was always into art in general, buying me many a gift from the Met's gift shop. She definitely has influenced my own creativity and I'm sure she's so proud of my developing skills as a crafter and the person I've become in general. The funeral will be on Sunday (we're Jewish so Easter has no bearing on the plans, though we're not very religious so Passover doesn't dictate where/what we can eat after) and will be small. My grandma was filled with hilarious phrases and quirks - I look forward to sharing wonderful stories about her life with family and friends in a few days. She embodied so much of what is familiar about New York City Jewish culture (not to mention she was a constant source of Yiddish phrases) and always made me feel like living in NYC, even though she lived in a nursing home outside the city, bonded us in a small way. I know she's still singing along to "Carousel" and "Guys and Dolls" somewhere...

To Edna, and all her creativity. 1919-2011. xoxo.

Featured - again!

Happy (very early) Monday to everyone. Make sure you go check out Melanie's post on Sew, Mama, Sew - I'm featured! :) A big thanks to Melanie!

Big tops

I have 2 tops to show you today. One is from the lovely ladies of Bee-Stitched, which has actually been done for a while now. It came out great - thanks ladies!


I also just finished my Supernova top - and it's so awesome (and huge, as you can see - my sweetie is holding it up and he's 6'4"!).


Sorry for the dark pics - I just wanted to take some quick shots and it's pretty gloomy outside so we just snapped some in our apartment. I'll take better pics once they're all done.

And just another Louie glamour shot, snuggling with a quilt (yep, he did this himself!).

Creativity

So I started another quilt. I know, I know. How many projects can one person undertake at once? I felt inspired. It happens. Maybe it's because I've been reading Patti Smith's book and it's filled with creative juiciness. She writes beautifully! Not to mention I love reading about NYC back in the day. She still lives here apparently. I bet if I hung out at the Strand or MoMA, I'd spot her - $10 says she lives down there.

Anyway, this new quilt top is awesome and huge. Well, it's not huge yet but it will be. Current calculations put it at about 90" square. I know, I'm crazy. But I have so many awesome fabrics that I wanted to use, and after the huge success of my last big quilt, I can't imagine making another small one right now. I'm also thinking that if I really keep it moving, it'll be done before I leave for DC and I can use it on my bed (I think that I'm almost set for housing - it's with a friend which is nice and super cheap but I'll have to get a twin bed. Good thing I'm little!). The only problem will be backing. I'd really like to not purchase any but I'm not sure I have the patience (or the right fabrics) for the back. Anyone want to give away some fabric? Preferably just big pieces of solids or really modern prints? Figured I'd throw it out there... I'm too lazy right to take pictures but I'll get around to it. It's using mostly Habitat and Innocent Crush fabrics in various sized squares. Yum!

Anyway, I have exactly 10 work shifts left (hurrah!) and about 3 weeks (I think...still finalizing the travel plans) left in NYC. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. I'm really looking forward to this job but it's a huge life change - back to DC when I thought I'd be here in NYC for a while, starting without my sweetie after living together for a year and a half, and so many other little things. But I know it will all be OK eventually. If there's one thing I've learned this past year and half, it's patience.

It will probably be quieter around these parts once I move. If I move into the room I think that I'm moving into, I won't be taking my sewing machine, at least initially. Since *my* space will be small (and temporary) I won't really have room for it and all the associated items. I'm actually OK with that as I know it'll only be a quick bus ride away here in NYC. I plan on taking some embroidery stuff with me and armed with my Kindle, I'll have plenty of non-work related ways to relax. I know that the first few weeks will mostly consist of work, eat, sleep as I get used to a new job, life back in DC, etc. so I know I'll be OK. Not to mention, I have lots of people to catch up with, new restaurants to try, fabric stores to scope out...

It's my sweetie's birthday on Sunday and we're heading to one of our favorite bar-b-que places (there's one back where we grew up too) for dinner.

Have a great, fun, creative weekend everyone!

Mid-week musings

It's a rainy, spring day here in NYC (as I assume it is in many parts of the Northern hemisphere) and I'm happy to be home from a morning at work, just now lounging around. As I get closer to my departure date, I'm taking care of little things here and there: clothes sorting (which I try to do every season anyway), file clearing (always feels so good), and all the other associated tasks that come with relocating. Fortunately, I've lived in DC before (for grad school) so it's not unfamiliar territory though working there will certainly be different than student life. Also, I was lucky enough to avoid DC summers so I'm certainly trying to brace myself for the insane humidity that blankets the area - and working on keeping a light wardrobe!

As I will be going and my sweetie will not be, Louie will be heading Upstate to hang out with Winston and with his grandparents for a bit while I settle in. The next few weeks will be quite hectic as I leave NYC (with Louie), head to Atlanta (for my sister's college graduation), and then back Upstate for a few days THEN down to DC. Phew, makes me tired just thinking about it. I just found out that I still have one little stubborn kidney stone hanging out in my right kidney so I want to be extra mindful of managing my stress, anxiety and diet as the more those all spiral out of control, the higher the chance is for the stone to try to pass. Ugh, trying not to think about. (Sorry if all that was TMI - here's my post from the original ordeal a few months back.)

In between all my tasks, I'm enjoying dreaming of a few new things for a new space. And this doesn't even include any of the many Etsy things I'm lusting after.

(Click on each picture to be taken to the source.)

And not to mention, some new fabric from my favorite designer! Certainly saving up for a FQ bundle of the new collection falls within StashPact11 since she's my all time fave.

Hope everyone is having a good week!

Today

rain boots * dogwood flowers * westie belly * four cheese cheez-its * monster cookies * just kids * sorting clothes * baby quilt top * supernova blocks * bethenny on dvr * spring air through the windows * chai tea * catching up on the economist * frizzy hair * travel plans * cd mix making

Shop bonanza!

I promised you all that I'd be doing a big shop update and I've been working hard at filling it up! I've gotten a whole bunch of goodies listed so go check it out!

And before you think that maybe I'm some kind of superwoman and made tons of bags in a ridiculously short amount of time, I must confess that these have all been either living in a big box here or at my parents' house for a while now. I attempted to list some of them months ago but needed to really develop my brand more before trying again. I think that I've really connected to a lot of awesome people and groups through the sewing/quilting communities and now am going to break out all my handmade goodies again. Not to mention, make some new ones. Check out this yummy bunch of fabrics, all decorator weight, just begging to be made into bags:Here's the deal: I'm so excited to finally be working in a job that allows me to use all my skills and knowledge from graduate school but am a little nervous about the transition (moving, full work days, etc.) sooo not only do I want to get this stuff out because 1) the warming weather is perfect for cotton bags and 2) I need all the space I can get (and have fewer boxes to pack!) but 3) I also need some serious funds for moving! So help support this little peacemaker and buy some awesome handmade goodies. :)

Featured

My wonky solids quilt is featured today on Modern Day Quilts! Yay! :) Big thanks to Heather for posting about my work!

New beginnings

Well, it's finally happened.

I GOT A JOB. A real, honest-to-goodness, master's degree relevant full time job.

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

For those of you who have been long time readers, you know that this has been quite a process. I am beyond thrilled to let you know that the search is officially over. Your support/positive vibes/encouragement/prayers/etc. has been so important to me - I can't thank you enough!!!

In 6 weeks, I'll be moving back to DC. It's still sinking in...

(Stay tuned for MAJOR updates in my Etsy shop. We're talking HUGE!)

More dog/quilt shots

I made my sweetie's parents a quilt for this past Christmas and kept meaning to get the pictures that his mom took from her so you all could see it in action. Well, here they are! Buster, their hilarious maltese/shizhou mix approved immediately. Right when they opened it up, he made himself right at home on it! I used this pattern with navy and red fabrics (to match their living room).

Ahh

Always feels so good to get "refreshed."

Working on my Supernova quilt, listing to another fabulous redhead.

Home

I'm back upstate for the weekend (where I grew up, at my parents' house which will always truly be "home") and psyched for a relaxing couple of days. We rented a car for the ride up here and back (SO much cheaper and way more comfortable at this point for 2 adults + Louie) and had an easy time on the road (nope, no snow here - for once!)

This weekend's agenda:
- Hair color appointment (when you've had one person who you trust for 14 years coloring your hair, you make sure to get in to see them when you can!)
- Raiding mom's fabric stash
- Hanging out with these monsters (who - of course - within 5 minutes of seeing each other fell right back into their old, playful ways)
- Trip to Marshall's (=always good finds)
- Lots of yummy food
- Planting my butt on the giant leather couch. Ahhh.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Be sure to stop over and wish my awesome gal pal, Brooke, happy birthday today!!

A bath, a quilt, and some fabric

This weekend my sweetie and I are heading back upstate to see our families for a quick visit. We haven't been home since the holidays and we're both looking forward to a much needed escape from the city. Not to mention a trip to Wegmans and a hair appointment for me. :)

Louie got a bath and a haircut yesterday and I'm amazed how how shaggy he looked before (and how smelly he was - ugh). He's all set to go home and play with Winston!I'm working on a few crafty things today in addition to a bunch of other random (non-fun) items on the to-do list. I don't have my solid fabric for my Supernova quilt but I'm thinking a trip to Joann's this weekend will remedy that (I'm a sucker for coupons and cheap prices for Kona Cotton solids). I've started a new baby quilt for a friend (see picture below - using a simple pattern by Elizabeth) and I'm aiming to make more progress on my quilt for Modern Relief.

Also, I treated myself to a few quarter yards (purchased from the lovely, custom-order accommodating ladies of quiltsandwich) of Jay McCarroll's* "Habitat" which I've been coveting since I first saw it (since I'm so obsessed with it, it falls within the allowances of my Stashpact11). I have a few ideas for how to use this (and what it surprisingly goes with) but you'll have to wait and see...

*I've seen him in person, as he came into the store where I work a few weeks ago!

(Another random geek-out sighting was Brett, seen yesterday. I think I freaked her out a bit when I told her I knew who she was but because I'm a regular reader of her blog and Design*Sponge, where she's often featured, I recognized her. Pretty cool!)

Fabric love

My bank account prevents me from getting any new fabric at the moment (as does my StashPact11 contract - nothing new unless I have funds/space/REALLY love it) but that doesn't mean I can't look! Here are some of my latest crushes:

Some fun transportation themed fabric (my sweetie loves everything transportation and I promised him that someday I'd make him a quilt with all things for getting places!)

Tula Pink Parisville - I already used this print in another color way in my big quilt and now I want to get this one too!

Alexander Henry's Rainforest Honeycomb - I love the colors and texture!

Quilter's Linen in gray by Robert Kaufman - cotton fabric that looks like linen = genius!

Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 - I love these colors!

All fabrics are available from various sellers on Etsy.