Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Thrifty Thursday, Lounging Edition

It's Thursday and in my world, a day to celebrate Thrift! This pj top was thrifted for 50 cents.  The catch? No pants!  I contemplated sewing pj bottoms.  Honestly, its just too hot for pants.  I decided to lengthen the top into a nightshirt with a couple of gifted (even cheaper than thrifted!) trims.  Voila!  I am lounging sweet and thrifty!  Jessica Pearl

Plus a New WIP

I have so many works in progress,  no need to start a new one.  But I do 'cause that's what I do!  I love all of the modern quilts out there with some version of a cross pattern.  I took a 'gotta do this now' shine to Brigitte Heitland's quilt, 'It's A Plus'  in the July/ Aug Quilty.  I am using black and white fabrics with an occassional hit of red.   Here I go again!  Jessica Pearl

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Thrifty Thursday

These vintage needlework beauties were less than a song, 1.99 each at the Hospice Attic!  I can never decide if I am more angry because handwork is so devalued or more happy because they are in my stretched budget price range!  These are on display with bright blue Pyrex bowls.  I choose happy!  Jessica Pearl

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Life is a WIP

So true, all of life is a work in progress.  I am so thankful for family and friends and prayers and needle and thread-  all quiet my restless spirit.  This current WIP is a free pattern from Sampler Girl. The stitching has been so therapeutic as I have marveled at our birds in flight.  Moving another birdie today.  Stitching bag packed for the journey.  In Progress, Jessica Pearl

Friday, August 16, 2013

Mental Health and Mod Podge

Taking a day for mental health and to pack Em for college.  I needed a small craft for the sanity portion of the day.  Being a child of the 70's, Mod Podge is a favored medium!  Saved some dough using a Pinterest recipe, 1/2 & 1/2 Elmer's and water to make this GreenCraft project.  Fabric selvages and clothespins were also on hand.  I will use these happy clips in the sewing room, pantry and office.  Decoupaging my world and keeping sane, sort of!  Jessica Pearl

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Joy with Wings

I am still not sure how we got here or how the time past but our 3 babes have grown into adults.  Wonderful adults whom I respect and admire.  Tyler, the eldest to be 22 later this month, so kind and caring. He will embark on his senior year of college next week @ UNF.  Our twins, Emily and Austin, the dynamic duo are soon to be parted.  We will move Emily to her new college digs in Tallahassee on Saturday.  Emily is so independent and confident.  She is ready for the world. So world, get ready!  Austin will commute to a local community college.  I am so thankful that our nest will not be completely empty!  Austin is so tender hearted and funny, my cheerleader.  How bittersweet that the joys of my heart should sprout wings and fly.  There are tears in my eyes as my heart soars with them!  Jessica Pearl

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Scrap Storage a la Pearl

Karen @ Quilty Creations is hunting scrap storage pointers.  Not that Karen needs them, she has got her stash tamed and fabulous!  And not that I have my fabric bits as they should be, but here I go none the less!  I keep fabric larger than 1/2 yard in a China cabinet with glass doors, by color.  Fat quarters are folded and stored in open Clementine produce crates that I tie with ribbon to signify color groups contained therein.  Scraps, ah scraps! Bits smaller than a fat quarter are assigned to a scrappy quilt in progress, of which there are no shortage around here!  Each scrappy WIP has its own container.  Could be a large stock pot that I seldom use or Grandmother's cookie jar or a pillowcase. Whatever the case, the quilt pattern and scraps assigned to that project are together in various containers that people will continue to find, long after I am gone.  I will die but my scraps will live forever!  Viva la scraps!  Jessica Pearl

Friday, August 9, 2013

Sleepy Finish

I stayed up past my bedtime to complete this baby quilt tonight.  Very simple 40's reproduction prints and the giraffe embroidery.  This one is for the pregnancy crisis center and will be presented to a newborn in hospital.  It makes me squeal with delight to think of this blankie covering a little baby bum in hospital basinet.  Lots of love and prayers in every stitch for this newborn.  Sweet dreams, wee one!  Off to dreamland myself!  Linking to let's make baby quilts! Jessica Pearl

Thursday, August 8, 2013

A General Mystery to Sew

My sister visited The French General Shop in LA and brought me back this lovely bag o' scraps from the French General Moda line.  Lucky me! Oh, little bits what do you want to be when you sew up?!  It's a General mystery!
My 3 children are all college bound this month.  I am having time flashes.  My daughter purchased a Fleetwood Mac CD out of the bargain bin and it is playing as we pack.  I believe that this album was the soundtrack to my move to UF some decades ago. As Stevie sings, "I've been afraid of changing  cause I built my life around you."  The song I've known so long is getting more real by the moment.  Like  beautiful scraps, my heart will sew up some day. Jessica Pearl

Friday, August 2, 2013

Chain Love

There is a great tutorial for chain embroidery stitch on Sublime Stitching website.  Life changing stuff, seriously!  This little giraffe and bloomin' cup of tea to be featured in a baby quilt for charity.  I wish I could remember the source of this free pattern, so charming!  Stitch and tea time!  Jessica Pearl