New Bag for Work

New Bag for Work
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

I made this bag with some great, sturdy, orange and yellow home dec fabric. It is lined with yellow cotton, has a magnetic snap closure at the top, and two shoulder straps. The pleats were inspired by Bend the Rules Sewing, although the rest of this design is mine. I plan on carrying it to work.

New Lola Apron

I was a pattern tester for the new Lola Apron by Sew Liberated. Here's my sister modeling the new apron. I used yellow 1093's-inspired fabric with strawberries, red rick-rack, red bias tape, and red/white polka-dotted pockets.

Tea Party Dress

Tea Party Dress
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

This one is size 2-T, but is still a little bit big for Savannah - hopefully it will fit this summer.

party dress

party dress
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

Tea Party Dress, size 4-T, pattern by Oliver+s

Savannah's New Easter Dress

This was my first attempt at shirring - using elastic thread in the bobbin to make a gathered bodice. I am pleased with the way it turned out, since I didn't use a pattern - it actually fits! I think Savannah will be able to wear it for Easter this year, as well as this summer when it gets warmer.

New apron for spring!

I bought this beautiful pattern from Montessori by Hand and I have worn it almost continuously since I finished sewing. I love it!

Work in progress

Work in progress
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

The makings of a new quilt for Savannah. Just working out details for the border, and then I will quilt it.

Jane Jetson Jumper

What a little doll
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

So I had one of those moments this morning...

Ack - what happened?
Oh, I sewed it inside out.

*pause*

Oh well!

Such is my sewing style lately. I'm not sure if it is sheer laziness, or if I am rebelling against my perfectionist tendencies. Or if it is simply a lack of time; when Savannah is done sleeping, I am done sewing. Regardless of the reason, I think my sewing is getting more creative as I let go of the process a little bit - interesting things happen!

At any rate, I think the inside-out seam gives her little jumper some character. I'm going to leave it that way, and enjoy this exhilirating, rebellious feeling I have. For anyone who is interested, this used to be one of my favorite T-shirts, which is much too small now. I wanted to give it new life, so I cut it apart and whipped up this little number. I'm pleased with the way it fits, as I didn't use a pattern, but instead held it up to one of her shirts and estimated the size.

So the next time you need to add a little zing to your day, repeat after me: "oops...oh well!" and keep sewing!

I-Spy Quilt

I-Spy Quilt
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

I made this I-spy quilt for Savannah for Christmas. Each of the 100 squares features a different picture, and we have fun looking for things together. It also protects our hardwood floors when she plays blocks!

Mini-quilt: learning to sew

Mini-quilt: learning to sew
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

This mini-quilt features a little gal who is learning to sew. I gave it to my mom, who taught me how to do all the things I most enjoy today. This quilt was inspired by a terrific etsy shop: www.shelece.etsy.com

Handmade felt produce

I've become addicted to sewing felt food for The Bean's play kitchen. This banana, red apple and carrot are the best of the bunch so far. I've also attempted sugar cookies, cake, cupcakes, doughnuts, an orange, and a chicken drumstick. All scrumptious, except for the felt fibers that stick to the tongue...

Did a little baking today

Did a little baking today
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

Cranberry oatmeal cookies, caramel chocolate chip brownies, and peppermint chocolate striped sugar cookies

Gertie the Sparkly Christmas Sock-Kitty

I decided that Savannah really needed a sock-kitty, so here's Gertie. I made her from sparkly acrylic Christmas socks, a little fiber-fill, two buttons and a ribbon. I was thrilled with how fast she worked up, and Savannah shrieked with excitement when she first saw her new friend. I love how easy it is to please a one-year-old!

I'm a published writer!

Brijit is a site that publishes abstracts for all the major news magazines, making it easy to track what's going on in the world. I wrote an abstract on a New York Times article that was published today; you can read it here:
Go On, Bold Couch Potatoes, Click into the Unknown...

Fashion show

Fashion show
Originally uploaded by Rice Family

I made this robe from some fabric in my stash; I think it was originally supposed to become a blanket. Anyway, the mornings are chilly now, and the Bean needed a little something extra to wear around the house.

The flowers are appliquéd, and I used an embroidery stitch for the stems. I added a pearl snap at the neck to keep the robe closed. The fuzzy fleece keeps her cozy warm and feels super soft!

My Little Pumpkin

 

 

Savannah started walking this week, and she is only 10 months old! Here she is sporting the new pumpkin hat that I knitted from cashmerino. It is so soft and warm. Now we're officially ready for fall!

Humming Along

I had to take a short hiatus and learn to balance the books for my husband's business. But now that payroll is up and running, I'm back, and boy do I have sewing fever! Here are just a few of the projects I've completed, minus the ones that didn't turn out so well, like a smock for my daughter that probably won't fit until next summer...

Anyway, I decided it was finally time to conquor my fear of zippers, so here are two lined zipper pouches that actually turned out! Fun! Both of the pouches and the reversible tangerine/lime sock monkey bib are for sale in my Etsy shop.

Yellow and Blue Apron

This apron was created especially for Laurie's daughter as a bridal shower gift.

Coming Up Roses

Pink floral with chocolate brown edging and trim...lovely!

New Tutorial: Pockets Full of Cash Apron!

I've had so many requests for a pattern that I've finally created a tutorial for my Pockets Full of Cash Apron! If you're interested, I'm selling the PDF version in my etsy store.

Yellow Polka Dotted Apron

This cheery yellow fabric has blue, green, red, and white dots. The white rick-rack gives the pocket definition, and the white edging ties it all together. So cute!

My Apron is Featured!

I submitted my "Pockets Full of Cash" Apron to the Tie One On blog, and my apron is featured on the front page! Woohoo! If you want to participate, she posts a new apron theme every few months, and all the submissions are displayed in a photo gallery. This month's theme was "the pocket." Such fun!

Retro Party Apron in Blue and Brown

This is probably my favorite fabric ever -- a rich chocolate brown background with different shades of blue in the floral pattern, paired up with a coordinating floral. These colors give this apron a sophisticated feel. This custom apron is on its way to becoming a bridal shower gift; I hope she loves it!

Pockets Full of Cash Apron

Pockets Full of Cash Apron is perfect for craft shows, garage sales, or any task that requires multiple pockets for organization. This reconstructed tea-towel apron features five pockets, including one just for business cards! Plus three button holes are sewn in to keep track of pens and markers. The extra-long waist ties make this a true one-size-fits-all.

Hoot Owl Bistro Apron

I started with a super-soft tea towel, cut it apart, played around, sewed a few seams, and voila, this is the result! It features a roomy side pocket, extra-long waist ties, and a terrific vintage-inspired owl appliqued on the front! You'll have a HOOT when you wear this Hoot Owl Apron!

French Countryside Apron

I call this my French Countryside Apron for the graceful details, including a wavy hemline, a square neckline, and generous ties that form a terrific bow in the back. This apron has a fully lined pocket in coordinating stripes. The apron is encased in bias tape so there are no raw edges. It has been top-stitched for strength, and the ties are reinforced so they won't pull out.

"Fluffy Bird at Sunrise" Mini-Quilt

 

 

 

This mini-quilt was created for the May Whiplash Challenge:

Let me introduce you to my fluffy little bid, so named because of her frayed, "fluffy" edge feathers. The edging has been treated so it will stay that way always. This little bird is standing on a branch in front of the rising morning sun. This mini-quilt is made entirely from fabric from my stash; I wasn't planning on entering this contest until just this morning...I recently got a new sewing machine and wanted to try the applique stitch, which turned out to be so fast and easy! I created the entire quilt this morning during my daughter's hour-long nap...a true whiplash entry! Fun!

Retro Party Apron

Introducing The Retro Party Apron! Created especially for Janet, this apron features a flouncy ruffle, a super-comfy strap that rests on the shoulders rather than tugging on the neck, bias tape edging, and a cute pocket with a ribbon bow, all in black and white polka-dots, reminiscent of the 1950's. The generous waist ties are long enough to form a lovely bow in the back - distinctly feminine without being overstated.

The basic silhouette is from a Cindy Taylor Oates' pattern, though I took liberties with the details to create this one-of-a-kind apron. I hope Janet loves wearing it as much as I loved creating it!

Apron in Catch a Wave

Here's my latest apron - I call it Catch a Wave because of the wavy ruffle and the shape of the waist band. The pattern is by Cindy Taylor Oates.

May is Here!

Happy May, everyone! May means a few things in my book: May flowers, warmer days, later sunsets, longer walks, BBQs, and spring sewing!

I am looking forward to Tie One On's May/June theme of "apron pockets" and am looking all around for me for inspiration...fruit? flowers? trees? The possibilities are endless. Check out the April/May gallery here; the theme was "rick rack." My entry is the brightly striped apron with the snapping neck strap and the ruffled hem.

New aprons

I've added these fun new aprons to my Etsy shop, but I am having trouble letting them go! I want to keep them all! The brown and pink half-apron is adult-sized, and the blue one will fit a girl aged 3-6 yrs.

Featuring my new pattern!

I've completed my Wee One apron pattern - here it is! It features rick rack on the ruffle hem as well as on the pocket. Seam binding encloses all the edges and serves as the neck and waist ties to provide a perfect fit with room to grow.

This apron is sized for kids ages 3-6 yrs. I'm also going to create aprons for kids ages 6-12 yrs, as well as for adults, and I'm planning to create Mommy and Me matching sets, too. I've listed this one in my Etsy store to see how it does. I am considering selling my aprons at the community Farmers' Market this summer, which should be really fun!

Reconstructed Denim Skirt

On an impulse last night, I grabbed a pair of old jeans that never really fit right, and I tore them apart! Ah, how satisfying it was to rip apart those saggy seams and cut off the bottoms that were slightly too short for pants, yet too long for capris. You know the kind - they sit in your drawer and take up space, but are in too good of shape to discard.

In a flurry, I took the cut-off legs and formed this skirt. The new pieces are zig-zagged in with white top-stitching. The most fun part was distressing the bottom edge to give the skirt a slightly edgy, modern feeling. The denim is soft from years of wear and is super comfy.

Hooray for up-cycling! I love my new skirt!

Wee One Apron

My niece is turning 3 this month, and loves nothing more than to play dress-up. So for her birthday, I sewed her this bold, brightly colored, striped apron. I included some fun details, like rick rack along the ruffled edge, as well as two snaps on the neck strap for easy dressing. Happy Birthday Malia!

Just for fun, I sent a photo of this apron to the Tie One On blog. The March/April submissions will be displayed as a gallery via Flickr at the end of April. Check it out!

Lovely Kitchen Apron

Here's a picture of my newest kitchen apron and latest sewing project (well, actually my most recently completed sewing project)! It is chocolate brown with vintage, teal flowers on the front, and is fully lined with a retro-striped, coordinating teal and brown fabric on the back. I especially love the wavy bottom hem. The wide ties make a generous bow in the back, and inspire me to take on the most challenging recipes. I made a really great batch of oatmeal apricot bars while wearing this apron!