Favorite Things This Week

I’m enjoying sharing a little more about my weeks with you.  It feels like a highlight reel of my life that week.  Soccer is over so we have another free during the week, woohoo!  I enjoyed a few minutes of quiet time with the house to myself Monday afternoon.  Those few minutes can be so refreshing.

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Last week was a Mommy and Popo weekend, mostly.  Rob had to travel for work, so P and I had some time together.  I started calling it Mommy Popo time a while back.  Those nights/days include Chic Fil A, mommy’s park, snuggles, movies, and a craft of some sort.  To break things up, we visited the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.  We love it and it’s the best gift to give a family.

The China exhibit has been going for a while.  We had not spent much time in the exhibit until last weekend.  P played for 45 minutes.  He loved the baby pandas, cooking for me in the restaurant, and exploring homes from across the world.  Not sure I would eat his cooking, would you??

We ventured into ScienceWorks and did some exploration.  He was dress appropriately for an adventure in his pirates pants.  We explored a cave, “Mommy, crawl in here with me.”  Considering how much I don’t like small enclosed spaces, sure bud.  He beamed his smile and I couldn’t say no.  He would have spent all day there.

If you visit Indianapolis and have kids, this is a must see stop.

Indianapolis Modern Quilt Guild Show

Did you see my post on the show from last weekend?  I’m still in awe of variety of quilts and how talented my friends are.  Read the post here.  Michele’s lovely Swoon quilt took People’s Choice.

Other Art Around Indy

Do you know who Banksy is?  Well, not the actual person.  Not very many people know how Banksy really is, I was referring to knowing the work of Banksy.  The art of graffiti is interesting.  You can gain some perspective on it with the Netflix Documentary Saving Banksy.  Randomly the Kokomo Public Library has the Rat on display.  It’s not too far of a drive, but might be worth the drive to see it in person.

A name change is happening at the art museum.  Newfields will be the new name to focus more on the whole brand and experiences available.  Hopefully soon we can visit 100 Acres, as we haven’t in a while.

Target

Why not include this cute dress I picked up.  I was torn between the teal or black and white print.  Black and white print won out since I have a teal dress in the closet.  It has pockets, a little longer length, and small V in the neck.  Cute enough for the weekend but also office/work appropriate.  Now if it came in gray, my wardrobe would be complete.  Seriously, I need a gray dress.

Sewing & Quilting

Looking to support small fabric designers?  Pop over to S.O.T.A.K handmade to see their new screenprinted panels.

Can’t remember if I have shared this post, but I think it’s a great look at how to take scraps and make something else.  I enjoy how Jayne talks about the process, pop over and read about it here.

Speaking of scraps, here is a sneak peek of a quilt I plan to share next week.

 


Also note some links in contain affiliate links.  Any item I link to are things I use personally and want to share.

Favorite Things This Week

The kid free weekend was a success.  Time with hubby, some sewing, and mostly resting.  Good thing, it’s been a hectic week at work.  My training schedule is a little lighter, giving me more time to sew in the evenings.  Look for fresh projects coming your way.  There are a couple of items lingering on my continuous to-do list that I hope to check off this weekend.

Sewing & Quilting

Indy Modern Quilt Guild is hosting their second annual quilt show this weekend.  If you’re around Indy, you should stop by and see the work of my talented friends.  Can’t wait to see what the People’s Choice quilt is this year.  I submitted two quilts to hang in the show.

Cancer Sucks Quilt

Scrappy unicorn rainbow sprinkles by quiltytherapy #scrapquilt #paperpiecing #modernquilt

The Cancer Sucks Quilt was featured on my segment with the wonderful Mary Fons.  I admire what she is doing for the quilting community.  The Chicago Tribune wrote a piece on her last week.  One of her quotes resonated with me.

When life as you know it is torn into a million pieces, it makes perfect sense to tear up perfectly good fabric into a million pieces and sew it back together again. – Mary Fons

That’s what quilters ultimately do.  We take gorgeous fabrics and cut them into pieces and sew them back together.  Maybe it sounds crazy to some, but for me it’s therapeutic.  I’m using someone’s stunning design and putting my own twist on it.  I can mix it with other artists or try to create my own.  There are so many options to create with.  Read the article here.

Indianapolis

Great initiative happening at a local hospital, it’s actually where I delivered P.  Can’t imagine being on bed rest and not having a creative outlet at least.  Such a positive program.

Ikea is opening October 11th.  That means I will venture up there in April?  Just kidding.

Life

This story made me smile.  The bride wore a dress of her late grandmother for her wedding day.  The beading and detail is stunning, see the details here.

Um, jelly pens are still my favorite.  This cracked me up as I read through the list.

Game of Thrones

I thought this post was fun.  Sansa does like the pretty things.  Isn’t that was Arya said to her?  Let’s be honest, Tyrion’s bar area would be much larger.

How would the rooms of Game of Thrones characters look like in real life

In case you needed an idea for a Halloween costume?  Or you just wanted a furry cape, here you go.  Can’t wait until April to get to Ikea, I had better go soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Things This Week

We were able to sneak away for the weekend and enjoy some family time.  We had lots of fun, maybe too much fun.  P is in his second week of school and is asking for homework.  The older kids in after school care are required to spend some time on homework.  It’s been an adjustment for our family, but overall it’s been a positive experience.

This week my favorites are based on our family.

Indiana University

I teased a couple of these photos on Instagram earlier this week.  IU has a special place in my heart.  Rob and I met here 12 years ago in grad school.  The campus is stunning and one of my favorite places to visit.  I think we need a weekend away there soon.  Hmm, I will get on that.  These are some pictures from stopping by on Sunday afternoon.

sample gates, indiana university, IU landmarks, campus landmarks

Rosewell House Indiana University

P wasn’t really into the idea of going to college.  He cries every time we bring it up.  Maybe in 14 years we can drop him off here and he can experience the wonderful campus himself.

 

Sewing and Quilting

I am all for actually using your quilts.  We take quilts to the park, vacations, and use them daily on our couch and beds.  I hate thinking about a quilt not being loved and just laying around all folded up.  USE THE QUILTS.  This gem went to soccer practice this week.  It now has grass and snot on it.  Yes snot because sometimes your kid needs to blow his nose.

 

It’s now in the laundry basket awaiting a good wash.  Earlier this week I opened up Bloglovin and saw this post from Suzy Quilts.  She’s offering tips and suggestions to wash your quilts.  For stains like grass on this quilt I will dab a bit of Dawn on the stain.  Just the blue kind.

How to Wash and Care for a Quilt…The Right Way!

Last week I commented that about the Improv Stripe QAL happening.  I felt like crap one night and didn’t really want to do anything.  I decided to sort through my solid scraps and strings.  There should be enough for a baby girl quilt.  My scraps have been divided by warms, cools, and neutrals.

Pincushions have become a fad over on Instagram.  Search the hashtag #pinnieparade to find your favorite.  Do you make pincushions?  I have not before, but considering giving it a go.

Upcoming Weekend

We will be kid free this weekend.  Part of me just wants to stay home and sew all weekend.  What are you weekend plans?

Favorite Things This Week

 

Welcome back for my favorite things this week.  It’s been an eventful week at our house.  P started Pre-K, you know the actual school kind that is FREE.  Hubby and I celebrated being together for 12 years.  Finally, we are researching options for a new garage door.  There goes all the savings of no daycare payment.  How is your week going?

Let’s jump into my list for the week.

Fall

No quite Pumpkin Spice Latte fall, but lots of prep work for Halloween and our decor.  Time to dig into my Pinterest board for ideas.  Plus working on a Halloween quilt for P.  When do you bust out your fall decor?  Lots of stores already have theirs out.

https://www.pinterest.com/quiltytherapy/halloween-creations/

Take me back to Cooperstown

If you want a jumpstart on fall projects, here is an easy tutorial for a Fall Fabric Wreath.

fall fabric wreath tutorial

 

Youtube

I have been working on some big projects at work this week.  While doing so I’ve been listening to music and the occasional video.  Prepare to laugh and feel all kinds of gushiness.

Speaking of fall, this had me cracking up.  So many giggles.

Sewing & Quilting

A variation on a string block is a go to for me.  Cluck Cluck Sew has the Diagonal Strip Quilt tutorial on her blog.  She finally finished her quilt.  She touches on being paralyzed by the fear of finishing it.  Do you ever feel that way?

I am digging these improv stripes from Debbie at A Quilter’s Table.  Wish I had some more time to play along right now.  Are you participating?

Life

I love planning.  We use a family calendar, but maybe it’s time for me to bring back a paper planner.  There are some good benefits discussed here.  Do you have any suggestions or favorites?

We are going to sneak away for a couple of days this weekend.

Favorite Things From The Week

Links to my favorite bits of news this week.

Sewing & Quilting

  • Have you seen these adorable mini barn quilts?  I foresee purchasing them as gifts for some of my quilty friends.
  • After finding a plethora of solid scraps in my bin last week, these pillows are something I’m adding to my list.
  • Lotta Jansdotter’s new book and a giveaway at my favorite fabric store.

Business

  • Well this makes me mad.  How can a large company do this to small breweries?  All the more reason to support local and buy from local vendors that support the same.
  • Are you a brand enthusiast for a company?  If so, share in the comments.  I have supporting local/small businesses and hearing about those that others love.
    • I adore Frangipani Body Products.  It’s a local company with amazing products.  The Shea Butter Softening lotion has changed my life and skin quality.  It’s so soft and moisturizes with just a bit of product.  Pretty sure my husband sneaks some for his dry skin.  Tracy makes a variety of products and is very knowledgeable.  If only you could meet her in person and see how bubbly and awesome she is.

Motivation

  • We can be our own worst critic.  Do you let that stop you from gifting something handmade?  Katie with Swim Bike Quilt talks about some old projects she hesitated giving and sending them along.

General Awesomeness

  • This is an old poem that a coworker sent over to me last week.  Heavy Threads by Hazel Hall.

“When the dawn unfolds like a bolt of ribbon/Thrown through my window,/I know that hours of light/Are about to thrust themselves into me/Like omnivorous needles into listless cloth,/Threaded with the heavy colours of the sun./They seem altogether too eager,/To embroider this thing of mine,/My Day,/Into the strict patterns of an altar cloth;/Or at least to stitch it into a useful garment./But I know they will do nothing of the kind./They will prick away,/And when they are through with it/It will look like the patch quilt my grandmother made/When she was learning to sew.” (Hall, 1921).  

  • Never had I heard the phrase “grandmapal” until this story.  It’s the perfect phrase for the love and admiration I had for my gma.

Posts from this week

A Christmas Quilt 

 

Hall, Hazel. “Heavy Threads.” Academy of American Poets. Academy of American Poetrs, n.d. Web 28 November 2015.

Favorite Things From This Week

Links to my favorite bits of news this week.

Hello!  It’s been a hectic week at work, leaving me not much time to read and comment on blog posts.  Here are some that I found throughout the week.  I’m going to grab some coffee this morning and play catch up.

Sewing & Quilting

This is giveaway open to any handmade item for the Holidays.  Visit Ellison Lane for all the details and link up.

Business

Staying inspired is important for growth and learning.  What inspires you?  Nicole says, “If you don’t stay inspired, your creativity dies.”  Read part one here.  I’m excited to read part two when she writes it.

Selling nothing for $5 earned Cards Against Humanity $71,000 on Black Friday.  That’s awesome and weird at the same time.

General Awesomeness

Pretty sure this sign needs to live in my basement or front door.

“Make it Work!”  The amazing Tim Gunn.  Listen.

 


Posts from this week

Rainbow Scrappy Charming Plus Quilt