Blue Bird Sews: June 2011

Eat, Grow, Sew; More June Features!

Hey there! I hope you had a lovely June, can you believe that July is just around the bend? Being on vacation makes the days go by even faster, but we are soaking up our time here in Up State NY as much as possible! It really is beautiful and peaceful here among the pasture and alfalfa fields.

Me & Baby J enjoying the sunshine!

But just because I'm on vacation doesn't mean I don't love checking in with all of you posting at Eat, Grow, Sew -- because I do! You all have such great ideas, and I've got my eye on a few to try out next month.

Khadija at Creative Mind always has crazy good craft ideas...and usually out of something you've got laying around the house already. Really great up-cycling ideas. She's posted a tie-dye tutorial, doesn't it look great! I think this would be such a great idea for some old white shirts with maybe some stains on them....I know Baby J & Hubby has some of those laying around ;)

Have you tuned in to Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom? She's always got great finds from Etsy, tons of linky party info & her own awesome tutorials. Such a great resource for us craft bloggers. She made the most beautiful carved cantaloupe and shares the how to...it looks pretty easy to make for how intricate it is.

Ohio Mom Patriot at Sage Endeavors is in the garden again! I just had to share with you her growing veggie patch, I love watching the progress of the summer vegetables!

And I'll leave you with a snacky recipe from Snowflakes & Dragonflies. She's got a yummy cinnamon and cereal crunch mix I bet the kiddos would love!

Such great ideas, and there's even more to see so pop on over to the party and share your great ideas! Thanks ladies for linking up your projects, can't wait to see what you bring next month ;)

If you were featured grab a button and spread the word about Eat, Grow, Sew!

Cheers,
Kelly

Friday Photo Inspiration

Hello Fair Readers! I'm blogging from Up State NY visiting the in-laws and introducing everyone to Baby J! I am fortunate to have married into a wonderful family who live in a beautiful part of the country. We'll be enjoying the fireworks over Lake Champlain, going to the Vermont Quilt Festival, having many bbq's and handing off Grandma's quilt to name only a few things!

1. airplane, 2. Avalanche Pass, Eastern High Peaks, Adirondaks, NY, 3. Lake Champlain, 4. Fireworks #1, 5. adirondak meadow3, 6. Ferry to Plattsburgh NY

I'll be enjoying time with the family and less with the computer... but when I'm back it's on! Check out all the goings on at Stashtacular....Starts July 11th. Get your stacks ready!

Cheers,
Kelly

Got Rhubarb? Here's a quick refreshing way to use it....

Do you have a rhubarb plant too? Mine came with the house and although I do like a good rhubarb and strawberry pie (my Grandma makes the best!) that's where my list of rhubarb uses ran out; right at number one. Until I came upon a suggesting in one of my gardening books for rhubarb water.

It sounds a little silly, rhubarb in water...but it has the same refreshing quality as slices of lemon or mint and ginger or some other fancy combination. The strawberries are also going crazy in the garden so I threw a couple in for good measure.

Rhubarb leaves are huge in my garden, so much rain
this year. But you wouldn't want to eat them, the leaves
are toxic.

Cut into slices

Add to a pitcher of water and
chill for a bit before pouring
a glass to enjoy!

Also I've got to tell you about Stashtacular, because I want you to be a part of it! I've teamed up with Jenna at Sew Happy Geek & Stephanie of Spontaneous Threads to bring you 4 weeks of stash busting fun! We'll be having 12 tutorials for simple fun projects with supplies you probably have laying around right now! And have you ever wondered if you can go a month without buying fabric? Odd question, huh.....we're a bunch of fabric junkies! But take the pledge of no new fabric for a whole month and swap with over 20 ladies from around the country and the world! And there's tons of prizes for swaping and for making the Stashtacular tutorials.
Find out all about it on the Stashtacular page by clicking below and sign up over at Stashtacular Flickr page!

Cheers!

Kelly

Also I'll be linking up this week with all the parties listed on my side bar. Go over and give them some love and link up too!

Eat, Grow, Sew: Come Link Up!

It's been a quiet month at Eat, Grow, Sew...and I realized that might be because I haven't shared your wonderful projects and creations! So let's do it!

First is Dorthy at Life with Boys. She and her Hubby set up rain barrels at their downspouts to catch some free water! She explains how she went about doing this and the cost (which is pretty cheap considering your water bills)

Anne Marie is also sharing some lovely crochet animals she made....and a little vacuum cleaner mishap...have you had a project sucked up too? heee...sooo cute, I love the alligator!

Have you read Sew Happiness yet? Eleni shares her sewing projects with us, this month it's a wonderful baby fabric busy book she's made for her little niece. I want to show you all the pages, but I'll let you check them out for your self over her blog....again so cute! I want to touch the clouds and move the beads too!

Thanks ladies for showing off your work! Check out all the projects this month at Eat, Grow, Sew and link up your own! And always grab a button if you were featured!

Cheers!
Kelly

Friday Photo Inspiration

1. My adventures in long arm machine quilting, 2. scrap vomit - quilting (reverse), 3. IMG_2955, 4. Long arm quilting, 5. Quilt Back, 6. the long arm

Why I Love Fabric

Elephant on roller skates, brilliant!

Fabric is in my genes. It's my history, where I come from, who I am now. And I didn't even have a say in it. I didn't even have a chance, it just always has been. And I can now trace back my love of fabric to this:

My fabric busy book, made for me by my maternal Grandmother from a Vogue pattern. This book was a favorite of mine growing up. I remember playing with it, fastening the buttons, zipping up the zipper, tying bows, braiding the lions tail. And now that I have a son we play with it together and it has captivated his imagination; just as it did mine.
But what is even cooler than the book and the fact that I saved it all this time when other toys fell by the way side? Well in the latest box of vintage fabric from Grandma's attic there was a piece that looked familiar, really familiar.

Alligator eating ice cream

The polka dots! It's the same print, same fabric! Amazing!

A loved turtle

The legacy of fabric and sewing in my family is something that is special to me. My sister and I quilt together it's something that keeps us close and connected. My Grandmother is a master seamstress, and so is my mom. They always made clothes and even had a business for a while back in the day. When I was pre-school my mom would sew and mend for the old ladies living in the retirement home. I still remember those outings and the women we visited. They always liked me.
But something clicked for me when I saw this fabric and my busy book, because I am now living that legacy and continuing it through my son and future children. I secretly hope for a daughter so we can sew together and I can teach her all I know. If not Baby J will have to take the charge, boys sew too right?

What's your fabric legacy?

All the best,
Kelly

ps. Check out the Stashtacular page and join up!

Work's In Progress #13

Hey it's Wednesday WIP day! Hooray! I've got a bunch of secret projects going on for Stashtacular that I can't wait to share with you next month. What? Haven't heard about Stashtacular yet? Well click on over and join up, won't you!
So my WIP's are shaping up nicely. A deadline always helps that doesn't it? The quilt I'm making for Grandma needs to be quilted and at least have binding sewn on ready to hand stitch before I leave on vacation. I really want to hand deliver this quilt and see the expression on her face because it will be a surprise, I told her it'd be done by winter ; )

Excited for taking it to the long arm quilter on Saturday. I'm going to do the pattern boards they have in an all over feather. I'm by no means practiced enough to try this one free-hand.

All in All:

Finished!: Super secret Stashtacular projects!, 3 super cute shirts!

Needs Binding: 6 baby quilts

Needs Quilting: Grandma's Quilt goes to the long arm with me Saturday!

Long Arm Quilting Projects x2

Needs Piecing: Small Nine Patch, 1/4 bento box

Needs Cutting: Shrinking Squares

Needs Design: a queen sized quilt for a male friend

Clothes: 1 shirt

Thanks for checking in with me, now it's time to check out all the lovely ladies (and there are a lot of them!) at Lee's Freshly Pieced WIP!

Cheers,
Kelly

Friday Photo Inspiration

1. Fabric Rainbows, 2. Quilts Boys1, 3. Sexy Hexy Red Finish, 4. quilted!, 5. Finished quilt, front, 6. Quilt Show2007 053, 7. Quilt, 8. quilt along with old red barn co., 9. Zig Zaq Quilt Back, 10. queen size squares in squares quilt, 11. quilted 1, 12. triangle quilt, 13. DSCN031914. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

Getting to know my Viking

I'm still learning about my sewing machine, Astrid a 1985 Husqvarna Viking Prisma 980. Every once in a while I go 'ah' that's what that's for and 'oh' that's the right way to do that.

It has been just over 3 months since I bought my sewing machine and I am still in love. I have no regrets about buying used. I don't wish I'd bought a brand new one, or a fancy quilter's edition. Astrid is all the sewing machine I need.
But I don't know all there is to know about her, I haven't made a button hole or used all of the computer settings. Last week I found the best way to wind my bobbin - through the tension discs - not the side winder - and hold on tight to the thread. I realized not to long ago how to pop off the sewing plate and clean around the bobbin (super important!). And just between us I had the foot pedal upside down for the better part of 2 months. It's much easier to pedal when it's turned right side up.
But what I love most is the sound she makes, it's a steady strong hum. An industrial hum.

I read my manual a lot and get a little more acquainted each time I start something new. Zippers are a snap, stretchy fabric too. I can see the needle - no problem with the 2 lights around the presser foot. Throat space is ample it makes quilting a dream. All in all Astrid is my perfect sewing machine.

How's your sewing machine?
Kelly

Up-cycle: Hubby Shirt to My Shirt

Hello there from Sew & Tell! I'm linking up this month with clothes instead of quilts! Isn't summer the best time for clothes making? Cute shirts and skirts, right! Well I want to share with you a couple up-cycled shirts I made using my husbands old button downs (old as in he never wears them!) This is sort of a tutorial but more of guidelines if you want to try your own - but if you do try and get stuck just shoot me an email at bluebirdsews @gmail.com!

I am a little addicted to sewing shirts right now. I spent the weekend holed up in the craft cave until 11:30pm each night! 11:30pm - so late for this lady as Baby J doesn't know when Mom is working on 6 hours sleep, but it was well worth it because I got some new clothes without having to go shopping!

Last week I scored some great patterns and I set about using them to turn old button up shirts of hubby's into cute little summer shirts for me.

The key to using an old shirt for a new shirt is to make sure it's big enough to fit the pattern. This one worked but just barely. I used the original hem in the back as the pattern was just a bit too long & the sleeves work only because they are itty bitty cap sleeves. The shirt I used was an XL and I am a pattern size 8 so it just worked.

I used Simplicity pattern 2255 and I like it! Super easy to sew together and the up-cycle worked well with the existing buttons. I made a couple modifications I'll show below.
I wanted to give you a big picture view of how to go about doing this and default to the pattern instructions to do the actual sewing part of it. But if you have some questions just shoot me an email and I'll be happy to fill in.

Start by de-constructing the shirt at the seams

When laying out the top button the front sides
together with right fabric sides facing each other
Then lay out the pattern and match up the center
line of buttons with the existing buttons.
It's easy and pretty intuitive when you're doing it.

All cut out, just barely! I even had to use the
double layer upper back portion of
hubby's shirt to get the neck bands. I then sewed
them together at the fold line.

Once you're all cut out just use the pattern directions to stitch it up. There are only 2 modifications I made due to the up-cycle aspect. One is at the open neck line, because I wasn't making a button band I had to sew the raw edge down.

Front neck modified by hand sewing seam down. Keep the
original fabric that runs down the button holes when cutting
out from the pattern.

And at the hem line I had to use the original hem in the back, but it worked out nicely.

Bottom hem integrated with original in back

This shirt came together really well. It was easier than I thought using the old shirt and so much better than making my own button band - I'm kinda freaked out by that, lining up the two sides perfectly seems really hard! I'll do it one day, but until then I'm gonna go back to hubby's closet!

Me and Baby J

I also made this shirt from Simplicity pattern 2936 using a tunic shirt of hubby's. It doesn't have the buttons all the way down but it works and is super duper comfy! Definitely going to use this pattern again.

That's all for now! But just wait until next week, I've got a matte jersey tee half put together and I'm working on cutting out the most advanced shirt yet, it has neck ruffles and a fitted band at the waist. But it's really, really cute and I'm using some vintage voile in the cutest little pattern. Can't wait!

Cheers!

Kelly

Eat, Grow, Sew: Make a Feature!

Hey all! The May link party for Eat, Grow, Sew was good for me, was it for you too? I hope you found a project to try. I am still dreaming of those naan chicken burritos! One day I will have the time to make some from scratch - but not this month! I've got a quilt to finish, a huge trip to pack for and summer shirts to sew!
The project that I did try out was from Christie at Describe Happy, she had a great idea for starting seeds in leftover TP tubes. Remember....?

Well my garden needed some seeds started...mainly squash as the ones I planted in the ground failed to germinate. It's not a total surprise since here in Portland we've only had 3 maybe 4 nice sunny, wear a t-shirt and shorts kinda days. It's getting a little freaking ridiculous! I need some Vitamin D already!

So I followed Christie's pictures and planted my squash seeds in TP tubes. Now I'm waiting for them to sprout so I can get them in the ground. I may have planted a few too many, but I'm just hedging my bets.

TP Tube Squash

My garden helper

Filling up from my awesome Christmas present, a Rain Barrel!

And since this post is about the garden here's a little time lapse photography from my back yard garden.

These pictures are roughly 1 month apart. Look at that garden grow! Strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, garlic, radish, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, peppers & raspberries so far!

Thanks so much to Christie for sharing this great idea with us! It was super easy to do and it uses up some trash, gotta love that! Zero Waste, Zero Waste! Go on over for a visit with Christie for more garden eye candy, her flowers are blooming and it is beautiful, oh and there's a super cute new puppy dog! Hope you garden is growing and you get a little ray of sunshine this weekend!

June Eat, Grow, Sew is up and ready - so bring on your projects! I am already wondering what will I make next month!

Cheers!

Kelly

Photo Inspiration: Things That Make ME Happy

I'm having one of those days that makes you question everything you've been doing for the past 6 months. But it will be okay, I feel better already dreaming of my perfect day through flickr photos, won't you join me in la-la photo land?

1. Sunset North Atlantic, 2. Spa Couple Massage Room, 3. Cupcakes from Sibby's in San Mateo, 4. Rainbow over Burra Homestead5. Big Fires 6. My little family

Work's In Progress #12

Hello for another WIP Wednesday....time to get organized with the projects and see what I've been working on. Over the holiday weekend there were some great craft sales...and since I have a no fabric buying policy I spent my money on clothes patterns instead. JoAnn's had a 5 for $5 on Simplicity patterns...to good not to buy a whole bunch to experiment.

Getting back to my sewing roots, patterns and clothes

I bought 3 shirts, a tote bag & kid PJ's - and saved $70!

I've been inspired by all the summer shirt makings going on around blogland....I had to try my rusty clothes making skills out. When I was a kid clothes were the first things I learned how to sew. I made, with the help of my mom, lots of things....including MC hammer pants (you can laugh, it's funny!) Easter Dresses and lots of PJ's.

So far so good, I am using hubby's old dress shirts for the button down patterns and it is working out well. I've got one almost done and starting to cut out a second tonight.

On the quilt front the Grandma-n-Law quilt is coming along nicely. I've got all the Sawtooth Star blocks done and next I start on the stack of nine-patch blocks. They should go fast.

Flying Geese and Sawtooth Star, Take 2.

Ready for the next step

I recently bought myself a quilt software program. It's just a simple one called 1-2-3 Quilt from the makers of Quilt-Pro, but a lot less expensive. It's a good basic program for blocks and traditional layouts. Not so good for the modern quilter as there is not a whole lot of built in variation or modern blocks.

All in All:

Finished!: Lots of Baby Quilts - 14 done, 6 to go!, MJ's Quilt

Needs Binding:

Needs Quilting: 6 Baby Quilts

Long Arm Quilting Projects x2

Needs Piecing: Small Nine Patch, Gram-n-law, 1/4 bento box

Needs Cutting: Shrinking Squares

Needs Design: a queen sized quilt for a male friend

Clothes: 4 shirts

New Projects: 4 shirts

Completed Projects: 2

On Going Projects: 10 (not counting design & cutting phase)

Feeling good about my progress this week. My quilt projects are under control and the new clothes will be a boost to the wardrobe, and I am loving the upcycling!

Have a great week, and hop on over to see what everyone is working on this week!

Cheers!

Kelly

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