Fabric Drawer Liner

Yesterday was bathroom cleaning day around my house. I hate this chore. Mostly, because I always find something that could need more organization, a more thorough scrub, or just a little something more than a good scrubbing with vinegar.  

Yesterday was no exception-- and what I found was the drawers. 

No matter how often I wipe them out, little bits of hair (from my husband's razor) gets in them. It makes them messy and look quite disgusting.  I was thinking I needed to go to the store to buy some more drawer paper to  change it out, and frustrated by; (1) going to the store, and (2) having to change out the drawer lining again, when a thought struck me...

Why not line the drawers with fabric so that I could remove the fabric occasionally, wash, and replace. 

Much more earth friendly than sticky drawer paper.

Especially when the fabric I upcycled from a shirt in the "donate" pile. 

I measured the drawer and cut a piece of fabric from one of my husband's old shirts to fit inside.

Then, I placed velcro on the bottom of the drawer and on the backside of the fabric.

Voila! The fabric stays down, the drawer stays clean(er), and mama stays sane(er)! 

Quilt Sandwich Time

All done with the top of my muddy colored string quilt!

Time for a quilt sandwich... except that, because I'm moving in two weeks, my safety pins are PACKED!

Time to go "old school" and use a needle and thread!

Curved needles and thimble are packed too. Really?

What was I thinking?

But now I have a whole new problem! Why does Kip love quilt sandwiches? He was thrilled with the fun catch the thread game as I pulled it through the fabric.

Can you hear him purring???

Okay, let me just say that I love my curved safety pins!

Sooo much faster!

At least I'm done and ready to start quilting

Did I get too crazy with the back?

happy fabric tuesday!

Bubble Skirt for my Bubble Girl!

Last week, I decided Taylor needed a little spring skirt to add to her wardrobe. It was so easy to make!

 I love this chiffon watercolor fabric!  It's perfect for gathering and has just the right amount of bounce for the perfect bubble!  The lining is just some cotton I had extra of - since I tend to always over-buy fabric!  The important thing is, Taylor loves it!  I see more skirts of this nature in our near future - maybe even one for mommy!

Lancaster County, PA

My brother and sister-in-law came to DC for a visit this last week and on their
last day we made a trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - the heart of Amish Country.
There are a lot of fabric stores and places to buy handmade/hand-quilted quilts!
This is just ONE... The Old Country Store
(check out their online store!)
They have it all: beautiful fabric, quilts for sale, and even a quilt museum.

Here are just a few of the quilts in the museum!

Sampler by Ada Martin



Confetti by Elsie M. Campbell



Bargello Wave by C. Jean Horst



Pyramid Tumbling Block by C. Jean Horst



Love My Stash by Elsie M. Campbell



Crazy Quilt by Maribelle Steffy



Bargello Abstract by Janice Maves



Postage Stamp Colorsplash byC. Jean Horst




Cathedral Windows by Reba Degan

And here is the store!









Quilts for sale!

And of course we passed lots of horse and buggies!  

Spring Pants

I am in love. 

With my girl and my hubby, of course.  

But also with this fabric and these pants.

They pants are Anna Maria Horner's Quick Change Trousers from Handmade Beginnings.

The pattern is for reversible pants, but I wanted something a little lighter for summer, so only made one layer with a cuff.  They were so quick to put together and very easy!

Although. I must admit. I didn't start them until about 10:30 at night. And, I had a TON of work I was supposed to be doing.  BUT, what's a girl going to do when she finds  adorable fabric--on sale no less-- and it's just staring at her? Taunting her.  

Sew me! Sew me! 

So I sewed. And drank quite a bit of coffee the next day!

I think it was worth it. (Karis does too.)

I wanted Karis to show off her new trousers at church, but thought they needed a little dressing up, so I made a quick bow.

I used, roughly, this pattern from The Purl Bee.  

LOVE it!

I think more of these fabric flower bows may be in Karis' future. 

And, definitely more of these pants!

We're linking up with Fabric Tuesday - check out all the cute projects on their site.
(Girls, we missed you!)

Meet a Mama Monday - Meet Robin!

Happy Meet-a-Mama-Monday.  Today, we have a very special mama for you to meet.

Her name is Robin.  She isn't a mama yet.  Although she will be any day now!

Right now, she is in that all important nesting phase.  She is busy gathering all things necessary to keep her little ones (that's right, multiples!) safe and warm. She is tiding things up.  She is scoping out her surroundings, making sure it will be safe when her dear babies arrive.

Remember that time? Right before you had your baby.  When you looked around the house, and thought, oh dear! The walls are not washed.  How can I ever bring a child into this world when the walls are not spotless?

And, you ironed all your fabric stash before  color coding it (again).  After all, how can a babe thrive if the fabrics aren't pretty and organized?  

This mama is doing a little bit more important nesting than wiping down walls and organizing fabrics.  Not that those aren't important.  But, this mama is nesting. 

Literally. 

She is building a nest.

As in, a nest with sticks. 

Meet Robin:

(pictures coming soon)

Karis and I first noticed her out Karis' window this weekend.  I thought, how funny, that bird is sitting so still and for so long.  Then, when we came back later and she was there again, I started to wonder what was up with this bird.  

She must have decided Karis and I weren't too dangerous, because she started to build her nest a few hours later.  We've watched it grow the past two days.  And now, it looks  ready for some eggs!

We've also enjoyed spotting Mama Robin in the yard, eating my neighbor's newly planted grass seed, much to her chagrin.  

Karis now wakes up from her naps saying, "mama bird."  I don't know if this is, "Mama, bird." As in, 

"Mama, there is a bird outside my window!" 

or

"Mama Bird!"

or

"Mama, come get me right now, this bird is looking at me again and it's kind of freaking me out." 

or

"More, more food! The bird has food, I want a snack.  How about some jelly beans? More, more!"

It's probably the last one.  But, I'll pretend it's the first.

this moment - breakfast (a little blurry)

Today we're joining soule mama for this moment albeit a little blurry!