On the road again

Posted on November 21, 2015 by makemendgrow

Hello, there!

Lately, we’re squeezing every ounce of sunlight and fun out of every day, and have been so lucky to get on the road again. October and early November brought cooler weather and cabin camping with friends in North and Southern Washington. First was Battleground State Park, for a (mostly) girls camp trip with my mom, Izzy, my best friend and her family. It was three cabins, 4 adults and 3 kids and (happily) enough beer to make the fall chill go away. The trip wrapped up with antiquing, and finding an awesome embroidered quilt. I think this is one of my favorite ways to wrap up a trip: bringing home a little something to decorate the house, but remind me of my adventure.

The most recent trip was at Rasar State Park with Izzy, Nick and another couple and their kiddo. We played cards, games, watched movies and relaxed on both trips, and it felt so good to get out into nature.

On both trips, the girls hunted down fairies and played as much as their energy and the rain would allow. Us adults hung out by the fire, playing games, or at the table talking well into the night. It was good for all of us for relaxation.

This time of year makes me so happy-it’s cool, but not too cold and the constant rain hasn’t set in fully, allowing us to adventure as much as possible. As winter approaches, I am so glad that we took the time to get away and recharge.

Where will fall and winter bring you?

Yours in travel,
Raina

Sew Long

Posted on November 12, 2015 by makemendgrow

Hi there!

It feels like it has been a long time since I just sat down and was able to sew. I forget that it is really a relaxing activity for me. The feel of my scissors cutting through new fabric, matching up of corners, the sound of my machine whirring as fabric comes together into something more than it’s original parts.

A few years ago, I started making quilts and clothes for myself and Izzy. I am by no means great at it, but I love teaching myself a new skill and enjoy watching something come together from a pattern, or a sketch. You know that feeling when you sit down and just focus on one task and when it’s completed, you feel both relaxed, but proud of yourself? Sewing does that for me. I love it.

I recently had a chance to try fabrics from the Little House on the Prairie Andover Fabrics Collection. The fabric has an awesome vintage look, with pretty colors and patterns. Even better? It holds up well when you have to pull out stitches after not lining up seams. Fabric that doesn’t fray when you pull stitches is great-you have less waste, less frustration and you can feel OK with having to redo a quilt patch when needed (even if you end up redoing it three times for one section like me). The fabric also has a good feel-thick and soft, right off the bolt.

Here’s a look into what I am working on! Its a few squares into a sampler quilt that will be twin sized. Izzy’s room is filled with vintage and antique items, and this quilt should fit right in!

First, I started off easy, making a patch quilt block, with a lot of little squares. It came together quickly, which inspired me to branch out and make something a little more complicated that I sketched out.

After that, I wanted to go bigger and make this next block, a Drunkards Path. This one was hard, was the one that I had to redo a few times and am still tweaking to get it just right.

Fun right? A little time, a little patience, and a glass or two of wine, and you have some fun quilt blocks. That’s my kinda craft.

Interested in getting your hands on your own fabric? You can enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win all of this awesome swag, valued at over $380! What could you win??

A fat-quarter bundle of all three Little House on the Prairie^® fabric collections
A limited edition tote bag made of Little House on the Prairie^® fabric
The Deluxe Remastered “Little House on the Prairie” Complete Collection DVD Set
“The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder” DVD
The Quilting with Laura book
The World of Little House book

So there you go. You have ideas, the allure of fun goodies; now all you need is to enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information and ideas, please check out the Little House on the Prairie site! Thank you all for reading! What would YOU make with these fabrics?

Yours in sewing,
Raina

Disclaimer: I did receive a sample of the fabric to help create this post, but the opinions are all mine! My promise to you, dear reader, is that if I don’t like a product you won’t see it here.

Falling Leaves

Posted on November 6, 2015 by makemendgrow

Oh, how I love this time of year! The leaves are falling, the weather is cool and crisp, and everything is bathed in a golden glow. Fall came so quickly this year. The hot and sunny days were quickly replaced by shorter days requiring more and more layers. We’ve been spending our days crafting, cooking, playing, and camping; trying so hard to squeeze as much as possible in before it gets dark or the need for a nap takes over. Despite being busy, I try to keep to fall tradition and head to a pumpkin patch and this year was no different. Izzy and I bundle up, and make our way to play and find the most loveliest of pumpkins.

I look at these pictures and think, “Oh! My big girl! My beautiful love. She’s growing so fast!” I can barely see the baby in her now, but I love this phase she’s in-the constant energy, the desire to learn and explore. These are my favorite days with her. We spent hours at Carpinito Brothers, playing with the critters, making corn angels, playing in the hay; her happy squeals loud above the noise of the other kids. I loved walking through the pumpkin patch with her, watching her look at each one closely in an attempt to find just the right one. “Is this the one Momma? No, momma this isn’t it. I’ll keep looking!”. After hours of climbing, jumping, playing, and talking to critters, we settled on one massive pumpkin, and three smaller ones. We returned home to snuggle and talk about what other adventures we should go on next. I am so grateful for this time of year, and the adventures with her every day.

My heart is full.

Make, Mend, Grow.

Making A Happy Life, One Craft At A Time

Monthly Archives: November 2015

On the road again

Sew Long

Falling Leaves