Long Time, No *See*

Hi! It's been a while since I had a chance to chat with you guys. I took a much needed break after the stitch-along to get caught up with work and family. I've been doing a lot of curriculum development and event planning for the non-profit I started working for this past spring. We host science events for elementary-aged kids, so the summer months are pretty busy with festivals and library series to keep the kids engaged over summer break.

In terms of sewing news, my machine broke. :( Yup, my little powerhouse of a Bernina finally stopped working properly after 10+ years of ownership. I'm pretty bummed right now since I know I won't have the funds to replace or upgrade it anytime soon, but I'm hoping that there might be a chance to repair it for a reasonable cost. After doing some initial checking it seems like just getting it in to have it looked at is going to cost at least $160 for servicing. Repairs and parts are on top of that once they figure out what's wrong. I was stunned to be quoted such a high price to be honest, especially since my machine isn't computerized. Does that seem like a reasonable amount to those of you who have had servicing/ repairs?

Well anyways, before my machine broke I did have the chance to do some new sewing. I made a pillow for my brother-in-law who just graduated from optometry school. I had seen this cool novelty print from the Geekly Chic collection just prior to starting the project and knew that it was meant to be:

The full meaning of the title of this post finally reveals itself! ; )

I worked with fabric strips in his school colors, black and red, to create the string blocks for the front. I think this design has kind of a fun, optical illusion-like quality to it. Totally appropriate!

I really wanted to make the pillowcase indestructible and completely washable since my sister and brother-in-law are expecting their first child at the end of the summer (yay!). I quilted the front and fully lined and interfaced the inside to give it a little more structure and wearability. I also added a full zip to the back to make it super easy to swap out the insert.

I also decided to add a little personalized embroidery to the back of the pillow to really make it special. I thought it might be fun for my brother-in-law to see his new title all stitched-up, kind of like one of those desk plaques--only soft and huggable lol! He tells me he plans to use the pillow in his new office.

I couldn't be more proud of my brother-in-law for this awesome accomplishment! Congrats Kory!

I'm also linking this project up for the Modern Mini Quilt Challenge over at Ellison Lane Quilts. Thanks Jennifer for hosting such a fun event!

Honeycomb Stitch Along / Prize Winners!

This post is part of the Honeycomb Stitch-Along. For more information, make sure to check out the complete schedule here.

Today is the last post in the Honeycomb Stitch Along--the one where I announce the lucky winners of our giveaway prizes! I'm both ecstatic to share this good news and a little sad to see our stitch along end. It's been lots of fun sharing this design and these techniques with you while having the opportunity to see your beautiful pillows come together! Thanks so much for stitching along with me and for adding your own unique touch to this pattern. : ) 

Now, without further ado, here are our prizes and our winners! 

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Grand Prize - $50 Gift Certificate to The Intrepid Thread

The winner is:

#3, BillieBee! 

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First Prize - $30 Gift Certificate to Knotted Thread

The winner is:

#5, Sarah_L_N!

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Second Prize - $20 Gift Certificate to Sew Lux Fabrics

The winner is:

#1, Amy @ Sew Incredibly Crazy!

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Third Prize - 3 Winners - $20 Gift Certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics

 

The winner is:

#10, Sewin' Fun!

The winner is:

#12, Maggie @ Maggie's Crafting Adventure

The winner is:

#8, DeborahGun

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I would also like to acknowledge each of the other dedicated stitch along participants who shared their work in the final link-up! Here are the links to each of their amazing finished projects:

• Judith @ Judith Handmade Treasures
• Grammamaggie
• Laura aka Leumberger
• Joyce
• Debra @ Homespun
• Mara @ Secretly Stitching
• Barbara @ Nähtante Quilts

I decided that I didn't want anyone to leave empty-handed with so much hard work put into each project. If you entered a project into the final link-up, but didn't win one of gift certificate prizes, I would like to offer:

 One PDF Pattern of your choice from my Etsy shop : )

        

Please e-mail me or comment below to let me know which pattern you prefer and I'll get that sent to you!

I will be sending each of the gift certificate winners an e-mail shortly, but if you would like to shoot me an e-mail first that would be fantastic (I'm still tracking down addresses). 

Thanks once again for stitching along and for sharing your beautiful, hand-stitched projects with me!

Honeycomb Stitch Along / Final Link-up!

This post is part of the Honeycomb Stitch-Along. For more information, make sure to check out the complete schedule here.

Things have been a little quieter than usual around here lately. I just started a new job last week working with a local non-profit, so I've been getting adjusted to the new changes. It's been really good though. : ) 

I've also been looking forward to today with great anticipation. It's time for the final link-up for the Honeycomb Stitch Along! I can't wait to see your finished projects! I know all of the hard work that went into the hand-stitched details is really going to shine. Here are the guidelines for the link-up:

1. All projects made during the stitch-along (pillows, mini-quilt, etc...) must be completely finished in order to be eligible for prizes. 
2. Your project should include some hand stitching.
3. Add your project images to the final linky party before the end date (May 14th). You can link-up from a blog post, your online photo account (like Flickr), or even by sending me your pics through e-mail.
4. All prizes will be awarded randomly.
5. Check out the other projects and cheer each other on!

There will be a Grand Prize, plus additional prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on) depending on the number of linked projects. To refresh our memories, ; ) here's a little more about each sponsor and the prizes you could win:

Sew Lux Fabrics is offering a $20 Gift Certificate to one lucky winner!

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The Knotted Thread is offering a $30 Gift Certificate to one lucky winner!

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The Intrepid Thread is offering a $50 Gift Certificate to one lucky winner!

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And last but not least, Pink Chalk Fabrics is offering a $20 Gift Certificate to three lucky winners! Yup three!

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Add your link below before the end of the day on May 14th. 

Also make sure to visit the other links and comment generously. : ) 

GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR STITCHING ALONG!

Heartbroken

It's been a difficult start to the week. I've been trying to make sense of yesterday's violence at the Boston Marathon. I can't even begin to. 

Old South Church Garden / Photo by Nancy Taylor

Some of you may know that before Seattle became my home two years ago, my husband and I lived in Boston. At the time, I was going to school at Harvard, earning my Master of Landscape Architecture degree. When we first arrived fresh from Wyoming, the east coast was a completely foreign place to us and Boston was the biggest city either of us had ever lived in. There were growing pains for sure. My program was challenging. Many nights during the three years I was in school I never went to bed. I hardly ever saw my husband. It was a difficult time to feel much of a sense of normalcy, but in exploring this new city I found places that began to feel like they were my own. Places that I could begin to develop a sense of familiarity and closeness to. Places that helped me to slowly embrace Boston as my new home. One of these places was shattered by violence yesterday. It was yards from the site of the first bombing. 

Old South Church Garden / Photo by Nancy Taylor

The garden at the Old South Church meant so much to me during our time in Boston. I would go down to Copley whenever I had a free hour or two and wander by to see how the plants were growing and changing with the seasons. It's a small plot, pressed up against the busy urban street, but it was always lush, well-cared for, and filled with such beautiful diversity. It was my spot in the city. 

I've been running the gamut of emotions over the past two days; going from shock to worry (all of our friends are safe) to deep sadness to a sense of profound loss. I feel touched by this in a way that I find difficult to express. I'm incredibly proud of the way the city pulled together in those first harrowing hours and I find so much comfort in knowing that Boston is a resilient place that won't be broken by this. Please keep those who have been injured and are recovering from loss and trauma in your thoughts and prayers this week.