We're gearing up for another birthday around here, but this one doesn't involve a big party, like the big Harry Potter Party last week. Now it's my birthday coming up, and I'm really looking forward to it...
I'm going to spend the whole day locked in my room working on quilting/craft projects.
A. Whole. Day.
Okay...I've agreed to nurse the baby to put him down for his nap and go to lunch with the hubby, but otherwise I get the whole day.
I'd been thinking of asking for a day to myself as a birthday gift...and then he suggested it. I've needed a day like this for a while. I love my kids and am so grateful to be a stay-at-home mom for them...but it's hard when projects I'm working on get interrupted every 15 minutes or less to change a diaper, get a drink, break up an argument, etc. Honestly, the perfect day would include Eric hanging out with my all day chatting and reading aloud while I was working on crafts like we did before we had kids...but that's not going to happen with 4 little munchins running around.
I'm excited to see how much I can get done in a whole day with just me and my sewing machine. Christmas is over. Katie's birthday party is over. I can work on whatever I want.
I've been trying to decide what I should work on. I bought a lot of fabric from the Children at Play line by Sarah Jane as Eric's Christmas gift to me. (He's not much of a shopper.) I don't usually splurge for "designer" fabric, but I just love the brainy boy activities and colors...and fabric shops are starting to sell out of these, so I figured if I didn't order them now, I'd miss my chance. So I might cut into this fabric and see where it takes me.
I haven't settled on a design yet, but I want something with simple big pieces to really show off the fun prints. It will probably end up being a twin sized quilt for when Anson is bigger.
This is a beautiful quilt from these fabrics from Sweet-Unwrapping Life
I'm currently leaning toward something with large hexies though, similar to this...
I really want to try to get one whole quilt top done...but in case the amazing happens and I have time to start on a second, I need a back-up plan...
Of course I also have a jelly roll of pretty batiks that my mom gave me a year ago that are crying out to be used sometime soon. There are a ton of options for those. I'm thinking maybe a woven quilt like this one from strandkorbtraum.
Or this raw edges basketweave quilt from Honeybear Lane.
Of course, I'd love to find fabric in my stash to make an I-Spy Quilt like this one from Sew in Peace. This quilt will need to wait until later, because I'd like to see what fabrics come with our current I-Spy swap first.
Or who knows...maybe I'll be drawn in a whole different direction. I can't wait though.
What would you do if you had a whole day to yourself?
I also wanted to give a shout out to one of my sponsors, eDiaperCakes for sponsoring this post. They offer a fun twist on a really practical baby gift. If there's one thing a new mom can never have to many of, it's diapers, and eDiaperCakes serves up plenty of diapers in a fun new way. They have tons of diaper cake designs to choose from. They make great gifts that will double duty as a baby shower centerpiece that will be the talk of the shower.
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Very Hungry Caterpillar Diaper Cake from eDiaperCakes.com | Good Night Moon Daiper Cake from eDiaperCakes.com | Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Daiper Cake from eDaiperCakes.com |
a whole day to myself? I'd probably tackle the dress coat that I was too scared of for the last 2 years. I'm ready for it now, but can't seem to find the time. :) Or maybe I'd have one of my sewing friends come over and we'd do duct tape dress forms. Or go to NYC (I'm in upstate NY) and shop the garment district. Or fly to LA and shop that garment district (early flight out and a red-eye back... it could be done in 1 day, right?). Hope you enjoy your day for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift to yourself! Beautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteOh Polly!! I love love love the hexagon quilt! Now let's pretend you were a rather novice quilter and had only made receiving blankets and done strip quilting as far as any piecing together goes...could a person like that pull of a hexagon quilt? I mean its not square so that scares me! Happy birthday!! Have fun!!
ReplyDeleteThat will be a tough decision...they're all beautiful!
ReplyDeleteA whole day to myself? If the weather were decent, I'd do something outdoors for at least part of the day. Maybe get a massage? Hmmm...I don't know. Your projects are inspiring, for sure. I'm so glad you get to have a special day for yourself.
Love the fabrics! Whatever design you go with will be beautiful! How terrific to have a day to yourself! The possibilities are endless enjoy!(and have a great birthday!)
ReplyDeleteLove the fabrics! Whatever design you go with will be beautiful! How terrific to have a day to yourself! The possibilities are endless enjoy!(and have a great birthday!)
ReplyDeleteThat hexagon one is divine! My oldest is turning 16 next week, and I SOOOOO wanted to make a quilt for her. Did I mention the next week part? I was just talking to my hubby a few days ago about if I could pull it off, and he looked at me and said, "Um, no. And not no like you should prove me wrong, no like please don't start because you'll be mad that you started." In my head I could be done in a few hours...
ReplyDeleteIf I had a day off of work during the school week(which RARELY happens) you'd find me taking an extra long time at Target, in the crafting section of the bookstore flipping through stacks of inspiration, and stopping by a thrift store or two. Gosh that sounds boring...