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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Body and Sole: FINISHED!!!

While I was in St. George over the holiday, I took my Dad's quilt, Body and Sole, to work on hand sewing the binding.  I didn't get it finished while I was there, but it was a breeze to finish (only one Psych episode!) once I finally sat down and finished it.  I'm going to let the quilt do all the talking because I am just in love.

Body and Sole Quilt

Body and Sole Quilt

Body and Sole Quilt Back

I am so excited to check this quilt off the list!

Also, here is a fun side note: this is a scheduled post because I am currently MOVING!!! Gah!! Next time I post, I'll be doing it from our own home!

I hope you're having a great day!!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: In Transit by Albert Hammond Jr.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Curved Log Cabin: Quilted!!

I am SO excited that the Curved Log Cabin quilt is ALMOST done!!!

Natilie Thompson did an amazing job quilting it and I am so thrilled with the way it turned out!  I would have really loved to have sewn the binding on yesterday or today, but I'm missing two important supplies in order to accomplish that... my rotary cutter to cut off the excess batting and backing and a table to sew on!  I have efficiently packed my rotary cutter and Jake has efficiently taken down all the tables.  Well, aren't we an efficient pair?!

Well, without further ado... Here is this beauty!

Curved Log Cabin Quilt

Curved Log Cabin Quilt

Curved Log Cabin Quilt Back

This quilt is going to be so hard to give up...

On a slightly more exciting note... we FINALLY closed on the house yesterday! I can't believe it has happened!  We are scheduled to begin moving tomorrow.  Hallelujah!!  I am STOKED to have my own sewing room!

I hope y'all are having a great day!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Tongue Tied by Grouplove

Monday, November 26, 2012

Make it Happen Monday + Catch Up

Good afternoon!

Holy cow, it feels like forever since I've been in this space!  While I have been incredibly busy, I am so sad to say that we were not able to close on the house before the holiday (due to an underwriter that was clearly already on holiday in his head).  We do have a SET TIME to close tonight, though!  That means that we'll be moving on Wednesday.  YAY!!!  So, here's to another week, but hopefully with some more blog time.

First, let's recap on the goals for the week before last:


  • Finish quilting my Dad's quilt, Body and Sole: YES!! And I love it! There are pictures here!
  • Make and attach binding for my Dad's quilt: yes!
  • Pack master bathroom: yes!
  • Pack master: yes!
  • Take the Curved Log Cabin quilt to the quilter: yes! and I got it back last Tuesday! I'll be sharing pictures of the quilt a bit later this week!
  • Buy batting for the Curved Log Cabin quilt: yes!
  • Pack fabric/sewing things: this is a sad yes.
Jake and I were also able to pack up all the dishes, pots, and pans before we left for the holiday.  We were both really disappointed that we didn't close, but we used our new found spare time to go Christmas shopping.  While most things in our apartment are packed, there are those random things that haven't quite found their way into a box... So for this week, we have some pretty big goals.

  • Finish packing EVERYTHING (I don't think I even have a choice on this one!)
  • Clean the apartment/turn in keys
  • Finish hand sewing the binding on my Dad's quilt, Body and Sole
  • Move!
  • Paint the master bedroom, kitchen, and front door
  • Unpack clothes
  • Begin unpacking fabric and sewing things (yay!)
In a way of catch up, the holiday was super fun and super tiring!  We took Jake's sister, Heather, down to St. George with us and we had a fun 4 hour car ride.  The night we got down there we took family pictures, which were hectic and crazy, but it was a good time.  For Thanksgiving dinner we went over to Jake's grandmother's.  She cooked an amazing meal!  It was a nice treat to have lamb on Thanksgiving!  On Friday Jake and I casually hit some black Friday sales.  We had two great finds!  One was a 4 piece Craftsmen tool set for Jake.  Since his birthday is in two weeks, it's an early gift for him.  The second great find was this cookbook:


This is a cookbook based off of the Wagamama restaurant.  I went to this restaurant in London and fell in LOVE.  I could not have been more excited to have found this book!  I am super determined to make some of these recipes!

On Saturday we just hung out with the family and played games and then Jake, Heather, and I drove home yesterday.  So, here we are.

It was a great week, but I am glad to get back to a normal schedule.  Well, as normal as can be when we're buying a house and moving!

Have a great Monday!

Currently Listening to: Comme Un Enfant by Yelle

Friday, November 16, 2012

Busy Friday

With our closing date now just days away (we're not sure if it's going to be Monday or Tuesday... grrrr...), I have been super busy packing and running here and there.

The good news is that I've finally settled down on the exact color for our bedroom walls.  The main color is going to be Valspar's Fresh Mist, and the accent wall... well, I'm doing a design that involves about 10 different colors.  Here's a sneak peek with the Fresh Mist as the main color:


I am SO excited!  Our bedroom is going to be fresh and eclectic.

Today, I am thankful for cell phones and being able to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere.  It's truly a great blessing.

xoxMegan 

Currently Listening to: Pickin' Up the Pieces by Fitz and The Tantrums

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Quilt Shop Review: My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe

Last Saturday, after working with my Mom, we made the trek to Logan to visit My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe.  Best. Decision. Ever.  Even though it was snowing and we had to drive through a canyon... worth it!



The moment we stepped through the front door, I was in love.  The shop had welcoming aura.  I felt like I could have stayed there all day and the staff would have loved to help me search, mix, and match.  Everyone we talked to was super nice, helpful, and excited about the projects we had in mind.

One of my favorite things is that I very quickly found the one-stop-pre-cut-shop area!  I love pre-cuts and I love when they are all together and very easy to find.  Like most shops, all of their new fabric was stocked by collections, with the Christmas and children fabric in specific areas.  They also had a great selection of solids, but I didn't notice any Kona solids... Their fabric selection is very different from that in the Salt Lake valley, which is refreshing, but also makes me sad because it's such a long drive to Logan from where I live!  For example, I have not seen any Art Gallery fabrics in any of the quilt shops in the valley, but this quilt shop had both solids and prints.  Refreshing!

They also have an AMAZING retreat area upstairs in the attic.  My mom and I went through their main sewing space and the kitchen and we wanted to simply join the group that was already there!  Check out this page on their website if you want to read more about the attic and the services they offer, including 20% off everything in the store!

I might have been able to pay more attention in the shop if I wasn't so thrilled and overwhelmed by the amazing quilty goodness that I was surrounded by... When we left I told my mom that we should make the drive quarterly, but now I'm thinking monthly... If you live anywhere close, or are going on a road trip through Utah, it is WORTH the stop and the extra time it takes to get there.  I definitely recommend this quilt shop.

Have you been there?  What do you think of this quilt shop?

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Turn All the Lights On by T-Pain

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Body and Sole: Quilted

I finished quilting my Dad's quilt, Body and Sole this week!  I am SO excited with how this turned out!  I wish, wish, wish there wasn't snow on the ground so I could take this beauty outside for some nice photos... but alas, my moving box-filled apartment will have to suffice...

BWB All Quilted

I quilted it with concentric circles using a tutorial by Karen at Blooming Poppies.  I started the circles off of  the center of the quilt and I think that it turned out really great!  The only part I had trouble with was the very middle small circles...

BWB All Quilted

Since I didn't share the backing that I found for the quilt, here's a shot of the whole back:

BWB All Quilted back

The backing is Studio 8 for V.I.P.  It was the only backing that I found that had that dark blue, but didn't have flowers or anything girly.  In between the Studio 8 panels, I used some of the left over jelly roll strips I had of Spa by Deb Strain.

BWB All Quilted back

The quilting is more apparent on the back and I just love that!!

BWB All Quilted back

I am so thrilled with how this turned out!  If you want to see the rest of the quilt top, check out this post when I could take pictures in nice weather!

Today I am especially thankful for friends and family that are always ready and willing to lend a helping hand (like, for moving!)

Well, I hope y'all have a great Wednesday!  I am off to pack because we only have 5 days until closing!!!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Darkest Street by Fitz and the Tantrums

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Saturday Adventure

Last Saturday was a snowy adventure!

I had previously agreed to help my mom with some filing that she was behind on at work in exchange for fabric and a trip to My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe, which is an hour from where my mom works and two hours from where I live (more on the shop on Thursday!).  While there was a TON of work to do at my mom's office, it was alllllll worth it when we got to the quilt shop!

When we walked in, I saw the sample and pattern for Cluck, Cluck, Sew's quilt Pow Wow.  Now, I've been eyeing this pattern for a little while, so I knew I wanted to make it!  Then I spotted Pat Bravo's Rock N' Romance collection... and I put them together!  I am making the twin size for our spare bed and the pattern calls for 17 quarter yard cuts, so I almost bought the whole collection :]

Rock n' Romance by Pat Bravo (6)

Instead of doing a white or light color for the background, I saw Art Gallery's Pure Elements in Cabernet close by and I didn't want to look any further.

Art Gallery Pure Elements Cabernet 2

This quilt is going to be super dreamy.  Have you ever felt Art Gallery's cotton?  It's incredibly soft.  I couldn't believe it!  I've never bought any Art Gallery fabric before, but now I'm hooked and in love!

I am SO excited to start on this super beautiful quilt.  This made all the hard work so, so worth it.  :]  Thanks Mom!

Also, since I am so terrible at this 30 days of thankfulness thing, I think I owe you at least six:

  • Hot cocoa when it snows
  • Online tutorials 
  • a Mom that loves fabric like I do
  • Family pictures
  • Spotify (this got me through all the hours of quilting my dad's quilt!  More on that tomorrow!)
  • FaceTime (I love seeing family that is far away...)


I hope you have a great Tuesday!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Changing by The Airborne Toxic Event


Monday, November 12, 2012

Making It Happen Monday

Hello, Friends!

We now have 7 days until closing and I couldn't be more excited!  There is still a lot of work to do, though.  Let's review last week's to-do list...

  • Begin quilting my Dad's quilt, Body and Sole: yes! and I love it!
  • Make binding for my Dad's quilt: no... I plan on using left over jelly roll strips and I just can't decide which ones I want to use...
  • Pack master bathroom: no... 
  • Work on packing closet: yes! This took way longer than I thought... which is why I didn't get to the bathroom...
  • Find paint for Master: SW6937 Tantalizing Tealyes! I want something between sea foam green and teal. :]
So... my success doesn't look so good, but that's because I spent the majority of my time on quilting... and I got a ton of quilting done, which I am very happy about :]

Since we have just a week until closing, this week is going to be very busy and it's going to be even more important that I accomplish my to-do list.  So here we are:

  • Finish quilting my Dad's quilt
  • Making binding for my Dad's quilt and attach it
  • Pack the master bathroom
  • Pack the master
  • Take the Curved Log Cabin quilt to the quilter
  • Buy batting for the Curved Log Cabin quilt
  • Pack fabric/sewing things (sad!)

So far I've gotten a lot of quilting done this morning and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to finish it today.  I'd take a picture, but my camera battery is dead!  It should be all charged up tomorrow for some pictures of some new fabric that I got over the weekend!  I hope you have a great Monday!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Danse Caribe by Andrew BirdSW6937 Tantalizing Teal

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Personal Apple Pies

One of my absolute favorite things about this time of year is apple pie.  I love, love, love apple pie and it is SO fun to have my very own apple pie... That is why I really like to make them in these:

4 oz Apple Pie

Yes, those are 4 oz. mason jars!  Making a pie in one of these jars is super easy, super fun, and you can choose whether you want to bake them right away or freeze them for another day!  You could make any pie in one of these jars.  I'm planning on making a blueberry pomegranate pie before the holidays.  So, here's the recipe so you can make super cute pies too!

First, gather your ingredients:

  • 8 - 4 oz canning jars
  • 2 refrigerated pie crusts, or frozen crusts thawed
  • 1-2 apples - just judge based on how big the apples are.
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • dash of nutmeg
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 1 Tbsp. butter, cut into eight small pieces
Before I cut my apples, I like to mix together the rest of the apple pie base.  So I mix together the lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.

4 oz Apple Pie

*if you don't have a "dash" measuring spoon, I'm sure it'll be fine if you estimate :]

4 oz Apple Pie

After all those ingredients are mixed  together, I peel and cut the apples, adding in the apple pieces as they're cut.  When they mix with the lemon juice they won't turn brown!

4 oz Apple Pie

I like to do this part first because the longer the apples sit, the more apple pie filling there will be... Yum!

Then, take the pie crusts and mush them together and roll them out.  Once they're rolled out, take one of the canning lids and push it into the dough to make 8 circles.  These will be the tops of our pies.

4 oz Apple Pie

In order to fill the jars with crust, take the remaining dough and push it into the jar and piece several pieces together in order to make sure the bottom and sides are covered.  It's weird at first, but not hard.  You'll get it!

4 oz Apple Pie

Once all the jars are filled with crust, add in your yummy apples!

4 oz Apple Pie

Just an FYI, these jars are a bit over filled... tee hee... :]

4 oz Apple Pie

Once the jars are filled, you will need to either use a cut out or cut slits into the tops.  I love using this little heart cut out :]

Before you put the tops on, don't forget to add a bit of butter to the top of each pie!

4 oz Apple Pie

Now cover the pies with the tops and use a fork to crimp the sides.

4 oz Apple Pie

Then bake them on a shallow dish at 375 for 35 minutes or freeze them!  When you're baking a frozen pie, place the pie on a shallow dish and put it into a cold oven .  Set the oven to 375 and bake for 45 minutes.

4 oz Apple Pie

See, I told you mine were a bit over filled... oh well! They are still tasty! :]

These are super delicious little pies and I hope you make some to brighten the holidays for someone! Or yourself!

Have a great time baking!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Naked Kids by Grouplove

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A Wednesday Work in Progress

Wow! I usually don't post this late!

Today I have been super busy.  I have spent 6.5 hours quilting my Dad's quilt.  I have to say, I am in love.

Body and Sole Quilting

I seriously quilted all day, except for a short pie intermission (more on that tomorrow!), and I'm not done for the night.  I am so excited to finish this quilt and show you!  It's actually so amazing that I'm kind of jealous of my Dad... oh well, I'll just have to make another!

I hope y'all have a great night, I'm going to get back to the machine!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to:  Betty's a Bombshell by Grouplove

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Lillian & Oliver: Finished

Remember when I agreed to help my mom with the baby quilt she was making, Lillian and Oliver?  Remember when I picked it up from the quilter and then got the assignment to bind it?

Well, here it is! Finished!

Lillian & Oliver Baby Quilt

Lillian & Oliver Baby Quilt


It is super hard to see the prints on the fabric in these pictures because the quilting is so fluffy!  Here is a picture of the quilt top again, just so you can see the prints:

Lillian and Oliver Quilt Top


I really love the way the quilting looks on the minky, though!

Lillian & Oliver Baby Quilt

It's always fun to have a finished quilt!  Mom is going to love it!  Since I was binding it, I decided not to send her any pictures of the quilt... she just has to wait until she comes to pick it up!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Warrior by Kimbra

Monday, November 5, 2012

Happy Monday...

Good afternoon, friends!

First, I want to recap on my to-do list for last week, then I'll share this week's goals, and then I owe y'all three things that I'm grateful for!

So here's how I did last week...


  • Put together the quilt top for my Dad's quilt: yes!
  • Buy backing for Dad's quilt: no... but I did find and buy it this morning!
  • Piece together the backing for my biological fathers quilt: yup!
  • Pack the guest bathroom: yes!
  • Pack coat closet: yes!
  • Pack pictures/paintings: Yes, sadly... the apartment feels so hollow now!
  • Finish packing the living room: yes! 
So, it was a productive week!

Now that we are 14 days until closing, I am ready for life to get hectic!  Here's what I want to accomplish this week:

  • Quilt my Dad's quilt
  • Make the binding for my Dad's quilt
  • Pack up as much as possible in the master bathroom
  • Start packing my closet
  • Find the paint color for our new master bedroom!
It doesn't seem like a lot, but since I bought the backing fabric this morning for my Dad's quilt... I don't even have it pieced together, let alone basted!  I have a lot of work ahead of me this week!

Since we're on to lists, I want to list my three favorite things that I love and that I am grateful for in the winter time... it's getting to be cold here in Utah, and since I am originally from Texas and not a fan of the cold, I have to focus on those things that I love!

  1. Potato soup - this is my favorite soup and after going through dozens of recipes, I finally found one that is amazing.  I'll be sharing it here next time I make it!
  2. Fires and smores - this requires no explanation :]
  3. Holidays with family - nothing is better than family gatherings.  Since this occurs twice in the wintertime, it is definitely something I love and look forward to.
I hope y'all have a great and productive Monday!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: All at Once by The Airborne Toxic Event

Friday, November 2, 2012

Body and Sole: Quilt Top

I know I wanted to have this finished way earlier in the week, but it was a lot harder to put together than I anticipated!  I unpicked A LOT in order to get the quilt top to a point where it was tolerable... It isn't perfect, but it is for my dad and I know he won't care or probably even see the imperfections.  That's the best part about making gifts for family!  Anyways, here it is!

Body and Sole Quilt Top

The print fabric is Spa by Deb Strain and the solid is Kona Iron.

Body and Sole Quilt Top

I am pleased with how it has turned out!  I am excited to take it out this weekend and find a backing for it!

I hope y'all have an excellent weekend!

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Six Weeks by Of Monsters and Men


Thursday, November 1, 2012

30 Days of Gratitude: Modern Medicine

As yesterday I got a phone call from my father's wife telling me that my father is in the hospital, I am currently feeling deeply grateful for modern medicine and for such well trained doctors.  My father needs a little surgery, but should be fine.  I feel so relieved that we have the technology that we have and I am so grateful that the technology and the skilled doctors can be there in my dad's time of need.  I am truly, truly grateful.

xoxMegan

Currently Listening to: Anna Sun by Walk the Moon