For Charity - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training

If you asked me 7 months ago my thoughts on running, I would say that I despised the thought of it! Ask me today, and I’ll say I enjoy it for my health, to build friendships and most importantly I’m raising money for a great cause, so it’s vital. What has changed my tune? Living in Monterey! The weather here is gorgeous. It beacons you to come outside and be active. The sun is shining, but there is always a slight breeze, so it’s never too hot. Each day is perfect for running. I’ve also found that it is an activity that we can do as a family, which is always fun when we can spend time together outdoors and away from distractions.

Monterey has made me a runner.

So what does any of this have to do with my usual craftiness that I post here? My fundraising campaign, of course! I have signed up for my first ½ Marathon for this October. I will be running the San Francisco Women’s Half Marathon as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Team in Training.

October may sound like it is far away, but I want to raise a minimum of $2,500, so I need to get to work! To help me reach my goal, I have decided to put all the proceeds from my craft-makings towards my fundraising campaign. Or if you would like to just donate, that is awesome too!

Here is my link: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/nikesf13/erika

To get started, maybe you would like a super cute adjustable non-slip head band? They are awesome for keeping your hair out of your face and sweat out of your eyes. I’m making them for $7 each, or 2 for $13. If you would like them personalized, they are $11 each or 2 for $20. Please help this great cause!

The Fish are Done

I'm so excited that I'm DONE with all the fish for my son's first birthday party. I used a variation Ashley's fishy purse tutorial from Make it Love it to create the goodie bags. His birthday is at the END of May, so I'm way ahead of schedule! Go me! I love how I got to use a ton of my scraps for this project too. Now, I can fill them with some take home goodies, and that part of the planning will be done.

Birthday parties are just so exciting, but now I need a new sewing project...hmm?

Kids' Birthdays

One of the greatest things in life is to see excitement on a child's face on their birthday. I remember many of my birthdays from my childhood and always loved being involved in the planning and fun activities of the day. Now that I have my own child, I'm excited to celebrate his special day too! This past week we had 2 birthdays. The first was for a little boy turning 3 and the second for a little girl turning 1. Since I love creating - especially for other people and kids, I put together some homemade gifts. This first gift is a two sided superhero cape. One side is batman and the other side is "Super G" for the child's name.

As you can see from the picture, the recipient was super excited. I made a minky blanket with the little girl's initial on it. I hope she has many night or naps snuggled up with it.

The blanket measures 31"x42".

These projects have inspired me to make some things for my 'lil guy too...they are in the works now! I look forward to sharing them soon.

Easter Basket

I was quite proud of myself - I finished my son's Easter basket a whole 2 weeks BEFORE Easter! Granted he is only 10 months and didn't really notice, but I am happy. I used my Easter Basket tutorial, but I've changed how I've done the handle a little bit. I guess I should probably update the tutorial (maybe next year, ha!). I also added boning to the handle, so it is quite sturdy. Here is the cute basket:

I used some of the same materials in Clark's Easter basket that were also used in his quilt. I certainly do love Riley Blake fabrics!

In Clark's basket you can see a little crabby bib I made for him and a cross stitch ornament made by my mom.

I'm currently working on some gifts for family and a whole school of fish for Clark's birthday. I can't wait to be able to share these! Have a great day and please support World Autism Awareness Day.

Finishing Touches...errr 2 years delayed.

My mom was out to visit last week, so we spent some great time exploring the Monterey Bay area. It was so nice to be outside and along the beach wherever we went. While she was here, it gave us a great opportunity to finish up some quilts that needed labeling and binding. I loathe hand sewing, and she loves it...so it makes for a good pairing! She finished the binding on my little one's quilt (it has been waiting since October), but with the around the world move, I guess a few months delay isn't too bad. Let's see how long it takes me to make a label for it!

My little guy's baby quilt also got a label, courtesy of my mom. I made this quilt, but I was a member of the Yongsan Guild, so I used one of their labels for the quilt.

My mom also put labels on two quilts that I finished in the summer of 2011! You see, I really just don't like hand sewing.

Lastly, we worked on fish scales! I have taken on the crazy idea of making fish goodie bags for my son's first birthday. It's been a great way to use my scraps, but I see scales everywhere. The little bags are so cute and I can't wait until the party to see how the kids will like them.

Moved Around the World

I am starting to finally feel settled after our move around the world, and then driving across the US. It's been crazy for the last 6 months! Yes, six months to 1. Pack up everything in Korea. 2. Spend about a month of TLC time with family. 3. Drive 3,500 miles across the US (literally - New York to California). 4. Find a new place to live. 5. Celebrate our first holiday season with our little boy. 6. Unpack everything we own, including things we haven't seen in 3 years because they were in storage. 6. Figure out how it's all going to fit into our new place... 7. Make new friends. 8. Link up with old friends. 9. Process that you will move again in about 18 months. 10. PHEW! In the movement of everything, I have been able to sew a little here and there. I am lucky enough to have a little sewing closet in our new place. I have been pretty spoiled with sewing spaces to this point. I guess I am willing to share space with others in the house (if I have to). My husband is very understanding with all the sewing. He knows that a happy wife, means happy life. So what's in the works right now? Finishing up projects. Making my little boy an Easter basket and prepping for my little guy's first birthday. I know it's a little early to get ready for it, (it's in May), but I'm excited for his first birthday. I'm using this idea for his birthday. I love marine life and my little guy seems to love it also. I'm loving all the views and nature that is offered in California. Okay, nap time is over, back to quality time with my little guy!

Little Chevron Zig Zag Quilt

My little guy turned 3 months old yesterday and I finished his little quilt the day prior, so I'll have to pat myself on the back and say "Not too bad!" We have been pretty busy getting into a routine and figuring out the whole first baby thing, so I'm just happy to have it done before his first birthday! Here is the little quilt:

I have a big quilt in the works too that I need to finish and have quilted before we move. All the blocks are done. I just need to sew them together and add some borders! I WILL get it done. Today has been a bit boring because we are locked in due to Typhoon Bolaven. I took the opportunity to make myself a cross body bag.

I haven't made myself a bag in awhile and I wanted to try this one out, so yippee for me, I have a new bag. I even put 5 pockets slip on the inside and a zipper closure! I like the cross body bag because it allows me to have my hands free, which I'm finding is important for keeping up with my Little Guy. Well, that's all for today. I'm slightly inspired to make some more bags. Hmmm...how long do you think baby will sleep?

Little Things

I have been working in my sewing room a little bit more now that the baby and I are finding a bit of a schedule and he is eating less often. He still seems to eat more than anything else, but what can you expect from a growing little boy! I can hardly believe he will be 3 months tomorrow. I'm enjoying being a part of every milestone and experience. I made a couple little personalized pacifier clips today. One is for my little guy and the other is for my friend's little boy. They were born exactly 1 month apart. I can't wait to get back to the states for our little boys to meet.

I also finished a small quilt for my little guy. I will have to get a picture and post it soon. So for now, I will continue to enjoy the little things with my little guy.

Where to Start?

Seriously! What have I been up to?!?...oh maybe just some life changing stuff - like having a baby. I'm so excited to have welcomed my first child in May. My husband and I are enjoying every moment. We have also had many family visitors, which has been nice to have some extra hands as we get into the 'swing' of all the things that go along with having a baby. I have been working on military bags and have several projects in the works. Here are some of the creations. They were all orders for some amazing people. I loved creating them.

I would like to say that I will blog more, but reality is that I love spending my time with my little baby and I forget about my blog. I will honestly try though to update more often.

Creating Baby Stuff

I've been busy with teaching and creating that I don't get around to blogging much. I have been nesting away at creating baby things. I have several friends that are also expecting, so there are a lot of gifts to make! Here are some of the creations.


Bapron bib. Made with this tutorial from Craftiness is not an Option.


Very Hungry Caterpillar Onesie



Breastfeeding Cover


Pacifier Clips!

It's Been Awhile

I had a very busy summer teaching summer enrichment, hosting my parents and then gearing back up for school again. My summer didn't go without sewing. So now that October is just around the corner, I would like to share my summer creations!

This quilt is from a quilt block exachange with the guild. It is a Korean memory quilt. my block is the paper pieced girl wearing a Hanbok. A hanbok is traditional Korean dress.


This pillow was made for a friend that had a baby. There were a lot of new babies this summer!


Oasis quilt. The fabrics in this quilt are all Amy Butler. The only exception is the boarder and the super soft minky backing. I really love how all the colors came together in this quilt. I've already snuggled with it many times.


This scene was from when my parents came to visit. My mom was in love with all the sewing materials I can find in Korea. It was fun to have some sewing time with my mum.


This is my Wonky-O-Ween quilt. I wanted to try making wonky blocks, so I created this quilt with Riley Blake's Boo to You line. The fabrics are so cute.



The backing is a deep orange minky. I quilted it on the long arm using a complicated Halloween design. I love how it turned out.



Baby set for a Soldier's new baby.


Fancy schmancy burp cloths made as a gift.




Baby Quilt made for a friend's baby's first birthday.


Minky backing is so soft!


The quilt in its custom pillow case ready for the party.

Mom's Birthday

I am finally finding time to post the bag that I made for my Mom's birthday. Her Birthday was last week and I'm happy to report that it was completed, mailed around the world and arrived in her possession before her Birthday! The arrival was actually quite perfect...it arrived on the 30th day of my brother's deployment, so I had already added his combat patch to the bag...so it was official that it could be worn.


Front


Zippered Top


Inside the Bag


Side of bag with combat patch.

I have also been working on some decorative pillow cases for a friend. I don't think she checks my blog so I will post a pic of the pillow cases for her daughters. If you know her...please don't tell. :-) These two projects REALLY makes me anxious for an upgraded embroidery machine!!

Tribute to a 37 Year Career

I was hired to make a bag for the USFK Commander's wife as a retirement gift from an organization. Whenever I make bags for people I don't know that well, I'm always a littler nervous. I try to make bags reflect the personality of the person and really cater to the things they will use the bag for. Usually this comes down to the interior and location of pockets and patches. For this bag, I laid out the patches for each of his commands. Through reading his biography, I was able to get the patches in order. Here is the back of the bag:



The front of the bag was made in my normal style:


In the military, spouses don't have rank, but spouses definitely contribute to the earning of each rank. There aren't many 4 Star Generals in the military, so I thought it was important to include the rank in this bag. I didn't want the rank on the outside because I felt the receiver of this bag isn't an outside carrier of rank. I decided to place the rank on the inside, directly across from where it would be if it had been on the outside. I thought this was more symbolic to the way that spouses carry the career of their spouse on the inside, close to their hearts.



It was a privilege to create this bag, as it is with all the bags I create. Right now there is another bag in the works for a very special military lady...more to come on that soon.

Fancy Schmancy Receiving Blankets

My future sister-in-law's sister had a baby, so I really wanted to make some personalized things for her. It is fun making stuff for children because there are so many things that you can make. I added some personal touches to these small receiving blankets. Now, I can get them out in the mail!

My First Attempt

I finished my first disappearing nine patch quilt...finally. I had the top done for awhile, but didn't really feel like putting the backing together to get ready for quilting. Now that it is done, I'm very proud of it. This is the largest quilt I have made. It measures 84" x 81". It has soft minky backing, which makes this quilt very heavy and very warm.


(My husband was gracious enough to hold this heavy beaut up while having to stand on the ottoman.)

(The warm soft minky back)

(Rolled up all nice and yummy.)

I'm happy with the results of this project, but this quilt is in need of a name. Any ideas out there?

I am also excited to get working on new projects now that this one is done!