Sewing for the New Monkey

As usual, I've waited until the very end of my pregnancy to begin making handmade items for the New Monkey.  I'm 33 weeks now, and I'm only going to 38 weeks this time 'round.  That leaves five weeks.  Five. WEEKS. to get things done.

I know (and learned the hard way) that if some things don't get made or sewn, the world will not end.  I probably won't even miss it.  I do this for me -- as a creative outlet, and my baby and family are blessed by it.  So I'm going to give it my best shot anyway, regardless of my ever-shrinking time slot! 

Colors. . . .

I've chosen aqua and orange for the layette colors, plus lots of other autumn-y colors thrown in for good measure.  My awesome sister (who is much more on-the-ball than her big sister) made this crib quilt for the baby a couple of months ago. . . .  (click to enlarge the photos!)

 This side is made from THE softest flannel ever!

sweet appliques

 . . . SO cute!  And absolutely perfect.

This is the fabric I will be using for the diaper bag, with perhaps aqua piping and accents. . . .

Now, for The List. . . .

These are the items I really want to make, and in order of "importance:"

• diaper bag from Amy Butler's Weekender pattern
• ticker tape quilt
• swaddle blankets, made from loose weave muslin, just like the fancy + expensive ones
• burp cloths. . . not sure what style or type I want yet (although I'm drooling over LaundryMonster's hand-dyed burp cloths... and I'll probably purchase several from her shop!  LOVE this one.)
• nursing pads
• cloth wipes

The list isn't really toooo intimidating, other than the diaper bag.  I'm already bracing for that project, as the pattern reviews I've read say it's pretty intense!  I'll probably start on that first, as I know it takes the longest to sew as well, and I'd like to take my time on it. 

Other than that. . . .

I've got several eco shopping totes cut out, and just waiting to be stitched together.  Hopefully, those will be finished and listed in the shop over the weekend.  I also have those colorful buntings (seen here) cut, sewn and pressed, and simply waiting to be assembled to the fabric bias tape.  I'm not sure why I haven't finished those up, but I'm hoping to finish at least a few sets, and list those in the shop very soon.

I think that's enough to keep me busy for the next few... um, five... weeks.  I'll keep you posted on my progress!

And the winner of the Get Going Greener Giveaway iiiiiisssss. . . .

Ayana! 

Congrats!!  Please email me with your shipping info, and I'll get your prizes to you right away!

Thank you to all who entered the Get Going Greener Giveaway!  I really enjoyed all of your comments, and I loved "meeting" so many new faces, and exploring new facebook and twitter friends and pages.  I look forward to doing another giveaway... although this next one may have to wait until after Monkey 9 arrives.  :)  Maybe a holiday giveaway next time?  Thanks again for playing along!  Have a wonderful week!

Dreaming of babies and pumpkin

In just about 6 weeks, we'll be meeting our little autumn baby!  (can you believe it??)   I'm already dreaming of holding him in my arms.  What will he look like?  Will he have red hair, too?  Just who is this little one that has already stolen my heart? 

I'm also dreaming of pumpkin:  the color, the jack-o-lantern, oh and the food.   I'm craving pumpkin cream cheese bread right now.  And in all honesty, I look and feel like I've swallowed a pumpkin these days.

So I recently put together an autumn baby-inspired treasury. 

(Click here to go to the full-size collection.)

I've included lovelies from the following Etsy shops...

(left to right)

Row 1:

burp cloths, by MeltonMade

organic baby quilt, by SewnNatural

little fox, by Mietjie

needle punch art, by erinf115

Row 2:

baby mobile, by theStarcraft

baby ball, by Namoo

briefcase in pumpkin, by jennyndesign

newborn cocoon, by BeautifulPhotoProps

Row 3:

fitted crib sheet, by RoosterLegs

pumpkin hat, by deusprovidebit

amber beads, by balticbamber

cat plush, by dancingintherains

Row 4:

spot and dot garland, by GFetti

calendula goat milk soap, by TheNorthwoodsGoat

vintage fabric basket, by nikkibag

poppy quilt, by moonspiritstudios

Have you made any treasuries lately?  Or are you in any fabulous treasuries now?  If so, please share the link in the comments so we can all visit your lovely collections!

Don't forget!

8/28: the giveaway has now ended. . . .  :)

I'll be closing the Get Going Greener Giveaway in less than 24 hours!  If you haven't entered yet, and you'd like to, please don't hesitate!  :-)  Comments will be closed tomorrow evening, and the lucky winner posted tomorrow night.  See you then!

Too much inspiration

Have you entered my Get Going Greener Giveaway yet?  Here it is!   (8/28 - giveaway has ended!)

I've been wanting to decorate our bedroom for some time now. . . and as nesting kicks in, this desire is becoming almost frantic!  So as I work my way slowly through this process, I wanted to share with you my starting point(s) -- my inspirations.  In-progress shots to come later!  (All I've done so far is clean my room.  And just doing that feels like an accomplishment!)

Years ago -- like, 11 years ago -- when we were renters, I came across this dreamy magazine spread in an edition of Country Living . . .  

you can enlarge the photo by clicking on it

I was immediately drawn to its warm, welcoming feel.  I love the colors, the natural elements.  I do wish I had saved the other pages of the spread, but I think it's pretty amazing that I've held on to this one page for eleven years!

But then, last year, I came across this ridiculously kitschy painting at the thrift store. . . .

this photo really doesn't do it justice. . . it's quite pretty in person

I fell in love with its simplicity, and its cool, relaxing colors appealed to me.  It feels calming, and at this point in my life, I need calming.  ;)  Now I also want to design our room around that painting.

So -- now I have two conflicting / contrasting color families.  Should we go warm, or cool?  Can the two be joined together, with happy results?  I'd like to have the cozy feeling of the first photo, with the natural and rustic touches joined with the cooler, calming palette of the painting.

So here's what I'm thinking. . .
warms:

• pale butter yellow walls (they're already this color -- and I really don't want to change this)
• wood floors and furniture (existing, and in a warm, aged oak stain)
• natural elements such as storage baskets, decor
• maybe some rustic elements thrown in for good measure
• an absurd pop of red (our microsuede duvet)

cools:

• curtains in the above fabric, matching the painting's colors (The print reminds me of leaves, too!)
• accent pieces such as artwork, a large framed mirror
• vintage linens

So -- what do you think?  Can I make it work?  Or is this a decorating train wreck waiting to happen?  Any design tips for a decorating novice like me?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

(PS... Many thanks to all who have entered the giveaway so far!  I'm blown away by your kind words and your fantastic comments.  Your going greener ideas are excellent!)

Get Going... Greener! Giveaway!

~~ Giveaway has now ended!  Many thanks to all who entered! ~~

We're all busy.  And with school and aaallll the autumn activities revving up, it's about to get even busier. 

I want to make it a little bit easier on you during this hectic season.  And why not be a bit greener at the same time?  So I'm giving away a whole set of going-greener items to help you out! 

First up:  this fresh new tote bag, from my new fresh line!

made from soft, sturdy osnaburg and sweet vintage linens

. . . perfect for shopping, toting books, hauling baby gear.  Did I mention it's soft, sturdy, washable? 

And I'm also giving away my newest item -- not even in the shop yet! -- stylish, reusable grocery bags!  I've wanted to offer these for-ev-er, and I'm so excited to finally be able to do so!
 

 look!  They roll up teeny-tiny!

I have to say we use these in our family all the time.  Shopping?  Well, yes -- when I remember.  (So not as often as we should.)  But picnics?  Day trips?  Zoo trips?  Yes, yes, and yes!  These are so sturdy, and so deceptively roomy, you'll be amazed at how versatile and practical these are.  (Again, washable!)

And I'm also giving away a set of lovely mini-sachets (the exact fabrics will be a surprise!). . .

Tuck them into stinky gym bags or back packs, car trunks or glove boxes, coat closets. . . anywhere you'd like the fresh, calming scent of lavender to great you!  Handmade from reclaimed fabrics and fabric scraps with all-natural lavender.  No chemicals, no fillers, no additives.

So, how do you win ALL FOUR of these eco-friendly items to start the new autumn season?  Here are the details:

One mandatory entry -- just leave a comment!  I love hearing from you!  Why not share your favorite going-greener-in-a-busy-life tip with us?

Additional entries -- and please leave a separate comment here, telling me of each additional entry!

• Tweet about this giveaway
• Tweet your favorite item from my shop
• Follow @sew_refabulous (me!) on twitter.  I follow back!  :)
• Post a link to this giveaway on facebook
• Friend refabulous on facebook*
• Follow my blog*  (click over on the bottom left side....)

*If you're already a facebook friend or blog follower, just leave a comment and let me know!  (and thank you!)

My international readers are welcome to join in the giveaway, too!

And that's it!  I'll close comments on Sunday, August 28th -- and let Random.org pick the lucky winner!  Good luck!  :-)

~ Comments are now CLOSED, and the giveaway has ended! ~

wait for iiiitttt.....

The giveaway prizes are finally, finally finished!  Just waiting on tomorrow's lovely morning sunshine so I can snap some nice pics.   Please check back tomorrow, as I'll be posting the pics and details around noon!  See you then!  :)

I blame Pregnancy Brain.

When I said the giveaway was ready to begin, I had forgotten about my children's most anticipated event, aside from Christmas, was to also begin that very evening:  Rock the Desert. 

This awesome artist is Jeremy Simons, a Christian worship painter.  AMAZING to watch him work!

(I apologize for not crediting this artist sooner.  His name was unknown to me at the time of original posting.)

 DecembeRadio

Monkey 1 getting an autograph from DecembeRadio's lead singer

 

 David Crowder Band

Yep.  Three days of really, really loud music, dust clouds and triple-digit temps.  But also three days of smiling teens (how often do you see those these days?) and fellowship.  And the music is [mostly] really good!

So I blame my almost-30-weeks-gestation-brain on forgetting, and trying to do more than one thing at a time.  (Sheesh -- even ONE thing at a time is a challenge!)   Please bear with me, and I will definitely make the giveaway worth the wait.  Let's say... Monday.  Monday will be THE DAY.  See you then!

f r e s h new eco-friendly line

It's finally here -- my fresh, new line!  I'm so excited to get to share it with you now!

new market totes. . . .

squishy-soft lavender pillow sachets. . . .

even something for the kitties!  (complete with organic catnip). . . .

This line was inspired by. . .
   summer and the outdoors and even this heat wave:  the sun-washed colors: cool on the skin, soft in the hands.
   by my family:  sun-kissed freckles, romps through dried grasses, dips in the pool in the hot evenings.
   by picnics:  sturdy, roomy and practical, the totes are ready for trips out and about!
   by the recession:  again, sturdy and practical, yet pretty and unique.  Use again and again, for years to come.  Reasonably and fairly priced for snug budgets. 

I'll be adding just a few more items to this collection.  More totes, more sachets (balsam!) and I'm working on a new grocery tote, too.  This will be a very limited-time edition, due to me getting such a late start on it.  Really, I'm already late getting started on fall, back-to-school and winter lines!  But I'm just going to do what I can, and do my best at that.  :)

Besides, growing a baby boy these days is taking up a lot of my energy.  Can you believe he'll be here in 9 weeks?  NINE WEEKS!!  Now that's exciting, too!

Pippi update. . . .

Still saving up for her surgery.  Getting closer, though!  She seems to forget about her leg most of the time, until she tries to walk on it (OUCH) but she has adapted as well as can be expected.  (Please note that all cat toy sales will go towards paying for her surgery.)

And that giveaway. . . .

I didn't forget!  I'll announce details tomorrow, so I'll see you then!