The linen dish cloth was inspired by the dishcloths I ordered (on sale) from Anthropologie in the bread picture below. I used left over vintage fabric scraps and a teapot shaped cookie cutter for the template. I made several versions of this idea for family Bingo prizes at Thanksgiving. The yellow of the linen is much more buttery than the picture shows.

The scarf I made for a friend for Christmas. I used cotton gray "linen look" fabric and left over prints from other projects. To suit my friends personality I made it with an modern asymmetrical design. I used tassels from a cashmere scarf that had overwhelming tassels. I cut off the tassels from one side of the scarf (surged the raw edge) and saved them. You just never know when you will need green, tan and gray tassels after all, and they were cashmere. Anyway, I sewed them to the edges of the fabric scarf and I think it really finishes it off nicely. - nanette

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We got up this morning and started work painting the soon-to-be sewing room. It has some of the best natural light in the house (but today it was snowing). We moved the kids study area to the open space downstairs in the newly remodeled basement and now Dave mostly uses a laptop so he doesn't need a dedicated desk area much. So I decided the family didn't need the room anymore and I am taking it over. My old sewing room is going to be used in a different way and we'll get to that in 2008. I forgot how much I hate to paint. I'm not sure who hates painting more though, me or Dave. And now I think my right arm is permanently paralyzed. The one whole wall is painted shelves and that was unbelievably awful to paint.

These are the "before" pictures. We will put the wall color on later in the week and then have a try at the "after" pictures. I can't wait to get my fabric folded up and organized all pretty on the shelves. - Nanette

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We had snow and sleet the past couple days.
This is the flag pole right outside the front door on our porch. I have theme flags that I have quilted and hang for major holidays.










We haven't really decorated all that much this year because of our remodeling being done, so most of the decorations are in the entry way.












Our friends Randon and Ashley brought us a Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving (they cut 14 on a trip to Richfield). Mason decorated it all himself because he couldn't wait for the rest of us to help. He climbed on the stairs and wound the lights fairly evenly. He did such a good job I wouldn't change a thing. - Nanette

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This is a camisole pattern that I kind of made up using my own measurements, and a lace pattern that I got after reading a purl blog entry.

I tried this after reading the book Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel. It was pretty awesome because I have a larger bust, and a very short waist, and I sometimes have a hard time finding shirts -- especially camisoles that fit.

Below is a close-up picture of the lace-work.















-Shelbie

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This is my first attempt at creating clothing -- other than a scarf. It was an arrowhead lace pattern, but if you look close, you can see that the pattern doesn't match up exactly on one side as it does the other.

These buttons are covered with Amy Butler fabric, to add more color and interest to the cape.

Here is a close-up view of the arrowhead pattern on the lace:















-Whitney

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This is my beehive quilt I made a couple years ago. I had a dream about this quilt and woke up in the night and quickly sketched it. After making the quilt my friend Jan Parker liked it so much she asked me to make one for her. Jan is a fabulous artist and we negotiated a trade. She painted a picture of my childhood home (a row home built in 1890) and I sewed 2 beehive quilt tops, one for Jan and one she gave to her mother for Christmas. I definitely got the better deal! - Nanette

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