Gehring Road

arrivals

::oh how this makes me happy::

I might be the world's worst blogger... has it been six days, really?  How the week flies when the sewing and fabric deliveries are happening! I sat through my second three hour long sewing class on Monday knowing that Denise, our lovely mail carrier had arrived with "some fabric" as Rob said. Ha! 'Some fabric' more like fiberous gold, I thought.  I sat, and sat during that class... I tried some new Bernina feet, love the edge stitch foot and the walking foot too... I watched the 440 QE BSR foot demonstration during which the owners of those machines nodded knowingly at each other... I contemplated hating them for a split second before I remembered the fabric stash was waiting for me. When I finally made it home after a 16 hour day (the first of two this week), the quilt fabric was waiting and it is so lovely... Here are some highlights... 

::Love::

::this gold is my favorite and might be used for the binding as well::

::this slate blue from Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks line is gorgeous:: 

::This is from Joel Dewberry's Deer Valley line and I was surprised at how perfectly it works:: 

::I also snagged some Amy Butler dots and more Good Folks, for stash purposes only:: 

And finally, this little bit of Heather Ross' Munki Munki fabric was a swap that I made with a new Flickr friend.  I love, love this print and can't wait to find a bit more.  I'm thinking of using this in small bits of patchworking projects to follow.  Stay tuned!

::Heather Ross, Munki Munki Little Red Riding Hood:: 

Besides the relentless hum of delivery trucks and parcels arriving at Gehring Road (thank you Rob for accepting these packages, and mostly without comment about the number and bulk! Mostly...) I've been sewing on my lovely new machine.  I promise not to name drop anymore... those 440QE women scared me into modesty... But I will say, sewing has never been more fun or easy.  I've been working on the school bag that is just missing a date with my iron and some top stitching before it joins me in the daily grind.  Here's a quick peek at the work progress ...

::I interfaced this bag like it would be used for armor in an emergency situation, which at my school isn't necessarily out of the question ahem... anyway, I like structure when it comes to work bags::

::The bag has this funky outer pocket, perfect for paperbacks or papers::

::The bottom has three layers of heavy interfacing, seriously::

::Three layers of heavy interfacing, three layers of denim and oh my, how that machine loves sewing through it:: 

This week has been incredibly tiring, Open House went well, though a nocturnal Jack Russell made sleep the night before a bit elusive. I so love that this weekend will be about relaxing and creating... a long weekend at that.  I hope your week has been as full as mine has been and that you are looking forward to all that the weekend has in store... and now that it is official - Happy Fall... I love this time of year.

sunday stash peek

::Stash additions::

I made some fabric purchases this week in anticipation of my return to sewing.  The above fabrics were snagged on Friday at my local fabric store.  I love the paisley as well as the American Jane fabric on the far right... I'm thinking that may need to be made into a quick skirt for Open House on Thursday.  I dislike Open House with a passion... the staying at school until 9 pm, the sometimes unusually mean and patronizing things parents say about their children, the mouth-soreness that comes from the perpetual smile.  Ah well... luckily it comes once a year.  In the meantime, I'm off for a few days (hence the double post). My second sewing class meets tomorrow... here are the most members of my fabric stash... Enjoy!

::Loads of Amish print vintage goodness snagged at the Brimfield Show, oddly enough it was the only thing I bought, and even stranger, I haven't blogged about the show yet::

::American Jane Fabric, Wee Play::

::Moda Fabric::

::This reminded me of Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy Flower Bouquet in Puddy, an (of course) out of print fabric that I so need::

:: Another find... loving the rich colors::

Have a great start to the week... I'll be getting to know more about my machine, but when I'm not, I'll be trying to ease back into the week, trying to motivate 125 teenagers and wishing I was at home sewing and getting to know more about my machine.  Such is life.  Hope your days are filled with motivation, the joy of free time (even a little) and many things you love.

weekend sewing, relaxing and rob makes eggplant parmesan...

::Kylie summing up the weekend...:: 

If you are a reader of this blog (I thank you!) you know that I am an incredibly lucky girl.  I have an incredibly sweet man, an equally sweet dog and an even sweeter new sewing machine on which to practice a new love... sewing and quilting.  This weekend has been incredibly relaxing so far, we've re-energized, picked the beginnings of an apple harvest, and taken some time out to start, or in my case, finish some projects.  I've gotten back to sewing in the past few days, it really feels so incredibly different, it almost doesn't feel like sewing... I'm not used to feeling relaxed and confident while my machine sews through five layers of denim - that's been interfaced.  It's a great feeling.  Here's a little of what I've been up to...

::Yes, that is a perfectly hemmed denim panel, and no, I didn't swear::

:: the work space... working... finally::

So while I worked away on my new school bag... finally... Rob decided to make dinner.  Now when I prefaced this blog post with I'm the luckiest of girls, I truly meant it.  Not many of us would be sewing away upstairs while our significant others make... this... the best eggplant parmesan I have tasted... ever.  

::I wish for you smell-and-taste-a-vision in the very near future... it was so good::

::Yum::

Unlike any other eggplant parmesan I've had (and I feel a little guilty saying this but am taking safe harbor in the fact that my 90 year old Aunts do not surf the web regularly) this was rustic and lacking in that oily, smooshed and unrecognizable layer quality.  Sigh... I love this man... 

Besides some amazing cooking and sewing, we took a little time to celebrate the coming season by doing a bit of decorating.  Some pumpkins have found their way to Gehring Road, along with some mums who are deciding to stay green for the moment, and that's fine with us.  We had a preliminary Thanksgiving planning session last night and our mantle is looking decidedly autumnal.  I love this season... 

::No, that pumpkin is not on fire...::

I hope your weekend has been as lovely as ours has been, and that you are spending it loving and being loved. 

loving... things from europe

:: Cozy Avline Quilt, Ikea::

This past week has left me absolutely drained... meetings, meetings and more meetings combined with the highlight of sewing class on Monday have left me in need of a re-charge and plenty of rest this weekend.  The plan is to spend some quality time with my newest European import (hello, Bernina) and my oldest European import (a seven year old Jack Russell who was incredibly brave at the Vets on Friday... and oh, can our Vet talk).  

And speaking of European imports, I'm loving some of Ikea's new items for Fall... think blankets, linen cabinets and folks-y prints. Yes, I'm that sleepy... Besides the Avline linens featured above, I've spied the following...

::Hemenes Linen Cabinet, Ikea... drool::

::Alvine Flora Folk Pillow, Ikea::

::Kitchen Organizer, Ikea::

So our weekend is setting up to be a relaxing one... though one of us is doing yard-work outside already and if I'm not mistaken has fired up the chipper... one guess who! Ah well, the sounds of the season.  It's cold here, we're expecting a freeze tonight... my thoughts are on the coming season and all there is to do.  Some celebration of fall is absolutely in order, and some organizing for the long months spent inside are as well. I hope your weekend is full of celebrations... the small, the significant and the seasonal. Speaking of celebration... Amy and Greg, I hope you are enjoying your very first anniversary as husband and wife... we love you and look forward to seeing you both soon! 

cooking up some ideas

::Jelly Towels and Ribbon at Moda Bake Shop::

Can I tell you how I love my new Bernina? I looove my new Bernina... I had my very first sewing class last night.  Twenty-five of Connecticut's newest machine owners gathered at my new favorite dive, Close to Home for a little tutorial on how to operate our new toys.  It was wonderful, despite being three hours at the end of a very, very long day.  There was a machine fire (a vintage Bernina if you can believe it), a chastising for using Coats and Clark (oops, that would be me) and machine embroidery, even though I swore I'd never need it.  We all sized up our new machine purchases, eying the machines as they came in.  It was suggested that all the Bernina's sit together, we didn't we mingled with the "other" machines and tried to fight the urge to ask the others if they wanted to play with our machines too. As my poor table partner struggled with her new Janome as it broke her thread, ate her denim swatch and possibly injured her hand...twice, I had flashbacks to darker days then an amazing amount of gratitude for my new machine... I love it.  Sewing is a joy.  Class for three hours was a joy.  

Now that I have some confidence in operating my machine (I had no idea where the reverse was) I can't wait to get started on some projects.  The first will, of course, be my school bag... a bit late but better on the Bernina. One of my favorite sources of inspiration is the Moda Bakeshop, ever visited this honey of a site?  The fabric giant has a blog devoted entirely towards projects that use, in most cases, smaller bits of their fabrics.  The "recipes" or tutorials on this site are detailed and truly detailed, fantastic for beginners and experienced sewers alike.  Here are some projects I'm loving...

::Pencil Holder::

::Grocery Bag Dispenser::

::Fabric Lampshade::

::Apron::

::Hand braided Rug::

 

::Strawberry Pincushions::

::Happy Birthday Banner::

...those jelly towels look like perfect little additions to all of the canning that we're looking forward to sharing with our family and friends this coming season.  I can't tell you how wonderful it is to think about projects in a completely different way, my machine makes just the thought of these projects incredibly plausible and enjoyable.  I can't wait to get started... My hope for you is that all of the things in your life are treating you as wonderfully as the things (and people) in my life are. Happy Tuesday!

it's here!

... yesterday we picked up the much talked and blogged about Bernina!!!! This much happy should be illegal! After we had it in the car, I laughed... a lot, kind of hysterically, Rob was scared... then was completely overwhelmed at this machine I simply never imagined I would be able to buy and began to cry... sheer joy I tell you.  I ended up going with the 230 PE, or Patchwork Edition - bodes well don't you think?  My machine came with 7, count them, 7 classes to learn how to sew on my machine and perfect my sewing abilities.  The lovely people at Close to Home were as excited as I was. I looove this machine! The quiet, the power, the confidence I have in it.  I can't wait to get started.  So forgive me if I'm a bit quiet for the next few days... I've got some time to spend getting to know this amazing machine.  Here are some highlights so far...

::The box that held the machine that made me hysterically laugh then cry when we bought it yesterday::

::Rob figuring out all the parts...::

::Oh, the stiches::

::Stiches close::

::I adore this machine::

... And of course, a very, very special thank you to my partner in crime and favorite person to laugh with... ever.  Rob opened the Bank and Trust to purchase this honey of a machine, because 1. he was tired of hearing me scream at my old machine 2. he was tired of hearing me create new swears and swear phrases to hurl at my old machine 3. he loves me just that much.  Thank you Sweetie for allowing this to happen and I promise not to buy fabric instead of paying you back! Happy weekend to you all, we're off to the Brimfield Show... because this weekend can get better! Hope you are enjoying new loves and olds as much as I am.  

nesting and new england

::Swatch Portraits as seen at Purl Bee:: 

It's a cold, dreary day here in the Northeast... secretly I love these days. These days mean heading back in-doors to finish projects that were started but abandoned for the sun and the adventures of summer. They mean watching period films with a certain four legged friend and a cup of tea.  They mean a book and a fire and Miles Davis as Rob works.  

Autumn is the perfect time for nesting, taking stock and beautifying the place we'll be holed up in for the next few months...ok, more than a few.  We love the idea of a cozy home around here... fires and dogs to snuggle and throw blankets. I've been thinking about the loft lately.  My beautiful but neglected workspace has been silent lately and I think it deserves a little bit of a lift... Most importantly it needs to be nested and fluffed to celebrate the arrival of it's newest addition! I'm also looking forward to preparations for the work that is to be done up there.  

I happened upon these Swatch Portraits on Flickr and was fascinated, again, at the beauty of fabric when arranged together.  The fabric is Liberty of London, and at $40 a yard, small purchases like the collection above are a bit easier to excuse. I love the idea of using fabric scraps to decorate a space. These swatch portraits are incredibly inspiring and what a beautiful way of remembering projects that have been made or fabrics that have been loved.  Easily changed and a great way to re-purpose those fabric scraps that threaten to take over my work space.  Here are a few that were arranged by Purl readers.

... think Rob would go for fabric on the fireplace? Possibly no... but maybe near the stairwell... hmm... maybe for Christmas... maybe for Halloween... wheels are turning! The possibilities for these lovely and inexpensive pieces of art are endless. Look for these to make an appearance at some point in some place in our home.  Until then, happy sewing, nesting and I hope you are making yourself as comfortable and cozy as we are!

...something's coming!!

I know what you're thinking, you're wondering, "Is that Rob and I on vacation?" Nooo... it's a clue... There will be an addition to our household today, and I'm about as excited as that guy, except he isn't running and skipping at the thought of what's coming as I am! Need another clue?  OK here's a few more...

...figure it out? I am beside myself with happy!  The new little guy will be unveiled tomorrow, and yes, he is European, but no, he is not wearing spandex. 

true up love

Can I tell you how much I love the fabric mavens over at True Up?  I do, it's an official girl crush. Here's the story... I saw the above fabric at Posie Gets Cozy while searching for some hexagon projects (I know, I had too much time on my hands recently) and well, loved it.  The blog's author wasn't quite sure where she found that dreamy fabric so I turned to fellow blogger Kim at True Up who Twittered her minions and struck gold!  Blog readers, the above delicious fabric is Studio E "Flourish Medallions" in Orange... it took a village but there it is and sorry Rob, I bought some (just a little).  

So I thank you ladies at True Up... you not only point us in the direction of major sales, tell us where to find vintage prints and let us flash our fabric stashes, you single-handedly made a little blogger in Connecticut's day.  

I hope your day is filled with unexpected surprises and a dash of orange and grey!

...sunday stash update on monday because it feels like sunday...

We're off to the Brimfield Show today... OK, so we're not off to the Brimfield Show today. The English teacher couldn't read the website and mistakenly thought the show began today... it doesn't. That sigh of relief you might have heard from wherever you are reading this was Rob, of course.  So hopefully some pictures from the show next weekend.  

Yesterday felt so like Saturday around here, it was lovely.  Rob has been working incredibly hard on the house, I actually finished the papers I needed to grade (all 54 of them at 4 pages each) and we're looking forward to more productivity around here today, as we will not be scouring the mother of all antique markets.  

I did find the above "linens" as we went shopping on Saturday at our local out-door mall.  Our new table-cloth is from Williams Sonoma, the two matching napkins (dijon yellow and grey in the middle) are going to be used as fabric.  The other napkins were found at the lovely Anthropologie and will also be part of some sewing projects really soon.  Mostly, I'm looking to update the Spool Sewing bird mobile that I attempted to make a few months back.  It was actually one of my first sewing projects...

They're exceptionally pastel and so I'd like to use some heavier and more muted fabrics to make a mobile that will grace the loft.  The thought of snipping up those napkins to use as fabric might seem a little crazy, but they're gorgeous and I can't wait to see how it comes together.

Little teaser for the coming week... around here a decision has been made, an addition will be added to our little household and it will be making it's debut on Saturday... I could not be more excited! So, onto a new week, a new season... with new linens and new projects and new little additions to the house to see.  Make sure to head on over to Flickr to see what we've been up to.  Have a happy week, hope you are having as many productive moments as we are, wether that be preparing for the coming season, relaxing with pugs, enjoying family or all of the above.