Gehring Road

pinteresting

 DIY Framed Handkerchiefs from House & Home 

I've been pinning lately... lots of pinning. From really yummy (looking) recipes to this sassy lady, I'm finding much to get inspired by on Pinterest. Here's what I'm loving this week...

1. Nature Inspired Paper Transferware from BH&G

2. Amazing headboard from Brooklyn to West

3. Jane Eyre Tote from Modcloth

4. Norman Reedus Photo from Tumblr 

5. Circle Disk Letter Initial Ring from Paulabdesign Etsy Shop

Just a few loves this week. In other news, I'm completely, hopelessly, and profoundly in love with passion fruit macarons from a bakery around the corner from school. Dangerously around the corner. If you're nearby, you must go. And by convincing you I'm thinking, I too must go. See how that works? I lack all will power. I hope you are off to a lovely start to this week. Happy Tuesday everyone! 

still quilting, still planning

 Image from Pinterest 

(this is of course, not a quilt finished by me but one I am obsessing over, of course) 

After a two day work week, I have today off for the start of an abbreviated February vacation (it was three days even before the snow). Lest you be jealous, like someone in our house whose name rhymes with "sob", we will now be making up days until the end of June as a result of this last snow storm and Hurricane Sandy. Sigh. I am extremely protective of my summer vacation days and "snow days" make me weepy. I'd much rather have sunny days off than snowy ones. My students disagree, until June comes!

Anyway, today I contemplated finishing the quilting on my Strips and Bricks quilt, but got caught up in Where'd You Go Bernadette (so, so good if you're looking for an interesting read). The straight line quilting (lots of it) can be a little boring, but I'm finding tackling it in small doses is best. In the meantime, I'm dreaming of that beauty of a quilt above. I'm quite sure I swore off half square triangles rather recently, but I've successfully blocked out the horror. I have a few other projects that need tending to before I can start on that once, which is probably a good thing considering I own very, very little black fabric. How is that possible I have so much fabric and so little black? Hmm... must be rectified in time, I imagine.

I had a hair appointment and went very blonde (all the better to mask some let's call them white hairs which have begun make their presence known ahem). I also picked up some macarons from this little shop, if you're in CT as a belated Valentine's Day gift for my guy. They are delicious, and know because I sampled a raspberry one right after he opened them. That's love. Happy weekend everyone, I hope you are looking forward to many sweet things in the days to come! 

inspired

 Images from Apartment Therapy 

I can't stop looking at this photo from Apartment Therapy that just found its way onto my Pinterest board. The colors are amazing and just begging to be a quilt, no? I had some time today, (thank you snow day gods!) and pulled some fabrics for something that I hope will be in the works quite soon. I have a few changes to make and some tweaking of the prints, but I think I might be on to something. Lovely to be inspired. 

Happy Wednesday everyone, I hope you are similarly inspired, rested and enjoying this lovely day!

spoonflower favorites

Fabric Credits: 1. Chattanooga Toile by chickoteria, 2. map of our sky blue, 3. OldTownStockholm by mrshervi, 4. elephant march by endemic

A new series "Spoonflower Favorites" around here as I begin the school year and have a little less time to write this blog. My love for designer fabric is well documented (ahem) but I don't often talk about the fact that I also really love to support the amazing work being produced by less well known designers on Spoonflower. I love that Chattanooga Toile and really all of the fabrics coming out of chickoteria's spoonflower page. Just so unique and amazing. That night sky print comes in a variety of colors, which I think is such a nice option for sewists. The Stockholm print is one I've had my eye on for a while now... I've seen some quilts and quilt blocks made to look like this city scape but think this is much more detailed and really lovely. The elephant march is just a really beautiful color palette and perfect scale. 

I have quite the list of favorites at my own Spoonflower account and they recently added a "Pin It" button so I can add them to my Pinterest boards. My "fiber" board is of course one of my favorite creations. Speaking of Pinterest, someone pinned this amazing pillow made by Melissa Haworth of "Under Construction" blog...

...so cute, just a picture of your bookcase uploaded to Spoonflower and sewn into the perfect reading pillow. I just love this. 

Happy Friday everyone! 

circus-y and some current loves

Windham's Shelburne Circus Fabrics found here

A month is too long, isn't it? But it has been a month (almost) away from this space as my life resembles that three ring circus pictured above more often than not. Minus the elephants, thankfully. Anyway, Happy April, happy equinox, happy Spring if it's found you! We've had it around these parts since February. We're allowed to gloat about that, remember the deck last February? Ha! That was something. Really all I'm thinking of right now is completing this work in front of me and getting back to a more centered and creative way of life. I'm in the homestretch with one class and have just signed myself up for a few summer classes. We'll celebrate August 4th! Until then, I thank those of you who have emailed and commented asking how things are going. They're and we're well... but I miss sewing and having free time to do so desperately. My picture a day pledge for this year just really isn't going to happen, and realistically, I'm fine with that... next year. I am on Twitter and Pinterest (they're perfect quick pop-ins for me when I have a few minutes before classes or at the end of the day). I'm still getting used to Twitter, and sometimes feel a little fish-out-of-water with it and the conversations that happen so if you are on, I'd love to know. Pinterest continues to inspire me. Here are some recent finds!

(image credits from 1. Colorful Wall Design Sponge 2. Gingham Love Atlantic Pacific 3.Keyhole Dress Old Navy 4. Those green chairs La Maison D'Anna G 5. Chicoppee by Denyse Schmidt Sew Mama Sew 6. Benchwright Buffet Pottery Barn 7. Raskog Trolley Ikea 8. Shelburne Circus Fabric 2Girls Fabrics 9. Sticker Shock Enducing Coach Felicia Leather Slim Duffle Purse Page)

pin and tell

I love these summer weekends... there is nothing fleeting or expectant in anything and I'm simply in love with them. Fabric arrived for my quilt, yet I'm still playing around on the floor finishing up that lovely quilt that promises to bring some of my most loved fabrics down into our living area. Heaven. I can't wait to snuggle up with that one and this one. Here are some other things I'm loving lately... (all on Pinterest)

... I've been looking for a sweet little clock for the loft and this one caught my eye, a knitted cuckoo-clock found here... beautiful...

... Brimfield is happening, and we took a jaunt up to visit the shoe trolleys... a year later and I still didn't buy one... but love the one above... maybe in September (sound familiar?) 

... how sweet (and affordable, yes!) are these scissors... I might pick up a pair...

... I love this color, that trim, those flowers... just the whole thing really... found here...

... these shoes, much like my current schedule are relaxed and perfect for padding around the loft in, a bonus... they just went on sale...they also come in white, if you're brave...

... and here is me being brave and recognizing the existence of autumn... I love that Jack Skellington pumpkin and I think he's going to make an appearance on Gehring Road come October... Happy, happy weekend to you and yours, back tomorrow! 

pin and tell

Poppy/Coral desk from Poppyseedliving Etsy Shop 

Loads of things posted to my "Nest." board over at Pinterest lately, and for good reason... we're very focused on this home of ours of late. Yesterday, I pulled every last thing out of my closet in preparation for a fresh coat of paint and some rearranging of shelves. No pictures of that (thankfully!) because the loft (the inheritor of all that closet stuff) looks like a closet exploded in it, which is exactly what happened. The closet holds a special place in my heart actually (you're thinking really? a closet?!)... after a stressful and sudden evacuation of my apartment three years ago (and dating a mere six months), I came here to live with my guy and he happily gave up the big closet to make me feel at home. His happiness to have me here made that horrible situation a wonderful one, and I knew all would be more than well... I was right!

Anyway, this summer appears to be an organizational one for us, and my little project pales in comparison to the difficult work Rob has been up to.  Drywall and basement work along with painting and putting together the things bought for my new closet-layout are in the works for that amazing guy.  I'm a lucky lady.  So here are some of my favorite pins from the week... enjoy!

I'm loving this scrap map wall hanging tutorial here

love, love, love these bangs... time for a haircut

still loving yellow and grey... it's my lot in life! 

thinking of this for the loft...

creamy shrimp and mushroom pasta found here... too rich for breakfast?

love this sweet little ring, but wonder if it would get caught on well, everything

Happy Tuesday!

i love this monday... pin and tell

Swedish Artist Fredrik Akum originally seen here

I've been pinning lately... a lot. Inspiration is everywhere and as we plan a new kitchen (open shelving and farmhouse sink are in the plans as well as... drum roll... a dishwasher!) ready to paint the outside of the house and possibly even head north for a little vacation, the inspiration I have been finding everywhere has been so wonderful and heartening. My last five pins include some art (see above), some color, some adventure and some really amazing chocolateness (my spell check hates that word, I am undeterred, how does it not exist?)... 

Cravens Garden Tablecloth from BHLDN I have a soft spot for all things table linen and yellow, and really all things yellow and table linen-y...

Painterly flower arrangement from Once Wed... I love those rannoculoui (is that the plural?)

Salted Carmel and Chocolate Cake... I know, I know... heaven. I'm thinking I need to whip this up as a treat for my favorite baker... or maybe because I'd like it to be edible, with my favorite baker... Recipe here...

Anyone else love Downton Abbey? I envision many hours spent sewing this summer with this series playing to keep me company. How sweet is this artwork seen here? 

Hmm... maybe this is more heaven than the chocolate cake... This is Sun Island in the Maldives and I would like to be there right now... and tomorrow instead of work, tell no one.  Image found here...

So, those are my picks this week... and a bonus pick at that, had to include those little slices of heaven. This week has to be exceptionally productive and so far, so good.  Ten research papers graded today alone... I feel a bit of relief at that as I'm quite protective of my at home time... where I'm taking some fabric in, planning some quilts and so excited about tackling parts of my list in a few short (but filled!) days. Wishing you a wonderful start to this week and all that you have planned for the moment. 

i love mondays... show and pin

I am really, really searching deep to find something to love about this Monday... the start of a new series here on the blog is making it semi-paletable. The sheer act of turning my neck to grab something in the back seat of the car yesterday has aggravated my already aggravated neck and a heating pad (bag of corn kernels) is really the only thing my neck finds paletable.  That and pain-in-the-neck jokes. So I bring you a new little series whilst sitting far too long with this steamy and oh so wonderful bag of corn draped on my aching neck... Pinterest.  Have you been? If you'd like an invite, please let me know (email!)... I would love nothing more than to interest you in the hours and hours of time wasting and day-dreaming that Pinterest is. Actually, it is a source of inspiration and fascination and I love it. So here on Mondays... my last five pins...

... this heavenly house number seen here and from Tillie Mint pinned to my board "nest." 

... also pinned to "nest" I'm in love with this kitchen... the hardware, simplicity, legs and oh that sink... found here...

...this baby slipper pattern from Ithinksew is only $4 and now lives on my "small." board, with the baby boom we're having at work, I think I need to give it a go...

...and this little slice of heaven has been posted to my "eat." board, I've pinned three kabobs in the last few days (these were first) hmm, what's up with my kabob fascination? ... anyway, you can find the cupcakes here...

... and finally, this tutorial for painted jars... love... and now pinned to my "try." board...

My "try." board is my favorite, the ideas, tutorials and creativity that are shared on the site is really remarkable, I'm so inspired and humbled by the wonderful ideas posted by some super talented individuals. I love that I can hoard them in one spot and see what I'd like to conquer next... when not dealing with a pain in the neck that is... Happy Monday!