Sheree's Alchemy

Latest Winners

Heavens....what happened?!!  I really thought I'd get back to this space on Friday, I really did!  But I fell behind on getting things ready for Leah's very late Birthday Bash on Saturday. 

So, sorry...let's announce the winners! 

We had 224 entries for this one.  I used random.org to generate the numbers again.

Here are your random numbers:

122	83	134	220	

Timestamp: 2009-04-29 17:20:10 UTC

I heard back from all the winners...3 were from the mailing list and Paula was a commentor here on the blog.

Congrats to Lindsay from Florida, Stacey from Maine, Shelley from Texas and Paula from Arizona!

I had an Earth Day Giveaway planned for last week, but missed the boat on that, too.  So will hopefully have that up tomorrow. 

Have a great day, folks!

Hugs,

Sheree

Happy Earth Day!

Lucas made this today at school.  So I thought I'd share.

Like most of you I am sure, I spent some time today thinking about all the damage we've done to the Earth and wondering how we can make things better.  I know for sure it starts with education...educating ourselves and especially our kids. 

Tonight after dinner, we will all sit and watch the PBS earthday special and have a discussion about what changes we can make in our own lives. 

Hope you all had an enjoyable Earth Day.  I hope you all take some time to think about how you can work to reduce waste, conserve energy, protect the Earth.

I'll be back on Friday to announce the winner of last week's giveaway, to talk a bit about the garden and to share the next giveaway.

See you all then!

Hugs,

Sheree

Freebie Friday Catchup and Sneak Peeks!

Hello People!

Well, today I think it is about time I get caught up on all the Freebie Fridays I missed.  Again, apologies on that for those of you that kept coming by for the free goods.  Life took over, with family visiting and then work deadlines needing to be met.  You all know how that goes, right. :)

Before I show you what's up for graps this week, do bare with me one second while I share a few sneak peeks of some more goods that will be available on the website. :)  We had another little photoshoot yesterday, so I had to share these before I forget!

I still need to photoshop them, along with hundreds of other photos (joy!), but I am making progress.  This whole photography thing is really a job in and of itself...and I have so many one-of-a-kind items that need to be photographed individually, that it takes time.  I know, I don't make it easy on myself....and Superwoman, I am not....so I need to definitely make changes in this process for future shop updates for sure, lest I get my first strand of gray hair! 

Okay, enough of that...on to the goods.  So, let's get back on track.  I missed 4 weeks of goods, so they'll be 4 winners this week. 

The items:

 

2 people will be chosen to receive 1 yard each of the adorable Japanese linen anchor print fabric (courtesy of my Japanese fabric distributor) shown.  Then 1 person will get the Amy Butler Nappy Bag pattern and 1 person gets the incredibly chic Kimberly Bag Pattern (both patterns courtesy of Amy Butler Designs).

How to enter:

Those of you on the mailing list (see the right side bar to join up if you have not already done so) get one entry automatically. 

Leaving a comment here gets you another entry.  So if you are on the mailing list and you comment here, you get 2 entries.

When you leave your comment, tell me which item you'd prefer, that way, when I draw your name, you get first dibs on the item you really want!  Feel free to also tell me what you've been up to!  What have you been sewing?  Share some links to your creations....because we want to see!  Anyone gardening?  What are you growing?  Anyone still buried in snow out there?  Or just say Hi! 

I'll use the random number generator to select the 4 winners.

Okay lovelies, I am off...Leah is home...half day of school today.  So we are heading out for some girl time before we get the little guy from school!  Enjoy your weekend...I hope you have a chance to make something beautiful!

Hugs,

Sheree

Easter Pics & Improvisational Quilt Tops

Hello!

I know, 2 posts in 2 days...how strange! :)  I am slowly getting back into a groove, and realized this morning I totally forgot to share some pics of the kids on Easter.  It was a super simple Easter this year...just the four of us.  I was supposed to head to sunrise service, but we stayed up too late the night before and I woke up just as the service was starting....bummer because I do enjoy sunrise service on Easter.  Anyway, for family and friends, a few pics of the kids searching for eggs in the garden.  They were a little nervous that the Easter bunny would think we were still in Germany, but I assured them that he'd find us.  And he did. 

They went straight out after waking up.  No breakfast or anything.  They wanted to go straight out in their pjs, but it was a little cool, so I asked them to atleast get some clothes on.  I think they dug in the dirty clothes hamper and pulled out the first thing they touched..so sorry about the not so schnazzed up pics.  This is just how it went down this year!

Hubby and I realized how sad it will be when they stop believing in all this (Easter bunnies, flying reindeer....).  Such innocence and sweetness, I tell you.  I do sometimes feel weird basically lying to them about all this...but I think it is these moments in childhood that are the most precious, and believing and having faith are two wonderful things, don't you think? 

Alright, enough mushy mom stuff.  On to some stitching...

I wanted to quickly share this little series of quilt tops I am working.  They just sort of happened, like most things I make do.  While unpacking the boxes I had stored in the quest room since we moved here, I found this fabric.  I can remember I bought this on ebay years ago in a lot of odd cuts from a manufacturer.  In the description, they did not note that these were odd cut pieces.   They just put the total yardage in the listing, so I was thinking I would get full yardage pieces to use for children's clothes.  Well, not...so these odd cuts sat in a box all this time.  Now that I am having a blast making quilts (well mostly quilt tops so far! I really need to get to quilting again!  The tops are mounting up!), I was excited to find these pieces and snuck in some sewing time between my orders to get some piecing in.  I kept finding so many fabrics to coordinate with this print (the good and bad side of having my fabrics organized by color!) that I ended up putting together a bunch of stacks and realized it was the perfect opportunity to do my first quilt series.  So here are the beginnings of the first two quilt tops. 

These were both just pieced as I went along...no planning.  They are super simple quilts, nothing new here.  But fun none the less!    I am not sure if they are done yet...I have not decided how large I want these quilts to be....or even if I want them all the same size, as I like the idea of offering them in varying sizes for different uses.  Right now they are great crib or lap size.  I do think making atleast one or two twin bed sized would be cute.  I can remember when I was nursing my kids at night, I'd  always grab a big cozy blanket that would cover my legs while we were in the rocker or an arm chair.  So a generous twin would be great for those cozy moments as well.  We'll see how the series develops...

So far, it will be a series of 6. Here are the other fabric stacks I put together.

I love how the look and feel of the quilt totally changes based on the complimentary fabrics used.

Since this little series came together in such a spontaneous way, I think it is perfect for my project improv project. 

Alrighty then, off I go.  The sewing machine is calling my name.  Actually Photoshop is calling even louder but I am going to ignore his voice and get to my girl...sewing is so much more fun! :)

I'll see you all back here tomorrow for Freebie Fridays, okay!

Hugs,

Sheree

Progress

Hey There,

Today I'd like to share a bit of the progress that has been made around here.

First, here is a little outfit I made for a new customer. 

Her daughter is a going to do some modeling for me.    Her mom ordered a new set, but with capri length pants instead. She had actually modeled a similar outfit for me, just with long pants (see below). She and Leah have become great buds, and the two of them had a blast with the couple photo sessions we've done so far.  This customer has also booked a home show with me!  I am so excited about this...my first time doing something like this.  We will work out the details for this next week, but I do know the show will be mid July, just in time for some back to school shopping.  As soon as I get the website launched (hopefully in the next 2 weeks!), I'll have to start planning that.

Here's my new little cutie model wearing the set which be on the new website soon. :)

Here are a few more pictures of the girls modeling sets for the new website.

I also made some progress on the wedding reception items I am working on.  The tablecloths are done.  The quilt is about half done.  I will be shipping everything off at the end of the month.  So I need to get this done next week.  I'll share pics of these when they are all complete!

I also completed a little swap that Penny organized, called scraps to treasures.  You can go here to see pics of the bundles I received.  And below is a snapshot of the bundles I put together for the ladies. 

I used a fat quarter of that darn cute scissors fabric to wrap everyone's bundles in.  I am excited to get working on the project for this scrap challenge.  I have a couple ideas I am toying around with.  We'll see what comes of all these lovely scraps. 

Penny also sent me this cute little hand towel as a thank you gift for her winning one of the freebie fridays giveaways. 

Wasn't that nice of her!  Thanks Penny!  It reminds me of my grad school days in the Boston area.  Now I have to make my lobster salad soon, as this cutie has me thinking about it big time!

What else.  Oh the sewing classes.  I am about half way done the projects for the class.   I decided to work through all the projects so I can show photos of them with the flyer that will hang in the store.  I'll be teaching my local Hancock Fabrics, btw.  I am starting with 3 classes and we'll see how they go.  2 of the classes are for kids and one is for adults.  I may add on 1 or 2 more, depending on the demand.  And if all goes well over the summer, I will continue and add on more classes in the Fall, once the kids are back in school.  Getting this all together has been alot of work, but such fun!  I have been wanting to sit and write up patterns for over a year now, and this new venture has forced me into for sure! 

What is really driving me is the teaching part.   I think I am really a teacher at heart.  I have mentioned here lots that I am really a face to face sort of person.  The internet is nice, but I am most comfortable face to face.  I like the true connectedness you can only get face to face.   Hopefully, more face to face teaching will help me with the pattern writing/development.  I can tell you and show you in person how do things very well.  But I am not certain my written explainations will be the same.  So this will be the test!

Teaching is what I actually went to graduate school for.  Well, I trained to be a scientist, but I actually intended to teach unversity level chemistry and run a research lab.  I went to MIT on a full scholarship funded by the Ronald E. McNair program which specifically targeted minorities and women interested in teaching on science on the University level.  After graduating, I ended up doing an industrial post-doc ( I figured having some industrial experience would make me a better teacher/professor since most scientist end up working in industry) and had some quick success on the project I was assigned, wrote up a couple patents and was hooked on industrial work.  I loved the praticality of industrial research.  But a part of me has always felt I was meant to teach.  I never thought it would be sewing, though!lol  In retrospec, it is not too surprising I guess.  I did teach a group of teenage moms sewing back when I was a first year grad student at MIT. Since I was on scholarship, I did not have to do the first year teaching, so I volunteered instead.  And you all will remember my blog posts showing you all how much fun I had with my friends in Germany teaching them all how to sew!  So I guess it isn't a huge surprise.  But once again, I have diverged.  Back to the progress...and some pics of fabric!

With all the "work" on my plate, I need to take some breaks to have just play and have fun.  That usually comes in the form of putting bundles together for future projects.  I took put this bundles together. 

Nice combo, huh?!  Organic linen, cotton cable knit and gorgeous cottons with vintage mother of pearl buttons.  A little modern...a little vintage!  These will be used to make a quilt & pillow set.

I also put this bundle together

and turned it into this!

It is just a top so far and some startings of some patchwork pillows made from the scraps.  I actually have it all layered and basted and ready to quilt.  But I have to get back to my to do list first.

So, I'd better go.  I have some progress in the garden to share soon.  Maybe tomorrow...Maybe the next day.  And I'll be back on Friday for sure for another round of Freebie Fridays!

Almost

Hey There,

Well, we had a great visit with the inlaws and a great Spring Break.  We also had a brief visit from my husband's cousin who was visiting the US from Switzerland for a conference. So the house was full and we really enjoyed our time with family. 

We visited San Antonia again (which reminds me I never shared pics of our first visit there!), Austin for the first time (love, love, love Austin!!) and Bandera, cowboy capital of the world!  We spent loads of time in the garden together as well.  The weather was fantastic for most of the last few weeks.  Warm, sunny days, with a bit needed rain mixed in.  New things are blooming daily in the garden and my father-in-law did alot of garden clean out and new plantings for us (thanks Opa!).  The kids started their new Spring sports programs.  Leah is playing tennis for the first time, and Lucas is playing T-ball for the first time.  Hubby is the tennis coach and I am the team mom for T-ball, so we are having fun lending a helping hand as well. Here are just a few pictures from the last weeks in March.

Like I mentioned, the weather was nice and we spent alot of time out doors.  I spent alot of time in the kitchen, making some of our favorite warm weather dishes, like this salad.

And eating them outdoors.

The kids spent a lot of quality time with their grandparents, playing games and helping in the garden, as well as splashing in the pool.

 

We saw lots of Long Horns, including this beauty in Bandera, Texas.

After a short stop in Bandera, we ate lunch in Fredricksburg, Texas and then stumbled upon a lovely state park en route to Austin.

 

We really enjoyed our time in Austin, and have already planned to head back there in June.  The state capital building and grounds are just lovely.

 

On the way home from Austin, we stopped at the Lady Bird Wildflower Nature Center.  Oh, so beautiful!  We can hardly wait to make it back there soon.  The Blue Bonnets were spectacular.  

And there were a ton of interesting cacti for me to photograph.

While at the Wildflower & Nature Center, we met Curlin and Laurie, two super nice and talented ladies!

I was drawn to their booth by the colors and immediately recognized Laurie's fabric from a Spoonflower newsletter and her Etsy shop!  And then Leah spotted Curlin's ridiculously cute new embroidery patterns and had to have one (her first embroidery cute..smiles!).  The embroidery kit is so cute, there are boy and girl versions, and it comes with all you need, hook, floss and all.   I may need to incorporate it into my summer stitching classes that I'll be doing at a local fabric shop (read more about that below!).  In fact, I must.  It would be perfect for a class!

I am looking forward to hooking up with these girls again when I head back to Austin.  Curlin and I already have some ideas buzzing around.  I do hope we can collaborate on something fabulous!

Next up, the Space Center.  What a great time we had there.  We all learned a ton, and after 5 hours, we still did not get to see everything. 

Lucas has already decided he will definitely be going into outerspace when he grows up!

This exhibition showing the lab set up in Space totally brought back memories for hubby and me and our time in graduate school at MIT.  We both did our PhD work synthesizing air sensitive compounds, and so 90% of our work was done in glove boxes like these shown below.  Cool, huh?  Gosh, I may need to find a lab to work in part time.  A part of me is starting to really missing working in the lab. sigh.

A few more images, messages if you will, from the Space Center Exhibition that I enjoyed.

On their last day here, we celebrated my mother-in-laws 76th birthday.  She is really an impressive woman.  Next week, she'll be recording yet another new CD...at 76 years old!  I think that is pretty darn cool!  We just hope we have the health and vitality that they do when we reach that age!

Thanks for coming and visiting with us Gro and Opa and for celebrating with us!  Can't wait to see you two again in the Fall!

After this little vacation, I am slowly getting caught up on business things: 

Taxes (joy!),

getting the new website setup and launched,

custom dyeing fabrics for new projects,

making a custom quilt and tables cloths for a wedding (yes, my first wedding...so excited!  My largest commision to date!),

custom dyeing fabrics for a new local customer(very fun!),

custom making 2 quilts and 2 pillows for my mother-in-law (we had fun together in my fabric room, picking fabrics and sketching out designs!),

making custom Easter clothes for a new local customer (now a new friend as well), 

getting curricula, patterns (my own new line) and kits together for new sewing classes I will be teaching at a local fabric shop (yes....finally..a place to teach!  And yes, finally, my own line of patterns!  I am so giddy about this!) 

and taking pictures and getting new products uploaded here (lots of new mixed fabric bundles coming soon!).

So much.  Always so much. (I know alot of you reading this can relate...we are all always so busy, right!). 

But this is all happy and creative stuff.  So I am definitely not complaining at all.  These times are so hard right now, especially for small business, so I am beyond grateful that I have work. I realized now is not the time to say no to orders.  So I'll just have to sleep less to get it all done.(smiles)

I do know it will all come together whenever it is meant to, and I have actually finally made it to that point in all of this where I no longer beat myself up for all the things I have not gotten done yet, and instead pat myself on the back and cheer myself on for all the things I have undertaken and accomplished.  I have realized that I have to be my best cheerleader.  I have to stay positive and focused on my long term goals.  These baby steps are all necessary.  And I have enjoy them and the process and not be afraid of what lies ahead and instead embrace all my blessings and opportunities. 

Like  nearly every mom out there, there will always be a ton of balls to juggle.  We do our best to keep all the balls in the air.  And if one falls, no biggie.  Just pick it back up whenever the time is right and keep on juggling! 

Truth be told, I sometimes think, Sheree, come on, just stop and focus on one thing...one thing.  But that is just not me!  I have learned that.  I am happiest when I have a mix of things going on.  It takes a bit longer to complete projects, but I am much more creative and I have so much more fun.  That is what Sheree's Alchemy is all about, right!

I'll be back soon with more sneak peeks of items that will be available as well as some other things to share.  I also need to get back on track with my freebie Fridays!  I have missed a few weeks now and will make up for that for sure. :)  I still have some patterns from Amy Butler Designs to giveaway. 

Okay, I'd better wrap this up. 

Back soon,

Sheree