Solved. Out with the old blankie, in with the new!
Last week was rough. Long work days, big happenings. Come Friday, it
was due time to fill up my patient little children with love and
attention — and have a major break from work. Charlotte and I left
the house for the day and pretty much wandered around town, with
nothing on our agenda but togetherness. We had a good time. The
highlights — Charlotte found herself a rubber ducky that lights up in
water and I had a fascinating discussion about dreadlocks with the
produce guy, Ronnie. Isaac took Elijah camping that night and I handled
babysitting duty by myself — cookies, popcorn, movie, songs, etc.
On Saturday, I still needed a break, so Charlotte and I headed out
again. This time we met up with my sister, Julia, at Goodwill and
wandered once more. I left with three books and a plastic toy couch.
Random.
At
home, when Charlotte was napping, I crossed paths with her blanket and
"Perfect!" — it was high time to finish Charlotte’s Drag-Around Sue. I completed
the machine-quilting at nap time, spent the evening with Elijah, then
attached the binding late at night. Isaac and I took a chance on some
obscure movie and I sat on the couch for the first time in months
-quite literally- and stitched that binding down. It was exactly the
weekend I needed. A bit of domestic therapy, including several rounds
of reading, nestled up with my baby girl and her "fancy" new blanket.
I’m feeling a lot brighter today. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sorting
through my photos of Charlotte with her new accessory. What a happy
reminder to check my priorities and count my blessings.
Look at how delighted she is, from head to wiggling toes! My kids are the best appreciators.
Gorgeous photos and quilt! Honestly, what isn’t gorgeous out of freshcut?? I LOVE these pictures!
PS- I loved those leg lamp lights also, I am still seriously considering picking some up… did you?
Oh man, your fabric is sooo PRETTY! I love that your darling daughter’s jammies and blankie look so special and just…delicious. Your last two posts have got me thinking about making everyday, “ordinary” things special and pretty in a new way. Thank you for the inspiration and beauty.
I’d drag that blankie around, too. Alas, no one has made me one. Glad you feel better.
Beautiful blankie! I love the little ruffle at the bottom. I think she likes it…just a *little*. 😉 She is a little doll!
So adorable…the blanket and the lucky little recipient!
Awe… it was so fun to read about your “down-time.” It sounds like you and your kids had the perfect together-filled weekend! I love the days of wandering with nothing in particular to do. I miss seeing you guys since we moved! That was surely a great neighborhood, great people.
How sweet. Children are such a delight aren’t they. I know I love mine.
I love that your mom makes the pajamas. What a romantic idea.
Thanks for your blog. You inspire me!
Darling! (Both the blankie and your baby girl!)
Beautiful Blankie! I love the ruffle.
Sounds like a great weekend. My husband and I have actually seen Keeping Mum. Funny movie, in an odd, off-beat way.
That blankie is beautiful. I have a hard time finding your fabric local! I’ll have to look in the next big city up from me…salt lake city!
Oh, I love the borders and ruffle! Beautiful pictures, too.
What a lovely post! A great reminder to take personal stock and a beautiful quilt to boot! 🙂
I am happy to hear that you had a nice weekend. This summer I feel like we have been doing something all the time, and in the weekends lately there has been a lot of birthdays to go to. So this last weekend it was very nice doing “nothing”.
The blanket looks lovely!
That blanket is gorgeous – I am sure my daughter would swap her “drag around blanket” for that beautiful quilt as well. I adore the ruffle you added – quite cute!!!
How wonderful! I need a few days break myself! Thrift shopping digging sounds like fun too!
All I can say is that she is DARLING with the new blanket….thanks for the domestic words from MOM. All of us need to slow down and enjoy the everyday things.
There’s an old saying that quilts are loving hugs that wrap around you–I suspect your taking time for yourself and your family and finishing this beautiful quilt was like giving yourself a much-needed hug. I’m so glad you had this time.
I have to tell you, no one appreciates like a daughter. I finished a purple sweater for my 6 year old the other day. Keep in mind it has been over 80 here and humid like crazy in MI, and she wore it all the livelong, hot, humid day. And this baby typically sleeps in panties and nothin’ else, but I tell you the truth – I went in to kiss her goodnight when I was headed to bed myself, and she was wearing the sweater! I wish everyone appreciated like a little girl! Great fabrics and ruffles. Ruffles – can one really ever get enough?
Like everyone has already said before me- you are an inspiration- your beautiful fabrics and crafts really get me inspired! The new blanky is great and your daughter is a beautiful model for it! She looks like she’s bundles of fun to spend time with 🙂 And from the second photo it looks like she has your eyes- what a pretty shot! Thanks so much for sharing!
-Clara
I”ve only recently found your blog and I love it. I had no idea you even had kids for awhile. HA! But I love all your ideas, the sewing ability you and your mother have is amazing!!! I love the fabrics on Charlottes ‘drag around sue’ what a cute name too. Is that something you came up with? I made a fleece hello kitty blanket for my daughter and put the sateen(?) around the edges and she doesn’t go anywhere w/o Kitty. ha! kids are so fun!
That’s so true..that kids are the BEST appreciators! When I was designing products, it was there opinion that mattered most…and still is. 🙂 Glad you found some domestic bliss this weekend.
Oops, that should be “their” opinion. I’m my own worst grammar police. 😉
Beautiful Heather. Absolutely beautiful. The blanket is too 😉
Charlotte is a lucky little girl to have a Mum like you.
My goodness I find you inspiring.
xo Glad you had some good soul refilling time. We really need to remember that.
Beautiful photos! I love how your fabrics mix so wonderfully together. I finally have some HB fabric of my own and I can’t wait to see how my projects turn out!
Hi, could you please advise me where I can purchase your fabrics. I live in Sydney Australia.
Giorgi
The new drag around Sue turned out fabulous. I love the little toes sticking out from underneath it. What a great moment to capture.
Love the the new blankie, but the picture of Charlotte’s little piggies is priceless.
Lovely photos…
Beautiful! Both of them! :o)
The blanket is beautiful. WOW you are super woman! I’m not sure I know anyone that ‘takes a break’ and accomplishes all that you did this weekend! Wonderful.
The blanket is beautiful. WOW you are super woman! I’m not sure I know anyone that ‘takes a break’ and accomplishes all that you did this weekend! Wonderful.
Your daughter is so darling in your fabrics. Where do you find the time to do what you do???
Gorgeous — the quilt, your fabric and your little one. Love it!
Simply gorgeous!!
Your blog is simply gorgeous. So is your little cutie of a daughter…and her blankie? well, I myself would love one! Simply amazingly beautiful.
Now THAT is a blankie 🙂
Just gorgeous! I’m sure it will be well loved!
My family laughed all through “Keeping Mum”, but we like odd, off-beat movies. We watched “Driving Lessons” with Rupert Grint Ron Weasley!)around the same time. Love that English humour!
What a great bother and yes I am very impressed, way to go Elijah! Charlotte is a lucky sister. What a treasure for her to keep.
Heather-
I’m SO darn excited I could just squeal!! I’ve got a fresh stack of Fresh Cut!! Yep…I’ve finally got it!! Its so pretty, I don’t know if I can cut into it! We’re doing my daughter’s room in it…so gorgeous! Can’t wait! jw
Holy cow. I’m not a quilter or even a sewer. But you make me wish I was.
Hi Heather,
Your photos are always so beautiful. You are obviously a gifted photographer as well as designer. Do you mind sharing what kind of camera you use? My photos don’t turn out clearly and I know I need practice, but I think an updated camera would help.
Thanks, Lisa Brooks
Hi Heather,
Love your blog. Are there directions anywhere as to how to put a ruffle like this gorgeous one on the outside of a quilt, or like the one you designed for the Free Spirit website? Do you do it before or after the machine quilting stage? Thanks for your help.
Jan (Australia)
PS Love your fabrics and can’t wait for the new range!
What fresh and fabulous fabric. I have got to get me some of that!! But what to make, so many ideas! Thanks.
too cute. Charlotte looked as if she completely enjoyed the blankie. I sure do enjoy my blankies to this day. Who knows, she may have late into her thirties…like me. Yes I just admitted I am a thirty-something woman who still has her blankie. Maybe she might keep as an heirloom. Looks like you are creating them for your children.
I am plotting to copy your Drag-around Sue! It is gorgeous…just bought a bunch of Freshcut from Gina Halladay- Thanks so much for the inspiration!