My kids are the best appreciators. Both of them. They have their
foibles, but they know how to appreciate a handmade present. I like
this. I’m not sure how we got there, but I like it a lot.
My mom made a sweet little blanket for Chloe, with help from Chloe’s
big sister, Haley (8 years old). Isn’t it pretty? Haley was so excited.
So, as I was laying the blanket out to take a picture of it for
them, in trotted Charlotte with a sprig of jasmine. Her freshly-picked
bouquet was quickly abandoned for the rapture of a soft new blanket.
She climbed right up onto the table to demonstrate, wiggling, giggling
& swooshing her hair about.
So adorable.
When I sew, Charlotte hovers around eagerly waiting for the finish line
when she can hop away with whatever-it-is, to her imaginary world.
Makes me crave sewing. More sewing. I could sew her a whole new world
if I had the time. And she’d love it all, whatever-it-is. I love that about her!
Earlier this week Charlotte packed up my new handbag (still had a
couple of pins in it) for the movie store. She had been waiting &
circling till it was off the machine. And she had a plan. She quickly
filled it with all the necessities and we were off: Ariel, Snow White,
a sash from one of my shirts, sunglasses. She was looking pretty hip
too. Comically hip.
Every teenager working there heard all about it, "This is the purse
that my mom made. I like it." "My mom made this. Look, here’s my
Ariel." "Look what mama made." "See my purse?"
Elijah’s the same way. When I make him a new pair of pajamas, he
grins and saunters about. Maybe sauntering isn’t exactly the right
word, but he definitely swaggers or something. And big hugs. Very big
hugs. I’m thinking he could use some new pajamas here soon.
∆ ∆ ∆
So, Quilt Market is next week. And it sounds like I might have some
sample yardage coming in. It was accidentally shipped to Heather Ross,
but we’ve got it sorted out, I think. If I can pull it off before
Market, I’ll put together a snappy preview for you. Waiting for that
box though.
And I’m looking forward to meeting so many of you this weekend at
Blissful Living. If you can’t stop by on Saturday, definitely come by
some other time. And there’s a well-loved mexican cafe along the same
downtown corridor (Mangos) and a handful of fantastic antique shops.
Make a day of it.
i have a sweet chloe too! this quilt is very sweet. i’m glad my kiddos appreciate handmade things too. i know my chloe would love to wrap herself up in that!
Good luck to you!
My Abi is a hover-er and circle-er too! She is ever so pleased with new goodies. I hope and pray that this excitement over “what my momma can do” doesn’t go away ever…it probably will eventually though…but in the mean time, what a perfect thing to relish, huh?! The quilt is darling, just scrumptious!
I love it when people appreciate your hard work and love. My daughter is 4 and smothered me with hugs and kisses because I gave her a yogurt, I hope she never outgrows this stage!
The quilt looks lovely and I like the green furniture a lot.
Have fun at Market and Blissful living. Will you have some photos for us?
Joan
Beautiful, Beautiful! The story, the quilt, the fabric, the table, Charlotte….all beautiful. I would love to find where I could snag one of those clever taggie round pillows for my 9 month old. It would make her “drool” with excitement :>)
That blanket is gorgeous, and it is so wonderful your kids appreciate the handmade! I know a lot of us have anxiety that we’ll get eye-rolls at yet another handmade gift. And I love the little peek of the tag pillows below the blankie, those are adorable!
Is it ok for people to publish photos of your fabrics before they are officially released?
I’m looking forward to meeting you on Saturday! I grew up in Mesa (but live in Chandler now) so hanging out on Main Street is nothing new to me. Your suggestion to “make a day of it” is a good one – there’s so much to do down there. The blanket is gorgeous. Someday, when I have some time, I want to play with the script embroidery feature on my machine. So much to do, so little time!
My DD loves to share the things that I’ve made her as well. She always announces, “My Mommy made this dress!” wherever we are, and it’s truly without any coaching. Lol! It makes me feel so proud. She is, by far, my biggest fan.
The blanket is just darling! Kudos to your Mom & Haley. And that green table – I LOVE IT! Thanks for always giving your posts such wonderful “eye” appeal.
so lovely! its amazing with all of the tech and commercialism that our kids love the handmade stuff the best!
Lovely!
And the table is beautiful! Love the shocking green of it.
I’m laughing at Charlotte “swooshing” her hair. I think that’s her signature move.
Soooo did you get Heather Ross’s fabric? What a funny mix-up. Oh and that blanket is so wonderful.
See you Saturday!
Just goes to show, the universe (or whatever you like to call it) certainly brings you the children you are supposed to mother…
and every quality you have is one they need, and every need they have brings out the best in you…and vice versa…
Beautiful post, thanks for sharing!
if Mango’s is too full, the Picnic Store is also a great place for sandwiches! Can’t wait to hear about the quilt market!
So precious~
Can’t wait to see the new samples!
Have a great weekend,
Laurie
xo
Love, love, love the ruffle of the blanket laying against the green of the table with the sprig of jasmine, yummy. I’m with Charlotte, I’d be wiggling and giggling and swooshing my hair over that blanket too!
I just downloaded the bootie pattern– how adorable! Thanks so much for making that available for free! And me just at the age where my daughter’s freinds are getting married and having babies!
Gorgeous blanket! I just love your fabrics and overall color palette! Beautiful! How did your mother make the label on the blanket? Is it hand done or machine done? I love it!
Take care.
Melanie
Lovely blanket. I’ve been going through a ruffle phase myself. And… what a teaser with that “snappy preview”- I can’t wait to see it. ~jen~
beautiful. i love, love sewing for my kiddos too!
I am LOVING your stories about your kids! My daughter is only 20 months old but already started the “Mommy, Mommy…PRETTY”! When she is wearing something I have made her! It kills me every time! SO much more appreciative than my husband! 🙂 On another note, I JUST came across your blog and am in heaven. I am and have been obsessed with your work and fabric and it is so wonderful to get to see the “real” you!! Thanks so much! Keep up the AMAZING work! Rachel
I think all kids love things hand made “just for them” my god daughter loves it when I make things no matter what it is and often disapears with it if I’m not being to watchful! Makes for a lot of odd booties!
What a beautiful blanket! Ilove the tag.
“I could sew her a whole new world”
Love the sound of that!
I bet you could!
peace,
amy
So great! My mom used to sew like that for me as a kid, all of my clothes. I still wait with anticipation when she whips me up a little something.
What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. She is so lucky to have a mom as fantastically creative as you.
That quilt is adorable!! I love the ruffle! And it is great that yur kids appeciate sewing and handmade things… my son is the same way, probably because he has seen me sewing since he was little. I made him these goofy little stuffed animals that take about 20 minutes to sew, and he loves them more than anything! Makes me proud, and you should be too:)
Oh Heather I want to come back in my next life as your DAUGHTER!! To be surrounded by such beauty and creativity every day! Heaven on earth!! Blessings to you this Mother’s Day weekend…thanks for sharing your gifts and talents with us!
PS What fibers did your mom use to do the little pink “ties” on the quilt top? (Sorry – I don’t know the proper terminology! New to quilting!)
Susan (the one who GUSHED over you to my hubby in the elevator the morning we were departing the hotel after INSPIRED! My brush with greatness!! call Letterman!)
my mother used to sew for me when i was a little girl. and as i grew up, she taught me all about how to sew, and her viking sewing machine. today, five years after my mother’s death, and as a young mother of two small children, i find that sewing (yes, on that old viking) brings back wonderful childhood memories! and maybe even a little “magical” help from my mom to finish the project for the grandchildren she wanted, but never got to meet. thanks for always being a sewing inspiration, have a wonderful mother’s day! 🙂
Very sweet!!!
You such a fab Mum Heather! You’re an inspiration – soaking this all up ready for the arrival of my first little one!
Heather — What beautiful photos. My mom also sewed for my sister and I while we were growing up and I’m loving sharing that with my daughters as well. I hope you’ll tell us all about the Blissful Living open house. I just moved from Arizona last summer or I would have been there! And Mangoes was my favorite. I’m feeling just a little homesick — all that fun and the fact that it’s still in the 50’s in Idaho. Let us know what type of workshop you’ll be giving in June too! I love the whole idea of blissful living, it’s so inspiring. Can’t wait to see your new fabric too! –Lisa
P.S. Have a Wonderful Mother’s Day!
How lovely! Chloe has such a great Granny and little sister to make her such a wonderful gift.
Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day!
Aren’t our kids the best ego boost ever! My daughter claims everything I paint, and I assure you that you are a much better seamstress than I am a painter. It does not stop them though. Mommy can do no wrong. Mommy is beautiful (even when she does not think so)! Oh, if they could just stay this way instead of becoming unappreciative teenagers!!!
The blanket is beautiful! My mom just recently made a quilt for me, I will always cherish it,as I am sure you daughter will her blanket.
My little Lilly is the same way about homemade things! It is so lovely to be able to please them in something made with your own hands. She will ask when putting something on: “Did you make this?”
What a beautiful blanket!
I wish you a wonderful time at Quilt Market! I am so excited about seeing your new fabric! I really can’t wait. I so love working with your first line.
-Emily
I was disappointed I didn’t get over to meet you at Blissful Living! I was home sick with a summer cold I caught in LA last weekend!
hi Heather !! so fun meeting you at blissful living this weekend – can’t wait to see what class you have in store !! sure to be a good one !! have fun at quilt market !!
xo,
beth
I think you’d be happy to have me as a daughter, too. 🙂 I love every single thing my Grandma has made me. Yellow nightgown and robe she made when I was 8? Wore it until the sleeves were at my elbows. Quilt she gave me when I was 10? I gave it to her 5 years ago (I’m 29) to patch because I sleep with it ALL YEAR LONG. When my Grandma passes away (she’s 90), I don’t know and don’t care how much money she has, I want her THINGS. The blankets she’s made, the pillows she’s embroidered, the furniture she’s lovingly cared for for over 30 years and isn’t worth a dime. I love me some handmade stuff. 🙂
What a beautiful post – the story, the quilt, the gorgeous fabric…thanks for sharing!
~Kelleigh
Hola me encantan tus cosas,te felicito.Besitos
You take brilliant photos, Heather. They always bring a smile to my face.
And thanks for inspiring us with your beautiful work. It makes me want to break out my sewing machine & create something new!
You are one Lucky Mama, as are your children…. so blessed to be exposed to the creative goodness that you, your husband and the whole family brings into their lives!
Thank you for sharing~ Erin : )
I just found you via your Trash Ties website and I have to say that my friend handmade my daughter’s first birthday dress out of those same fabrics! What a small world. I’ll have to show you a picture if you want!
Hi Heather! I’m so glad I found your blog. Jill from the ward told me about it. You are so talented! That Charlotte of yours is so sweet!
Hi Heather! I’m so glad I found your blog. Jill from the ward told me about it. You are so talented! That Charlotte of yours is so sweet!
Awe I love this entry! My daughter is the exact same way. She loves the things I make her and she gets so disappointed when she sees something she likes and asks “Is that for ME?!?” I reply “No, this is for someone else…” Then she gives me the face… that face that says “Well I suggest you go buy some more of this fabric and make me one too!” lol
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Какую красоту вы делаете!!!! Подпор тканей просто впечатляет!
Какую красоту вы делаете!!! Подбор тканей просто впечатляет!
An absolutely beautiful blanket!
I absolutely love your designs and blog! I’m new to blogging but not to sewing and quilting. Thank you for sharing the patterns and designs. I live in a rural area so I am surfing the internet trying to find your cute fabrics so that I can make one of your projects.
Have a great day!