Fabric Sources . . .

I imagine most of you realize that I don't choose to advertise on my blog, however, when I come upon a good source I'm more than willing to share the love and promote a business, blog or an individual. Along that line, I'm often asked in comments or emails where I purchase my fabrics. Hopefully a few of those questions will be answered in this post.

Occasionally I will purchase a fabric or two from Hobby Lobby or Hancock Fabrics -- mostly for projects that don't require a really high-quality quilting fabric. There's also a local quilt store that I may or may not have visited a thousand times in the last few years, but generally speaking I purchase my fabrics online at a number of different sources. One of my favorites is Fabric.com. (Recently I purchased the flannel fabrics in the photos in this post from Fabric.com) Fabric.com has a broad selection of fabrics. I always go to their "quilting fabric" section to purchase high-quality designer cottons. They also have a "clearance and discount section" within the quilting section that I love to browse.

I have found that Fabric.com's fabrics are often a dollar to two less per yard than other sources if you are paying full price for a piece of fabric, however, the real advantage comes if you spend more than $35. Shipping is free (every day) with a purchase over $35, and if you sign up for their emails you will receive coupons that lower the price further! There is one area where I think Fabric.com can improve. Their fabric often arrives a bit wrinkled and sloppily folded. That really irritates me. An improvement in their shipping department would go a long way in showing appreciation for their customers purchases.

Additional resources where you can find fabulous fabrics are the individual fabric stores on Etsy. Many of them have close-out sales on fabric lines where you can get a great deal.  Fresh Squeezed Fabric is an example of an Etsy store that has a fabulous "clearance section". I love frequenting these stores and supporting these cottage businesses. As a side note -- I've yet to receive a package from an Etsy fabric store that isn't packaged beautifully. I appreciate their handling my purchases with care!

One more great source for fabric is the blog The Fabric Shopper. Shortly after I started blogging I came upon a blog written by Rosie. She shared the same love of fabric that I did, so I quickly became an admirer of her, her projects and her blog. Since that time Rosie started the blog "The Fabric Shopper" -- a blog about fabric and people who love it! This blog features all the latest collections and patterns from favorite designers and tells you when they’re available and where you can find them. It also points you in the direction of sales on fabulous fabric lines. It's a great daily read.

I hope this answered some questions you might have had about where to purchase fabric online. Have a great day!

Little Boy Pocket Bib . . .

A couple of weeks ago I introduced my Pocket Bib Pattern -- little girl style. Never let it be said that I don't give equal time to the fashionable attire of little boys! Last week I had a little down time and whipped up these two masculine versions of my pocket bib...

My favorite little boy flannel fabric these days is this Michael Miller flannel called "Dino Dudes". I made a receiving blanket out of it recently and had just enough left over for a few pockets for some bibs! I love the whimsical, happy little dinos depicted on this fabric!

Like before, I'm offering this Pocket Bib Pattern to all. 

Go here for the tutorial about how to make this simple bib,

and find out how to receive the pattern!

It's Bloomin' Tuesday . . .

It seems that daylilies have the leading role in our garden in Colorado this week. They are usually in full bloom by the 4th of July, and although most of my garden is a week or two behind this year the daylilies are right on schedule. We have two varieties in our garden. Both are used as "hedges" -- one such hedge surrounds our flagstone patio and the other is used in a bottom tier of our rock garden.

The first is a variety called "Renaissance." It has a spider-like blossom of dark crimson with a splash of yellow at the center that reaches into the petals. Sixteen of these lilies surround our flagstone patio with their dramatic blossoms. An example is shown below in the foreground of the picture. It's flanked by two container plants -- a gorgeous hot pink Bougainvillaea and a Blue Potato Bush with it's delicate purplish flowers.

The second variety of daylilies are my favorite lily. This variety is named "Forever Stella." Their beautiful golden buttercup blossoms add such a beautiful punch to any garden. We have a four-tier rock garden and these daylilies claim the third tier as their home. You can see them in the background of the photo below. The first tier is filled with a beautiful birdie fountain and a gajillion impatiens. The second tier is a rock garden brimming with perennials. In the third tier my "Stellas" thrive...

To see more bloomin' posts visit these linky parties:

Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Tuesday Garden @ An Oregon Cottage

Happy Independence Day

Wishing you a fun-filled day of celebration with family & friends!

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye...

a baby boy.

Clockwise, starting top left:

String of 20 Blue Lights
Hanging Owl Mobile
Vinyl Wall Decal
Wool Felt Bunny
"It's a Boy" Banner
Sweet Set
Typography

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

It's Bloomin' Tuesday . . .

It's time once again for a quick walk through my garden. This time I'll concentrate on our roses. When we planted these roses they were tucked between small fruit trees on the perimeter of our yard. Since then the fruit trees have flourished, and the roses have suffered from shade imposed upon them by those trees. Each year, however, the roses give it their best and manage a nice showing even though they would love to have more sun. Currently they are in full bloom. Here are a few collages of photos I took a few days ago...

Linked to:
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean's.

Pocket Bib Pattern . . .

Our newest grandson, who was born Friday night, was four days overdue which put a little time on my hands the beginning of last week. In April when I announced the impending arrival of this little guy and his two cousins, I introduced a bib pattern that I thought you might like. Go here for that post. At that time some asked if I was going to make the bib pattern available to all, so that's what this post is all about.

In the earlier post I made a Scrappy Bib with this pattern. This time I made a Pocket Bib using the same basic pattern with a pocket added. Here are the two examples of Pocket Bibs I made last week. These are for the grandbaby due in August -- a little girl...

These bibs are so quick and easy to make -- just follow the simple instructions below. At the end of the post you will discover how you can receive this pattern...

Materials...

• Cut 2 of bib front and back from cotton or flannel fabric (can be the same fabric or contrasting)
• Cut 2 pockets from contrasting fabric
• Cut one piece of fusible fleece to be attached to the front of the bib
• 1 Snap
• 11" piece of Jumbo Ric-Rac (optional)
• Seam Allowance: 1/4 inch unless otherwise noted

Before You Begin Sewing...

1.) Iron on fusible fleece to wrong side of front bib.

Assembling the Pocket...

2.) Begin by placing a piece of Ric-Rac on the right side of the front pocket along the straight edge. Place the bottom of the Ric-Rac flush with the edge of the fabric and sew 1/4" from the edge.
3.) Put front and back pockets right side together and sew a 1/2" seam along the top straight edge, catching half of the Ric-Rac in the seam. (This will be the only 1/2" seam on the bib -- all others are 1/4".)
4.) Turn pocket right side out and press. (Optional: Top-stitch 1/8" across the top of the pocket.)

5.) Place the pocket on top of the front bib, aligning unfinished bottom edges of the bib front and pocket. Baste.

Assembling the Bib...

6.) Place bib front and back right sides together and sew a 1/4 inch seam around the bib, leaving a 2-3 inch opening on the side of the bib above the pocket.

7.) Trim seams to 1/8" around entire bib -- except at the 2-3 inch opening.
8.) Pull right side of bib through the opening and press seams flat
9.) Slip stitch the opening shut.
10.) Optional: Top-stitch the bib 1/8 inch from seams all the way around the bib.

11.) Attach the snap according to directions on package about 1/2" from the tab ends of the bib.

All done! 

If you'd like to make a bib like this for a little bundle of joy in your life,
you'll need to leave a comment below and email me with your request.
Please put "Bib Pattern" in the subject line of your email!
(My email address is on my sidebar.)

To see the Little Boy version of this Pocket Bib, go here!

Linked to:
Strut Your Stuff Baby Ideas @ Somewhat Simple
Feature Your Sassy Sites @ Sassy Sites
Linky Party @ Just a Girl
Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies & Jellybeans
Hookin' Up w/ HOH
Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple
DIY Under $5 @ A Little Tipsy
Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts
It's Sew Fun Tuesday @ It's Sew for You
Anything Related @ All Thingz Related
Show Me What You Got @ Not Just a Housewife
Get Your Craft on Tuesday @ Today's Creative Blog
Tuesday Confessional Link Party @ Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom
Running with Glitter Linky Party
Sisters Sunday Link Party @ Sisters of the Wild West
Craft-O-Manic Monday @ Craft-O-Maniac

Thankful Thoughts . . .

What inspired me this week? 

Last Sunday I was given an assignment by a teacher in Relief Society (the women's organization in my church). She asked me to do a good deed this week -- specifically to help someone in need -- and then report back during her lesson this Sunday. The teacher's inspiration for this assignment came from a familiar hymn entitled "Have I Done Any Good?"

The hymn begins with a question...

Have I done any good in the world today?

It then asks...

Have I helped anyone in need?

Finally the hymn lists different ways we can be of service to those around us...

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

When I was given this assignment I didn't know it would inspire me like it did. As I went throughout the week, replaying this song in my head and heart, I began to look for opportunities to serve. Instead of waiting for service opportunities to fall in my lap like I often do, I made a concerted effort to search for ways to be of service to those I love and to show random acts of kindness to strangers. As a result, my week was more meaningful and worthwhile. There's something to be said about getting outside of yourself and being more attentive to those around you. I realized that by praying for opportunities to be of service at the start of the day and asking the question, "Did I help someone in need?" each night, it helped me to concentrate more on those in need. I have a really long way to get where I'd like to be in this department, but I appreciated the nudge I was given by a caring teacher.

What moved me this week?

I had a most amazing experience this week. Do you remember back in April when I announced how busy our summer would be? I mentioned at that time that we had three grandbabies due this summer -- one due in June, one in July and one in August. Our little June grandbaby arrived Friday night, and I was invited to be there for the little guy's grand entrance into the world. I was so proud as I watched my youngest deliver her first child. The courage and love she displayed was so touching, and it moved me to a place I'd never been. I'm so grateful that my daughter and her husband gave me that experience. I thought you might like to see a picture of our ninth grandchild minutes after he was born. It's easy to be moved when you look into the face of an angel...

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye a...

rainbow of color!

Clockwise, starting top left:

Rainbow Sweater Ball

Decoupaged Mason Jars 

Monsieur IV Print

Rag Mat

Ceramic Owl Figure

Felt Garland

Have a wonderful weekend!

Early Morning Hours . . .

One of my favorite times of the day in the summer are the early morning hours, and one of my favorite places is my garden. I love it best when the sun has just crept over the eastern horizon and the garden is flush with the dappled light of morning. Early this morning I was in my garden taking some photos, and it occurred to me to use the garden as a backdrop for some pictures of a few new creations I made last week.

I love these Bunting Cosmetic Bags. (Go here for the tutorial and list of materials.) They are just the right size, and I love the bunting that criss-crosses the front of the bag. Here are two bags I made last week in my favorite summer color -- turquoise...

Turquoise reminds me of the ocean, summer skies, and the bottom of a swimming pool -- all things that mean "summer" and "fun" to me! I put a spunky little lining in these bags to give it a little pizzazz when it's opened!

These bags are cute on their own, but with this early morning backdrop they're made even better!

I hope you're enjoying a beautiful summer day!

It's Bloomin' Tuesday . . .

Let me start by reminding you to go here for the July Plaque Attack. Now on to Bloomin' Tuesday!

There's little I enjoy more than biting into a just-picked fruit or vegetable in the summer. We have fruit trees in our backyard that produce apples, pears, cherries and peaches. I'm convinced our cherry tree feeds the squirrel and bird population in our town. I submit the following photo as evidence...

We also always plant a variety of tomatoes, herbs and strawberries...

A few weeks ago my husband and I had an extra day and a half before we flew home from our vacation in North Carolina, so we visited Williamsburg in Virginia. I was fascinated with the recreated period flower and vegetable gardens in Colonial Williamsburg. These gardens were originally owned by the colonial merchant or tradesmen. Behind their homes, they planted small orchards and vegetable gardens with herbs and flowers scattered throughout. Their recreation is evident in the naturalistic gardens found in Williamsburg today. Here's an example of what we saw...

While these gardens are recreations, they convey the spirit and character of eighteenth century gardens. I love the way they used natural substances to shore up their gardens -- like these stick-like trusses for the squash and tomatoes plants.

These boxes contained squash plants. The lid could be lowered in case of frost...

English colonists brought with them different seeds, bulbs, and roots of their favorite flowers, so their flower gardens became a combination of those Old World favorites and the native plants (American wildflowers) they found in the New World..

These beautiful gardens inspired me. 

If you'd like to visiting more gardens, 

go to Ms. Green Thumb Jeans for more Bloomin' Tuesday posts.