My Last 3 Weeks In Photos {InstaFriday}

So, I had these photos ready to go last Friday, but I forgot. And then I was going to post earlier this week - but I got hit with the WORST stomach bug ever. Please forgive me for all of the photos, this week - as I promise to be up to date in weeks to come! 

Here is the last 3 weeks of photos (a girls gotta start somewhere, right!?)

Miss Sophia with her new Cupcake hat :) I had a blast opening presents with Sophia and her mom (and my best friend) Julie!

While home in NJ for Christmas, I was able to get quality bar time in with my brother Ronnie and sister Stephanie!

The crazy one on the left is my little brother Brandon - I call him bubs :) He hates it out loud, but secretly loves it. Don't ask me why the nickname, I can't really remember, I was 7!

My two 6 year old nieces Mia and Erica in their matching Love Elaine aprons!Aren't they just the sweetest!

My dear sweet Virginians, you have NOTHING on NJ pizza :) So glad I was able to get a slice while I was home. YUMMY!

NYE was spent with the BF in Northern Virginia - here's to hoping 2012 brings wonderful things our way!

Whipped up these amazing cheese fritters from a recipe on Pinterest. So yummy! Too bad my Hokies lost in the Sugar bowl :(

 Finished up a set of baby boy nursery letters! I'll be posting more on those later! Love the polka dots!

Sewing yoyos in bed. By the second day of sickness, I was too sick to move but bored enough to want to keep my hands moving! More on why I'm sewing yoyos next week!

Bloggers Choice Fat Quarter Bundle

Fat Quarter Shop, an online fabric store that I often frequent, has been hosting bloggers to choose their favorite fabrics into a Fat Quarter Bundle and making them available to everyone. Its a great way to see many fabrics from different lines used together, plus inspiration with different colors and patterns.

Usually this honor is bestowed only on those very important fabric bloggers, but luckily for me, Lara at Quokka Quilts is hosting a contest where anyone can make up their own Fat Quarter Bundle! I jumped at the chance to do a bit of fabric window shopping (full disclosure - I probably fabric window shop EVERY SINGLE DAY. Its an obsession. I might need help. But, I realize there could be worse things that I spend all of my free brain space day dreaming about.)

So, without further ado, here is my submission.

Anyone who knows me or has seen my bags, its clear to see that I am a HUGE fan of Amy Butler as well as large floral prints. Naturally, I started with a new print from Amy's Lark Collection and went from there. I was actually inspired by 2 things - 1) my niece Alexis stated her favorite colors were Orange, Blue and Lime green when asked before Christmas, as I was going to make her a bag out of this very fabric but she ended up picking out one I had already made, and 2) I've been searching for the perfect orange and teal fabrics to update the decor in my living room.

Links to the fabrics are below, in case you want to do some shopping :)

1. Amy Butler's Lark, 2. Amy Butler's Lark, 3. Art Gallery Modernology, 4. Art Gallery Nature Elements, 5. Joel Dewberry Heirloom, 6. Michael Miller Bella Butterfly, 7. Riley Blake Decadence, 8. Michael Miller Secret Garden, 9. Riley Blake Sunny Happy Skies, 10. Joel Dewberry Heirloom, 11. Ty Pennington Impressions II, 12. Dear Stella, 13. Michael Miller Cotton Couture Solid Mint, 14. Michael Miller Cotton Couture Solid Orange , 15. Michael Miller Cotton Couture Solid Starfruit

If you want to see other submissions, check out a few of my favorites from other bloggers:


Lee at Freshly Pieced
Kristen at KD Quilts
Charise at Sewingly Along

Head on over and submit your own! Happy Sewing!

A Modern Christmas House Tour

Whew. Yesterday was the first day in over 2 months that I didn't sew anything. Not a single thing. And I must say, it felt really great! I wrapped presents and made a few Christmas treats for my co-workers - all things I don't usually get to do in advance of Christmas Eve!

Now that I'm not sewing, I can catch everyone up on the custom orders I completed this season.  I must say, my customers continue to be my number one source of inspiration - they push me to think outside the box and come up with new ideas for their projects and future products!

Katie from Dallas, Texas was no exception. She found me on Etsy, and she sent in her request for a custom order - complete with computer drawings! Katie is an interior designer and was working with a home that was going to be featured on a house tour in early December.  Based on her drawings, I knew that her client must be uber modern and super fun - I mean the drawings included teal, lime green, bright orange, and pink! I was beyond excited, and then even more so when she told me a photographer would be taking photos!!! I was floored when I saw the photos - I hope you are too!

 Double sided-napkins in Michael Miller Funky Christmas Yule Trees

 Made our first double-sided stockings because of the glass fireplace. I just LOVE how they look!

 Also made a custom tree skirt to match that had a grey 2" border and binding, along with large wedges of the same fabrics you see in the stockings.

Its just too pretty to be real! Don't you just wish you were invited over for Christmas dinner?! I know I do!

And The Stockings Were Hung

Merry Christmas everyone! I can finally say that, since I am officially DONE with all of my holiday orders! That feels so wonderful to say type out loud! Its been a wonderful season, thank you all!

Since its been so long since I posted, I thought it was about time to post photos of my Christmas decorations. We moved into a new house this summer, so I finally got around to pulling the living room together in time for Christmas. I've never had my VERY OWN mantle before, so I planned on decking the halls with style this year.  Last year, I was so burnt out, I got my tree up and never got around to decorating it. Whomp whomp I know.

However, this year, I started right after Thanksgiving and got the tree up right away, and then I started pulling together the pieces for the mantle - but I painted it white first. I'll share before pics later, but the after is just so elegant and I'm so happy with the final results. I hope you are too!

My happy place at the moment!

 The Christmas Tree skirt that started it all! 

 New stockings! The bf requested a Grinch stocking, and I finally made one to match the tree skirt! I just love the quote from the movie Elf "The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" It is a printable from less cake {more frosting}. It is available from Announced Design here.

Newly painted mantle (it was brown before but all of the trim in the whole house is white?!) along with new mantle decorations from Target, which includes the trees and the silver mercury tea light holders. The greenery and the red pieces of flair as I call them are from Pier 1. Love that store! The mirror is also new, from Ikea - got it up right before the tree!

RUFFLES! Christmas Tree Skirt and Pillows

Its been "Christmas Time" around here for a while, so it feels strange that the rest of the world has caught up and is starting to decorate their trees now that the Turkey has digested.  For anyone who hasn't caught the bug to decorate your tree or house for Christmas yet, I thought I would share a custom order for a very LUCKY little girl that is just so girlie, with lots of pink and ruffles - sure to get a swoon from all!

 20"x15" Ruffle Pillow by Love Elaine

 Personalized Ruffle Tree Skirt by Love Elaine

Two, 16x16 square pillows with Christmas Tree applique and ruffle trim by Love Elaine

Isn't this just the cutest ever?! I wish I had girlie Christmas pillows to decorate my bed! I think you all are getting a sneak peak at new products for 2012!! Let me know what you think - do you love them as much as I do?

For those of you in need of new stockings or a tree skirt, check out my shop on Etsy! Orders for Tree Skirts will only be accepted until December 5 so get on the ball!

Getting Crafty with Design Sponge

Last night I was one of the lucky few who stalked secured a ticket to the Craft Event for the Design Sponge at Home book signing at Anthropologie in Stony Point here in Richmond. And, happy day for me, a few of my friends repeatedly refreshed their browser and stalked secured tickets too! I just love group craftiness!

My station all set up ready to begin! Notice how cute a water bottle looks with a bit of fabric tied around - who knew?!?!

Craft project for the night - make sealing wax stamps! I made a Love Elaine inspired heart within a heart (just check out the logo).  I was worried that the impression on the inside wasn't going to turn out - the wood burning tool is not as easy as it looks! 

Amanda & Meena wielding their wood burning tools with might :) It was SO GREAT to see these ladies! 

My finished product! I think it looks pretty good. This just might show up on my holiday card if I have the patience to do 100!

 

And, because no trip to Anthropologie is complete without a lot of drooling browsing through the super cute items in the store, I spotted a few adorable vases that I MUST own for various rooms in my home. Consider these firmly on my Christmas list for Santa! (Hint... here is the link for easy shopping!)

There are a million other things in the store that were SO CUTE.  Are there any items from Anthropologie that you hope Santa will bring you for Christmas?

Handmade Holiday: Wreaths

As someone who is no stranger to handmade, as well as handmade gifts, I'm kicking of a series of posts about ways to incorporate handmade into your holidays this year! Whether you make it yourself or decide to make a purchase on Etsy, handmade offers your gift recipient something unique, thoughtful and special.  As many of my friends and family know, I am absolutely insane OBSESSIVE about gift giving.  Strolling the aisles of Target and crossing people off my list is not my idea of gift giving.  My list is probably a lot shorter than most, but I've made a conscious decision to only give gifts to those I hold dear - family and special friends.  If I didn't, I would clearly have a coronary and crumble from the pressure.  Don't worry, this is all self inflicted and its not about being "the best gift giver" - its about showing the people close to me that I care enough to give them something I know they'll like - whether I made it or not.

While wreaths might not be thought of as a traditional gift to give someone, when you really think about it, someone can use it all year round if not in holiday colors, if in holiday colors, they will pack it up and pull it out each year and remember that you gave it to them.  Here are a few of my handmade holiday wreath favorites!

Burlap Wreath with Red Felt Flowers from G&S Bowtique on Etsy

Book Pages Wreath from Brassy Apple (DIY)

 

Argyle Christmas Wreath from TrendyToppings on Etsy

 

 Yarn Wrapped and Felt Flower Wreath from ItzFitz on Etsy

(ps - this matchs the new colors in my living room HINT HINT)

Painted Wooden Wreath from ThePaisleyPersimmon on Etsy

And, did you know that I make custom fabric wreaths to match any room, and for the holidays? I've had a lot of pink and green tree skirts sold this year, so this Pink & Green Fabric Wreath is perfect for the holidays or a princess room!  Check out versions available for sale in my shop. Want something customized? Just send me a message!

So, you tell me, which wreath is your favorite?!