Baby Boom {New Baby Bedding and Decor from Love Elaine}

Just to clarify - no baby boom or bump over here ;) But lately, there has been a baby boom with my friends, and I couldn't be happier! Because, I've been BUSY creating custom nursery decor! Its been so much fun helping my friends decorate the rooms for the babies - so without further ado, here's a peek at what I've been up to lately!



Bunting Baby Quilt for the super sweet Caris Brinkley

 My friend Christy was expecting a girl (Caris, who arrived in May and is oh so cute!), and once Christy saw the pink and green fabrics from Riley Blake's Indian Summer line she was sold. The pink isn't too pink and the green isn't too lime green - which worked perfectly for her nursery.  We did the quilt, crib bumper, crib skirt, curtain and bunting banner to hang above the changing table.



Reversible crib bumpers with extra long ties


Next up are my friends Stinson and Gardner. They were expecting a boy (he has since arrived and I get to meet him TONIGHT!) and determined to go with Lime Green and no "theme."  So, after providing about 24 different fabric options (luckily I LOVE them :), they pulled a fast one and decided to go with Dear Stella's Anchor's Away fabrics and the rest is history! The nursery came together quickly after that - and I just LOVE the combination of navy, baby blue and orange. We did a crib skirt, crib mattress bumpers (so they don't have to be removed!), changing pad covers and matching pillows. There will definitely be more photos to come, once I get my super talented photographer friend Callie to come to Richmond again :)



Mattress bumper and striped crib skirt for Watson



Baby Watson's Nursery

 Another boy is on the way for my friend Katherine (my super fabulous model for the Mommy & Me aprons with her adorable daughter Norah!). Katherine already had her colors picked out, and we decided to go shopping at local fabric store Ufab. Perhaps not surprisingly, but we both were thinking "chevron" without telling the other, so after looking around for a bit we were both SUPER excited to find the perfect chevon print in grey, blue, red and green - all of the colors that would go perfect with the rug, chair and quilt already in the nursery. I made 90" long panel curtains, crib bumper and changing pad covers, along with a small pillow for the super fun red chair!

Chevon Curtains and Crib Bumper by Love Elaine



Chevron Baby Bumper by Love Elaine

I absolutely LOVED being a part of such a wonderful time for my friends! Soon, I'll be offering all of the baby nursery items in my Etsy Shop for the masses (as soon as I can get the photos taken), but in the meantime, if you are interested in any of the above items or something you don't see, please send me an email at christen (at) love-elaine.com or visit my etsy shop and send me a message.
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Patchwork Apron {Stitched In Color Scrap Challenge}

I was SUPER excited when I found out I WON fabric 2 weeks ago from Rachel at Stitched in Color and Bloomerie Fabrics - my very first time winning fabric and you would have thought I won the lottery when I got the email! I usually don't "comment to win" but something about the fabric being offered up spoke to me, which I found surprising because I'll let everyone in on a little secret - I am not a huge fan of the color green. But, there I was, hoping that Rachel picked me to get my stack of fat sixteenths!

And this apron is why.


Patchwork Apron by Love Elaine

 Truth be told, this apron has been in my head for over a year, as I've been wanting to make a patchwork apron with a lace detail. Simple, yet oh-so-lovely. I just love how the fabrics pop off of the coral, and the lace detail along the bottom - so swoon worthy. Can you tell I am completely in love?! And, it is completely different from any other apron I've ever made or have available in my Etsy shop. Perhaps that's why I love it so much :)

I paired the bundle of fat sizteenths with Michael Miller Cotton Couture solid in Coral. I've been on an orange kick lately (again, another color that I have never paid much attention to, but is cropping up more and more around here), and once I saw the flecks of coral in the prints, I was completely sold. Although I went with a more bold look this time, I could easily see the fabrics working with a solid green or blue for a more understated, vintage look. Hmm.. I actually have more scraps left, so I might just make the "sister" apron just for fun - we'll see!

Just a bit about the process if you want to make one yourself, I followed my own tutorial for my Sweet Ruffled Apron that I did for Sew, Mama, Sew! I adjusted the size of the main fabric piece to 13.5" x 24" to allow for the patchwork at the bottom. The blocks on the apron are 4.5" sqares, which fit perfectly for the 24" wide apron piece.

And, I just couldn't resist doing a few hexies, as I am secretly obsessed and dying to jump on the Fatquarterly MFHexies wagon. However, since I thought that would take way to long to figure out, I went with the super-easy, super-fast, and equally fun method for hexies from V&Co. And, I just stitched the lace (found at Joanns when picking up thread at the last minute) on top of the bottom hem using a small zig-zag stitch.

Patchwork Apron by Love Elaine

So, I'll leave you with one last picture of the apron. Ahh - I just love it! And, guess what, I'm keeping it. For myself. Which, as many of my friends can attest - I never keep anything I make, so this is truly a first. Thank you so much Rachel for picking me - I was so happy to finally make this apron, and to Bloomerie Fabrics for picking the most perfect bundle of fabrics that truly inspired me (and for resending the fabrics after the first bundle mysteriously got lost in the mail!)

And, if you decide to make your own version, I'd love to see it! Just post a link in the comments.