Thursday, June 28, 2012

An Interview With Me

Hey friends.
It's HOT out there so stay cool and find some shade. Or at least get wet!

While you're inside, take a minute to pop over to Lorelei's blog, Mermaid Sews.
She has a new interview series going on and is ever so kindly kicking it off with me!

Stop by and check it out. :)

xo,
Jennifer

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Intrepid Thread Giveaway Winner!

Congrats to the winner of the Intrepid Thread giveaway!

526 entries- whew!

The winner is #476 (which since my numbered comments repeat after #200, is #76- trust me, it is still really #476.)





Congrats Helen! Please email me so I can get you in touch with Julie at the Intrepid Thread.

Have a great day y'all!
Jennifer

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Summer Sewing Contest WINNERS!

Woo Hoo!
Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

Ellison Lane Quilts
A big congrats to all of you that entered the contest and made something special for summer. I was super impressed at all of the AH-MAH-ZING (as Penny would say) talent out there! Y'all rock!

Now, on to the winners.
First place winners in each category will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop.

Congratulations to...

Quilts: #427 votes!


Bags & Accessories: #137 votes!


Home Decor: #113 votes!


Clothing: #157 votes!



The following Randomly Chosen Winners (from Random.org) will receive fat quarter bundles from Westminster Fibers / Free Spirit Fabric

Quilts: (Fabric Bundle: Dena Designs, Pretty Little Things) 



Bags & Accessories: (Fabric Bundle: Tina Givens, Pagoda Lullaby)


Home Decor: (Fabric Bundle: Tula Pink, Birds and Bees)


 Clothing: (Fabric Bundle: Ty Pennington, Spring 2012)


The Wild Card Winner receives a $75 gift certificate to The Intrepid Thread.  (The wild card is my husband's favorite entry across all categories:)

#29 Cara from the Bags & Accessories category:

CONGRATULATIONS Y'ALL!

Please email me with your full name and address. Thanks again to EVERYONE that entered the contest and a big thanks to the sponsors. It was fun!

xo,
Jennifer

Friday, June 22, 2012

Giveaway Day! The Intrepid Thread


Have you been over to The Intrepid Thread lately? Julie has gotten some fabulous new fabric in stock. 

It's a Shore Thing- definitely shouts SUMMER!

Alpine Wonderland- in case you are thinking Christmas in July

Flying Free Multi Print- cute and whimsical

and the complete LillyBelle collection. 

So many fabrics, so hard to choose! Good for you that today The Intrepid Thread's offered up a beautiful coral bundle of the lovely new LaDeeDa line! 

Here's the whole line

and here's the coral bundle that you can win: 

Those are yummy colors indeed! 

This giveaway is now closed. 
To enter to win, leave a comment telling me your favorite summer dessert. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 27. Good luck! 

PS: Don't forget to check out the Summer Sewing Contest Finalists and vote for your favorite! 

Happy Weekend! 
xo, 
Jennifer



Monday, June 18, 2012

VOTING TIME! Summer Sewing Contest

Here are the finalists! Wow- it was SO HARD TO CHOOSE!
Y'all are some seriously talented people. I am super impressed.

Thanks SO MUCH to everyone that entered the contest.
I had a blast checking out all of the entries. Now, scroll down to vote for your favorite in each category and be sure to come back next Tuesday (June 26)  for the winners.

The first place winner of each category will win a $100 gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop.
Don't forget that there will be a randomly drawn winner from each category that will win a fat quarter bundle of fabric from Westminster Fibers. Plus my husband's wild card choice for overall favorite project will win a $75 gift certificate to The Intrepid Thread. Woo Hoo!

Now, I don't envy you! The voting will be hard! GOOD LUCK!!


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband- father to these two precious buddies.




And Happy Father's Day to my sweet Daddy too.

xo,
Jennifer

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Bit Quiet Around Here

Tap, tap... Is this thing on?
Do you hear crickets? No? Oh good.
I know it has been a little quiet around here on the blog.

That would be because we've decided to put our house on the market which means there's been A LOT going on behind the scenes.

Cleaning, clearing out (good thing I am not a pack rat) sprucing up, painting, touching up, and packing up to get things ready.
Whew!
The good news is that all the work is behind me for now.
Now I just have to keep it picked up and clean while we have showings which shouldn't been too hard since I have seriously decluttered and kept the toys to a minimum.
Strange how the kids haven't minded/noticed that I packed away half of their toys. Could that mean we have too many?

The listing goes live on Thursday so hopefully we'll have a busy weekend of showings. We live in a great neighborhood, close to everything, but have just outgrown our house.

Next comes the hard part- where to move? We want to stay in the area and would love to land in a neighborhood where we can make some good friends that have kids the same age as ours.
I believe these things have a way of working out the way they are supposed to.
I have Faith.
Still, it is a bit stressful.

On a side note, I start teaching my beginners sewing class tomorrow night! I have 5 students and am looking forward to getting them excited about sewing and creating.

Speaking of sewing, haven't done much of that lately but I did manage to find an hour to put together this Kindle cover for my dad for Father's Day this weekend. He has a Kindle Fire so hope he loves the cover.
Now, on to find the perfect gift for my husband.

Did you link up to the Summer Sewing Contest yet? Entries are open all week until the 17th. Good luck!

xo,
Jennifer


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Summer Sewing Contest Link Up Open Now!

Yay! The day has come. Time to show off your summer sewing and link up your entries for the Summer Sewing Contest!

Ellison Lane Quilts

You can enter one item per category: Quilts, Home Decor, Bags & Accessories, Clothing.
Your entry can be an original design or from a pattern but please give credit to the pattern designer when appropriate.

Big Prizes are at stake! Finalists will be chosen on the 18th and voting will take place June 18-23.

The winner of each category will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. 

A randomly chosen winner in each category will win a Fat Quarter Bundle of fabric from Westminster Fibers / Free Spirit Fabric. The Fat Quarter Bundles are:
Ty Pennington Spring 2012
Dena Designs - Pretty Little Things 
Tula Pink- The Birds and The Bees 
Tina Givens - Pagoda Lullaby 

A wild card winner will be chosen by my husband and will receive a $75 gift certificate to The Intrepid Thread

You have until June 17 to link up your entries. Link from your blog, Flickr or your Threadbias account. 

Be sure to check out everyone's entries and show them some comment love.
GOOD LUCK!






Good luck! xo, Jennifer

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Ideas for Summer Fun

Summer's here and the natives are restless!

I figured I better put together a list of things to do so I won't be scrambling for ideas all summer long.
summer list jpg
Not sure how many of these we'll accomplish but I can dream big, right?

What are your favorite summer activities to do with kids?
xo,
Jennifer

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Summer Sewing Contest Entries Due June 10th!

Have you been working on your entry for the Summer Sewing Contest? I hope so!
Ellison Lane Quilts
You can link up your finished project here, any day between June 10-17.

Your project can be something entirely unique or something made from a pattern. (Please give appropriate credit to the pattern maker/designer in your post.)


Your entry should fall into one of these categories:

  • Quilts
  • Home Decor
  • Clothing
  • Bags & Accessories
You may enter one item in each category.

2. Link up your entry at Ellison Lane Quilts:  June 10-17.  You may link from your blog, Flickr account or Threadbias account. 

3. Finalists will be chosen in each category: June 18

4. Voting Begins: June 18- June 23

5. Winners announced: June 26

Don't forget about the prizes! 
The winner of each category will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. 

A randomly chosen winner in each category will win a Fat Quarter Bundle of fabric from Westminster Fibers / Free Spirit Fabric. The Fat Quarter Bundles are:
Ty Pennington Spring 2012
Dena Designs - Pretty Little Things 
Tula Pink- The Birds and The Bees 
Tina Givens - Pagoda Lullaby 

A wild card winner will be chosen by my husband and will receive a $25 gift certificate to The Intrepid Thread

Still looking for inspiration? Check out any of the blog hop posts to kick start your creativity! 

May 9: Sew Crafty Jess 

I can't wait to see what you've come up with! 

xo, 
Jennifer

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Quick and Easy Kindle Case Tutorial


I love my Kindle. Seriously, love it. (Don't worry, this is not an Amazon paid ad- just my true feelings!) 

I've read so many books since I got it and LOVE that I can have any book I want instantly. Oh the rush of instant gratification!

What have I been reading? Well... a little bit of this and that... Flat Out Love, On the Island, The Boonsboro Trilogy: The Next Always, Divergent and Insurgent and yes, even those other books.  I can hardly wait until Shadow of Night (the Discovery of Witches sequel) comes out in July.

I've been squeezing in reading time here and there and everywhere because it's just so easy with a Kindle to pop it in my bag and go. Plus, I admit, I read really fast which is a blessing and a curse. I am always finished with a book way before I want to be. I love it when I am digging a story and look down to discover that I'm only 23% of the way through a book. Love it when I have so much further to go! 

When I bought my Kindle, the clerk tried to sell me a cover of course (no thanks) 'cause I knew it was only a matter of time until I made my own. And yes, it had to be cute. A-ha, the perfect opportunity to use some coveted fabric indeed! 

So, I present to you- the Quick and Easy Kindle Case! 

Let's begin. (Please read through all instructions before starting. You can also download the pdf of this tutorial.) 

My measurements fit a Kindle touch which is 6.75" x 4.75" but you can adjust the case to fit any size eReader. Simply add 1.5" to the length and width of the fabric and batting measurements if your eReader is larger. 

1/4" seam allowance used throughout. 

Supplies: 
Outer fabric: 2 pieces 6" x 8.5" or 1 piece 6" x 16"
Lining fabric: 1 piece 6" x 16" 
Batting: 1 piece 7" x 17" 
Tab fabric: 2 pieces 2.5" x 3.5" 
Interfacing: 1 piece 2.5" x 3.5" 
1" x 1" velcro
iron
coordinating thread
sewing machine
fabric glue stick (optional)

1. If using two pieces for the outside of the case as I did, sew them together  right sides facing, along the bottom. Take note of their placement, if directional. 
Make sure your pieces face correctly when folded up. 
2. Place the outer fabric on the batting and quilt as desired. Trim the excess batting so the quilted outer fabric piece is 6" x 16." 
The lining is on top of the quilted outer fabric, right sides together.

3. Place the lining fabric, right sides together on top of the quilted outer fabric, pin, and stitch all the way around using a quarter inch seam allowance. Start and stop at the top of the case on what will be the BACK side, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and the end of your stitches. Leave a 2.5" opening. 
Make sure you start and stop on the end that will be the back side!

4. Clip the corners but don't clip your stitches. 

5. Turn the case right side out using a blunt object (like a knitting needle) to gently push out the corners. Press both sides. Set aside. 

6.  Pick up your tab fabric pieces. (2.5" x 3.5" pieces)  Iron on the interfacing on the wrong side of one piece of the tab fabric. On the other piece of tab fabric, measure 1/2" from the top of the tab fabric and sew on the male side of the velcro. (That's the bumpy piece.)

7. With right sides together, sew around the edges of the tab fabrics, starting and stopping on the sides, backstitching to secure each time. Leave a 1.5" opening to turn the fabric right side out. 

8. Turn the tab fabric right side out, using a blunt object to push out the corners. Use a dab of glue stick to close the opening and press the fabric. Topstitch along the entire edge of the tab, backstitching at the beginning and end. 

9. Slip the tab 1/2" inside the opening of the case, center it and dab a little glue stick on both sides to hold it in place. 

10. Topstitch only along the top of each end of the case. Backstitch when starting and stopping. 

11. Place your reader in the case, fold up the outer top fabric then fold over the tab to figure out where to position the female part of the velcro. Dab a bit of glue stick on the velcro to keep it in position, then sew it in place on the outer fabric. I placed mine 1/2" from the top of the case.  (Obviously remove your eReader first!) 

12. To finish, line up your front and back sides carefully and sew them together forming a pocket. Sew 1/8" from the edge. You might want to pin your front and back to make sure your fabric doesn't move.  Be sure to backstitch securely, especially at the top. 



13. That's it! Slide your eReader inside your new case and admire your handywork! Well done! 


I'm thinking this would be a good gift for grads or dads. There are tons of ways to make it personal too. Add some embroidery, a favorite quote, a special fabric...the possibilities are endless! 

If you make one of these, I would love to see it. Please add it to the Inspired by Ellison Lane Quilts Flickr group

Don't forget the Summer Sewing Contest entries are due the week of June 10th! You can link up your entry from your blog, a Flickr account or Threadbias

Have a great day! 
xo, 
Jennifer