Happy New Year!

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May your hopes take flight and stay aloft.

xoxo,
Rachel

I Just Want To Rearrange Again

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I've got the urge to do a mini makeover to my studio space and bedroom when we get home. I'm thinking some softer colors and making a headboard finally happen. What are you changing up in your world this season?

xoxo,
Rachel

my sentiments exactly

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Thanks for being such great blog readers this year and bringing your sweet comments with you.

xoxo,
Rachel

Last Call for Ad Space!

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Be sure to take a last look at our December sponsors before you get your New Years Eve on! If you're interested in being one of our January blog sponsors, send your information to Leigh-Ann here: FreckledNest (at) gmail (dot) com.

It's going to be a fabulous 2010 at Smile and Wave.

xoxo,
Rachel

Found!

These were found at my favorite flea market on I-44 between Mt. Vernon and Joplin, MO last week. We were on the way to spend Christmas with my side of the family but Brett agreed to let me stop and spend 'just 15 minutes, I promise' looking around. The first stall was full of vintage linens and quilts and even though I wasn't looking for a quilt this one was too beautiful and affordable to pass up. The vintage flat sheets and colorful needlepoint were in the same booth so I felt confident talking the manager down on the total. He was compliant.

It's finds like this that will always make me want to stop. Just in case.

xoxo,
Rachel

A Point And Shoot Christmas

I brought my camera and left my charger and only got ONE photo before it died (sad face) so we were thankful for my brother's point and shoot. Otherwise we would've had a camera phone Christmas!

Sebastian, my parents, Brett, and I took advantage of the first white Christmas we've had in years, got the old sled out, and headed to the hill on 14th street yesterday. My dad and his college friends used to slide down this hill on trash can lids at break neck speeds but only the top 1/3 of the hill still had snow and ice on it. Sebastian may still be too young to remember that adventure but I won't forget almost running into a tree while careening down the hill with my mom. Good memories. And a pulled muscle.


I was in the shower and missed all of this fun!

What are you going to remember about this week?

xoxo,
Rachel

Merry Christmas To You!

We're in the thick of snowdrifts and black ice here in central Oklahoma and it's proving to be one of those Christmases you'll never forget. After spending most of the day cozied up with my mom's side of the family at Meemaw's house, Ruby, Sebastian, and I are in our hotel room while Brett and my dad and another gracious soul are unsuccessfully trying to get the rented Jeep out of the grid locked hotel parking lot. There's a clear sky and thankfully we're only in danger of being inconvenienced and tired.

Wishing you all love and peace and joy!

xoxo,
The Denbows

Feeling Festive Yet?

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Light on the posting this week. My son told me to relax this morning. I'm taking him up on that as we travel to see family and do more celebrating this week.

I hope you're off having your own familiar or not so familiar adventures.

xoxo,
Rachel

DosFamily Fun

I'm sharing a little tutorial for turning maternity shirts (or anything jersey cotton) into warm hats for wee ones over at DosFamily today. Jenny and Isabelle have been hosting an eAdvent Calendar this month and have rounded up some fantastic bloggers to share their gifts with you. Head on over and catch up with the holiday cheer!

xoxo,
Rachel

Last Minute Christmas Decor Ideas

Find it here.

Find it here.

Published in Sew It All

Sew It All is hitting newsstands later this week so I've been given permission to finally share one of my favorite projects! This sweet little picnic blanket has been finished for almost a year now and was one of the first things I made out of vintage sheets.

It's a simple hand-tied, 16 square block quilt that even beginning sewers can put together. There is no binding involved and if you enjoy embroidery and embellishments you can fancy it up a bit!

I also contributed a toddler shirt with reverse applique. It's a simple concept and even easier to execute if you'd like to add a little something to your toddler's wardrobe.

You can find both projects and about 43 others in this premiere issue published by Sew News. There are some great projects inside that I'm looking forward to trying in the new year and each one comes with clear instructions and illustrations.

In other news, we've spent the weekend with Brett's family celebrating his dad's birthday and an early Christmas. This morning as we were leaving to see his grandparents I bent over and couldn't get straight again. It's been six weeks since Ruby was born and if I remember correctly I had a similar problem after having Sebastian that left me in bed and unable to move without large doses of Advil and heat packs. I'm guessing that things got a little misaligned during labor and my back muscles aren't as strong since I've not been able to do much exercising until now. Off to the chiropractor this afternoon to see if he can get me walking so we can all enjoy the rest of this Christmas week.

I hope your Monday is a little more exciting than usual!
xoxo,
Rachel

Tote Bag Tutorial!

Elsie picked up some fantastic vintage bark cloth awhile back and I not so subtly hinted that she should share some with me. I was thrilled when Brett picked it up from her loft this week. Yesterday I decided it should be turned into my new tote bag.

I had some odd shaped leather left over from pink journals so I took a cue from Katherine's pretty totes and used them for straps. I used Kona cotton for the inside and fabric from a thrifted dress for the pocket. You may or may not have access to leather scraps but you can still make your own tote bag using fabric straps for the binding and handles.

You'll Need:
* 1/2 yard of upholstery weight cotton, bark cloth or designer cotton. If you use anything lighter be sure to use interfacing.
* 1/2 yard of cotton for interior.
* 12" x 8" cut of cotton for pocket
* leather for binding and straps measuring five times the length of the top of your bag and 1.5" wide.
* Rotary cutter, self-healing, mat, straight edge ruler, shears
* Sewing machine
* Upholstery weight needle, awl and waxed linen thread, (optional)

Decide on your bag shape. Mine measures a little on the larger side and is rounded on the bottom. To test out proportions trace your shape onto the back side of wrapping paper or a paper shopping bag and cut it out. Once you're happy with your measurements use it as a template to cut out the same shape in both the exterior and interior fabrics.

To make your pocket, fold one long edge of your pocket fabric down 1/4" and again 1/4" Press flat and sew. This is the top of your pocket.

Next fold down all three sides 1/4" in and press. Pin to the right side of one piece of your interior fabric. Starting in the right corner, stitch three sides down. Repeat along your three edges for extra stability. If you'd like two pockets, stitch down the middle of your fabric or off to one side as shown.
Place your exterior fabrics on top of each other with right sides facing together. Starting from the top right, stitch along the edge leaving 1/4" from the side until you reach the other corner. Cut small v shapes into the rounded edges without getting too close to the stitching. This allows the fabric to stretch when you turn it right side out. Repeat with your interior fabric (minus the v's).

Turn your exterior fabric right side out and slip your interior fabric in so the top edges meet. Pin together along the top.

Stitch along the top edge and then trim down. You'll eventually fold your binding over this so you don't want your stitching to show.

Starting at one side seam, fold each side in 1" so that they meet in the middle. Pin and stitch like crazy near the top. Repeat on the other side. This will make the top of the bag more cinched than the bottom and give it some shape.

Cut your leather binding to measure 1.5" wide and make sure it's 1" longer than the circumference of your bag.

Starting at one side seam, attache your leather by folding it in half over the top of your bag. Be sure to sew slowly and make sure you're stitching through both the front and back of the leather. I recommend using a regular thread but a strong needle that can puncture through four layers of leather.

Once you get to the end, overlap your ends and stitch shut. If your needle won't quite make it work or your foot isn't tall enough to fit over all four layers, use an upholstery weight needle and waxed linen thread to stitch through. Pre-punch your holes with an ice pick or an awl.


Decide on your handle length and cut two straps measuring 1.5" wide. If you don't have access to leather or would rather use another material try canvas fabric that you've folded in half, stitched lengthwise, turned right side out and finished the ends. Carefully measure where you'd like to attach them to your bag on one side and then match your other side up and mark accordingly.

Stitch your ends down securely and you're done! This project took me about an hour and a half to complete in case you're needing a late night Christmas gift project.

The leather really sets this bag apart from the typical tote. Extra fancy! We've put it to use as Ruby's weekend bag. This baby can hold eight cloth diapers, four receiving blankets, three onesies, a travel case for wipes, and a partridge in a pear tree. It's BIG!

Happy weekend!
xoxo,
Rachel

Winner, Winner, Ice Cream for Dinner.

Congrats to:

DailyDoily said...

"Book looks so fun!!! I have always been inspired by my Nannie (great-grandmother). She crocheted, played the piano & was an amazing artist! Just like me :] She taught me how to crochet & when she passed, I inherited her 500+yr old piano. So cool!!! She knew how to throw the BEST teas parties too. She also lived on lover's lane. How cool is that?"

Send me your mailing address and I'll get this book to you. I loved reading ALL of your stories ( Brett did, too) about how the important women in your life shared what they knew and loved with you.

Be back soon with some Christmas cheer.

xoxo,

Rachel

Sunday on Friday

I got my two prints from Erin Sunday's Etsy shop and LOVE them. I was staring at the one above last night and it seemed to sparkle along with our Christmas tree lights. The one below fits perfectly with my aqua and brown theme on our art wall. I'm a happy customer, Erin!

I've got a few exciting things to wrap up tonight and a little graduation party to hit up so I'd better get moving. Don't forget to check out the giveaway below. Comments close tonight and the winner will be announced Saturday morning.

xoxo,
Rachel
p.s. Today showering was optional. Just so you know.

May I Recommend...

It was my pleasure to spend some time in this book earlier this week learning how to compost, use vinegar to remove water rings from my coffee table, and properly pack a suitcase. Erin Bried's new book, How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew, shares practical tips and tricks for simplifying life by learning to do it yourself. She's compiled 108 lessons ranging from how to make a week's menu to winning a silly argument into ten categories for easy reference. I guarantee you'll learn a few things.


Erin got to know ten women who lived through the Great Depression and listened to their stories about how it shaped their lives and habits. Their lessons on home remedies and cutting costs are just as relevant now as most people are having to make changes in their spending habits. Included are short bios of each of the grandmothers and direct quotes from their interviews that make me want to sit down with my Grandmother and Meemaw and hear more of their own stories of growing up on a farm and living through WWII as young adults.

How to Sew a Button would be the perfect gift for anyone who may still need a lesson or two in domesticity (don't we all), so I'm offering my copy to one lucky reader who leaves a comment in this post sharing something helpful they've learned from their mother/grandmother/great-grandmother. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only due to shipping costs (sorry internationals) but we'd still love to hear your stories. Giveaway is open until Friday at midnight and a winner will be announced on Saturday.

Thanks, as always, for reading!
xoxo,
Rachel