A Revamped Nursery

So, you know I love to sew. You may know that I love African things. What you may not know is that I love artist Julia Cairns' prints! I think I have made, and am currently making, several things from each of her fabric lines over the past few years. Of course I've made totes for friends, but I have kept a few of my bigger projects because I just cannot bear to part with them!

Earlier this year I ordered her line for Quilting Treasures called "Radiance", and revamped our nursery, and I LOVE it! The colors are unexpected for a baby's room, yet are still soft and calm. And best yet - because it is not a baby print it will hopefully be well-loved for years to come by #3!

Included in the redecorated nursery are wall hangings I made using Anna Maria Horner's painted silhouette technique;



a gorgeous photo frame trio made by Fabrications By Lindsay;




















Vinyl wall decals of birds in orange from Ceejay77;









and made by me from the Radiance line are:

a new valance,












a covered pillow,















a do-it-yourself lamp
















a small wall hanging/cloth mini quilt,













and a lap quilt, into which I added some soft peach and green subtle prints from Moda.






I'm just so happy with the way everything turned out! What do you think?

I would love to know if you enjoy Julia Cairns' work as much as I do, and if you've made anything using her prints? Also, I have a fair amount of fabric left, and wonder if you have any wonderful ideas for nursery decor or baby/kid items to share?

Currently, I am also working on a new panel for a wall hanging from her "Sunset Safari" line. I'm trying a new quilting technique or two, so I'll post on that once I finish the project. And I'm soon going to be purchasing a stash of her newest line "Joyful Days" - I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Happy Tuesday, Amy

PS - the symbols I used in the silhouettes represent: peace (dove), wisdom and creativity (adinkra spider's web), charity (heart in hand), love safety and security (adinkra fence), trust and faith in God (adinkra stalk).

The Waiting Game Continues

So we're still in a holding pattern for baby #3, but one thing we know for sure is that each day brings us closer to her arrival. We are surely ready! We've pulled out everything from storage we can think of that this baby will need, and we've stocked up diapers, wipes and formula. Now, what are we forgetting?!




In the meantime I'm trying to get everything in my inventory reposted into my Etsy store. Stop by and check out what's available in my pre-made stock. Also, enjoy free shipping (within the US) through December 20th. It's my way of helping out with your holiday spending!




Until next time - I'm stockpiling my sleep hours, and spending as much time one-on-one with the boys before their sister makes her arrival!

Happy Wednesday! Amy

Getting Ready

We found out earlier this week that our birthmom start having contractions over the weekend! She's at home on bed rest right now after having been sent home from the hospital Monday night. Please keep her in your prayers, if you would!

While we still might have a few weeks to wait, we busied ourselves over the last couple of days to get ready to welcome our new bundle of joy home, whenever she arrives! Since I've already made some purchases for the occasion, I thought I'd share them with you.

Having welcomed two boys into our home, this little girl is going to be quite a change for us. Instead of spending money on a new infant car seat, I decided to recover the navy blue and gold seat we already had. This set is from BellaBabyCompany.com, called Buttercup Bouquet. I don't like pink all that much, but this print mixed with yellow and green grabbed my attention - especially the incredibly soft butter yellow minky it is coordinated with. The set is $59.00 when purchased alone, and comes with the canopy and seat cover. I went ahead and purchased an extra seat cover ($32) made in the print so that I can easily change it out when I need to wash it. And a matching travel blanket ($19) for chilly trips to the bus stop! Additionally I could have also bought coordinating strap covers. Purchasing the set plus the 2 additional pieces at once saved me $11 - full set cost is $99.00.

Also waiting by the door, ready to be grabbed when necessary, is our bag-o-baby-stuff! Included here are the necessary newborn diapers (oh-so-tiny!), wipes and creams, pacifiers, onsies, and a new girly sleeper (well as girly as I've gotten so far!). I also have a new set from Susan's Treasures - a small lovey, burp cloth and bib featuring a Crayola print. I just love crayons!! A while ago I made my first Etsy trade with her for an adorable purse, and just couldn't pass up the Crayola print and red minky :o)



So for now we are in waiting mode again, yet trying not to act like we have a few more weeks, lest we get caught off guard - as babies tend to do to us!

Happy Thursday! Amy