I've been a huge Miniature Rhino fan for several years now, not to mention that I really love Jessica's sensibility and blog. A few weekends ago I finally had the chance to meet Jessica, and take one of her classes with my friend Christina.

We made these adorable zodiac embroideries from Jessica's fabulous kits. I had so much fun, and learned a ton of great tricks! My finished embroidery hangs proudly in our bedroom (Tim is also an Aries) -- notice it is strategically placed leaving room for my next embroidery project!

I almost never use different fabrics from the same line in one quilt, but there are quite a few "Sugar Pop" prints in this one. This project is special for a new baby about to come into this world any day now, and it will match her new nursery exactly! I'm hand quilting with a pretty turquoise thread, and will use the pink with white polka dots for the binding.

Then with some of the leftover fabric i made this second, larger quilt top which feels almost totally different. These aren't the most technically advanced, but I was itching to make some quilt tops super quickly. Now I have a ton of hand quilting lined up ahead of me for this quilt too. I'm thinking this one would make the perfect quilt for summer picnics in the park and for watching fireworks on the fourth of July.

Wow, I just can't tell you how much I love Leanne Shapton's Wednesday Patterns. I am equally moved by the captions describing where the pattern was found, especially "towel left behind by house guests, used to wrap hair in turban after bath April 13, 2011, New York City". I've always been a fan of Shapton, and love J & L books. I love how well this project reflects on our relationship with textiles and the way patterns of certain everyday items can become embedded in our memory: like that favorite summer dress you grew out of the summer you turned 10.

I have officially taken the plunge into garment sewing... and I'm totally excited about all the affordable possibilities that creates for my wardrobe. Also, I can be 100% certain that someone in a sweatshop had nothing to do with sewing what I'm wearing. I've been using Colette patterns so far, and I'm obsessed. Not only are they just about the most gorgeously packaged/designed patterns --- but the pictures and the instructions are so straight forward that even as a beginner I could sew the intermediate Cinnamon.

First off I'm not a small lady, and I'm pretty curvy. Finding clothing that is flattering and fits properly is sort of frustrating. I can almost NEVER find slips/camisoles that actually fit me. I made Cinnamon in a 100% cotton chambray, and I'm officially in love. I'll spare you the photo but it fits really well! I think I'm going to make shorter versions to wear under sweaters/blouses for warmer weather.

So then it was onto Sencha (the blouse at the top), and I knew before I started sewing I was going to be obsessed. I bought fabric for 3 versions, and have finished two so far. The yellow floral is Version #2 without any alterations. The pink floral is a liberty print in Version #2, but I added 10 inches to the pattern so that it would fit a little more like a tunic. I can already tell it is going to be a huge hit this summer, because it will be super cool to wear on hot days with cropped leggings. I've got a Version #3 all cut out and ready to sew with another liberty print, but I think it will be a few weeks before I find the time to sew it up.

In all, I'm super excited about making some things that I will actually wear A LOT. It was nice to take a little break from quilting, but now I'm really jonesing to finish a quilt or two!