: : decking the halls : :

One thing I don't own is a decent camera.  I'm cheap.  Good cameras are expensive.  And since we are now like most Americans, barely getting by with a huge increase in our health care payments, groceries and gas...well, iphone pics will suffice.  Once in awhile I throw in the old Kodak Easy Share 4mp camera...yes, I know.  Someday...someday.

So...in my desire to prep our halls for the holidays, I had purchased some neutral fabrics to make drapery panels.  I have always had valences hanging at this large window in our living room but I was ready for a change.  They were so outdated.

I wasn't sure if I was loving the stripes at first but now I love them.  Love, love, love.

Here's how I did it.  First, I measured from the curtain rod to where I wanted them to drop then I added in seam allowances plus 2".  The math got tricky here.  I had to figure out how many stripes did I want, how big they would be, add in the seam allowances, etc...I suck at math.  Truly, I do.  But with some trial and error I got to the point of a workable number and got to cutting my panels.  I have a very wide window I was covering and I knew I would never close these drapes so I made panels that were much narrower than my window thus saving on fabric and $$.

Once I got my two panels pieced, I lined them with a bed sheet.  I bought a queen size sheet set and it worked perfectly.  Right sides facing, I sewed all the way around leaving a gap towards the top for my curtain rod plus an opening for turning the panel.  Turn the panel right side out and press.  I used steam a seam to close my opening where I turned the panels.  Then, I went back to where the gap is for the curtain rod and sewed across twice - large enough for my rod to fit - creating a casing.  Repeat for your other panel.

Voila.  Pretty simple.  Quick.  Cheaper than store bought (but still a little pricey in my opinion).  They brightened up this old room and gave it just the right punch for the holidays.

No pattern needed.  Just your math skills and some creativity.  You can do this, I promise!

: : holiday wreath workshop : :

Join me at The Corner Smiths on December 1st and 2nd - we will be crafting up some amazing holiday wreaths, munching on snacks, and trying not to glue our fingers together.

December 1st - 7 to 9pm and on December 2nd - 2 to 4pm.  The cost is $35 / person.  Bring a glue gun, your favorite beverage (we will have stemware on hand), and a friend.

Register asap as seats are filling and space is limited.  Call or email or stop at the shop : : Phone / 614.834.9725.  Email / cornersmiths@gmail.com.  Shop address / 1 South High Street, Canal Winchester, OH 43110.

See you there!

: : scarf swap : :

I really don't want to admit to you how many scarves I own.  I like them.  A lot.  A lot.  So when one of my fav bloggers, Karen at Celebrate Life with Us announced a fun scarf swap - um, no brainer!  Of course I jumped in!  We were asked a few questions like our favorite colors, etc and right now, I love, love, love gray.  Just gray.  My swap partner sent me this luxurious gray scarf and I love it!  I paired it with a red dot tank, mustard jeans, red flats and a gray sweater.  Very comfy!

My swap partner was the lovely Haley...who blogs at "Just the Little Things" and has an adorable etsy shop of her hand knitted lovelies!  I know my sock monkey loving girls have their eyes on this hat in her shop!!  Adorable!

Thanks Haley for the lovely scarf and thank you Karen for hosting!  Such fun!!

: : fabric covered letters tutorial : :

...or otherwise titled, "How to keep a 4 year old busy while you clean your sewing room for hours on end".  Yes.  Hours.  It was that bad.  And I'm going to have a few interns starting with me after the first of the year so I had to make a sewing and work space for more people in here.  It's pretty tight.  But we make do with what we are blessed with. Some Mod Podge, fabric scraps and a few blank letters...Sprout was in heaven.  I'd say she did a pretty good job!  SEW super job!

: : ring pincustion tutorial : :

I shared a fun tutorial this week over on We All Sew - the Bernina USA blog.  Go check it out!  Share it on Pinterest!  Make some for your sewing friends for the holidays!  Wear one to a party - they are too cute!

Find the RING PINCUSHION TUTORIAL here!

: : Adding a new line to my resume : :

My bucket list includes not very many things but almost all of them have to do with sharing joys and lessons with my 3 daughters.  I want them to learn how to be strong, independent, self-reliant, creative, joyful, faithful, and gracious little ladies.  Sometimes, I set ideas on my bucket list and I think they are completely insane.

Just dreams.  Unattainable.

Then I think about my girls, and I think about what I am modeling to them in my own life.  And then I close my eyes and take a giant leap of faith and know that in all things that I do - they come by the grace of God.  I hope that my girls will have the courage and faith to dream big someday too.

One of my dreams was to write a book.  Many, many months ago I designed and sewed and drew and resewed and redesigned a large group of projects.  And I packaged them all up and sent them away with a little prayer that God would bless our family with opportunity and help me to teach my girls about hard work and accomplishment.

And today, I am incredibly humbled and proud and excited and anxious to share that my dream is coming true.

I have just signed a contract to publish my very own book with C+T Publishing that is due out in 2014.  I can't wait to share this process with my daughters and with you in the coming months.

So that's it...I'll be adding a new line to my resume now.  It will say, Published Author.  And I'll have a book I can put in my daughters hands that they can share with their kids someday and say, "My Mom wrote a book" and I hope it inspires them to chase their dreams and know that they can do anything in the world that they set their mind to.

: : i needed to hear this today : :

As a small business owner, you hit rough spots.  You wonder if you'll really make it to a point that it's all worth it.  You hit highs.  You hit some really way down lows.  My husband, the Gardener, sent this link to me today and I really needed to hear it. If you're a small business owner - you'll appreciate hearing this too.

http://youtu.be/zq4_Uf1jQE8

: : bolero refashion : :

I think this may be my new favorite thing for Sprout and I'm pretty sure I need to make one Mommy size.   Let me show you how easy it is to make a bolero jacket with ruffles!

ONLY CUT YOUR SLEEVE LENGTH, OVERALL SWEATER LENGTH, AND SIDE SEAMS. DO NOT CUT ALONG THE SHOULDERS - I just realized the dotted lines run up the outer edge and shoulders - duh!  Don't cut there or along the v-neck! Leave the v-neck intact for now.

So, there it is.  My bolero refashion with ruffles.  It seriously was super easy!  Go forth and thrift, refashion and sew!

:: Behind the scenes with the Town & Country bag ::

Popping in to share what's new this Fall from Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs... Two new patterns are being introduced and today, I'm sharing a behind the scenes look at our photo shoot with Britt Lakin Photography.

We shot these at one of our local metro parks where the colors are amazing right now as we transition into our Fall foliage here in Ohio. That super cute model?  She's one of my nieces.  Super sweet girl (Thanks Natalie!)

After a few adjustments - we got a ton of fabulous shots thanks to Britt.

{you sincerely should check out her website and like her on Facebook.  she is so gifted.  she and I can talk about the feel I want for a photo and she nails it for me every time.  it is such a joy to work with her and a blessing}

The Town & Country bag features a unique flap closure that allows you to reach in to your bag without opening it all the way for quick access.  It is accented with removable handles that is great for throwing on your arm.  Wear it crossbody to have a hands free bag - 2 great options for your busy life style.

Shown on our pattern cover using Thomas Knauers new fabric line, Frippery.

The Town & Country bag sewing pattern from Two Peas in a Pod will be introduced to shop keepers at Fall Quilt Market.  Be sure to ask your sales rep at with your favorite distributor!  Shipping on this new pattern will begin in late November 2012.

Thank you Britt Lakin Photography for your amazing talents and thank you Natalie for being wonderful you!

What do you think?  Are you ready to sew this one up?  I hope so!  It's a fall favorite of mine.

Next on the blog, I'll share the 2nd new design release, the Lily Wren Wristlet!

: : samples and sheep and sewing, oh my! : :

I'd like to say I've been lounging around sipping on Mimosas all day while watching daytime talk shows but the truth is from sun up to sun down, I've been running like mad.

Sewing samples (Quilt Market = New Fall Pattern Releases, yep, 2 new patterns!).  2 new patterns that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Prepping for our County Fair.  Yes, our county fair is the last one in the state and I've got a cake decorator and 3 girls all doing the Guys and Gals Sheep show (plus my Dad - he's actually doing the pairs class with Sprout).  I've been thrifting, sewing, prepping and sewing more getting all these show clothes ready.

And last week and this week, I'm a guest teacher in my girls art class - working on fiber arts of course!   Big compliment because one of the kids told my daughter that I was the coolest Mom ever and I was a great teacher.  Score!

Did I mention I've been sewing?  More than just Quilt Market samples...oh, but I'll save that for another day.  Promise, it's good!

Ohh...and I have a new "Sip and Sew" class coming up oh soo soon!  The evening of OCTOBER 13th to be exact.  I'll have a full kit prepped for you to put together an accessories group plus some light appetizers - you bring your machine and notions and your fav beverage and we'll spend the evening sewing!  Message me if you want the full details.  I'll have the registration posted later this week but if you want full dibs (class size is limited)

Not enough hours in the day to get to everything?!?  Know what I mean?  And not only that but, we are in the countdown to my FAVORITE holiday - I LOVE Halloween!

How are you all anyway?

{country living fair : : fun projects for the holidays}

{photo: Country Living Fair circa 2011}

Think Halloween colors.  Or reds and greens for Christmas.

Cookie baking.

Celebrations.

Teacher gifts.

You'll find the Farmhouse Funk, Dorm Room Diva, Schoolhouse Clutch, Patsy Ann Apron Top, and the Pocket Full of Posies Banner patterns now on sale in my shop for 50% for a LIMITED TIME!

AND if you are planning on coming to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, Ohio this weekend - well, come see me and say hello!  The fair is absolutely AHHHH - MAZING! Country Living puts on a great show and you'll meet fabulous people like: Jennifer Paganelli from Sis Boom, Cari Cucksey from Cash and Cari on HGTV heck, just check out the schedule of events right HERE! I'll be over in the Modern June booth with Kelly McCants, cutting fabric like crazy!

Happy Sewing!

:: growing a family ::

Growing a family.

August has been all about family for us (which has left me mostly absent from this space).

Family celebrations for the Gardener on his retirement from his Park Ranger / Officer job.

Family vacation to the beach.

Family visiting from California.

Family wedding at home.

Family hiking.

Family gardening and harvesting.

Family swimming, playing, eating, biking riding, shopping for school supplies.

We have been a busy family just being a family enjoying the last few days before school started.  The peas loved having cousins around and Aunts and Uncles and grandmas and a house full of people - there is much to be said about spending quality time together with family and firming up those relationships with our loved ones who live so far away.

We've been eating tomatoes for just about every meal lately and we have plenty to share.  I eat them on my bagels, eat them with cottage cheese at lunch, eat them with pasta in the evening.  Our garden has been plentiful this year under the Gardeners watchful eye.

The Peas started, gulp, middle school last week.  I am the mother of 2 6th graders.  Not sure how THAT happened but it has and so far, they love it.  They've mastered opening their lockers and they have been blessed with an amazing team of teachers who we have fast fallen in love with.

Sprout will be doing homeschool preschool with a lady who did the same with the Peas.  She is amazing and Sprout loves it and we love the small group - 3 students total.  She loves circle time and calendar time and craft time and science centers and more.

And the Gardener and I - we have some big projects we are working on.  He's organizing the barn.  And my "life"...he's quickly taken on the task of keeping ME on task whatever it may be.  I secretly, love it.  It does really help.  When you work alone mostly, it's nice to have someone check in with you and see what's going on, planning together, etc.  I'm terribly at keeping secrets but there is a secret I just have to hold close to the vest - but 2013 will be a fun year for our business.

So, we've been a family very busy with the business of family as of late and I'm sure you're the same.  Wishing you smooth transitions back to school, peaceful mornings, a perfect cup of coffee, and a little "me" time as summer comes to a close.  Be back soon with so much more...

{scrapbooking our vacation}

In celebration of the Gardeners retirement and some exciting news in the Two Peas shop...and a whole lotta working and saving - we were able to take a nice vacation to our favorite beach in North Carolina.  We just got back last night and are full swing into prep for an at home family wedding this weekend.  Lots to share - be back soon with pictures and more.

I'm working on a digital scrapbook of our trip.  I'm loving it because there's no mess to clean up from this kind of scrapbooking...My Memories provided me with the software to try out AND to giveaway one software package.  sweet!!  I'll do that soon and share all of our beach "celebration" pictures.

(In the meantime, you can get $10 off this fun digital software using this coupon code:  STMMMS44183. There's a lot to choose from - I'm pretty partial to the vintage embellishments. I'll be making a book of our trip to print out and keep and I'm also using some of these pages to make bookmarks for Christmas gifts for the kids to give out.  So easy to do!)

Be back next week with more to share!

(this is a sponsored/affiliate linked post - please read our disclosure policy)

{ sewing class - professor peas gadget cases }

I am so excited to be teaming up with the Creative Art Studio in Bexley, OH to offer a few sewing classes this Fall.  To get you ready to sew up some fun gifts for Christmas - we are starting off our class schedule with the Professor Peas Gadget Cases pattern.

Saturday, August 25th from 6-9pm, we will be putting together the Large size case - suitable to fit an iPad or other tablet.  Since I don't have an iPad, mine carries my scheduler / calendar and other tidbits.  It has 2 zippers and I'll walk you through how to put this together with ease. I promise you will love it and it makes a great gift for a friend.

You will need to bring to class:  Your sewing machine, notions and tools.

Your class registration will include:  Your kit which will include your pre-cut, ready to sew project including your zippers plus the retail version of the Professor Peas Gadget Case pattern.  You will get 3 hours of hands-on instruction from Trish plus we will have a light snack on hand.  BYOB if you'd like to bring your favorite wine to sip while sewing.

Class registration: $65.00

Sign up with a friend - purchase 2 class seats together and receive a $10 discount.

Class size is limited so register early before the class fills!

To purchase the class, Click on the Sewing 101 Class link in the right side bar.

{Refunds will not be given once course is purchased but if you need to cancel, you will be issued a credit that may be used on a future class}

See you on the 25th!

{the fancy fritter}

Meet Stacy of the Fancy Fritter...

I know.  I did the same thing.  The what?  I love it...the Fancy Fritter.  Here's how Stacy came up with this unique name:

The Fancy Fritter??? What does that mean? Well for all of you who have children, you know that all sorts of crazy things pop out of your mouth when you are either singing to them or playing with them and since my daughter was little I have just called her "fritter." She can be a "fussy fritter" or a "funny fritter", but she will always be a "fancy fritter." Totally corny, I know but I guess that is what motherhood does to you. :-)

Stacy is blessed to be a work at home Mom - she runs her etsy business from home, sewing up when she can while running after her 2 children.  I love THIS POST because you get to meet Stacy in person...and hear her adorable southern accent.

Stacy focuses her shop on children's items like these burp cloths that are so cute...

Or this Santa skirt...cuz' I already have Christmas on the brain - which will be here before you know it!

And Stacy is also one of my Two Peas pattern testers...

Stacy tested out the Madison bag pattern from Two Peas and I love the color combo she chose!

You can read all about Stacy's review of this pattern right HERE...you can find my Two Peas patterns in your local quilt shop -just ask.  Or click on the Where to Buy section to find your favorite online retailer.  Thanks Stacy for testing out the bag and making such an awesome sample!

{meet selina}

Meet Selina.  Quilter.  Mom.  Business owner.  And a Two Peas pattern tester...Selina was brave enough to let me talk her into trying out my new Professor Peas Gadget Cases pattern.    Check out her review HERE.

I love the prints she chose and I'm even more thrilled that she was willing to try this pattern that was at first, out of her comfort zone.  She's an all out pro now and her sample she sewed up was brilliant.

Selina and friend run an etsy shop filled with their creations that includes quilts, table runners like this one below that I love in these colors!  And...

iPad covers too.  I think you could keep a calendar or other books or notepads in these too while on the run.  Great way to organize your bag and they are super fun!

Browsing her blog you will find quilt inspiration galore...she sews up such beautiful things and I know you'll enjoy her blog as much as I do.  Thanks Selina for testing the Professor Peas Gadget Cases pattern - ya did great!

{it's sew easy}

Did you know that you can view a different episode ALL WEEK long on the It's Sew Easy website?  Now ya know and this week, you'll find an episode I contributed to that highlights making a special outfit for a special birthday kid in your life.  Easy to do and you'll enjoy how quick it can be!

: : Hazel Hipster E-course : :

The Hazel Hipster course is NOW LIVE!  In this course, we make a fun variation of the paper pattern that includes a straight pocket on the front with a ruffle and trim added.  It's a great bag for anyone and excellent for beginning sewers and advanced alike.

Stacie says, "Let me just start by saying I absolutely loved the online video course!!!! I'm a visual learner so seeing you on the screen while sewing made this the perfect way for me to take a class. And the fact you can go back and forth on the video was so helpful! I think this is such a great idea!   I thought the video was great and the instructions were very clear. You explained things in detail which is always very helpful!"

To register for the course, just click on the right side bar.  Super simple...hope you'll come sew with me!

: : two-fer Two Peas e-course giveaway: :

Thought I forgot, huh?  Nope...just away from the office, enjoying time with my little family and waiting for time to log on to announce this giveaway.  I'm giving away to one lucky winner - a full access pass to BOTH my e-courses, the Tie Tote and the Hazel Hipster.  I've had great feedback on these classes.  Later today...I'll be back as the Hazel Hipster class goes live!

I guess it pays to be 1st once in awhile...because the first to enter a comment on this giveaway is the winner!  Angie H. - that's you!  I've emailed the details to you!  Congrats...and keep watching as I'll be giving away a few more classes!