Newest Addition to the Family

Mom, Dad, Margaret Rose and Colton

      Yesterday, Margaret Rose joined our family.  Our daughter delivered our second grandchild yesterday morning.  She was a couple of weeks early, just like her big brother.

Grandpa and Maggie

      About 2:30 in the morning we got the call that they were on their way to the hospital and going to drop Colton off.  He was wide awake when he got here but promptly went to sleep in his crib upstairs.  When he woke up later that morning we were able to tell him he had a baby sister.

Having fun running around

     Grandpa and I split babysitting duties during the day as I had an appointment and also had to teach after school.  We were going to visit after lunch but Colton insisted on taking a nap so we waited until after I finished teaching and we had some dinner.

Hamming it up for the camera

     He seemed to enjoy meeting his little sister and gave her some kisses and even held her for a bit.  I'm not sure how much he understands but he was having a good time visiting.

Having fun at breakfast with Uncle JJ

     Our son came in from Iowa late last night and enjoyed breakfast with his godson before I took Colton to daycare.  When I dropped him off he seemed so happy to see his friends Jack and Gus and Miss Nikki.  It will be interesting to see how this all works out when he will now have to share mommy and daddy.

After School Sewing February 2015

Grace and her peasant blouse

     Here it is mid-February already.  My after school classes are busy.  We've had a few changes.

     On Mondays Elise dropped out and Nonie moved from Tuesday but then later dropped.  Bella was hemming some pants but suddenly had a growth spurt so now they all fit :-)  She is working on the purse.  Aviva finished her peasant nightgown and is working on her purse while Grace just finished her peasant blouse.

   

Christine and her purse

Ellen and her party dress

     On Tuesdays we have a new girl, Emily.  Emily just earned her sewing machine 'driver's license' and is starting on her sewing bag.  Christine finished her purse and is now working on a coat for her dog.  Ellen just finished a pretty dress from Simplicity 6020.  She did a great job with the side seam zipper.  Cara is working on a coat from Simplicity 1254.  It has a zipper and lining with princess seams and in-seam pockets.  It is a lot of work but she is making good progress.

Lindsey and her ruffle skirt

Natalie and her pants

Samantha and her sewing bag and belt

Reese and her sewing bag and belt

     On Wednesdays I have Lindsey that just finished her ruffle skirt and Natalie made a pair of pants from a soft knit fabric.  Two new girls joined us in January, Samantha and Reese.  They have both finished their sewing bags and belts and are starting on their first clothing project.

Sarah and her pants

Greta and her sport shorts

     On Thursdays Sarah finished her pants made from a warm fleece, Hayley finished her nightshirt and is almost done with her purse.  Greta finished her sport shorts and is working on a two layered skirt that she designed without a pattern.

     I just love seeing all the enthusiasm the girls have.  I have a couple of openings so get in touch if you know of someone that would like to join us.  celeste@sewmuchfun.biz

Baby Quilts February 2015

Aria's quilt

     Lots  of babies suddenly in the picture.  My daughter's girlfriend has been unable to conceive and has been waiting to adopt.  Last month she and her husband got a call that there was a baby for them. They were so excited!  I had made this quilt a while ago and had saved it for her as she had expressed a liking for it.

Label

     Well I was finally able to give it to her.  I made the label with all the baby's info to attach to the back.  I even found a piece of the fabric from the binding in my stash.  What luck!  I sent it to her the other day and she was so happy to get it.  What a lucky little girl to get two such great parents.

Detail of bear paw block

     This is a photo of one of the blocks.  I used the embroidered pieces as the center of a bear paw quilt square.

Damian's quilt

     Then our daughter-in-law's sister had a baby.  We are invited to the Christening this weekend so I wanted a quilt for him also.  I found these fun fabrics at a shop in Racine, WI.  This is a fun 3 yard quilt that works up fairly quickly (if you cut the pieces the right size to start).

Detail of block

  You start with a fun main print, surround it on four sides with one fabric and then add the third fabric to one corner.  As you lay them out you get this fun zigzag look.

Label 

     I found the perfect backing fabric at a local quilt store in Grayslake, IL as well as a fabric for the label.  Some more embroidery and another personalized quilt.

Here is a detail of the quilting done by my Joni, fun cars for a fun quilt.

     Next up is my daughter's baby due in a month.  We don't know if it's a boy or girl but I will make my new grand baby a quilt as soon as it's born.

Summer Camps 2015

Kids Can Sew & fashion design

     It may only be February but summer camp season is coming soon.  I've been finalizing the details and my summer sessions are all planned.

     All camps meet Monday through Thursday from 9AM-noon.  The week of June 22nd and the week of July 6th are beginning camps.   Want to learn the basics of sewing?  Earn your sewing 

machine "driver's license" with this beginning sewing class.  Using the Carolyn Curtis Kids Can Sew and fashion design program, you will make a sewing bag to hold your supplies and a belt to hold up your pants.  From there you will make yourself simple garments mastering the basics to move on to more complex items.  Come learn from a Trained Sewing Educator in a small size class that allows for personal attention.

Using bleach

Shaving cream dyeing

"Batik" fabric

Using glue

Markers for dyeing

     The week of June 29th will be Color Me Crazy Sewing Camp.  Have fun with unique dyeing ideas.  We will be using glue, markers, dyes, bleach and shaving cream.  Learn different ways to create unique fabrics.  We will use some premade garments but also sew a pillow and a mini wallet with the fabrics we create.  Be prepared to get messy. :-)

Hair barrette

Button cuff

Tie choker

Fabric rose

Raw edge belt

Hidden storage hanger

     The week of July 27th is Adorable Accessories Abloom.  Need to jazz up your outfits?  Then this is the class for you.  We will start with a raw edge belt, learn how to make fabric roses, use beaded fringe on a barrette, make a choker out of an old tie, sew a button cuff and then a decorative hanger to provide some hidden storage.  Whew!  We will be busy all week creating. 

"Green" bag

Twice as nice bag

Twice as nice bag

     The week of August 3rd is Eco-Friendly Sewing Camp.  Everyone is going green now so lets join

 them by sewing reusable bags.  We will make gift bags for CDs and DVDs.  We will make a gift bag 

that can double as a purse.  And then for all your shopping needs, we will make The "Green" Bag that

 can hold as much as a brown paper grocery bag but is much sturdier and so much more fun!  If there is

 time we will make an insulated carrier for your water bottle.  It's fun to be green.

     It is going to be a busy summer.  Check out my website for more details.