Itching to Sew...

My mom was a fabulous seamstress. She could create a beautiful gown from a complicated wedding dress pattern in under 48 hours. In fact, I watched her do it for 9 years, from when I was 11 until I was 20, as a Rainbow Girl. Before then, Mom made my Easter dress each year, Christmas dresses, Halloween costumes, and back-to-school dresses. As I got older, my need for hand-sewn items evolved a bit, with custom requests for party costumes, dorm-room laundry bags, elbow patches for worn-in jean jackets, then later bridesmaid dresses, and throw pillow cases for my husband's and my living room.

In about two weeks, my family and I mark the first anniversary of the day we suddenly lost Mom. The grieving process sucks, quite frankly, but I'm trying to remember all the wonderful things my Mom did, rather than just think about how much I miss her. I'm trying to focus on all the work and wonderful things she did for me and my family to make all our lives better. One of the best things I'll remember about Mom is her wonderful ability to sew, and it makes me want to learn how to sew, too! In fact, her sewing machine is packed up and waiting for me to take, (when we have more room). I can't wait to own a house and have that extra room for her piano, her sewing machine, and of course a porch for family BBQs, too.

Mom and Dad dancing at our wedding... of course, she made that skirt!

My own itch to sew has also been scratched lately by my discovery of Anna Maria Horner fabrics. I've seen her designs used in creations on Etsy, and I'd love to be able to get some of her amazing fabric prints and start making my own creations! Here's a link to her web site: Anna Maria Horner, for those of you, (Karen, Amy), who can sew. And here are some of my favorite pillow-finds, from someone who CAN already sew, the designer behind Persnickety Home Designs on Etsy. :)

Sketchbook Pillows in Blue

Throw Pillow, Sketchbook in Rose
While searching for items made with Anna Maria's fabrics, I found a couple of other fabric designers I'm loving, too. :)

There are a ton of creations on Etsy using Amy Butler fabrics, like these lovely pillows, also from Persnickety Home Designs.

Gothic Rose in Blue Pillows

Royal Garden in Clay Pillows

Finally, I'm finding sweet items on Etsy using fabric designer Heather Bailey's creations.

...like this fabulous apron from RetroMama on Etsy.

New moms -- I'm also LOVING this item from Etsy seller HushBabyCo. It's a sample of all the Heather Bailey fabrics you can custom order in a baby crib bed set. CUTE!! I hope we have a little girl some day so I can make use of all these fabulous, girly fabrics! :)

Anyway, off to the gym now... Later this afternoon I'm getting the Columbine tattoo on my foot touched up. I'm trying to drag Grandma with me to the tattoo parlour to hold my hand. Plus, I think it would be really funny to see her reaction to the artists in there. :)

Kai, plus the edge of the Columbine flower on my foot that's getting worked on today...

Love,

Katery <3