little miss Sew it All

"Sew" Sweet Wedding Ideas

2012-03-30T09:34:00.001-05:00

Growing up with my mom owning a quilt shop and now working for Moda myself I really want to add a sewing touch to our wedding.

Here are a few fun ideas I have found..

Engagements pics incorporating a quilt!

Wedding invites in a fabric sleeve

Sew-in-Love Banner (absolutely love this!)

Have guests sign our wedding "quilt" instead of wedding book and then make the quilt post wedding.

A few sweet embroidery hoops... of course it will be Sarah & Steven...

I promise, I don't even know who Charlie is! ; )

Anyone have anymore fun ideas?

He Proposed!

2012-03-30T09:09:00.003-05:00

On Monday March 19th, my sweet Steven proposed! : )

Full story to come when I have chance to breath!

Sew Your Own

2012-03-13T14:16:00.000-05:00

Adorable print found on Etsy.

Someone please tell me I don't need this!

I have got to stop spending money!

Liv has arrived!

2012-03-13T09:13:00.001-05:00

This is a little late but well worth the wait! ;)

Liv Monroe!

Born February 24th at 10:14 pm, she was 5lbs and 18 inches long!

We have prayed so much for this sweet baby girl and are so thankful to the Lord that she is finally here! And she is absolutely perfect!

LIV, laugh, love BABY SHOWER

2012-02-17T07:54:00.000-06:00

A few weekends ago my friend Heather and I had the pleasure of throwing our best friend, Jessica, a baby shower and it turned out just lovely. One of the sweetest ladies at her church, Cindy, offered for us to host the shower in her beautiful home.

We all had so much fun eating, chatting, making onesies and celebrating baby LIV!

FREE Printables Below!

HORS D'OEUVRES...

We began the party with some hors d'oeuvres & treats...

My lovely sister brought Grape Meatballs, Spinach Dip with Pita Chips and Devonshire Tidbits (yeah, I didn't know what they were either but YUM).

Heather's mom brought the world's most amazing fruit salad.

Katie and Raven brought delicious petit fours & cookies.

I made Brownie Truffles.

ONESIES...

Then we moved into the kitchen for the Onesie Making Party. I was blown away at how wonderful everyone's onesies turned out. I printed off a few examples but for the most part everyone came up with their own designs.

CAKE...

After Onesies, we cut the delicious cake and opened gifts.

I had seen the pink layered cake on Pinterest and fell in love so I had to make it for the shower.

I used a vanilla cake for the 3 bottom layers and just used varying amounts of red food coloring. The top layer I made strawberry! YUM!

BABY WISHES

While everyone ate their cake we filled out a Baby Wishes card for baby Liv.

Here are some free PRINTABLES from the shower...

Printable Baby Wishes PDF Here

APPLIQUE TEMPLATES...

I have provided all of the templates you will need for your own shower.

Click here for a complete Step-by-Step Onesie how to.

INSPIRATION PDF

TEMPLATES PDF

ALPHABET PDF

(these will print backwards on purpose-

once transferred from SteamASteam they will come out the right direction)

We shall have fun!

2012-02-16T14:42:00.000-06:00

If one does only what needs to be done,

one most likely shall never have fun.

SLICED... a sewing competition

2012-02-16T07:56:00.000-06:00

I am absolutely thrilled to be a judge for the new

Moda Bake Shop sewing competition!

I hope all of you quilters are taking this opportunity to get your creative juices going because I can't wait to see the creations you are going to come up with!

Get busy quilters because you are not going to want to miss out on those awesome prize packages!

Milkin' the Mustache

2012-02-07T08:49:00.000-06:00

I am pretty sure this mug would make my work day alot more fun!

I am planning on making these for everyone in my department for my own sheer enjoyment really.

: )

DIY Tutorial @ the Tortoise and the Hare.

Which one would you like?

Check back for the United Notions group mustache photo ; )

Let's make life fun!

Sweet Weekend

2012-02-03T09:36:00.001-06:00

With what looks like a rainy weekend, I say turn on some happy music and bake away!

I'm pretty sure these sweet little treats will brighten up a dreary day!

I've done enough drooling on Pinterest so now it is time to put some of those recipes into action.

Click images for Pinterest source!

And I am currently LOVING this sweet song by Ok Sweetheart!

Hope you have a sweet weekend!

Can'ts into CANS!

2012-02-02T14:21:00.001-06:00

This is one of my favorite quotes and time to make it happen!

Mommy

2011-09-20T21:57:00.001-05:00

Today I thank you God. Thank you for another year with my beautiful Mommy.

Words cannot express how much I love her. Father thank you for giving me to her. For no one else could possibly exemplify Your love for me more than she does.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

Father, when I read this verse I see my mom in each line.

Mom would always tell me she was so thankful You gave me to her because she feared anyone else would have killed me. Apparently I only "looked" like an angel in my younger days. ; )

She told me about the time I was screaming and crying so hard she had to lock herself in the bathroom so she could keep her sanity all the while I am outside the bathroom door trying to beat it down to get to her. (I am pretty sure I am not ready for children by the way)

She didn't kill me thank goodness! And here we are 20-something years later and we are Best Friends.

Father, it is hard for me to understand that You love me more than she does. My mind just can't understand that. But thank you. Father, I know you know the fear in my heart of losing her so thank you for another birthday to celebrate.

Another year to have her to call when I just need to hear her voice.

Another year of the best hugs ever.

Another year of someone who understands me and always know Exactly the right words to say.

Another year of pure joy & laughter!

Absolutely no one could take her place.

This year we got to make so many wonderful memories together.

One of my favorites being the new memory of going on a mission trip together.

Nicaragua was such a blessing and I am so thankful I got to share that with her.

"Strength and dignity are her clothing,
   and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
   and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently,
   but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Proverbs 31: 25-30

And here are a few of my favorite pics of us from the past...

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever"

Psalm 136

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!!

Add it to the List...

2011-09-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, I don't know if I have menitoned that I am pretty much in love with anything that has to do with weddings. Well I am. Everything about them is just magical. Being single and not having actually been through the wedding process allows me all the freedom in the world to believe that the entire process IS actually magical! Please don't try to tell me otherwise. : ) MAGICAL. The end.

That being said, here is another addition to my future wedding list.

That lovely lettering is absolutely stunning. In addition to all things wedding, I also have an incredible love for typography so I feel this will be a necessity. Don't you?

With fall approaching, let's drool over these for a minute...

Ok, I'm done. Back to reality.

But if you want to keep dreaming visit her blog for more!

M.I.A

2011-09-15T10:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, here is a quick catch up via pictures!

Well, back in July I got a NEW office! Yippeee!

I was so excited but it was a bit... plain.

So I finally got around to sprucing it up a bit.

DIY Vintage Chalkboard Frame tutorial here.

LOTS of celebrations over the past weeks! God is good! : )

Other than that, we are all going crazy over here getting ready for MARKET!!!

I am currently working on the Notions Catalog so make sure and stop by at market to see all my hard work ; )

Joy & Blessings!

Back to School Inspiration

2011-08-30T06:00:00.005-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, I will be going back to school this semester. I graduated from Texas A&M (Whoop!) in 2007 with a BBA in Finance. I know... boring! But it was "practical"! ; ) Anyway, after graduating I immediately went to work at my mom's quilt shop. I did all of her marketing and updated her website and pretty much anything she needed me to do. Through working for her I taught myself how to use Photoshop and other graphic programs. I loved it!

Anyway, after she lost the shop during hurricane Ike I was worried I wouldn't find a job in graphics since my degree was in FINANCE! I contacted our sales rep from Moda, Jim Salinas, and asked him if there were any positions open. At the time there were none but a few months later (and after alot of prayer) a graphic arts spot opened up in the notions dept! I was excited but also worried that I would not do a good job since I did not go to school for this. Well, it is has been almost two years now and they haven't fired me yet! Woohoo! ; )

I do love my job but there is still so much for me to learn. This is why I have decided to take a few classes this semester.

The thing that has gotten me the most excited about going back to school is this Bow Tie Pouch!

First of all, it has a BOW on it. Second of all, it is my favorite color. Third of all, it has a FREE tutorial.

I know this wasn't designed to be a laptop case but I am converting it into one.

Can't wait to make this precious pouch to tote my MACbaby to and from class!

Ok, now the fun part... What fabrics will I use?!

I love the yellow from Hometown but I really LOVE the numbers & letters from Circa 1934. I think that would be cute for back to school. Ok, how about the yellow for the outside and the numbers or letters for the inside?

I just HAVE to find something to make with those numbers!

I have been drooling over them since they came out. Any ideas?

I will definitely be using the Soft & Stable that I used on my first laptop cover.

It worked so well and they have now come out with a new white one which will be great with lighter fabrics.

Gosh I hope they don't give us homework this week because it looks like I have weekend plans. ; )

$4 Smiles

2011-08-29T08:20:00.000-05:00

Man, this weekend flew by. I went to the grocery store last night and these lovelies were staring me down. I thought they would be perfect motivation for a Monday that has come too soon... especially with a $4 price tag!

I am taking a few classes this semester which start Tuesday. So I NEED some motivation this week! A little nervous. A little excited! : )

Happy Monday!

What.i.WISH.to.WEAR

2011-08-24T09:58:00.002-05:00

I follow several blogs that feature a "What.I.Wore" on Wednesdays.

Well I don't LOVE my wardrobe but I do love other peoples! So I am going to feature a "What.i.WISH.to.WEAR" Wednesday.

You will find a few other "wishes" as well ; )

If I had to pick one celebs style I would absolutely die for, it would without a doubt be Zooey Deschanel.

How one person can look so glam in literally any style

absolutely amazes me.

And that HAIR! One day I will get the courage to have those bangs.

All images from Pinterest.

Love this outfit from Casey Wiegand's "what.I.wore"

and I may or may not have just bought this neclace.

this dress has been haunting me since I saw it on Lisa's blog...

What I love about these girls is how they mix their outfits so well. Like jeans from Anthro, shirt from H&M and cardigan and shoes from Target. Now if I could afford Zooey's wordrobe, I would be all over that! But for now, a mix of Anthro & Target will have to do.

Now I would like you to MEET LAUREN.

She is a dear friend who has impeccable taste and style who has agreed to be my personal shopper when I hit the jackpot one of these days ; )

Lauren, I hope you are taking notes...

She has an awesome blog that you should definitely visit it right now.

Check out her great styles & tips.

What do you WISH you wore today?

Pretty Pretty Pincushion

2011-08-17T19:06:00.002-05:00

Is it just me or has the quilting world exhausted all measures in an attempt to make every style of pincushion imaginable?

Believe me, I'm not complaining! I LOVE me some pincushions!

That's why I am dedicating this blog to them alone.

I have the most precious cupcake pincushion at home that this sweet lady made for me but I am thinking I want to make one myself. And since we all know I have the attention span of a goldfish and I only like projects that I can finish within one day I figure I CAN DO THIS!

Here are some of my favs...

Wouldn't these Strawberries from Fig Tree be so cute for summer?

And my gosh! Heather Baily, you are just too cute. Really! How perfect is that "Fresh Picked" Pear?

Especially in these Adorable new Sophie fabrics by Chez Moi!

Love, love, love them!

I think I may buy that Effie & Ollie Elephant pattern and make him outta the blue floral.

The next few patterns I like are actually FREE!

Just click on the pic for the Free Pattern Download!

This precious Peppermint Swirl is by Camille Roskelley
and compliments of the delicious Moda Bakeshop!

Since I can't use it to make cupcakes or muffins I might as well use it for this! ; )

Anna Maria Horner- another amazing pattern/fabric designer!

(i know, i know... not Moda but hey I love bright fabrics and I don't discriminate folks)

This one just makes me happy- I really like yellow!

It reminds me of my favorite scene in the movie You've Got Mail where Meg Ryan says, "I love daisies! Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower??" My favorite movie! (smile & a sigh)

What is your favorite movie/flower?

OK, so which one do YOU think I should make?

Do you have a Favorite pincushion that you can't live without?

And just to make you smile...

Lovin' Little Apples & Week 3

2011-08-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

photo creds at bottom

This has to be my favorite block so far! (out of ALL 4, ya know ; ) )

Ever since I first saw the Little Apples fabric line I have been in love.

It is just so bright and cheery, isn't it?

The little outfits and precious patterns just stir up happiness.

My other block this week is actually my least favorite. The colors just don't do it for me. I picked them out so quickly during class - trying to stay up with the gang(read about these overachievers here). Oh Well!! It's certainly not changing! I don't hate it THAT much. Suuuurely it will blend with some of the other blocks I make months down the road! And if not... tough! : )

Here are the blocks from some of the rest of our group! Not too shabby huh?

It is really neat seeing everyone's unique style.

I love that I work somewhere where our differences are actually encouraged.

Oh Oh! I also found some things I MUST have.

A rotating cutting mat & a little baby rotary cutter!

Jamie was just whipping her pieces right out! JEALOUS!

Ok, let me describe to you what trying to sew in a house with 3 girls AND 3 dogs looks like.

With 3 of us- a stationary sewing area is out of the question so...

1st step: Go upstairs and get giant cutting mat out from under my bed

2nd: Carefully carry the mat down the stairs avoiding the dogs who think going down the stairs is a RACE, everytime!

3rd: If I survive step 2 then I place gargantuan mat on our small kitchen table and proceed to try to cut out those ity bitty pieces with my very large cutter. You get the gist.

**They do say Everything is Bigger in Texas!

Well NOT anymore...

I am getting these little babies asap!

After a little research I have decided I like these best. They are a good size and a really good price!

OLFA 12" Rotating Cutting Mat & OLFA 18mm Cutter & FISKARS 8" Rotating Mat

(ps... Jamie taught us a secret about this mat. If you say "Weeeeeeeee" everytime you spin it you will have GOOD LUCK! Or at least a smile on your face while you cut!) = )

Do you have any notions you think I can't live without?

Don't hold out on me quilters. I need to know your secrets. ; )

Many Blessings and a Happy Weekend to you all!

Photo Creds-adorable little girl in little apples dress

Jenny B Harris Studio

Little Apples Pillow-Suppose Quilt Boutique

Week 2... 2 Blocks Down, 109 to Go!

2011-07-29T11:34:00.004-05:00

2 Blocks Down, 109 to Go!

1st Block (block #2 in book) =Summerhouse by Lily Ashbury (Super Cute Freebies on her Blog!)

2nd Block (block #4 in book)= Ruby by Camille Roskelly

AND Little Apples by Aneela Hoey

*Check out these ladies blogs for oodles of inspiration!

So, whatcha think? I was feeling really anxious about using a variety of different fabric lines but Lissa assured me it would be fine. She said to think of each block as a mini quilt and just focus on it. Not to think about the entire quilt and how each of them will look together because you can always make it work in the end! And I'm sure she will show me how when/if we ever get there! ; )

We had a little show and tell to see everyone's blocks!

Here are just a few...

Proud Block Momma's!

Here are the awesome Marti Michell templates that were demoed during class...

I'm gonna have to get some of these babies!

Some of us (not me!) got some sewing done during class.

See, I like mine to be a surprise so I just cut them out during class! ; )

And who can forget what every quilter needs... a little sustenance!

What did I learn today, you ask? I learned that I desperately need some sort of organization system! Throwing my stuff in my bag before running out the door like a mad woman in the morning is not working so well.

So I got to admire everyone's lovely storage choices as I rummaged through my bag!

I have my eye on a few things to store my fabric/supplies in...

what do you think about these colorful containers!

How do you store your quilting goodies??

One day

2011-07-26T07:12:00.000-05:00

At 27, seeing all of your friends get married and have children can be disheartening. I have to hold tight to what I believe and know that my heavenly Father has beautiful things in store for me. Whether those things are marriage and children or a life on the mission field, whatever it is, I know it will be better than anything I can ever imagine.

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him"

1 Corinthians 2:9

I will continue to pray for my future husband and dream about those special moments.

Here is a beautiful wedding video that makes my heart happy.

True Love Always Wins from Stillwater Cinematography on Vimeo.

All of these emotions were stirred up on Saturday night when I got to help set up this scene for a proposal in downtown Dallas. It was so sweet and simple. A dozen white roses with one single yellow rose. Red rose pedals scattered all around. And my favorite... A Bible belonging to both the future bride and groom. He had even incuded her soon to be new last name in it.

He also went through and circled passages like this...

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."

Ephesians 5: 25-27

It was exciting to be a part of their special night.

I'm curious.
What was your proposal like?
How long had you been dating?
How did you know he was THE one?
Are you still waiting for him?

Fri(ed)day!

2011-07-22T16:00:00.005-05:00

What a looong week!

I have felt like this poor toddler all week since returning from my mission trip last Sunday. Except my desk at work doesn't have all the fun toys.

This weekend I will share more about my trip and how I got to help teach ladies from one of the poorest towns in Nicaragua how to quilt!

Well, I am so thankful I have made it to Friday!

This delightful little treat has been calling my name all day and now I finally get to enjoy it!

What treat do you look forward to all day?

Xoxo!

Real Housewives Made an Appearance

2011-07-21T16:00:00.000-05:00

Day 1 went pretty well.. See the smile on my face? : ) I finished my design board and it is presh!

I mean how could it not be? It is made from Camille's amazing Ruby fabric line!

I did still manage to be behind the rest of the class as I did not even get my first block cut out much less put together like Lissa (the showoff that she is!) *Notice my sad face in comparison to Lissa!

BUT I always say "Comparison is the thief of all joy"!

So I am thankful to have finished my design board and can't wait to go home and work on my blocks!

Here are some shots of the rest of our girls having fun on their design boards & blocks!

*Some more fun than others as you can see ; )

Guess the real housewives did make an appearance!

Today was so much fun and most of all it renewed my joy and sparked my creativity. Only downside is now I want to go buy MORE fabric!

Thankful for laughter & a wonderful boss who is a constant source of encouragement!

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful"

~ Proverbs 15:13

Following Along? Check out Angela & Amanda's Week 1!

Real Housewives

2011-07-20T15:31:00.005-05:00

Ok, so I may not be a wife... much less live on a FARM but I am determined to make this darn quilt.

Can I just be real honest here for a minute? When my boss Moda Lissa and I first started getting interested in joining the modern Farmer's Wife bandwagon I was reallly excited. Why was I so excited? Because I saw the progress of the amazing girls who have already completed several fabulous blocks. For instance...

the adorable Camille Roskelly of Thimble Blossoms

Angela

And Amanda

Aren't they adorable? Ok, so I am sure you can now see why I was so anxious to become a fellow Farmer's Wife.

Welllll I will tell you I am feeling a wee bit anxious today since my friend Michele told me the shocking news. There are duhn duhn duhn... 111 BLOCKS in the whole quilt!!!! WHAT?! What have I done? I am known for picking projects that can be completed within say... a day! Just call me, "Instant Gratification!"

So, I admit I had a tiny nervous break down between the hours of 10am and um, well, now. But I have come to terms with the fact that I will be entering a new season of life called patience and perseverance.

I hope you will join me as I not only learn new quilting techniques (OH, did I mention I am a BEGINNER quilter?... 111 blocks!... Beginner!) but also alot of life lessons. Encouragement and Prayer (lots of prayer) is all I can ask for.

Thanks for tuning in to what may be the death of me. : )

Here we go,

Sarah "soon to be Farmer's Wife" Stephenson

Remember...Open Hands

2011-07-20T14:01:00.000-05:00

"When a woman has a kingdom heart, she has an active understanding of what matters most to the heart of God. She lives in the balance of passion and contentment. She learns to love well, give without regard to self, and forgive without hesitation. The woman with a kingdom heart may have a duffel bag full of possessions or enough treasures to fill a mansion, but she has learned to hold them with an open hand. Hold everything with open hands. I don't think we are ever allowed to grab hold of anything or anyone as though they matter more than the kingdom of heaven. When you hold relationships with open hands, then people come in and out of your life as gifts of grace to be cherished and enjoyed, not objects to be owned and manipulated. And then when you hold your dreams with open hands, you get to watch God resurrect what seemed dead and multiply what seemed small."

I read this passage from the book A Beautiful Offering a little while back and it touched me so much. Every line of it is perfect. I desperately want to be this woman and find myself struggling daily to set my mind on God's kingdom and not my own.

Inspiration

2011-03-28T09:13:00.002-05:00

Wow, has it been a crazy last few weeks. I have been busy with weddings and birthdays and just happy stuff! But this week I got the chance to make some of these fun decorative embroidery hoops.

Here are a few highlights from the wedding day before we get down to the fabric.

One of my best friends Megan married her handsome man, Urs Schmidt, on March 18th in Galveston TX(our hometown)! WooHoo! Doesn't she look beautiful?!

And was the wedding ever fun!!! Megan went to law school in New Orleans so the wedding had a New Orleans theme. Jazz Band and all! So much fun!

Here we are with Mimosas in hand glaming up for the wedding.

P.S- When given the option to get your hair done for a wedding vs do it yourself, ALWAYS get it done!

Big mistake on my part- I blame the Target rollers though. I should have stuck with my dear friend, the curling iron! ; )

This was the Incredibly Amazing Jazz Band that had everyone shakin' it all night long!

Since the wedding fever has calmed a bit I finally got a chance to do something a little creative. Well, not SO creative since I found the inspiration on THIS awesome blog!

But hey, it was still so much fun and you should definitely try it.

They were very quick and easy to make and they will really brighten up your sewing room!

I got most of my tools here at work and a few others from Hobby Lobby.

From Hobby Lobby...

Acrylic Paints & a few brushes
Ribbons & other fun trims (like cords & laces)
Flowers, Cross or any other embellishment
Glue Gun

I loved Gussy's idea of painting the Sewing Machine! Isn't that so cute?

When I have more time I am going to go back and embroider around some of these guys.

Finally, I made this guy last night for one of my friends birthdays. She loves sewing and loves sunflowers.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Now what will you paint on yours and who is special enough to get one? : )

Have a happy day!