Sewing Extravaganza

This week has been a great week in sewing for me. I got to make to baby gifts for friends that are expecting.

I was so happy to get to sew some girl things with the fabric I had been saving.



I also completed a purse I had been struggling with. I had bought the fabric at Hancock's in July, but couldn't find a pattern that I liked and I also couldn't find a lining that I thought would go. Ellie came over on Friday night and helped talk it through with me. I showed her the patterns I liked, including a pattern from jcaroline creative, which she thought I should use. I agreed and printed it out (the patterns are free from that website). Seeing Ellie with her new fabulous purse also made me think back to her retired and wonderful purse, which inspired my color choices for my purse. Thanks Ellie! I went back to Hancock's on Saturday morning to find a gigantic Labor Day sale. I found the fake leather fabric for $5 per yard and the lining fabric for $4.50 per yard (I think). Ryan took a great nap for me yesterday and I was able to complete the purse. I'm really happy with it.

JM's Closeout Center

JM's childrens store now has a closeout center across the street from their original store. I went out of curiosity yesterday and they have great deals on cribs, dressers and strollers. Just thought I'd pass the word.

New School Year

The start of this school year has been great. I love my teaching partner and am so happy that I get to job share. I just want to pinch myself to make sure its true that I don't have to go back to work until Thursday next week. I have really enjoyed moving up a grade level with last years' students and seeing how much they've all grown. I also like that I'm able to take these students to the next level with their studies and that I get to learn a new curriculum. I do have to say that although there were two of us teaching all week, I have still be worn out at the end of the day. I don't know what it is about starting a school year, but its exhausting. Good thing I have time to recuperate this week.

Portland

Doug and Vanessa's Wedding

Redecorating

After we installed the wood flooring, I started shopping for a larger area rug for the room. I haven't been able to decide on anything that I like, which made me do some design soul searching. What did I like about the room? What did I want to change? Would changing something allow me to like an area rug? I came to the conclusion, that I still really liked the lamps, the end tables, and of course, the floors. I still like the window treatments because I like the foliage aspect of them and they give an open, outdoor-sy feeling. The couch is really worn and uncomfortable and certainly isn't large enough for my 6'3'' husband. And I'm tired of it. And the recliner really, truly, must go. I married Phil, but not the chair.

Below are pictures of my current living room:
Here are some ideas I had after shopping and perusing a Potterybarn catalogue:

Each of the pictures can be clicked on to make larger so you can see them better. Now, the only thing I am looking to replace at the present time is the area rug, but I'd like to have a comprehensive design plan before making any purchases so that I can be moving in the right direction to create the room I'd like. The above picture has swatches of the color palette I'd like to have, the couch that I like, the window treatments I have, the chairs I'm looking at, and another foliage idea in the pillows. It also has the style area rug that I think I'd like, although sisal rugs are not comfortable.

I welcome your comments and ideas please! Let me know what you would do with the above ideas to create a better room. I am very open to any new ideas and would love to be inspired. Thanks!