making rebecca lynne: 2012

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Taste the Rainbow

Happy Holidays!

Don't forget to enter the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop Giveaway!

- rebecca lynne

Thursday, December 20, 2012

GIVEAWAY! Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Last Chance!

Things at work have been RIDICULOUS these past few weeks. However, I had an important appearance in court this morning (my last one before Christmas...or actually 2013) and I am feeling So Much Better!

To top off my work stress I have had Low Volume Swap stress. Would you believe that my local post office (remember I live in a rural area) ran out of International Customs Forms or whatever they call them. First, they had me fill out the wrong papers. Then they told me (the next time I stopped in, mind you, with a new load of packages) to fix the previous set of packages which someone had incorrectly advised me to fill out. Then they ran out of the forms so only some packages were mailed in the first batch. Then I went into the city to get MORE forms and send packages from there, then I had a last load which had issues with the package weight/size or some nonsense. Dude, I had long lines to wait in Brooklyn but I never dealt with issues like this! Agh, sometimes I miss city living!!!

SO. If you are in the swap and got your package YAY! If you are waiting on your package and are international then read above, you must be one of the handful of packages requiring certain forms which are MIA because a) I live in the middle of nowhere and apparently supplies are hard to come by and b) 'tis the season where they run out of everything anyway, so even if they HAD these forms there wouldn't be too many to begin with and I've used them all up.

This is really going to generate some bad karma in the mailing/swap area of my life. Grrrr...

Between work, finishing up the swap, and living out of boxes...well I need a damn vacation.

Instead, let me take this opportunity to have a moment of zen.

And share with you some makes that have been going on around here...

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER
THURSDAY THINK TANK HOLIDAY HOP GIVEAWAY!

Also, take the opportunity to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway. Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU! DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

Also! I have identified the MRL Stash I am going to send out... Let's just say that a very awesome store accidentally sent me double what I paid for...identical fabrics from their Stash Stack Club and well hell, why shouldn't I share it with one of you! Thanks Pink Castle Fabrics for indirectly contributing to this giveaway!!! (Don't worry, I asked if they wanted it back, they said I could keep it...aren't they amazingly nice?)

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?

HERE ARE THE RULES!

Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world. It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank. TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!

Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)

Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

- rebecca lynne

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop at Rainbow Hare Quilts

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Rainbow Hare Quilts

Welcome to Week 6 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Hop on over to Rainbow Hare Quilts where Janine has provided a FABULOUS review of some very cool very crafty wrapping options!

Wrapping is one of my favorite things about the holidays, I love trying to get creative in my wrapping. This year I have bought different types of craft paper and a bunch of different ribbons to switch it up. It is very country chic - heh heh... In fact, I have to go wrap some presents RIGHT NOW!

Side note: I've really missed blogging lately. I have so much to catch you all up on. My first WNYMQG meeting (whew hew!), the updates in the house, cookie baking going on by the little girls, finding my stash again. I will overcome the mountain at work and I'll be back better than ever. Thanks for hanging in and being so supportive. xoxo!

Don't forget to link up at Janine's!!!

Also, take the opportunity to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway. Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU! DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?

HERE ARE THE RULES!

Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)

Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

Go link up over at Janine's for your chance to win!

- rebecca lynne

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Missy Mac Creations

Welcome to Week 5 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Head on over to the amazing Miss Erin herself at Missy Mac Creations to link up for this week's Thursday Think Tank! See below for prize details...

I literally had a Holy S***! moment today when I realized how close we are to Christmas. Expletive expletive bleep bleep bleep...I have nothing ready and my house is still a shelter for moving boxes...BLEEP.

I am trying not to stress but the crap keeps piling on. I'm sick, the Mr. is having minor surgery tomorrow, work is like this place I have to go to only to feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I cannot seem to complete, and then I come home to more uncompleted stuff. AGH!

PERSPECTIVE

- I have the greatest family

- we have our health

- eventually my house will rock, and in the meantime it already feels like home

- work I can address, I just need to focus

- Christmas is not Tomorrow - I'll get on top of it before the man in red arrives

- of course I'm feeling under the weather, I need to give myself a break

- LV Swap packages are leaving me this week

- tomorrow is Friday

I am going to post my Christmas Tree Pillow design to share with you all. This is the time to give right? I think it is exactly the project I need to de-stress...

While I work that out go visit Erin and link up to this week's TTT!

Don't forget to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway. Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU! DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?

HERE ARE THE RULES!

Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)

Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

Go link up over at Erin's for your chance to win!

- rebecca lynne

Thursday, November 29, 2012

TGIFF to Infinity!

Welcome to TGIFF! For those of you who are new to MRL allow me to provide you with a brief recap... Working married Mommy to three little girls under the age of 3, just moved into first house less than 2 weeks ago, lots of unfinished going on around here these days! Feel free to poke around and get to know MRL better...
In anticipation of hosting TGIFF I knew I had to be reasonable given my limitations (uh, most of my fabric is neatly folded in boxes...boxes buried under other boxes...btw if anyone knows where I buried my facial cleanser feel free to give a shout out. Whew hew! The Mr. just came in here to announce that he uncovered my razor, think he's trying to tell me something?).
It is a good thing that I had recently ordered my first ever Liberty of London Cotton Lawn and kept it close at every stage of the move lest it be lost forever. During my Infinity Scarf Pattern Giveaway so many people claimed they would use Liberty fabrics to make a scarf for themselves so I had to try it. Luckily, I was able to pull off and make a TGIFF Finish!!!
Oh.
One more thing I should mention.
Miss O is 6 mo and going through a "can never be put down ever no matter what the situation including putting up the Christmas decorations/unpacking boxes" phase.
Which led to this lovely set of photos taken by the Mr.

This is The Mama size of the Infinity Scarf pattern and I use it as a nursing cover often.

I suppose it is appropriate that I am modeling while holding Miss O!

Until I remembered my mannequin and I took this shot. Mmmm drapey...
[Aside: I have to say that I think the wallpaper (destined to have its life span shortened as soon as the boxes are gone and my hands are free soon) did very well in this photo shoot as it is totally Liberty of London-esque!]

Yellow Fabric: Childhood Treasures in Mustard

Green Fabric: Mawston Meadow

Plus an MRL label to make the finish official!

Alrighty all...now for the PARTY! Link up your fab finishes! Also, please visit some other links and spread the comment love. We are all here to share and inspire each other after all!

Don't forget to use a TGIFF button and/or link to let people know how to find the party...

- rebecca lynne

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - She Can Quilt

Welcome to Week 4 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Head on over to She Can Quilt to link up for this week's Thursday Think Tank! See below for prize details...

A lot of this going on in my house

and a little of this...

AND come back here tomorrow when I host TGIFF!!!

Don't forget to check out all these chances to link up your Think Tank ideas for a giveaway. Winner to be drawn on December 27th.

1. November 1 - Making Rebecca Lynne DIY Christmas Cards

2. November 8 - Piecemeal Quilts Thanksgiving Etiquette (when you are lucky enough to be a guest!

3. November 15 - Canadian Abroad Holiday Decor

4. November 22 - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches or MRL free pillow cover pattern

5. November 29 - She Can Quilt Gifts for Tweens/Teens/Twenties

6. December 6 - Missy Mac Creations Christmas Gifts for Kids from Kids

7. December 13 - Rainbow Hare Quilts Wrapping it Up

8. December 20 - YOU! DIY Christmas Party Link Up

Prizes?

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 5 & Some MRL Stash

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?

HERE ARE THE RULES!

Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)

Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments

Go link up over at Leanne's for your chance to win!

- rebecca lynne

Friday, November 23, 2012

Travelling PicStitch Bloghop

Welcome to the MRL stop on the Travelling PicStitch Bloghop!

Ever since I signed up for the Travelling PicStitch Bloghop I have spent a lot of time taking photos and trying to decide which image showed off my home in *Far Far Away* as well as gave me an awesome color palette... As my readers know, I started this blog when I moved with my family from Brooklyn to a rural area located in Western New York. For those of you who aren't familiar with New York geography we are an 8 hour drive from where we formerly called home. And, as I've said time and time again, I'm so glad we decided to move here! Here are some visuals about my area that I love...

Gotta love the American flag casually thrown over that 2nd floor porch. [BTW Happy Thanksgiving to my US readers! Hope you have enough leftovers to make turkey sandwiches!] Plus doesn't that Rose Cottage Rooms sign look like something you'd buy to shabby chic up your home? Nope that's just commonplace around here...

One of the reasons the Mr. and I decided moving here was happening was the Lake. In fact, we just bought a house that has a lake view!

I tried capturing the amazing changing foliage that happens around here.

See? There's some orange...

And I just LOVE these houses with these cool double porches!

Oddly enough...this was the photo I ended up going back to over and over...

First I made this palette with one of my favorite Chautauqua Lake photos...of me kayaking on my birthday. However, I kept coming back to these blues and that just wasn't happening. Love the gray, but blue isn't really in my fabric stash right now...so I had to say bye to that idea...

Eventually I came back to this rather simple photo of the foliage...I just love love love that limey green color which is in a lot of my home decor. So, I knew no matter what I did I'd be able to use my English Paper Piecing Project in my home somewhere!

After ripping apart my stash (Keeping in mind that this was mid-packing to move into our new house so I was going a bit mad trying to find fabric. When I signed up for the bloghop I had no idea we were going to end up moving to a new house!) I love the way this palette goes so well with wood floors which is an important element in my new home. I couldn't find a darker green fabric so I picked the darker brown (2nd up from bottom) because it had the green within it while picking up on the light green and grays at the same time.

Then. I thought. And thought some more. Because, let's be real. I am a sewing machine chica. I bind by hand, but otherwise I am strictly a Bernina babe. I was so excited when I joined the bloghop figuring this would be a great opportunity to do something new. And, given the timing, I don't even know where my sewing machine is right now amongst all the boxes! So it is actually a good thing I had a hand sewing project to do instead. However, I had no idea where to begin. Luckily the internet is a wonderful resources - yes? I knew I had seen this here from the lovely Annabella and thankfully that brought me to Lynne's awesome template here. Of course nothing is that straightforward in the world of MRL and now I sit in the evenings making lozenges and arranging, rearranging, rearranging some more while my husband looks at me with a quizzical "what are you doing." I guess he was used to the sewing machine too!

At first English Paper Piecing was maddeningly slow going for me. [Disclosure - I can't even find my damn sewing scissors so cutting fabric into small pieces is 3x as long with my kitchen scissors.] With the half packed boxes around me I felt a bit of guilt spending time sewing by hand on the couch even when it is my own stupid fault for procrastinating on getting this started. However, after a lozenge or two I began feeling much better, at peace almost, giving myself some time to enjoy the process and think about what I'm going to do in the house next. (find my drinking glasses eventually I hope, the Solo cups are a bit too college for me these days)

I am going to make a cushion for the couch as I originally planned when I chose my palette...but do I go traditional piecing layout...

or something more modern.

Not sure. I just have to show how off cute this is...fussy cutting is so easy with EPP...

I am loving EPP now and this is going to make an AWESOME cushion when it is done! I'm already considering doing a 2nd EPP with the same palette using a similar pattern to the one I loved at Echinops and Aster during Janelle's stop on the bloghop!

Moral of the MRL Travelling PicStitch Bloghop experience? Give English Paper Piecing a try! Don't do it while you are unpacking. And if you find yourself in Western New York take a moment to enjoy its beauty and look me up!

- rebecca lynne

Don't forget to visit the remaining stops on the Travelling PicStitch Bloghop!

24 Diane @ From Blank Pages

25 Bev @ Missy Bee, That’s Me

26 Danny @ Mommy For Reals

27 Laura @ MayYourBobbinAlwaysBeFull

28 Nic @ Dragon Rambles

29 Dana @ Sea Sew

PLUS - be sure to show of your own EPP project with your travel photo inspiration and link up on Nov 30th for some awesome prizes!