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.
Untitled
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!
Untitled
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!]
Untitled
Yellow Fabric: Childhood Treasures in Mustard
Green Fabric: Mawston Meadow
Untitled
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!  

<center>
<a title="TGIFF!" href="http://tgiffriday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3SVMXybOKCHRrNlNveGnyRxZeOg_vtE_MmkhinUtrke70Z0oBqkYSgPW6Qr2vmFvyLyCU3U2JJEYC_AUSD4J_vdNt3TL93T-fANRA8gctfX-z4A_HXOe4SYvFI4rBwpu6GFCgNmUaJjA/s800/tgiff-button-plain.jpg"/></a></center>
</center>

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

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 houseUntitled

and a little of this...
Untitled

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?  

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK? 
HERE ARE THE RULES! 
  1. 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!
  2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
  3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments


- 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...
Untitled
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!
Untitled
I tried capturing the amazing changing foliage that happens around here.DSC_0118 - Version 2
See?  There's some orange...
Untitled
And I just LOVE these houses with these cool double porches!
Untitled
Oddly enough...this was the photo I ended up going back to over and over...Untitled
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...
Screen Shot 2012-10-13 at 4.25.26 PM
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!
Screen Shot 2012-11-02 at 9.29.40 PM
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.
Untitled
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...
Untitled
or something more modern.
Untitled
Not sure.  I just have to show how off cute this is...fussy cutting is so easy with EPP...
Untitled
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
26 Danny @ Mommy For Reals
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!
Full details for competition entry can be found here.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches

Welcome to Week 3 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Ooooh I am quite a bit tardy for this Thursday Think Tank!  Luckily I knew I could rely on Kelli to do a kickass post...and she did!  So don't forget to link up over at Seriously...I Think it Needs Stitches and enter into the TTT Holiday Hop Giveaway.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Even though our house is inundated with unpacked boxes I have somehow managed to create Thanksgiving dinner using one large pot, one small oven, and one mixing bowl.  Don't know about you but I'm impressed and I have only had one sip of wine thus far!  [For those of you who don't recall, my cooking at any time of the year is impressive let alone on a major holiday with these kinds of limitations.  ;)]

{No joke Miss O, who is "writing" with me, just pulled the plug on our archaic laptop and the whole thing crashed.  Awesome.}

Although I am using every spare moment of my free time to clean areas of the house bit by bit while unpacking  the appropriate items that will be living in the now clean areas, which explains why I only have portions of my kitchen available to me at the moment, I still can't help dreaming about Christmas decorations.  I am already extremely bummed that I couldn't decorate for Thanksgiving (wanted to make a give thanks banner and also quickly sew up a table runner...next year I suppose) so I have already warned the Mr. that there is no way in H that I am missing out on Christmas.  He has already agreed to 2 Christmas Trees.  Ha!

In the spirit of Kelli's post I, coincidentally, have decided I want to make a tapioca wood flower wreath.  I love this because I think it will go really nicely with our house which has a large wood presence plus I think it is extremely versatile and can be used year round.

The Mr. even said he isn't opposed.  (!!!)  So, wreath making supplies, here I come!

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?  

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?  
HERE ARE THE RULES! 
  1. 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!
  2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
  3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments?




- rebecca lynne

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop - Canadian Abroad

Welcome to Week 2 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!

Go check out Susan's post, at Canadian Abroad to view some beautiful Holiday Decor...  To take another peak at my own holiday decor beginnings stop over and look at this post!

Plus, 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?  

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?  
HERE ARE THE RULES! 
  1. 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!
  2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
  3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments?



- rebecca lynne

Monday, November 12, 2012

33 Paint Palette

Paint. Paint. Paint.

Perspective colors for the new MRL digs.
Chantilly Lace - Benjamin Moore
Yew Green - Benjamin Moore
Grape Juice - Benjamin Moore
Bright Yellow - Benjamin Moore
Surf Blue - Benjamin Moore

Wow, those are looking really bright.  Whew!  Well, the walls will be mostly the Chantilly Lace with pops of the other colors.  I'm really a shabby chic kind of gal so this very modern palette is extremely surprising.  But, I am leaning towards a clean happy and vibrant feel for my girls!

Don't forget to follow the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop.  Grab the button below.  Link up to each week's linky party for a chance to win the giveaway!
Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop


Hunh, I just realized how my paint choices match the bulbs adorning the Thursday Think Tank button!  Ha!  Gotta get back to packing...

- rebecca lynne

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Orange Cabinets. Seriously.

I have a confession to make...

I MISS MY SEWING MACHINE SOOO MUCH!

However, I've been busy in a totally different way.

Like Stripping Wallpaper in my spare time...while holding a baby.
Untitled
To be perfectly honest I can't take credit for most of the work going on in our new house.  My amazing in-laws are here doing the bulk of the work while the Mr. and I are at work.  I have quite a few pictures of them scraping glue off of the wood floors, peeling wallpaper, replacing a bannister, general cleaning, and minor plumbing repairs.  However - I will refrain from sharing those photos of them in their work finery with the public!
Untitled
View of eat-in dining area and kitchen...
Untitled
Yes.  The cabinets are Orange.  Orange Doors and Taupe foundation.  Like a cantaloupe!
Untitled
My girls have been pretty amazing doing their own version of "work" while we have been tearing the house apart around them.
Untitled 
The house To Do List has been generating a lot of guilt.  What guilt?  Financial guilt.  As I explained to my mother the other day, I haven't even SPENT money on any of my ideas and yet just the thought that I might have to spend money to get the house close to where I want it to be has me in a downward spiral of guilt.

Luckily, I am taking it a little at a time.  I am listing out my projects and prioritizing carefully.  Right now the most important thing is to get the house clean and ready enough for my children.  I'll worry about the aesthetic issues (like orange cabinets) later.


- rebecca lynne


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thursday Think Tank Holiday - Piecemeal Quilts

Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop

Welcome to Week 1 of the Thursday Think Tank Holiday Hop!


Plus, 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?  

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?  
HERE ARE THE RULES! 
  1. 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!
  2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
  3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments?

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

- rebecca lynne


Monday, November 5, 2012

On the Fifth Day of Christmas {Sew Seasonal Blog Hop}

Honestly?  I just like picking catchy song lyrics for my titles to drive Erin crazy...heh heh...

Welcome to day 5 of the Sew Seasonal Blog Hop!
Kristy at Quiet Play and Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts are sharing 25 (FREE!) Christmas-themed block patterns!  Hope you are all ready to feel in the mood to get your holiday DIY started...

My pattern to try was the lovely Ornament Number 5.  And since I am in the middle of moving I didn't really have time to make a whole big project like a quilt.  However, I didn't want my block to be lonely either so what did I do?  I made a pillow cover using the 10" pattern directions.
Untitled
I substituted the white background suggested in the pattern for linen as it goes better with my velvety brown couch.  Unfortunately, for fear that I would run out of time to create them or pack them away once they were created the pillow covers have been on my couch since mid-October and are looking a bit wrinkled loved!  Good to know if you are debating linen pillow covers.  
Untitled
I've been so crazed lately that it wasn't until YESTERDAY that I realized that the little pink ornaments in the blue fabric are a similar ornament design to the whole pattern.  Ha!  
Untitled
Of course I couldn't let my little ornament pillow cover be lonely...so I made a Christmas Tree too...  Isn't he cute?
Untitled
Now these guys really have to be put away until December.  I'm getting some raised eyebrows when people come to the house right now.  Hahahahaa...hey what can I say I love Christmas!

Go check out Lucy's blog today to see her English Paper Piecing block!  Also...don't forget to check out the rest of the Sew Seasonal Blog Hop at these awesome spots below!

1st November: Kristy from Quiet Play & Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts
2nd November: TBA & Jane from Where Jane Creates
3rd November: Susan from Patchwork N Play & Kelsey from Kelsey Sews
4th November: Janice from Better Off Thread & Erin from Missy Mac Creations
5th November: Lucy from Charm About You & Rebecca from Making Rebecca Lynne
6th November: Charlotte from Lawson and Lotti & Amy from Amy's Crafty Shenanigans
7th November: Jess from the Elven Garden & Cindy from Live a Colorful Life
8th November: Elaine from Dashasel Sews & Kelly from Jeliquilts
9th November: Beth from Plum and June & Fiona from Finding Fifth
10th November: Juliet from Tartan Kiwi & Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches
11th November: Taryn from Pixels to Patchwork & Anorina from Samelia's Mum
12th November: Megan from Jaffa Quilts & Jane from QuiltJane 
13th November: Gemma from Pretty Bobbins

AND NOW - DRUM ROLL - THE SPONSORS & PRIZES!!!
A big thank you to our sponsors too - lots of great prizes ahead!

Awesome Launch Day giveaways at Blossom Heart Quilts and Quiet Play - check back November 1st!
2 x $10 vouchers

Joy by Kate Spain - full fat quarter bundle + panel

2 x $25 vouchers

1 x $25 voucher

$30 gift voucher

Japanese Christmas fabric - fat eighth bundle

Charm pack
Plus, are you needing some Christmas fabric supplies for the hop? Well, Chrissy from Sew Lux Fabrics has set up a special discount code on Christmas fabrics in her shop! So if you need supplies, be sure to check it out. The code is "sewseasonal10" and is for 10% off all Christmas fabric (Joy, Blitzen, and Sentiments) through November 18th. A charm pack or layer cake will work perfectly for Ornamental!

Blossom Heart Quilts