Sunday Morning Quilts {book review}

Last night I purchased the book Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison for Stash Books. I must admit that I read it cover to cover last night! I could not put it down.

Two reasons why I love this book:

1. I love that the first 61 pages cover a variety of scrap organization, scrap sorting, storing as well as quilting basics. I love reading how others do things. I am always open to try new things, even the basics.

2. The 16 projects are Modern Scrap Projects. I love scrappy patchwork but I have yet to really get comfortable sewing scrappy. There is not one project that I would not try in this book.

Now that I have downsized my sewing room due to the move, I am searching for ways to display my stash/scraps, have them organized and inspiring all at the same time. I am constantly tweaking the way I sort my scraps as well. This book will hopefully get me motivated to start unpacking more boxes and get sewing!

This was the picture of my cart from last night's buying spree.... Everything was on sale or I used a coupon.

Sewing again ;)

My sewing room is open for business. My SIL ordered some custom car seat covers as baby shower gifts so I am busy creating again.  The pink western fabric is Cowgirl Toss Pink by Spring Creative Products, the cotton lace is from Joanne's $1 bin and the bottom is just blue denim. I love the look of the cotton lace against the denim. This may be a new favorite for western inspired designs.

It feels good to be sewing again, though the sewing room is not really in order. I'm still trying to unload boxes and decide where to stash stuff. I have way too much stuff for my 10x10 room. We plan to have a yard sale later this summer once we get through most of the boxes in the garage.

Big changes for The Sunflower Crafter...

Since I am able to post from my iPhone, I am going to start sharing more about our new life in rural northern Nevada. Most of our family is back in California and keeping them up to date on everything is difficult. I hope that this blog can be a central place for family and friends to see what's happening with "The Lake's."


I have added new pages at the top for recipes, Made by Melody Lake and tutorials. I've updated my UFO list though I have many more to add. My quilting these days is all about starting new projects. We will save that for another post ;)

This weekend's big find was two dressers. We had seen the Consignment Store sign from the freeway many times to we decided to stop. What a place. The sales guys were very nice, they let us browse then when we were ready they were more than willing to help out. This one is missing a knob but I already have big plans to change out the pulls and do some painting/antiquing. {thank you Pinterest}

This one is Brian's and it will also get some new pulls and stain.

Making it a home

Now that we are settled in, I had to add color to the front porch. Still a California Girl at heart, I needed some flowers to brighten the place up. Hubby is doing a great job of keeping things alive. 

I'm trying out the new blogger app for the iPhone to post this. So far I like it. My laptop needs some work so this will have to do for a while. Maybe this way I can post more... :)

Dear Nevada,

Did you get the memo? Its Spring! Last night it hailed, rained, maybe even snowed for a while.... I guess that is just spring in Nevada.

Brian and I are in contract on a house in Fernley NV, finally. It only took two months and seven offers. This week we have appts with the mortgage company and the house inspections. If all goes according to plan, we will be closing on May 9th. Which means we will be moving the week of the Propane Convention. It can never be easy....

To keep myself occupied, I signed up for a potholder pass swap on Flickr. Here are a few pictures of my works in progress.

I love how I was able to use my scraps to mix and match for a bold spring look. I will be selling some of these in my Etsy shop and some will be sent to my potholder pass swap partner. I am totally addicted to making these and have a few more in the works...(I'm tweaking the pattern, again) I recently found some linen/cotton blend fabric at Hancocks in Sparks and used it in the Spring Chicken potholder. I love the country look it gives.

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. ~Mary Engelbreit


A couple of updates.....

In November, the company I work for moved our accounting office from Auburn, CA to Reno, NV. Since then I have been splitting what spare time I have between Reno, NV and Lincoln, CA. Brian and the dogs are living with his parents in Lincoln CA and I am renting a room from a co-worker in Reno, NV. I manage to make it home to Lincoln a couple times a month. Brian and I are searching for a house but Reno has a wacky housing market right now. Its very frustrating at this point. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and I won't be homeless forever..... right?

A new goal for me this year for this blog is to keep sharing about the things I love.... family, sewing, crafts, cooking, gardening and life on the ranch. Things that keep me and my family, happy and healthy. Things that keep me sane and inspire my craftiness.

I realize I am a few months late on New Years Resolutions but hey, I work in the propane industry and winter = no life beyond work. Its what I signed up for.

And here are some random pictures so this doesn't become one of those boring no picture posts. :)

Addelynn and I on Thanksgiving at the ranch.

Brian and his new dog Sage at the duck club.

Ruby Star and Gypsy Rose Cottage

Today I wanted to share with you my new offerings for my Etsy store Made by Melody Lake. I love making baby quilts. No joke I finished 6 tops in one weekend. I am slow at getting them all quilted but they are there, in a lovely little stack, waiting to be turned into a little one's treasure.

This is Ruby Star made with the Ruby line from Bonnie and Camille for Moda Fabrics. I added a small white lace to the end borders. The background is solid white and the binding is scrappy. The pattern is Silver Star by Villa Rose Designs and it measures approximately 32"x42".

This is Gypsy Rose Cottage made with the Gypsy Rose line by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics. The background is cream and the binding is chocolate polka dots. The pattern is La France by Villa Rose Designs and it measures approximately 36"x45".



Both quilts have pieced backs. I love the way a pieced back adds a second look to a quilt. These two gems are perfect for a crib or play mat. They are machine pieced and machine quilted by me.

A little about the Villa Rose Designs patterns.... These are simple patterns but I think they do a fabulous job at showcasing fabric lines. The patterns come on postcards and were less then $3 a piece. I great value for a pattern that will look different every time with different fabric choices. I got mine at Sew Katie Jean in Lincoln, CA.

By the way, its Sew Katie Jean's 1st Anniversary so go and say Hi to Katie.... tell her Melody sent you. :)