October 26, 2014... That was the last day that I had posted here on my blog. Crazy right? So I am curious... if I were to start blogging again, whether it be sewing, designs, random thoughts... my life. Would any of you be interested in reading it again?
It's amazing how time passes and before you know it a WHOLE YEAR has gone by. 365 days! Some of these posts, feels like they happened yesterday. I do however have to admit... I miss posting on here... I think more for the reason that I can look back in time and instantly remember a day, a moment... a memory! A memory that I may otherwise have forgotten in all hustle and bustle of everyday life.
So, in a way, I guess I have just answered my own question... It's a New Year with new memories and I am excited to start sharing with you all again on my blog. ;) So, WELCOME! I hope you will stay and if you are new here, I hope you will subscribe. I look forward to creating new memories with you all in 2016 and hope to share some inspiration with you too.
Show your team spirit this winter with a paw print jacket fit for everyone. Use some fun fabrics to best represent your teams colors and prints for a custom look.
What you need:
2 pieces of coordinating fabrics to fit template
Fusible web (Pellon Heavyweight Wonder-Under)
Contrasting Thread
Jacket, Hat, Tote Bag, Shirt, Stadium blanket or any other item you want to add an applique to.
1. Trace the paw print to the paper side of the fusible web. Iron the fusible webbing to the wrong side of your selected fabrics. Cut the paw shapes out. Remove paper backing.
2. Position and iron your fabric pieces on the back side of your jacket or other project. Fun shape to add to hats, bags, stadium blankets and more!
3. Zig Zag stitch around each fabric piece with a contrasting thread.
4. Embroider a name to the front if you wish to personalize.
5. That's it! You now have a fashionable jacket to wear at your next sporting event.
Here in Texas it gets HOT in the summer. Not a dry heat but a humid, sweltering, sticky heat. So, when Paige came to me and said she wanted her hair cut really short again... I got it.
I told her she could get it cut only under one condition. If she had enough hair to donate again, then I would take her to get it cut. She has such beautiful thick hair, I cannot imagine it just going into the trash and not be used for something beneficial.
So we measured and she had between 9-11" that could easily be cut off and leave her with a cute bob again. Pantene Beautiful Lengths was able to use her hair 4 years ago for a wig, so that is where her hair is going again. Pantene accepts lengths of hair that are at least 8" long.
So, a couple weeks ago, we took a little girl trip to the salon and got her hair cut. 10" lighter and cooler.
Now we have no more tangles + no more tears = one happy little girl.
Mom is happy too knowing her beautiful hair will be able to make someone with cancer happy to have a wig. WIN WIN!
Hand embroidered pillow made from Moda Mochi Linen in Natural and Sew Modern Essentials thread collection by Aurifil.
7 months have past and a lot has happened. So much that I am finding it difficult on how to start this post. This blog, as are many blogs, is a way for me to release my thoughts, experiences, inspirations and my creations. If for nothing else, just to get things off my chest. And just maybe I can help inspire others that have similar interests or going through similar events.
In January, Aurifil released my new thread collection, Sew Modern Essentials. This was very exciting! Modern colors great for any project. More on this collection just might have to be in a separate post. ;)
In February, Hubby and I celebrated our 15th wedding Anniversary. 15 YEARS! I am very fortunate to have found such a wonderful and supportive partner to share my life with. We also celebrated his 35th Birthday. For all you doing the math... yes, he was 20 when we got married. I was 18... best decision I have made EVER!
In March, at work we launched our new look of
The Moda Cutting Table blog. Fun, colorful and easy to use. Be sure to follow the blog and the Moda Facebook page to stay current with all our updates with Moda and United Notions.
In April, I was featured as Aurifil's Designer of the Month and shared my block inspired by my Great Grandmother. I also celebrated my 34th Birthday... I had my cake and ate it too!
In May, Our oldest daughter
turned 9 years old. Where does the time go?? She is getting to be such a big girl and a HUGE help around the house. Very proud of the little lady she is becoming.
Since the beginning of the year, I have been struggling with what we now know is Multiple Sclerosis (MS). With a positive outlook and starting the treatments, I am beginning to feel like myself again.
I've missed blogging. I am inspired with my new journey and
I am anxious to start sharing again.
Our youngest child celebrated his 2 year birthday the first week of December. Unfortunately, he is allergic to eggs and has never had a cupcake so I was determined to find a way to make some quick and easy eggless cupcakes. After a couple of trials, I think I have finally come to the perfect quick cupcake recipe using a cake mix.
For the Cake you will need...
1 Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix
1 Cup of Water
3 TBSP of Club Soda
2 TBSP of mashed Banana (approx. half a banana)
1 TBSP of Vegetable Oil
Cupcake liners
Mix ingredients together and follow the baking directions on the box.
I chose not to use the tips that attach to the end. I created the monster hairs by squeezing out a little frosting and then pulling up in a quick motion as I released pressure from the tube to create a point. Start in the center and continue all the way around the cupcake leaving a spot for eyes. With the white Icing, I filled in the blank spots to create eyes and then finished with an upside down chocolate chip centered in the white.
Super quick and easy EGG FREE cupcakes and they taste delicious!
If you missed Pat Sloan's Radio show yesterday, be sure to listen up on the recorded shows posted on her website at http://www.creativetalknetwork.com/ and click on the 12-9-13 show to listen.
Now for the lucky winner for a signed copy of my new book, Sew Modern Baby...
I am so excited to be on Pat Sloan's Radio Show today! This will be my 3rd time on the show and this time I will be sharing about my new book, Sew Modern Baby published by Stash Books and my new coordinating thread collection, Sew Modern Essentials, manufactured by Aurifil Threads. I can't wait!
A free copy of my new book, Sew Modern Baby! Here's how to enter...
1. Like my Facebook Page... http://www.facebook.com/AngelaYostenPatterns 2. Leave me a comment on what you like to make for babies.
3. OPTIONAL: Follow me on Pinterest... http://pinterest.com/angelayosten/
Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday, December 10... GOOD LUCK!
As Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, I have found myself reflecting on the past year and realizing that I have so much to be Thankful for. The past couple of months have been very busy... not to mention the entire year has been a whirlwind of events... but often times I fail to just stop and bask in the moment. Hours and days go by and before I know it a whole month or even two has passed. I know that everyone is busy these days but somehow we tend to find more ways to keep us from "stopping to smell the roses" and enjoy the path along our journey.
I could give you a whole list of things that I am Thankful for but I am thankful for those things each and every day of my life. I would, however, like to share one event in particular that I am very thankful and blessed to have been a part of. And if you don't mind, the best way I know to tell this story to start from the beginning...
In Spring 2008, Moda Fabrics came out with their very first Collections for a Cause fabric line called Heritage 1846 by Howard Marcus. The proceeds from this collection were donated by Moda to the Gilda's Club supporting the cause of Ovarian Cancer.
I loved this collection when it came out... the colors, the purpose, the cause... I just had to have the fabrics. I had no idea what I was going to make with it at the time, I just knew if I didn't get it now it wouldn't be available when I was ready to use it.
4 years later, in September 2012 our small town community learned that dear friend, to us all, was diagnosed with advanced stages of Ovarian Cancer. We knew that with Faith, Love and Prayer, Kris would overcome this obstacle that invaded her body so quickly. What do you do to help?
Kris has touched so many lives, not only to my family, but to our entire community. So, one morning, God presented me with an idea... to make a quilt. But not just any quilt. This quilt would be made by our entire community to provide comfort and encouragement during and after her Chemo therapy.
And so it began...
From the blocks that were signed by individuals and families down to the last stitch that was sewn into the quilt, members of our community and her church willingly volunteered their time to help put this quilt together. Even people that had only heard about Kris and had not yet met her, came to help with the cutting and sewing of the Community Quilt.
In April 2013, we presented the Community Quilt to Kris and her family. This quilt was made as a token of our appreciation and love for everything she and her family did and still does for everyone in our town. Words of wisdom, encouragement, and beautiful drawings graced upon the blocks in the quilt. Each block is unique and special in its own right. Quilts, like people, have a story to tell. There are stories told within each of these blocks and together they tell a much bigger story.
In July 2013, Kris received a clean scan from her doctor visit and in August 2013 she received her last scheduled Chemo session. I am so amazed by the patience and positive attitude she continued to have all throughout these trying times. She is such an inspiration and is now using her experience as a Cancer Survivor to help other women fight the same struggle she so shortly underwent in the past year.
I am thankful to work for such a wonderful company that supports causes and produces beautiful fabrics that makes such an impact on people that provokes so much emotion and memories.
I am thankful to the Doctors at Medical City for providing the care Kris needed to fight her battle with Cancer. This one hits me at a personal level as our daughter was also cared for at Medical City back in 2006 and one Doctor in particular helped save her life in her battle with Asthma.
I am thankful to have met Kris and her family before her encounter with Ovarian Cancer and to be able to help provide comfort through a quilt. Oh, did I mention she is also a quilter herself?
I am especially thankful that she lives to serve God and continues her story to help others.