A Big Move

Hi everyone!

Sorry it's been awhile. Too long actually.

But life happened and I just couldn't keep up!!!

So I'm super happy to say that I've moved back to Indiana!

Yes, back. Because this is where I started life. 

Hopefully, as I get more settled in the blog posts will continue.

In the mean while, I'm having too much fun with my family and reconnecting with old friends!

God is so good to me!

xo from up here, Abi

The Sweetest Review Ever

I found the kindest, sweetest review for the Maggie bag waiting for me when I was going through my email.

It's people like this that make doing what I do worth all the effort.

Thank you so much, Laura!

5 out of 5 stars for the Maggie Bag Tote        

"This bag is so stinkin cute! Can't wait for spring to show it off. The button/flower design is delightful and adds adorable characters. Bag's ginormous and will carry a lot. Shipping and delivery were quick; Abi was super about quickly responding to questions and shipping out asap even during the holiday season. I highly recommend Modern Prairie Sewing (Abi) - she clearly knows what she is doing."

Oh - and don't forget! My New Year's sale is still going on and will be through the 16 January!  Enter code HAPPYNEW to receive 45% off your order.   happy shopping, abi

Welcoming 2016 {and saying Goodbye to 2015}

Wow. I say that at the end of every year and the beginning of each new one.
But it's so true and expresses exactly what I'm feeling. Wow.
2015 was a whirlwind. A totally crazy hectic whirlwind.

::I actually designed and came out with my first ever PDF patterns for my Etsy shop, The Modern Prairie Girl!!!  This was a HUGE step for me. One that required a lot of crazy hours and mulling pattern pieces over at even crazier hours. There was a lot of frustrating computer moments, but the Lord brought me through (like He always does!) and four patterns later, I'm still alive and so is our computer. I'm so thankful for my family and friends who were so supportive and excited and interested in what I was working on.

::I had great days. Best days. Surprise days. Down days. Crying days. Too much chocolate & coke days. Overwhelming days. Happy days. But the Lord was forever faithful and patient with a very impatient and sometimes very faithless me.

::I have the most amazing and uplifting family & friends possible. Period!

::I had a birthday.

::I had sale after sale in my Etsy shop. And was overwhelmed by the kind ladies who purchased each and every time.

::My sewing book, Modern Prairie Sewing, went out of print, but continues to be selling online and in stores. (Please pick up a copy when you can!)

::I kissed goodbye to my sister, Apphia. She's living happily in Texas.

::I helped my sister, Achaia, prepare to move down to Texas.

::Our brother, Joe, lived with us for short time. It was fun.

The traffic and confusion continues right into this New Year, but I'm okay with that!
What would LIFE be without that?!

Thankful and excited for 2016!
xo from here,
Abi

Right Choices.

Right Choices!

We had the best time! Friends, siblings, corn maze, hay rides, Kettle corn, tire swings, cave exploring, old barns, a super fun slide, basketball, Tether ball, and hours of great talk! 

Really. The best choice! 

Go when you're in the area and when it's open!!!!

(It's just too sad that it can't be open all year round!)

xo Abi

Darison's Tag Baby Blankies {a tutorial}

This adorable neighbor girl of mine is so sweet. 

(Some of you might recognize her as a long-time model for marie-madeline studio patterns...)

When Darison found out that her cousin and his wife were going to be having their first baby, she quickly and thoughtfully set out to make them something special for their precious little one. 

She found a tutorial on how to make these super adorable blankies and went out and found the softest, cutest fabrics and ribbons. 

I was so happy that Darison wanted to spend one of our Fridays together sewing up these sweet baby gifts. (She decided to make two blankets - one for the cousin coming and the other for a little cousin who's already here....) So between homework and cookie dough and then baked cookies, she made these blankets. 

Yes. She. Because all I did was help her out sometimes. 

Darison did a fantastic job and I'm so proud of her! 

She also graciously allowed me to take pictures of her while she worked, so we could share a little bit of our fun day and a new tutorial with you all. 

Darison's Tag Baby Blankies 

-2 squares 13 1/2" x 13 1/2" of soft fabrics (minky, fleece, flannel)

-Ribbon (silky is especially fun)  

 1. cut ribbon 5" long.

 2. fold ribbon in half and pin around the edges of your square. raw edges of ribbon even with raw edge of fabric.

 3. sew ribbon tails down at 1/4".

 4. right sides together, place squares together, with ribbons sandwiched in between.

 5. sew squares together at 1/4". make sure your second stitch is right inside your first stitch. leave 3" gap in the middle of one side.

 6. clip corners and cut off excess around edges.

 7. turn right side out through 3" gap.

 8. carefully push out corners and topstitch around edges at 1/4".

 And..... you're finished! 

Thanks, Darison!

Way to go, Dare!  So proud of you. I know your little cousins will love them!

xo Abi

It's Fall, y'all!

I'm enjoying these cooler days. 

The smells outside are exciting and invigorating. 

Just begging you to step outside and enjoy life.

Because it only happens once. 

My fabulous friend, Sophie, asked two of my sisters and I to help her bring in fall with a little photoshoot. So we pulled out some old fall favorites and put together some outfits. We met with Soph and picked up where we left off, with some laughter, delicious foods and then picture taking. After we finished the pictures, we dropped into a cute coffee shop and enjoyed some yummy drinks and even more encouraging talk and laughter. 

Thanks for a great day, Sophie!

xo Abi

Don't forget to like Sophie's Facebook page Smile for Sophie Photography.

She's the best!