Fa La La La Furniture

It wouldn't be Christmas without a last minute crazy hard project would it? It all started for me about three weeks ago when Anna's preschool teacher told me that Anna KNEW she was getting a makeup table for Christmas.

Me: That would be a Christmas miracle, because she's not.

Teacher: Now Melissa, you have the frilliest, prettiest, girliest girls I know and they would LOVE it.

So I felt guilty about it for a few days and then asked my hubbie who thought it was a FABULOUS idea. Go figure. So then I started looking for a wooden vanity because I was not going to waste my time with a plastic one. And I put all of her Christmas presents away for her birthday in June.

I finally found one, pretty cheap and in good condition, very similar to the one above. (I forgot to take a before picture!) Although in great shape, I knew that wood would not cut it with her. So I painted -- primer plus three coats of furniture paint -- and a coat of polyurethane. This baby had better hold up! Then I took a chair we used to have in our dining room, my husband cut it down a little bit, and I painted and upholstered it. Oh and we added the jewelry boxes which also had to be painted. Aren't those knobs awesome?

She hasn't left her room in three days!!! (just kidding but not too much)

So that Emilie wouldn't be left out, I painted a little desk that was in Anna's room purple and white for her. It's a big hit too. As you can see, she's already stickered all over it.

Love,

xoxo

The Reason

Luke 2


The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Love,

xoxo

All Zipped Up Tote

 Do you love this magazine like I do? There are so many projects I would love to make from it.

 Awhile ago, I went on a weekend trip with a really good friend. I thought my normal, throw-the-makeup-and-jewelry-in-a-plastic-baggie wouldn't quite cut it. So I made this adorable travel bag. It is so handy, so easy and just adorable! If you need a last minute, quick gift, I highly suggest you get yourself a copy of this magazine and make this little tote. You won't be disappointed!

 Best of all, you can use up some larger and smaller scraps.

Way better than a baggie!

Love,
    xoxo

Merry Christmas from Me to You

 And from my husband's office:

Love,

xoxo

The Winners . . . Yes More than One!

Thank you all so much for commenting on my giveaway! I am blown away with 501 entries. Thank you Sew Mama Sew for doing this! Amazing. Since there were so many entries, I couldn't just give away one prize. So without further ado . . .

The grand prize winner is #127
Wobbly Bobbin said...
Beautiful stuff on your blog!
December 13, 2010 4:30 PM

#76 Amanda said...

Everything looks so pretty!!
December 13, 2010 1:06 PM

Amanda wins the leftovers of a charm pack of Plume by Tula Pink, a halfish yard of Treetop Fancy by Tina Givens and a box of my cards.

Third prizes goes to #131

Lizzie Bordello said...

The fabrics look pretty, but I love love love the cards! They look great!!
December 13, 2010 4:43 PM

Lizzie wins my leftover scraps of Poodle by Jennifer Paganelli and a box of my cards.

Fourth place goes to:
#221 Emily said...

This is a wonderful holiday gift collection - your cards are what caught my eye. Gorgeous!
December 14, 2010 4:17 AM

And I'm glad you said that Emily because you win a box of cards!

And finally 5th place goes to:
#156 Rachel said...

What a sweet photo!
Beautiful fabrics and cards. Great giveaway :)
December 13, 2010 6:47 PM

Rachel also wins a box of cards.

And if anyone else wants a box of cards, be sure to visit melissastramel.com! You still have time before Christmas . . .

Merry Christmas everyone!


 Love,

xoxo

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway!

This giveaway is closed. Come back for results.

It's giveaway week at Sew Mama Sew. Welcome all visitors to Lilac Lane! You've landed yourself at the home of Melissa Stramel, fabric and pattern designer. And a little news for all of you -- I've just learned that my debut collection, Honey Sweet, will be marketed to stores in January! That's right, next month! The fabric should start showing up right behind that. I'll keep you posted.

Up for grabs today are a honeybun of Fresh Cotton by Fig Tree Quilts, a jelly roll of Plume by Tula Pink and a box of cards by me! To buy the cards, please visit MelissaStramel.com. To enter, just leave me a comment on this post. I believe the contest ends Friday, but if Sew Mama Sew says differently, I will change this. As always, international readers are welcome to enter. Good luck!

all snug in their beds

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Love,

xoxo

A Little Bit of Me

 I'm not sure if you remember my Road to Redemption Quilt. It was named by the Happy Cottage Quilter in a contest I had a LONG time ago. In fact, this quilt has taken nearly two years to complete. It is a combination of the Fruit of the Spirit blocks of faith by Trudi Gale and Patterns of Faith's Praying the Names of Jesus quilt. It involved lots of applique and lots of paper piecing. And I just do not like this picture because it hangs so unflatteringly, but it really is square.

Anyway, the quilt is made mostly from scraps of what I've made the girls for clothes over the past few years with a little of this and that thrown in . You can look at it and see how the months and seasons changed because my colors change so much. And since it is for ME, I didn't mind at all. In fact, this is my ultimate style. I've never been a matchy matchy person. No offense to you if you are one either. I admire those quilts, they're just not me. I think this may be what gets me in the crosshairs of my fabric company when designing. I'm constantly told, "This doesn't go together." (smile) Don't worry, by the time the collection comes out, they've definitely pared it down to what does "go together!" But for me, throwing a vintage flower in with a big dot just makes sense. Or a modern stripe next to a muted floral. You get the idea. I don't think I'll change any time soon -- I've been this way as long as I can remember.

So this quilt, which is actually just a large throw, is off to be quilted. I'm guessing you will see it again! Hopefully I can devise a better system for getting pictures of quilts before then.

Come back Monday when I will be participating in Sew, Mama, Sew's giveaway week. You won't want to miss this one.

Love,
xoxo

Congrats to the Winners!

The two winners are:

Regina said...

This is so adorable!

and Andi who is a fan of my facebook page.

Thank you to all who entered. Regina and Andi, please e-mail me your addresses and I will send out the blocks immediately so you can get these quilts done for Christmas. And everyone else, please enjoy the pattern -- it doesn't take too long to cut out the blocks, I promise!
Love,

xoxo

the Scraptabulous Quilt Tutorial

This little quilt is so easy, I'm pretty sure most of you can look at it and make it. But just in case you can't, I've made a little tutorial. The quilt is fun and fast. It's just my take on a traditional quilt called a Snowball Quilt. It's normally made out of kind of boring fabrics, lots of grays and whites. I just spiced it up and wrote up some instructions.

So, to kick off the tutorial, I'm giving away two complete sets of blocks for the tops. Yup, that's right. 30 already cut and pressed large squares and 120 cut and pressed small squares. Times two! To enter, just leave me a comment. For two extra entries, blog, tweet or facebook it and then leave me a comment again. For two more entries, become my facebook fan.(You don't need to comment about that one. I'll just add in the fans.) You can have a total of 5 entries! I'll end the contest on Wednesday, December 8 so you will still have plenty of time to sew it up. Good luck!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5:22-23

Love,

xoxo

Could it Be 10 Years?

 Once upon a time there was a little boy and a little girl.

They grew up and got married. And now they've had a life together for ten years. How can that be? It seems like just yesterday we were talking about running away and eloping to escape all the hassle of the wedding. My Todd doesn't like to be in the pictures much, but he is the reason there is even a Lilac Lane. Infinitely encouraging, always believing, and so supportive. I love you, baby. Thanks for the last ten years.

Be Careful!

I just googled Melissa Stramel, thinking I knew the few things that would pop up. My blog, website, flickr, maybe some stuff from KU, Moda Bake Shop, a few person finder sites, etc. I was totally unprepared for EVERY COMMENT I'VE EVER WRITTEN ON ANY BLOG to pop up. I've never written anything nasty, but still, it's really unsettling. So from now on, if you receive a comment from me, it will be a generic Melissa S. I realize I'm in a business where my name will go out, and that's ok with me. But I don't think anyone should have access to my every comment. Apparently there's a couple of other Melissa Stramel's out there too. One from Washington state who is a democrat and got married on pi day and had pie instead of cake. And another from Hays (really close to here) who in the early 90s won a national race walk for 15-16 year old girls. Funny thing is, we'd be about the same age but she's probably not a Stramel anymore. Neither of these girls has a blog that I came across, so it shows you just how much info is out there.

Just be careful!
Love,

xoxo