Shooting Star

I just finished up this quilt last night.
It is 44" square now that it is finished. I hand quilted (pick stitch style) stars randomly in the white field.

The back I used the stripe from the wonky star, along with more white..I like it.

I also used the stripe for the binding.

This turned out so sweet. And very soft and snuggily, My youngest boy has now started campaigning for a flannel quilt, after I finish the second star wars quilt he wants...

Time to do some more work on orders so I can play with some Great Grannies!!
In stitches,

They had me at Granny square

I love, love, love granny squares, which just about figures as my Mom (who is the crocheter in the family) hates to make them, so, I have none :( That is, until I discovered this tutorial!!

This is my all time favorite quilt block. Seriously, I can't wait to make more!

I tried it out last night and made these 2 blocks

 

The blue and yellow is going to be put aside to be used in a project for me, I'm just trying to decide between a table runner, another pillow cover, or..a couch snuggling quilt.

While I was already sewing binding, I grabbed another project that has been just laying about waiting for me to finish it's binding too. I made this pillow cover last November/ early Dec, but as usual, since it was a personal project, it got put on the back burner.  But it's finished now and will be put to use this Christmas :)

Saturday Morning distraction #1

So as I said in my earlier post, this morning I was sidetracked by my sewing machine, when I should have been finishing the tutorial... The first thing I worked on was this quilt, I've had it pinned and ready for a couple of weeks, but there have been other projects that took precedence, so it's been patiently waiting on my cutting table.

It's size is such that it could be a table topper, wall quilt...or a stroller quilt.

 I used a moda S'mores charm pack, quilted in the ditch and backed it in one of the S'mores prints. It's finished with a fold over binding.

Craft Book Challenge 1

I am so excited to take over the Craft Book Challenge from Leisl over at Leisl Made

As many of us do, I just love a good craft book! and I've been collecting them for years, intending to make projects from them and then finding myself putting them on a shelf to be looked at from time to time and thinking, "When I have time". Well, it's time to MAKE time for those projects!

So here is how it is going to work.
Every month I challenge you to create something from one of your craft books, it doesn't matter what type of craft, it just needs to be something (or inspired by something) from one of your craft books. At the beginning of each month I will be posting what book I plan to craft from for that months challenge and will host a blog hop to those who want to share theirs as well, and then, at the end of each month, I will post a linky party for us to share our projects and support each other in our endeavor to actually use our books!

This month I will be creating from Better Homes and Gardens' Bags Pillows & pincushions

                                   (which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/7jhfuf7 )

I  selected the yoyo pillow for my first CBC project, I will be making a pair of these for a daybed that Hubby will be building for me in the coming months.

I hope you will join in on the fun!


M

A sewing weekend!

It feels like it has been years since Jan Ome (janome..get it? yeah I'm THAT dork! LOL!) and I have been able spend any time together, but we've been making up for it this weekend!

It feels so good to be getting some projects ticked off my list! Michael (AKA Minion 3) got a TV in his room for his 13th birthday (yes, we are those parents..all of our boys had to wait until they were teens to have their own personal tv) But after putting so much work into refinishing his vintage dresser, Hubby didn't want to put the table straight onto that painted surface. Sadly, that means that Michael's TV has been sitting on his bedroom floor since Feburary 6th waiting to be set up.

Now, I don't feel too awful about it, he pretty much uses the tv in the living room constantly since that is where the Xbox and Wii are, but in keeping with my quest to end the procrastinating and getting our house in order It's time to get his room Finished! At least as much as possible for now, the major construction of the reading nook won't be happening until the decluttering and downsizing is complete.

So today I took an hour to whip him up a simple quilted table/tv pad (Runner) He picked the fabrics (kid has a good eye!) and it will fit right in in his room! My only wish is that I'd used smaller strips of white and used them between each fabric. But he loves it and that is what matters!

Last Night I also whipped up some Mug rugs, they are just waiting for the bindings to be sewn down and then they will be winging their way to Ireland :)

I've got more news and some great thrifty finds for you, but I'll save those for later in the week!

Have a great Sunday!
M

Blue and Brown blog bonanza and other crafty bits

I wish I had a big reveal for the blue and brown challenge, but alas the week on the couch kept me from working on our living room :(

I did manage to complete a few smaller things over the past couple of days. one of which is my contribution to the Great Blue and Brown blog bonanza that I shamelessly "borrowed" from Heather over at Me Making Do. I changed it up a bit for my version, shorter cans, fabric roses and a basket style handle, but one simply must give credit where credit is due ;)

There are plans for more of these in the future, I think they'd be adorable with herbs in the kitchen!

Heather's original version

I also made a tote..I had actually started this last weekend, but then my back went out and it sat just needing assembled, taunting me all week.

The fabrics are what was left of my green cupcake fabric after the quilt in the following pictures, 3 zip pouches and 3 snap pouches.

The quilt is just a simple tied quilt with a fleece backing.

And lastly, I finally finished sewing the binding on this quilt.

I just love this quilt. I used a vintage pucker dot for the back and instead of batting I used flannel, giving it more of a bedspread feel. So, that's it for now..It's time to get back to the sewing machine!

Later!!

Goodies in the mail and a finished quilt

Today was a great mail day! I love getting boxes from my main fabric source, it's kind of like Christmas morning when I unpack it!


Todays package contained a mix of fabrics, I've got some Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, Robert Kaufman, Timeless Treasures and there's even a Riley Blake bloom and grow bundle in here. It also contained 3 Janelle Wind patterns that were part of my birthday gift from hubby, I can barely wait to make them up!!

I just love this giraffe fabric..it has to be one of my all time favorite prints.


I'm still not finished cleaning up the rest of the house from my great studio reorganization and cleaning, so my self restriction from my sewing machine continues. I am however, still allowing myself hand sewing time in the evenings while Hubby and I are watching TV. Last night I put the final stitches in the binding on this baby quilt. The fabrics are mostly Riley BLake's Wheels line with a couple pieces from my stash thrown in here and there.

The quilt is part of a gift set I'd been working on before I started cleaning, You can also see the matching burps in the picture. I still have a patchwork bib and possibly a couple more items to add to the set before I can list it.




Also in the finished category is this little patriotic table topper,


I actually finished this last month, but I completely flaked on getting pictures taken and it's been just sitting in a HL bag with the additional prints I purchased to make a quilt.


Ok, Now I simply must get some cleaning done so that I may sew!!
**I am linking up to Sew & Tells Fridays over at Amy's blog.

Sew and Tell Fridays 7

Still not a lot getting accomplished in the sewing department here, but my house is getting organized so I'm not complaining (Ok, so maybe I feel like whinging about it, but I'll get over it LOL)!


A couple of Mother's Day gifts~
For My MIL Personalized fabric basket:


My Mom also got a personalized basket, and I also put together a quick and easy runner to match the basket and other items I've been making for her bedroom decor.Both baskets were filled with other small gifts to fit each Mom's tastes.

The only other sewing for this past week beside mending was this little pillow..It was gifted to the Boys' RAP instructor for her Baby that is due soon
Don't forget to head over to Amy's blog to check out the other talented ladies in our show and tell party!

Tote Bag Sewing Party!

Update 1

I'm all set to start sewing.

I'll be using my own pattern (The Josie Bag)for the red dot and paisley grouping, and most likely a basic tote for the Lily Pond which has been pre pieced, quilted and washed for crinkley goodness ;)

Although I may use my Joy pattern for that. I'm not sure, I'll have to ponder that while I'm sewing the Josie LOL.

Sew and Tell Fridays 5

I haven't been anywhere near as productive as I would have liked the last 2 weeks, the whole household was down with the cruds for about a week and Between that, 2 birthdays, trying to get my spring cleaning done (a couple of months early, but I mean seriously, who really wants to waste that gorgeous spring weather cleaning?) and trying to sort through my fabrics so I can liquidate some of it, I feel like I've barely sewn at all!

I have though, since my last post I've completed/shipped 3 custom orders, a Seuss Cradle set, a Seuss crib quilt and a Cogsmo Toddler rag quilt bedding set..Which turned out SO cute I have to share it :)


I also finished another tote, and I'm thinking I will be adding these style of pockets inside more often:



and I've been working on a baby quilt. The top and back is done, and it has been pinned Now I just have to find some time to get it quilted so I will have a binding project!

I actually love having bindings to do, over the past year Hubby and I have been watching more TV in the evenings, and I like having handwork to work on while we do..who knew? LOL!

Here's a little sneak of the quilt..and now you know where the inspiration for the tote came from ;)


I'm linking up with Amy Lou Who for Sew and Tell Fridays, make sure to pop over and check out all of the amazing talent!

Ok, so it's been

a few weeks since my last post. I have no defense, I'm easily distracted..and Facebook is very addicting. I have still been sewing a bit from time to time, but mainly I've just been trying to clean up and out some of the unecessary things we seemed to have accumulated over the years.

Of course, sometimes you just have to get a little something new....ish.

Hubby and I were out shopping last Friday and we stopped by the local thrift shop to pick up this revolving slat board rack I'd found there the week before.


While there, I spotted this fantastic iron chair..for $9.98!!!


Hubby, (sweet, sweet man that he is) bought it for me with a shake of his head..he doesn't understand my compulsion to aquire furniture, nor does he know where on earth we'll find room for it, but then, neither do I LOL!!

I'm thinking it just needs a white wash, and maybe an Ava Rose or Darla..hmm..or Flights of fancy..maybe some fairy tip toes? I guess I need to either think about it some more, or just make some slip covers so I can change it out LOL.

Now for some textile love..how about a couple of sneak peeks? I can't show all of them, as they are gifts for readers of my blog here, but here's a couple of just about finished Gifts..



And this isn't a gift, but I just finished this quilt top today..I used Amanda Jean's tutorial here

This is my "test" quilt, before I cut into my Flights Of Fancy or Be Merry prints I wanted to make sure I liked it in person as much as I like Amanda Jean's. So far so good :). I did change it up just a bit. Instead of mixing up the 2 1/2" strips for a randomness, I elected to plan these to "fade" from blue to lavender and back up to pink, back down to lavender, and so on. I really like the effect for this particular fabric collection.

I'm hoping to get it pinned and quilted before the weekend so I will still have time to get a Be Merry one made, but I have to finish the gifts first!!

Blogging...

Is harder than it seems. Not the writing, nor the having something to share, it's the remembering to do it!!

So this time I'm going to try something a little different. We'll see if it works :)

Please don't mind the dust, I'm still working out the kinks and getting buttons and links etc for the quilt alongs, challenges and yummy blog land goodness that I'm trying to keep up with ;)

In the meantime, my First sew & tell Friday post (make sure you head over to join in!!)..a few days early I know, But hubby has been in Kentucky since Monday night so I've gotten a LOT done!

First up, my version of Crazy Mom quilts ragged squares quilt.



The back, This is my favorite..I am so going to make a quilt like this. I'm thinking probably for our bedroom! Also on my favorite list is that scrumptious pink fabric..It's an odd pink and hard to match but it just appeals.



and I'm ashamed to admit, my first "correctly" applied binding. It was machine sewn on the front and hand sewn down on the back, complete with mitered corners :)



Also on the finished table today, goodies for my upcoming craft show, and not pictured, is an apron order that has been delivered and a rag quilt that is currently being washed.