Swoon Blanche Barrel Bag

This is the smallest version of the Swoon Blanche Barrel Bag.  I purchased the pattern on Craftsy over the summer but only completed it a few days ago.  Since this was only the second bag I've ever made, I read, and re-read the directions multiple times. The pattern was straight forward but I did rely on a You tube video for the inside zipper pocket.  I also added two slip pockets on the the inside.  And I ended up using premade piping (which felt a little smallish) because the piping I made kept wrinkling and twisting.  I have no idea what I was doing wrong and after multiple frustrating attempts, I gave up and purchased piping. I think I will change out the straps at a later date.  I'd like to use polyester webbing with the existing straps sewn over it for a sturdier feel.

I can't wait to try another bag!

Cheers!

Screamin' Summer

I know that's a crazy title for the last days of summer but...

                                                                                             don't they just scream summer?

You can find the design here.  Thank you Flamingo Toes for sharing such a sweet, summer design!

I did it! The weekender travel bag...

Here it is!  The weekender travel bag, by Amy Butler.  I really wanted to try my hand on this.  I love sewing quilts and have made a few small zippered bags but I've never tried a project like this.  And when I say 'like this", I mean piping (which I've never done) and zippers (which I've done but always find challenging).  So I searched and searched and read a lot of blog posts about this bag! I found this post to be the most helpful.

I think I read the instructions a hundred times before I began this project!  And then I probably read them another hundred while making it!

I didn't use any heavy duty interfacing.  Like the blog post above suggested, I used heavy cotton duck to cut the outer pieces of the pattern and the "quilt as you go" method with one layer of batting, cut 1/2" smaller all the way around.  When I completed the quilting, I stitched all the around the pieces, 1/8" from the edge to keep them from unraveling.

Some of the seams did get bulky, especially around the corners, but my machine handled them quite well.  The patterns says, "Go Slow" and that is absolutely key around those corners!  I used a Jeans needle as well and I didn't break a single one!  I also followed everyone's advice and made the straps a little longer so I can carry it on my shoulder.

Fabric is Denyse Schmidt's Chicopee and I used a solid gray for the lining and piping.  I love this bag and I have impressed myself with how well it came out! I'm thinking Christmas gifts for some of the "hard to buy for" women in my life! 

Cheers!

Kitchen Mini

Cheers!

Sew Kitschy Block 2

I can't believe I forgot to post this!

I also forgot to post a picture of a baby quilt I made for my neice.  Actually, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product...but I do have a picture of the flimsy.  This was made using  a pattern from American Patchwork and Quilting, Issue 121, April 2013.  I just left off all the borders to keep it at a baby size.

Sorry about the lousy picture - it was taken in my dark, unfinished basement, which is where I've carved out a small area for my sewing space.  And it was taken with my cell phone.  Try to ignore the fuse panel in the background and the pipes and insulation in the ceiling.

I've also been working on a secret project that I can't share because I don't want to ruin the surprise for the future giftee.

And I'm still plugging along with my Farmer's Wife Quilt.

And, I'm still waiting for spring!  

Stay warm, be healthy!

Cheers!

i carry your heart...

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
      i fear
not fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

                                                                         -e.e. cummings

Happy Valentine's Day!

Farmer's Wife Quilt

I've been dying to get this book for ages and I finally broke down and got it.  The book came Saturday and since then I've been reading the letters and planning how I'm going to tackle this project.  I've decided I'm going to follow the block layout in the book, completing one row at a time, starting with the longest row.  Since the blocks are set on point, the rows are on the diagonal.  I've numbered each row, and then numbered my blocks accordingly.  So thihs is how I'm tracking it:

This probably seems confusing but it makes sense to me.  The numbers on the left are the template numbers.  I cross off the templates I print as I need them.  I had actually started to print them all but there's only one template per page and that was just too wasteful for me!  The numbers on the right are the block numbers and the colored numbers are the order that I need to make the blocks.  So Block number one will be the 79th block I make.  Since the setting is on the diagonal, I'm sewing the rows as I numbered them and choosing fabrics as I go along.  I hope that this method will give me a nice balance of colors in the end and I won't lose my mind shifting blocks around.  I'm using solid white for the sashing and plan on using solid red  for the cornerstones.  I haven't decided what I'm going to do for the setting triangles. 

I would love to have all the blocks pieced in six months.  That averages four to five blocks per week.  Seems manageable, right?  We'll see.  We know how life can get in the way of the best laid plans...

So for now, I leave you with:

Block #85

Block #15

Block #40

Block #53

Block #104

Block #55

Block #90

 

 

 

Block #100

Cheers!

APQ Quilt Along...

 I decided I was not going to participate in the APQ Quilt Along...Really.  But then my subscription arrived.

And:

Seriously, how could I not?  So here is the very beginnings, partially sewn. 

And I'm still trying to catch up to the Quilty Fun Sew Along! 

It's all good.

Cheers!

Catching Up on the Quilty Fun Sew Along...

I've been playing catch up since Santa brought me Quilty Fun.  I had a blast doing the row along and I could not wait to get my hands on her book!  Soooo, just a few pics to show what I've been working on...

    Trees

     Chubby Chevrons

Houses

                      Apples and more chubby chevrons - I just had to make one kiss and one hug!
                                                                             XOXO

                                                 Stars and Baskets

  And Quarter Square Triangles

I went overboard making these....

                                                                               And look at that pile of trimmings!

I still need to complete Flying Geese, Courthouse Steps, and Cups of Cocoa and then I'll be all caught up.

And the first finish of 2014!

 I actually finished this on New Year's Day - I just had to get started on something from Lori's Book!

And, I received some gift cards for Christmas so I treated myself to some goodies...I'll show you when they arrive!  Until then,

Cheers!

Happy New Year!

I hope you have a blessed and peaceful year!

Cheers!

Paper Pieced BOM @ Quiet Play

Quiet Play posted her first block and I had to start right away!  You can click her button on my side bar and it will take you right to her!

Cheers!

Finishes! (Warning: Picture Heavy Post)

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything - but I have been sewing.  And trust me when I say Quilting is definitely my therapy!

So here goes:

I finished Dwell From Camille Roskelly's Simply Retro - This is much larger than the pattern called for and I made a variety of 6 inch blocks to go in the center of the houses.  If you notice the shams (sorry for the lousy pictures, I'm still learning) I used Lori Holt's pattern for the barn and the tractor.  I also used minky for the backing.
 

 This one is my favorite!
















I also finished two Deck-ade the Halls from the Fat Quarter Shop's Quilt-Along - the bright colored one is for me and the traditional colored one is for my brother and sis-in-law.

 

I made stockings and a tree skirt for Daughter #1 since this is her first Christmas in her own apartment (technically speaking - she'll be home with us for Christmas). These stockings are huge at 24 inches long! And even though you can't tell by my fabulous picture taking abilities, the stockings are the exact same size.
The "Wooden Soldier" and the "Angel" came from two different Debbie Mumm patterns.  I had made stockings for all of us many years ago and had super-sized the stocking pattern from one of those furry red with the white cuff stockings.

 

The tree skirt is a pattern from The Fat Quarterly 2010 Holiday Edition

 And, not quite last, but the last thing that I have a picture of, are a bunch of mug rugs and potholders.  The Christmas mug rugs are from Kate Spain's pattern for her fabric line, In from the Cold, only miniature. I drew it out on graph paper.  Most of the fabric is also Kate Spain's Flurry. The rest of the fabric came from my stash is probably from Connecting Threads.

 The second set is super simple - just five inch squares of cute fabric.  I didn't use binding as I was going for quick and simple.  I cut the back two inches larger all the way around and folded and mitered the corners.  Super Simple!
 

 They make great hostess gifts, too!

 And since it's after Christmas...Mr. Claus (aka Sweet Hubby) brought me these little lovelies!

I participated in the original Row Along and I could not wait to get a copy of this book!  Now I can't wait to get caught up on the Quilty Fun Sew Along!

I also squeezed in a baby quilt and I completely forgot to take a picture (lucky you ;0)

And since I'm not very good at paper piecing, I've decided to participate in Quiet Play's Paper Piecing Party!  I'm hoping that I can improve my skills enough that I don't scream in frustration and throw the blocks away.  I generally make three or four (sometimes five) attempts before I get it right.  And I seem to make different mistakes every time (I also make the same mistakes over and over - just not one right after the other) : /

Cheers!

Squeal!

I'm a winner! 

                   







                                         From Me and My Sister Designs

I'm so excited!  I can't wait for this book to arrive!

Cheers!

In progress...

In between the frustration of those teeny, tiny blocks, I'm working on Dwell, from Camille's new book.  I'm making this quilt Queen size so I've multiplied the number of blocks I'm making.  For this house, the pattern calls for a 6" pinwheel in the center - but I made a different 6" block for each house I built.

This one is my Favorite!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!