Zoey Quilts

Making Heat Resistant Counter Mats

2012-01-28T18:26:00.000-05:00

When I was cleaning my sewing room, I found this length of log cabins that I made to use for a border, but decided it just didn't work, so it was set aside. It's been residing in a bin for a few years now.

I decided to pick out a few seams and ended up with 3 sets of two blocks. I added a few more strips to make them wider and then turned them into counter protector mats.

These are nice and long. You can see that a 9 x 13-inch cake pan fits nicely. I love these big counter mats.

I also found two orphan heart blocks that have been waiting for a purpose. They, too, are now counter mats.

I used an unusual filling for these. I was given a never-used car engine heat resistant mat thing (for a corvette) and I cut it up (GASP! I hope no corvette owner reads this). It worked perfectly--nice and thick and easy to sew through.

I have to say it's the best batting I have used thus far.

Cute Paper-Pieced Santa Decoration

2011-12-08T07:34:00.001-05:00

Patti, from Osage Bluff, sends me the cutest pattern links. Patti lives in the state I was born in and we seem to be so much alike that we joke we were sisters separated at birth.

Patti recently sent an I-think-you-will-like-this email with this link from a site called Pinwheelponders. (fifth row, last one). And sure enough I liked it so much that I have already made it. It's super cute and super duper easy. I think it took about 15 minutes to make.

Isn't he adorable? A big thank you to Pinwheelponders for giving us this pattern and to Patti for passing along the link.

It also makes a very cute bag ornament for those who like to add a personal touch to their gift bags.

I used a Sharpie for the facial features and a dab of white paint in the eyes. I also took a Q-tip and brushed a little pink blush on his cheeks.

I am going to make a bunch more of these and decorate a small tree with them. So much fun!

Thanksgiving Dessert Runner & Fabric Bargains Galore!

2011-11-12T17:10:00.000-05:00

I have been working on two Thanksgiving table runners to use on a dessert table.
I think these two guys will work just fine.

I am probably going to add a burlap tablecloth underneath the turkeys.

Today I went to my local VFW bazaar and I got a great deal on these metallic fat quarters:

I opened one of the $9.99 packets to see all the different fabrics.

There were five of these packets in a baggie for only $2.50...for the whole bag!

I am not sure what I will do with these fabrics. Right now I am thinking they will make a nice fall table runner.

After I left the bazaar, I went to Joanne's Fabric store and bought of of this fabric:

12 yards at a red bargain price of $2 per yard. This is my first big fabric purchase since spring. At that price, it would be sheer stupidity to resist increasing the stash. :)

Shopping Bag Transformation

2011-11-07T17:08:00.001-05:00

Ace is the place to get one of these shopping bags.

You may be asking yourself why anybody would want one of these.

Yes, it's just a cheap reusable shopping bag that nearly every store sells for a buck or two.

Here is more information than anyone (but me) wants to know about this bag:

100% recyclable polypropylene
12.5"W x 14"H x 8"D
Handle: 19"L x 1/8"W
24 lb. capacity
Each bag is designed to replace 2 paper bags or up to 4 plastic bags

Used weekly for 2 years replaces 416 plastic bags

I find it has some admirable qualities, though it's pretty plain--certainly not fashionable. I also hate to carry a bag with a logo. They are not paying me to advertise for them, so why would I tote around their logo?

Right after putting the Ace bag aside, I wandered out to my garden shed and saw this roll of burlap.

I wonder when and why I bought this? It must have been during a streak of ambitious shopping. Truth be told, I am way too lazy to cover shrubs with burlap. So the burlap sat for multiple years in the corner of the shed.

Hmmmmmm.....maybe I could do something with the burlap to transform the useful, but bland shopping bag...my mind soared into overdrive as I happily toted the coarsely-woven fabric into my sewing room.

I immediately took a measurement and began the restructuring of the Ace bag.

When I get done with this bag, nobody will know that it began its life in this somewhat dull/boring form.

Well, that is nobody but all of you, because I am about to blab all the details right now.
The burlap just happened to be the perfect width after finger pleating to fit across the bag front. I cut an approximately 4-inch strip, raveled the bottom, sewed a zigzag stitch at the top of the ravels to prevent more ravelling, then pleated it to this size.

I just eyeballed the pleat size. It does not matter one iota if one pleat is wider than the next.

I wanted to use two fabrics, so I picked out a complementary fabric to alternate with the burlap. I chose a fabric with a black background so it would blend in with the handles and side of the bag, which won't be covered in new fabric.

Layer #1 is on. Notice I put a hem in this fabric instead of fraying it. All I am going to do is alternate this with the burlap and sew five strips on top of each other across the front & back...simple, simple, simple!

It was quite easy to turn the Ace bag into this handy little carrier:

It can be used for lightweight food shopping, with an heavy stress on the "lightweight". I think the
24-lb. capacity stated above is on the optimistic side.

Oh, but does it not look prettier than one of those awful plastic grocery bags?

It almost makes me want to take over the grocery shopping just so I can use this bag.

Whoa--Zo--Get a handle on it--just listen to yourself--are you ill?

Whew--I was a bit lightheaded for a moment! Now that I have come to my senses, I think I will just use it for my library books.

A New Project Began and Finished Today

2011-10-22T18:03:00.002-04:00

Here is where I started:

It's the front of a worn out leather tote bag that I cut apart last year.

I also used this vest and these fabrics/trims:

I had no pattern, but puttered around all morning and by noon, I had this:

A new animal print handbag!

I plan to use it with the jacket that is behind it in this photo:

I am pretty happy with it. Of course, there are a few areas that I wish had turned out better--namely the zipper on the top. I used the zipper from the vest.

It was finished for less than half a day before I decided to change it. :)
I added some black boa to cover the black/white animal print.
I like it better.

I have two animal print jackets that I think I can use this bag with.

I deleted a bunch of comments yesterday. Darn. I thought I was just deleting the comments in the spam folder, so when it asked if I was sure I wanted to forever delete the comments, I said yes.
So if anyone had come back and noticed their comment was gone, I am so sorry. Believe me it was not intentional.

Fall Pumpkin Block

2011-10-17T17:10:00.000-04:00

I recently made this pumpkin block, but I am not happy with it. Now that it is done, I really do not like the fabric I chose for the leaves.

I guess I will toss it in the pile of completed blocks that I don't know what to do with.

A few weeks ago I went to a quilt exhibit at our local museum. I thought this winter quilt was interesting.

Here is a close up of the snowman in the mitten:

Doesn't it look like a very warm quilt to curl up with near the Christmas tree?

This red/white quilt was DH's favorite:

Earlier this spring I finished these blocks and sewed them all into a tree skirt.

I never quilted it. Now I don't think I want it for a tree skirt! I don't know what I want to do with these blocks. I only know that it will be a pain in my ample posterior to pick it all out! Don't you just hate when you change your mind after it's all sewn? Or maybe I am the only person who does that.

Do You Want to Watch Stitched?

2011-09-27T18:21:00.001-04:00

I just spent an enjoyable 1 -1/4 hrs. sewing and watching Stitched, the documentary about three controversial art quilters, Hollis Chatelain, Randall Cook and Caryl Bryer Fallert as they create their quilts for the 2010 International Quilt Show in Houston.

Cook created quite a stir when he entered this male nude quilt in 2007.

I took this picture right on my computer as I watched the show.

I have to say this is a stunning piece of fabric art. Whether it's a "quilt" or not is where the controversary lies.

If you want to watch, Stitched, you can do it for free today and tomorrow by registering at this link.

While watching the documentary, I started my third fairy godmother, Knotzelena.

For this one I picked out all the elements I liked best from the ones I had printed. I am so looking forward to watching this one progress. She will have long hair with a knot on the top, big blue eyes, glasses, big smile, and scissors on a rope around her neck.

I had quite an enjoyable late afternoon today.

and Now I have Two

2011-09-14T08:03:00.016-04:00

I have now made two quilting fairy godmothers. You can just tell that they would have very different personalities! I have a feeling I will be doing quite a few of these this winter.

ScrapAnn is a stern, but loving fairy godmother.

I am happy with the colors I chose. I really like her red hair and purple glasses.

You can get free patterns for these at paperpanache.com.

I am Working on ScrapAnn

2011-09-12T18:42:00.000-04:00

Fall is upon us and that means I am back in my sewing mode.

I am having such fun with the fairy godmothers from paperpanache.com.

They really bring out the creative juices............this is my second one so I know what to expect; it is fun to plan the colors, etc.

Here she is so far..............

I still need to make the last section -- her dress and necklace.

Linda at paperpanache.com has now made them free forever, so you can go there and print off as many different quilting fairy godmothers as you want. If you like to paper piece, don't miss this opportunity!

I have no idea what I will end up doing with all of them, but I plan to make a few more this winter.

If you have made one, I would love to hear how you are planning to use her.

Bastezipora has been giving me Headaches all Morning!

2011-08-15T08:03:00.014-04:00

But she is finally done and I now have a quilting fairy godmother. I took her outside to get the true colors.

Do you think she will watch over me so the next one I make is less frustrating? LOL.

I really wanted one with glasses and eyeballs, so I will probably try a variation some time later.

Has anybody else made their godmother?

This is not an easy block! I am pretty experienced at paper piecing and I had tons of trouble with Bastezipora. I picked out numerous times on every unit. I put the nose unit on upside down and then I thought I had the wrong color in one tiny section, so I remade the whole unit only to find out I had it correct the first time!

Just for fun I gave her a few moles that were not on the pattern. I think I will embellish them with embroidery floss to look like hairs growing out.

If you want to try it, visit paperpanache.com. Here is the pattern page. Amazingly it's free for a short time longer. This lady puts a ton of time into making free patterns for us to enjoy. Thank you so much for this fun pattern.

First Sewing Project of the Summer

2011-08-12T09:03:00.002-04:00

I have been itching to sew something for the past couple of weeks. Yesterday I was off work and I got up early and decided to make a new blue jean purse for my mother.

I went through my stash of already made blocks for inspiration. These patriotic flying geese log cabin blocks caught my eye. This block has a total of 43 little pieces and is 7 inches high and 5 inches wide.

I went to the basement to bring up some old jeans and began cutting. Six hours later, I had this bag:

I used the side leg seam as a decorative accent. The back side is the same as the front.

I am happy with it.

Today I am planning to start my fairy guilt mother block. That should be fun.

Quilts on the Deck

2011-08-01T08:03:00.002-04:00

I have been too busy gardening to do much quilting the past few months, but that does not mean I am not enjoying my quilts.

I love to use them to transform my deck into a summer living room.

I did a full post about this on my gardening blog. I don't want to repeat the entire post, so I will just post the link. If you want to read more, just click here.

I Finished the Altered Fabric Project

2011-06-26T15:03:00.000-04:00

I sat outside on my deck tying green beads to the fabric. I used Fray Check to make sure they would not fall off.

Do you have any idea what I made?

I used that fabric to make a handbag to go with this blue shirt:

After finishing it, I wondered if I had other outfits that I could use the handbag for. I spent less than 5 minutes going through my closet and I found two more. How about green and brown?

Then I found this evergreen-colored undershirt and this light green over shirt. I think it's the best yet.

When I finished this handbag, I was thinking that I would not be using it very often. But after a very quick look though my closet, I now feel certain that I will get quite a lot of use from this unique handbag!

Altered Fabric

2011-06-23T05:44:00.000-04:00

It has been so long since I've sewn anything. Once summer gets here, I am so busy with my flowers that the sewing takes a back seat.

I still have not made anything, but I am in the process. A long time ago I read about making a unique piece of fabric by sewing a bunch of scraps in the middle of a long piece of fabric. Like this:

I just picked out pieces of fabric that I thought went with the bold blue/green/yellow fabric that you seen on the right end. Layer until you have a fairly even thickness - I did about 4 layers of scraps.

Then I folded the end piece over and folded gently a few more times to make a manageable piece to fit under the sewing machine. I did pin the ends a bit so the tiny scraps would not fall out.

Then I just sewed lines (don't even have to be the same width) down the fabric. Mine were no more than 3/4 of an inch apart.

Then take sharp scissors and cut down the center of each line, but not through the back layer.

It's OK to have pieces sticking out--that is what you want. I then put mine in a big pillow case and threw it in the washer and dryer.
When it was done, I was thrilled to have a piece of fabric that looked like this:

I am hoping to have time to finish this project this weekend so I can show you what I ended up making with my altered fabric.

Animal Print Blocks Finished

2011-05-01T07:03:00.001-04:00

These little blocks took longer to sew than I expected. I had to sew 48 black leopard stripes, 32 cheetah, and 16 zebra. I found it boring sewing 16 of the exact same blocks. The wonky cabins were much more fun because it was interesting to see how each one turned out.

So what did I do with these blocks....

Well, I am not exactly finished. I still need to sandwich, quilt and bind.

They could be a table runner or a table center mat....

but they are not either.

I went through all this work to make these:

placemats for my new Mikasa leopard dishes. All that work and you can only see about a half inch on each side!

Last night I did a pink and leopard table so I just used that to try out the mats. I probably would not use these mats with the pink, but it still gives me a good idea of how they will work.

My goal for today is to get them sandwiched. I will work on the quilting and binding during the week.

New Animal Print Project

2011-04-27T17:29:00.001-04:00

The wonky house quilt is not finished--I am still trying to decide whether to make it into a bed quilt.

I like to have numerous projects going at a time. After work today I made these four quick & easy 7-inch animal skin blocks:

I sewed them into this:

I need to make 3 more of these, which will probably not get done until the weekend. I love to make useful quilted items that are not used as bed coverings or wall hangings. I will show you what they are once I get them all finished.

I just noticed a new follower--welcome Leah!

Happy Quilting,

$40.50 for this? and New Wonky Quilt Corners

2011-04-21T19:14:00.004-04:00

Are you noticing the price of sewing supplies going up? A few weeks ago I bought 4 spools of thread and 4 packages of needles and it was $40.50!

Over $8 each for the larger spools of thread. Why does Washington keep saying there is no inflation? I guess they don't sew.

On to my project...I made some new corners for the wonky house quilt. Here is one of them:

Here it is in the corner:

Here are all four:

So far I have only sewn the middle section, so I can still make changes. What do you think? Do these corners work?

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter--Book Review

2011-04-18T18:01:00.000-04:00

At almost 30 years old, Estrella, known as Star, leads an enviable life of sponging off her hippie parents--that is until her father finally puts his foot down and demands that Star become a responsible adult. At the same time, she loses the love of her life, Theo (although she does not realize that Theo means so much to her until it is too late---or is it?)

Star likes to think of herself as an artist (not a crafter), though she makes no art. After a night of drunken stupidity, Star finds herself confronted by a local television reporter, Crafty Chloe. Despite the catchy name, Chloe hates crafts; but she will do anything to get ahead, including sleeping with her creepy boss. Star's long time friend, Ofi loves to craft and idolizes Crafty Chloe , but Ofie has no talent. Her family and friends encourage her craft neurosis, all the while hoping they are never gifted with one of her pathetic creations.

On the outside Star, Chloe, and Ofie do not seem like they would have much in common. But after Chloe snags the coveted job as host of the national craft Olympics (a career-propelling gig), and Star orders 3.5 lbs of expensive glitter, but receives 350 lbs, their three lives become intertwined.

Star attempts to sell the $5,000 worth of glitter that she put on her dad's credit card. That does not pan out as she hoped, so she devises a scheme to turn the remainder into 200 centerpieces for the craft Olympics that Chloe is hosting. Redeeming herself in her parents' eyes rests on the success of this project.

A young, rich misfit boy (Benecio), with designer aspirations also joins the centerpiece makers. Benecio is very wise for his age. Through their friendship with Benecio, the ladies begin to wake up in the land of glitter.

This is a light, fun read--perfect to curl up with on a warm spring afternoon. It is Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo's first novel.

I won this book on Heather's blog, Books and Quilts. Thank you again, Heather for introducing me to Kathy's books.

My First Fabric Win

2011-04-12T10:04:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I won some fabric from Kathy's blog, Kathy's Quilts. Kathy is from Canada and has a great quilting blog. Please take a moment to visit Kathy and be sure to say "Hi". She is a very friendly quilter.

I received the fabric today. Aren't these greens just scrumptious? And what a beautiful tulip card.

I was so excited to see word fabric. I have never used any fabric with words, but this one had the phrase "Home and Family":

How perfect is that for my wonky house quilt?

I immediately set about using it and another piece of the green fabric for this block:

Can you see it? Here is a close up:

It's subtle. But I love the idea of someone looking closely at this quilt and discovering those words.

Thank you, Kathy. This fabric is perfect for the quilt I am now working on!

Wonky Center Done

2011-04-11T10:03:00.029-04:00

Last night I made six more blocks to encircle the first house block.

So the center is now all sewn together.

For new readers, last week I did a computer mock up and I am working toward something like this:

You may have noticed that the center block is different from the example I showed earlier. I decided that I wanted more of the white polka dot fabric in the center so the white polka dot points looked like they belonged.

I really loved Gypsy Quilter's and Osage Bluff Quilter's suggestion to put a thin border around each house block. GQ even suggested orange, which I think would have been perfect. I think you were both right on target! However, that would have changed the block size and then the orange pointed star and the other blocks would not fit. Because I am too lazy to remake those, I am leaving the wonky houses unbordered.

I do plan to make a better redistribution of the colors when I actually sew the blocks on. The mock up used only the blocks I had finished and I had to make copies of the exact same houses.

West MI Quilter said she liked the white polka dots in all the corners. I am thinking I may do that, but I will make the white point larger in the last four corners. I like the orange blocks, but they take a long time to make. I am guessing that it took a good 1.5 hours to make the first four orange pointed blocks. I don't think I want to devote that much time to making four more. Maybe I can come up with something to incorporate a bit or orange as well as the white polka dot fabric.

It's always an adventure! Again thanks to everyone who commented. I really like getting input. I am not in a quilt guild, so this is my substitute.

Hope everyone has a week full of great quilting.

Taking the Wonkies to the Next Level

2011-04-08T07:03:00.029-04:00

I had planned a simple little quilt alternating wonky houses with plain blocks. But I don't really like that style of quilt. So tonight I decided to experiment with some other layouts and made these two blocks.

I was not sure I liked them and did not want to spend time making more if I was not going to use them. I decided to take a picture of the blocks, crop them to a single block and put them on my computer so I could see if I would like the finished product. I made multiple copies and moved them around until I came up with this center:

then I brought in some houses and put them all around this center.

I don't like the white polka dot points in the outer corners--too small.

I tried the orange/pink blocks in the corners and I liked those colors much better.

At the moment I think this layout has possibilities.

I need a couple of the house blocks with the white polka dot fabric so the white points make sense.

Voilal! White polka dot fabric blocks have been added and I removed one center house block on each side because it looked too crowded.

Now let's see how I can make it larger....I don't feel like making a gazillion more wonky houses, so how about just a big border of black fabric with houses in the corners?

Now I don't like the orange/pink corner blocks. I think I should try houses there.

Poof! Houses appear in the white polka dot fabric to match the center points.

Hmmm...need to think about it for awhile. Maybe the orange should be on the outside corners?

Now I am thinking that both triangles on the outside corners should be pink. It would look like an hour glass shape of pink. I may try that later. Right now I have to get to work.

Love to hear your thoughts, suggestions if you feel like sharing them.

I will set it all aside for a few days and then take a look with fresh eyes. It's amazing how I can change my mind after a day or two.

Trying out background suggestions

2011-04-07T07:03:00.001-04:00

Thanks for the suggestions!

Chris and Carol G. suggested smaller polka dots. Catskill Quilter suggested black. (Thanks for the follow Catskill!)

I searched my polka dot bin and found a combination of both.

What do you think about black with small polka dots?

My first thought is that I really like this one.

Carol G. suggested the yellow dot fabric. I think I have more of that, but don't have time to check this morning as I have to get to work. I will check out that one when I get home late this afternoon.

Please let me know if the black works.

Still Plodding Along with the Wonkies

2011-04-06T18:54:00.001-04:00

I auditioned a few colors for the alternating blocks:

Off white: OK

Polka Dot --Ouch. This hurts my eyes!

Orange - Ok

Nothing really makes my heart sing. I think I need to do something else with the wonkies. Perhaps use them as the center for a star? ...maybe a star medallion with different borders....

At the moment nothing really jumps out at me. I need to do more thinking before I find a use for these.

Your suggestions are welcome!

Marisa, thanks for the follow!!

Embrace the Bold

2011-03-30T10:03:00.001-04:00

I made a second wonky house block and changed the door/window positions.

I am much happier with the house now that it looks like a house. So I made another one. I set them out to get a feel for the overall look.

I don't like them. I have decided the brown edges that I used to tone them down need to go. Perhaps wonky blocks should not be toned down.

I embraced the boldness and came up with this one:

Now that is more like what I had in mind! I really hate to waste my time and effort, so I decided to change the fabric edges on the other three blocks so they would be useable. I did not even remove the brown edges...just sewed right over them with a scant larger seam allowance so no brown shows along the sewn edge.

In case anyone is interested the pattern for this block in from 101 Log Cabin Blocks by Linda Causee. It's number 85. I have mentioned this book before. It's full of great log cabin blocks for foundation piecing.

The flowers on my 'Roses are Red' quilt came from the same book.

You would never think those flowers were a log cabin variation, would you? Here is a close up of a flower to show you that it's made with wonkly log blocks.

There are two different flowers on the quilt. This one is a rose.

With all the fun, new quilt patterns out there, I still love the log cabin pattern.

I won! I won! and a new Wonky House Block

2011-03-28T17:26:00.000-04:00

Recently I entered a contest on Heather's blog, Books and Quilts. It was a publisher's give-a-way for two books from the Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo. I remember coming across Kathy's blog over a year ago, but I did not even realize that she was an author. Since Heather posted these books, I have googled a bit and found out she is indeed the same crafty chica that I found months ago.

I was totally surprised and thrilled to get an email a week ago that I had won these books.

Today I received the two books. Aren't they beautiful? I just love that glitter.

I am excited to find an author who centers her novels around the lives of women with a passion to create.

Very soon I will set my sewing machine aside and begin reading about these sassy craft divas.

I am expecting some light entertainment—along the same lines of the culinary mystery novels I love to read.

Thank you, again, Heather, for the opportunity to discover Kathy Cano-Murillo’s books! I am really looking forward to getting hooked on craft genre fiction.

I just made a wonky house block.

hmmmm...I think it's too wonky for me! That door is way too big and the shutter is too long.....I guess that's why it's wonky...

I was planning to keep the brown last border the same on all the blocks to provide an anchor. I think I will make four blocks to make sure I don't like it. It's pretty difficult to really make a decision with just one block.

Surprises in my Cedar Chest

2011-03-25T17:56:00.000-04:00

It's been months since I have been able to open this chest because all winter long, I have had sewing projects piled on top of it. After a sewing room cleaning last week, I was able to open it today. I was surprised to find some of the items on top!

Like my sewing machine manual. I was looking for this last month.

Dig a few inches down and I find a gazillion patterns for curtains, pillows and valances...

The next layer reveals this chicken denim block. I don't even remember making it!

I remember making other chicken blocks from this pattern, but not this one in denim.

Ah, there is that Christopher Lowe pattern for a round table!
I really could have used it this winter when I brought my big round coffee table up from the basement.

On second thought, I guess it's a good thing the pattern was hidden as I am planning to change the color scheme in the family room this year, so if I had made a table cover, it probably would no longer match.

Sometimes things work out for the best.

I was looking for an apron pattern. I know I have purchased at least three apron patterns and never used them. I am thinking the applique poodle pattern I showed a few posts ago would be cute on an apron.

I have only dug down about 4 inches and all of this was revealed. So who knows what I will find when I dig deeper--that apron pattern may be down there somewhere!

It's like finding hidden treasures. What fun!

Cupcake Table Runner is Finished

2011-03-20T10:40:00.000-04:00

In honor of the occasion, I made some cupcakes.

Here it is on the floor, so you can see the ends.

Now it's time to clean up my sewing room and then think of my next project so I can dirty it all up again!

Sushi for Your Tootsies

2011-03-18T05:53:00.002-04:00

Now this is a unique give-a-way!

Heather, from Books and Quilts, is giving away a pair of sushi socks! You can enter by going to this post and leaving a sushi-related comment. Heather publishes a lot of good book reviews, so while you are there, you may want to look around the blog to see if you can find some new reading material.

Have fun!

Cupcake Table Runner - continued

2011-03-16T18:03:00.001-04:00

I had about 20 minutes to spare before leaving for work this morning. I made good use of the time by sewing on the ends of my cupcake runner.

If you have been reading my blog, you know that I like my runners to end with a triangle. I used the six-inch block above and added light yellow triangles to each side to make it fit my 12-inch block.

I cut off the dog ears, sewed it on and let it sit until I got home from work this afternoon.

After getting home and changing into comfortable clothing (jammies), I ironed the muslin backing, sandwiched the runner, changed to a brand new needle and began outline quilting.

Good grief...how did I get that small pucker! ARRRGGGG....I can never seem to quilt something without at least one pucker. Well, at least the stitches look good. So far I am happy. I should be able to show you the completed project this weekend.

Free Poodle Pattern

2011-03-15T13:13:00.001-04:00

Is this not the cutest thing ever?

I got my email newsletter from The Quilt Show today and found this adorable poodle pattern offered for free, so I went and downloaded it. Wouldn't this make the cutest quilt for a little girl's bedroom? Unfortunately I have no little girls, so I don't know what I will do with this.

Here's the write up from the newsletter:

Get Free Applique Patterns

We know that you who have watched Episode 806 with Verna Mosquera were charmed by her delightful designs. Verna graciously sent TQS the templates for the poodle and purse featured in her newest quilt "Paris". Check out the Projects page for the downloadable templates, so that you can make your own charming block into a pillow, purse, or mini wall hanging. You can check it out at http://www.thequiltshow.com/

I think you have to be a member, but you can get a free membership.

A Cupcake Quilt Block should Look Chocolatey--Don't you think?

2011-03-14T09:02:00.034-04:00

What a pleasant surprise to get home today and find that Anne and Dandelion and Daisy are new followers. Welcome. I hope I live up to your expectations!

I was away most of the weekend, so I did not do much sewing. Before I left early Saturday morning, I did make a couple of new cupcake star blocks. I changed the four double-point blocks to something wider and added a dark chocolate color for the center point. I like this better.

On the next star, I changed the center cupcake block. I used the dull polka-dot fabric for the smaller inside square and then made the large square in the same dark chocolate swirl fabric.

This one has my favorite cupcake. I love the cherry on top.

I do need three 12-inch cupcake stars for the table runner. I tried the striped cupcake block (the one that Patti correctly identified as for the "younger at heart", which I took to mean more whimsical).

I like the whimsy, but it just won't go with this runner, so I will have to make another cupcake center. I think I will be able to use the skinner points as I want the center block to be different than the other two. I plan to use a bit of the dark chocolate to tie the center block in with the two ends.

I decided to finish the 5 four-inch sections needed to complete the center before I post this. I am watching 'Cupcake Wars' on FoodTV as I sew. How appropriate is that? LOL.

Here is the new center:

Now I will put in even more of the chocolate brown with the last four sections:

Much better! I am happy that I could salvage the double point blocks as they take a little more time to make.

So here are all the sections (not yet sewn together) as well as as the beginning of a YUM banner:

I feel pretty good about getting this much done today!

Cupcake Star Block

2011-03-09T17:02:00.004-05:00

First of all, let me welcome my latest follower -- Jeannie. Thanks so much for following me, Jeannie. I would send a personal email, but I can't figure out just how to do that. I don't have hundreds of followers, like many blogs I read, but I really appreciate the few I have! Thanks to all of you who follow me.

Here is my first cupcake star. I can't decide if it's a tad too blah. My initial thought is that the center polka dot fabric is too dull, but the more I look at it, the more I think maybe it's just fine. The pink & brown dots are perfect colors for the cupcake, but their background might be a bit off. Most of the cupcakes have a green background (see below), so I like the green points.

I am happy that I used the thin strips from the wasted cupcake blocks for the skinny star points. In order to have a quarter-inch seam allowance, every other row (see the section I am holding) is wasted..................

make that, was wasted until I found a use for them with the skinny star points.

I decided to try one with this striped fabric:

This morning when I made this one, I liked it best. But now I wonder if it may be a tad too bright. I have not made the rest of the star yet. As I write this post, I think I am liking the top colors better.

What do you think? I would love to hear your comments.

Block Reveal

2011-03-08T09:02:00.000-05:00

I completed the block I hinted at yesterday.

I started with a dresden plate block - actually a partial dresden block that I attached to a 14-inch background square. Any idea from this picture what it is?

#2 - I added the brown circle.

#3 - Ah, here is that free hand piece I showed yesterday. This may give you a better of idea of what it will be.
#4 - some facial features--now I bet you know what it is.

#5 - some big yellow feet.

#6 - a hat

and the finished Thanksgiving turkey block. I think he is just adorable! What do you think?

I will be making another one and then turning them both into a table runner.

This was so much fun!

I Have an Outhouse Hanging in My Kitchen

2011-03-07T10:03:00.006-05:00

Yesterday morning I hung a couple of wonky house pot holders on my kitchen glass cabinet. I call this one an outhouse because of the tall skinny shape.

I love using my painted wooden kitchen utensils to display the pot holders.
I added another wonky house on a wooden fork below the first one.

Then I went to my sewing room and I started a new project. I chain pieced a bunch of these:

I free handed this:

and a few other patterns to use on this block. I bet you are wondering what the heck I could be making with these rather primitive-looking patterns. Well, I will show that later in the week when I get the block finished. It's really a fun project!

Sunday morning I went to Joanne's and I bought 1/2 yd of this cupcake fabric:

You know how I have been into cupcake projects lately. I could not resist these little cupcake squares. I am planning to use them for the center of some star blocks--I will have to waste six cupcakes to get one cupcake with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. I do not have a real project in mind just yet, but I will probably putter around a bit this week and see what happens.

The Tropical Love Birds are Finished

2011-03-05T15:34:00.002-05:00

This is definitely not a beginner's block!

I had quite a few little problems with fabric placement on this block. Some I just left incorrect because the greens are only a shade apart anyway, some I gel-penned over, like this yellow that should be green and I ripped out a couple of sections and redid them. I was afraid I would have to throw this out after all the hours I had put into in. But I think it looks OK now.

I am not sure what I will do with it.

For the past week or so I have been having a problem with thumbnails not showing up for my posts. I have discovered that the first image of my post must be put in under the "Edit HTML" tab. It seems Blogger is having some problems. I inserted the first image under the "compose" mode and nothing was showing up. After I inserted the same image while in "Edit HTML", it works. I decided to amend this post with this info in case anybody else is having the same problem.

Tropical Love Birds

2011-03-02T10:02:00.000-05:00

Two days ago I got my monthly email from SILVER LININGS ORIGINALS, a website with great paper-piecing patterns. If you sign up for the newsletter, she sends a free pattern every month for this year's quilt called, TREASURES FROM THE RAINFOREST.

I love the colors in this quilt - vibrant greens/blues.

Shes uses colors instead of numbers to identify which color to sew in which space. So the first thing I did was tape pieces of fabric to the color guide. I am still not quite used to seeing a pink square which really means to sew green. My patterns usually have Gr1, Gr2, Gr3, etc. So far I have only made three blocks. I am sure I will get used to the color chart as I continue on.

If you look up in the left corner of the color guide, you will see what the finished block will look like. I am thinking of trying that yellow/black fabric for the breast....still not positive on that. I will see how it looks when I get that far.

I think this will be a fun series.

Cupcake Log Cabin Blocks

2011-02-28T09:02:00.005-05:00

I only did about an hour of sewing this weekend, which was just enough to add log cabin strips around these cupcake blocks that I made last week.

After reading Mary-Frances' post about strip piecing, on Outside the Line , I suddenly had the desire to finish my blocks. I pulled out an old bag of 1.5-inch log cabins strips that I thought looked cupcakey. These colors remind me of sherbet--I guess a scoop of sherbet goes with a cupcake, right?
.

I then found a bag of bluish colors and used them for the second side.

Here are the finished blocks:

So now I have the cupcake towel I made a week ago and these 4 cupcake things--not yet sure what they will be.

Oh, dear, I just noticed that I forgot all the cherry stems on the new blocks. I will probably have to go back and add them tonight.

Not Your Grandma's Dresden Plate Blocks

2011-02-21T16:26:00.000-05:00

Here is another table that combines my two hobbies of quilting and table setting.

I made six of these Dresden Plate quilt blocks. Don't you think the name 'Dresden Plate' is so fitting for what I decided to do with them?

Here they are without the dishes, so you can see them.

In my final table you could only see the tips of them.

I really love when I am able to make quilted items that are not used in the normal way, but thay fit my lifestyle.

Happy Quilting,

My Quilting Weekend

2011-02-20T16:18:00.000-05:00

I spent most of my weekend making little quilts with these fabrics:

This was my first pattern to test out the color scheme.

I decided I liked it.

So I used the same fabrics to make this little quilt:

Depending on how you look at it, you see big black X's or blue and green stars.

Then I made an applique rooster block (because I love roosters!)

This pattern is another free pattern. You can find it here.

These are the 3 mini quilts I made this weekend. They were fun to make and I will use them as trivets for hot dishes.

Dresden Plate Free Pattern for Bev

2011-02-14T09:00:00.002-05:00

Bev recently asked me where she could find a dresden plate pattern like the pink one I used for this mini tree skirt. The one I used is from McCall's and you can get it here. If you click on the original posting link above, I gave a few hints on how I put it together.

I also use this pattern for dinner plate chargers. It's the perfect size to go under a plate and can really give a bit of zing to your table setting.
This weekend I made some in red and black.

I finished these edges by machine with a satin stitch--much easier than the tree skirt edges.

So, Bev, thanks for stopping by and I hope the pattern is what you were looking for.

Cupcake Towel

2011-02-12T14:59:00.001-05:00

This was a fun one to make. Who does not like cupcakes, especially without the calories! I played around with chocolate and strawberry frosting until I finally decided on the pink color scheme.

I like how this turned out, but I think I could have used a better fabric for the ruffle. This fabric happened to be in the same room where I was sewing and I thought it worked well enough to save me from going down to the basement at 6:00a.m. to find a different fabric. In a perfect world I would have had a pink fabric with red cherries on my sewing room shelf.

I used Wonder-Under web adhesive instead of pins to hold the cupcakes while I sewed. It worked much, much better than pins.

I also fussy cut the top layer from this fabric, which I think added a little something to the cupcake.

I spaced the cupcakes so the towel could be displayed folded in thirds as well as fully opened.

I used this free pattern from WeeFolkArt.com as my starting point, then changed it to meet my needs of a higher cupcake.

This was a super fun project. I think it would make a cute gift to go along with a dozen cupcakes to give a friend for Valentine's day or any other occasion.

Silly Chicken Dish Towel

2011-02-11T10:03:00.008-05:00

Yesterday I bought a couple packs of white dish towels because I wanted to embellish them.

I was going to do some hearts, but then I came across a lone silly chicken block that was already completed and thought I would use that instead.
I did not want to just sew the entire block on the towel, so I cut around the chicken

and just used a satin stitch to attach him.

I added some finger-pleated fabric at the bottom and a row of ric-rac above that.

In just a short time my towel was complete. This is what it looked like straight out of the package:

It was a quick, fun and inexpensive project. The towels were on sale at K*mart, 2 for $3. I think I will go back and buy a few more this weekend.

I have posted the source for the silly chicken block a few times before. It's another freebie from Quilter's Cache. You can get it here.

January Jumble Block Completed

2011-02-08T17:01:00.002-05:00

January Jumble (I love that name!) is another free block that I found at the EQ Blog. I don't know how long it will be available, but right now you can print it out here. This is another small block -- 6-inches, I believe.

They have patterns for rotary cutting, foundation piecing and templates. So even you don't paper piece, you can make this one.

You can also send in a picture of your block and enter a contest. I did not do that, but some of you may want to.

I've been on a posting theme of free Internet patterns lately. I know I always think it's a bonus if I read someone's blog and they direct me to a new pattern, so maybe one of my recent posts will inspire someone to begin a new (free) project. 'Ya gotta love the FREE part!

Free Snowman Quilt Paper Pieced Block

2011-02-07T18:34:00.000-05:00

While attempting to tidy up my sewing room, I came across a pattern that I printed out some time ago. I decided to make it up and see how quickly it went.

In about 30 minutes I had this little guy completely done.

I found this FREE pattern at FourTwinSisters.com. A huge thank you to the lady at that site who makes great patterns and gives them away. I am always amazed at how generous these people are.

Here are a few tips to get this one done fast. Instead of embroidering the eyes and buttons, I just used a black Sharpie. I used my sewing machine for the stick arms. I also altered the hat top to eliminate the four teeny tiny pieces. It was so much easier to use one piece for the hat instead of five.

I think he's cute and plan to make a few more to use for....................????????????????.........who knows! I am sure I will come up with something next fall when I am in the mood to think of Christmas items.

If you want to make one, just go to FourTwinSisters.com. I can't remember exactly what page of the site, but just look for free patterns. It's an interesting site and you may find something else you like there.

I Made this Mystery Block in December

2011-02-04T10:03:00.013-05:00

The solution was revealed this morning on the Paper Panache site, so I can now show it.

It's mistletoe. I added the green border and turned it into a big counter mat. You can see some of the other versions here. I always like to see how others interpreted the color choices, etc.
This block is no longer available, but the new mystery is posted. I will be printing it out and doing it soon. It's free (very generous of the pattern maker!), so if you want to do it, too, just go to paperpanache.com and click on the mystery section.

This is the same site where I purchased all of the Christmas blocks I have been showing you. I think the cardinal was once a free mystery block, but I did not get him at that time. They only remain free for a couple of months and then they eventually are for sale. Thank you all for your kind comments on the cardinal block. I am happy that you can't notice the two mistakes!

I wish you all a positively pleasant perpetually piecing productive weekend!

Cardinal Paper Pieced Quilt Block is Finished

2011-02-03T10:03:00.011-05:00

I just started it last night and it's already finished -- I did not time it, but I would guess it took a good three hours total. I was pretty happy with this. It seemed like I had no big boo boos. Then as I was removing the back paper, I found two mistakes. I could just feel my face fall as I spotted a sewing line (and then a second one) that had no stitches--ARRRRRGGGGGG. That is not a good feeling when you have a block completed.

I am missing one green leaf and the dark pine cone top left edge should have been medium brown, not that dark brown. Now I will have to make another one to get it right.

The mistakes are not really that major. The beauty of pine branches is that they are all different, right? :)

I have no idea what I will end up doing with it. Right now it's going on the stack of the other winter/Christmas blocks I finished the past few weeks. This block finishes at 12 x 12 inches. It might make a nice winter pillow for a sofa.

This is another one of the five patterns I recently purchased at Paper Panache. Now I have just two left to make. I am not sure when the mood will strike to make another one.

Here's a Little Hint of What I am Working on Now

2011-02-02T10:02:00.002-05:00

After more than a week of no paper piecing, I was ready to start something new. It's always so exciting to see a new block progress.

Last night I got this far:

I think you got a pretty good "hint" of what the block will be! I will probably finish it after work tonight.

I also finished quilting this UFO (table runner) and have the binding ready to hand sew on the backside.

I like to save hand binding for TV watching. I rarely sit down in the family room to watch TV, but if I do, I need a project to do. Are you like that, too?

I am still hoping to begin hand quilting this king-sized quilt (104 inches square) very soon.

Geez, I sure hope I have picked the paper off this -- maybe that is why I have not begun to quilt it---can you imagine picking paper off this monster--it's entirely paper pieced. I actually call it "Birds of a Feather" as the center and each corner has a bird block. Patti, do you remember this one, now?

If I remember correctly, the bird patterns in this quilt came from Linda Causee's book, "365 Foundation Quilt Blocks". I made the quilt in 2007, so it's about time I get it finished and on the bed! I shall have to find it and see if the paper is still on. It will be a real bummer if it is!

I Have Had a Very Productive 2011

2011-01-23T17:11:00.000-05:00

at least so far!

Look at all the blocks I have completed!

These are the ones I like.

I also completed a few duds:

I had high expectations for these tea cup blocks. I thought they would be great in turquoise and black....such an "in" color combo....................unfortunately I did not like them at all.

I ended up turning the first tea cup into a pot holder/trivet.
That's what I do with all the dud blocks I make.
So far I have not done anything with the second tea cup. Eventually it, too, will be a hot pad.

What do you do with your duds?

Valentine Table Runner is Finished

2011-01-22T13:40:00.000-05:00

Don't you hate when this happens?

Arrrrgggg...I did not realize I had the center heart upside down until it was finished.

This was my 8th heart block this week and I was getting bored with them, so I decided to leave it as is. I don't sweat the small stuff...depending on which side of the table runner you are sitting at, the heart would look upside down anyway.

This morning I began designing a runner. I just sewed the hearts in two rows of 4 each. I considered leaving it at that, but it looked pretty dull and I just can't force myself to leave a runner with a square end. So I made a triangle for each end. I liked that better. I traced around a set of heart cookie cutters to quilt the center white spaces. I did it by machine. I have gotten to the point where I can use my machine for simple quilting on small items.

Then as I was rummaging through my pre-made binding drawer, I came across a small piece of pink edging that just happened to be the perfect size to put on each end of this runner.

Now I love it! It's so bright and cherry. My sweet husband just happened to bring me some mini carnations today and I made this little centerpiece which worked great with my new runner.

I still finish the back side of the binding by hand if I am making anything but a pot holder. That still needs to be done on this one. I will finish it while watching TV this weekend.

Valentine Hearts

2011-01-16T17:13:00.000-05:00

I felt like working with pink and red today. I find it such a cheery color combo.

I decided to search the net for a simple crazy patchwork heart foundation that was free for personal use. There are a lot of them, but I chose this one because I like the size of the patches as well as the completed block size.

Both blocks are 6 x 6-inches. If you want them just go here and here. They are both by Carol Doak and easy peasy to complete -- less than 15 minutes each.

I don't know yet what I will be doing with them. Right now just the looking at the colors make me feel happy. They may become a Valentine's Day table runner...we shall see.

Nutcracker Paper Pieced block is finished

2011-01-15T10:53:00.000-05:00

I made a little slide show so you could see how this block progressed.

I love this guy! He was a lot easier to make than Mr. Snowman. The only pieces that were just a tad difficult were the three with the facial features.

Who would guess that this little triangle would be the mouth, teeth, lips and nose!

Here is the right side of the same triangle:

Still does not look much like facial features, does it?

Here it is in the completed block--much more identifiable.

My First Section of a New Project

2011-01-11T16:25:00.003-05:00

I am tired of sewing snowmen so this afternoon I started a new project--the Christmas nutcracker. This is the last section of the new project (I felt like doing an easy piece so I pulled out this section with big pieces):

I think he is going to be much easier than the snowman block. He has just 13 sections and a number of those are easy like this one. I have only 12 sections to go, so I hope to show you the completed project by Sunday. My big dilemma now is should I dress him in a more traditional red/gold striped pants or a fun red/green polka dots?

I completed four of the five-hour-each snowman blocks. Each one is different, which made it more interesting for me to sew them.

I will be looking forward to next December so I can use all of my new creations!

2010 Projects-- Handbags, Trivets, Flower Pins, Banners and even a Quit or Two!

2011-01-04T17:09:00.000-05:00

For me 2010 was the year of the handbag!

My favorite one is the blue jean/leather one in the middle. I actually have used them all as they were all made to match certain outfits.

2009 was the year of the table runner (I made tons of table runners in '09--click to see them)

In 2010, I think I made only one table runner and it is only pieced, not completed:

In 2010, I made very few quilts. In fact, I did not finish a single quilt, but I did piece these two:

I also had fun making these flower pins, which I wore in my hair or on jackets:

I also made some hot pads/trivets, which I gave as hostess gifts when I was invited to dinner at someone's home:

I made a few banners which were really fun to decorate with. This is the Thanksgiving banner:

But my favorite project of 2010 is the snowman paper-pieced blocks that I just made last week. I have completed 3 so far:

All in all it was not my most productive year, but it was my most FUN year, as I made small items that I could really use.

What about you? Was 2010 a productive year?

Valentine's Day Sewing

2011-01-03T05:36:00.000-05:00

This small letter flowerette is the only thing I sewed all weekend---and the only sewing on it is some hand ruffling with embroidery thread for strength. It took more time to make the letter on my computer than to sew it.

I had a vision of a Valentine centerpiece and I wanted to get it started before the vision dissipated. I will keep you posted should the entire centerpiece ever come to fruition.

Zebra Tapestry Fabric

2010-12-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

I was at Joanne's Fabric store yesterday afternoon and I bought 8 yards of this zebra tapestry fabric.

It was on the flat fold table and was $6.00/yd. They had 50% off that table, so it was reduced to $3/yd. Then I used my 20% off card they sent me, which was going to expire on Friday. So I paid less than $2.50/yd! What a bargain!

This morning I started cutting and sewing. I did not realize what a mess tapestry fabric is--threads everywhere--I had to use some sticky lint remover sheets to get it off the carpet. By the way, that's a good tip--if you have tons of threads on the floor and don't want them to get tangled in your vacuum cleaner, lint remover sheets work great to get the majority off the floor.

After about 4 hours, I had my project done. Any idea what I might be making? Did you notice that plate up toward the top of the first photo? That zebra plate is the reason I bought this fabric.

You can see what I did with it by clicking here to get to my tablescape blog.

What a fun project day I had! This entire project took less time than making one of the paper-pieced snowman blocks!

It Takes 5 hours to Make One of these Paper-Pieced Snowman Blocks

2010-12-28T13:11:00.000-05:00

I know that because I just finished sewing for 5 straight hours to complete one--not even a coffee break (If anyone is considering buying this pattern from Paper Panache, I thought you might like to get an idea of the time involved). This guy is so darn cute that I think he is worth every minute.

Now I have two somewhat different snowmen.

Of course I made a few time-consuming errors, like having to redo this piece because I did not leave a seam allowance. I did not discover the error until I was sewing all the sections together and this one did not quite fit.

I could not believe I did that! I also missed the same arm piece I messed up on the first block and had to do a little picking out and resewing. I think I could complete a block in an hour less if I did not have to fix any errors.

I like scarf #2 way better than #1. Right from the pattern picture I did not like the scarf with that contrasting band through the middle, so this time I made everything blend in. I also like the darker brown arms on #2.

I plan to make them all slightly different. It's much more fun than making the exact same block six times. I think the gift will be the blue/green polka dot fabric of the tree in #2. Maybe #3 will have a purple hat and scarf and a red bow on the gift...if I use some of the same fabrics then they will all go together when placed around the table. I will have to make at least one more with the lighter arms, so he does not stick out from all the others.

My challenge to myself is to make the next one without having to redo any of the 20 units! (I thought there were only 19 sections, but I just counted and there are 20) I probably won't show any more until I get them all done. I am hoping to have them done by the end of January. If I don't do them all right away, I will end up using the fabric I need for something else. Been there, done that--way too many times!

Gifts from My Talented Sister

2010-12-27T16:15:00.002-05:00

I have a sister who also loves to sew. She has five sewing machines--Juki quilting machine, embroidery machine, serger, etc. We had our family Christmas Eve party at her home. I left with all of this loot!

The peace sign fabric items are luggage tags. There is a rice pack, a little make-up bag, a pin cushion, some mittens, a pair of knitted socks, and a little sewing accessory holder that goes over the arm of a favorite chair.

She took us all into her sewing room and had us pick items from her boxes of neatly-organized gifts, like these pincushions....

The mittens have nice embroidery detail. Here we all are modeling our mittens:

Oh, I almost forgot--she also made us all a pair of knitted slippers. I am wearing them right now. Hang on while I run to get my camera and take a picture.

Look how they match my polka dot holiday jammies!

Thank you Sister T for all the wonderful gifts. You are a very generous sewer/knitter.

Snowman Chair Covers?

2010-12-26T16:08:00.001-05:00

It was not quite as easy as I expected to complete all the sections for Mr. Snowman. I had three wrong pieces in this pre-assembly jigsaw, which I did not discover until I began sewing them all together. Tiny lettering of bl2 and br2 are pretty hard to differentiate when you are sewing along in a paper piecing daze--I had a blue tree trunk and a blue hand before I redid them.

But I finally figured it all out and got the 16-inch block finished.

Now I am thinking of making 5 more and turning them into chair covers for my dining room. I pinned one on a different chair cover to get an idea of what it would look like. Hmmmm...perfect size....

I could use them for at least six weeks each year. It would be a lot of work to make five more and then make the covers, but I have 11 months to get them finished. We shall see.

Aimee, is the gift box the polka dot fabric you were asking about? If so, it came from Joanne's just a few weeks ago. Since Joanne's is the only fabric store in my town, most of my fabric comes from there.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last few hours of their Christmas weekend. I know I had a busy and fun weekend. It feels good, though, to have it all over. Now I can just sit at the computer and check out the blogs.

Mr. Snowman has only 3 More Pieces to Go

2010-12-23T05:22:00.000-05:00

I sewed for about two hours and accomplished a lot last night.

Once I get the last three pieces down, I have to figure out to the puzzle goes together. . . not always an easy task!

Snowman Paper-Pieced Block is Underway

2010-12-22T16:06:00.001-05:00

I was thrilled Saturday to get my Paper Panache patterns. I decided to make the snowman first. Whoa---there are a lot of pieces to this 16-inch block- A to T - I think that is 19 different sections. These patterns come without the seam allowances, so I had to cut them all out and then add seam allowances to each piece before I could even begin to sew. That is a major task and I don't really like doing it. It set me back at least a day in beginning to sew.

Here are all 19 sections---I bet you are thinking that they don't look all that intimidating.

Finally this morning I was ready to begin sewing. I only had about twenty minutes before I had to leave for work so I picked three pieces that should have been very easy to sew. I guess I was trying to hurry too much because I made two mistakes and had to redo them!

Now that I am home from work, I am ready to sew a few more. Here are the 3 completed sections and the 16 sections that still need sewing...

I think they may look slightly more intimidating when viewed individually! I just hope I don't continue to make silly errors like I did this morning!

That's My Plan, But I Can't Guarantee that I will Stick to it!

2010-12-17T09:22:00.002-05:00

My mind was racing like crazy this morning as I thought about what to do with the tree blocks.

Since they are snowy, they would look great with the 16-inch snowman block that I ordered from Paper Panache. I just need to figure out how to make them fit as a border. Why do I always do this backwards? If I had made the snowman first, then I would have made the tree blocks at whatever size I needed. But, no, that would make too much sense! LOL. Anyway I already made the trees as 7-inch finished blocks, so that is what I need to work with.

So I will need to add a border around the snowman block - 5 inches to get to 21 which is divisible by 7. Since there are two sides, the border needs to be half of 5 inches, or 2.5 inches.

So I am thinking a snowball block would be perfect. Imagine the snowballs being white, not blue as you see here with my amateurish attempt see what it would look like.

I think I would also need to add a .75-inch border around the snowman to make the 2.5-inch snowballs fit..don't even try to follow my mathematical thought line.....I am confused myself! This pic is not to scale - I would need 7 2.5" snowballs across the bottom + one in each corner. 9 snowballs x 2.5 inches = 22.5 inches. Snowman block at 16 inches + .75 inch border + .75 inch border + 2.5 snowball + 2.5 snowball = 22.5 inches! It sounds like it would work.

It would like something like this:

and this part would finish at 35 x 35 inches. It would be a nice medallion center for a king-size quilt. But, oh my, that would be a ton more work. I think I will have to think of something smaller.

Winter Tree Blocks

2010-12-16T18:45:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting to get the new foundation pieced patterns I ordered. I thought for sure they would be here today and was disappointed to see they were not when I got home from work. I guess it takes a few days longer than normal to get from CA to MI during the holiday rush.

Since I had the urge to sew I settled on some 7-inch winter tree blocks.

These three traditional trees took a bit less than one hour to complete. They are nice, but predictable. I decided to do three more contemporary trees.

I like these fun polka dot trees. They are so whimsical. I wonder how they would work together with the traditional blocks.....

I think I like them together. What do you think? I have no idea what I will do with these, but I have satisfied my urge to create something tonight. One day they will tell me what they should be.

It's so Exciting to Begin a New Mystery Block

2010-12-09T18:22:00.001-05:00

Paper Panache just put out the new mystery block. It is Christmas themed, and I am in the mood to make a Christmas block, so I started it today.
There are a lot of pieces to this one.

and only 5 fabrics. These are the 5 I chose with guidance from the directions.

They are pretty dull. I hope the block looks better when it's finished.

I made Block A and was surprised to see what evolved.

Before I made this block, I thought that it would be some sort of Christmas star....... now I am baffled.....obviously this is a bow, but it seems way too big to be a gift under a tree (as the color of he fabric would lead me to believe).

These mysteries are such fun. If you want to do it, too, you can get the free pattern here.

There are also patterns for sale on this site. I have been enjoying the free patterns for the past couple of years and decided it was time I bought something. So very early yesterday morning, I bought six of the cutest patterns! One of them was this newly-created snowman. How adorable!
I can't wait to start him. If you want to see the other patterns I bought, I posted them on my other blog yesterday. Click here.

Is anyone else doing this mystery block?

Here is What my Latest Project Became

2010-11-07T16:51:00.001-05:00

I spent my extra hour today, reading blogs and finishing up my project.

Here is what those little bits of fabric morphed into:

A banner for Thanksgiving.

Here is a close-up of the bottom:

and the top:

When I first finished it, I had no idea where I would put it. In fact it was so long that I did not even think I had a place where it would fit! I was quite pleased when I finally found a place where it would work.

I also changed my bed quilt this morning after I washed and made up the bed with those 1200 thread-count sheets. I put my multi-colored log cabin on the bed.

It's a bit heavier than the one I had on. I need something heavy for the cold winter that will be here soon.

So I have had a good Sunday. I hope you all did, too.

I am so Excited to Be Starting a New Project

2010-11-03T18:43:00.000-04:00

With all the home improvement projects we have done in the past three months, I have had little time to sew--for the past 30 days, I could not even get to the sewing machine.

It felt good tonight to start something new.

Any idea what this could be?

How about now?

This should be a quick after-work project. I hope to show the completed item by this weekend.

Making Progress on the Denim Bag and Poor Service from Charter Cable

2010-10-27T18:29:00.000-04:00

I have been home from work for over 3 hours and Charter cable TV has been out since I got home-- who knows when it actually went out. So far at least 3 hours--I am not very happy with Charter cable TV--every time it rains hard, snows hard, or we have high winds--it goes out. One might think that Charter would remove that day from one's bill--HA! Never have I seen any reduction in my bill due to their outages. Very poor customer service! If you have options where you live, Don't take Charter!

Since I cannot watch any TV, I have been sewing. I made an identical back for the denim/vinyl bag and added denim gussets:

So far I have no "shaggy" bag components. I think I may add some to the side gussets and then to the strap. I will sew this leg seam to the sides and then cut it at 1/4-inch intervals to make it ravel.

People seem to like the "shaggy" aspects of these bags. That is fine with me because it is so much easier to make a shaggy strap to flop over one's shoulder.

I still have to make the lining, which is just like making a second bag--slightly more work because I have to add snaps to the top.

I probably won't finish this bag until next week because tomorrow night I have to clean out this room for carpet cleaning. I just hope I remember where I put all of the elements I need to complete this one!

I Had the Urge to Create after Work Today

2010-10-26T17:18:00.000-04:00

So I made one four-inch block with denim and black vinyl.

Then I made two blocks:

and before long I had 4 blocks... I see a new blue jean/with-vinyl-accents purse in my near future!

Not too happy with the bottom seam...but it will stay. I think I can embellish this once it is done to hide that sloppy sewing. This measures 8 inches, so I will probably add a border to make it a tad larger....As I like to do, I have no plans, so who knows what it will end up as!

Stay tuned..........I will post a picture when I finish it.

Halloween Shaggy Bluejeans Bag

2010-10-21T16:54:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, I spent about six hours making a Halloween shaggy bag.

This side has a pumpkin. I have used this same pumpkin last year for a table runner. Some of you may remember it.

It is on my dining room table right now.

The other side of the bag has a witch.

Here is a close up:

I have also made a table runner from this same witch block.

I think this will be a fun bag to use during the week of Halloween. For most people it would be way too costly to buy a handmade bag just to use for a week each year. But for those of us who sew, our only cost is a few hours of our time...most of which we find quite pleasurable.

I plan to carry this bag on a Halloween weekend getaway. Fun, fun, fun!

Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How Lovely will your Tree Skirt Be

2010-09-08T15:23:00.006-04:00

Right after Christmas last year, I started a new tree skirt. I finished what seemed like a zillion 5-inch squares (Ok, only 50 of them), then put them in a bag and forgot about them until yesterday.

I pulled out the bag and decided that I needed to get it done soon since I want to use it this year. So I have been sewing a bit the past couple of days and I finally have all the 5-inch blocks sewn into 15-inch squares.
Now I just have to decide how to arrange them, then sew all of the blocks together and the top will be done! Whooooooo hooooooooo! Of course, I still must make the quilt sandwich and then hand quilt it. That is why I must get started on this. It will take a long time to quilt it. I am not even going to attempt to machine quilt. I am tired or ruining everything by my sorry machine quilting.

Everything was going fast and smooth until I started sewing the 15-inch blocks together. After the first row, I discovered this:
Oh no! I forgot to sew one of the pieces on this 5-inch block and did not even realize it. Now I have to pick out 30 inches of 1.5-inch stitches!!! And then another 15 inches (3 sides)) to replace this block. That's enough to knock my enthusiasm back a few weeks.

Shaggy Bags

2010-09-06T05:34:00.002-04:00

I have been busy designing and sewing these shaggy denim bags. This is my favorite.

They are so much fun to make.

I found a model for this one:

It goes nicely with his outfit.

I made a haul at Joanne's last Friday.
My next project plan is to make a bag from those animal prints and black denim.

I Finally Made the First Cut--and it Felt so Good

2010-08-30T05:20:00.008-04:00

I have mentioned before how I painstakingly hand quilted this king-sized blue jeans quilt only to find that it was way too heavy to use.

For the past few years, it has been sitting in a box in the basement taking up valuable space while I tried to think of another way to use it.

Sunday I thought of another use. I took the scissors and made the first cut--snip, snip, snip.....I happily snipped until I had long lengths that were two blocks high with the binding intact.

Then I stuffed one block under the mattress and ended up with a nice heavy bed skirt that stays exactly where it is supposed to!
I still have a lot left and am thinking of making two window scarfs...stay tuned for that. I am so much happier now that I have found a use for it.

I spent some time over the weekend working on a couple of new denim projects.
I am nearly done with the fist one and will show it to you soon.

Fall is almost here--quilting season is just beginning!

This Smells Like a Scam

2010-07-28T05:57:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I received this box of 3 books (2 are on backorder), a tote bag and a cloth picture frame with a welcome-to-the-club letter.

I never joined this craft book club. I immediately called the customer service number.

The CSR that I spoke with did not blink an eye when I told her I did not order these. With no questions whatsoever, she said she would remove the charges from my name. She said I could just keep or donate the books. I ask how this could happen. She said that someone had gotten my information and subscribed me. Hmmmmm....I asked if was on the internet...she said, "No, it was through the mail." She said it was on July 20.

So supposedly someone subscribed me and ordered quilting books and a bird book....not knitting books, or crocheting books.........how did this person know my interests?

A few years ago I was with this company just long enough to fulfill my commitment. I ordered some quilting books and a paper-pieced bird block quilting book. Coincidence? I doubt it. I think this is an inside job and this club is doing this on purpose in hopes that people will just accept it and pay the bill.

Has this happened to anyone else out there?

Speaking of books, I just stopped by the library to pick up the latest Jennifer Chiaverini book. I am looking forward to a good read, so I hope it does not disappoint.

Not Happy with the Finished Jean Bag

2010-07-14T15:48:00.005-04:00

I had such high expectations for my first attempt at a zipper-closed jean bag.

I finished it last week, but I am not happy with it.

I had planned to give it to mom, but it's not up to my standards -- i.e. the scrutiny of all of her friends! LOL.

I have no pattern for these bags--I just wing it. Somehow I sewed a double gusset, which is not all bad. The bag is very roomy. But the zippered top is very sloppy.

I do like the strap and it happens to be extremely comfy to carry. It's the perfect length for my shoulder! I have one almost just like it, but this one is bigger and has the zipper--sloppy as it may be.

The back side of this has a yellow tulip.

Sorry, mom, but I will have to make another one for you. I can't have you carrying an inferior handbag!

Earlier today I was skimming through this magazine.
I came across an ad for these aprons:
They are made of terry cloth. How practical is that? I also love the big ric rac and the fabric used for the ruffle. If you enlarge the pic, you can see the web site where they are sold. I have not visited that site yet, but will as soon as I finish this post.

I Have Not Been Doing Much Sewing Lately

2010-06-30T19:04:00.003-04:00

I've been very busy with gardening, so my sewing has been almost nonexistent.

I did sew two blocks to start a handbag for my mom and I bought a zipper for the bag.

So far that is as far as I've gotten on the handbag.

I hope to take a few days off work and get back to sewing in the next few weeks. In the meantime, if you like to garden, you can find me here pulling weeds and moving perennials.

What's That in My Flowering Cherry Tree?

2010-05-14T18:44:00.001-04:00

Why, it's my just completed rose-in-the-heart handbag! I could not resist the photo opportunity the pink-flowering tree provided. As you can see in the photo below, this one is a shoulder bag.

Here is a close up of the lacy flap.

I lined it in the burgundy color of the rose.

I used the waistband of the pants as the side gussets--is that the correct term? Hmmm..not sure...anyway it's the side panels.
First I cut off the belt loops and used two of them to attach the shoulder strap. The waist band worked great as side gussets because the band was already sturdy with double fabric and interfacing.

I am pretty happy with this bag, but it's not perfect. The next time I wear a pink jacket, I will carry this one, but I still need to work on the top closing. I like the magnetic closure, and I like seeing the lining on the open sides. But when it gets full of all that stuff we ladies carry, it tends to pull apart at the top. I should have put two more magnetic closures on the top before I did the lining. It's too late now, but I will remember that for the next one.

A Use for One of the Rose-in-a-Heart Blocks

2010-05-12T16:30:00.007-04:00

I am in the mood to sew, but *gasp* I have no projects in the making. Let me rephrase that--I have plenty of projects in the "needs-quilting" stage, but I am in the mood to create something new, yet I don't want to start at the very beginning.

I searched my little pile of completed orphan blocks. I found two of these heart blocks.

Because I bought black eyeglasses with pink on the sides,
I've been wearing a lot of pink and black. I decided to make a handbag to go with some of those outfits.

I had accidentally cut a hole in a pair of my black pants and decided to use those to make a handbag. The black fabric would be a identical to the black pants I wear (I buy multiples of the same pant and wear them almost every day to work).

So I cut up the pants and started adding black borders. So far I am here:

I have no idea what I will end up with, but I think I need to incorporate some of that background white/tan into the bag. I will have to think about it for a bit.

Stay tuned because I will post the final results as soon as I get it done.

I Decided on a Finish for the Red/Black Star

2010-04-27T18:44:00.004-04:00

Surprise, surprise!

It's a table runner.

I lost interest in making more borders to turn this block into a bigger quilt. It's been a week since I worked on it. Tonight I decided just to finish it off as a runner.

I like it.

I have no new projects planned. I think I will be busy working in the flower gardens this weekend.

I do have two runners now that need to be sandwiched and quilted. That should keep me busy for a little while.

I've Decided on the Next Border

2010-04-19T17:55:00.003-04:00

After much consideration, I decided on this variation of a square-within-a-square block for my next border on the big red star.

This block is 3.75 inches.

Here it is next to the big star:

I will need 20 blocks to go all the way around. So far I have made four and I do think I will like it. Here are all four to give you a better idea of what it will look like.

I may turn every other block like this:

I am done sewing for tonight. As much as I 'd like to continue, I have other work to get done. I will keep you posted as I finish more of this one.

I Found a Use for 10 More Orphan Log Cabin Blocks

2010-04-18T16:07:00.003-04:00

I got all the house-in-the-middle-of-the-star log cabin blocks sewn together. I set it aside until I determine if I want to make it larger or bind and quilt it at 41 inches square. Thanks for your comments on that post. If I decide to make it larger, I will most likely take Heather & Sparkle Jars comment to introduce more yellow (gold) to heart.

In the meantime, I am going to bind and quilt this table runner, which I made from ten more orphan blocks.

It, too, is sewn together and ready for sandwiching and quilting.

I've had a fairly productive quilting weekend.

Does This Work?

2010-04-16T16:37:00.003-04:00

It's been a bit tough to come up with a center for these orphan blocks since I have little of the original fabric left.

On the other hand, I think that anything I come up with that makes these blocks usable is better than leaving them sitting in a box in the basement as they have been for the past few years.

So this is what I came up with:

I did find a hunk of one fabric that I used in the original blocks and I put it in the four corners.

What do you think?

I am still not sure if this is the end, or if I will add on to it and make a bed-size quilt. Right now it's about 44 x 44 inches.

Star with House in the Middle Block

2010-04-16T05:41:00.002-04:00

I could not find a barn pattern big enough for the center of my log cabin border. After a day of thinking, I finally decided to put a house in the center of a big star.
Here's the house:

Here's part of the star:

I still need to make four more star points and somehow tie the colors in with the log cabin quilt border. I have none of the original fabric left (I made those blocks a few years ago).

I am not sure these colors are going to work. It all depends on the last four blocks. I will make them after work tonight.

I'm in the Mood to Sew Again

2010-04-14T18:35:00.005-04:00

So I printed out a foundation (4 of them),

and pulled some fabric.

Then began sewing. Here is one quarter of the block.

And here is the finished 15-inch block.

I like it, but have no idea what I will end up making from this.

I put it aside, went down to the basement and pulled out a box of extra log cabin blocks to see if I would be inspired to make something to use them up.
I found twelve that I could use as a frame around something.

I will remove those two light greenish blue strips and put in a darker strip.
Now I just need to come up with something to put in the center. I am thinking that a big old rusty-colored barn would be nice. I need something large - 22 inches square, I think. I will spend a few days trying to come up with something before I put all the blocks back in the box and haul them back downstairs.

Here is the quilt that some of these blocks were leftover from.

I had it outside airing out before putting it away for the summer.

20 yds of Fabric and an Expensive Grommet

2010-04-11T18:34:00.005-04:00

I made a pretty good haul on my Sunday shopping trip.

See those grommets way in the back? I've been wanting to try grommets in pot holders.

After I got home, I discovered my very old grommet attacher did not work. I had already cut the hole and everything, so I decided to go back and buy a new one yesterday. Wow! Those things are pretty expensive ($22.99) and I spent another $10 or so in grommets.
Everything was 1/2 off at Joanne's, but still I figure this one grommet cost me about $17! I tried three times to get it attached - had to throw away the first two grommet sections. I don't really think that tool works all that well...maybe I just need more practice.
Now I will be looking for more grommet projects!

Eye Candy from My Inspiration Files

2010-04-06T08:48:00.004-04:00

I have not been doing any projects this week.

I have been going through some of my inspiration files and came across this quilted upholstered furniture that just takes my breath away.

Is this not the most gorgeous sun room furniture?

If I remember correctly this is sold in a boutique someplace in Michigan.

Rubies, Denim and Pearls---Oh My!

2010-04-02T16:54:00.005-04:00

How old do you think this little packet of pearls is?

Hmmmm....at least the 1970's is my guess.

I was thrilled to be able to use these in my latest craze---hair ornaments.

You can see the denim flower petals I cut out. I used fray check on the edges, so there was no machine sewing involved in this project.

I did hand sew the pearls to the light denim.

I attached some pronged ruby jewels to the dark denim. .. no sewing--the prongs just bend over the jewel.

Then I put gold-glittered purple flower petals behind all of the denim and added a purple cloth covered button.........and....................

Voila!

A flower hair accessory was finished.

I did it in colors to coordinate with this multi-colored jacket.
I am planning to wear it in my hair when I wear an updo.

Last week I made a couple other hair ornaments. I posted these in one of my other blogs, but I will repost here for those who don't read my other blogs.

They were so easy to make! I just cut out a flower shape in different sizes from a few different fabrics--two denim and one felt and layered them on top of each other. The only sewing was a few hand stitches to hold all the layers together and to sew the fabric-covered button on. In less than 30 minutes, I had this done:
It was so much fun, I made another in black vinyl and red. It goes with the red/black handbag.
Either of these can be used in the hair or as a lapel pin like I am showing you tonight. My hair is not in an updo, so I can't try them out in the hair.

Here's the green/denim as a lapel pin on a denim jacket atop a green shirt.
I should probably make a matching bag for this little ensemble.

These hair flowers were all inspired by this one that I purchased a few weeks ago:

I looked it over and said, "I can do that!" These sell for $19.99. Can you believe it? I can make them for almost nothing!

Poor, poor little Quilt

2010-03-22T16:47:00.004-04:00

After work this afternoon DH decided to go out and do a bit of raking.

He asked if I wanted to go outside and rake some of my flower gardens.

It may be spring, but it's only 40 degrees out there. FORGET IT--too cold for me!

I told him to rake to his heart's content, I was staying inside to work on the binding for this quilt.

This is the first quilt I machine quilted--very, very poorly done. Pathetic, actually. It's been sitting for months awaiting a binding.

I've decided that it's time to finish it. The quilting is such an embarrassment that I am not showing a closeup. I am also not signing it.

I don't want anyone to know that I quilted this! That's too bad because the piecing is very nice (if I do say so myself). I've been trying to figure out how I can salvage it--cut it up? No. There really is nothing to do but bind it and try to enjoy it, despite the poor workwomanship.

I Set an Easter Table Using Many of My Quilted Projects

2010-03-21T12:21:00.003-04:00

Quilting is such a useful hobby. I love that I am able to really use the items I make. A lot of people think quilts are only for beds, but I make a ton of other items for my home.

Here's the table with two Easter-colored quilted table runners.

There are lots of real eggs on this table that I colored & decoupaged. These little boy bunnies hold eggs with quilt patterns. I made the chair back toppers in the log cabin quilt block design with pink bunnies in the middle.

I have a ton of fun making decorating items from my quilting hobby!

I am always looking for more ideas, so if you have something you make for your home, please tell me about it. If you have a picture, please post the link so I can come on over and see it.

Red Polka Dot Binding to the Rescue!

2010-03-20T18:24:00.008-04:00

After using one of my quilted handbags, I decided it needed some redesigning. It had one magnetic closure at the top middle and that was not enough to keep everything inside.

So I decided to add two more magnetic clasps.

Then I had quite a problem.

How was I going to cover the exposed metal?

My immediate idea was to make a fabric flower, but I didn't have any of the red/gold striped fabric and I used my last button cover last week. None of the red fabric in my sewing room seemed to work. Then I opened my little drawer full of bias binding and look what was right on top...
I must admit I was happy to have found something that was all ready for me to gather. I just cut four pieces and hemmed one end and gathered the other.

Then I rummaged around for something to use for the middle. Imagine my surprise when I pulled a bag full of button covers from another drawer!
I bought them in May of '09 and forgot I had them. I do love when I am surprised by things like this.

I made four buttons of the same fabric as the button already on the handbag. Then I got out the hot glue gun and attached two to the front and two to the back.

I would have preferred to have used the same red fabric as that already in the bag, but I think the red polka dots work OK and I am so much happier because now the bag stays shut!
Now I wonder if I need one more flower right smack in the middle at the bottom. What do you think - would another flower be too much?

I am Back to Sewing and a Thread-Covered Floor

2010-03-17T06:23:00.004-04:00

My mother-in-law called last night to ask some questions about a little trivet I gave her last month.

She wanted to make some and send them to my sister-in-law in Colorado.

She just loved the pattern of the one I had given her.

As it happened, I had two more of them already made up. She kept protesting that she had not called to get more, and I kept telling here I was thrilled to be able to give them to her.

I made up two more for my MIL since she would be giving hers to SIL.

It was fun to try out different stitches. I don't worry much about perfection in these. They will be ruined in a short time anyway, if they actually use them, as I hope they do.

Remember those wild red blocks I made a few weeks back? I decided I did not want to continue on for a table runner, so I stuck them in the pot holder box. Here they are all made into a sizeable trivet to protect counters from hot dishes.

I found another orphan block in the box and made it up, too.

My MIL is thrilled to have handmade items. I am not sure which ones she will send to SIL and which she will keep. She loves red, so I think she will like them all.

I Made a Big Mistake and Cleaned My Sewing Room

2010-03-14T17:50:00.008-04:00

....before I finished my latest handbag.

Now I am totally unmotivated to finish it because the room is too clean!

There are no threads on the floor. The entire pile of recently-used fabric had been picked up off the floor, folded and put away.

It feels so good to be able to walk from that room and not drag thread all over the rest of the house. I could not bring myself to sew one single stitch in the past two days.

I think I will wait another day or two before I mess it all up again.

While cleaning out the room, I pulled my recently-purchased tote bags/handbags from the closet. These are the bags I have purchased since December and not yet used. (I will use them this spring and summer when I have no overcoat to hide the clothing that I will match them up with. During the winter, there is no sense matching to anything but my coats)

Actually I found two more after taking this picture.
Add to these the 5 I made in the last two months,

Holy smokes. I am being overrun by totes and handbags!

I am overloaded with table runners and quilts and potholders... Now handbags.....what can I make now to feed my need to create?

Quilt Rat, I Guess There is a Whole Flock of Them Out There!

2010-03-10T16:50:00.009-05:00

Heather sent me pictures of all the Silly Chicken blocks her Yahoo group made. With her permission I am posting them so you can see all the different color variations.

Someone won all the blocks, but Heather does not know what they made with them. If you happen to be the person who won, we would all love to see your finished project! Heather, thanks so much for taking the time to share these. I know I loved seeing all the different birds in the flock.

Once again a big thank you to Quilter's Cache for providing this fun, free pattern. To go directly to the pattern, click here.

Silly Chicken

2010-03-09T19:06:00.003-05:00

I have not worked on the handbags in the past couple of days. I have been going into work about 1/2 hr. earlier than normal and it's cutting in to my sewing time!

I did feel like puttering around with something early Saturday morning and I made this Silly Chicken block.

It's a free pattern from Quilter's Cache. I've made a few of them. They are just a fun block to make when you feel like creating something, but you don't want to put in a lot of effort.

I don't know what will become of these chicken blocks, but I am sure that one day they will be just what I need to finish something.

Has anyone made this block? What did you end up doing with it?

Plum Purple and Green Handbag

2010-03-05T18:33:00.005-05:00

I decided to wait to do the Safari bag until the jacket arrives. I want to be sure the colors are correct. So tonight I went through my closet to find something to match up with a new bag.

Last month I bought this faux chamois plum purple jacket.

Instead of a white shirt (dull, boring), I teamed it up with a bright green shell and I decided that a purple/green bag would be fun. I rummaged through my stash before leaving for work this morning and found the fabrics you see on top of the jacket. I think the purples lend a definite bling factor!

I added a black heavy cotton fabric for the base of the bag. It's the same fabric as the pants I wear almost every day. In fact, it's a worn out pair of pants that I cut the legs off because that part of the fabric was still in good shape. So far I have made only the pieced colored portion of the bag.

That bling fabric is not the easiest stuff to sew. Give me 100% cotton to work with any day! I am not exactly sure where I will go from here. I will set it aside for tonight and figure out the next step later this weekend.

I hope everyone (includig me!) has a productive weekend.

Happy Sewing!

I am Having Such Fun with These Bags

2010-03-04T17:58:00.002-05:00

I am finding it very rewarding to make bags to match individual outfits. I have not actually used any yet, but they are fun to design and sew. They are not the kind of bags I would take to work, but I think I will have a ball using them for my leisure activities this spring/summer.

I ordered a safari print jacket this week. It has not arrived yet, but I printed its picture and began searching my stash to see what I could find to make a coordinating handbag.

I found all of this stuff that I think will work--animal print fabric, leather, black bead trim
and even a black boa! I just might run that around the top of the bag. I even have handles that are perfect - black and bronze beads.

So far I have only been looking for items to use -- I have not even begun to make the bag. I'm still in the mental designing mode. I probably should wait until the jacket arrives before going further. Sometimes the colors are quite different when I get the jacket than they looked on my monitor.

So far this week I have made two bags and have all the materials to make #3 and I have not had to go out and buy a single thing! I love using up my stashed items--especially all those handles I bought last fall when Joanne's had a 50% off sale. I have almost used them all up. I hope they have another sale soon!

Spring Denim Tulip Handbag Done

2010-03-03T05:50:00.001-05:00

In case you are new or don't remember, these are the two tulip denim blocks I made last week. The plan was to make a spring handbag with them.

I've worked for the last two evenings to get this one done. I had no plan--just designed it by the seat of my pants, so to speak. I found an uncut pair of jeans and had a vision for this part.
You may be wondering what in the world I would use this part for? Unfortunately I did not take a picture before I cut it out. So I put it back together so you could see what it was.

A button up fly. Cool! I thought I could use it to close the top of my purse. And it worked -- though it is a bit difficult to button.

But it does keep everything inside nice and secure. I stopped on Monday night when I could not come up with anything for a handle. On Tuesday night I took a second look at the suspenders on this bib jeans top.

The color wasn't quite the right light shade of blue, but I finally came up with the idea to add a pink stripe down the middle. I think it made a big difference.
It finished off the handbag quite nicely.
I added two pink-covered buttons on the bottom.

I plan to carry the handbag while wearing the pink jacket (behind it)with some denim capris and flip flops. Toe nails will, of course, be painted the same shade of pink. I think it will make a fun outfit!

So far I have broken 8 needles while making these two bags. This bag has a denim lining so it's pretty tough to sew through all those thick layers when you get to the handle/belt loop areas. It's a good thing I finally learned how to open those needle boxes!

I Can't Open Schmetz Needles

2010-03-02T18:00:00.001-05:00

I pull and pull, push and push, squeeze and squeeze, and I can almost NEVER get these things opened!

Is there some trick? I know the nails make it a bit more difficult, but I can hand quilt with these nails, so I certainly should be able to open a box of needles!

Here is what I always have to resort to:

breaking the plastic with a screwdriver. The needles fly all over the place!

Surely there is a better way. Please, if you know, enlighten me! I am about to stop buying these just because I can't get them opened. I think they need to redesign the case.

3/3/10 5:00 a.m. Update: Thank you all for your help. I had no luck until I read Cathy's comment. THANK YOU, Cathy. Even at 5:00 a.m. it worked on my first try!

Here are Cathy's detailed directions in case anyone else is struggling like I was:

OK, on your new package of needles.
1. Turn it sideways so the "Z" in Schmetz is pointing at your belly button.
2. Lick your thumb and index finger of your right hand(unless you have naturally moist hands, or your left if you are left handed).
3. Put your thumb on the clear plastic just about 1/4" above "Schmetz.
4. Put your index finger on the back and slide it up until you feel the slight ridge at the top. Your finger pad should be about divided in half at the top edge of the white plastic.
5. With your other hand hold only the edges of the clear plastic cover lightly at the base (near the numbers).
6. Pull your index finger towards your palm while pushing your thumb out. Kind of like when you feel the texture of fabric or something between your fingers. This will take some pressure, but not much or you will mash the two pieces together and they won't pop apart.
7. It actually "pops". Once you have popped it open, you can bend the top piece back to get better access to the needles.

I use a sharpie marker to color the flat side of the needle when I pull an old one out of the machine. I put them dull ones back in the holder to keep them from poking about in the trash, just in case I drop something in there I have to go fishing for later.

Good luck! Let me know if that doesn't work and I'll figure out how to take some pics for you!

March 2, 2010 9:15 PM

Once a Pair of Jeans--Now a Handbag

2010-03-01T07:54:00.006-05:00

If you are expecting a big old worn out derriere from a pair of jeans, you won't find it here.

I am not really into those worn butt jean bags. They are for younger ladies. I like my denim bag a tad more refined.

There are so many shades of denim that I find it difficult to match up jean jackets, pants and handbags. I made this bag with multiple shades of denim and it still is not really a match to any of these jackets! If you turn it over, though, the blue border is not such a vivid hue and it will work.

I plan to make a bunch more with different jeans.

I have a big rubbermaid tote full of jeans leftover from my denim quilt project. I even have nice neat bags full of cut out squares, triangles and jean pockets.
I've tossed this jacket in there a few years ago and was very happy to find it when I began this new project.

I paper pieced 7-inch center blocks using the jacket sleeve for an accent color and texture.
I added borders (from a bag of strips I already had cut) until it was the size I wanted. I like my handbags on the smaller side. This one finished at 12 inches high x 10 inches wide. The belted top is my favorite part of the bag. It's a recycled leather handle from a handbag. Sometimes I buy handbags at garage sales just so I can cut them up and reuse parts in my own designs.

I had planned to use a pocket zipper from the jacket for the top of this one, but it didn't quite work out, so I used magnetic snaps instead.

I did not quite get the decorative stitching correct on the point of the leather triangle. I may end up putting something over that spot. I tried a fabric flower that matched the lining, but that didn't work for me.

This week I am going to work on the denim blocks with the pink tulip. That bag will be very spring-like.

From 3-inch Block to Handbag

2010-02-25T06:16:00.003-05:00

After finishing my jelly roll quilt, I had these blocks left. Since I had already spent the time to make them, I wanted to do something with them.

You wouldn't think you could make much from these, would you?

I sewed them together, stared at them a few moments, then added borders, thinking they would be a set of hot mats.

Somehow along the way my idea changed and I ended up with this!

The handbag matches quite a few of my more colorful jackets. I think it will be fun to use this spring.

Backside:

Last week a zipper broke in one of my big tote bags. Before tossing it in the garbage, I cut out this inside pocket, thinking I could reuse it in one of my own creations. As you can see, I just hacked it out.
After folding it nicely and using a decorative stitch to attach it the lining, I had this nice spot to hold a cell phone, a bottle of sanitizer and make up.
I am just thrilled with how it turned out. It was a great addition with very little effort.

I am now working on a couple of denim handbags. I have re-purposed a leather jacket and a bunch of jeans to create the bags.

Here's a picture of just some of the blocks I've been making (none of the ones with leather are in this pic):

I hope to have a handbag completed soon.

Deck Quilts Collage

2010-02-19T05:39:00.006-05:00

About this time of the year I begin thinking about making quilts for the deck. Of course, warmth is not needed in the summer, but big blasts of color is. So I made chair backs and lots of pillows to toss on all the white furniture.

I have already made two different color schemes and I have tons of fun decorating the deck with them.

After looking through previous year's pics (to remember what colors I had), I decided that both sets are still in pristine condition, so I won't make a new set this year. That left me with no new project.

It looked like I might go two nights in a row without sewing anything. .. but I got a little fidgety.... I glanced over and saw a pattern I printed some time ago from Sewhooked.org.
Hmmm, it doesn't look like much, but I am curious to see it made up.

So I grabbed it, cut it out and picked up this bag of recent scraps (still sitting on the floor under the ironing board).

In about one hour, I had a cute chicken pot holder.

I even tried out a new stitch on my machine
to use instead of quilting to hold it in place. Then I used a second stitch to machine sew the binding on. I need more work on that, so I will probably make another one tonight to practice.

It was a quick fun project.

Since the Vote was a Tie

2010-02-17T05:58:00.002-05:00

I had to make the final decision. I decided not to use either one!

Michelle noted in her comment that the squares of fabric did not seem to go with anything in the quilt. They actually did because they were a part of all the orangish fabric in the quilt. I simply cut from in between the circles, so I would have all the same colors, but not the circles.

So I decided to recut and include the circles so there would be no doubt that the fabric's purpose was to tie in with the small stars.

I like it so much better with the circles! Thanks, Michelle, for spurring me on to come up with this alternative.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time and effort to help with this project. I feel like you are all part of the quilt guild I would turn to if I was a member of a quilt guild.

I don't know what I will do with it from here. I think this is it because I am really tired of working on it. I will just quilt and bind it. It's the perfect size to toss over the center of my dining room table.