Lots Going on Here

So I did get some sewing done yesterday, in addition to some Swooning.  I had on my list to make some covers for the arms of the new couch, which I mentioned before.  V and my daughter M were here and we spent part of the afternoon knitting and crocheting and being comfy in the living room.  This is what that ends up looking like:

Lots of quilts everywhere.  But no matter.  So on to the couch arm covers.  I felt the need to protect them from dirt and such.  I thought I could make some and easily change them out if I want.  So I made two small quilts basically.

 And you can see the back is already protected with my Sunkissed squares quilt.

 I made the arm covers/quilts out of scraps.  Rather large-ish scraps, but I had nothing else in mind for them anyway.

 I stitched in the ditch to quilt them.  I figure I can go back and quilt more later if I want.

 It looks very bright and spring-like, even though it's January.  I love it!

Here's the whole thing, and the cathedral window pillows I made look good there too.  I plan to make more pillows eventually, 'cause I can and I like to.  And now, for my sister especially, some pictures of a few quilt squares for her new queen sized quilt.  I actually have 7 of these done, out of 20.  There will also be some half squares to do as well.  I wanted to get a look at how it was coming along.

 So I set the 6 squares on top of the rest of the focus fabric, which will also be the sashing later on.

 I think it gives a pretty good idea of how this thing will look.  We are planning to have it quilted by a professional long arm quilter.  I just don't really want to do another large quilt right now.

So what do you think sis?  Oh, and there is an envelope of scraps coming to you too this week.  You can start looking for drapes etc.
Happy sewing everyone.

It's Swoonday!!

I decided today would be the day that I started my Swoon-along quilting project.  I was so excited when I started this morning.  These were the Reunion fat quarters I had decided to use.

 I had bought a bunch of a cream colored fabric that I think was supposed to go along with the Strawberry fields fabric I had.  I decided to go ahead and use it, even though it wasn't white.  I think I will like it.

 I cut out all the pieces for the first block.  I decided to only cut one block and then sew it before I cut and sew the next.  I will need to go slow and pay attention, to avoid having to rip any mistakes apart.  I already had two such mishaps with this one block.

 I also remembered that I had read about the quarter inch foot many people were using.  I thought I might have one.  I can't believe I never knew I had this thing!!  So I am now using it and it works great.

 Here is the first batch of pieces put together into their  units.  So far, so good...

 Now I have just nine units to join to each other.  I am very pleased, but anxious to get one block done.  V spent the night here last night and so I had to stop a few times to fix lunch and tend to other things going on.  My guess is it might have taken about 2 hours, start to finish.  It took longer this time.

And here  she is!!!  I L-O-V-E it!!!!!  The colors, the shape, how it came together and my points and joints were all pretty darn good even if I do say so myself.  The cream background fabric is nice.  It softens the whole thing up, which I like. 

So...one down, eight to go.
Happy sewing, friends.

Back to Work Tomorrow

I kinda hate it, but I am ready to head back to work tomorrow.  It's been a great, productive 10 days.  I am so type A, I measure the success of vacation time in terms of productivity!  Well, this wasn't meant to be a sit on my butt vacation anyway.  So here, on top of all I blogged about last week, is the weekend's work.

This is the beginning of the quilt for my middle daughter.  I won a box of scraps from Moda Lissa a while back and when I saw all the strips and even 3 little beginnings of Log Cabin blocks, I knew what I wanted to do with it.  I made these 6 log cabin blocks and now I am adding strips around them.  I am letting the colors lead me and stopping to look and consider.  The outer strips are a very pale blueish green, with some grey tones.  They look grey here.

 I am making two of these, pieced and quilted, for the arms of my new couch.  I never thought I would own a white couch, and it's really off white, but the arms need a bit of protection.  Besides, there is already a quilt on the back of the couch and two pillows I made.  I will post pics soon.

 I really did have this on my list for 2012-The Swoon Quilt.  When I saw the Swoon-Along, I jumped in.  I have had the pattern since November, but the fabric was stumping me.  I didn't want to buy any, and I didn't want it to be too scrappy.  I had a fat eighth bundle of Strawberry fields, but that wasn't enough to make it work.  So I decided on the Reunion fat quarter bundle that I got just before Christmas.  More than enough fabric in that.  I am glad for the push!

 Next there is this project.  My sister's quilt.  I drew up the plans to be similar to this quilt that she liked by Amanda Murphy.  I simplified it to make the assembly a bit easier.  This quilt will be for a queen size bed so it will be big enough as it is.

 I had to start cutting, and I dreaded it.  I wasn't sure if we had enough fabric.  We bought the fabric before there was a plan for it.  I did go back on New Year's Day to the big sale a bough 3 more half yard cuts.  The little yellow post it notes are the number of pieces in each pile.  I am relieved to report I even have a few extra pieces.

Here are the scraps from the cutting.  I love looking at them!  Now, gotta get sewing on this and get the Swoon quilt pieces cut out.  With 3 big quilts going all at once, I need to find a good way to store all the pieces neatly during the piecing stage.  Anyone have any ideas that work for them?

Have a great week.  See you back here Swoon...I mean soon. :)

First finishes of 2012

It is unlike me to post more than once a week, but since I took a week off work to rest (ha!) and sew this week, I find myself here reporting on my progress.  And much progress has been made!

I had on my list to make a new table topper for my round table.  I made the first one out of Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater.  I liked it so much, that it became my new go to pattern for this table.  I used all charm squares for both.  This is made with Fairy Tale Friends, by American Jane.  I like this because there is no hemming (the edges are pinked) and no batting.  I set my coffee cup or water glass on here and didn't want the bulk to cause instability.  Bonus is it whips up in less than an hour, including picking the fabric charms to use.

This is my first attempt at paper piecing.  I think I grasp the concept now, but this little square took me 2 hours to finish.

And this is the mess it made in two hours!  Hopefully I will get better at this.

This wasn't on the 2012 list, and I posted this the other day, but it is a 2012 finish so I include it.

 Here is the biggie!  My Birdie Stitches Quilt is done!!!  Yay!  I quilted in the ditch only.  I didn't want to mess up the embroidery work.

 I used the same fabric for the border that I included in the blocks.  I love the way it looks.

 It was kind of windy when I took these, and here is the sun shining through the back of the quilt.  I think it looks cool!

 Can you see the little birds on the yellow print?  I saw it and knew it was for this quilt.

 Love the contrast with the stark tree branches and the Carolina Blue sky!  Now the best part!  This little guy has been watching the progress of this quilt since the beginning.  When I first started it he asked if it was going to be for him.  I said no, I was just making it for me, and he was disappointed.  As the blocks were done, he ooo'd and aaahh'd over each one, and helped me choose colors for the birds and some of the elements of the blocks.  When I began to put it together, I knew it had to have a new home.  I just felt it.  So I bound it in purple, his favorite color.  I took it to him and showed him the binding and said "I think this quilt needs to live at your house."  And this was my reward:

And that my friends, is why I do what I do. 

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I needed something small to carry my phone and keys and ID.  Something for a quick run to pick up V after school without having to take my huge purse.  I thought about it and came up with an idea that I couldn't let go of until I figured it out.  What helped me get moving was the package of brightly colored zippers I received yesterday from Zipit.  I won them from Patty at A Stitch in Time blog.  Jennie from Zipit got them to me super fast.  Who knew zippers were so much fun?  Ready to see what I came up with?

 First I put a zipper in the strip that goes around the outside edge.  Step one was easy!

 Then I cut and quilted two pieces the same size as the phone plus a half inch for seams and a quarter inch just in case.

 Then I made the wrist strap by enclosing a piece of twill in fabric.

 Here is the inside pocket for my ID and my debit card.  I also found that my chapstick fits in here too.

 after basting the inside and outside together, and attaching the wrist strap to the side piece, I attached one side, and then the other.

 close up of the wrist strap.

 I also attached a long loop to the other end for my keys.  That's all I need to carry sometimes.

 Here is the finished inside of the wrist phone and key carrier.  Not a great name, I know.

 Another shot with the keys attached.  I took it for a spin today and I think I like it.  It wasn't too hard to make, but I think I need to work out a couple of things before I try again.

This might make a good gift.  Hmmm....how many weeks until Christmas?  Just kidding.  Talk to you soon.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Start your sewing machines!

I am going to start my new year off right!  I have cleaned my sewing room up, made a project list (it has 18 items on it...so far), bought fabric and started sewing!  And I have this whole week off from work to do some of that sewing.  Great vacation plan I think!

 First, I have to show you these great slippers I got from my Dear Husband.  I L-O-V-E them and have been wearing them a lot since Christmas.  I can even sew in them, unlike when I am wearing shoes.  I always have to take my shoes off, and then my feet get cold.

 I finally replaced my old Sunbeam iron that I have had for 20+ years with this.  I first saw this iron on Madame Samm's Stash Manicure blog during the Wantobe Quilters campaign.  I sent the link to I Have A Notion to my Dear Husband and it was under my Christmas tree too.  I am starting to get used to it.  I had no idea how not hot my old iron was starting to be!

 Also, saw this on Green Fairy Quilts and since Sweetwater is my all time favorite designer, I had to have it.  It was on sale and there was a free shipping thing going on.  I wasn't going to indulge, but after I talked to my DH, he told me to go ahead and order it.  I love that man.  He really understands me. :)

 New year's eve my oldest daughter, M brought this quilt to me to mend.  The applique was coming unstitched in several places.  This was a quilt I made for her in August 2004 for her wedding.  I don't think I ever got pictures of it.

 It was a pattern in a book by Georgia Bonesteel.  It is queen size, pieced and appliqued and all hand quilted by me.  She later confessed to me that she didn't really care much for purple, and the marriage didn't last.  I was convinced the quilt was a bit of a jinx.  Crazy, right?

 She is happily remarried now so maybe I'll try again...but not purple!

 This is the back of my Birdie Stitches quilt.  I found this fabric and thought it perfect for that.

 And here is the front of the Birdie Stitches Quilt, assembled and pin basted, ready to quilt.  I am most proud of this quilt.  It is my first BOM and I kept up for the whole year!

 These strips are leftovers from the 36 Patch QAL that I did with Crazy Mom Quilts.  Another project I kept up with.  These are going to be incorporated into the back of the quilt.  I already know how I want to quilt it and am excited to get it finished.

 My LQS has a New Year's Day anniversary sale every year from 1-5 pm.  I have never missed one.  We get 35% off any cut of a half yard or more.  I bought these cuties with the new grand baby in mind. We will find out soon if it's a boy or girl.  I am stocking up on pinks...just in case.  My stash doesn't have too many pinks.

 And I got these to add to a couple of works in progress.  I am going to make a queen size quilt for my sister this year.  We bought the fabrics when she was here in October, with no particular pattern in mind.  Now that we have one, I needed a bit more of a couple of the fabrics.  The sale was the best time to buy them.  The fabric at the bottom of the photo is just because it's cute.  The one at the top is for this next quilt.

 This is the beginning of the new quilt for my middle daughter.  I am making it from a box of scraps that I won from Moda Lissa awhile back.  I found that tan and wanted to get a bit to add to the scrap stash.

 In Cleaning I found this quilt that I started about 3-4 years ago.  I got it pieced and started hand quilting it and then it sat neglected for all this time. :(  So now I am determined to finish it.  I had forgotten that I do like to hand quilt sometimes.  I think I got caught up in the ease and quickness that is machine quilting.  And lastly, a bit of a surprise for me:

I found this lovely fabric was on the back of the aforementioned quilt.  I had forgotten it totally!  I do so love it too!  So, this was a bit long, but hopefully you enjoyed all the pictures of my projects.  I have lots to do now, so have a great week and I'll talk to you again soon.