Sew Me Something Good

Granny has a happy ending...

2012-01-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

It took me some time, but I have figured out how to finish my crocheted granny squares. I now have two brightly coloured cushion covers!

Initially, I played around with crocheting the two to one another, but thought it would be nicer to have two cushions instead of one that was reversible. Then I started considering backing the crochet with a fabric back, but was concerned that with all the stretch crochet has, it would be an issue (plus I would have to finish the edges of the fabric to prevent fraying).

Finally, I came up with using felted sweaters to make an envelope style backing for the covers. It has proven to be the perfect solution! I was able to incorporate the bottom hem of the sweater to make the lapped over edge and used single crochet to form a band with button loops. Ta-da! A removable cover and it even gave me the opportunity to use some vintage buttons on the back of one cushion. Love, love, love it!

For the back of the second cover, I determined that 5 rather than 3 buttons, would work even nicer. This time, I made some pretty self-cover ones to complement the colour of the cushion's back.

Joining the crocheted front with the felted sweater for the back was super easy. I simply placed them right sides facing and whip stitched them together with yarn. The stitches are visible, if you look for them, but I think it adds a homespun look and that's okay with me.

I'm feeling pretty happy that I was able to use not only left over bits of my yarn to crochet the granny squares, I made good use of some felted sweaters and buttons from my stash. Pretty satisfying, I must say and well worth the time it took for me to figure out the best way to finish them! ;o)

How lucky to discover that the bright yarns in my new crocheted granny cushions go so well with the beautiful quilt I received from my lovely and talented friend, Nicolette. Don't they look made for one another!

I'm a little high on the success of this project and with my fingers crossed, I'm inspired to give another crochet project , it's own happy ending this weekend.

Wishing you a happy, creative weekend!

Heart Felt

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

I came across a really cute and clever knitting pattern in the book, Gifted: lovely little things to knit + crochet by Mags Kandis. Knitting is a craft that I'm slowly getting more proficient in. One day, I even hope to knit a sweater, but quicker knitting projects are helping me build my skills and confidence for that "someday" dream. Anyways, I thought I'd share this felted heart project, to give you time to make your own, if you choose, in time for Valentine's Day.
Once I got the hang of knitting this pattern with its short rows, I wanted to knit a heart in every colour of yarn in my stash!

Each colour seemed to felt at a different rate, so it was a good thing I kept an eye on the process! They vary slightly in finished size and shape, but at least you recognize them to be hearts.

Next time, I will put less fibre fill into them because I did find that during felting, the stuffing wanted to escape and then retarded the felting. Not a big deal, but something I will adjust, so that the finished hearts will felt more consistently and look more like those in the book.

The more I look at these, the stronger the temptation is to knit some more! Can't you picture these making a colourful garland? Of course they could be a lovely heart felt gift for Valentine's Day....

Wednesday's list of projects waiting to be finished...

2012-01-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

I just happen to have lots of projects on the go at the moment. How about a peek at a select few? Just a warning...there's some knitting, some quilting, some sewing and some crochet work going on here these days.

First up is this scarf, knit from yarn that has been living in my stash for too long. I'm attempting to add flounces to the ends of the scarf, but not sure yet if I like the result enough to continue with that variegated novelty yarn, or if I'm going to remove them.

The next WIP on the list is the quilt for my hubby. I've put together all the crazy 9 patch blocks and now I'm waiting for my husband to complete some designs he wants to add to the quilt top.

Then, there's this denim shirt I'm supposed to sew for my oldest son. Everything is cut out (well, except for the interfacing), and waiting for me to set up my serger and get to work on it.

Last (but only the last I'm showing today ;o), is this crocheted cushion cover. Again, this project came about as a way to use up some yarn that has been sitting in my stash, while trying out a new to me pattern. I'm thinking I should add a zipper to the cover, although the original pattern doesn't call for one. I find I appreciate being able to easily remove a cushion cover because I like to change things up. After that, I need to sew a pillow form for it. You would think that wouldn't take me long... except I find myself trying to find just the right fabric to show through the open work of the crochet design.

I'm hopeful that by the end of the week, I will have some finishes to share. My youngest son has said that it will be easy for me to finish things... as long as I do NOT start anything else. I think he has a point. ;o)

Want to see what others are working on today? Check it out here:

and here:

2-0

2012-01-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Milestone day here... my eldest son is 20 today.   I'm not sure how that is possible, but it's exciting, wonderful and heart squeezing-ly true. Amidst the cake baking and other celebratory stuff, I have a feeling that I'm going to be a bit misty-eyed as I reminisce over those 20 years with the young man that changed my life 2 decades ago and then I will think of all that lies ahead for him.

Sometimes, I like to joke that we've grown up together, because with a firstborn,  everything is new and we're learning the ropes together as parent and child. I know it's been said by many others and those more eloquent than I, but it truly it is amazing that once you become a mom, it changes everything... from the way you look and think, to the extraordinary way you feel. I did not know just how much love my heart could hold. Now I know and I cherish the blessings that come with the gifts children are.

Okay, I'll leave the rest of my mushy Mom thoughts to scribble in his card (he's bound to give an awkward, semi embarrassed eye roll over that... but I know being told everyday that you are loved, is never too much).   When he was little, I would say that in order to grow up big and strong, he had to have lots of hugs and "I love yous".   Today, I can tell him that it worked. ;o)

The birthday boy (wearing a shirt I made especially for him... yes that should identify him as the plaid quilt loving son), hard at work fashioning a knife of his own design, from an worn metal file.

Cozy Toes

2012-01-19T15:38:00.000-08:00

Still dealing with frosty temperatures here, although it has warmed up to -19C (-2F) today, which is way nicer than where we were earlier this week. Luckily, it will be warmer by the weekend, with daytime temps. above zero. Whew. Just the same, with my last pair of slippers more than a little worse for wear, I got busy and knit a new pair because I hate having cold feet!

The pattern to make these most cozy slippers is by Bev Galeskas and they are my all-time favourites. Here's how mine look one day after being felted (so I'm still waiting for them to completely dry before I can wear them).

Each time I knit a pair of these slippers, I have fun trying different colours. This time around, I chose turquoise blue and chocolate brown. My husband's comment about the colour referenced the Muppet, Grover. Oh well, I make no apologies for my love of bright colours and take the teasing in stride because after all, I'll have cozy toes! Thanks in part, to the fact that there's a double layer of felted knitting for the soles of these beauties.

Want to see how the slippers look before felting? Pretty amazing that something this large and floppy

only needs some hot water, agitation and a touch of soap to shrink right down to fit me perfectly. The transformation amazes me every single time I use this pattern . Makes me want to knit a pair in every bright coloured yarn I can get my hands on! I highly recommend making a pair if you like your toes to be cozy and warm.

Drive Me Crazy 9 Patch WIP

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

Rather excited about starting that orange quilt for my husband, I have been sorting, ironing and cutting like crazy. Despite it being late in the evening, I couldn't stop myself from tackling the piecing. This is where the magic is... I love piecing! Too bad I didn't temper my enthusiasm with some double checking...

because I may have avoided the major piecing boo-boo I ended up with. This being my first time stitching up a crazy 9 patch block, I played it a little fast and loose with being disciplined on the order of the fabrics. Like a house built of cards, it all came tumbling down when it came time to stitch the last seam to make the block.

Each of the 9 blocks is to have 9 different fabrics in it. That's the beauty of the Crazy 9 patch and what drew me to choosing these for my quilt. Well, here's what happens when you don't make sure that between the sewing machine and ironing board that you didn't inadvertently, reverse the order of those 9 fabrics... you will end up with a block that looks like the one on the left rather than a correctly pieced one as you see on the right. One block messed up, isn't terrible, but due to the method of piecing a crazy 9 patch... the error is extended to include ALL 9 blocks in this set. Major "uh-oh". See how this could drive you crazy? ;o)...LOL... Well, that mistake was humbling.... Can you say, "seam ripper"? ;o)

Leaving the ripping apart for the moment, I carried on with my next set of nine fabrics and made sure to not repeat the mistakes made on the first.

Check out 8 of the 9 blocks I made from the second set of fabrics! The blocks haven't been squared up yet, but I was so excited with the results that I had to show you.

Then I went on to sew the third set of fabrics, making another 9 blocks. The dark brown Kona stands out like a beacon at this point, but I'm sure it'll be great once I decide on the final layout of my blocks (not that I'm finished making blocks just yet).

All this luscious colour is so energizing! My husband is very happy with my results so far on his quilt. I'm quite content to be staying indoors, drinking lots of tea and being creative while our cold weather continues.

I'm linking my WIP to

and

It's like eating salsa and chips...

2012-01-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

when I decide to use scraps for a project. I always wonder which will happen first... will I run out of scraps before finishing my project or will my project leave me with more scraps. Not that it will stop me from going ahead... which is why it's like eating salsa and chips. I never seem to be able to balance it out so I have just the right amount of salsa to go with the right amount of chips. One or the other always ends up gone... leaving me with leftovers of one or the other... I never can get the two equally matched. ;o) That strange lead in is my silly way of explaining my current project conundrum. My granny square crochet project worked out as far as using up the short bits of bright yarn I had in my stash...

but I ended up only having a enough cream yarn to join this set and...

this set of motifs before I ran out. I had about 10" of cream yarn leftover which was obviously not enough for me to finish my project. Argh. The whole idea behind this project was to use my yarn stash... not to have me dashing out to buy more!

My plan for making a scrappy yarn pillow, edged in cream, may have to wait until I make more of a dent in my yarn stash. Otherwise, I won't have space to store the leftovers I will have from this project. ;o)

Which reminds me... I've got lots of homemade salsa, can anyone bring the chips? I promise I'll share.

Warm Colours on a Cold Day

2012-01-16T23:53:00.000-08:00

Cold winter temperatures arrived overnight on Sunday, along with lots of frost on the windows and powdery snowfall dusting the frigid landscape of winter. It will be a least -30 Celsius tonight and not much warmer than that tomorrow. Kind of hard to be excited about temperatures that cold! Is it any wonder then, that I found myself seeking solace in some pretty fabric? I know, I know, I'll use any excuse to explain my fabric obsession. ;o) Tell me though, don't you feel better when you see the warm and sunny brightness of orange fabric?

I will admit that this colour has slowly started to win me over, perhaps in part because I've been on a mission to collect orange fabrics to make a quilt for my husband. Orange is his favourite colour and I thought a quilt of his own would be mighty nice when he's at his desk (in our home office). It's amazing how cold you get sitting in front of the computer. Orange not being my favourite colour, meant that it was basically non-existent in my stash. What's a girl to do?! ;o) I think you know. Well, it was only a simple matter of patience, as I started gathering what I needed and (thanks to some New Year's specials) I'm really excited to also be trying out some Kona solids for the first time. Look at the lovely bundle of FQs I bought on sale from Pink Chalk Fabrics!

Here's the newest fabric delights, along with some Heirloom FQs I scored a few months back. I think I've got the beginnings of quilt that will bring a little warmth and sunshine and help me ignore the deep freeze climate outside my sewing room windows.

Going round in circles

2012-01-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

I've succumbed to the temptation of my yarns and now have a couple of different crochet projects on the go in between my quilting and sewing projects. This particular project started out as a way to use up bits of left over yarn,

but quickly progressed into new skeins as well. Colour gets me every time, no matter whether it's yarn or fabric. ;o)

I had so much fun playing with the arrangement of these circle 'granny square' blocks. Once I determine the layout, each successive circle is crocheted to its adjoining block at the same time I crochet the square border around it. Makes for a few less yarn ends that I will have to weave in later (which is always my least favourite part... just the same for when I quilt. I don't relish weaving in thread tails either... I know,... whine, whine ;o).

A surprising discovery is that it took nearly a whole skein to make the background for all these blocks/motifs. That means I won't attempt to make an afghan at this point, as tempting as the finished blocks look. However, I can't claim to be finished just yet.

I'm going to keep going round in circles for awhile more because these fresh colours make me dizzy with happiness... and I need a few more to complete the project I have in mind.

Pretty Please

2012-01-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

I just put the final stitches into my first quilt finish for 2012! A pretty nice finish to my week and such a pleasure to make, so I'm calling this one, "Pretty Please". I'm sure if you read here regularly, you will recognize the block as being the same scrappy bento box that I gave a tutorial on a couple months back (I also have a tutorial to show how to make a pillow from this block). I just couldn't stop making those blocks - how could I resist the energy of all those reds?

I decided to quilt a wavy line grid to play off all those straight lines in the block design. I want to keep trying different ways of machine quilting for each of my quilts, even though I always feel I should just meander or stipple quilt ( because I really enjoy that form of free motion quilting ;o).

For the binding, I was really happy to be able to re-use this lovely chocolate brown fabric that I unpicked from a quilt top I decided to take apart.

Check out the crazy back on my quilt! The plaid is a lovely brushed cotton, so the quilt is extra soft. Obviously, I didn't have quite enough for the whole back, so I threw in some left over bento box blocks and pieces to make up the shortage. It's certainly not boring, is it? ;o)

Now all those scrappy red cushions I stitched up have themselves a co-ordinating quilt. Looks about right for cozy spot to read a good book or for movie watching, don't you agree?

Pretty Please is being linked to Finish it Up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

2011 finishes

2012-01-04T14:50:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe it's 4 days into 2012. Wow. I must be the last one to return to blogging since the holidays, talk about making the holidays last as long as possible, right? Anyways, I'm back... and I'm wishing you a most happy, blessed New Year.

I'm all fired up for a new year, how about you? I've been jotting down plans like crazy... listing WIPs I need to tackle, revamping my usual fitness regime (I work out year round, but took the opportunity to try to shake things up a bit more..;o), making business plans and then making plans for our family for 2012. Exciting and heady stuff. Before I get on with the new, so to speak, I thought I'd give a quick mosaic review of some of the projects I found time for in 2011.

It's wonderful to be able to look back over the year and see a variety of projects. Amongst the potpourri of projects... I realized something funny. Apparently, 2011 was my year to make cushion covers! That wasn't planned, but I loved making each of them. I see no reason to stop, I'll just have more to rotate. ;o)

I hope you had a great holiday season and that your year is off to a great start! For a glimpse at what others have made this past year take a look... here.

Twice is Nice

2011-12-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

I've been in patchwork heaven, stitching up seasonal cushion covers. This week's finishes, include companions for my Sparkle Snowflake cushion. The pattern (minus the applique snowman...which is my design), to make these patchwork beauties is from my talented friend, Amanda Jean. She's just opened an online shop which is offering this pattern in pdf format for sale.

I thought adding applique to the center of the cushion would add a little extra something special and I had fun adding dimensional detail to the snowman. His eyes are round beads, his mouth is embroidered, his scarf fringe is wool and his button front comes from my vintage stash.

I matched the patchwork on each cushion and reversed the snowman image - so the cushions aren't exactly the same. The fact that they differ is also apparent in my non matching (read: wonky! ;o) embroidery for the mouths! lol

Twice really is nice!

I followed Amanda Jean's pattern for constructing the patchwork pillow front, but I did make a couple of small changes in finishing. My binding is narrower than the recommended binding in the pattern and I also put zippers in the back of the covers, instead of the envelope closure. These changes were just personal preferences for finishing - you really can't go wrong following her pattern to a "t". She even gives you suggestions for quilting your pillow. I chose to duplicate the free motion quilting I used in my snowflake pillow.

I'm so tempted to keep these for our new bed,

but they're really meant for our living room. I just need to make larger pillow forms to really plump these cheery fellows. Currently the undersized forms have the cushion looking rather flat... especially in the corners, but that can wait. I have some baking to do and high hopes of finishing another seasonal something for the living room, among other things that need doing around here at the moment. ;o)

I'm certain that a mini blog break is on the near horizon. Time will be spent with family and enjoying treats of the season. I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season. May it be filled with joy, love and peace. I'll be back here as soon as I can. Take care!

More Sparkle

2011-12-21T09:54:00.000-08:00

After sharing the snowflake cushion I designed and made for myself, I received a flattering inquiry. My lovely friend, Brenda wanted to know if I could sew one for her to add some seasonal cheer to her decor. Really?!? Oh, yes! Me being me, I wanted to know what colours she had in the room, so I could customize the palette in making her cushion. Here's a snowflake cushion cover for Brenda...

complete with it's own vintage button, red pom-pom fringe, colourful patchwork

and free motion quilted in metallic silver on the blue background with some sequins and beads added ( because we're after the look of the sparkle of falling snow in this design ;o).

Those swirling and whirling quilting stitches were a lot of fun to sew!

I used some of the same fabrics in this patchwork as I had in my own sparkle snowflake cushion, but I also tried adding in some yellow and yellow-greens to customize this for Brenda. Look at the fun print I found to make the cushion back! It had all the colours I was looking for and it helped guide my fabric choices for the cushion front. The linear print even hides the fact that there's a zipper!

Thanks, Brenda, for giving me the opportunity to create something one-of-a-kind for you (and for being the easiest customer to work with... evah! ;o). I hope it will add some "sparkle" in your home for many years to come.

Minutes-to-Sew Gift

2011-12-20T10:23:00.000-08:00

Are you still sewing gifts for Christmas? Need a last minute gift idea? If you are and you do... then may I suggest this simple drawstring pouch...

I recently stitched up 3 of these little pouches in under 30 minutes and to make things even easier, I used fabric from a layer cake (10" pre-cuts). I followed my tutorial (click here) to make these quick gifts.

The bright fabrics and ribbon for drawstrings, make these as pretty as they are easy to sew.

With the ribbon tied in a bow and the pouch empty, it looks like a flower.

It's the perfect size to store little treats in and a great little organizer that can be tucked into a larger bag.

One tip for making these pouches look their best? Choose fabrics with lots of contrast.

I do think filling this little pouch with some chocolates would make a lovely gift. Or you could tuck in bar of special soap with other bath treats. These pouches make for a lovely presentation.

Just like spools of pretty thread, in my opinion, you can't have too many of these pouches on hand. They're my number one, quick-to-sew gift idea!

When it's good, why stop?

2011-12-12T15:08:00.000-08:00

You know I'm talking about sewing, right? :o) Being very pleased with the colours combined to make my Sparkly Snowflake cushion, I couldn't resist some more patchwork using those same fabrics.

I didn't stop there. Inspired by a good snowfall over the weekend, I thought adding a couple of snowmen seemed fitting. So, I've been doing some more machine applique work. So far, I've managed to stitch up two happy, matching, mirror image fellows.

Now to find them some button eyes and trimmings!

I'm off to go dig through my button collection, while I admire the pretty looking fresh snow from a cozy spot indoors. Brrrrr...

Silly me, to keep coming up with more projects when I still have a size able sewing list needing my attention. Truth be told, I wouldn't want it any other way! Hope you're all making headway to any gift making you have in the works. The countdown is definitely on. I'm still hoping to have a couple of easy to make projects to share with you soon. I wouldn' want you to run out of ideas of things to sew, now would I? ;o)

Adding some sparkle

2011-12-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

I'm rather giddy over the cushion I just finished to add some seasonal sparkle to our living room. I can't begin to tell you how it makes me happy to see my design work out even better than I had originally envisioned. The blue snowflake fabric was the inspiration behind making a large applique snowflake.

At first I was only going to do basic applique stitches to secure the snowflake to the background using a white rayon thread. Then I spotted a spool of metallic silver thread in my thread box...

and the next thing I know, I'm outlining the snowflake with that sparkly thread! Pleased with the results, but wanting more sparkle I also FMQ inside the design of the snowflake. Then I came across a treasured glass button I have from my great- grandma. It seemed the perfect finish to the center of the snowflake as it adds more sparkle!

The blue, white and touch of silver looked lovely and I was all set to quilt my cushion top and proceed to finish the cushion, but the lovely colours in this jelly roll gave me another idea. My plan for finishing the cushion changed! I decided to add some patchwork along the four edges of the front, incorporating some of the fabrics from the Sophie line.

Ready to quilt, I couldn't decide on a design. I thought of stitching swirls or echo quilting the snowflake but neither choice really seemed to be quite right. I kept staring at the cushion top... until it dawned on me that simply quilting circles around the snowflakes printed on the fabric would convey the look of falling snow - which I think suits it perfectly!

As much as I love the front, I adore the backing. What goes better with pretty snowflakes than bright coloured mittens?

A hidden zipper runs through the center back, making it easy to remove, while the busy print echoes the bright colours of the patchwork bordering the snowflake on the front. LOVE it.

The final fun touch, is the red pom-pom fringe!

Look how well my new cushion coordinates with my Stars of Friendship Quilt. You'd almost get the impression that I like combining red and blue. ;o)

It really looks at home in one of our living room chairs,

but it clearly out sizes the red cushions currently on our love seat. That must mean I need to make it some friends. ;o)

Meantime, I'm going to enjoy the sparkly snowflake that will never melt.

Wishing you a happy weekend and some sparkle to your day!

I'm adding my Sparkle Snowflake Cushion to

Finish it Up Friday

and entering it into this month's

Working with what I have

2011-12-08T01:14:00.000-08:00

to make the scrappy bento box quilt, meant some stash shopping for the backing. Originally, I thought I would use this plaid fabric I scored at the Unused Fabric and Crafts Sale to sew a shirt for my son. The fact that I had paid $2 for 92" of it and that it was red, changed my mind. A quilt back it is. Sorry, son. Quilt making comes first. Shirtmaking.... well, let's just say it's not at the top of my sewing list right now.

Even with a fair piece of the plaid to work with, it wasn't quite large enough for the whole backing to be made from it. Time for some creative piecing, right? I made a few more Bento box blocks, made some half blocks and even threw in the block I made for a sample in the block tutorial I wrote a month ago. Waste not, want not! ;o)

I think it works. In a crazy-one-of-a-kind sort of way. Just the sort of thing I like, because along with taking pleasure in creating, I do love using what I have on hand and being pleasantly surprised with the unique results.

Cluck, cluck, snow and sew

2011-12-07T00:30:00.000-08:00

I'm still playing catch up with you after the unplanned blog break I took. Are you ready for some fabric eye candy??? Check out the gorgeous fat quarters, my new bloggy friend, Linda sent me. These gorgeous hens are irresistible in their bright finery and I feel so spoiled with Linda's generous offer to share some with me. They're all the way from New Zealand and are called Happy Hens (fabric for purchase can be found at Kiwiquilts). Thank you so very much, Linda! I think I've got a new addiction. lol These pretties are being petted and fawned over as I decide what I will fashion from them. You've just given me another reason to love your beautiful country! ;o)

Here's some pieces of fabric eye candy from my stash that has me itching to stitch. Something. Now. Snowflakes, stripes, polka dots and bright coloured mittens. Okay, is anyone else starting to hear " These are a few of my favourite things" from the Sound of Music, like I am?... Bet you are now. ;o)

Something snow themed is on the cutting table, just waiting for me to get other projects completed first. Obviously, fabric is one of my "favourite things". What's yours?

My method to the madness...

2011-12-06T00:02:00.000-08:00

is placing a small design board to keep my block layouts clear and understandable for piecing, right in front of me while I sew.

This set-up allows me to keep the blocks scrappy and keeps me from mixing pieces up as I sew. Crazy as this may look, it works for me! lol

Belle has been humming along in the evenings piecing Scrappy Bento Box Blocks in my effort to make a quilt from this charming block.

(Do you like my task lighting?... I need to replace Belle's lightbulb, but find that this Ott lite does the trick quite nicely. Oh, in case you're wondering about the wooden stick with the #20 on it placed under the stitch length lever... the numerals on the machine have worn away, so this stick allows me to find 20stitches/inch quickly and accurately - thanks to my clever husband for this idea)

Just to prove that my mad method for block piecing actually works, check out my progress.

From another view, here's the line-up (not arranged in their final layout, just yet). I think with a bit more piecing, I'll have a quilt top!
I want this to be a quilt for our living room to coordinate with the scrappy red pillows I made a little while back. That should make the room merry and bright (while putting a dent in the stash of reds I seem to have accumulated... ha! we know that won't happen. Not unless I stop adding red fabrics to the stash. Shhh... please don't tell the man of the house that it's a losing battle. lol).

How did that happen?

2011-12-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, so is it just me or is anyone else wondering how the days seem to be passing so fast? Seriously, the past couple of weeks have been a blur... with little or no time for blogging and keeping up with everyone online. I did not expect that to happen, otherwise I would've mentioned that I'd be taking a blog break! lol

Back on track, with things to share with you, here's a peek at my crochet project progress. The next step will be blocking and then I will be able to join all my motifs together. Fingers crossed that I will finish it all by the end of the week!

Next up, I want to show you the lovely parcel of handmade goodness I received from my sweet bloggy friend, Wendy. Awhile back, when I asked her if I could send her a little something to cheer her up, she agreed... only if I would accept a parcel from her in return. Ha! As if I would say "no" to such a thing as a gift from her talented hands. ;o)

Look at the pretty sewing set she made for me...

this charming little heart is meant to be a pincushion, but I like it too much to stick it with pins. I'm going to add a ribbon to it so I can hang it in my sewing room.

... then there's this prettily embroidered button bag... totally gorgeous work, Wendy!!

and no sewing set would be complete without a needle case, just look at the pages of this beauty!

Keeping it all organized and looking fabulous while doing it, is a yummy fabric tray. Oh, my! Wendy knows me well, doesn't she? I'm crazy about red and aqua blue together and her gifts will be happily at home in my sewing room. I smile every time I look at her thoughtful gifts.

Did I mention that Wendy is talented, not only with her sewing but many other needle arts plus, she crafts beautiful cards. Yes, my friend spoiled me ( and I'll never complain over that ;o).
Thank you ever so much, Wendy. I'm tickled with pleasure over your beautiful gifts - you definitely added some extra special Bliss to my ~~day~~ month.

Want to hear the funny part about our swap? Without planning it, we made each other needle books from the same pattern! The pattern is from the inspiring book, Sew Pretty Homestyle . It's such a favourite and a darling design, that I keep returning to it. Wendy made one for me from Bliss (a fabric line that I adore and want...lol) and I made her this modern looking one, complete with a snap that looks like a button, shown next to the scrappy pincushion (from a pattern in Last Minute Patchwork Gifts.)

I had fun making these gifts to cheer Wendy (if you're curious to see what else I tucked into her parcel, go here to see).

What a joy it is to make friends with someone as lovely and generous as Wendy, and better yet to get to swap a little handmade love to brighten one another's day!

Better on my second try

2011-11-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

Remember my first attempt using a flex frame? I readjusted the measurements for the top band ...

and came up with a new coin purse! There's still some minor tweaking I think is necessary, to make my next one even better, but you have to start somewhere, right? ;o)

I'm delighted that in my second attempt at this purse, I got to use some of my winnings from Kelly's giveaway, mixed in with scrap fabric pretties from my friend Jacqueline. The happy, bright colours of this patchwork combined with my FMQ flower design makes me smile.

I'm also smiling because I get the day off and that means I might be found in my sewing room after spending most of the week too tired to be creative. I've been working as the cleaner at the 3 plex my husband helped build. It will be nice to have a day away from wielding a cleaning cloth, vacuum, mop or window cleaning miscellany. I'm looking forward to a day where I'll end up covered in threads not construction dust! ;o)

Here's hoping you find time today to do something that you love, too.

Want to see what others have accomplished this week? Click over to Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and be prepared to be inspired.

Closer

2011-11-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

I've made more progress on my colourful crochet project over the past couple of days. Oh, how I'm loving these colours together!

Meanwhile, it seems like winter has found us. Here's a shot from my kitchen window yesterday...

with the forecast indicating that there'll be more of this today.

Quilt or Crochet?

2011-11-10T17:19:00.000-08:00

My WIPs list has grown this past week. The block tutorial started me back into stitching scrappy bento box blocks.

It's as if these blocks hold some magical power though. Every time I stitch one, I immediately want to make another, just to see what it will look like. Then another.

Does that explain how I went from one to six? I hadn't planned on that!

Do I see if I have enough scraps for a quilt?

I can forget making more pillows from them. I know more pillows would be overkill.... the living room is awash in pillows (and I'm hearing a few complaints from the menfolk about the burgeoning pillow population... lol).

Forget about making more place mats, I've already made them and even two table runners in scrappy red as well. Hmmm...so I guess a quilt is the only logical choice. ;o)

Coincidentally, I also have wandered into a crochet project. Inspired by Laura's colourful crochet, I decided to treat myself to some colourful crochet threads. I'm loving this project, but still have a ways to go before it's finished.

Now I can't decide, should I quilt or crochet? ;o)

Getting it right

2011-11-09T14:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, despite my best efforts, simple mistakes slip right past me. Remember my debut jitters being asked to do a tutorial for Sew We Quilt? I somehow missed a simple dimension in the cutting list. The error has been fixed, but I just wanted to let all of you know that if you printed that tutorial prior to this morning, you will have to edit my typo. My apologies!

The correct measurement for piece E is 3.5" x 6.5"

As if one mistake wasn't enough for today, here's another. I was playing around with a bag design that would use up scraps left from making 9-patch blocks. Everything went well with the piecing,

the quilting,

even with the cute retro fabric I used for the lining.

The mistake wasn't realized until I tried to insert one of these clever flex frames into the band at the top of my little purse.

Giveaway win from Lisa's lovely shop This and That from Japan (thanks, Lisa!!!)

I was more than a little disappointed. My math seemed to be off for the band at the top and the frame won't quite fit. Aw, nuts. Apparently, numbers are getting the best of me. ;o)

I'm off to see about making a new purse (I'll just leave the first with a ribbon drawstring... sigh) because I really want to see the flex frame in action. Here's to getting it right. (fingers crossed...lol)

Scrappy Bento Box Block Pillow Tutorial

2011-11-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Let's make a pillow!

You will need one block made from my

Scrappy Bento Box Block Tutorial (click here)

Cutting List:

Cut 4 corner stones - 2" x 2"

Cut 4 sashing piece 2" x 12.5"

Cut 1 piece of batting 17" x 17"

Cut 1 backing (used for quilting the pillow front) 17" x 17"

Cut 2 pieces 10" x 15" for pillow back

65" of double fold 1/2" binding (I used self made)

1 zipper - 16" (or longer, can trim later); to match pillow back

*seams are scant 1/4"

Here's the layout for the sashing and corner stones you will add to the Bento Box Block, to make it into a 15" pillow.

Step 1: Stitch corner stones to both ends of two sashing strips. Press seams towards sashing strips.

Step 2: Sew remaining two sashing strips to opposite sides of Bento Box block. Press seam towards sashing strips.

Step 3: Sew sashing strips with attached corner stones to Bento Box block; top and bottom. Press seams towards sashing strips.

Step 4: Place fabric selected to be backing for quilting the pillow front, face down and layer quilt batting and then finished block on top (right side up). Make sure there's no wrinkles and pin to secure.

Step 5: Machine quilt the pillow front.

Here's a close-up of the gently curved lines I quilted onto my pillow front.

Step 6: After quilting is complete, trim the finished pillow front to measure 15" x 15".

Step 7: Take one of the pieces cut for the pillow back and press a 1.25" hem along one 15" side.

Step 8: Lay zipper face down matching the right edge of zipper tape with the raw edge of the hem on piece 1 of pillow back. Stitch 1/4" in from this raw edge to secure zipper to piece one. This seam will also secure the hem.

Step 9: Lay piece 1 of the pillow back right side up - the zipper will be right side up as well, but the hem will be covering it. Push the hem out to the side so it will not get caught in the seam you will stitch to secure piece 2 to the other half of the zipper tape. Place piece 2 right side down, matching the 15" raw edge with the edge of the zipper tape. Sew with a 1/4" seam.

Step 10: Top stitch along the right edge of the zipper and then baste across the hem *top and bottom* (making sure the zipper pull is placed so that it won't be above the basting stitches). The hem actually laps over to cover the zipper .

Step 11: Trim any of the zipper tape that extends past the length of the backing pieces (shown below).

Step 12: Lay the quilted pillow front wrong side to wrong side with the finished backing (zipper has been sewn in). Pin, matching edges and corners. Backing will be larger, that was intentional. Time to trim the backing to match the front. Both will be 15" square. Baste the pillow front to the pillow back (and at this point, make sure the zipper pull has been lowered a couple of inches from the top edge).

Step 13: Adding the binding. Unfold the binding and place right sides facing, with the pillow back. Don't start sewing the binding down at a corner. Start sewing about half way along one side of the pillow. Leave the first 3" of the binding unsewn (to make joining easier once you have bound all around the pillow).

With the raw edge of the binding matched to the raw edge of the pillow, sew 1/8" to the right of the first fold of the binding (this will be a seam of just under 1/2").

Step 14: Mark 1/2" from the corner with a pin. Stitch right to the pin, back stitch and then cut threads.

Step 15: Turn the pillow, so the seam completed is parallel to front edge of sewing machine...

fold the binding at a 45 degree angle and hold this folded angle in place while extending unsewn binding past the top edge (previously sewn along).

Now, make a fold in the binding at the top edge, matching this fold with the top edge and matching the binding with the raw edge on the right. Start stitching at the top edge - back stitch to secure - and continue sewing this side of the pillow.

All corners are completed using this method. Once the fourth corner has been bound, the two ends of binding need to be stitched together. Stop stitching about 2" from the point where the binding should end.

Step 16: Lay the cut edge from the start of the binding over the uncut length left. Mark the uncut length at the two angle points from the binding's start. Add 1/2" to account for seam allowance. Cut this angled line.

Step 17: Stitch the binding ends together with a 1/4" seam. Seam is on the bias, so no bulk will be added. After the binding ends have been sewn, finish sewing the remaining unattached binding to the pillow.

Step 18: Place pillow with quilted top facing up, and wrap the binding around to the front. Cover the stitch line (used to secure binding to pillow) and pin in place. Stitch close to the edge of the binding to secure.

Congratulations! The pillow is finished.

I'm here and I'm there.

2011-11-07T00:02:00.000-08:00

Today, I get to be in two places at once. ;o) My tutorial for a favourite quilt block is over at Sew We Quilt. Have you seen it? Yes? My fingers have been crossed and I'm holding my breath anticipating hearing what you think of it. ;o) Before that, though, I want to make you welcome. Hi! Hello. Good to see you! I'm happy you're here, both old friends and new. Blog land has been so kind to me, allowing me to find friendship around the globe, with those that share some of the same creative loves as I do. So I mean it when I tell you I'm happy you're here.

Anyway, you may have guessed by now that I just love making scrappy blocks (especially if you clicked on my links at the bottom of my block tutorial). In case none of those projects inspired you, I thought I would give you one more idea of what to make with your newly sewn scrappy block. How about a pillow?

Something patchwork and quilty good. :o)

I promise you that they're simple to make.

I will admit that a project this easy, usually means I don't stop at making one (here is my Bento Box block pillow alongside a couple of 9-patch pillows. I did mention I love scrappy...).

Would you like a tutorial for making your own pillow? Sew your Scrappy Bento Box block today, and I'll be back here tomorrow, with the pillow tutorial. Happy sewing!

Sew Excited!

2011-11-06T13:38:00.000-08:00

Having just finished up two weeks in the Ghastlie Blog Hop , I'm now leaping into more sewing adventures. Have you heard about the Block Party for the month of November?

Well, believe it or not, I've been invited to guest post over at Sew We Quilt - Stash Manicure as a part of the Block Party. Yeah, li'l ole me. Even more staggering for me to comprehend, is that I'm the first guest and that means tomorrow. Tomorrow. One sleep away... Eeep (she says in a high, squeaky voice... ;o) Now can you understand why I'm both excited and a wee bit nervous (must get over myself and not worry that I sound like an eejit...lol)? The exciting and fun part is that I've written up a block tutorial from one of my favourite blocks to sew (can you guess what that block might be?). Sharing it with you makes me happy and hopefully it will inspire you to sew some as well. Will you come by and let me know what you think? Thanks. I'd really, really appreciate your friendly support.

You don't want to miss the Last Day of Ghastlies Blog Hop

2011-11-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'm off, hammer toting, again today (I seem to have a lot in common with Prudence Ghastlie at the moment ;o), but I will be checking in with the Ghastlie sistahs showing their stuff on the last day of the Blog Hop. Go check out the newest serving of Ghastlies delights and be sure to comment when you visit. You just know that Madame Samm has lined up something wonderful for today's grand prize giveaway!

ON Friday November 4th
Day 10

Mrs Nan Ghastlie

Mrs. Gmama Jane Ghastlie
Mrs Joan Ghastlie
Mrs. Nancy Ghastlie

Ms Susan Ghastlie
Madame Ghastlie

Hammer toting and Day 9 of the Ghastlies Blog Hop

2011-11-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Just like Prudence Ghastlie, I've been toting around a hammer the past couple of days. Probably not for the same reasons (if the look on Prudence's face is anything to go by...lol). I've been on the jobsite with my husband as he finishes up some kitchen installations, finished carpentry tasks and other carpentry work. As his "sometimes" assistant, I get to join him in the land of sawdust, paint fumes and power tools. Quite a different environment than my usual. I come home looking like I've been rolled in sawdust and pulled backwards through a knot hole about 10 times, so I may resemble Prudence a bit afterall. lol

My long preamble is my attempt to explain why I've been MIA around here, with no sewing finishes to share just yet. I have been too knackered after days spent on the contruction site to do any stitching. Forgive me. Anyways, I hope you're ready for the second to last day on the Ghastlie Blog hop!

ON Thursday November 3rd
Day 9

Mrs. Sharon Ghastlie ( has pc problems...may be back tomorrow)
Mrs Corrie Ghastlie

Mrs Cheryl Ghastlie

Mrs. Linda Ghastlie
Mrs. Pickles Ghastlie

DAY 9 GiveawayS

WE will have 3 winners.
3 prizes..

Corrie @ Quilt Taffy is offering

yes yes yes $51.12 Gift Certificate
for one lucky Winner...

2nd prize......OH look a BEAM n READ,
Some Presencia threads
and is that, is it really
some Ghastlie coordinated buttons.
YES all 10 for YOU.

And 3rd winner will win 4 yds of assorted

Ghastlies Fabric from Alexander Henry Fabrics

Wow! There's new Ghastlie sistahs to visit today and chances for 3 giveaway prizes as well. Let's go blog hopping...

I'll be back to hammer toting again tomorrow, but will get the link list up so you won't miss the last day of the hop, which is tomorrow.

Ghastlies Blog Hop - Day 8

2011-11-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Nov. 2

Mrs. Jane Ghastlie
Mrs. Laura Ghastlie ( sadly she will not be available)

Mrs. Mary Ghastlie

Mrs. Michelle Ghastlie

Mrs. Dawn Ghastlie
Mrs Mary Ghastlie

DAY 8 Giveaway

This beautiful KONA bundle
in PINK is from our very
own Jane from Jane's Fabrics.
This is her sweet....giveaway..
Oh and some Presencia threads too!
From her to YOU!

There's more Ghastlie goodness on Day 8, awaiting you... so go visit today's Ghastlie sistahs and be sure to leave your comments to enter the day's grand prize giveaway.

Ghastlie Blog Hop - Day 7

2011-11-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here's today's list of Ghastlie sistahs...

Tuesday November 1st
Day 7

Miss Daisy Ghastlie
Mrs. Dana Ghastlie

Mrs. Elaine Ghastlie

Mrs. Gramma Sheri Ghastlie
Ms. Suz Ghastlie

and the grand prize for today...

DAY 7 Giveaway

These wonderful Auriful Threads

from IHAN...Kelly at I Have A Notion

is sending 1 winner this collection

of some pretty colorful threads.

Ghastlie Blog Hop - Day 6

2011-10-31T16:02:00.000-07:00

Mad Mathilda, Bored Betty and Scary Mary want to welcome you to Day 6 of the Ghastlie Blog Hop

Hope you all had a chance to catch up on last week's Ghastlie stops on the blog hop because we're starting the second week. Here's the list of links to my Ghastlie sistahs for today.

ON Monday October 31st
Day 6

Mrs. Tonya Ghastlie
Mrs Tiramisue Ghastlie

Mrs. Angela Ghastlie

Mrs Pauline Ghastlie

Mrs. Karin Ghastlie

Mrs Barb Ghastlie * lost her power during snow storm
will keep you updated when it is back on...

Along with sharing wonderful, Ghastlie projects, if you comment on their blogs you will have a chance at today's Grand Prize giveaway...

DAY 6 Giveaway
Halloween...

2 sets of these candi lovely lights
( not edible, they do light up)
from one of our very own Mrs Nancy Ghastlie
Coeurdalenegifts

Who won Friday's grand prizes?...

Congrats Manda and Danelle
4 Yards EACH of this GHASTLIE
Collection from our sponsor
Alexander Henry Fabrics...

P.S. I don't know about you, but this blog hop hasn't cured me of wanting to sew some more with the Ghastlies. I hope to include a few more projects with you this week, even though my stop on the blog hop was last Thurs. Fingers crossed that some of those other projects will be ready to share soon. Meantime, go enjoy the inspiration you will see on my Ghastlie sistah's blogs, but I warn you, you may find yourself with Ghastlie fever. ;o)

Ghastlie Blog Hop - Day 5 and Giveaway Winners

2011-10-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

First and foremost... a huge thank you for all your comments on my Ghastlie creations, which I posted yesterday. YOU made my day! I had fun reading what you had to say and learning how many Ghastlie fans are out there. It would seem that Ghastlie fever really is contagious! lol

Now, let's find out which of you won some Ghastlie prizes...

Winner for yesterday's grand prize giveaway...

( All 3 Rulers goes out to

Evelyn from Mrs Sharon Ghastlies

Gathering...)

Congratulations, Evelyn!

Now we need a winner for my own giveaway (Dotty over the Ghastlies apron)...

The winner...

...is Jeanie! Congratulations, Jeanie! (look for my email in your inbox)

Get ready for today's line-up of Ghastlie delights and a new giveaway. Please go visit today's Ghastlie sistah's and leave them your comments...

ON Friday October 28th

Day 5

Miss Trudi Ghastlie

Ms. Deonn Ghastlie

Mrs. Marlene Ghastlie

Mrs Kim Ghastlie

Mrs Tammy Ghastlie

Check out what grand prizes await you...

DAY 5 Giveaway...
And yes you guessed
2 more WINNERS for
Ghastlie Fabric...

4 Yards EACH of this GHASTLIE

Collection from our sponsor

Alexander Henry Fabrics...

They are sporting a BRAND NEW look too.!

YOU can VIEW these from samples they have posted!

http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/101-a-ghastly-night

http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/100-ghastly-forest

http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/102-a-ghastly-clover

http://www.ahfabrics.com/collections/category/98-ghastly-bramble

Good luck! I hope YOU win and thanks again for making the Ghastlie Blog Hop so much fun. Okay, I'm off to go check out what my sistahs have stitched up. Happy Friday to you!

Ghastlie Blog Hop - Day 4

2011-10-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome! Glad you've stopped in to see the "secret sewing" I've been doing as a part of the Ghastlies Blog Hop. Now before I overwhelm you with photos of my projects made from this fabric line,... I want to make sure you all know that there are daily giveaways during the the Ghastlies Blog Hop. To be entered for the daily grand prize (shown over at Madame Ghastlie's - she happens to be our lovely hostess that came up with this fun idea and she's also a Ghastlie ~~enabler~~ source of inspiration ;o), remember to leave a comment (one on each blog you visit on their appointed day). Okay?

Now that I know you're set to win, are you ready for me to share something Ghastlie?

How about a lap quilt, featuring this fiendish family!

The finished quilt is 52" square, so I'm calling it a lap quilt. My sons thought it must be a baby quilt because they have become used to me making bed sized quilts. When I explained that it wasn't meant to be a baby quilt, my youngest son said, "Good, because this quilt would scare the baby!". Can you guess what I named my quilt?.....Scare the Baby...

Speaking of scary... what are they knitting in this scene?....

and what is she doing with that hammer?

Now this fellow doesn't look too scary... but what's up with the invisible dog on his leash? ;o)

Want to hear something scary? My addiction for quilt making. Honestly, I didn't originally buy Ghastlies fabric with the intention of making a quilt. I was picturing bags, aprons, tea cozies and the like. Lots of small, quick, gift type sewing projects. I was working on one such idea when a quilt design came to me and I just put aside all those earlier ideas and dove into making a Ghastlie quilt.

Sometimes scary is good. :o)

One idea seems to lead to another and it was while I was making the quilt and looking at this block

and this witch, that another project came to me.

I thought about combining them...

into a wall hanging.

Would you like a tour? Let me be your guide.

Okay, be careful, when passing the family cat, Sebastian, as you enter. He's a bit of a fiend at times.

Off to your left, you probably noticed the dining room is in use. Let's leave them to it and go to the next room on the main floor.

Looks like Uncle is getting ready to walk his dog, so we might as well head on up the stairs.

From this window, you can view the bramble garden, but let's leave this sad fellow here, deep in contemplation.

Upstairs, into the parlour we go! Oh, seems like the doctor has been paying a visit. Hope whatever she has isn't catching... let's be on our way, just in case.

Over in the west wing, I'm not sure if her broom is out to do a spot of sweeping up or if she's making some travelling plans. Let's not disturb, whatever the case. She doesn't look too pleased to see us. ;o)

Hiking up the stairs into the tower, we come to my favourite room. I think it must be a studio of sorts. Just look at the knitting going on here!

Up the last flight of stairs inside the tower we come to the loft... otherwise known as the hideaway. It's usually very quiet up here... but oh, it seems to be occupied today. That's okay, it seems we've come to the final room on our tour. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Be sure to sign the guestbook on your way out and please, come again!

To give you an idea of the scale I used, I've placed my Scare the Baby quilt next to the No Place Like Home wall hanging. Look at the bottom right hand of the quilt. See that house surrounded by the polka dot fabrics? That was the inspiration and template for the house I put together for the wall hanging.

Next up, meet the Sour Faced Babushka dolls...

Scary Mary,

Bored Betty,

and the matriarch, Mad Mathilda.

Apparently, even babushkas have days when they don't feel like smiling (but I hope my silly dolls made YOU smile ;o).

The final project I have to share is something I made using some Ghastlies in the mauve colourway, partnered with some polka dots, gingham and some vintage ric-rac.

Here is a little something I made especially for YOU, to thank you for visiting today. Leave me a comment* on this post, for a chance to win this Dotty over the Ghastlies apron (winner will be responsible for postage). I will close the giveaway at midnight, and the winner will be announced here, tomorrow, Friday Oct. 28th. Just a reminder, please make sure I can contact you through your email if you're the winner.

* Your comment here will also have you entered for a chance at today's grand prize over at Sew I Quilt.

Thanks so much for visiting here and letting me share with you my Ghastly sewing projects. I wish I could say I'm done with the Ghastlies, but I think not (although my family claims they've seen enough of my Ghastlie projects for a while... lol).

Thanks again to Madame Ghastlie for her brilliant plan for a cure to Ghastlie fever.

Okay, now off you go to visit my Ghastlie stitching friends to see their wonderful creations and remember to leave comments at each blog (because we love hearing from YOU and because we want you to have a chance at some prizes.)

ON Thursday October 27th

Mrs. Katherine Ghastlie (that's me!)

Ms Sharon Ghastlie

Mrs. Gooden Ghastlie

Ms. Selina Ghastlie

Mrs. Melinda Ghastlie

Psssst.....Want to see the grand prize for today? Take a look

Day 4 Giveaway

There's something Ghastly going on....

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our 1st Annual Ghastlie Blog HOP

If you have this thing for Ghastlies

and they have tied you in a knot

and you wish you could get them out of your mind

than this may be a thought.

We heard her plea for a cure

Mdm Samm was pos/it/ively sure

that we could stitch the nights away

in hopes that we MAY----

( all 53 of us)

BUT....

The side effects are Ghastlie

there is no mistaking too.

if you don't run this very minute

YOU too will catch the FLU...

We suspected all along

this was her master plan

she did not want to be alone,

with all YOU Ghastlie FANS...

ON Monday, October 24th

Mrs Kirie Ghastlie

Ms Carol Ghastlie

Ms. Wendy Ghastlie

Ms. Carrie Ghastlie

Mrs Holly Ghastlie

ON Tuesday October 25th

Mrs. Annie Ghastlie

Mrs Doris Ghastlie

Mrs Brandie Ghastlie

Ms. Alidiza Ghastlie

Mrs. JudyC Ghastlie

ON Wednesday October 26th

Mrs. Barb Ghastlie

Miss Karen Ghastlie

Ms. Loralynn Ghastlie

Ms. Jen Ghastlie.

Ms Penny Ghastlie

ON Thursday October 27th

Mrs. Katherine Ghastlie

Ms Sharon Ghastlie

Mrs. Gooden Ghastlie

Ms. Selina Ghastlie

Mrs. Melinda Ghastlie

ON Friday October 28th

Miss Trudi Ghastlie

Ms. Deonn Ghastlie

Mrs. Marlene Ghastlie

Mrs Kim Ghastlie

Mrs Tammy Ghastlie

ON Monday October 31st

Mrs. Toyna Ghastlie
Mrs Tiramisue Ghastlie

Mrs. Angela Ghastlie

Mrs Pauline Ghastlie

Mrs. Karin Ghastlie

Mrs Barb Ghastlie

ON Tuesday November 1st

Miss Daisy Ghastlie
Mrs. Dana Ghastlie

Mrs. Elaine Ghastlie

Mrs. Gramma Sheri Ghastlie
Ms. Suz Ghastlie

ON Wednesday November 2nd

Mrs. Jane Ghastlie
Mrs. Laura Ghastlie

Mrs. Mary Ghastlie

Mrs. Michelle Ghastlie

Mrs. Dawn Ghastlie
Mrs Mary Ghastlie

ON Thursday November 3rd

Mrs. Sharon Ghastlie
Mrs Corrie Ghastlie

Mrs Cheryl Ghastlie

Mrs. Linda Ghastlie
Mrs. Suki Ghastlie
Mrs. Pickles Ghastlie

ON Friday November 4th

Mrs Nan Ghastlie

Mrs. Gmama Jane Ghastlie
Mrs Joan Ghastlie
Mrs. Nancy Ghastlie

Ms Susan Ghastlie
Madame Ghastlie

Hello, my peeps, today is the start of some Ghastly fun and if you haven't already guessed, I'm excited to be a part of the Ghastlies Blog Hop. It promises to be a fun couple of weeks! Please, let me encourage you to go and visit the blogs listed above to be inspired and entertained... and just to let you know... each day there will be a giveaway with some fun and fantastic prizes you won't want to miss. My day to share the Ghastlie sewing projects I have made will be Thurs. Oct. 27th, but don't wait until then to get a Ghastile fix - go blog hopping today, using the links above. ;o)

Wishing you Ghastlie good time!

The red trio

2011-10-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

of scrappy 9-patch blocks have finally become

quilt-y cushions! Three cheers for having lots of red scraps in my stash to make this happen. hee hee

The patchwork part was easy, but when it came time to finish them, I just couldn't decide whether to add self-made piping or binding. Discovering that I had only enough cord to make piping for two out of the three cushions... the final decision was made for me! lol ... Obviously, I choose to simply bind them - each one is bound in a different fabric (which is hard to see from my photos, unless you click on them to enlarge).

The 9 patch blocks were arranged the same on two cushions fronts for some continuity, then differently on this one:

but since I used scraps to make the blocks, each is different from any of the others. I think that's what I love most about quilting with scraps. Endless variety and opportunity to experiment. :o)

Lined up on the love seat, all those reds make me smile! I just can't seem to get enough of this colour.

Which is becoming obvious... these cushions are only the latest make in my "red fest". Adding it all up; I now have one, two, three red runners, a set of 5 red scrappy placemats and I recovered my kitchen chairs in red scrappy patchwork. You would think that it would be enough red around my house, but looking at these new cushions has me thinking a nice red scrappy quilt to match will be added to the "must sew" list. ;o)

I'm joining in on the fun and entering my cushions in Celebrate Color over at Stitched in Color and...

I'm linking up to Finish it up Friday, Week 2 over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Sewing and keeping secrets

2011-10-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

Whew. Can't believe how fast the days are flying by! This past weekend was busy with Thanksgiving ...and between the grocery shopping, baking, cooking, cleaning and planning I managed a quick visit to the local fabric shop (it is next door to one of the food shops I had to get some supplies from, so that's pretty convenient ;o). I had a specific project in mind, so I stuck close to my list in choosing fabrics for only that project (even though everything in the store was on sale... oh, my... a lot of temptation!).

Here's my selection:

These beauties have already been cut and stitched into something new, but I'm afraid you will just have to wait a little longer before I can share with you. I'm pretty excited about what I've been making, so keeping it a secret is tough.

Actually, there's been lots of behind the scenes sewing ... which is why I've disappeared for the past week. I'm working on some deadlines here, so wish me some speedy sewing success. I need it. ;o) Don't worry, I will soon be able to show my secret sewing projects with you. I may even have some finishes on some not-so-secret sewing projects to share soon too, but for that to happen, I best get back to my machine.
Happy sewing!

Catching up on things

2011-10-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

It's raining cats and dogs as I write this morning. Good thing I managed to snap some photos of what's been happening during a brief sunny spot yesterday. It seems I've managed to fall behind in a few things I wanted to share with you. First up, I have to show the amazing giveaway I won a few weeks back, from the lovely and generous, Kelly, over at Pinkadot Quilts. Seeing it all in person, left me a little stunned. You know my creative juices were stirred by all those great scraps, the gorgeous layer cake and then my favourite... the yardage of pink dots from Denyse Schmidt. There's fun in the making with all these treasures.... Thanks so much Kelly!

Next up, I thought I'd let you know that I haven't abandoned the project using my red scraps and 9 patch blocks. I've actually got the quilting done. See?

The latest thing that has my attention is the Ghastlies. You may have noticed the button on my sidebar featuring these sober folk. Can I just say how excited I am to have received my yardage so I can get some Ghastlie projects made to share with you! Obviously, the Ghastlies stand outside my usual taste in fabric, which is most often brightly coloured, but perhaps that may be part of the appeal. Anyways, stick around for the upcoming Ghastlies blog hop (starting Oct. 24th) and you will see what I will have made from this fun fabric. Oh, if you want some Ghastlies fabric of your own, you can order from Corrie over at Quilt Taffy (like I did for the print below)...

or pop by My Heart and Sew, where Cassie will put together some more lovelies for you (such as the ones I bought, shown below...).

Of course, while I was on a mission to track down the Ghastlies, I did succumb to a little something extra. I thought it would be a good way to sweeten the other (or distract the attention away from) "me" purchases by ordering some Heirloom FQs by Joel Dewberry to make a quilt for my husband. "See, honey? I ordered some fabric just for you. I knew you'd like it because orange is your favourite colour." Admittedly, he likes the newest orange fabrics added to the stash, "just for him", but I think he may be on to my tactics. I heard him say something about me not *ahem... cough, cough,* needing (his words NOT mine... lol) to order any more fabric for awhile. Hmmm... ;o) Shall I pretend that I didn't hear him say that? hee hee

Okay, that was quite a hodge-podge to share today. Good ahead and ignore my blathering and just keep your attention on all the pretty fabrics I showed you instead. ;o) I'm off to make some progress on the sewing to-do list (my favourite to-do list in the house! Yay!). Happy day to you!

Look whoooooo made the top 10!

2011-10-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

Rather excited here today, all because I discovered that I made the top 10 in the Purse Week 2011 contest. Wahoo! Pretty amazing, considering all the great entries. If you want to join the fun, visit A Lemon Squeezy Home and you can vote on your favourite, from now until Wed. Oct 5th, 11:59pm MST!

Purse Week Entry 2011

2011-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

I was excited when I first read about this contest over at A Lemon Squeezy Home. You know how much I like making bags. This contest is right up my alley! So, I got out my sketchbook and began putting down my ideas, but nothing gelled for me. Until the day of the deadline for entering. After a crazy mad day of sewing - no test run on this baby, there was no time. Here is my entry - uploaded with less than 30 minutes before the cut-off. Whew.

Want to see what kicked my creative juices into high gear? This will prove that ideas can come from the strangest places. A leather jacket that I picked up a thrift sale about a year ago sparked an idea. Looking at it, a lightbulb went off in my mind. What if I made a bag using the front of the jacket including the inset chest pockets and the button front?....

I ran with that idea and here's how I transformed that jacket into a bag, while preserving parts of the jacket's design. The button front became one side of the bag, so that the chest pockets wrapped around to become pockets on each side of the bag. Each of these pockets is large enough to hold a cell phone or my sunglasses. Handy!

I thought the original buttons were a bit too blah, so I changed them out for some fancy vintage ones. They even mirror the shape of the poppies printed on the lining fabric. Serendipity!

The back of the jacket had a yoke, a center panel and two side panels.

That yoke and panels were incorporated into the other end of the bag. I cut up the rest of the back to make ruffles to add a little texture and the sleeves of the coat became the straps of the bag. The bottom of the bag was cut from the remaining bits, leaving me with few scraps.

To finish things off, it seemed fitting to add a bold, bright print by Robert Kaufman as the lining for my new leather bag. Interior pockets will help keep things organized. The transformation from jacket to bag is complete. I just wish this idea had not waited until the 11th hour to come to me! lol

Please go here to have a look at the other entries to the contest. You'll be inspired by the creativity, I promise!

PS. You'll probably spot my second entry, made this summer.

The little red runner in 9 patches.

2011-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Let's start with pictures of the binding for a change. Bindings are always the endings to a quilted project, but this one is so good I want to show it first.

Now, we'll unroll that runner and have a peek at the backing and all the *ahem* straight lines I quilted. Quilted in red thread for the topside and cream for the backing. Just because.

Flip things over and just look at all those red fabrics. sigh... All from my scrap bins and larger bits from my stash.

I love how all those shades of reds play so nicely together.

There you have it. My little red runner for fall. Happily, this is not the end of my 9 patch projects in red. I have a few more to finish, just in case you thought that I was done. ;o)

I think I better hurry to complete them though, or I will miss being able to take pictures of them with the lovely leaves that are falling, falling, falling here. (Why can't those prettily coloured leaves stay around a little longer than they do? I'm not ready for the trees to be nekkid so soon.)

Wishing you a Happy Autumn and a great weekend... Now, go sew something! ;o)

I love rainbows!

2011-09-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

Just look at this rainbow of beautiful fabrics I received this week as a participant in the Color Wheel Charms Swap.

Many thanks Kati, for organizing such a gorgeous swap and to all the other participants that have such great taste in fabric! This was the first time for me to be a part of a group swap and only the third time I've had charms to work with (see what I made with my first and second set of charms here and here).
From the moment I took the charms out of the package they arrived in, I started playing with them. I couldn't resist all those colours. What a feast for the eyes! You're looking at 112 fabrics in the photo above. I would never be able to gather these exact fabrics locally. Lots of ideas for using them are bubbling through my brain. My quilting journal has some sketch ideas just waiting for me to grab these charms and get stitching a rainbow project or two.

Seeing Red

2011-09-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a short break from doing this...

to post this peek at the happy progress being made on my tablerunner made from 9 patch blocks. With any luck, I'll have a finished project to share tomorrow. Wahoo!
I'm linking up to a new Canadian blog that shares WIP Wednesdays. Click here to see what others have been working on today.

1, 2, 3... 9 Patch Blocks

2011-09-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

Fall weather is here, bringing with it the beautiful fall colours. Those colours have inspired my current fascination in making 9 patch blocks from my stash (and my scraps) in red. The lush colours keep drawing me in and making me smile.

Here's the block that started my latest run of late night stitching:

One block quickly led to a second one...

and predictably, that led to a third block.

Unexpectedly, it also led me here.

Who knew 9 patch blocks could be so ~~addictive~~ fun?

In too deep?

2011-09-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

I can't think of any way better to describe this craziness for sewing with scraps. I'm in deep. Why else would you come up with something like this? LOL

Currently, this WIP is waiting for me to decide how to proceed. Originally, I was going to make a pillow. Then I thought it would make a great table mat. Next, I thought it would make a perfect runner for a dresser because it matches the quilt I'm making for my bed and the linen + patchwork pillows I've already made for my "bed". If I decide to make it into a runner for a dresser, I'm going to have to convince my husband into buying me that antique dresser I've had my eye on. Would be pointless to have a runner for a dresser when there's no dresser to put it on! It would end up being a floor runner. Uh-oh. That gives me another idea for using up more scraps. See? I really am in DEEP.

When inspiration strikes...

2011-09-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

I make a mess! Here's the state of my sewing/cutting table at the moment. It's a red fest. :o) I pulled all my red fabrics from their shelf, then dumped out my container of red scraps and started playing.

I attacked the scrappy pile first, selecting what I could use to make some 1 1/2" squares. This is what started to appear on my portable design board (which is a fancy name for a piece of foam board with white flannel wrapped and taped onto it). I find my little design board great for laying out small quilting projects.

Pretty soon, all those little squares evolved into a scrappy 9 patch block, which I finished off by adding borders. There's some treasured bits of fabric making up those tiny patches and it makes me so happy to see them made into something ( sigh...and now I feel less guilty about being a scrap ~~hoarder~~ conservationist ;o).

Funny, thing though, I didn't use up all those itty bitty scraps. Surprisingly, it seems I still have some left. Guess I have to keep making blocks. Isn't that just terrible?!? (okay, okay, I admit, I can't keep a straight face saying that... bahahahahaha)...

See you later. I'm going back to make a bigger mess.

You'd think I'd learn the lesson,

2011-09-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

that despite what the instructions say, I will not have enough supplies included to finish my stitchery kit. Yet, here I am once again, nearing completion and faced with a shortage. Where do I keep going wrong, I wonder?

I've already finished stitching three out of the four repeated motifs on this tablecloth, but I'm certain that I'm going to run out of green floss before I'm done. I'm down to less than 30 inches in that colour and I still have a fair amount of the design that needs to be done in green. sigh.

This will be the second time I've used a kit and found myself running short of the threads I need. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to find more in the right colour - despite the fact that this kit was picked up from a thrift store (and who knows how old it is?). The craziest part? I have what appears to be MORE than enough in every other colour needed for this design - actually I know I will have full skeins leftover, whereas, I will need more than one skein of green to finish. Does that make any sense? Who determined how much of each skein of colour would be needed - how could their math be so off?

It seems so unfair!

Please tell me if something like this has ever happened to you. It only reminds me of how I never had any luck with boxed cake mixes - they never turned out as well as cake I made completely from scratch. Seriously. Every single time. Who knew you could screw up a cake mix? lol That led to me to make the decision to never buy cake mixes. Thankfully, my homemade cakes do turn out, so we haven't gone without eating cake.

Only, I'm feeling the same lack of love from stitchery kits as I had from those boxed cake mixes.

Maybe, I'm jinxed. ;o)

Is it crewel to crochet colourful yarn? ;o)

2011-09-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

Fabric is my first love (creatively speaking), but colourful yarn is also irresistible to me. What's a girl to do when she doesn't have a money tree in her backyard to help fatten her yarn stash? She finds a way to repurpose or use what she has!

I had the crazy idea of using my thrifted collection of crewel yarn

to crochet some hexagons.

What fun! Plus, it's a more economical way for trying out a colourful idea (for someone that doesn't have a bountiful knitting yarn stash.... yet)!

Understandably, it's not as though I have enough yarn to make this into something large, like an afghan, but all that yarn play will become something useful. Stay tuned to see the completion...fingers crossed that the next crazy idea for this project will turn out. ;o)

It's in the details.

2011-09-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

Details like buttons. I have added fabric, mother of pearl, coconut and even a couple of buttons from Sculpey clay, onto a mini quilt I'm working on.

The buttons combined with some decorative hand stitches,

are helping me get closer to finishing. The whole design has been an unfolding process, as I experiment with various ideas (this really means I'm making this up as I go along - which is fun, but means a slower time frame on this WIP, while I let inspiration show me the way to finishing). As excited as I am to complete this project, I'm finding that I'm enjoying developing the design as I work on it. Yes, it's a slower way to go about things, but it also feels like I have so many options to play with, since there's no pattern to follow. So, I work away on this project as the ideas come to me and I feel the reward of my patience and the joy that comes with hand sewing. It's all good. ;o)

Anyways, you can see from the open area at the bottom of this mini quilt, I'm not done yet, but thought I'd show you my progress. Now, I can't help but wonder if you like to have a project that you take your time on, pondering over it and perhaps even savouring the time it takes to complete....Care to share?

Wow

2011-09-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

Look what arrived on my doorstep (cue my happy dance...). :o)

All this bounty came to me courtesy of Madame Samm over at Sew We Quilt as my prize for winning one of her amazing giveaways in the Wantobe Quilter campaign that continues 5 days/week until the end of Oct. That means the next winner could be you! I hope seeing my winnings will encourage you to enter because Madame Samm really goes above and beyond in offerring spectacular prizes...PLUS... she's such a sweetie, she always tucks in a few extra goodies into every giveaway package she sends out. Lucky me, I received a couple of bottles of Tombo glue and four colours of Presencia threads as my extras!

My prize (as shown on Sew We Quilt) was the Sizzix cutter, with the extra long cutting mat, along with the die to cut 2.5" strips ( you know I will be using this for quilting projects!) and I also won the bundle of 1/2 yard cuts of the Tea Cakes fabric you see pictured above. I've already given the cutter a test drive... oh, boy, is it quick and easy! The fabric is just so yummy... I'm still dreaming up what I will make with them... I did however dive right in with using the Presencia threads that Madame Samm included as sweet extras to my main prize. Aren't these threads pretty?

I used the pink and the green threads to do some hand quilting on my little blocks quilt project. Here's a peek:

After seeing all that, I know you'd like to win something AND I want you to win, too. Madame Samm has lots of great prizes to share with you. Please register with me (see my sidebar on the right, for details) and then go visit Sew We Quilt and leave your comments so you can be entered to win some great sewing/quilting prizes. You really don't want to miss out, do you?

A little bit more...

2011-09-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

or more "little bits". I managed to find more background fabric at the store to add another row (or two!) to each side of my green scraps quilt. Here's what I've laid out so far...

and here's what it looked like when *I thought * (insert snort of laughter on that declaration) I was done.

My husband thinks I should have 3 rows of "little bits" on each side of the quilt top after seeing the comparison (top photo... 3 rows shown on left side and with 2 rows on the right). Three rows would mean a bit more piecing, but it would also mean using up more scraps. Well, you know how I feel about using up scraps. ;o) So... I guess that means that after I vacuum up the latest crop of stray threads and fabric snips that trail through the house, I can get back to coating the floors with some fresh ones. hee hee

Sending you all wishes for a wonderful weekend. Okay... I'm off to clean a little bit more before I get busy making more of a mess.

Old and Bold Repurposed

2011-09-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

I just put the final stitches into the Wedding Ring Quilt sewn from thrifted vintage sheets in pinks, oranges and yellows. The first time I made a quilt completely from vintage sheets it was blue, it's such a favourite that I knew I would make another and that it had to be pink. This one is just as soft as the first one and I love the mish-mash of old and bold prints!

Machine quilting a meandering design seemed the best way to make sure those (bazillion...well, it seemed like that many!) batting scraps I pieced together, wouldn't have a chance to separate over time. I love that all those batting scraps I save were put to good use!

Many of my vintage sheets have bold colours and large floral patterns, which certainly can't get lost in blocks that are 32" finished. ;o) It seemed to make sense to show them off in a big block rather than chopping them too tiny to be seen and enjoyed. Plus, it was fun enlarging a traditional block to this huge size.

You would think I would have a complete vintage sheet to use for the backing, but that didn't happen. I kept finding patched spots (some nice darning work!) or overly worn/ faded places on the hopeful candidates and in the end decided to simply use the nicest parts of two sheets - pairing a light and dark to show off those large floral motifs. It turned out better than I had hoped - I had considered piecing leftovers in various combinations to make the yardage I needed, but I think going 50/50 with two sheets was best. Once again reaffirming that simplicity is often all that's needed to make something beautiful.

Even though it's Sept., our weather here is still sunny and warm, perfect for a picnic. Now I have just the right quilt for one. Care to join me?

Working toward a finish... or two

2011-09-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

I suppose if you read here somewhat regularly, you may wonder if all I do is start projects. :o) I will admit that I tend to be the type that likes to have more than one project on the go at any given time. I'm the same way when it comes to books. I do eventually finish what I start, very rarely do I completely walk away from a WIP. This week I'm focusing on getting some of my projects out of the WIP stack. Case in point in the Wedding Ring quilt made from vintage sheets. It's not that it's a complicated quilt, but my delay came with preparing the batting and backing. I think I pieced a bazillion batting scraps together for this quilt and then I pieced two fabrics for the backing. That slowed my enthusiasm a bit, but I wanted it done, so I stayed up last night basting (my least favourite part in quilt making... bleh...) so I could get to quilting it. Happily, I finished machine quilting today and quickly moved onto adding the binding. I'm hoping to have the binding stitched down tonite. Then I'll only have 2 quilts waiting to be basted.

Instead of scaring you by showing you all the projects I currently have on the go (which include some knitting, some crochet and some *a little red-faced over this one* ahem...embroidery...), I thought I'd show a glimpse of the progress I made on my mini quilt. I haven't finished hand quilting all that I intend to, but I jumped ahead and added a binding - with a few well placed basting stitches keeping everything in place until I decide on the finishing stitches. I'm also toying with some extra embellishments... like fabric yo-yos and some special buttons.

So tell me, do you like to have several projects on the go at one time or are you strictly a one project-at-a-time maker?

I'm looking forward to the long weekend

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

and the possibilities.

Speaking of possibilities...
Look at what you could win, Wantobe Quilters (and won't even have to pay for the shipping...this includes internationally)! What are you waiting for? Today might be your lucky day, so please, be sure to enter here with your comments, after you have registered with me (leave me your name and email to be registered... more details on the Wantobe Quilter campaign can be found on the sidebar). Just think of all the sewing possibilities you will have with a new sewing machine!!!
Wishing you good luck!

Happy Labor Day weekend and Happy Sewing!

Using scraps

2011-09-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

makes sense to me because I can take something like this...

to make this.

I will admit, I also like to use my scrap bits of batting (all those pieces from making quilts really add up and I can't bear to throw them out!). Although it's a bit like putting together a puzzle and may require some patience,

after a simple zig zag stitch on my machine, those skinny strips become something larger.

I especially like using my scraps to make a unique backing for any of my quilting projects that I can. This time around I didn't have much piecework to do because I had section of pieced backing left from making this quilt. One seam later and I have something just right for finishing my Little Blocks project.

Please tell me that I'm not the only one that feels chuffed about using up my scraps. Otherwise I'm going to take the 'raised eyebrow' look I get around here (when I start waxing on about how wonderful scraps are), as the sentiments of the majority. Meaning: I'm a bit of a weirdo.... ;o)

A few more

2011-08-31T07:28:00.000-07:00

I've been stitching up a few more 5" blocks from my scraps. These soft pinks/yellows and taupes are more challenging for me than my usual bright colours (you will notice I did include two darker fabrics in browns - afraid it was looking too flat without some stronger colour). I'm considering redoing the center block so that the fabric for the windows will be more noticeable. It's a reminder of how important it can be to step back; take a look at fabric combinations before sewing. Otherwise, you may discover that the contrast that seems apparent when you're close, doesn't exist from further back. Ahem.

It's been overcast and rainy here, so I think I'll get the crockpot going and I'll have more time today to sit and sew. What are you/ will you be working on today?

Little Blocks Rock!

2011-08-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

After reworking my sewing room over the weekend, I came across some stored leftovers from this quilt and decided to add in some other bits to make some little blocks.

Each finished block is 5", so they're quick to piece and great for little oddments of fabric. I'm thinking of making a sampler wall hanging from my little blocks. It's time to make those scraps into something use able rather than keeping them in storage! ;o)

P.S. Just a reminder for all you quilters out there, that today is giveaway day for you over at SewWeQuilt. Go there now and enter to win some fabulous quilting tools and fabric.

Changes

2011-08-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

This weekend brought some changes to my sewing space. I've slowly been adding shelving to make my supplies more accessible. My goal has been to get all my fabric/yarn/embroidery/needlepoint/crochet and felting supplies out of the the huge plastic storage tubs (...you can just catch a glimpse of the last 6 along the wall on the lower right).

Earlier this year, I picked up two wire shelving units secondhand, which meant some fabric was finally out of the tubs, then on Friday I found a pair of used IKEA cabinets for sale. Over the weekend I set about unpacking those 6 storage bins, to put everything into my new units.

I was happy to find that it all fit - without an inch to spare, but it's now situated so I can more readily access everything I need. Whew. I had been looking and waiting to find something I could afford that would be more than a set of open shelves because I wanted my fabrics behind doors (protected from dust etc.). I stacked all of my quilting cottons on the shelves behind the glass doors (where I can see them and be inspired) and the rest of my assorted fabric stash is nicely contained behind the solid lower doors in both cabinets. Bonus - see the lights that sit atop the cabinets? I can use all the extra lighting available!

If you're brave, click on the photo below and you will see details of my crazy stash. (Husband has since commented that I'm more than halfway to owning a fabric store... in my defense, you know like he does, that a good portion of what you see is from those wonderful thrift sales I like to visit. So, yes, there's a lot... but at least I didn't pay retail for all of what you see. :o)

Another smaller, yet important change to my sewing space happened this weekend while I was working on a gift. I was pressing a portion of a quilt block when I smelled something burning.

Turns out, it was my iron! I quickly unplugged it before it got any worse, but it couldn't be saved. A vintage iron I picked up at an estate sale (bought because it reminded me of the iron my great-grandmother had and taught me to press clothes with when I was a girl) came to my rescue. For something so small, it certainly gets hot enough to take the wrinkles out of anything I've put it to work on. I think it could even press the wrinkles from an elephant's hide - it gets that hot!

Here's what I was piecing when my modern iron had its meltdown, a flannel doll quilt for my youngest niece. The central part of this quit is from scraps, I used all I had of both fabrics, something that always makes me happy.

I'm hopeful that with a better set-up in my sewing room, that I will be even more productive. For all the years I've sewn and had fabric, this is the first time it hasn't been kept in either a cardboard box or a huge storage tub. This is also the first time all of my sewing needs are in one room - a room that is known as the sewing room. It seems so amazing to have it. As you can tell, I'm pretty excited about the new changes and hope to be more productive as a result of it.

Happy Sewing!

This one is for keeps.

2011-08-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

The first two messenger bags I made using the pattern from Oliver + S book, were gifts for my nieces, but I loved the design so much, I wanted one to keep. Liesl has given the messenger bag in two sizes, so this time around, I made the bag in the largest given size. No matter which size you make, this design is a fantastic canvas for combining favourite fabrics and/or embellishments.

Thinking that Autumn is just around the corner, I chose colours more in sync with the upcoming season. Two ~~of my hoarded~~ Amy Butler fabrics are paired with a medium weight denim and then the self-made bias binding is Henna Garden from Sandi Henderson.

I love how the green binding "pops" next to the navy blue of the denim. Good thing I made a lot of this binding... I want to use it on everything! It's my new favourite. Honestly, choosing the fabrics is always one of my favourite parts of any project. I am very tempted to make more of these bags just to try out some other fabric combinations. ;o)

The details on this bag make it so fun! Although, I'm still debating over adding snaps to the striped pocket flaps. I didn't put snaps on the versions I made for my nieces. I figured that snaps might frustrate their little fingers. I'm half inclined to think I might be annoyed by having them on my bag (not that my fingers are little, but I hate closures that may impede quick access to pockets). Hmmmm. Perhaps once I use the bag, I'll have a better idea whether the snaps would be a good idea or not.

For the main slider on the strap, I found a vintage belt buckle (another from my bountiful thrift stash) and just removed the prong that would secure the buckle to the holes in a belt. This way the strap will slide smoothly through the buckle, just like a slider is meant to. I also included the inset zippered pocket on the back of my bag, bringing the total number of pockets on my bag up to six. I like to keep the contents of my bags organized so I can't have too many pockets!

I'm all set to switch my wallet and other purse paraphernalia (such as this matching wristlet), from the one I made last year, into my new bag.

A new bag for a new season. Do you have bags for each season?

Waiting to bloom

2011-08-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to be patient with myself. I have so many ideas in various stages of development right now - some are just seeds, others are further along and more like seedlings, but I find myself looking for some blooms. Blooms are exciting to share. Not so exciting to show you are the starts/stops/try agains/half-dones or oops that are the contents of my sewing space at the moment. Here's hoping that with a little patience, I'll have a bloom or two to show you soon.

If there's one thing I've learned about creativity... you can't rush it!

Excuse me for looking a bit dazed today.

2011-08-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

Remember, I told you about the fantastic giveaways happening 5 times a week, every week until Oct. 29th over at Sew We Quilt ? Yesterday, I entered for the Quilters Giveaway (held every Tues. and Thurs. for length of the Wantobe Quilters campaign)........ and I won! Here's my prize:

Now you know why I will be looking rather dazed today (being awestruck and giddy will do that to you, you understand...)!

Will this help persuade you to become a participant? I hope so, because I would love you to win and spend the day sew happy you'll be walking around dazed. :o)

Please, register with me, then go to Sew We Quilt, become a follower and leave a comment on a giveaway post. You can have a chance to win something too.

Exciting Giveaways!

2011-08-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed the new button I've added to my sidebar, but just in case you haven't, I wanted to point it out to you. The lovely Madame Samm is hosting some amazing giveaways, with guest posts from a variety of creative people and even tutorials, so even if you don't enter (but why wouldn't you want to???), there's something sewing related to be enjoyed every day of the campaign. Join in on the fun - go check it all out, you'll be glad you did. (P.S. I've just heard from Madame Samm herself, that for tomorrow she will be having a total of 3 giveaways! Wow. You may have to pinch yourself - to make sure you're not dreaming - when you see what bounty she has to giveaway.)

Hello, friends and followers!

I would like to welcome you

to a Wantobe Quilters Campaign over at www.sewwequilt.com

They are having quilting supplies to giveaway 5 x a week for the next 11 weeks!

The campaign began Aug 1st and runs till Oct 29th.

Supplies that will have you quilting

before you know it…From sewing machines to irons, to die cutters,

to mats, to rotary cutters, sewing baskets, scissors, batting, needles,

rolled sewing machine bags, patterns, books, magazines…everything

you could imagine to assist you in being a NEW Quilter.

A Wantobe Quilter is someone who has no quilting tools, has never quilted.

They can enter on M-W-F to win...they leave a comment and my name of my blog...

over at Sew We Quilt. ( Check their Saturday posts for recaps of the week,

the giveaways are FABULOUS)

http://www.sewwequilt.com/2011/08/saturdays-are-our-sponsor-daysrecap-of.html

http://www.sewwequilt.com/2011/08/wantobe-quilter-sponsor-day-recap-of.html

Even if you are already part of this community you can win

quilting stuff too…Tuesdays and Thursdays are days for us.

( that is Quilters) we have supplies but we can win and better ones..

All you have to do is give me your name and phone number

and email sew I can submit this to the organizer, because if you win

anything I can win something too.

All you have to do is be my follower and a follower

over at www.sewwequilt.com That is all! There are over 53 Sponsors involved.

I am pretty excited to be part of this, sew should you.

I love being a QUILTER!

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with me (or with any blogger where you see this message)

Sweet

2011-08-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

I got to sew something sweet this afternoon,

while my youngest son baked me something sweet for my birthday.

Now tell me, how sweet is that? (I think I'll go give him another hug)....

The second bag is brighter than the first!

2011-08-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

The child-size messenger bag pattern in Liesl's book, is so irresistible. I had to make another. This time around I used some fine wale corduroy in eye-popping orange!

I added the inset zippered pocket to the bag's back, once again, along with appliqueing those big eyed owls for decoration on the front and back of the flap.

I played around with using prints for the pocket flaps and the side pockets rather than using the corduroy for the face fabric (like I did for my first version). I'm hoping that the Kaffe Fasset fabric makes it look more girl-y than a solid orange bag would look.

Happily, I found another slider to use for the adjustable strap in amongst my thrifted stash of hardware and notions.

This bag design lends itself to bright, playful colours and is a lovely canvas for embellishments. I think it's time I make at least one version for myself, maybe not so brightly coloured though. ;o)

Feeling happy since I'm one step closer to finishing

2011-08-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after I hand delivered the two quilts made for Quilts Recover to Cheryl, I stopped by the local fabric store for a browse. Maintaining restraint as I shopped their sale, I came home with only 4 fabrics, three of which are to be used to finish the quilt I designed from scraps.

See that fourth fabric in the stack in the right hand photo above? I plan to use it for the backing, with the coordinating darker fabric just above for the quilt's binding and the white will be used to add to the width of the quilt top (I know, I said I was done, but I think one more row of "bits" will finish it nicely). What about the fabric on the top of the stack? Well, that was my first find of the day - some of Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet II and I just couldn't resist. Not sure what I'll be making with it just yet, but I will come up with something. Meanwhile, all that's left is for me to pick up some batting and I can get down to basting my quilt!

Four blocks and it's a quilt top!

2011-08-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

This has to be the quickest quilt top I've ever pieced. I love that it's made from eight vintage sheets.

I've been wanting to make a "pink" vintage sheet quilt for a long time now, ever since my first vintage sheet quilt. Trouble is, I haven't collected as many pink sheets (partly as I'm only interested in 100% cotton sheets) as I wanted in order to make something really scrappy looking. Realizing it was silly to just keep waiting, I came up with super sizing the traditional wedding ring block. The larger scale of the block seemed a better way to showcase the large scale prints of the vintage sheets. I now have a quilt top that is 64" square with only 4 blocks. Not a bad size for a lap quilt and I still have plenty of my sheets left for my dream quilt (I will keep hunting for more pinks). My oldest son has been daring me to make this quilt top large enough to fit my bed. He really wants to see how happy his dad will be to have a pink quilt on his bed. I don't think I'll take the dare. ;o)

Whoooooo can resist?

2011-08-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

Cute owls, bright colours, pretty fabric and a super cute, easy pattern?

Once again, this is one of the benefits of using my library card. Even though my sons are now teens, I wanted to have a look through Oliver + S Little Things to Sew: 20 Classic Accessories and Toys for Children by Liesl Gibson. It's a gorgeous book! I fell in love with design she has for making a child size messenger bag. I knew it would be a perfect gift for my 3 year old niece, so I started through my stash to see what I could come up with.

I had everything I needed, right down to the bag hardware! This is where my thrift sale forays have paid off - see the blue slider on the bag strap? Yep. Thrifted. I had no idea what I would eventually use it for when I bought it, but I never worry too much about that when I find such goodies.

Did I mention how clever, Liesl's pattern is? I love all the bias binding for finishing the bag's edges. Self-made binding may take a little extra time to make, but I think it is so worth the effort. Just try to find this shade of green in ready made binding! ;o) Back to the pattern, I only made one design change from the original. I added an inset pocket to the back of the bag for fun (and honestly, in an attempt to use up the massive stash of thrifted zippers I have...lol ).

I should also admit I didn't use the recommended materials listed on the pattern - it suggests medium wt. fabrics like decorator weight fabric or canvas. I used what I had on hand, which was some medium wale corduroy. I interfaced the corduroy for the main flap along with the cotton used for the lining of the flap. It worked a treat. Enough weight to keep the bag's shape, but not too bulky for sewing all those layers together. For the strap, I used the same quilting weight cotton as the lining, but I interfaced it to give it more heft and stability.

The bag may be for little ones, but it's big on details! I love the little side pockets and the extra pocket on the bag's interior. I stitched the interior pocket so it would hold pencils, just in case my niece wants to tote some art supplies along.

Keeping with the simple design of the bag, I decided to add a couple of appliqued owls to the flap (thanks to Jacqueline for the scraps she's shared with me). They add just the right touch. Shall I admit that I've already cut out another bag? Whooooo can resist? Not me. ;o)

A finish for "Through the Trees" quilt

2011-08-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to share with you the finished results of the quilt made by Kate and myself to be donated to Quilts Recover. FYI, Kate has a tutorial over here so you can make your own "Through the Trees" quilt.

If you remember, Kate made the quilt top, mailed from it from Australia to my home in Canada, with my contribution to be adding batting, backing, quilting and then binding to make a quilt. Choosing a neutral backing, I then free motion quilted the entire quilt, incorporating lots of leaves with some loop-de-loops and some wavy lines. Leaves just seemed right for a quilt called "Through the Trees".

Then for the binding, I happened to find a lovely saturated brown fabric with ellipses printed on it in shades found in the fabric Kate used for her piecing. I had envisioned a dark binding - but unbelievably, I had nothing in my stash that would work (they were all the wrong shade of brown! ;o). A trip to a LQS over the weekend saved the day! I think the dark brown works well in framing the quilt, so I'm quite pleased with it.

Making this quilt has been a wonderful experience, I have never partnered with anyone to make a quilt before, but I would happily do it again. It's really special knowing that our joint efforts have made a quilt that is one-of-a-kind and knowing that wherever this quilt may travel to next,

someone is going to be wrapped in love.

Thanks so much Kate, for the pleasure of creating a beautiful quilt with you. Now, I just need to contact Cheryl, to hand over our donation in person!

Wedding Ring and an Anniversary

2011-08-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

Just before the weekend, my husband and I had our 21st wedding anniversary. Crazy to realize we've been married for half our lives. It really doesn't seem possible that so much time has passed. And. Then. I look at our oldest son and remember that I was his age (19), when I met and subsequently fell in love with his dad. Gulp.

Here we are, 21 years later and I still feel I have been blessed to have married the man who (was, is,) continues to be my best friend and true love. Also, I'm extremely grateful, that I was smart enough to recognize his wonderfulness, all those years ago. Marrying him has been the best decision I ever made and each year with him reaffirms that.

As our anniversary approached I keep thinking back over our married life. So, it may come as no surprise that my newest WIP reflects my thoughts. I had been playing around with some HSTs layouts, when I realized I was looking at a "wedding ring" block! It was all the inspiration I needed to make a new quilt. I've taken some of my vintage sheet collection and paired them with a traditional block design. I've given this familiar design a new spin by making it really, really large. My finished blocks are 32.5" square! It seems like a lovely way to combine a special anniversary with my love of quilting. Stay tuned for more on this project.