A Little bit behind...

Seems like I haven't done much lately, but quite the opposite.  I'm working on getting my Etsy.com shop set up and that is much more work than I thought.  I probably won't be done with that for a few more weeks.   I have so many things I want to do, just finding the where to start and go place.  And off I go.....

Splish...splash...

Made my daughter some tank dresses today.  She just loves these kind of dresses.   It was very easy to do this, so I'm sure I'll be making more.   There is one not pictured, that ended up with chocolate on it within 5 minutes of putting it on.

Gnomeville

Found this at my favorite quilt shop yesterday, and had to go back today to get it.   Isn't it just super cute.   I just love it, can't wait to use it in a project.   Michael Miller Gnomeville

Bears and Butterflies

While I was working on my Daughter's quilt pattern, I wanted a pattern that would mimics the idea of a bed runner, but be an actual quilt.  Well this is what I came up with. Something simple, but yet has a very good focal point of a band of blocks.   This shouldn't take much time at all to put together.   I'm sure I can put this together in a weekend.   I like it, think I'll work on something for my bed, or at least the living room. I could always use a quilt in there.

The main fabric is Michael Miller, Flight of Fancy by Paula Prass. 

So back to my favorite store today to pick up some finishing touches.   Then I saw the best fabric to complete my work of art.   Care Bears....Yep, Care Bears.  Those little bears we all Love. 

I'm going to Fussy Cut each Bear, which is the perfect size to accent each block.  I found some other Care Bear fabric and will probably piece something simple to be used on the back. 

I bet I can get this done in one weekend, only trick is to not let the little girl see it, or she will want it now. 

Potato Bag

Awesome project in the works.   Making a few of these as Bingo prizes for the upcoming Reunion.  This years Reunion should be great, but sadden.  This is the first year without our wonderful Uncle Steve and Poppee.  

Recipe for the Potato Bag can be found here.

It is very important to only use 100% cotton batting and fabric and thread...don't forget about the thread. Since this will go into the microwave, you want everything to be 100% cotton.

Here is the first one I have completed, I have several more to go.  Yes, I've used it already, just couldn't wait.  I did the potatoes for 10 minutes and came out great.  Soft potato with lightly crisp skin, just how I like it.

Time to Celebrate

I've changed my blog background to Party Time, crafting July 4th style.  Not that I like to be reminded that I'm a year older, but as many of my friends know, I don't keep up with how old I am anyway.   So, as July 4th rolls around and I celebrate another Birthday, let's all celebrate.  I still get a kick out of that, as a child I was told the fireworks were for my birthday, and crazy me believed that.

So everyone enjoy their good times and always have a party to go to, even if it's with your sewing machine.

Activity Quilt

I wanted an activity quilt for the little ones in the family, but haven't been able to find anything I really like.   So I'm working on a design of my own to create.   I have a rough sketch done, working on getting a cleaner image done.  Should have that done this weekend.

I think I'll use my Cricut to cut the alphabet, numbers and shapes.   No need in me trying to cut all that by hand.

So here is the cleaned up sketch of my version of the activity quilt.  Fabric choices coming... oh an excuse to go to the quilt shop. LOL

Meredith's Christmas Quilt

For this years quilt, I have made a brave decision to not let her pick anything out.   I think it will be fine.  I'm pretty sure I know my kiddo well enough to be able to handle this task.

This project will be unique for me and possibly challenging since it will incorporate many techniques.

My ideas....embroidery, coloring, patterns, muted tones, bright colors.   Just have to see how well it will all work out.

I wanted to do something with embroidery, well hand embroidery.  I have machine embroidery ability, but just wanted something that looks more original.   I'll color in the image with crayons, then heat set it.  Outline everything with hand embroidery and surround it all will patchwork. Then quilt it to a wonderful masterpiece.  

That's the plan anyway.

What I have so far.... The embroidery pattern  Feathered Friends, found at Scarlet Today - RedWork Plus.  I transferred the pattern to my fabric.  I chose a muted background design, instead of the traditional white or solid background.

Then start coloring.  I've started with the green leaves.   Might take a little bit for this process.  While I am using regular Crayola Crayons, I'm trying to color in darkly.  Once it's ironed to set the coloring will fade a little bit.

I haven't decided on what blocks to use with this, but I have a little bit of time to decide on that.

More progress, YEA!!!  Just have those birds left.  I really need to find a picture of a bird and see how I want to color those little guys.
I'm planning on expanding this picture on the fabric a little bit, just a few flowers and the vines to stretch across the entire width of the bed.  I'll be working on that next.  Should have all the coloring part completed within the week and on to the embroidery outlining, whew...that will take a little while to complete that.

I think it looks pretty good myself.

Finally did the birds, not as hard as I thought and I think it looks pretty good.

Coloring done....now iron, iron, iron. Cover image first, don't want that extra wax on your iron.

That sure is a lot of excess coloring.  

Tada... it's done.   

Now that the color part is done, on to the hard part.  Hand embroidery outline, yes I know hand embroidery.  I haven't done that in years.


Here are the fabric selection I have picked out.  I know it's a lot of pattern going on, but I like it.  My kiddo is a busy, busy little girl, so something busy with pattern and colors will be just up her alley.  Any guess to her favorite color?  I think it's PURPLE.

New projects

I have my books and magazines out. List is started. Now let's see of I can make the " to do" so large that it becomes the "I wish" list.


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Kitty kitty

Completed a small blanket for my daughter. She wanted for her animals. It's cute and she loves it.



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Charming window pillow

So I made my attempt at the charming window pillow. All I can say, it's a bit more difficult than I thought. It's not a difficult project, but does take a thought out process and time to complete. I am pleased with my initial results. I'll make another and take my time.



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The kitty blanket

I found some awesome fabric panel full of kittens. I'm making my little girl a blanket for her animals with the large panel. Haven't decided what to do with the other smaller panel pieces just yet. She always gives me ideas what she wants. So who knows.


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When I get home from my trip ....

I walked into the sewing room closet to get whatever. I guess it didn't matter now, since my 5 year old closed the door behind me and won't let me out. Mmmm not very happy about that. Then she turned the light off. Ugh :-(

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Out and about

Spending the day out and about. Going to go some quilt shops that some friends have suggested. Also, planning on tackling the charming window pillows. So here's off to a great day!!!

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Charming Window Pillows

Planning on spending my weekend working on Charming Window Pillows.  Instructions can be found at   Moda Bake Shop, Charming Window Pillows by Angela Nash.  This looks easy enough for me to complete two in a weekend.  Hopefully I will love the results I get and make more for gifts.  Christmas is coming up pretty quick on me and I haven't finished any projects yet.  I do, however, have a few started, just not completely finished.

So here's off to a great weekend and to some super sewing!!!

My Blogpress app

Woohoo!! Testing out my Blogger app, now I can keep my projects updated. What a great idea!!  Available in the  iTunes App Store

Irish Chain Shadows

I think after all my effort on the Goose on the Loose that I haven't completed very many projects.   I have, however, put lots of thought into what I would like to complete next.
I found a very small picture of this quilt in a banner ad one day and thought it was very interesting and I needed to try and tackle that quilt.   I unfortunately do not remember where I saw the picture, but it was done in various colors.  Mine is more simplified.

I selected fabrics from Connecting Threads    They have a great selection and really good prices on their fabrics.

The Good vs. The Bad

Well the good news is I have finally completed assembling the rows.  I don't have pictures of that process, but it was fairly simple, once I had my pattern done.  

The bad news....it's too big for my bed :-(  I don't even have the border on yet.  So needless to say I'm still working on the solution to that problem.   I will probably just end up taking out rows and add the border so that it will fit on my quilt frame.  Pointless to make a quilt top and it not fit on the quilt frame. 

I'll get that done, hopefully in the next month. 

My mom has gotten back into quilting, so proud of her.  She has already completed a few projects, just needs them quilted.  I guess that is where I come in on all that.