Got WIP?

Many of these are no longer currently WIPs but I am waiting for them to be received; therefore you’ll just have to stare at the extra’s and in process pictures for the time being until then.

I had recently come across a post from Stitched in Color when she was making drawstring bags for a handful of people that she wanted to thank for helping her through a recent trialing time for her family with the recent birth of her newest daughter; the tutorial is from In Color Order: Lined Drawstring Bag Tutorial. It really is the perfect bag (and quick!) to make for packaging up items for swaps or gifting it for any purpose! I wouldn’t have minded one of these when I crocheted as I would totally throw in a ball of yarn and get to twisting that yarn around the hook. It is safe to say that I will be making a bag for every swap because it is a great use for large fabric scraps or just that fabric you might not ever touch but can’t get rid of yet (I knew there was a purpose for the fabric I used one day…).

There are lots of goodies in this bag…

including the requested block from the Queen Bee. Cue for quilting in the crosswords puzzle print which was from a low volume swap I did last year.

Bee Hive: Wanta Fanta Block

by Blossom Heart Quilts

This lovely bunch was turned into something new (for me) to make for the #craftybirthdaybash1 in which I also teamed with @myteaandbrie for coordinating a few items; although the iron on’s didn’t make it onto the final project. That lovely turqoise blue print is actually a canvas so it is sturdy and heavy… perfect I think for the ‘project’ it was used for.

Here is a sneak peak at one of the items in progress… any guesses as to what this may be? (There is clear vinyl on top which is what the zippers are attached to)

Remember this kitty? I posted a video of her on my Instagram what seems like years ago (but really only months) of her, I rescued her from our job as she was frozen to the ground. I normally don’t allow her on the cutting table and only on my chair; however she kept sneaking up as I hadn’t been paying much attention to her. She is much more talkative with churping meows and lots of purrrrr’s… looks healthier, too! I am also happy to report both her legs from the frost bite have healed! 

Now to leave you with my view from yesterday at the end of my work day. It was simply beautiful out and the only nice day this week… it is now met with clouds and spurts of rain.

To lead into tomorrow; I have been seeing a huge shift within the community of sewers, quilters and crafters. To me, it is a huge mix between negativity and positivity. I have experienced first hand the power of what our community can ‘bring to the table’ when we are called upon but I am also seeing a lot of negativity towards things things that are meant to be fun and enjoyable. Even in regards to swaps there is more and more of what has been deemed the Blacklist for swap partners. I don’t disagree with a lot of the issues that are stated, but I disagree in how it seems to be presented, intentional or not. Either way, I’ll be touching base more on this tomorrow as part of my Quilty Support series in which tomorrow I will be discussing our own integrity and behavior when part of a group/swap, etc.

Sew Stitching Cute

I am showing off and linking up over at WIP Wednesday w/Freshly Pieced and Let’s Bee Social w/ Sew Fresh Quilts, so stop on over and show your stuff off, too!

Round Robin Progress

Last year I shared that I had joined my first Round Robin, this one specifically targeted towards only Batik fabrics (which I had honestly never heard of prior to joining this Round Robin). The group is called Rock’n Round Robin. Overall it has been a great experience; however I will be sure I associate myself with the leaders of the group before deciding if I am joining or not as I everyone has different ways of communicating with others and unfortunately, I most certainly did not agree with theirs.

This is my starter row, which will eventually be enclosed by 6 additional rows and making this quite the snuggle quilt when it is done! I am considering these each a WIP as they are not completed yet… my part for it may be but the entire quilt is still under construction.

Apparently I am not only colors inside, I am colorful in my fabrics, too! hehe I love neautrals though and am not sure what keeps me from using them more often. I am unable to show you the quilt in all its glory at the moment as everything is kept a secret until the original owners receives it; however there were lots of points and ‘arrows’ so-to-speak, which led me to the below concept. 

I actually ended up locing this row so much, that I have drawn it up on paper for a full pattern. I will be cutting the fabric this weekend (as if I needed anything else to do). It won’t be as scrappy, but I think it is a fun and quick way to put something together that has a little more design to it yet you don’t feel like you did so much work! I was super surprised how quick I was able to whip this up when I finally decided on what to do.

I wasn’t able to get a picture of this row without it being already sewn onto the entire quilt so my apologies on the offset nature of the photo. This one, because of a time crunch I originally had something else planned but decided to use large blocks with strips of the black batik that was sent from the original row owner to use if need be. I did the large blocks in earth tones as the other sides row was in earth tones as well as ‘boxy’ and I wanted to keep the flow going with it instead of using loud colors which were not anything part of this Batik quilt.

Because of so much going on around here lately, I forgot to publish my post yesterday for Tips and Tutorial Tuesday; therefore it will have to wait until next week! The following week I will be showing how I also make crib sheets… nothing super different from the standard way, but I find my method to be a bit quicker as well the seams inside of the sheet being hidden rather than exposed. Anyhow, be sure to be on the look out for that. I also have a new CURVED (that’s right, CURVED) pattern I’ve finished and am putting the final touches to! 

Question: I am personally finding it easier that I complete something each day, whether it be a good part of a quilt, a specific small item (pouch, wallet, etc) each day, knowing that each day I am closer and closer to being done or completed with several things and as the days roll on more and more is complete; this isn’t how I used to work though as I tend to like to just power through things and do them in a batch. I am finding myself conflicted with what feels better for me… anyone process or complete things in a certain way or have any opinions about the method of keeping the flow going?

I am linking up and showing off at WIP Wednesday w/ Freshly Pieced and Let’s Bee Social w/ Sew Fresh Quilts so head on over and show your stuff off, too!

Elephants!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you have seen these dumplings already. I’m not sure if you heard or not, but Lorna over at Sew Fresh Quilts is doing an Elephant Parade QAL. Even though I have plenty going on, I couldn’t help but jump on the band wagon for this simply ADORABLE quilt she created! I really do love Lorna’s creativity and seeing where it all comes from and how it is then portrayed in her quilts.

When I decided to join the QAL I immediately decided that I would USE MY STASH! I have quite a collection of some older/vintage fabrics that I love to hoard but yet I don’t see me using them. I decided this would be the perfect QAL for it because of the prints and how old and ‘vintage’ I find Elephants to be. They are so graceful and elegant in their own form. I immediately fell in love with the larger Elephant and so I couldn’t just stop and not make some of the babies!

Come on, they are killing it with the cute factor, right!?!? Needless to say, I am eager to make the remainder of them and their additional friends (which even includes a FROG!) for part of the quilt. These are extremely simple to make and Lorna write really clear instruction for them. I was able to cut, sew and iron all of 3 of these in an hour or so. After I was done with these, I finally had to get back to what I was doing which was working on the “Spongebob Square Pants” block swap. I decided to do these with two other wonderful ladies last June (OH MY! Don’t judge). They have both sent their blocks to one another but I have yet to them and they have yet to me. ??? In any case, I finally got around to cutting the fabric for it and even got a block all sewn! The colors are beautiful!

I do have that block all sewn up now and I love it… now I just need to make 17 more! I don’t feel too terrible for not having these blocks done, as I had originally purchased 5 yards of fabric of that grey but then somewhere in re-doing my sewing studio I lost it and it has yet to be found. I finally gave up the cause for finding it and purchased 3 more yards of it. Progress is happening!

I am linking up today with WIP Wednesday w/ Freshly Pieced and Lets Bee Social w/Sew Fresh Quilts. Join in on the party and show your stuff off!

Polka-dot Twins

Is it really Wednesday again? For some reason, it appears that Wednesdays are the one creeping up on me. This is typically the day I make sure anything I need mailed out or last minute things to pick up are done, but apparently not on this Wednesday. I was ill prepared. It all started this morning when my alarm clock went off at 5:30 a.m. like it does every work day, I snoozed it like I do every morning as I lay there preparing to wake up. Unfortunately, I woke up to it being a few minutes past 7:00 a.m. (which is the time I LEAVE for work). Needless to say I was out of the house in 10 minutes, and in those 10 minutes I accomplished:

Getting dressed

Brush my teeth

Scramble to throw my hair in a pony tail

Let all 3 dogs outside

Feed the dogs

Feed 2 cats

… and I made it to work with 5 minutes to spare.

So yes, I feel accomplished. Lucky for you (and me) I have at least some things that I am working on. I did finally piece together the Jelly Roll Jam II tops that I did in a super fun polka-dot jelly roll. It’s crazy seeing these in my sewing studio vs. outside; they appear so much bigger when on the design wall. They are just baby quilt size, approx. 40” square. Perfect for a play mat or snuggle up for a nap.

It was quite windy when I took these photos, so while it gave a nice flow-y appeal to it, that “flowiness” is difficult to capture in pictures. haha. I did find this picture funny as while I was taking them, I found myself almost thinking of this as a nice poncho sweater; the way it V’s in the center, the tree acting as the body, the “drapiness” and flow of the fabric. It made me chuckle a bit. 

My idea for these is for a set of fraternal twins… or a brother and sister that are close in age. Something that is individual for them but connects them with their sibling. I think they are fun and inviting and something that would catch baby and toddlers eyes. Simple shapes for their eyes, yet a colossal of them. 

I have also been working on a #craftybirthdaybash1 gift for the January birthday girl! (@jennyrach). This isn’t the finished product and I will be finishing it up tonight, I can’t risk her seeing it just yet. She will receive it soon and I will be sure to share it then, it has turned out quite well and I almost must make one for myself. I have a feeling you will think it is Sew Stitching Cute, too!

What have you all been working on this week? I’d love to add another WIP to my stack of them already!

I am linking up today with WIP Wednesday w/ Freshly Pieced and Lets Bee Social w/Sew Fresh Quilts. Join in on the party and show your stuff off!

Rock’n Round Robin Progress

Happy Wednesday! How have all of you been!? If you’ve been around for a bit, you would remember when I spoke about the Rock’n Round Robin I joined last summer. I also finished forever ago last September my own very first row and sent it off.

You know, after I went back to that old blog post it made me really miss my row and be even more excited all over again to receive it back. I am extremely excited about what will be coming back to me. I definitely love surprises, but this one is killing me now after seeing my row. I also read back through that old blog post and found how negative I kind of was to myself for the row. I love having this blog to have the capability to look back in that way and to watch the changes and growth that occurs with your choices and how you feel about certain things. I am actually in love with this and I was very ”unsure” of it back in September of last year. I was loving it deep inside, I just wasn’t sure what others would think and I would hate for someone to not like/love it. Either way, I now stand proud of this row and can’t wait for it to shine in the center masterpiece that is being added onto and created by 6 other lovely women!!! It’s a nice reminder to never be too harsh on yourself and be happy with what you create, don’t worry about others.

I do have half of the blocks done for the next row to make for someone else’s Rock’n Round Robin quilt. She requested Halloween colors/theme. I decided on something simple because I am unfortunately not a Paper Piecer and aside from applique, I do not have any talent in the intricate designs in sewing pieces together. You have to remember, there are size requirements also; so the row is to measure 12.5” x 85”. I am hoping this fits well with what she already has, and because I am not showing the final design here. I’ll be finishing this up tonight and sending it off tomorrow, along with a few other things I need to mail off. I will share that in the next few days.

I chose to stick with the grey/black batik that is from my original row, so that it kept with my individuality with the row that was being on while also adding in two orange batik colors (one lighter, the other darker) with also different patterns on them. I love them both as they are ‘leaf-y’ patterns which I think fit with October colors with the fall and changing of the leaves colors during that time of year. With that, I made the center of the blocks brown with the same ‘leaf-y’ pattern as one of the oranges.

These are such simple blocks that allow for a great show case of patterns that I am now wanting to make an entire blanket with these blocks. One day. I am hoping the lady who’s this row is for (can’t say her name because then she will know this is for her quilt) finds that this fits well with her request. I am even more excited now to receive my entire quilt this summer and see the reveal of everyone else’s! I have a feeling this will be a beautiful showcase of batiks! What are all of you currently working on?

I am linking up today with WIP Wednesday w/ Freshly Pieced, Lets Bee Social w/Sew Fresh Quilts and Let’s Bee Social w/ Sew Fresh Quilts. Join in on the party and show your stuff off!

Multiples of Everything

Apparently I seem to want to make multiples of everything. If I were in my own fantasy dream world, everything I make I would make two, one for whoever is getting the item and one for me. I almost ‘miss’ my items once I send them off, often thinking of them at the most random times. haha. I swear, each item I make is almost another ‘baby’ to me. Yep, I’m weird. I am ok with that. Weird is good. Weird is interesting.

This week I have been working on finishing up a project I was asked to join in on late last year for Fat Quarter Shop. I am super excited as I am loving how it is coming together. I took the picture above when I wanted to see where my contrast was at. I know I could have used one block with a deeper contrast on the lower left, but I don’t think it looks entirely out of balance either. I’m farther along than what this picture shows, but I can’t show you just yet!

I chose to use August by Cotton + Steel along with this lovely orange, it is in between a rich and burnt orange; it’s called Carrot by Kona Cotton.  It really blends nicely to the rest of the line in with still adding pop to it. Be sure to check out the full reveal in the upcoming weeks!

Awhile back Fat Quarter Shop came out with a Jelly Roll Jam II quilt, made with ONE (yes, ONE) Jelly Roll! How awesome is that!?!? I knew I had the perfect jelly roll to do this in, with perfect colors to make a boy and a girl based quilt. While I should have been working on other projects, I needed something simple and mindless and so I dove right into these.

They came together really fast and quick… I also have these farther along than what is on here as I also have a whole new design wall up. These are the only updated photos I have taken though that are worthy of posting. These are definitely Sew Stitching Cute and I think they would be perfect for a brother and sister or fraternal twins! Don’t you think? Who doesn’t love polk-a-dots for a baby, either? I have already selected the perfect backing for each of these… again coordinating. Now it’s just a matter of getting them basted and quilted! I do still need to make a binding, which I haven’t settled on anything yet. We shall see.

Two? Again!? You wouldn’t say! I have actually made quite a few of these over the past couple of weeks. These are (as you can’t tell) clear vinyl decorated bags, with an I.D./Badge up front. A few friends needed some and I needed one myself, so I made a few proto-types as I was learning how I wanted to do these exactly; once the ladies got theirs… it has grown and more and more continue to want to purchase them. I’m not complaining! I currently have 5 more to make by this Sunday, but these come together really easy that it shouldn’t take me long at all. I do need to go in search of some zippers though. They also future inside a divider to help keep things separated.

The ladies tell me what colors and/or specific design requests and I go off what they tell me and my thoughts, and select it as is and just make it away. I have discovered a better way to deal with vinyl, which is with lots of steam, because it is otherwise very stiff and does not bend or give well. At. All. So as you can see, I have quite a bit to be sewing and apparently not enough time to do it in! It’s ok, us quilters MAKE the time, right!? What all do you have going on in the middle of the week? I know it’s beautiful, as I can’t wait to see!

I am linking up today with WIP Wednesday w/ Freshly Pieced, Lets Bee Social w/Sew Fresh Quilts and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop w/Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Join in on the party and show your stuff off!

One Step = Progress

“One project step at a time.” That is what I keep saying to myself. Each step I take, each project I make any progress on, is the right step in the direction and one step closer. One of these days, I will have all of my WIPs down to only a few. I will always have tons of ideas… but starting them before finishing so many other prior ones has needed to change. Now that I ranted a little, I do have a few pretty pictures to share and for what I have been working on. There is progress being made in the back end of this blog, I promise!

I’ve been working on a baby quilt for awhile now, off and on. The picture above is actually not part of the quilt, but a little extra something I am making that will go along with the quilt. I have finished quilting it though, just have to finish putting the binding on. It will soon be in its forever home. I am quite excited about this one, as I wasn’t initially as it isn’t what I would really go for on my own.

I really just quilted a lot of loop-de-loops on this one, with the occasional spelling of the baby’s first, middle and last name. It really blends in so you don’t really see it which is nice, but it is also nice knowing it is there and it gives it a bit more of a personalized feel to it.

I have finally began my block piecing for my 30’s Quilt, and let me tell you how. good. it. felt. It felt so good to finally have begun the processes of making blocks for the FOUR (Yes 4) Supernova Block Quilts. Since there will be 9 of these total, I have 8 more to go for just my personal quilt and 27 more for the other 3. Do you think I can have these done by the end of this summer? Lets just see!

Even more exciting, and this is more of a finish but I am sharing it anyway as it has a WIP on it; I finally got around to re-doing my design wall and I now have a whole new design wall that is slightly larger and MUCH more sturdy. I did the same method as I did before, but went in to it with a little more knowledge of how to put it together a bit more securely and which type of batting to use. I have officially learned that the quality of batting being able to adhere to the batting enough to stay on the board makes a huge difference. First I used cheap polyester batting which works great, but it has more “fluff” to it and doesn’t allow for the fabric to stick very well to it. This time I got quilters dream batting while on a major year end sale at Joanns and it is a HUGE difference. So much so that I did little video clips to show the drag that each batting allows. I will be sharing more of that later.

Now it’s time I get back to it so I have more to share and hopefully a FINISH for this Friday!

I am linking up today with WIP Wednesday w/ Freshly Pieced and Lets Bee Social w/Sew Fresh Quilts. Join in on the party and show your stuff off!

Deadlines Approaching

As October is ending and we welcome November, I have more approaching deadlines creeping up. While initially I think of stress when I type that out, I am finding myself more relaxed for the first time in awhile when it came to my sewing. Not only do I have this amazing new space to allow my creativity to go with it, but I have made good progress on all of my deadlines, which I thank tremendously for the new space as well. I haven’t been NOT wanting to do something since it’s been completed!

–  Two Large Dog Beds: One female and one male dog. I am going out on a limb here (not really) and guessing that my SIL and BIL do not read my blog, so I am safe to give my design concept away for the time being. They have two dogs, Pica (Pee-kuh) and Floyd who are extremely lovable and beautiful dogs. My SIL and BIL recently bought their first home and are having their house warming party this Saturday. In all honesty, I have struggled about what I should get them and they are personally not very easy to shop for. (Hmph). The SIL really loved the dog bed I made for my sister and we talked about making one for their dogs… so why not make it a house warming gift? I mean, I am a sewer/quilter, so you should be expecting something homemade.

Pica: Green and Purple Floyd: Orange and Grey

 – King Size Purple Chevron Quilt: My friend Kathi bought this fabric literally over a year ago and has not really done anything since. I finally was able to get her to get some cutting done this past weekend when she was over and later that evening I finished up the HST for the 1st row.

– 30’s Birthday Quilt: Aaahh… my 30’s birthday quilt, and I have FOUR of them to make! I really can’t get too much into the details as I believe one or maybe even two of the people may read my blog, even if randomly; we all turn(ed) [I am the last of the 4 of us to turn 30 in December] 30 this year and we have all been friends since pre-school; therefore I am marking it with a special quilt. For mine… this shall be the main color palette. Yes, every color will be used.

– Liberty of London Partner Swap: I am part of a Liberty of London Tana Lana Swap and we have no idea who is making something for us, it is a secret. It has been fun seeing all of the things on Instagram (#lolswapround1) and wondering who exactly is making what for whom. Some give little hints here and there, some only show parts of the projects they are making so that it doesn’t give it away too much for the person. These are to be arrived to the specific partner by Nov. 10th and so this weekend I will be finishing up the last few things I have.

Pillow: The coloring on this came out horrible. It is a nice teal/blue shade mixed with a light blue. This is the beginning of a pillow, that is all I can say.

Small zippered pouch

Coasters

I still have other WIPs such as my Rock’n Round Robin row I need to put on for the prior person and has to be mailed out; however I am still working on that one and do not have any picture of it for some reason. These are my current deadline items that need to be done sooner rather than later and with these, better late then never does not suffice. What deadlines do you have approaching or how do you handle your deadlines? How far ahead do you typically like to be or are you the “pull an all-nighter” before the day it needs to be done? I find myself to be in between the two and am told regularly I work better when I am busy and idle time is not my friend. I have come to accept that. 

I’m linking up today with WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced and Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts. 

Sew Stitching Cute