Another Instagram-fueled Catchup

I swear I'm here and sewing!  

Babylock Symphony is my main sewing machine, top right. The Babylock Tiara is my quilting machine, bottom left.

I had to clean things up because it was getting messy in my sewing room!

Had a great day thanks to Jessie (the mini dresden) and Amanda of Westwood Acres (the fabric)

I used the Briar Rose scraps to make a mini, though now I'm thinking of taking it apart to make it one long rectangle--just to be different!

I'm working on a pillow for Pillow Talk Swap 10! 

I'm also working on a Fall-hued Liberty quilt!  Lots of neutrals in this one.   It's not my usual rainbow fest, but I'm sort of liking it!

I'm also getting ready to quilt this one!  It's a custom order for Ann Kelle and it looks like candy to me! Love all the solids!

I'm also working on a little review and video for my Babylock Tiara! I've had a number of questions about it and I find that video is the easiest way to answer them.  

Some Finishes and Sadness

I cut into that awesome stack of fabric from my last post and made this!  I used Holly's tutorial for the herringbone blocks.  This went together sooooooo fast!  

It produces a lot of waste, but I love the final result so much I don't even care.  Plus, all the scraps resulted in a large scrap swap with a friend!

This is yet another quilt for my friend Sara, the quilt-o-holic!  I can't wait to see pictures of cute babies on this one!

I had a few larger scraps left over from the Herringbone quilt so I made this simple patchwork rectangle. It wasn't that large so I added some borders, did some simple "organic" quilting lines and bound it in one of my favorite things, AMH pre-made binding!

Voila!  I was going for modern and a bit unexpected with the off center patchwork.  This one sold over Instagram (an iPhone app) if you can believe it.  It's destined for a cute little boy in Tennessee!

I've been playing around with this stack lately.  This is a Pintrest-inspired combo.  Hopefully it will look as pretty in quilt form as it does in my pin!

As all my Flickr and Facebook friends know, we had to put down one of our dogs (Bailey) this week.  She was 14 and could no longer stand up on her own.  It was heart wrenching to watch her try and try to get up and follow me around.  Thankfully the process was very quiet and gentle and she seemed to simply fall asleep while I held her head.  I know we made the right decision, but it's so painful to catch myself looking for her or calling for her only to remember she's no longer here.  When I reach for only one dog bowl I feel like crying.  I've been more emotional than I expected because the entire event brought back so many memories for me.  Most of you don't know, but our first child died when he was 25 days old.  It's a really long story, but, in a nut shell, he got an infection and had an unusual reaction to it.  We had to make the decision to stop his treatment because his body was simply too tired, he was ready to go.   I was so scared I was giving up too soon, not giving him a chance, despite the doctor's reassurance.  I felt the exact same way with my dog.  I held them both as they took one last breath and I prayed all they could feel was my love.  Pure, honest, unconditional love, they deserved nothing less.

Nashville Nikki

I'm headed to Nashville for a workshop at the beginning of March so I made a new bag!  This is the Nikki Tote designed by my friend, Michelle.  The pattern is wonderful!  Her instructions are really clear, but to be perfectly honest, I only read through them once because I've made so many bags.  I shrunk the pattern down a tad (I printed at 85%), but I wish I would have made the full size, I like a big bag! 

I also didn't make the cool handles Michelle designed because I didn't have any buttons on hand and I was impatient.  :)  I used an Anna Maria Horner home decorator weight for the exterior and Essex Yard Dyed in black for the handles.  

I sort of love the inside more than the outside!  I used Riley Blake's So Sophie dots for the main interior and then some Denyse Schmidt Hope Valley and Heather Ross Far Far Away II for the pockets.  Love love love how these fabrics work together!

I also finished hand quilting this little mini!  I'm now thinking of doing something similar on my big Good Folks bee quilt!  It will take forever, but that quilt is so special I think it deserves special quilting!  Now I have to decide if I want to do an all over pattern like on this mini or if I want to quilt each block differently.  Decisions!

This is what I'm cutting into tonight for my friend, Sara.  I think I'm going to try Holly's herringbone block!

It's a Quilting Wonderland

I finished my Wonderland quilt top!  I really love this line.  I've made a quilt from this line before (about a year ago I think).  When I finished that quilt I thought I was done with this line and sold all I had left.  Then, a few months ago, I got a hankering for some Wonderland and found a Flickr friend who sweetly sold me her jelly roll.  It measures about 62"x70"

I used a second jelly roll of Kona Snow and a quarter square ruler to make these double hourglass blocks.  I don't even square them up after I get them all sewn because there are so many bias edges it's easy to stretch sides to fit! :)  This one will go in my etsy store when I'm done.  I just picked up the backing today so as soon as I decide on a quilting style I'm going to get started!

A friend of mine, Jen, swapped with me for some fabric I wanted to bind the Wonderland quilt and in her package she sent these mini half-square triangles.  I whipped up this little mini yesterday.  It'll make a cute doll quilt when I'm done!

Total Freak Out

Yep, that was me this morning when I saw myself on Sew Mama Sew's facebook feed.  I totally flipped!  My hands were shaking and I just couldn't sit still!  I ran into our room where my husband was running on the treadmill and screamed, "I'm on Sew Mama Sew!!!!"  His response, "Ummmmmmm, yay?"  *sigh* Men!  I know this project is nothing new for blog readers, but I actually took the time to write a paper piecing tutorial for SewMamaSew (boy, was that quite a bit harder than I anticipated!)  Anywho, I'm completely thrilled to be on that particular blog since it was my main source for sewing information/tutorials/fabric when I first began sewing and I still love it!

In less exciting crafty news, I got lots of pretty fabric in the mail yesterday!

I found this quilt that I made months ago and forgot about.  It's completely done except for binding.  I stopped working on it because the back is horrible.  I did a too-fast basting job and there are puckers.  I was so mad at myself for rushing that step that after I quilted it I just threw it in a cabinet.  It's still not my favorite project, but my little guy seemed to like it ok so I may let him have it. :)

I washed all my AMH flannels in preparation for a quilt for my bed!  This will be the largest quilt I've ever made so I'm doing a really simple brick path pattern (a-la the Amy Butler tutorial, but bigger)

I'm also sewing up some Wonderland for a large lap size quilt for my shop!

Whew! I think I'll go take a nap now....or maybe I'll glance at Sew Mama Sew a few more times! :)

Lego Launch!

I received some of this super cute Launch fabric from Leslie Granger a couple of months ago and I finally cut into it to make my kiddos some drawstring bags for their Legos!  I was tired of having Legos scattered throughout the house and I knew Jeni's tutorial would be the perfect solution.  These fabrics are boy perfection and my 5 year old has already requested a "couch blanket" from the fabric I have left.

Lots of room for Legos in there!

I also finished my Pink Lemonade quilt which is now listed in my shop.  I used lots of fabrics I have been hoarded, but never used (that Amy Butler pink coriander especially!)  I backed it with some soft Anna Maria Horner flannel.

Remember when I got that "holy shit" package from Laurie Wisbrun?  I sliced and diced it this weekend to make this top (sorry for the blue phone picture).  I sort of wish it came out a little larger, but I didn't plan the quilt out so I guess it serves me right! 

Look at the cute pillow Cherie made with my "LOVE" pattern!  I love that she used patchwork for the letters!

In other news, my less than 6 month old iMac blew out the display so I'm a bit limited on computer access these days.  I have my phone and occasionally the use of my hubby's lap top.  I love technology, but sometimes it's a pain in my butt!

Organizing and Little Finishes

I'm spending my Saturday night organizing my stash.....or part of it.  This shelf represents maybe 65% of my fabric......or maybe 50%.  :)  I finally ordered those comic book boards from Amazon and set to work wrapping up all my fabric.  I decided to do this because my fabric would no longer fit folded on the shelf.  It looked like my cabinets threw up because it kept spilling out all over the floor!  Now I have nice, neat little rows!  My own private fabric shop!

Red through green.  I really need some more in here.  I'm sadly lacking in red and orange especially.

I have WAY too much teal.  That's the problem with favorite colors!  I need more "real" blues.

Pinks through multi.  I wish I had more white/cream/gray background fabrics.

Mendocino, AMH flannel, AMH voile, AMH Innocent Crush full set, Outfoxed, Castle Peeps, 1001 Peeps, FFA I, Nani Iro, etc.  What's not pictured is all my linen blends like Echino, Ruby Star, Heather Ross; solids, fat quarters (they have their own tower), Heather Ross/Munki collection, and my pre-cut collection which is substantial.

I finished my Dessert of the Month stitching!  I'm thinking of getting a different color cloth and redoing it though.  I feel the natural linen color is too light.

I also finished quilting the baby Echo quilt!  I still have to tackle big Mama, but I'm not sure if I want to buy fabric for the back or use something I have.

I was very happy with how the organic wavy quilting came out!

I'm so so so sorry I forgot to announce a winner for the hoop bag pattern giveaway!  I totally forgot!  Mr. RNG picked # 22, Karen P.!  Karen, I'll email you the pattern soon!  

My FQ Bundle, Stuff, and a Giveaway

For those of you who haven't heard, Laura at Quokka Quilts is holding a little, er, big, design-your-own-FQ-bundle contest!  The winner will receive not a FQ bundle of their fabrics, but 1/2 yards!  I'll pause why you all go check it out and create your own bundle........done yet?  Anywho, this is mine!

1. Kona Ash

2. Kona Melon

3. Bella Navy

4. Taza Neutral Tarika

5. Cape Ann Cotton Sunset Pink Ginkgo Toss 

6. Oval Elements Mood Indigo 

7. Ruby Grey Sundae

8. Outfoxed Coral Fern Stripe

9.  Weekend Clubhouse 2012 Navy Random Pencil Check

10. Puttin' on the Ritz Grey Princess 

11. Oval Elements Sweet Pea

12. Going Coastal Navy Sea Star

13. Puttin' on the Ritz Grey Gingham 

14. Ruby Sherbet Sundae

15. Weekend Clubhouse 2012 Navy Block Toss Yardage

I was going for a modern nautical vibe.  I keep wearing (and buying) all these striped shirts like I'm going to go sailing any minute.  Um, yeah, I've only been sailing once.  Now my problem is that I want to buy all these fabrics and make something! 

I forgot to share this earlier, but while on vacation I managed to stitch up these little macaroons!  Designed by the talented Ashleigh and Amanda of The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.  They even have a dessert of the month club starting this month and the patterns are on SALE right now!  Hurry and sign up, I sure did!  These ladies are making cross stitch cool with their fresh designs.  These are such great projects to take on a long trip, on the go, or to snuggle up on the couch and relax with!  They even have a Hoop Travel Bag pattern that is the *perfect* size for hoops on the go!  I made two already (sorry, not the best picture, these were my last few sewn items of 2011)

I made one from Ruby Star Rising tea cups and view master reels and one from Heather Ross Far Far Away II and III.  These pouches were a life saver on my trip!  I never had to find where I put my scissors or worry about little hands making off with my floss.  Everything was always together and accessible.  Amanda has graciously allowed me to give away a copy of her Hoop Travel Bag pattern!  Just leave a comment to win!  I'll pick a winner on Monday, January 9th.

My Flickr twin (not IRL), Amy, and I decided to do a little Christmas swap.  We both ran late so it ended up being a New Year's swap. :)  I wanted some pot holders and she wanted a pillow.  That was the only real instruction we gave each other.  I got these stunning AMH potholders!  I'm torn between wanting to use them and wanting to kill anyone who tries to take a roast chicken out of the oven with my new mitt! :)  Now, when I opened her package, after the obvious shout of joy, I began laughing because I had this pillow:

halfway done already!  Seriously, we had no idea we were creating items so similar!  It's spooky!  I made this with AMH Innocent Crush and Essex linen in Natural.  The HSTs measure 1.5" finished.  The binding is some of AMH's premade bias binding, which I love!  It's so nice to be able to grab something premade than shuffle through my stash and make some!  

I'm also playing catch up on some bee blocks.  This one is for Sarah in the Twice Around the Block bee.  She asked for any kind of star that finished at 12".  I made a wonky star inside a traditional star.  If you want to make this you will need: (4) 3.5" solid squares , (4) 3.5" print squares, (4) 3.5"x6.5" solid rectangles, and (9) 2.5" solid squares. I used the scraps from making the flying geese to make the wonky star in the middle so there is very little waste of your prints.

Whew!  I'm tired.  That was a much longer post than I anticipated!  Thanks for sticking it out! :)

The Good and the Ugly

I'm not discussing the big bad that happened over the holiday weekend just yet.  It's a long story for another post.  For now, I'll give a brief recap of the "good" of my Christmas holiday.  My husband and two boys drove to Nashville to have Christmas early with my mom and then we drove on to Missouri on Christmas Eve so we could celebrate with his family.

We went to this ice sculpture exhibit in Nashville.  My oldest is getting so big!  He loved the flannel sock monkey scarf I made him (the night before our trip)!

The sculptures were all from the movie Madagascar.  It was neat, but cold!

My youngest got so cold by the end he was screaming and crying so my husband took him out of the exhibit.

After handing my youngest off to hubby, I dashed around the corner of this ice slide to capture this pic of my oldest going down the slide.  In my haste, I slipped and fell hard and ended up with this:

A broken foot.  This is about a week after the fact.  I didn't know it was broken until we got back home--8 days after it happened.  I didn't go to the hospital earlier because hubby said there wasn't anything they could do but give me a boot.  This is true, but he failed to mention how much better walking would be with the boot!  Needless to say, walking was painful over the holidays.  This picture is AFTER the horrible swelling subsided some.  Pretty, huh? :)  Thankfully, it's not my driving or sewing foot!

We also ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Cheesecake Factory.  I know it's a chain and there are lots of local Nashville places with great food, but I can't help it, I love it!

My kid loves being silly.....and so does his dad.

Christmas morning, first peek!

My youngest gave his great-grandmother a hug before he even looked at his presents!  Love that kid!

My oldest seemed stunned that Santa actually came.  I think he was still half asleep.

Cheeseball loved his remote control car

Still stunned.

He always makes time to say "cheese" for Mama!

Driving down the great-grandparents' long driveway.  He loved it!

Dogs-are-us!  We are definitely a dog family!

Riding the lawn mower was great fun too!

Now for the fun part!  While discussing our drive back my husband asked if I wanted to stop at one of the fabric places we saw advertised on the drive up.  Uh, sure!  I hadn't been paying too much attention to the fabric signs because I was sewing (I'll show that project soon!).  Then he said he thought he saw a sign near Paducah.  Wait!  What?!?!?  Did you just say Paducah?  My head whipped around and I shrieked, "WE DRIVE THROUGH PADUCAH?!?!?!?"  OMG.  So, being full of the Christmas spirit and being a generally fantastic guy, my hubby allows us to take an hour mid drive for me to scope it out!

Geez.  This place is huge!  This does not include the warehouse in the back for the online store!

This was their "sale" table.  All prints were $5.98/yard and solids were 3.98!  I spent all my time and money here because, sadly, the price per yard of the regular bolts was $11-12.  That price is just a bit too high for me to justify when I can get the exact same thing for soooo much less on their own website!  Kinda stinks.  It's still fun too look!

The Kona was a normal price though.  There were about 5 full rows (both sides full) of solids!  Crazy cool!

There were 3 walls of patterns like this!  Any and every pattern imaginable!

Kiddos were acting nuts!

Evil people!  This is part of the online stock (I think).  There was as much on the shelves in the warehouse as was out on the floor, but I couldn't even browse!!!  boo!

Boxes and boxes of precuts!  Overall, it was a fun trip (minus the broken foot and the unspeakable bad). I'll leave you with a mosaic of all but one of the quilts I made in 2011.  Happy New Year everyone!