Home Again! Home Again!

Ok, so when I committed to back to back retreats, I thought I had a week between them.

I did not. Gulp! :-o

So a quick dump of suitcases and laundry and repacking and I was off again!  I am so glad I prep, cut and plan projects ahead of time because I could grab and go this time. ;-)

My friend and I have been wanting to do some 'By Annie' patterns and this was the retreat for that! We had a lot of room to spread out and get our pieces all labeled and lined up~ and then the power sewing began! :-)

First we made the 'Running with Scissors' tool case. 

And it went together really well for both of us!

The fabric is red tomato pincushions! :-)

So next, we made the 'Take A Stand' stand up tote, a companion to the 'Running with Scissors' pattern.  I made the larger size.  Another fun sew!

We couldn't believe we finished both projects and still had another day and a half of retreat time!! :-)

Luckily I pack like I am going to be gone for months! LOL

So next post I will show a few more things I completed.

Until then~

Happy Stitchin'!!

Sewing Fun!

Hi everyone! 

I spent the weekend at a small retreat with some friends and managed to get some sewing for me finished! :) Yay!

I have been wanting to color coordinate my retreat bags and project bags for taking to retreat in my favorite black, white, grey and red combos. I finished two different project bags. :-) The patterns are some my friend wrote to teach at another retreat, so I tested for her while making for me. LOL I love them!!

They both have vinyl 'windows' so you can see the project inside.  I usually pack my small red suitcase with my projects in bags. :o This will be so much better! ;-)

Another friend wanted to try her hand at bag making, so I helped her through a Bow Tucks Tote bag.  We each made one, so I could show her the steps, rather than just talk about them.  I think I will use mine for retreat also. LOL

I have made this bag many times for gifts, so finally, one of my own. The really nice thing about this pattern is that there are no zippers, no hardware etc. I just need to get a button for the top loop closure.  (note: I am not an affiliate for this pattern and the views expressed are my own)

 I think I have convinced my friend that bag making is fun. The next time we get together, she wants to try her hand at a zipper pouch. :-) Yay!!

I also worked on a quilt top, but it isn't quite together yet.  Next time. ;-)

Until then, stay warm and

Happy Sewing!!!

Time Has Been Flying!

Has it taken wing for you too?  :-)

My sewing machine has been humming along and I have 2 finished bags, but can only show you one at this time.

This is the Tiffany from Sallie Tomato.

It was a really quick and easy bag to sew, but looks difficult~ doesn't it?

There are no inside pockets and one outside pocket. I usually carry things in my purse in pouches that I can move from one bag to the next, so the inside absence of pockets didn't bother me~ it made the pattern faster to sew. Of course you could always add a couple pockets if you need them.  

I got to spend the weekend with my DD and her family. We made stuffed kitties for my darling 3 month old granddaughter. 

I embroidered her initial on one. They are made of flannel and so soft.

We got some cute pix of her holding them. :-)  The pattern is from McCall's.

 

I have a couple quilts in the works. This is the beginning of the Olivia Quilt by Kitchen Table Quilting.  

 

 I am doing a sew along with friends and the I have my first step nearly finished already. We are doing one step from the pattern every two weeks, so everyone has plenty of time to sew, and enjoy the process. ;)  I am making this one for my 2 yr old DGS. 

I am also really excited about a sew along Kelli from 'Seriously, I think it needs stitches' is doing. It is a Harry Potter quilt! :)  The first block will be posted on Saturday.   Are you doing any sew alongs this year? Please tell me about them in the comments~ I think I could add one more... maybe. ;)

 

That is all for now~

until next time,

Happy Stitchin'!!

 

 

Resolutions? Goals? Wishful thinking?

Happy New Year!

I hope you have found time to sew during these first few days of the new year! 

Do you make resolutions? Sounds too strict for me. LOL

How about goals?

That's better~ I like goals. I like planning a bit ahead and then it is with a lot of hope and maybe a little wishful thinking, that I will accomplish some of those goals.

I have two biggies this year... 

I need to get organized! 

Yes, it is time. I have added some of my Mom's stash to mine as well as some from my sister-in-law and now I want to cut into all of it and make quilt kits~ wish me luck!!

And I want to work on UFO's.

Last year I finished my DSIL's UFO's~~

And used her stash for my BIL's quilt~

... so this year I want to work on mine, and a few from my Mom.

Again~ wish me luck!! :-)

I did sew on New Year's Day~

Blocks for a comfort quilt for someone who will be going through chemo soon.

Finally~ I have a plea~

Do you happen to have a 5 inch charm pack of this fabric??

 

 

It is called Happy Camper by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake.

It is not flannel.

I have one, but the quilt I want to make for DGS calls for two... I would happily buy it from you or trade for something else..your call.  Thanks for checking your stash!

Until next time~

Happy stitchin"!

 

A Sew Day!

My DD and DGD came for a sew day this week and we make sleep sacks for DGD for day care. 

We had a lot of fun and this G'ma got in lots of snuggles with the little one. ;-)

We read a number of different blog posts and compared to one we had purchased. We used the snap idea from this blog~ DIY Mommy

But in the end we made our own modifications. 

DD loves them and I think the day care staff will too~ very easy to get baby in & out of it. ;-)

If you click the photos, they will get bigger.

Sorry they are dark, we finished in the evening and DD took them home with her. 

It was a great sewing day!

I hope you are finding some time for some fun sewing too!

Until next time~

Merry Christmas!!

 

The Patti Quilt~

You might think I am crazy taking on a pattern test project during holiday sewing, but for me it motivated me to get my Christmas gift sewing done quicker. So win-win! :-)

This is The Patti Quilt by Erica @ Kitchen Table Quilting

It is a really easy pattern consisting of a pile of FQ's with background fabric.

The pattern called for 3 blocks from each FQ, but since I had a lot of batik FQ's with a bit missing, I asked Erica if I could use more FQ's and make only 2 blocks from each FQ.

Can you believe I really didn't make that big of a dent in my batik stash?!

This quilt is twin size, measuring 72 x 96 inches.

I decided to make more blocks to make it 96 x 96 inches. :-o Hey, I was on a roll!

So this is 64 blocks~

768 HST's, 1024 patches altogether, but I wasn't really counting. ;-) LOL

It was enjoyable sewing!

Go the link above to see the other tester versions.

Until next time~

Happy Stitchin'!

Introducing Audrey!

I had the pure pleasure of doing this pattern test for Jessica of Sallie Tomato!

Introducing Audrey ~ a new tote so sleek and stylish, I just love mine!!

I used a patterned denim and just love the result!

It has the zipper pocket on the outside front and a couple pockets inside.

The handles are so fun! And the cross body strap means you can shop hands free. ;-)

The top zips closed. 

It measures 14"wide, 11" tall and 2" deep.

 Use the discount code "AUDREY" to get 15% off the pattern and hardware! The discount is good now through December 9, 2018. 

 

I love my new tote!

Until next time~

happy stitchin'!!