Where Did February Go?!

..or for that matter the first 10 days of March!?!  

Time is just flying at my house! How about yours?

We have had a week of snow and ice, another of cold temps and today I looked out and my neighbors crocus are blooming!!  My daffodils are about 6 inches out of the ground~ yes! Spring is coming!!

My sewing machine has been working like crazy, but I have very little I can show for all the time logged. Eventually, just not today. ;-)

I can show you the quilt I am working on in-between pattern tests and other things.  :-)

This is the beginning of the Olivia Quilt from Kitchen Table Quilting. I did not pattern test this one, but when I saw it I knew it was perfect for the charm squares I had!  I am making this for my grandson, so rescue vehicles seemed like fun. :-) He is at the age where he loves to line up his cars and play. 

I joined a St Patrick's Day postcard swap and mine are made and sent~

I also made a couple notebook covers on my embroidery machine for gifts~

funny, but I only managed to get a photo of one of them. :o

And finally, I made a diaper bag backpack. This was a pattern test for Sallie Tomato and you can find the pattern HERE

 

It is called the Tripper.  Great for day trips too! ;-)

It is really roomy and I am sure my DS and DDIL will find it very handy when my newest grandbaby arrives.  

 

I am headed back to my sewing machine and hopefully you will see more of me soon!

Until next time~

Happy stitchin'!! :-)

Yes, I Do make Quilts Too

I know it seems like I show you bags a lot of the time, but I do make quilts too!

This quilt is a generous twin size and is called

the Rachel Quilt by Kitchen Table Quilting. 

I pattern tested this quilt for Erica & finished it while at retreat.

It uses layer cakes and I cut into my batik stash of turtle prints to cut out my layer cake~ my DD was here when I was choosing fabrics and she  has already 'dibs-ed' this one. LOL

As soon as the weather warms up, you will find me out in the cottage quilting it. :-)

Be sure to check out Erica's blog for all the tester versions. :-)

I promised you a peek at my postcards in my last post~

I ended up making a dozen and remembered to take the pic when I had these 5 left to stick in envelopes. :o Oops.  They were fun to make on my embroidery machine. The patterns are from Embroidery Library.

Until next time~ 

Happy stitchin'!

 

A New Tote Too!

While I was at the second retreat I made myself a new tote too. :-)

This is the Tudor Bag from Sew Sweetness.   

I made it just for me!  

I used my favorite polka dots in the lining. LOL What is a fun bag without polka dots!?

 It has loads of inside pockets!

And I added feet to the bottom~

The fabric is a decorator weight remnant I had in my stash and the grey is a soft faux leather.

Inside is all quilters cotton.  I wish I could remember where I picked up the faux leather because my machine loved it! It sewed just like a cotton fabric.

I still have to take a few more pix for you. I have been busy making Valentine's Day postcards and would you believe I got them all mailed and then thought about the photo?!!  I did manage to snag a photo of the last 5 or 6 and will show you those next time.

Until then~

Happy stitchin'!!

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"!