Sew. Happy. Quilt. QAL

This quilt along is a sampler and you will have the quilt top completed by mid-March.

I joined in the fun and my first block turned out great.

The Woven Block

It was easy and fun to make.  The instructions are so very clear and make the block easy for beginners (which I still am with making blocks).  Hope on over to SewHappyGeek and join the Flickr group if you would like to join in!

Burlap Wreath

My sister-in-law posted a photo of a Burlap Wreath that she made from a tutorial on Pinterest. I LOVED the wreath when she posted the photo and secretly was hoping to sneak to her house to steal the wreath.

My SIL's wreath

Luckily for me, I don't have to steal her wreath, because she made me my own. It's a good thing - I don't think I could do well living a life of crime!  I am still figuring out where to put it on display in my house.  Once I do, I will proudly post a photo on here of the wreath hanging in my house!!!

Oh My Stars!!

I joined the Oh My Stars! quilt along after seeing this quilt on pinterest:

The quilt along just started, so there is still time join!!  I decided to use Peacock Lane by Michael Miller with a few other FQs from other lines to round out the full number of FQs I would need:

I have completed the first two Big stars for the quilt - a Basic Sawtooth Star and a Sawtooth with a Pinwheel center:

Forgive the dark photo for the first star - not sure why so dark!!  I still have to make Medium and Small stars to match each Big one.  I should have that completed in a couple weeks. My friend saw the first star and loved the fabric.  She hinted about loving the stars so much - that I took the hint.  I plan to make two of these quilts so I can have one and so can she!

Want to join in the fun?  Find out more here!

Craft Room Update

The room is about 3/4 of the way done. I have to get 2 barstools for the seating (the current chair is from my dining room and we need it!!).  I want to hang a curtain over the window.  You may notice I need to finish painting the edges of the desk white still.  We finished the room on Monday evening at 9:30 and I had to go to work the next day.  So, I put everything away so I could play this week.  I may even play this weekend and paint next weekend.  What's the hurry to paint, I have some serious playing to do!!

I was able to get almost all my fabric that was a 1/2 yd or more wrapped around Comic Book Backing Board.  There are a ton of tutorials all over the internet.  Search for fabric and comic book backing boards and a ton will pop up.  It is a great way to organize and makes me feel like I own a tiny fabric shop.  The only exception is that I am the only shopper at this store because I have sharing issues.  In my defense, I am an only child - we don't share well!

The quilt wall is up and ready.  The chair in the corner is for my husband when he hangs out with me when I am sewing.  I have been living in this room since Tuesday night, so if he wants to see me he has to sit in the room!  Speaking of my husband, I need to give credit where credit is due.  He built this entire desk for me on a weekend when he could have done anything else.  This desk is truly a labor of love and I am so thankful for a husband who can do anything.  Below is the handsome guy who build this for me:

Funny story behind this photo - it looks like my husband is having a hard time dealing with me.  He actually was rubbing his face, but my friend caught him at just the right moment to make it look like he couldn't handle another moment listening to me.  He would never feel that way around me, of course, because I am always an absolute delight to be around - ALWAYS!

Here he is with my pups - Grissom.  Two handsome guys!!

Us at a Texas Rangers Game.  I think I will owe him tickets this Spring for a game as a thank you for this desk!

Back when we were young kids!

This guy will seriously do anything for me including model any of the aprons I have. I have some pretty good photos of him with other aprons and projects I have made.  We will save that for another post ;)

And to be fair - here is the other member of our family unit - Batley.  If you look closely, you may notice orange spots on his face, body and ears.  He got into some beautiful lilies my husband bought me last year.  His name should be Trouble since he is always looking for it.

Once I get the room 100% I will post one more picture.  Now, off to enjoy that incredible room my husband gave me.  Want details on the desk plans he used and how the room used to look?  Check my post here.

Over Commitment Issues

I may have committed to quite a bit of sew alongs and such, but it is worth trying.  Many of the sew alongs are only one block a month.  A girl can handle that, right?  Two Block of the Months I have joined are free and look like I will learn of new techniques. 

I just joined the Half Square Triangle Block of the Month found on In Color Order.  Here are the fabrics I have selected to use:

I also joined Craftsy Block of the Month led by Amy from Stitchery Dickery Dock.  You make 20 blocks through her Block of the Month.  The best part.....it's free and you can download the PDF and watch the video of instruction as many times as you want and when you can.  Once you join you have access to the class forever.  Sweet deal, right?  I am still trying to decide what fabric line to use.  You need close to 36 fq's - so I think that is an excuse to buy a line of fabric I really want.  At least, that is what I am telling myself now! I am thinking of using just solids on this quilt along, but I may get swayed toward a fabric line!!

Want to add to your skills?  Consider joining one!  Should make for a fun year.

Anna Maria Horner Figure 8 Scarf

I have wanted this scarf for quite a bit of time and I tried to buy the scarf myself. 

Photo from Anna Maria Horner Shop. Find your own scarf here

Every time I tried, the scarf was sold out.  I asked for the scarf for Christmas from my mom with the idea that maybe someone else would get lucky.  She attempted several times to order the kit, and ran into the "SOLD OUT" label as well.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the kit for Christmas!!  She was finally able to purchase the kit before the newly loaded kits sold out again.  I will be sewing the scarf together this week so I can look good at work (wink)!

Foxy Mama

Have you seen this ridiculously cute fox block pattern by Artisana?

I first saw the fox on Pinterest

and knew that I would be adding this cutie to my "to sew" list for 2012. 

The above pattern can be made from Artisania's fox block and only costs $3.00.  She even gives you a mirrored fox, so you can make one like the pinterest fox.  Too cute.  Not to be too literal, but it would seriously look cute with Outfoxed by Lizzy House, right?

The Civil War Diary Quilt

I missed the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along, although, you can really do the quilt anytime.  So, I bought the book to push my sewing skills this upcoming year.  There is also a new quilt along, but one that you do at your own pace.  This quilt along will use the Civil War Diary Quilt Book. 

 Photo from A La Mode

Photo from A La Mode- Heather's first two blocks

The quilt along is being guided along by Heather at A La Mode.  Looks fun.  The book does not include a CD with the patterns you can print off.  You will have to trace the block from the book or use your math skills to make.  May be a challenge, but we will see how I do!!

2012 Project List

I started a project list on Pinterest to help me track all the items I want to make and that I have committed to (quilt alongs or swaps).  I know the list will grow, but I really want to focus on less unfinished items and actually finishing projects.  We will see how that one goes....ummm, not so well in the past.  2012 is a new year though and a new time to make commitments, right???  Find my board on Pinterest here.

You do need an invite to join Pinterest.  I can help you out if you aren't on there and would like to be.  WARNING: you may lose hours of your time pinning.  Don't say I didn't warn you (wink).  The bag in the photo is a pattern from Posie Gets Cozy - the Jane Market Bag. 

Craft Room Makeover

Seems like since I started sewing I have been working my way toward figuring out what I would want my craft room to look like and how I could best utilize the space.  We rent our place, so that does limit what we can do with the space, but the more I research, the more I see I can get what I want.  We have painted our entire duplex as the walls were three shades of different white when we moved in (with our landlord's permission of course!!).   There will be immediate updates and then a few updates that could take a couple more weeks before the room is complete.

Here is what I started with when I first started sewing in 2007:

Not what I really wanted, but the desk got me started. I put contact paper over the desk to help cover up a bad stain job and to add some punch.

I added accessories to make the place a little closer to what I wanted and added a desk:

The room has been a progress and finally after several months of working out how to use my space most effectively, the last phase will begin.

I have a wonderful husband who seems to be able to do anything.  I found a desk through a website called ana-white.  I have always wanted a craft desk from pottery barn or something similar from Crate and Barrel, but did not want to spend $1000 to get it.  Plus, think of all the fabric buying that would take away from!!!  So here is the desk that my husband is building for me this weekend:

Plan found here

Details found here

I am actually following the building design for the craft desk not painted shown above.  I like the bigger top and having another set of cubes on the both sides.  More storage!!! 

I will have room now for my friends or mom to sew on one side while I sit on the other.  One end will be used as a cutting zone and the other end as the pressing/ironing zone.  I will be able to bring my fabric out of the closet and onto shelves nicely organized.  My husband is going to attempt to place two drawers in the middle area I can pull out to store my rotary blades, scissors, etc!!  I can't wait.

I also plan to paint the room the same color as the rest of the house, move my quilt wall and better organize my wall items.  I will be able to keep my dress form in the corner instead of the closet.  I have some accessories I am going to be sewing to add to my desk and room as the process continues.  I have no doubt when this is finished, that it will be hard to go to work and not stay and play in my craft room. I will post pictures as the process starts, continues and when complete! I hope to have the room done and finished as I see it no longer than a month.  Keep checking back!!



Itote Completed

Have you been on Craftsy yet?  I have and I am loving the workshops and classes that are being offered.  I signed up for a workshop to make an "Itote" made by the crafty StitcheryDickoryDock.  Here is what the project looks like:

What makes the workshop so nice is you can ask questions anytime.  It was like taking a class locally, except I could stay in my pajamas and the cost of the class was WAY AFFORDABLE.  I had some problems with my pockets (I was trying to hurry and finish so I could take my tote with me over Christmas - when will I learn not to hurry projects??).  My pockets are slightly crooked, but really at the end of the day - I am the only one who notices the not perfectly lined pockets.  Here is my Itote:

I used outfoxed and AMH as my main fabrics for the tote. I love how the purples turned out.  You could do any type of quilting on the back of the tote. I decided to do a simpler form of the star bursts that are found on the AMH fabric on the flaps of my pockets.  It may not be 100% perfect, but I love this tote.  I put my Nook in the zipper section, my Iphone in one pocket and my camera fits perfectly in the other pocket.  I can carry everything when travelling so much easier. 

You have lifetime access to the class and can make the tote at your own pace.  Check out Craftsy and see what you like!



Christmas Quilt Bust

I had hoped to make a quilt for my mother-in -law and it was a bust.  I still have a few blocks remaining from the attempt.  I will probably make them into mini quilts.  My free motion quilting is still lacking.   I read some other blogs that said to keep practicing and relax.  I am improving, but I think the bulk of a quilt is intimidating the first few times. I stepped away from the frustration and will keep practicing. I am start a new quilt for my MIL and will pay someone to FMQ the quilt. I figure the top is made by me and I will bind it, so the quilt is still mostly put together by me!

Here are the blocks leftover from the quilt that I started with:

I think they will make some cute mini quilts.  Maybe I can at least give one of them to my MIL.  The new quilt I think will be a bit more traditional and a different color scheme. I don't want to say to much so the quilt is a surprise to my MIL.  I should have the new quilt posted in a couple weeks!

Tree Skirt Finished

The tree skirt turned out exactly how I wanted.  I am so pleased!!  The little Sawtooth Stars I wanted around the skirt became a bit to tedious, so I decided to do just trees. I was not disappointed with the skirt like I feared I might be getting rid of the stars.  I haven't incorporated pink into my tree yet, but the greens and reds match perfectly. I hope to add some pink to the tree this year to finally tie in what I have around the rest of the house.  Here are the results:

Forgive the wrinkles... I hadn't pressed it yet.  I was too excited to get pictures of the skirt taken. I used linen for the top and I used a heavy denim for the back.  There is a thin layer of batting between both.  I used jelly rolls for the border and cut them every 8 to 10 inches or so.  I am still trying to understand how to do binding and didn't want to ruin my skirt. So I attached the jelly rolls to the linen and then sewed the end of the jelly rolls to the jean layer.  I then did the magical sew all the way around and leave an opening trick.  Then pulled through the whole skirt and pressed.  Once I get this binding thing down, my crafts should really pick up!!  I covered two big buttons and used some cute bias tape that I had to make the loops.  I scored with the trees. I found a scrap of fabric with the trees all over it that I think I bought about 3 years ago.  I just cut the trees out and then used a decorative stitch to attach the trees to the linen.

Overall, this is the second tree skirt I have made.  The other skirt was for a friend. I eyeballed everything - no pattern, so I am pretty proud of myself.

Deck the Walls

Buy one from Pine Needles in Salt Lake City

I am already aiming high to try to finish my table runner and tree skirt. If I get so lucky to be productive and on the ball, I would like to try my hand in piecing.  I have avoided piecing for awhile now, but after the Sewing Summit, I feel like I have the confidence to try!  We will see if it actually happens this year!! 

Christmas Table Runner

Yesterday I said how much I want to make my own tree skirt. I also have wanted to make this table runner for several years.  I will be using different fabric than Figgy Pudding and will probably have to make my runner a bit smaller.  I bought letter so I can trace out the words I want to use.  Updates coming soon!!  You can make your own too - find the tutorial here.