Random Roundup #22

I’ve been working on some quick little projects so I have a lot of little things to share.

Midibag:

I was preparing for a minor surgery and had quite a bit of nervous energy so I made a Midibag the day before which worked great for holding my clothes, phone, and wallet. I also got a few compliments from the nursing staff.I combined 3 mini charm packs – one Modern Background Ink and two Just a Speck by Jen Kingwell. The bag turned out so cute and was the perfect size! You iron the squares to the supplied interfacing and then fold and sew it together. The pattern contains interfacing for 2 bags. I need to decide on mini charms for the second bag. It’s a great little bag for art and craft fairs or the beach.

With the remaining squares, I was able to make this cute little pouch which is now with my sister-in-law. It worked beautifully for transporting a selection of Peppa Pig figures to my nephew.

Microwave Bowl Holders:

My brother’s family requested some of these bowl holders last year when they were here and I finally got around to making them as a housewarming gift. I use a great tutorial from Happy Hour Stitches.

Fabric Swap Box:

My guild is setting up a fabric birthday box swap and I needed a box to use to turn in my bought or ‘curated from stash’ fabric. The accessory box from The Container Store can hold 15 to 18 fat quarters depending on how you fold them. So I created a fabric name label to fit that box. I used my favorite fabrics for this one.The letters are from the Just My Type – lowercase pattern by Kristy of Quiet Play. I used headbands as the straps and sewed them into the binding and it worked beautifully.

Summer Sampler 2019:

I have been wanting to join in on the Summer Sampler that is hosted by Lee at Freshly Pieced, Katie at SwimBikeQuilt, and Faith of FreshLemonsQuilts but I was always preoccupied. This year the theme is Piecing Bootcamp and I love learning new techniques or improving my current techniques.There are two different finishing options but I just adore this curved layout. I’m planning on rainbowing this thing up and chose to use the Ombré Confetti Dots that I’ve been hoarding. I’m combining that with Tula Pink Fairy Dust and a grey Essex linen and it’s going to be epic!This Sampler Series starts tomorrow (May 20) with a block being released once a week. Here’s the link to sign up through Katie’s blog – Summer Sampler.

Stash Enhancement:

Alison Glass Holiday arrived and I cannot wait to get started on the quilt I designed last year. These fabrics will just pop!

I also received Alison Glass Sunprints Light. No plan for those but I just had to have them to fill in my low volumes.Lots more to share but I will pause here to take a breath and get some more sewing done!

Until next time- happy sewing!

Random Roundup #21

There is a lot of random sewing happening in my world.

Lori’s Epic Cat Quilt:

I was able to complete my cat quilt! Weather hasn’t been good so I need to wait for good sun to take a decent picture but I will leave you with this preview featuring quilt inspector #2 (aka Jasper).

Make Modern Beehive Gallery:

My Teal Fizz quilt top is a part of the Beehive Quilts Gallery article in Make Modern Magazine issue 26. Make Modern is a digital Australian quilt magazine with lots of great patterns and articles. I’m honored to have been asked to be part of this gallery. You can pick up a download of this issue here.

Blues Quilt Challenge:

There is a quilt show coming up locally that will feature blue mini quilts. The challenge is 24×24, predominately blue, 3 layers, stitched together. So, it doesn’t have to be fabric just 3 layers and blue. Information on the Blues Challenge can be found here. Mine will be fabric and I started with a light blue improv pieced heart and a pile of dark blue scraps. I can’t wait to see where this takes me.

Stash Enhancement:

I took part in a recent drop on Massdrop for the Michael Miller Fairy Frost fabric line. I was so happy when it arrived. It’s one of my favorite lines and I hadn’t seen all the colors before and they are just spectacular and so sparkly!Current drops include EQ8, La Pass templates for English Paper Piecing, Creative Grid Rulers, and a Rowenta iron. It works like a co-op where as more people commit to buy the price lowers and you can commit to only purchasing if the price reaches its lowest state. I use it a few times a year and have been happy with everything.

Perfect HST Sampler BOM:

I’m participating in the Perfect HST Block of the Month Sampler being held by Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced. She created some foundation paper piecing templates to aid in achieving perfect half-square triangles. This BOM uses those templates. I’m using this fabric pull of mostly Cotton + Steel Basics with the grey hearts and arrows as the main background fabric.The first block was the Ridgeline Star which used 4 of the darker colors. There are leftover triangle blocks to use for later in the BOM, for some bonus projects, or for whatever I choose. I’m happy with the points on this one so hopefully that will continue through the year as more blocks get created.

New [to me) Toys:

I just picked up this Brother PQ1500SL from a quilt friend that had upgraded. I was just barely leaning into the market for one and could not pass it up. I’m happy so far but I’ve only pieced on it (but I’ve threaded it 3 times 🙂). I think we’re becoming friends. I did not have as much trouble today as I did yesterday. It always takes a little while to get used to a new machine but I’m excited to learn new things and improve my skills!

Anyone headed to QuiltCon next month? It would be great to meet some fellow Quilters and bind over quilting things! Happy sewing!

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Bearing Gifts

I started this blog to pull together my two crafty loves – quilting and cross-stitch. And this impromptu Christmas project combines them perfectly!I’d come across the completed cross-stitch (Santa 02 by Lizzie Kate) in my gift closet and wanted to make something with it that was not just a normal framed piece so I thought I would frame it with fabric and make a mini wall quilt. This Santa is just the cutest!I first added the Confetti Star quilt block (by During Quiet Time) to each side of Santa and I loved it but it was a little small and needed more.It grew from there into a 22″ Pillow by adding the Present blocks to the corners to represent the gifts. I drew up a little design – instead of googling a pattern like I normally do – and made it exactly the size I needed. Yay me! Regular piecing on the present itself and I paper-pieced the bow section so I didn’t have to do math on those angles.I let the piece tell me what kind of quilting it needed and it said that the stars needed some green variegated just inside the seams and the ribbon on the presents needed the same type of quilting treatment. I really love how it all came together.The back is, of course, a jolly man bearing gifts.I’m super happy that inspiration hit and this fabulous pillow came to life. It looks awesome with a few of my other Christmas pillows (which wouldn’t be a full and complete look without Santa Dopey keeping watch.)

Stash Enhancement – July 2016

Family visits leave little time for sewing as I am the only quilter in the family.  However, I did talk them into a trip to a local quilt shop to pick up some supplies.  

My step-mom is very crafty but does not sew and she saw a fabric covered ornament at my house.  Now she wants to make them.  I gave her some fabric to practice with but she did not have a good ruler to cut that fabric into the square size she needed.  So, to the LQS for a Creative Grids ruler.  While there, I picked up this sweet selection of fabrics.This LQS doesn’t turn stock over very much so they have some older lines still on the shelves.  They are a bit more traditional than modern but do carry a small bit of modern fabrics – like the Mickey print above and I saw Star Wars there as well.  Last time I was there I stocked up on black Architextures crosshatch – which they still had yesterday.  But these did me well for now.  These are good shades of yellow and orange and I needed the low volume background fabric for a work-in-progress.

I also received a purchase that I made on Etsy for a quilt ladder!This ladder came from Knot Just Wood and was a fabulous price.  I was running out of space on my quilt rack so I knew that I needed something else that was more tall than wide and this was just perfect!It fits wonderfully between the window and the wall in my dining room.  I’m super happy with this one!

Next week is full of activities as well so I am not sure when sewing will resume.  But, here’s an updated photo of one of the rainbowy projects I’m working on.

I added the rows from the 6 1/2 inch offcuts from the heart quilt.  It’s coming together so well.  I’ve got the 8 1/2 inch ones ready to add on.  You should see that progress in my next post.

Happy sewing!

New Year, New Stash

I took advantage of some New Year’s sales and added to my stash. Pink Castle Fabrics was having an inventory clearance sale but I ended up in the bundle section and found these beauties.

The Word Up bundle:

So much texty goodness! I’ve been using so many text prints from my stash that this is really just a replenishment. 😊

The Not So Red Riding Hood bundle:

I just love all the tone-on-tone colors in this one and that Riding Hood fabric is growing on me.

A Sketchy Rainbow fat eighth bundle to use in the Rainbow Mini Swap mini.

The colors are so vibrant and gorgeous! It will be perfect for that swap project.

I have one more purchase coming that I will share next week then it’s back to sewing my own stash for while. I went 4 months without buying any new fabric and it was actually really great. I was using what I had and making some fabulous items. I have more money in the bank because I wasn’t spending it willy-nilly on something that I really already have enough of. I’ve got a few travel plans this year and that is where most of my disposable income will land. Creating memories with people I love and making them wonderful things from what I already own is part of my quilty plan this year.

I also did some sewing. I completed the final two blocks from the Sugar Block Club 2014.

Now I need to determine how I want to assemble this top. The colors are gorgeous and I’m so glad I went with the darker background. This will be the third Amy Gibson block of the month top that I will have sewn and I really need to make each of them into completed quilts. Part of my quilty goals this year is to finish quilts from the myriad of quilt tops that I have lying around. I have one top basted and ready to quilt. I can’t wait to test out the throat space on my new machine and see if a quilt will fit better than with my old machine.

I made this Halloween gift bag to hold a delayed Christmas gift for my mom.

I had ordered some stitching accessories and a pattern with embellishment pack from a small online retailer in early December. The pattern was on back order so I didn’t get any of the package until last week. I was quite annoyed that they did not send the items that were in stock but held the entire order until the leaflet arrived. So, it missed the actual gift exchange. The pattern is a Halloween based fairy design (which I failed to get a picture of before gifting it) so I stitched up this sweet bag to be her project holder while she is working on it.

I also received some gifts in the mail this week. My dad sent me this awesome plaque for my sewing room.

And I received my Disney Swap mini quilt:

Dopey is my favorite Disney character and my partner made this spectacular mini for me! It looks so great. I have a cross-stitch that I made many years ago that is this exact same pose. Having them together up on my wall will be awesome.

Happy sewing!

Designer’s Block

So, last week I got a new computer. And I’m super excited that it takes less than 15 minutes to boot up and that it doesn’t shut down or freeze every 5 minutes. Let’s just say I really, really needed a new computer and I got one! So, without all the annoying shutting down, I was able to use my Electric Quilt software and actually create something cool. I’ll post the final design later once I test it out a bit more. Here’s a sneak….

The next picture shows my pull for the actual block and lap quilt. Well, it’s not really a pull – I went shopping and bought it all. I sure hope it works out like I see it in my head. I keep changing the color placement and just need to stop over-thinking and start sewing. It will turn out fine if I just start sewing. And if it doesn’t then I’ll have some new throw pillows and some cool new fabric to add to my stash.

We’ve got Simply Color #10806, Dear Stella Piper green scallop, Sweet and Sassy for Quilting Treasures #23344 in Dandelion, Zack and Zoe Circle Dots pink, Aubrey for Studio e Fabrics, and Fusions Meadow #14445 for Robert Kaufman

Also this week, I received my new favorite shirt from Patchwork Threads:

My friends would definitely say that it describes me pretty well. 🙂

I put the first border on the Mini-Medallion QAL which is being held over at Clover and Violet.

I’ve got almost a full month to wait for the next border. It’s just torture!

And, I’ve got the next row cut for the Wavelength quilt:

Time to stop playing with my computer and turn that sewing machine on (oh and do laundry – ugh) and then I need to get some crafting started. Hopefully we’ll see some progress this week. I can’t wait to show you the new block!

Random Roundup #4

There’s been a lot more relaxing and a lot less sewing going on over here since my days off last week. I’ve gotten a few things accomplished but no one project has gotten a lot of attention. Here’s what I’ve done:

Sugar Block Club – I posted the June block here but never posted the first 6 blocks all together.

I also already completed the July block.

Pouches – I made 2 pouches – one that I will post next week and one that I made for an employee of mine that is transferring departments. She’s the one person at work that wants to see all this stuff I create. She makes jewelry so we have a crafting mutual respect for each other. I used a free pattern that I found on Craftsy. I used a Home Decor print remnant for the outside. I learned to use a larger seam allowance when using this particular piece of fabric. There was a little fraying on some of the areas of the bag. I have enough of the fabric left over and will be making some pillows so I will use a larger allowance for those.


I might use a stiffer interface or some fusible fleece next time I make this. I think it needs a little more structure. Anyway – she loved it! She’s already got plans for how she will use it.

Random Blocks for bigger projects – A third Memory block. This one is from the second quilt I ever made.

I talked about the inspiration for this quilt in this post. I have more fabrics pulled but not sewn together yet.

I started the Mini-Medallion Quiltalong over on Clover and Violet in association with SewLux. This is my fabric pull:

The center block is just so cute. All the information can be found on Clover and Violet’s blog .

The first border pattern got released today. I can’t wait to see what it is and get started sewing it up.

While I was relaxing, I took advantage of Swim, Bike, Quilt’s moving destash on Instagram and picked up some wonderful fabrics.

I was so happy to be able to snag those text prints!
I also got a few more items from #thegreatfabrcidestash on Instagram.
There’s some Essex Linen in Olive in that bunch of loveliness. I can’t wait to find something great to use it in. That grouping also included 2 pieces of Wee Gallery, Terrain by Kate Spain, and Circa 1934.
Now, I’ve got to pop back over to Clover and Violet and see what that first border looks like.

Random Roundup #3

It’s another week of random projects. I took a small break from the Wavelength quilt and made up this sweet zipper pouch.

It is made using most of the mini charms remaining from the Sew Together bag I made for myself. It was a Boho mini charm pack and goes great with that red sketch lining. Both projects turned out so cute!

Progress was made on Wavelength but I’m still trying to round out the colors for the next section.

This picture just makes me smile. I just love it so much!

I picked up last week’s Friday Bundle Batch from Fort Worth Fabric Studio. I just knew a few of those teals would work for this quilt and I was right. I pulled 3 out for this project and the rest got added to my ever-growing stash.

I also had the honor of meeting Jenean Morrison at an Open House at Sew Memphis – a local quilt shop. She was showing off her new line ‘Lovelorn’. I grabbed a few cuts of her designs along with other lovely goodies.

This is my favorite from the new line. It is called Hexagons and also comes in rainbow and in pinks.

I’m going to try and make a little progress on a few projects this weekend as I have to pack up the sewing room for family guests later in the week. I think I’ll postpone that task as much as possible. :-). Happy sewing!

Sunday Stash – May

Well – I gave in once again to a big Craftsy sale. They had that Free Spirit Fat Quarter Box at a great price and I snagged one up.

There was a wonderful selection of Chicopee in this one:

Along with London:

Pretty Little Things:

And a few other randoms:

I ran out of the green print from In my Room by Jenean Morrison and was able to locate it (and a few more prints) at Fabric Fly:

Pink Castle Fabrics had some great blenders and stash bundles that I just had to have:

They also sent a Cotton + Steel Trading card. I love the sentiment on this one!

That should do it for this week.

Be sure to click over and sign up to be in the running to receive the Traveling Stash Box by Friday June 6th. I’ll be doing the drawing that night. Here’s what I added to the box. It’s all packed up and ready to head to it’s new temporary home. 🙂

Traveling Stash Box

I recently became the temporary owner of one of the Traveling Stash Boxes! I was super excited to win this box from Jen at Something I Made a few weeks back.

The Traveling Stash Box is a box full of quilting goodness that travels around the US to different bloggers that sign up to be the next in line to receive it. Here’s what was in the box I received.

The idea is that you can take stuff out of the box to keep for yourself but you need to put back in items with equivalent value and of quilting quality. There is so much good stuff in the box – patterns, notions, books, and fabric. Lots and lots of fabric! But I narrowed it down and I took out 12 FQs and a 3/4 yd panel.

I took 4 Fat Quarters of the Hope Chest line from Connecting Threads. My stash is a little light on reds and mustard yellows so these were perfect. I also selected these lovelies.

Now you want to know what I put in, right?

There are some colorful fat quarters, a So Sophie charm pack, a cut of So Sophie striped fabric, a swirly Christmas-like print, those muscle cars, a world map and some florals. Lots of goodness for the next blogger to dive into.

If you would like this box to visit you next then you must follow the rules:

This is open to US mailing addresses only – sorry international guests. 😦

You must be an active blogger (so you can host the ‘giveaway’ on your blog and pass the box on to someone else)

You must be willing to pay the 12 or so dollars to ship to the next person

You must be willing to replace the equivalent value and/or type of product that you took out

To enter the drawing:

Leave a comment on this post stating that you would like to be included in the drawing to receive the box next. Include your email so that you can be contacted if you win.

Multiple comments from the same blogger will not be included in the drawing.

The drawing will be open until FRIDAY JUNE 6th this drawing is closed – and I will announce the winner in a separate post. Winner is In the Boon Docks!

If I am unable to contact them or don’t hear back within 3 days regarding their mailing address then I will select a new winner

Please remember, US mailing addresses ONLY and you have to be willing to send the box along to a new person if you win.

So much fun! Good luck to all those that enter!