Leah @ L3Designs

Stash Report

2012-02-20T00:55:00.000-08:00

Sew Happy Geek QAL Block 9

Panel Quilt
Quilting Completed

This simple basket was made to hold my treads... I used the tutorial from The Stitching Room Blog.

Report #7-2012 (12 Feb 2012)

Used this Week:           0.7  m
          Year to Date:            9.0 m
      Added this Week:          0 m
          Year to Date:           24.6 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 15.6 m

      Projects Completed this week:    1           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:                9
      UFOs Completed this week:        1
          Year to Date:                4
      Mending & Alterations Completed:  0
          Year to Date:                2

Report #8-2012 (19 Feb 2012)

Used this Week:              3.3m
          Year to Date:           12.3 m
      Added this Week:          0 m
          Year to Date:           24.6 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 12.3 m

      Projects Completed this week:    2           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:               11
      UFOs Completed this week:        0
          Year to Date:                4
      Mending & Alterations Completed:  0
          Year to Date:                     2

Friday Night Sew In (Part 2)

2012-02-18T17:43:00.000-08:00

These mice were made at Sparks (Girl Guides) for our Valentines Party! The Pathfinders hosted a party for both the Sparks units in our district, so we made mice Valentines for all the units.

Solstice Stars Quilt Along - All blocks Completed!

I chose these fabrics from my stash to make a baby gift for my sons teacher... Because the Solstice Stars Series only had 5 blocks, and I needed 8... I added a few others.

HST Block (from January)	Sew Happy Geek Block #9
Solstice Stars #5	Blazing Star
All 8 Completed Blocks

And the Completed Quilt Top!

And if you haven`t voted yet, please stop by the Quilting is Murder finalists and vote for my leprechaun quilt...Please head on over to Quilting Gallery to vote for the winner...

Friday Night Sew In (Part 1)

2012-02-17T20:28:00.001-08:00

These blocks were made for two mom’s that are currently going through really tough times. So a group of us are making these two HUGS quilts…

Last night I went to Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild… and won a door prize!
(Posted using Windows Live Writer)

And if you haven`t voted yet, please stop by the Quilting is Murder finalists and vote for my leprechaun quilt...Please head on over to Quilting Gallery to vote for the winner...

Quilting is Murder UFO Challenge - Finalist!

2012-02-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

My quilt was chosen as a finalist....

I completed this quilt last week, nicely before St Patrick's day... Of course this quilt was started mid March last year... I think about March 15th or 16th - who would start a quilt just hours before the holiday!

Please head on over to Quilting Gallery to vote for the winner...

WIP Wednesday... (and Show&Tell Friday)

2012-02-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

Craftsy Block of the Month

Projects That I've made progress on...

Sew Happy Geek QAL

Sew Happy Quilt QAL at Sew Happy Geek
First 8 Blocks Completed (up to date)
So Scrappy Colour Challenge at Super Scrappy
Red and Green Done
Just Takes 2 QAL at Just Takes 2
Blocks 1-4, 12 Completed
Solstice Star QAL at Fresh Lemon Quilts
3 Blocks COmpleted
Hello Sun BOM by April Mae Designs
2 Blocks started, both needing Embroidery.
Craftsy's BOM at Craftsy.com
January and February Blocks Completed
Baby Quilt (UFO #5)
Made 16 6" squares, think I might set them like the tutorial for Floating Blocks on Oh Fransson, but need to choose a background colour... thinking of either yellow or green... but would need to buy fabric for that.... don't think I have anything that would work in the house for either, unless I stole from another project and that wouldn't be helpful!

UFO #5 Progress

Projects Waiting

Stars on the Mountain Quilt
Quilt for my step-father
Quilt for my husband

ETA: My quilt has been chosen as a finalist in the Quilting is Murder UFO Challenge.... Please head on over to vote! Recently Finished...

I have only finished one project this past week. It's the St Patrick's Day UFO from last year. It is all quilted, and bound. It was featured over on Quilt Aditct's Anonymous Block a Day. It was also my One-Thing,One-Week goal!

On the Longarm

A new quilt... not quite loaded completely. It's a preprinted flannelette panel that was very inexpensive.

Unfortunately I missed linking up at Freshly Pieced.... Head over to look at some great projects.

St Patrick's Day Quilt (Another UFO Finished)

2012-02-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

Nearly a year ago I started this quilt for St Patrick's Day. There was little hope I'd get it done for St Patrick's Day as I started it March 16th! A week or so later I had it basted and ready to go... and even started quilting it! And then it sat...

So after taking my sons quilt off the longarm, I decided this one wouldn't be too difficult to finish up... So onto the longarm it went, and then sat for a few days - the machine needed cleaning. Now its not too difficult to clean the machine... takes me about 20min... so yesterday I finally cleaned the machine and started quilting.

Two of the 4-Leaf Clover blocks were quilted on my domestic machine, two on the longarm. All the sashing has stitch-in-the-ditch done on my domestic machine as is the leprechaun block. The Irish Chain blocks and outer border was completed on the longarm.

Can you tell which of these two blocks were done on the longarm?

Leprechaun Artwork Copyright Sweet Stamping Treats Designs, digitized by me (Leah @ L3 Designs). I designed the quilt around the pot of gold fabric and the leprechaun. The Hearts were cut out using my Accuquilt Go.

ETA: My quilt has been chosen as a finalist in the Quilting is Murder UFO Challenge.... Please head on over to vote!

What's on the machine?

2012-02-06T14:35:00.000-08:00

What is on the longarm?

My St. Patrick's Day Quilt that I started last year. I started it the week of St Patrick's Day... I got the top done quickly and the quilting started, but not sure what got me derailed... well it's nearly done now... Just what to do in those Irish Chain areas....

Quilt Shops.... My favourite repair guy had a wonderful shop in Surrey, BC... It was a decent drive (and I drove past a number of other shops) but he provided great service and repairs machines WONDERFULLY... But last week the rest of the building was burnt down! His shop was spared, but its still unknown as to whether or not all his stock will be a write off (due to smoke damage). He keeps updating us through email and hopefully he'll know more this week, so he can develop a new plan. BUT I'm glad my machine isn't sitting in the shop last week, as I don't know what will happen to those machines.

Stash Report #6 (5 Feb 2012)

2012-02-06T00:45:00.000-08:00

So Scrappy - February is Green!

Sew Happy Geek QAL Block 7

Just Takes 2 Block 12

Report #6-2012 (5 Feb 2012)

Used this Week:         2.0 m
      Year to Date:                8.3 m
      Added this Week:          0 m
          Year to Date:           24.6 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 16.3 m

      Projects Completed this week:    0           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:                8
      UFOs Completed this week:        0
          Year to Date:                3
     Mending&Alterations Completed:    0
     Year to Date:                     2

Oh do I need another quilt along? Probably not, but I might join in this one too... But must get caught up on my Just Takes 2 blocks first.... Oh and I need to choose some fabric...

Birthday Crafts

2012-02-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Birthday Crafts... Yesterday I had 4 girls over for my older daughter's birthday. She wanted to do some crafts. So the first craft we did was make Sock Bunnies. It was a great success and lots of fun... most of the girls had very little experience with a needle and thread. We used cross-stitch needles with blunt tips, so there were few poked fingers. We used thisSock Bunny tutorial . The second craft we did was clipboards with paper Mod Podged onto them. It went much faster than the sock bunnies, but was very sticky!

Solstice Star Blocks

Just Takes 2 Block & Sew Happy Geek Quilt Along Block

Some more blocks

2012-01-31T22:59:00.000-08:00

Block 3 Completed...

Stars on the Mountain Quilt

Blocks still have 1 section to add... before assembling larger blocks

Block 5

Block 1

January Sewing & Quilting Projects - Progress

2012-01-31T00:36:00.000-08:00

Over at Cat Patches Blog is a Challenge to start new projects, with no goal to finish them. Now I do hope to finish my projects this year, but hey no pressure....

I started a number of new projects this month. Only started and finished one new quilt project... and that was with my 6yo.

As for sewing I started and finished 4 items and finished a two year old UFO (the kilt)....
Three of these items were for Highland dance.

I had 2 Quilt UFO Completions...

New Quilting Projects

Just Takes 2
Blocks 1 & 2 Completed

Sew Happy Geek QAL

Scrappy Wonky Log Cabins
I hope to do one of these each month in the colours as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge at the SuperScrappy Blog

Stars on the Mountain
I'd started cutting out the white background fabric on New Years Eve, but my other fabric didn't arrive until nearly mid January....

Completed Art Bag
This is a project I started and finished with my 6yo.

UFO Update

Completed Items

January's UFO Challenge was project #5 on my list from 2012 UFO Challenge, but I didn't finish it (see photo below). But I did finish numbers 1 and 11! February's UFO number is #1... I'm finished #1, so I'll continue working on #5 this month.

Some Progress
These blocks have been seamed together, now to make larger blocks....

Way too long to post (Stash Report #4-2012 & #5-2012)

2012-01-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

Update for the Past Two Weeks

Completed

Nautical Quilt

What am I working on?

Just Take 2
Sew Happy Geek QAL
Stars on the Mountain - 28 9 patch blocks completed, Mountain Blocks started

Projects to work on in the next week (no current progress)?

Baby Quilt (UFO #5)
Hem 2 pair of pants

Projects upcoming

Installing Red Snappers on my Longarm
Quilt for my stepfather

Stash Report #4-2012 (22Jan 2012)

Used this Week:        1.1m
      Year to Date:               6.3 m
      Added this Week:       4.5 m
          Year to Date:           23.1 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 16.8 m

      Projects Completed this week:    2           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:                7
      UFOs Completed this week:        0
          Year to Date:                2
     Mending&Alterations Completed:   1
     Year to Date:                     2

Report #5-2012 (29Jan 2012)

Used this Week:         0 m
     Year to Date:                6.3 m
      Added this Week:        1.5 m
          Year to Date:           24.6 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 18.3 m

      Projects Completed this week:    1           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:                8
      UFOs Completed this week:        1
          Year to Date:                3
     Mending&Alterations Completed:   0
     Year to Date:                     2

Quilts - one for each kid....

2012-01-30T11:07:00.000-08:00

A year ago, I finished all the quilt tops for each of my kids. Here is a post from Nov 2010 of their status... Unfortuantely I was unable to complete their quilts by their birthdays... Or truthfully in a reasonable time afterwards. This first quilt was a reasonably large 69 x 91".

Quilt for my youngest was finished Dec 1, 2010... Quilt for my older daughter was finished in February I tucked it away thinking I would be finished her brother's quilt soon, but it wasn't put on her bed for the first time until yesterday as her brother's quilt is now done! This one was huge at 81x101"

Mariner's Quilt!

Finished and on the bed

My son's quilt...this took me forever to quilt... I started quilting it on my mom's Janome 6500. Which is a great machine, but really doesn't have the throat space to do what I wanted on the quilt. The quilt is heavy and every time I'd start quilting it, my back would cease up, or my arms would ache. So it sat as a todo project heavy on my mind and heart. I was having a problem with its size at 79"x103".

Then I purchased a longarm machine. And I loaded the quilt top on late December saying it was 50% completed... but it really wasn't. I basically had some stitch in the ditch stitching done and was probably 10% done compared to what I eventually did.... I spent a lot of time quilting this, practising new techniques... some with rulers, some freehand. There were only a couple of locations at the back that were a little off on the tension.

Blocks in this quilt:
- 24 Flying Geese
- 8 blocks Made from HST&QST
- 16 Stars
- 4 Moose Quilts Block 5 moosequilts.blogspot.com/
- 4 Anchor Blocks - Self drafted
- 4 Sailboat Blocks - can't remember the pattern I used for inspiration
- 2 Lighthouse Blocks (inspired by By the Sea, but I didn't paper piece)
- 1 Mariner's Compass (Paper Pieced), my husband kindly drafted my pattern

Friday Night Sew In

2012-01-21T15:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was barely at home... I went to visit my grandmother in the hospital. Once I got home I had about an hour before needing to pick up the kids... so I did some quilting on the longarm. I am now working on the Mariner's Compass block on my quilt. I also got some fabric pressed.

After school my kids had some piping and dancing activities as it is nearly Robbie Burns Day... First my son played and older daughter danced at a nearby seniors home. My sons band then had a dinner and silent auction fundraiser, which both girls danced and my son played all after dinner. It was a late night.

I had a panel baby quilt, in a basket as part of the silent auction. It didn't raise as much money as I'd hoped it would.

Once I got the kids home, in bed and kilts hung up, it was 11pm. That was when I headed downstairs to get some sewing done.

One quick project I had was adding tags to my daughters undershirt and shorts used with her dancing costume. I did this so they would be sorted correctly in the laundry, and not accidentally put in her dresser.

Just Takes 2
Here are the first 2 blocks. 11 blocks have been released so far... I really debated completing this sew along, but thought it would be a good skill building quilt.

Stars on the Mountain
The middle of each mountain. 16/16 completed.

WIP Wednesday...

2012-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

New projects:

On one of the lists I'm on there was a call out for embroidery testers... So I tested out 3 hummingbird designs. Two of them are already stitched into a small zippered bag.
New Socks... My sewing room is COLD! Its in the basement and the floors are freezing. I dislike sewing in shoes (I always wear my runners while at the longarm, but in my sewing room...). So I thought I'd try out the Fleece Boot Socks from Studio Cherie as shown on Sew, Mama, Sew. The pattern was great... the socks are wonderful, but I used scrap micro fleece, so they aren't very warm. I think I'll dig out some 200wt or 300wt Polar fleece I have left from a sale at the Malden Mills warehouse 8 years ago....

Progress:

Mariner's Quilt- I got another section completed. I also purchased the Red Snappers & Red-E-clamps Replacement clamps from Quilts on the Corner. I haven't had a chance to install the Red Snappers, but added some elastic to the Red-E clamps and put them on my machine. They are GREAT!
Stars on the Mountain Quilt - I got 28 9patch blocks finished today....

Resolved to Sew 2012.... So how am I doing 2 weeks into the year? Fabric has been purchased... but it was planned and some even used! I have completed 2 UFOs, and a few other projects. The biggest thing I haven't been doing is spending enough time with my longarm. But I am getting back to that this week. Check out the Resolved to Sew giveaway over at Very Berry Handmade.

My Red Log Cabin block was featured on Block a Day Challenge at Quilt Addicts Anonymous

Linking up toWiP Wednesdays at Freshly Pieced and Needle and Thread Network

Finishing Blocks (Stash Report #3/2012)

2012-01-16T17:15:00.000-08:00

Stars on the Mountain Quilt
These are the centre of the blocks for my quilts...

Sew, Happy Geek QAL
Pinwheel and Friendship Star

Projects Completed This Week

Highland Dance Vest
Highland Dance Blouse
Hemmed one pair of my sons pants

What am I working on?

Sew Happy Geek QAL - two blocks done
Stars on the Mountain - New Years Day Mystery Quilt Class from Longarmclassroom.com - fabric arrived, cut out, centre blocks completed

Projects to work on in the next week (no current progress)?

Longarm -Nautical Quilt is still on the machine
Quilt for my stepfather
Baby Quilt (UFO #5)
Hem 2 pair of pants

Stash Report #3-2012 (15 Jan 2012)

      Used this Week:        2.8 m
          Year to Date:            5.2 m
      Added this Week:       6.4 m
          Year to Date:           18.6 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 13.4 m

      Projects Completed this week:    2           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:                5
      UFOs Completed this week:        0
          Year to Date:                2

      Mending&Alterations Completed:   1

          Year to Date:                1

Highland Dance Outfit Complete

2012-01-14T12:47:00.000-08:00

My daughters had a dance competition this morning. Unfortunately my older daughter had to make the difficult decision that she hadn't recovered enough from the pneumonia to dance. But she did go to the competition and warm up but was just not able. She looked great in her new Kilt, Vest and Hose(socks). I made both the vest and kilt. My younger daughter got a new blouse for today.

The vest is based on the Unique Highland dance pattern, and Ottobre Design 01/08 #36. The blouse is based on Ottobre Design 2/04 #23.

Two more items are now complete off my 1st Quarter project list... Next back to longarming to finish my sons quilt. One week until his birthday. The quilt top was his birthday present last year, and I NEED to have it on his bed this year...

Making progress

2012-01-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

My box of fabric finally arrived in the mail... so I cut out my fabric for the Longarm Classroom Stars on the Mountain Quilt.

The vest is in progress. Boning is in, just need to sew velvet to lining, turn, then do the shoulders, then add the trim and button holes. Deadline looming! Kilt is in at the cleaners getting pressed.

It looks like someone has been working in my sewing room and didn't clean up... wonder what they are working on...

Stash Report #2-2012

2012-01-08T19:56:00.000-08:00

Colour Challenges
Over at So Scrappy today's scrap challenge colour was
Red. I decided to do a red wonky log cabin block... Its 12.5". My thought is I'll do a wonky log cabin block in each colour and then sash them in white and have a whole quilt top....

Playing with colours... I think this would need a border too!
Maybe the green... I'll have to play with that....

Quilt Times Lonestar

Judy from Patchwork Times has a great colour palette challenge for this month... I love the colours and was contemplating making a Lone Star wall hanging with the l(joining the quilt along over at Quilt Times. I probably don't need another challenge or quilt along... but I like the look of the colours and that block... Maybe... or maybe this will just stay a dream!

UFO Challenge Update

Judy's is Challenge has us work on #5! I pulled it out, and it was just a bag of squares and rectangles. I sewed the rectangles together... so now I have a bag full of 6.5" and 3.5" squares... I've come up with the proposed layout... now just to sew together the stack of 4-patches... My goal this month is to get the quilt top finished.

I think I'll need to update my list... As I've already finished 1 Quilty UFO... So when its number comes up, I'll just insert another project....

What am I working on?
Sewing

Highland Dance Vest - Muslin made, tested. Then cut out all pieces in velvet, cotton lining, canvas interfacing. (the black is the pattern)
Highland Dance Blouse - only need to make 1. My older daughter no longer needs a new one - her old one is just short with the old kilt, this new kilt sits much higher, so she won't need one. For my younger daughter, her's is too short and too skinny... Fabric is washed and ready to be cut out - now what pattern did I use? Highland Dance Outfit lists the pattern as Ottobre Designs 2/04 #23... Must measure and then trace...

Quilting

Longarm -Nautical Quilt is still on the machine - slowly working on it. No progress this weekend. Tomorrow once the kids (or the healthy ones) are back at school. Deadline - Jan 24th.
Quilt for my stepfather - black fabric is washed, now I need to make bias tape for the celtic knot I'll put on it...Guess I need to look up the easy way to make continuous bias tape - it has been a while!
New Years Day Mystery Quilt Class from Longarmclassroom.com - fabric is supposed to arrive tomorrow... maybe? maybe not...
Baby Quilt (UFO #5)- need to make 4 patches

Stash Report #2-2012 (8 Jan 2012)

      Used this Week:        2.4 m
          Year to Date:      2.4 m
      Added this Week:      12.2 m
          Year to Date:     12.2 m
      Net Used for 2012:   - 9.8 m

      Projects Completed this week:    2           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:                3
      UFOs Completed this week:        1
          Year to Date:                2

Sewing with my 6yo

2012-01-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Sewing with my 6yo...
My 6yo has difficulties keeping her pencil crayons, felts, etc organized at school... We are halfway through the year and she`s needing replacements as some of hers are broken, tiny, or missing... so today we made a special pencil case for her new pencil crayons... It has individual pockets on one side and a zippered pocket on the other. She did some of the stitching but got easily bored...

A Mixed Sampler Quilt Along

I decided I would join... the first two blocks were straight forward. And I finished them in the first week! Now can I keep up?

Highland Dance Sewing
I`d forgotten to pick up canvas to use as lining for the vest... so today I zipped to the store to get some. And even better I only came home with the 0.6m of canvas that I needed. The pattern is prepped, tried on, and the canvas is waiting to be dried on its second time through prewash...

What`s on the longarm? The nautical quilt is still there... not much further... back to dark blue and doing the ropes... then I get to advance to the next section! Halfway once I get those ropes done! Then to figure out what I`m quilting on the Mariner`s Compass... probably just echo quilting....

UFO #2 Completed! Silent Auction Quilt COMPLETE

2012-01-04T01:02:00.000-08:00

I finished my 2nd UFO of the year... and no it wasn't the one chosen for this month by Judy @ Patckworktimes. But it was one of my items on my list for the Finish A Long hosted by Rhonda @ Quilter in the Gap.

Kilt Modelled....
She was pretty excited to try on her new kilt....

Progress on the LongarmI'm nearly 50% complete... the halfway stripe on the back will be under the needle soon....

New Projects too?

2012-01-02T23:19:00.000-08:00

For 2012 I will be starting a number of new projects too... I'd love to have a quilt for each holiday/season... The St Patrik's Day and Halloween ones are UFOs...

Some new projects for 2012

Baby Quilt from Panel (fabric prewashed)
Quilt for my step-father (fabric is washed, squared & ironed)
Quilt for my husband (ssh... its top-secret)
Something for my mom
Baby Quilt for my sons teacher

Holidays I don't have any quilts for

Valentine's
Easter
Thanksgiving

I'm also linking up with Lynne at Lily's Quilts

KILT Making: First UFO Finish for 2012!

2012-01-02T00:05:00.000-08:00

UFO Completed! First UFO done...First Kilt done...

This kilt was completely hand crafted by me and 95% of the stitching was all handstitched!

This kilt was started Sept 2009 in a class that lasted 9 weeks. The course was great... and I made the kilt "large" so it would fit my daughter this year. She is now in need of a new kilt, and other than I needed to take it in a little (move the buckles from their intended location) the fit is pretty good... I'm linking this up as December's UFO Completion, because I didn't have a quilt numbered 12...

The course was great - 4 students... we had 9 weekly classes of 3 hours each week! We were exhausted when we left each week with our homework. Most weeks it was 6-12 hours of homework! WOW! And the final 4 hours of homework was just completed today. I figure this kilt took between 50-60 hours plus class time.

After sewing this I understand WHY a KILT costs over $500! First the 100% wool tartan... and then the 30-60 hours to handstitch! Will I make another is the question? I know it'll be faster.... I won't be making these to sell but may make them for family (really close family, like ONLY my kids)

Note: The black basting thread are still in for one final press. I'm going to take it to the Dry Cleaners to have this done. I'm hoping I can get it done while I wait...

Next Project: Highland Dance Vest to match
Glad I didn't start this before the kilt was finished. I probably would have made the vest too skinny. This kilt adds 1-2" to her waist and hip measurements due to the layers of fabric... Now off to search for the pattern.

Deadline: 14 January at 8AM for the next Competition

Stash Report #1 (1 Jan 2012)

      Used this Week:       0 m
          Year to Date:     0 m
      Added this Week:      0 m
          Year to Date:     0 m
      Net Used for 2012:    0 m

      Projects Completed:    1
          Year to Date:      1
      UFOs Completed:        1
          Year to Date:      1

2012 First Quarter Projects

2012-01-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year....
Today I am supposed to be working on my New Years Day 2012 Mystery Quilt - Stars on the Mountains Quilt Class from LongarmClassroom... But I have 3 kids at home, its nice enough outside to go for a bike ride, and I am still waiting for the post to deliver my fabric... Hope I'm home on Tuesday when the mail arrives so they leave the box...

For the first Quarter of the 2012 Finish-A-long, here is my list of projects...

In progress

Kilt, Vest, 2 Highland Dance Blouses
-- ~~Kilt is waiting for the last buckle to be sewn on~~ Kilt Completed - 1 Jan 2012
-- I have all supplies for the Vest and blouses ready to cut out
-- In the end only one blouse is needed
-- Vest and Blouse Complete Blouse & Vest Completed
Nautical Quilt
-- On the longarm
-- Updated Jan 27 - Quilt DONE!
Silent Auction Baby Quilt
-- ~~Waiting for Binding~~ Quilt is done - 3 Jan 2012
Baby Quilt from Panel
-- Waiting for Longarm to be free
Dresden Square Quilt
-- 4 Panels Partially Completed... I might put them on the longarm to finish...
St Patrick's Day Quilt
-- Will be put on the longarm to finish quilting, binding cut out and ready to be attached
Garment Sewing UFOs - Top for me, top & dress for my youngest, skirt for my older daughter
Longarm University New Years Day 2012 Mystery Quilt
-- My fabric is due to arrive Tuesday, course opens tomorrow (Still waiting on fabric :()
Quilt for my Step-father
-- Fabric is squared and ready to be added to the longarm machine. I need to get some black bias ready to iron in a celtic knot onto the fabric just prior to loading it on the machine....

In the Planning Stage:

Quilt for my son's teacher (baby gift)
Will use a school t-shirt and some denim on the back

Further from Completion - on the highly unlikely list

Dresden Square Table topper
-- Needs Borders, backing, etc

Just a dream:

A quilt for my husband....

2011 In Review & 2012 Goals

2011-12-31T19:26:00.000-08:00

2011 Sewing Resolutions

From my blog last December....

My goals for the upcoming year are very similar to the past few years
Make meaningful fabric purchases
for the most part I've purchased with a plan, sewn from stash... but haven't made the projects from all the fabric I purchased
Finish UFOs
Got 4 Quilting UFOs finished, 1 is partially completed
unfortunately I also created some new ones....
Start Gift Sewing Early
I didn't sew much for Christmas and was pretty good most of the year on this one

2011 Stash Report
I lost track mid year... I think I ended up about equal, as I needed to buy some larger pieces for the longarm... But I have plans for them and they aren't just going into stash!

2011 UFO Completions

Hand Print Quilt	Small Bags Started at a Quilt Class

Teacher Gift Quilt	Pink & Purple Stars & Hearts

UFO Partial Completion
Its on the longarm!

My first completed project on the longarm

One of my UFOs is nearly 50% quilted... and one new project from the year is my pinwheel quilt - the first project I completed on the longarm....

And the best sewing of the year was completed by my "helpers"

2012 Goals
My goals for 2012

Sew something every week
Purchase with a plan
Learn to Longarm
Work on UFOs
Enjoy!

Peacock's

2011-12-27T16:18:00.000-08:00

Years ago my grandfather made fretwork panels with peacock designs in them. Two years ago I went to my grandmother's house and "rescued" them from the railing. My grandmother had them inset into her railing. Here are some of the photos... I arrived after the railing dismantling started so I didn't get a photo of before... after looks great! My uncle totally understood why I wanted my Grandfather's woodwork.

Old railing is balance against the wall
New railing has been installed (Thanks to my Uncle)

This is the table & chair set that just arrived.
My dad brought it back from the
farm this summer.

My panels were taken out of the frame to bring them home. I packed them up, wrapping them in saran wrap and adding duct tape handles. Security at the airport was a little confused as they scanned the package, but luckily I didn't need to unwrap the package.

My grandfather also made a coat rack, that my father brought home that summer. And a table and chair set. The table and chairs were delivered this past week.

I have some fabric my grandmother strip pieced... I think she was going to make a blouse, jacket, or ??? The fabric is probably assorted polyester...

I ha a thought the other day while running that I should do some peacock designs quilted onto it and make a quilt for my father. I'm debating whether I should make a number of small wall hangings about the size of the panels for my aunt, uncle, dad, brother (and one for myself too....)

Quokka Quilts Bloggers Choice FQ Contest is running a contest to design a FQ pack from Fat Quarter Shop. My inspiration came from the Royal Peacocks Fawn Feather Scroll Yardage peacock fabric...

My fabrics are made up from the follow fabrics at Fat Quarter Shop:

Ocean Wave Batiks Aruba Watercolors SKU# 1895-371
Riley Blake Designs Sundrop Blender SKU# C200-60
Sparkle Yellow Sparkles SKU# 39055-555
Sketch Yellow Screen Texture SKU# C8224-Yellow
Lilac Rose Batiks Mint Watercolors SKU# 1895-74
Riley Blake Designs Robin Blender SKU# C200-30
Kona Cotton Black SKU# K001-1019
Kona Cotton White SKU# K001-1387
Kona Cotton Baby Blue SKU# K001-1010
Royal Peacocks Fawn Feather Scroll SKU# 9210-7G
Poison Ivy Batiks Green Diagonal Dots SKU# 22031-777
Poison Ivy Batiks Aqua Mini Dots SKU# 22028-444
Sketch Grass Screen Texture SKU# C8224-Grass
Sketch Denim Screen Texture SKU# C8224-Denim
Royal Peacocks Cornflower Tossed Feathers SKU# 9211-7G

Sewing with the kids

2011-12-23T21:40:00.000-08:00

The kids decided to do some sewing for Christmas...

My 8yo daughter and 10yo son made 6 notebook covers... They are getting very independent in the sewing room... although still leave the cutting to me.

My 6yo used the embroidery machine to embroider a towel. And helped me embroider a blanket for my grandmother.

And we painted the inside of some Christmas decorations....

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.

WIP Wednesday

2011-12-21T16:06:00.000-08:00

So what am I working on? Today was baking....

We made melted snowman cookies... Here is ours...

We also made sugar cookies, shortbread, chocolate covered oreos, mint naniamo bars, and cherry cheesecake brownie.

What is on the longarm?

The Nautical Quilt... Ready to start... I'm going to do a rope border using rulers for the outer border... which I've never done before (other than testing) so I figured I should start at the bottom! Since the quilt was already layered and had some quilting done on it, the only pins left on it are in the outer border.
not sure what I'll do in the inner borders yet... probably wavy lines.... or skip the red & light blue borders and maybe a second small rope in the other dark blue border.

Other Projects?
Here is my Band Silent Auction Quilt... washed up, but still needs binding.... binding has been purchased.

Clouds & Stars quilted in

Front

Back

Linking up with

2012 UFO Challenge

2011-12-20T22:23:00.000-08:00

I didn't do so hot on 2011's UFO Completion... I did manage to complete 4 of the items, and work on 1 additional item. BUT I also created 4 quilting UFOs.

I'm hoping my longarm machine will soon solve my UFO issues....

2012's Quilting list...

Projects I worked on but didn't complete in 2011

Nautical Quilt -- Currently On the Longarm... might be quilted before 2012!!!
DONE! January 27 Nautical Quilt Completed

Projects I didn't even work on in 2011

Bag for my mom
Rocking Chair Covers for my mom
Quilt from my grandmother's fabric -- not sure if I'll do it... Maybe I'll do it for my dad...
Baby Quilt
Baby Rag Quilt

New UFOs

Dresden 4 panel Quilt from the QAL -- Quilting started
Dresden table topper - Needs borders before quilting
St Patrick's Day Quilt - Partially Quilted
Hallowe'en Quilt - Pieces cut out
Baby Quilt for Silent Auction
DONE! January 4 Baby Quilt Completed

New Quilting Projects Planned for 2012

Whole Cloth Quilt for my Step-father (in plaid)
New Years Day Mystery Quilt 2012

2012 Sewing List

Kilt
DONE! January 1 Kilt Completed
Highland Dance Vest
DONE! January 14 Vest completed
2 1 Blouses for Highland Dance (only 1 needed, with new kilt blouse still fits)
DONE! January 14 Blouse completed

FNSI - My completions

2011-12-17T23:12:00.000-08:00

Winter Quilt & Pillows

Garment Sewing
She wore through the other swim top in matching fabric. So I made a new one to match the bottoms. Her other two swimsuits are paper thin... so she really needed new ones... she has swim lessons starting again in January so I think I'll make her a second suit, too.

Baby Quilt - for a Silent Auction
I completed the quilting on the longarm yesterday during the school day, and trimmed the edges last night. The quilt needs binding, but I don't have anything appropriate - the blues & yellow I have is too wrong, the red & green I don't have enough fabric. So I will head to the fabric store tomorrow. (sorry no picture at the moment - its in the wash to remove the chalk)

What is on the longarm?
My sons Mariner's Quilt... Its mostly pinned onto the longarm. But not quite - still need to add more pins to the bottom edge. Then tomorrow night I hope to have time to start quilting it again. I started on my domestic machine some time ago, but think the longarm is the way to go on this HUGE twin sized quilt. (I think it'll easily fit a double bed!)

Linking up with

FNSI - My daughters sewing

2011-12-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

FNSI started with my daughter sewing a bag for a friends birthday present. She is getting much better with sewing, she still doesn't like cutting things with the rotary cutter, and would rather I pinned everything. She also is scared of sewing over zippers.

Another wonderful Christmas Concert

2011-12-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

We are blessed by the wonderful teachers at our school. Our Music teacher and librarian is wonderful! And runs two productions each year - a Christmas Concert and a Spring Performance. This years Christmas Concert was The Polar Express.

My sons class sang in the first part, and he was chosen as Child #3. All 3 of my kids performed in the second part, both girls were elves and sang with their classes and my son was onstage as Child #3. In the last part, the choir sang (she generally gets 90% participation in the optional program for Grade 3-5 students!) and my older two children sang in the Choir. I am hopeful that she won't retire until after my youngest is finished in Grade 5....

This is the gift we made for her...

What is on my machine? Nothing... I finished the quilt for the silent auction - so it needs binding. I'm debating what to put on my machine next. Probably my sons mariner's quilt.

Tonight is FNSI... What am I doing? Binding 2 quilts, making 2 pillows and then adding another quilt to the frame....

Christmas tree...

2011-12-15T22:40:00.000-08:00

Completed Christmas Trees

Christmasfor my Gram

I made a Christmas tree for my Gram. She's in the hospital so I made her a special tree to hang on her closet door, so she can see it while she's in bed.

All fabrics, trims, etc were in my stash. The fabric is a green textured poly-cotton fleece... it has a piece of the test quilt inside as batting, and then some black & yellow polar fleece. Pre-decorated with rickrack. We have printed out some photos that we will be adding on Saturday with the kids.

The back of the tree

Winter Quilt & Pillows

Two pillows including the backings

I put two pillow tops and the 4 sections for the back on the longarm at the same time. I used some cheap green fabric for the lining that will go on the inside of the pillows. It was great being able to quilt them this way.

The pillows have been quilted & trimmed. The quilt is trimmed. They are currently waiting sewing.

What is on the machine now?

A quilt top finished!

2011-12-11T13:08:00.001-08:00

I've been occupying my sewing area... Have a number of projects on
the go... It great to be back in the sewing room after a few months of hardly sewing.

Some more practice with the pantographs. This is getting easier...

The Holly and Poinsettia's are getting easier. Pantograph by Dave Hudson of PatternMan.com

And a different pattern, makes it harder again... Some free hand work at the end, taking advantage of the lines on the fabric....

Some freehand work... Pantograph stars getting better

Trying a new pattern - those stars are HARD!

Christmas Tree!

My mom wanted to make my Gram a paper tree to hang in her hospital room, but last night I had a "better" idea... so using the batting made above, I then made a pattern for a tree and then using my longarm machine traced out the tree.

Next step is decorating the tree with some rickrack and buttonholes to put the lights through. Then I'll attach a backing and we'll pin some ornaments to it to hang up next weekend for my Gram.

The Completed Quilt
This summer I started a Winter Quilt but needed some unwashed white fabric for the outer border. I got the fabric in September but never got back to the project. Yesterday I bought the backing and today I used my longarm to quilt the quilt. Must say I love the longarm, much easier than basting on the floor, but nearly as time consuming (especially on my first quilt on the longarm)

Almost Complete!

Close Up - Midpoint

Getting Started

Finishing Up

Friday Night Sewing... and more on Saturday too....

2011-12-10T20:30:00.001-08:00

Last night I got a quilt top ready... The winter quilt I started this summer is now ready to quilt. And I plan to put it on the longarm machine next! One more practice run tonight, then onto a real quilt!

Today I headed out to the fabric store and I picked up some backing fabric. Since the fabric I had at home wasn't long enough... I miscalculated how much I needed (ok I forgot to double the amount) and so then after getting home I realized that I really should have bought more... so I pieced in a small strip!

When adding the borders to the pillow tops, I did mitred borders for the first time. Fairly simple, but time consuming, when needing to match stripes!

Quilt Top Ready

Quilt Backing

Pillow Tops

A new machine...

2011-12-09T11:08:00.001-08:00

I have been researching getting a new longarm quilting machine. I have done some research and came up with a few ideas, but hadn't really gone any further in my research. Until two weeks ago when I saw an ad for a machine on craigslist. It was for a used but rebuilt machine and even better it was local. So this past weekend I moved the machine to its new home. It is temporarily in the family room, as the room I want it in has too much stuff (aka junk) in it.

So here is my "playing" and learning on my "new" 2006 APQS Liberty Longarm quilting machine

I tried panto-graphs... not so bad with the swirls, but the straight lines for the stars and points on the poinsettias were another issue! Although with practice I think I'm getting better!

I tried feathers and squares... I liked my nested squares, but I won't be doing any feathers anytime soon on a real quilt!

I liked working with the rulers. The rope tool is great!

A busy back to this quilt, having gone over it twice.... Just tests... and now the machine has another top & back, with this whole quilt inside as the batting. After I`m done testing, this will be sewn into a cover and donated to the animal shelter!

Kilt (NOT Quilt) Sewing on FNSI

2011-11-19T17:39:00.001-08:00

Working on a UFO... I started this 2 years ago taking a class. A Kilt for my daughter.... and I'm nearly done. One more night of hand sewing... then onto the vest (either raspberry or black). NOTE: this was a UFO on purpose... I needed to wait for my daughter to grow so it would fit her!

I worked for 1.5 hours on this last night. Note that a Kilt is mostly hand done, some of the facing/lining is done by machine and the buckles. I don't like how we were taught to put the buckles on, but they are on. I may take them off though and stitch them only to the under layer - I don't like the showing stitching.

The black threads are the basting threads and will be removed after a final pressing. There are some stray pink threads that need cutting, but I forgot scissors last night....

Kilt Front

Kilt back, basting still in
Pleats are first pinned, then basted (top & bottom),
the top is then stitched down with 12-18 per inch
Buckle on left still needs attaching after final fitting

Some of the machine sewing...
This buckle is on the lower flap so the stitches don't show

Close up of the hand stitches

And some other projects... some quick mending and finished up 4 blocks for a baby quilt.

LOST: Sewing Mo-jo

2011-11-14T22:18:00.001-08:00

Its gone. I keep trying to sew... but I never quite get there... Last week my maternal grandmother was admitted to the hospital and she's struggling.... and today my paternal grandmother passed away.

On a sewing front, I've won two different giveaways...

I won the book little quilts for Big Occasions over at Quilt Cabana Patterns. These patterns look great, but have too much on my todo pile before I can get to anything new...

I also won Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Volume 4 from EQ Blog

I'm also contemplating starting my own business... but not sure...

But recently I have been scrapbooking... See my scrapbooking blog for more photos


My maternal Grandmother & her great-grandkids	My maternal grandmother with her new grandchildren Top Left - Grace (2011), Top Right - Roger (2001) Bottom Left - Kaitlyn (2005), Bottom Right - Alexandra (2003)

My paternal Grandmother with her great-grandchildren
Summer 2008

Not quite sewing on the FNSI

2011-10-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

So no sewing this Friday Night for me... :(
I was getting my daughter ready for dance - we were headed to a competition this morning, and putting her hair up, when I found those nasty little critters....

So both Friday and Saturday evening were spent.... combining out lice and stripping beds. Last night I just combed for them - in everyone's hair. It took 2+ hours to do my 8yo's hair! Then once we cleaned brushes and did some laundry, we headed to bed! Today no sewing, because I had to shampoo her hair - quite the process - wash her hair to get out the gel, hair spray, conditioner, etc from the dance competition. Then because the chemicals my husband bought was to be applied on DRY hair, we dried her hair, then applied the nasty chemicals. Then waited, then washed, then combed again for another hour... (I would have tried this without chemicals, but there were too many to catch otherwise....). If you want to see how much hair she has, look below as she investigates the quilts...

On a better note.... today my daughter and I went to Anacortes and La Conner, WA. She danced in Anacortes, and placed 4th in 3 of her dances (Highland Fling, Seann Triubhas and Scottish Lilt).

Then we went to the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum!


Looking at the stitching details	Beautiful Quilts

She loved the embroidery of Oreo, the cat..... on so many of the Quilts in "A Quilted Garden" by Ann Fahl

My pictures (from my cellphone) don't do the quilts justice - for more pictures of Ann's work, see Ann Fahl's Gallery. The museum was definitely worth the stop! A great day out with my dancer and quilter!

My daughter's sewing

2011-10-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

My daughter made a bag for her friend's birthday present. She is getting good at the sewing part - now the cutting she leaves to me (I think she's scared of the rotary cutter) but will do all the pressing.
She learnt a new technique... Paper piecing, although I don't think she understands the steps yet, she saw how easy it was for things to go together... She used this pattern for her scottie dog.

The back was a basic 4 patch, as we were working with scraps of fabric, we didn't have enough fabric of any one colour for the back... The inside was some left over Care Bear fabric that she'd sewn into a baby quilt last year.

Friday night sew in is tomorrow... and I will be sewing! Head on over to Crafty Vegas Mom to sign up... Right now 148 people are signed up! It'll be great checking out what everyone has worked on this weekend!

Back to Sewing!

2011-10-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

I completed Grace`s quilt this week.

Getting back into routine since school started has been difficult. I haven`t gotten much sewing done - life keeps getting away...

My daughter is making a bag for her friend... she also learned paper piecing. I`m pretty sure she couldn`t do it herself, but she`s learning. She sewed and pressed. I cut and pinned! We used the following Scottie Paper Pieced Pattern

A winner...

2011-09-30T00:02:00.000-07:00

Congrats... to pc!

Hope you enjoy the software!

Remember if you are interested in purchasing the software, here's a great offer for my readers $10 off the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software AND a $10 off coupon for the MyMemories.com store.Just enter STMMMS15156 code to receive your discount.

Back to School Clothing

2011-09-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

Back to School Clothes... All Ottobre patterns....

Created using MyMemories Scrapbooking Software.... If you are interested in entering a giveaway, check here before Sept 28th.

If you are interested in purchasing MyMemories, I have a coupon code for my readers ~ $10 off the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software AND a $10 off coupon for the MyMemories.com store.

Enter STMMMS15156 code to receive your discount.

FNSI - Around in circles!

2011-09-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

Wow! Don't get out your ruler... don't look at the back... but the quilting has started. Round and round in circles...

I ended up re-pin basting them... I really wish for these that they were spray basted. By sewing around and around, the fabric did move some and I wonder if glue might have been a better solution than pins! There are a few puckers on the back... but I'm not taking them out! This quilt is about learning new techniques - so now I know what doesn't work!

If you are interested in scrapbooking software, check out my giveaway here!

My Memories Suite and Giveaway

2011-09-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked by Liz at MyMemories.com and was asked to review My Memories Suite V2 Digital Scrapbooking Software. Over the years I have done a number of scrapbooking projects - both on paper and digirally. I have hundreds of pages that I'd love to have scrapbooked, but I just haven't gotten there yet. As a busy mom of 3 kids, I'm sure you understand...

This software was easy to install and didn't take me long to get started designing a few pages. I haven't had much time to scrapbook as the kids just started back to school and all our activities are just starting up which means changing schedules, etc. But I have managed to do a number of pages, and this digital scrapbook software has a number of really wonderful features.

I love My Memories Suite V2 Digital Scrapbooking Software that allows you to scrapbook many photos quickly into a book of pages. The Fast Fill feature with some premade templates would be a fast way to create many pages. BUT not only can you make pages automatically, you can also create your own pages. There are a number of free templates available for download as well as many others available at very reasonable prices.

I had been wanting to get some photos ready from the summer... My daughter took to picking fruit trees this summer by climbing the tree... just like my great-uncle used to do. These layouts were created using the FastFill and the Funky Fall Template that is included with MyMemories Suite.

My apple pickers!

Climbing trees

More tree climbing and fruit!

I recently ran the Disneyland Half Marathon and am in the process of making a book documenting my running... Here is the start from my most recent races...

You can head over right now and check out all their marvelous products. They have kindly allowed me to offer my readers $10 off the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software AND a $10 off coupon for the Mymemories.com store.

Just enter STMMMS15156 code to receive your discount.

And one of my readers is going to win the same My Memories Scrapbooking software that I was given to review

There is ONE ENTRY requirement. Head on over to the My Memories website and let me know which is your favorite scrapbooking kit. Don't forget to comment below.

You can also find them at their blog My Memories Blog or at My Memories Suite Facebook page or follow My Memories Suite on Twitter.

This giveaway will end on September 28th at 11:59 pm PST. I will choose a winner within 24 hours and post the winner in a separate blog post in addition to emailing the winner. Please contact me to claim your prize by September 30th or a new winner will be sadly have to be chosen.

Summer Sewing... or is it canning?

2011-08-31T18:05:00.000-07:00

My daughters finished these over the weekend....

Canning
This the season... and it has occupied much of this week... Blackberries, greengage plums and transparent apples. The transparent apples are so wonderful for baking and applesauce. And a tasty no-sugar added juice too! The problem with transparent apples -- they have NO shelf life. They are a soft and immediate use apple... so they are ripe - now they are applesauce!

The past few days have included multiple batches of apple sauce, apple juice, greengage plum jam, blackberry juice, blackberry jam, and chocolate blackberry jam.

Oh but there are more apples... these are only the large apples from the other trees. I don't know the varieties of these apples... but they have a longer "shelf" life... so they are headed home from the beach! And I'll deal with them in September... Probably more apple sauce and sliced frozen apples...

Garment Sewing

Here is the Burda Style Braided Neck Tank I made myself. Printed fabric is a poly-Lycra blend, solid fabric is a rayon-Lycra. Instead of doing a full facing front & back, I cropped the pieces and made a shelf bra.

And my sons second pair of pants. These still need the waist band sewn, and hemmed...

I really liked how these went together, but didn`t quite understand the instructions for the back pocket so ended up just going on instinct!

Quilting

I got 4 of my dresden plate blocks basted! The fifth has been cut into an octagon and I`m adding the extra 1 inch strips to the cut edges.

My daughter commented the blue sheet I`ve been using all summer as a design wall is empty... I am packing my sewing area... to move back to town...

Getting things done!

2011-08-29T23:02:00.000-07:00


My 5yo! I drew the lines on so she could follow them. She did quite well as long as she was reminded to stay on the line.

I spent most of last week wondering if I'd get anywhere with my sewing... The kids were sewing! Even my 5yo showed interest and started sewing with her sister. They each made small purses. It was great that they were taking an interest and getting things made... they made gifts and items for themselves... They have one get well gift, a birthday gift and a Christmas gift finished. As well, they have started another Christmas gift, and the baby quilt is nearly done -- Grace's quilt is being hand-stitched so it is now in my hands.

Sewing flowers - with help from the cat

A few of the projects they have been working on haven't been photographed. The girls also started a macrame plant hanger, and I think we'll finish that tomorrow! As well as their completed purses to hold their mice. And they were sewing flowers with buttons...


Mug Rug - Front	Mug Rug - Back


Disappearing 9 Patch Bag with Zipper Open	Disappearing 9 Patch Bag with Zipper Closed	Hunting through the button jar is fun!

Quilting

I have started hand-sewing the binding on for Grace's Quilt.
No further progress on any projects.

Garment Sewing
So how are my projects coming along? I have been working on back to school clothing for the kids. I have one outfit completed for each child, and another outfit started for each.

I even used the fabric from Finland that my husband brought me home last year!

Completed Items

Tank top for me (Braided Neck Tank at BurdaStyle)
Tunic for each girl

Ottobre 4/11 #28 -- Orange/Yellow/Pink Cotton-lycra knit from Finland
Ottobre 3/2008 #12 -- Pink/Purple Cotton-Lycra knit from Finland

Leggings for each girl

Ottobre 4/11 #32 - Pink Knit -- this fabric is quite light weight and has pretty poor recovery... but it was in my stash... and will do as a quick pair of leggings as she wore holes through most of her leggings this spring!
Ottobre 1/10 #18) - Purple Knit -- this fabric is a really nice weight, but possibly too heavy for the pleating detail on the legs.

Pants for my son (Ottobre 1/11 #39) - Green Cord
Tshirt for my son (Ottobre 1/10 #24B) -- Blue/Green/Yellow stripe Cotton-Lycra from Finland.

Started

Second pair of pants for my son (Ottobre 1/11 #39) - Blue Twill

Cut Out

Blouse for my youngest (Ottobre 1/20 #11)
Pinafore for my youngest (Ottobre 4/11 #14)

Planned items

Skirt for my older daughter (Ottobre 1/11 #31)

Canning
It is summer here... and the fruit are starting to ripen... we have a number of apple and plum trees trees as well as numerous blackberry bushes! Sunday we made 8 litres of apple sauce, 1 litre of apple juice and 4 - 250mL jars of greengage plum jam. Today we were working on Chocolate Blackberry Jam!

Is it Wednesday already?

2011-08-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

Getting sewing time is difficult... But I am working with my kids on sewing. My son has become quite proficient, now that he has a few ideas... And soon, maybe, he'll be working on his own.

My daughter has continued to sew mice this week and now has a family of 10! Some of them have clothes. Her stitches are visible, and she's not changing thread colours... but I'm not arguing as she's working independently and helping her 5yo sister!

The kids start school in two weeks... So I have lots of sewing to complete by then... as they each want back to school clothing.....

Quilting Projects
Completed

Mug Rug for my Step-father
My son did this project pretty much on his own. I provided instructions on technique and helped with the binding, but he did all the sewing. The label is on, but I don't have a pen to write on it...

Progress

Dresden Quilt
All circles have been set and borders added. I'm hoping I have enough batting to get them basted, but won't be quilting them until after school starts as my thread is at home.
Christmas/Winter Quilt
Quilt top is assembled, but need some unwashed white fabric for borders! Need to go to the store...
Grace's Quilt
The kid's quilted it. I have squared it up and it is ready for binding!

No Progress

Mariner's Quilt
St Patrick's Day Quilt

Garment Sewing
Started items

Tank top for me (Braided Neck Tank at BurdaStyle)
Tunic for each girl (Ottobre 4/11 #28, Ottobre 3/2008 #12)
Leggings for each girl (Ottobre 4/11 #32, Ottobre 1/10 #18)
Pants for my son (Ottobre 1/11 #39)

Cut Out

Blouse for my youngest (Ottobre 1/20 #11)
Pinafore for my youngest (Ottobre 4/11 #14)

Planned items

Tshirt for my son (Ottobre 1/10 #24B)
Second pair of pants for my son (Ottobre 1/11 #39)
Skirt for my older daughter (Ottobre 1/11 #31)

And there are more items that they'd love to have, but this is what I'm committing to for the next two weeks... I really should also add two white blouses - one for each girl. They'll probably be simple white peasant blouses.

I'm also debating whether to make myself a skirt, or a second top...

And my girls were sewing

2011-08-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

These little mice are made by my 8yo... without a pattern. All of them now have ears and a tail, some have clothes, but most need eyes. We don't have beads small enough for her liking!

The story of these mice.... A girl at church has made mice, so my daughter wanted some too... so she asked for some fabric, so I handed her a bag of scraps... and some poly fibre fill... The only other support I've provided is threading some of the needles!

My older daughter started making mice, some small and one no-so-small.... Oh and they even get clothes....

My younger daughter started with mice, and then progressed to a halloween costume...

Design Wall Monday

2011-08-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

No sewing progress this weekend.... so my design wall looks the same as it did at the end of Friday. This upcoming week my focus is Clothes - must get ready for back to school. Countdown is on: 2 weeks to go!

Ssome discussion about what I'm going to do with my lone dresden. The discussions involved 3 options, as the quilt top is currently 28.5"x 28.5"

Add a border -- I'm out of the border colour, so either a darker beige (as in some of the other dresdens) or the dark brown. And then quilt & bind. Drawback - its really too big for my table, so could only be used as a wall haning
Add a few borders to increase the size to 48" square
Cut the corners off and turn it into an octagon -- then it could be used on my dining room table.

I'm leaning towards the octagon. It wouldn't be too difficult to finish. I think if I were to make it a larger quilt, it would become a UFO....

Canning
This is what I've spent my weekend doing... 2 batches of Blackberry Jam, 10L of Blackberry Juice... Added to last weeks Plum Jam (and I think I made 5 batches of it) and Plum Chutney. And the Plum Vodka I made is great with Sprite, or Orange Juice!

Friday night sewing at the beach....

2011-08-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

During the day instead of having prep time, I was making blackberry jam for my Gram. She is very spoiled - my mom went home with fresh blackberry pie and blackberry jam for her. She is 95!

After dinner I started sewing while the kids went down to the beach with my mom and her husband... Looking out at the calm waters I couldn't resist the call of the ocean. So I went out for a kayak! Then I picked up my husband from the ferry.

Finally at 9pm I sat down to sew...

Winter Quilt
First I worked on my winter whirly gig quilt. I had laid out the blocks previously and then stitched together to quilt top. I can't proceed any further on this until I get more unwashed white cotton.

Sewn Together

Dresden Quilts

Last night I set 4 of the circles into the outer border, squared up the blocks, then added the two borders.

This project was started as part of Lily's Quilts QAL in the spring... but life got in the way and I never finished them. Now I have the blocks ready to add the batting and backing. I will start assembling these blocks, but the quilting thread for these is at home in my sewing room. Because I'm not positive where the thread is, I'll need to wait until I get home to find it.

I need to head back to Lily's Quilts Blog and read the instructions!

Each of these blocks is about 31" square.

The 4 Blocks Ready for the Quilt. This is a quilt as you go project, so I didn't piece them together

When I was making up the blocks, I forgot one at the cabin... but now all blocks are united and now I have an extra one.

I don't have enough of the background fabric to border it. I will do a wider light border - probably the ligth blue, and then maybe a pieced border... I haven't decided....

Dresden - this one will be made into a separate quilt.

Grace's Quilt

Grace is still in the hospital and is gaining weight but has some struggles. She is in our continual prayers... The kids are continuing to work on their gift for her. They decided they would do the quilting too! So the progress is slow as Gramma (my mom) came for a 3 day visit. They didn't work on this last night, but are starting to work on it again today now that Gramma has left!

Design Wall Monday

2011-08-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

Quilting
Today we got Grace's Quilt top pinned together... Not much else done...

And my dresdens are waiting to be sewn into the backgrounds, which are ready sitting on my sewing table. Time to get busy....

Back to school sewing
The pants for my son need the fly sewn...

Seen around town

This is the quilt in my massage therapists office. I thought it was quite pretty... The statement on it reads "What is your greatest desire? Follow it and find peace".

Sorry for the quality of the pictures, they were all taken on my Blackberry...

Back to School Sewing

2011-08-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of the patterns and projects I'm planning on using for the kids back to school clothes. I'm sure they'll also help me with the sewing...

For my 10yo son:

Pants from Ottobre 1/ 2011 #39
we'll make 1 pair out of a not so favourite fabric and then more if he likes the pattern/fit
Tshirt from Ottobre 1/2010 #24 (with short sleeves)

For my 8yo daughter:

Skirt from Ottobre 1/2011 #31 - in grey/pink plaid
Tunic/Dress from Ottobre 4/2011 #28
Leggings to match above from Ottobre 4/2011 #32
White Blouse

For my 5yo daughter:

Leggings and Tunic/Dress 3/2008 #11&12
Blouse (to match a previously made skirt) Ottbore 1/2010 #11
Pinafore from Ottobre 4/2011 #14

All fabrics except the fabric for the Pinafore are from my stash... and some is the fabric my husbad brought back from Finland!

Off to trace the last of the patterns -- pulling out 3/2008 to trace leggings and the tunic!

The following items are maybes... don't know if I'll make them, unsure if they'll wear them.... So these aren't traced, and won't be until all the other sewing is done.

For my older daughter - the jacket 3/2008 #27/40
For my son - the jacket Ottobre 4/2011 #40 - don't have any fabric for this....

Quilt Top for Grace

2011-08-10T18:10:00.001-07:00

Quilt Top for Grace
Originally uploaded by l3designs.sewing

Here is the completed top! They worked so hard to complete it.... Now to find the backing fabric (hopefully my husband can find something at home), and then figure out how to quilt it... would love to FMQ, but not so sure on my skills....

A Sewing Day (WIP Wednesday)

2011-08-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

So what am I working on? Too much?


Proud of their work!

And since I've had to "fight" for computer time, I finished up these blocks last night after they were in bed.

Christmas Whrilygig blocks

Well, so much I created spread sheet last night to track it all... The following list are my current quilting projects, this doesn't include any of the UFOs that are put away and not being actively worked on. Most of these projects are new this year....

Mariner's Quilt
This quilt is waiting for me to finish quilting it. Its not currently with me... but will be my first priority once school starts. Binding is made, about 25-50% of quilting is done.
St Patrick's Day Quilt
I have this one here, it has 3/9 of the blocks quilted. And I'm not sure what I'm quilting in the border. I do have the binding cut and ready.
Dresden Quilt
The sashing is ready, the outer circles are ready, now to set 4 more of the dresden circles, square the blocks, then add the sashing.
Christmas/Winter Quilt
All quilt blocks are made. Not sure how I'm piecing this one together. I have 22 blocks - likely it'll be a 4x5 quilt with 2 blocks on the back. If I want white sashing, then I'll need to buy some more white. The white fabric that I was planning on using went into the quilt top the kids made. I used the tutorials at Crazy Mom Quilts and Michelle Sews.
Grace's Quilt
All blocks have the side sashing on. And they are now set into 5 strips. The kids did the sewing and pressing. I did the cutting and pinning. We finished with less than .2m of white left. I'm hoping my husband can navigate my sewing room to find the fabric I'm hoping to use...

Garment Sewing

And then we are onto garment sewing... need back to school clothes for the kids. I have patterns traced... now to iron fabric and cut those out. I'll itemize those in another post...

Stop by Tea Rose Home for Wednesday's Link Party....

I've also linked up with Freshly Pieced with the WIP Wednesday Post.

And over at Clean & Scentsible for Creative Spark!

Tuesday's Progress -- and another new quilt!

2011-08-09T22:25:00.000-07:00

My daughter wanted to sew a quilt for her new baby cousin (my cousin's daughter). She was born on Friday, although was 7 weeks early, and is doing quite well. I created a scrapbook page of the photos I have been emailed here.

We started with a Charm Pack that had 24 fabrics, and chose one additional fabric from the stash. My daughter wants to set these on angles (wonky) with white sashing...

The Charm Pack
all in order

All pinned and ready for my daughter to sew. 2"x5" white squares onto the 5" Charms....

Day 1: 2 sets are done...(she completed
a third set before bed!)

Christmas Quilt Progress
Oops... no photo of these... my daughter bumped me from the machine today! Hope to sew the rest up tonight and will post all the blocks tomorrow....

1" wide by approximately 550" long
Hope I have enough

Dresden Quilt Progress

Not much progress on the quilt, but I did press the outer circles, and cut and sew the 1" borders...

My Helpers....

Alexandra sewing

Roger Tracing... and the cat came to help

My Daughter's Sewing

Two new pairs of pants for her build-a-bear....

She did most of the work, except I added the tail-hole and elastic...

Fruit Trees! Baking.... Canning....

Blackberries and Transparent Apples

Spiked Peach Plums

Climbing the tree...

A wonderful Library

Prizes

Ever since my son started reading, the kids have participated in the Summer Reading Club at our local library. Each year out library has a series of prizes for the kids who participate. We have fared quite well every year... this year my youngest won a packages of books... We have an amazing set of librarians, a small library and some great finds. BUT please remind me to return the DVDs, as they are now only a 7 day loan! (Until this year they were a 3 week loan)

Design Wall Monday

2011-08-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

Haven't done much this past weekend... but here is my design wall... the whirlygig's are waiting for the other 12 to be made... the bottom dresedens are waiting for 4 more outer circle frames to be cut out....

My son is searching through the Complete Encyclopedia of Crafts published in 1975... looking for project ideas. My 8yo daughter is looking to make her build-a-bear a pair of jeans!

Why a new project? Why?

2011-08-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

Because... I really wanted to work on something simple tonight... and so I did some piecing of a Christmas Quilt... I've wanted to make the Whirlygiggle Quilt... and I have a Christmas Charm Pack waiting to be used....

So after looking at the tutorials at Crazy Mom Quilts and Michelle Sews, I made a template and cut out my white background. My coloured squares are from a pair of Charm packs I ordered after Christmas last year from Connecting Threads Winter Fun Collection.

Tonight I got 10 blocks done. There are 22 fabrics in the Charm pack, but I'm not sure I want to use one as it is snowflakes on a white background. I don't think it will work... So I'm not sure how I will turn my 21 completed blocks into a quilt... Probably 4 x 5, with one block on the back... I have some of the fabric in yardage to use either as backing, borders, or binding.

I used the tip/measurements from Michelle Sews blog so I would have less squaring up to do... But my blocks will need a little squaring up, but not much...

Tomorrow I will cut out more white... as I didn't count when I cut it out! So I only have enough for 2 or 3 more blocks, and I have 11 blocks left to complete.

And I also must do something with the early plums (that are about 2-3 weeks later than usual due to our cooler summer). My kids picked these ones so they are still a little "green", so they will ripen on the counter....

Costumes are READY!

2011-07-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Scottish Version of the Irish Jig

The Scottish Version of the Irish Jig is another caricature dance depicting an Irish washerwoman who is angry with her erring husband. The costume worn for this dance is either a red or emerald green skirt and bodice and a full white petticoat, with a white blouse, with a white apron. Red or green jig shoes are worn and there is much stamping and facial grimacing in this dance. In the male version, the dancer wears a red or green tailcoat with a waistcoat of the opposite colour, brown knee britches of corduroy, with a paddy hat and he carries a shillelagh, which is a club made from the forked branch of a tree.

The Sailor's Hornpipe

The Sailor's Hornpipe is a caricature dance developed from the traditional English version. It has become more popular in Scotland than in England and is regularly featured in Highland Games. The movements in this dance portray actions used in the daily work routines of a sailor's life, such as pulling ropes, climbing the rigging, and looking out to sea. A costume like a sailor's uniform is worn by both male and female dancers.

Lily's Quilts - Dresden QAL

In March I started this quilt along. I did really well for a while and then other things got in the way and I didn't get any of my blocks set in the outer circle borders. I cut out ONE outer circle border and got it ready a while ago, but was too afraid that my pieces wouldn't fit. Last night I got brave and set it! It went in easily... so I guess I have 4 more to cut out, piece and set...

Hopefully in August I can get the other squares set, add the 2 borders and layer them for quilting....

More Costume Sewing

2011-07-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Only one costume to go! My oldest daughter highland dances and she recently moved from Novice to Intermediate. Now that she is an Intermediate, she requires 2 new costumes.

The Irish Jig
The first is the Irish Jig Costume. This is a "fun" costume because there are so many different options! We've gone quite simple for this one... She'll wear her white blouse and petticoat from her National Costume, and red & green reversible skirt, a white apron and a cummerbund. She also wears red jig shoes (they are like a tap shoe), and it allowed to wear bows in her hair. This weekend will be the first time she competes the dance in competition.

Fully reversible
Closes with Aplix (velcro) at the back


Bows She wanted two bows for times when she can wear pig tails. I think red ones might be brighter, but had the green ribbon in the drawer...

This costume is one of the least expensive to make... it uses poly-cotton broadcloth... I chose the poly-cotton so it won't wrinkle as much. I've found a great sale on broadcloth when a local fabric store was closing out... or another good time to buy is after Christmas when needing red and green. At the next good sale, I will need to pickup some more red fabric as I'm nearly out... My guess is the Aplix (left over from cloth diaper days), stabilizer, interfacing, ribbon, rivets, and hair elastics are the most expensive items... Estimated total cost of the skirt, cummerbund, apron, and elastics is around $5-10 plus my time...
Sailor's Hornpipe
The second costume is the Sailor's Hornpipe. We found one second hand for $20... including the Sailor's Cap... BUT it needed altering....so now I'm altering it. I plan to finish this today.

Hopefully later today I can get photos of both costumes modelled..

Sewing Distractions: Last night my 5 year old didn't want to go to sleep so I had an "assistant" helping me... Until WAY past her bedtime, so I had to quit sewing to get her to bed.... But I did clean up the sewing table and draft a pattern for a pair of pants for my daughters build a bear...

FNSI - A successful night

2011-07-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

I really wasn't home until after 9pm yesterday -- it was after 9:30 before I headed downstairs... so I wasn't organized for this FNSI... my sewing room was a mess... the machine was pulled apart (didn't want to do a wide zigzag, the serger was set to do a rolled hem (in pink and purple), the floor was a mess, the table was a mess... I really should have gotten a photo before, but I cleaned the floor, did some recycling, and cleaned one of my sewing tables so I could sew....

Ah... space to work! Ok you can still see a mess hiding behind the chair on the left, and up on the window sill, but I still had 6ft of desk space to work with! And this is how I left it last night, all clean ready for a new day.

Now what to work on... I have some big projects but it was 10:30 at night and I wasn't feeling the enthusiasm to start on one... so I made a small gift for my daughters dance teacher. She has her last lesson for the year on Tuesday (although will only get 6 weeks off before they start again...)

This wallet uses the pattern at Very Berry Handmade - Folding Card Wallet Tutorial . I did make one small change with one of the pockets, because I can't read instructions well after 11pm... oops... oh well, I made my pocket work. And then I made a lined zipper bag... in a triangle shape... I've seen a number of tutorials for this so kinda winged it last night.

To see what others have done for FNSI, visit Hand Made by Heidi

Sewing at piping camp (day 2)

2011-07-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

Sewing... I finished two irish jig skirts today. One with is for my older daughters costume. It is a reversible circle skirt, with a Aplix skirt closure. The only problem with reverisble skirts is they don't last long in the length as they can't be lengthened. BUT this skirt is made from poly-cotton broadcloth that I picked up on sale... so I'm guessing the whole skirt cost only $4 as I got the fabric on clearence (after Christmas!).

The second skirt was made because one of the first panels I cut out had a flaw in it... about 3" up from the hem. So I cut the waistband a little lower, and the hem up 3" and cut out a matching panel in green, and the green waistband. This is a half circle reversible skirt with snaps as a closure (only had wide Aplix with me).

Next two proejcts - back to quilting my sons quilt (haven't touched it since February) and altering a Hornpipe costume.

Sewing at piping camp (day 1)

2011-07-03T15:49:00.000-07:00

I'm making progress. Yesterday e squished everything in the van and relocated to an interior ski hill for a week of piping and dancing. It is a busy schedule for the kids, but so far (day 1) all is going well. I had some free time this afternoon so I started on my daughters dance skirt. Two circles cut and sewn together... and now need pressing, then the waistband added.

Issues:

would have been much easier if the fabric were 50+" wide then I could have done only one circle, instead of 2 half circles.
there was a flaw in the red fabric, but luckily I have enough to cut out a thrid piece.
the flawed piece was able to be cut down to make a skirt for my youngest.
but I have no clue how I'm going to sew after the kids go to bed due to the arrangement of the suite.
And there is NO internet in my room... very frustrating having to go to a hot point to get my email and post!

A successful week sewing

2011-07-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

So I haven't been sewing much in the past few months... but got back on track this week.

UFO Update: I finished 5 boxes for teachers gifts and mostly completing the June UFO challenge! I had enough squares to make 6 boxes, but only needed 5 this year. So I have one partially completed... so have a new UFO, but it is much closer to being finished.... and all my teacher fabric blocks are sewn up!

I also made two mug rugs for 2 of the teachers who are retiring...

Highland Dance Costumes: And I started on my daughters Jig costume for Highland Dance. I finished the apron for her costume. I went to start the skirt and realized making a circle skirt out of 44" wide fabric wasn't going to be as easy as I'd hoped... I'll need to cut both a front & back, in both the outer and inner fabrics... Waistband is done for the skirt, just need to cut out and sew the rest! And I think I'll make her a red velvet cumberbund.

Some teachers gifts (& UFO Challenge Update)

2011-06-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

I have been sewing!

The first is a project for a teacher who is retiring from our school. My kids have had her for the past 4 years (my daughter has had her for the past 3 years) as she team teaches with two other staff members. She is a wonderful lady who we are going to miss at our school. In fact our school has 4 teachers retiring this year, including the one who retired at Christmas. It is absolutely wonderful for them as they retire, but a big loss to our school community to loose such expertise all the same year and another teacher is going on year long maternity leave. Of our 16 teachers on staff, 3 are retiring and 3 are laid off, and one heads off on maternity leave. This from a staff where most staff have been at the school for 15+ years, including one who is retiring who reportedly has been at the school since 1972!

For my daughter's class the class has made a small gift for this wonderful teacher. The gift is a rice bag made using a school t-shirt. The following poem we wrote ironed on the fabric using fabric transfer paper -- slight frustration as my printer driver doesn't have a "mirror" feature!!!

You've helped so many fingers throughout your teaching years,
You've taught us reading, math and science, and lent a caring ear,
Even when our fingers fumbled, you helped them with a smile,
You've taught us all to chase our dreams and go the extra mile.

And for some of the other teachers I'm using up some UFO 9-patches and making boxes! I have 5 more ready to go... These will be filled with school supplies for the teachers. These are using June's UFO Challenge!

FNSI - Another month of no sewing!

2011-06-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

So how can it be that for the past 3 FNSI I can't participate?

One I had a fundraiser at my kids school, the second we were headed off to pipeband and highland dance competitions, and last night we headed to the cabin for Father's Day weekend. So I told my husband that for July's FNSI - it didn't matter, but I would be sewing!

So what are in my plans for the next month?
Finishing some Quilting UFOs!

Quilt 1: My sons Mariner's Quilt -- Finish Quilting and bind
Quilt 2: St. Patrick's Day Quilt -- Finish Quilting and bind
Quilt 3: Lily's Quilts Quilt Along Quilt -- Set Circles and quilt blocks, join blocks, then bind!
Quilt 4: May's UFO - A quilt for my grandmother
Quilt 5: June's UFO - Use Teacher's Quilt Blocks - Perfect its June!

And some Dancing Costumes
For this summer

Hornpipe Costume Reset Sleeves on my daughters Hornpipe Costumne
Jig Costume Make Apron, Skirt, Cumberbund

And for November....

Kilt Finish handstitching lining and buckles
Vest A black vest to go with my daughters new kilt... she can't wear purple with a fuschia kilt!

And some garments

Pants for my son

Now onto sewing... Must get some done before school ends June 29th.....

Getting back on track -- soon

2011-06-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

I am sewing... trying to get some projects done today! OK so I started this blog over 2 weeks ago, when I thought I would be getting things done.... BUT then my brother announced he was getting married on June 5th! Change of plans - sewing time became shopping time - with all the other things going on I just didn't have time to sew 2 flowergirl dresses, 1 junior bridesmaid dress, a dress for me. Then sewing time became hemming time - my Gramma's pants, my mom's pants, my son's suit pants and jacket... Luckily my girls and my dress didn't need any alterations!

I had it listed I would post pictures of my recent sewing, but I haven't taken them yet... so here is the pictures of the wedding instead. This spring my grandmother was in the hospital for 3 months recovering from a fractured pelvis and then bladder infection. You'd never know it now, she looks amazing! Note: in 3 weeks she turns 95!

BTW, I also got a new laptop a few weeks ago nowso am working slowly on moving files over. still getting used to this new keyboard, there are some crazy changes on this... why is there a key between the Z and Shift key? I don't need the backslash "\" key on the keyboard TWICE!

And I made a bag for my new computer using this tutorial. I really should have embellished the bag, I think it needs it now, but couldn't think of it at the time. I may find some green ric-rac and add it soon.

Now the plans are to get back sewing! But with end of year school activities, I'm not so sure when!

Progress & Mail Day!

2011-05-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

So I have been getting a few things done. I did complete 2 items for my older daughter last week, but forgot to get photos before they hit the laundry... I will get them this week.

I also worked on my Dresden Circles - here are Dresden #4 & 5 without the centres sewn in.

And I also finished a skirt for my youngest, but do need to go back and fix the skirt as I nicked the hem with the serger blade while attaching the ruffle....

MAIL!
Recently I won a couple of giveaways and they finally arrived in the mail. They were both from Mandy at Simply Solids, who had sponsored giveaways at Very Berry Handmade and Lily's Quilts.

Thanks so much for Mandy who sent out an extra set of the FQs as the first one never arrived....

Aprils UFOs

2011-05-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

These were two small projects I completed this month as part of the UFO challenge

April Sewing...

2011-04-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

I didn't get much done this month. It started with the kids still on spring break, the sewing show, my sewing room partially packed from the island... Then the kids school had their bi-annual Fun Fair - great fun but lots of work! Add to that Easter, an extra long weekend, a trip away, a band competition, a couple of dance competitions - and I was just too tired to get much done. But I did sew a few gifts or items of NEED. May will be sewing for ME! I hope to finish 3 unfinished quilts in May - I know lofty goals!

So I finished another UFO this month... a small bag for a birthday gift. This was started as a demo at a sewing show a number of years ago... their was free motion stitching on it (started... but not finished) that looked awful, so I changed to echo quilting! I like this much better...

And my oldest daughter got a set of 4 24"x24" Foam Playmats to be used for practicing her Highland Dance and for warming up on. Many of the older girls bring them to competitions, so with competition tomorrow, we needed a bag to carry them in... The smaller bag carries a small yoga mat that my younger dancer wants to take with her. I found this fabric in my stash... used about 2m to finish both bags, and just over an hour.

Stash Report - Week 16 / 2011 (April 11-17)
Used this Week: 0m
Used year to Date: 46.5
Added this Week: 0m
Added Year to Date: 13.9 meters
Net Used for 2011: 32.6

Stash Report - Week 17 / 2011 (April 18-24)
Used this Week: 0m
Used year to Date: 46.5
Added this Week: 0m
Added Year to Date: 13.9 meters
Net Used for 2011: 32.6

Friday Night Sew In: I missed April's because of the school fun fair... and it looks like the date set for May is the long weekend here... we are off to Band and Dance competitions that weekend at out of town Highland Games.

Z is for?

2011-04-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

My daughter came home from school yesterday needing an item beginning with

so what would she take today? But a ziplock bag filled with

ZIPPERS!

and she wore her pink

Zebra print dress

And what have I been sewing? Nothing... I've been procrastinating and then nursing a sprained ankle. I currently have the ankle elevated on ice... I need to sew, but I'll just read my recently arrived Ottobre Magazine!

Updates, Stash Report, & April UFO Challenge - COMPLETE!

2011-04-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

So this week I didn`t get much sewing done. My grandmother has been in the hospital and the visits, worry and stress about that this past week has interrupted my time and want to sew... My grandmother was moved Thursday into a rehab unit as a slightly closer hospital and is doing wonderfully. And since she is in rehab and in `classes`all day, she can`t have visitors! (I love visiting her, but it was taking my sewing time....)

My 8yo completed one quick gift, and I completed a second. As luck would have it, the sewing I did was also completing the first of my April UFOs!!!

A zippered bag, sewn by my 8yo.
She put in the invisible zipper, too.

Small zippered bag
From a Free Motion Quilting Sample from the Sewing show.
Zipper added, and binding for ends/handle

Stash Report - Week 15 / 2011 (April 4-10)
Used this Week: 0.4m
Used year to Date: 46.5
Added this Week: 6.0m
Added Year to Date: 13.9 meters
Net Used for 2011: 32.6

Updates, Design Wall, & Stash Report

2011-04-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I went to our local Sewing and Craft Show. This is out at a local Trade & Exhibition Centre... The show has been running for a number of years but a few years ago changed owners. Currently they have also teamed up and have a scrapbooking show at the same time. It is a great use of these large facilities, but I avoided all the scrapbooking information, as that isn't my interest. I have attended off an on for the past 9 years... Attendance this year seemed lower than past years, although I read on Janome Life blog, that it was the greatest attendance with the new owners. The date of the show the past few years has become later, and for the past two years has been during Spring Break. This is a problem for some of us younger sewers and crafters...

I'm happy to say that the entry fee is still very reasonable at $10 for the two days. I think its wonderful that they haven't raised this fee. Although parking has increased - it was free for the first few years and is now $5 per day, but that is probably due to the venue increasing the parking costs, instead of the show owners. I volunteered for the Friday morning helping with letting attendees into the classes - there were a few problems with this - the registration forms this year didn't include class room names, or times on them.

A good set of local and Canadian instructors were brought in, and many I've attended in past years... In the past I've attended Ron Collins' workshops - they are wonderful and a great hands on experience. His "trunk show" has a closet full of wonderful items...

Ron Collins

Copying Ready to Wear for Pants and Jeans (NEW)~ a preshow workshop
More and More Pockets ll ~ a 3 hour hands on seminar
Master Construction Techniques II ~ a 3 hour hands on seminar

Patrice Godin

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Corset, But Were Afraid to Ask ~ 3 hours
Bias 101 ~ 2 hours

These are great seminars, but I wonder if the topics were too advanced and they may have scared away potential attendees. I've taken Ron's Master Construction Techniques and another one or two seminars. In the past various sewing machine companies would donate machines for classrooms, but now you need to bring your own machine. I think this deters some from signing up for the courses.I took 3 quilting lectures. They all had a great ideas, but there weren't any quilting hands on classes on the Friday and Saturday... There were 2 knitting classes, Ron's 2 garment construction classes, and the other 6 hands on classes were embellishment or beading classes. The Thursday pre-show workshops included a number of quilting classes and garment construction. I couldn't take these as the kids were home on spring break....
Another problem I found was when looking at the schedule, is many "similar" classes were at the same time... I know that its impossible to schedule classes without there being some classes, but one time slot had sessions on "Batting 1000", "Longarm Quilting -Beyond Meandering" and "Whole Cloth Quilting", another session had "Free Motion Quilting -Secrets For Success" and "Machine Quilting -Faster & Smarter". And there was one more titled "Quilt As Desired (How To)". So 6 sessions on the "quilting" process, and only in 3 time blocks... there were 6 different time slots during the day... it would have been great if these were spread throughout the day... And the same for some of the fitting classes, and embellishment classes...

There were a couple of make-n-takes at the sewing machine vendors booths, but nothing like there was years ago...

It was still a great two days... I bought some thread, but didn't get any fabric!

Design Wall Update

The same thing is hanging on my design wall as last week - unfortunately I'm not at the same house as my item. I forgot my 4th block at our summer place! ACK! Luckily I have lots of fabric and I'll cut out another one. I think I'll include some of the lighter fabrics so my block fits into the quilt. Next time I'm over, I'll pick up the stray dresden and make a table topper!

Stash Report - Week 14 / 2011 (Mar 28-April 3)
Given that I went to the sewing and craft show, I did really well. I didn't buy any fabrics there! My daughter purchased 0.4m for a project she was sewing... so it gets added to my stash, since that is what she sews from...

Used this Week: 1.1m
Used year to Date: 46.1m
Added this Week: 0.4m
Added Year to Date: 7.9 meters
Net Used for 2011: 38.2m

Because I Can!

2011-03-31T23:23:00.000-07:00

First I finished up the pink waves placemat for my Gram. I did the single width binding, but didn't really like how it turned out - I'll probably stick with double width binding. It did look fine in the end, and my grandmother thought it was wonderful!

Tonight I made some hats... I am attending the local Sewing and Craft show tomorrow and for a number of years they have been collecting caps for cancer. For many years, I have been meaning to do something about it, to sew, to crochet, but each year something has gotten in the way... I've never had a great reason why I haven't done it, but this year I have a great reason to sew them. I currently have 3 strong and vibrant women I know undergoing Chemo treatments. So today I made up 6 hats for the hat drive. I used some leftover knit fabric from an outfit for my youngest daughter. I hope this year to make some more so I'm not sewing them up the night before next year! It was a great method to use up some knit fabric (and fast too!)

I made three using a free Snood Pattern, I also made the Beret Pattern, but made the circles a little smaller, and I still thought the hat was big! And then I made two beanie style caps (one used the inner circle from the beret), a circle with a wide band sewn to them.

WIP Wednesdays

2011-03-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

So what am I working on? I really wish I knew at times!

I keep thinking I'll spend all day Friday when the kids are at my mom's house, sewing... but I'm going to the Abbotsford Sewing and Craft Show. I did volunteer to be a classroom monitor, but never heard back from the co-ordinator... so I guess my services weren't needed....

Quilts Being Quilted:

Mariner's Quilt for my son

Completed quilts awaiting binding:

Pink Waves Placemat/Quilt

In Progress

Lily's Quilts Quilt Along

Dress for my oldest daughter

St Patrick's Day Quilt

UFOs

March's UFO is completed, waiting on Aprils Number to be drawn....

And if I were organized, I'd whip up a few hats for Caps for Cancer at the sewing show... I MUST do this! And also really need to get back to quilting my sons quilt... I really want this DONE!

Spring Break Sewing

2011-03-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

My daughter is going to a friends birthday on Saturday, and I asked her what she wanted me to make, and she said a bag... then she proceded to ask if she could make it, so she has been sewing! I am so proud of her as she worked very independently. I still helped her cut out and pin layers together, but she did ALL the sewing and ALL the pressing...


All done - looking a little tired!	Happily showing it off!	And showing off the inside!

Now all it needs is a "Made by" tag before it can go as a gift on the weekend. I don't normally label the gifts with "Made by" tags, but since its from her, I think it needs one. We'd watched this tutorial for the strap with a zipper...

Fabrics Used: The outer, strap and pocket are all quilting cottons I had in my stash (some quite small scraps). It is interfaced with corduroy and the lining is polar fleece. Why? Because we are at our summer place, and I only have a small stash here, the corduroy and fleece were used to give the bag some structure! It worked great!


Changing from a "bag" to "backpack"	Showing the zipper strap detail

Her teddy's dress she made last week

Stash Report and Weekly Goals -- Week 13/2011

2011-03-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Week 13 / 2011 (Mar 21-Mar 27)
Used this Week: 4.4m
Used year to Date: 45.0m
Added this Week: 0m
Added Year to Date: 7.5 meters
Net Used for 2011: 37.5m

Weekly Progress

I got lots started, but not much completed... The kids are on spring break, we've been on the island... and last night I worked on a puzzle with my husband instead of sewing! But like the sewing, the puzzle didn't get finished either... It is a Wasgij Puzzle - You don't have the photo of the puzzle on the box only some hints... Oh and I've been "fighting" for time on my sewing machine (ok I've been helping my 8yo with 2 projects).

Dresden Circles: Piecing of 4 done; no centre circles yet
Placemat: Lily's Quilts Curve Tutorial: Ready for binding
New dress for my oldest daughter: Needs Skirt sew on (all gathered and pinned)
Mending Jeans - started
St Patrick's Day Quilt - Quilting 3 of 9 blocks complted

And with help from my 8yo....

Bag for Gift - my daughter decided she wanted to sew it for her friend - its 1/2 finished. Hope she keeps going to finish.... but she is doing great so far. I might end up doing the last top stitching for her!
Build-a-Bear Dress - done!

Design Wall Monday

The only thing hanging is my dresden circle...

and on my ironing board...
a dress needing the skirt attached - all pinned and ready to go!

Using some new (to me) tutorials...

2011-03-27T00:44:00.000-07:00

Lily's Quilts recently posted a tutorial on Curved Seams.... And since soon I'll need to sew up my dresden circles, I figured I could make up a doll's quilt with some scraps I found at our summer place. The only problem was I didn't have much batting (and only fusible batting...), but it worked for my small project. It was quick to baste together!

This is what I cam up with - it is a little wonky, and needs binding. For the binding I'm going to try the following Single Fold Binding Tutorial at mamacjt.blogspot.com.

Another tutorial on binding, that looks great for small projects is Machine Sewn Binding at Bloomin' Workshop

Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge. Its great when I'm away from my sewing room to find such great resources and project ideas!

Friday Show-n-Tell

2011-03-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

I was away last month for Show and Tell, so here is the quilt I completed last month....

This is my daughters Birthday Present....

And here is what I'm currently working on....

Centre block quilted!

Dresden #4 for Lily's Quilts QAL

Finally Posting - Fall Dresses

2011-03-25T00:51:00.000-07:00

OK I forgot to post these... a while ago! These are the dresses I made for my daughters for my cousins wedding... and back to school... These are both Ottobre patterns. The pink one is Ottobre 3/2010 #27,28. I think the purple one is from 2002, but I'm not sure...

They absolutely love these dresses and get lots of wear out of these!

My grandmother is 94 years old and still doing well, although she is currently recovering from a fall. She loves visiting and seeing the kids!

With their Great Gramma!

WIP Wednesdays

2011-03-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

What am I working on?

I still have one of these to finish this week...

And this is to be quilted...

Oh and this too!

And a dress to finish, and blouse to muslin! Guess it'll be a busy week!

Dresden Circles

2011-03-21T16:12:00.001-07:00

dresden-circle3
Originally uploaded by l3designs.sewing

Lily's Quilt's QAL

Three Circles done. I have one more to complete.... I decided I only wanted to do a 4-block quilt as a 60"x60" would be great for my living room...

I've also just finished a few large quilts and don't really feel that motivated to make the 60"x90" version!

Two blocks have Inner Circles of 7", Outer Circle of 25-1/4"
The third block has Inner Circles of 6-7/8", Outer Circle of 25"

Wonder how close I can get with the last one?

Stash Report and Weekly Goals

2011-03-21T00:17:00.000-07:00

Weekly Plans

This week I really would like to work on Quilting some projects and finishing a dress for my daughter. The kids are also off school for Spring Break, so I'm not sure what I'll get done.

Stash Report
I got back to sewing this week and used most of the fabric I purchased in the USA for my St Patrick's Day Quilt. I used most of the yellow, all of the dark green, half of the light green and all but scraps of the pot o'gold print....

I will need to purchase some cream fabric sometime in the next couple of weeks for a project.

Week 12 / 2011 (Mar 14-Mar 20)
Used this Week: 3.5
Used year to Date: 40.6m
Added this Week: 0m
Added Year to Date: 7.5 meters
Net Used for 2011: 33.1m