Weekend Check In

So here we are, 10 pm on Sunday night.

Seriously, where did my time go??

 

Because of working 12 hour shifts, I actually had a four day weekend.

So during nap time, I rocked out in my sewing room.

 

I finished my February Globetrotting Block of the month, "Venice":

Love the 'Me and My Sister' black and white print in the center:

 

I also put in quite a bit of work on my honey's Civil war Quilt:

I actually put in some serious work on this bad boy.

I finished attaching my square in a square blocks.

Made the 2 inch square borders and added the 1 inch borders.

 

Only four more borders to go...

 

But between the 8 star blocks and the 48 flying geese, I have ALOT of piecing left to do.

So it will remain my work in progress.

 

The sun was shining so brightly here in South East Michigan this weekend, so I took the lighting opportunity and grabbed a few shots of some quilts you have not seen yet.

 

-These were my finishes late last summer-

 

First off, my cop-out Riley Blake block of the month quilt:

(I copped out after the April block)

 

But I totally adore the monochromatic-ness of it.

And, you can barely see it in the pics, but the fabric has sparkles as well... LOVE.

 

And my orphan block quilt:

 

This quilt actually contains orphan blocks from myself, my mom and my aunt.

 

I always think of a farm when I look at this quilt.

You have the split rail fence, the houses, barns, geese, pond, stream, silo, windmill, furrows...

 

You see all that, right??

 

Everyone enjoy your evening!

DC finish

I finally put together my January 'Globetrotting' block.

Has anyone else jumped on this bandwagon?

You can see everyone else's fab Washington DC blocks on Pat Sloan's Facebook page.

I did have to rip more than one seam to get those fussy cut flowers going the right way... probably why it took me 2 weekends to get it together.

And trimming HSTs are SUPER boring... :)

 

I have unofficially dubbed this year as the year of STASH.

Every quilt top that I make this year needs to have fabric pulled from my stash.

Like I said, totally unofficial.

(Completely subject to change!)

 

So, in light of using my stash, I decided to join the Mod Olives Quilt Along from Jenny at Sew Kind of Wonderful.

I picked the following for my solids and background:



This QAL starts up this weekend.

I bought the quick curves ruler this summer, and haven't even taken it out of the package-

It's about time I learned how to use it!

She has made some amazing stuff with her ruler.

 

I also got this little baby back from her tune up:

 

My mother very graciously gifted me my grandmother's 99K Singer sewing machine.

She bought this after her first baby was born in 1955.

 It followed her from Michigan to Alaska in the early 1960's and came back wither her 11 years later.

It sewed evening gowns for her, Barbie clothes for my mom, patches on my uncle's jeans,

 and buttons on my pajamas,

 -to name a few things-

 

It still runs like a charm, and I am so completely honored to make it part of my sewing history.

 

She needs a good polish on the outside, but her insides are well oiled and ready to go!

 

And because I haven't put a picture of the kids up in awhile:

 

My sweet little girl is starting to enjoy the prettier things in life:

Like bright pink boots!!

 

And if they fall off, big brother is there to give her a hand!

Have a great evening everyone!!

 



Six Month Check Up

Hey there!!

I'm here for my 6-month check-in!

Okay, actually, I'm hoping to get back into the swing of blogging again.

New computer, new job, new resolve... let's get this underway...

 

I was crazy busy over the holidays in my sewing room.

I made 2 full sets of jammies, 2 pairs of pajama pants, a stuffed animal, a quilt, a table runner... and I wanted to do more. I had to draw the line somewhere!

(And of course, no pictures of my work... Too busy!!)

 

I am happy to say that I sold my first commissioned quilt this fall:

 

And a commissioned table runner for Christmas: 

 

So exciting!

 

I finally got to work on my daughter's I-Spy quilt this week...

 

 

Top is done.

 

Back is done. Binding is done.

Now I just have to sweet talk my mom into letting me use her long arm to get it quilted up!

 

I am jumping on the Globetrotting band wagon.

 

Is anyone else joining this BOM with Pat Sloan?

I love a good free Block of the month!

I picked all the fabrics from my stash this afternoon.

 

 

Tip for any of you participating in this BOM...

I will totally screw up my fabric selections about four months in, so I took the supply list provided:

 

 

Clipped up the lists:

 

 

And pinned them on to my fabric:

 

Now in September, I'll remember what fabric goes where!!

 

Happy Quilting!

 

Have a great night everyone!

A little finish: My March BOM

I was able to *finally* finish my Riley Blake block of the month for March.

Cute, right?

 

Three down, six to go.

I am still loving the solids.

I can't wait till this is finished.

I have a very special recipient in mind.

She has had a hard year, and has finally been blessed for all of her hard work.

 

I can't get too specific, because I believe she reads this blog from time to time-

So more to come later this year!

 

I also have a new WIP to start.

I have been given the opportunity to make a store sample for my little LQS.

They needed something to showcase their line of "Good Morning" from Me and My Sister designs for Moda.

I thought this would be nice for a summer display.

I opted for this pattern that they have in stock:

I felt that it would showcase the large print flowers.

 

...Maybe someday they will have MY patterns in stock...

 

I hope you all have a nice evening!

 

Linking up with Lee for WIP Wednesday.

 

First Quilt Finish of 2013!

I finally have a finish for 2013!

This is my Valentine quilt that I started back in 2009.

The quilt top has been sitting in my basket these last three four years, just waiting to be quilted.

This pattern for this quilt is called "Celebrations."
I bought it at one of my favorite quilt shops in the area, The Quilters Garden. I believe that it is designed by someone 'in-house' at the quilt shop.

AND... I did actually finish this quilt before Valentine's Day!!

 

Speaking of Valentine's Day- I did manage to get my sweet #2 all fancied up for the holiday. I stitched a few rosettes together, added buttons, and glued them to an elastic headband.

Then I dug through my stash and came up with this darling tiered skirt.

I used this tutorial  by Makerland.

(There is a little math involved if you are using the US measurement system)

She's going to be 3 months old tomorrow, can you believe it?

 

Anyway, the lovely folks at Riley Blake posted their BOM video this week, and I was able to assemble my paper pieced block for February:

I am loving the monochromatic look on this heart.

It did take a little thought when planning out my paper piecing.

It was a good opportunity to whip out the colored pencils:

A couple firsts with this block:

1. I used the fusible interface method of applique.

2. I hand stitched my applique to the foundation block.

Super easy!

So now my January and February blocks hang out next to each other on my design wall.
I totally love this mystery block of the month idea.
So excited to see what block will show up next.

And I'm totally loving the machine paper piecing right now.
I might be loving it so much that I might take the Farmer's Wife plunge.
But more on that later.

I hope you all have a wonderful night.

I'm linking up with the lovely Pat Sloan for Show and tell.
And with Vickey with Gingersnap quilts, who is hosting TGIFF this week.

 

 

 

WIP Wednesday: Caught in a Bind

Well, I was not as productive over the weekend as I had hoped.

 

Much of my Saturday was spent visiting this sweet little girl:

My sister and brother-in-law welcomed little Willow Grace into the world on January 26th.

It's so exciting to think my little girl and her cousin are only 9 weeks apart.

Hoping that they will be as close as their mommy's are!

 

My Sunday was spent with sick kiddos... again. We can't seem to catch a break.

First the stomach flu, now the cough.

Looking forward to the end of the sick season!

 

Anyway....

Let's talk sewing!

My WIP this week is my Valentines quilt.

It's all quilted and I just need to get the binding hand stitched to the back.

If I can get my act together, maybe I could possibly have a Friday Finish!

 

I was getting quite envious of every one's Block of the Month projects- and then I came across this Mystery BOM that is being offered by Riley Blake's blog.

The month of January featured a 12" chevron block:

The blog features a video tutorial for block construction... So take notes ;)

My plan was to construct the block out of things I had in my stash.... but, (as usual) the glitter cotton solids caught my eye... and I had to buy a yard of each. I think they work quite well in creating the ombre effect in this block.

 

My Scrappy Stash QAL still waits patiently for me to finish quilting her...

 

I did play around with a few things for the babies in my life:

I made up this sweet pair of shoes for my #2 for Friday's 'Go Red for Women' and Valentine's day.

(I did use my stash for this)

 

And I made up a pair of headbands for the new baby.

These were seriously fun... and quite addictive.

My sweet #2 was the obliging model :)

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

I'm linking up with Lee for WIP Wednesday