Nov 14, 2013

Last Day "For the Boys" Blog Hop


Hasn't this been a fun hop!  THX so much to our leader Mdm Samm of Sew We Quilt who keeps coming up with ideas to challenge us.  Also a shout out goes to Amy of Sew Incredibly Crazy for being an incredible head cheerleader.  Sponsor this round is Camelot Fabrics and I believe she said that whoever is lucky enough to win the fabric packets will be getting some of their boy themed fabrics.

Here is the group of ladies that share this last day---I just know you are going to be in for a treat when you see the 5 names I am most familiar with!

Life, Quilts and a Cat too     <<<  THAT'S ME!!   >>>
Sew We Quilt 

So what did I make this round??  Just one item as I had not even started piecing this until the 30th of October or so.  Well I thought I was making this for my husband for Christmas but he has not shown much interest in the quilt.  No comment about the pattern or the colors.  Mostly I got some comment about when I told him I had sewn some sections with the wrong side of the background or a couple of the sections in the wrong spot.  "How do you keep messing up like that?"  Beats me but I did.    He doesn't want it?  Well, I guess Skyler just got himself another quilt to play or hide under or treat as a "kitty" shoot.  My boy can be a furry one, can't he??



The pattern is from Billie Lauder's Quick Quilt Tricks and is called "Reflections".  I cut the blocks out way back in September 2011 using a batik layer cake that a friend had shared with me from Connecting Threads.    I supplemented it with fabrics from my meager stash of batik fats, some I won as a door prize at a quilt show.  I had just enough of the background fabric to make this lap quilt.  The backing that you will catch a glimpse of below was supposed to have been a summer pair of overalls/romper type deal that had been waiting for years!  Stash busting at its finest.

Since this is a sew and then cut type project you get a dark and a light half block from 2 squares cut and sort of decapitated.   I posted about it way back when but what ever you see pieced  below, I had to take apart due to an bad tension issue on the machine I was attempting to use.  I would be hard pressed to even call this much of start a UFO.  It is barely a work in progress either.  Maybe a test block would be more like it??



Showing the quilting a little better.  Basically a lot of in the ditch pivoting, LOL.



Initially I thought I was making this for my husband for Christmas but he has not shown much interest in the quilt.  No comment from him about the pattern or the colors.   Mostly I got some comment along the lines of "How do you keep messing up like that?" when I told him I had sewn some sections with the wrong side of the background or a couple of the sections in the wrong spot.    Beats me how I did it but I had to do a bit more unsewing than usual.    He doesn't want it?  Well, I guess Skyler just got himself another quilt to play or hide under or treat as a "kitty" shoot.  My boy can be a furry one, can't he??  Or I may donate it at some point.  
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Rolling around and absorbing the smell of outdoors and the grass.  


 It looks nice on the couch so a couple of us will enjoy seeing it anyway.  

THX for stopping by and I hope you will enjoy the remainder of the hop.  Remember there is always the opportunity to see the overview of the hops on the Pinterest site.  Here is the link for THIS hop----http://www.pinterest.com/mdmsamm/for-the-boys-blog-hop/


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4 patch stacked posie

Several weeks ago some of the gals in my local quilt group and I explored the 4 patch stacked posie technique.  I didn't get pictures at the time as I was helping some get started on the cutting procedure, the concept of stacking the fabrics, etc mainly.  Once these are cut then it is just a matter of finding a pleasing layout.  I did get 21 blocks made that day and have 21 more ready to stitch up possibly at our next meeting.

Janet was using a gorgeous fall print, Marilyn went off without her foot pedal or power cord but she had a country floral and has since done some stitching.  Lois chose a very feminine piece with a strand of pearls and ribbons running through it.  Valera stitched up some wonderful blocks at home with tans, greens and a rusty brown shade that she showed me yesterday.  Of course, no pictures.  I'll get them as they finish up their tops.  I am pretty sure that Jane, Aline and Donna were all working on their own projects that day.

Then there are mine which I CAN share since I finally remembered to take some pictures.  My lefthanded quilter friend is waiting to see some pictures as she too is working on her own version right, posting them as a Wordless Wednesday  post.  Actually that might be what reminded me that I was supposed to post my blocks, LOL.





I don't know that there will be a whole lot of variety in the blocks since the fabric is all pretty similar in the motifs.  It should make a fairly girlie quilt for donation at some point.  I have my own quilt that has been waiting to be quilt for some time---uh, clear back in April 2009 and last shown HERE.  Maybe in the new year it will cease to be just a flimsy I move around in the closet?

Tomorrow will be my feature day on "For The Boys" blog hop so I hope you will consider dropping by to see what I have made.  I was out taking some pictures yesterday morning so will be writing up my accompanying post next and schedule it to go live at the appointed time.

And sew it goes---------

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Nov 13, 2013

Lucky, lucky me!

In the last week, I have been quite the lucky girl! Not only did I find out I had won the sponsored giveaway from Sew We Quilt after the Wicked #3 blog hop but I also won one of the door prizes at quilt guild on Saturday. Woohoo!

Wanna see?

From guild, a 10 minute table runner, two fat quarters and that cue little PC sitter made from a paint chip sample.  Really pretty clever, that one and probably on pinterest, LOL.


Folded up to look like one of those thread and needle deals you carry in your purse, just in case you have a tear or loose a button.



And the beaded pins on the inside



Of course you know who was enthralled with the pom pom trim.  Yes, I know the picture is quite fuzzy but you try to get a picture of a cat who is rolling all around and biting on pom poms.



Then yesterday, the mail was very, very late in arriving at our home, like almost 4 pm late when it is often here at 1130 depending on the carrier.  Hooray my red bag from Mdm Samm had arrived.  Here is part of what was in there.  A cute Amy Bradley pattern---you know I will be making this one!  A packet of Red Rooster Toyko 4 inch squares.  One of Mdm Samm's lovely Halloween pin cushions, fuzzy pumpkin decorated with her cool button pins.  She tells how to do this on her blog and I'll provide the link later.  (I've got a doctor's appointment soon and should be getting dressed!)  Oh and a wonderful packet of Gutterman thread too.



And here is the wonderful fabric from Windham Fabrics---Ghosts and Ghouls.  Two different black prints and you know I will have to come up with something for Wicked #4!  I have some ideas actually.



This piece is the coordinating panel that goes with the fat quarters.


Thank you all!  I am indeed a lucky girl

As a personal catch up note, I had an eye doctors appointment on Monday so even though I was ready to start binding on my For the Boys hop item, not much got done due to my eye's being dilated for hours.  I can just see what a mess I would have made of it when I was seeing double and having a problem being around light.  As it was I had to take the sleeve stitching out that I did later in the evening as it was showing through to the front.  I poured it on at the Belles meeting yesterday getting three sides done while there and finishing up the 4th side after supper.    Woohoo, it is done and I hope to get pictures later today.

Next up:  switching holidays to Christmas and Kristine and Andy's promised tree skirt.  I would like her to have it by Thanksgiving in case they decorate early.

Now must get showered and dressed, quickly!
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Nov 11, 2013

envelope purse tutorial


My next hop entry is finally quilted and I am down to the hand work part for binding, label and sleeve.  Woohoo there!  Now that I have breathing room, I though I would go ahead and post the photos/tutorial for that little trick or treat bag/envelope purse I made for the Wicked #3 hop.

Again, I do not know the source of it or I would share it. I don't really know what to call it either but chose envelope purse as it does remind me of that.   The girl showed me was not aware of where it came from--"something that they did a guild and no pattern", she said.  A commenter in Wicked Hop thought it might be from the Spring/Summer Quilt Sampler 2013 but I believe Donna's bag proceeded that.   Plus how do we know that the construction technique is exactly the same just by looking at the exterior.  One might have trimmed off a point, layered it differently, turned it instead of bound it, etc.   This is soooooo simple that anyone could have come up with it or added their own twist to simple pattern.

Okay with that out of the way----this is how I did it.

Select two fabrics for the body of the bag and something contrasting for the binding.  I cut mine 20 inches square.  Donna had the Belles who tried this at 18 inches so you could use a fat quarter.  Cut the binding your preferred width.



I knew that I wanted a narrow strap and would use the purse cross body.  I went for 2 1/4 inch strips and two strips for a finished length of 53-55 inches.  I lost about an inch or so inserting it in the final seams.

In case you don't know how to make the strap.  Press the strip in half as you would for binding but then open it up.  You should be able to clearly see the center fold.  Fold half of the strip to the center fold mark and press.  Do the same with the other half.  Then press it in half again.  Stitch about an 1/8 inch from both edges.  Trim to your desired length.

Other option:
My girlfriend did a matching cloth braided strap but I have no idea what length those strips were cut to obtain that.  I also considered using some braided rat tail cording.  If I had had some yellow on hand to go with the lime green and orange I did have, I would have in a heart beat!




Cut a batting square the same size as your cut square.  Quilt it in some manner.  I don't free motion so I marked a 2 inch cross hatch grid with my Frixion pen.  Trim once completed.  I lost about a half inch all around, making me wish I had cut it bigger to begin with.




Bind the piece.  This was one of those rare times where I did it on the machine rather than by hand.  You may prefer to use some rick rack or trim and turn it.  Bet that would be cute too.



Fold it roughly in thirds at this point.  I needed to adjust mine as it was uneven when I folded it up.  Press in a nice crease with your iron and maybe a damp pressing cloth.  I did not measure it, just eyeball it.



Mark a square even with the binding----it will look like a square on point.  This should catch all of the layers so I suggest using a jeans needle and a walking foot on your machine.  Mine was already on the machine because of the quilting but I did switch to a heavier needle.  You'll need it for the final step for sure!




Fold up the bottom half.  Press firmly to set the seam.  Stitch close to the edge all around the bag but near the top open it up a tad to insert the strap.  Catch the strap in the seam line.  Almost done!



There are four small interior pockets and one larger one.



Embellish as desired.  I did a yo-yo and button deal on both sides.  Others did kanzashi flowers.  You might want to tack the flap down, one side of mine keeps flipping up as I did not sew the yo yo through all the layers.



And there you have it-----
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Nov 7, 2013

oops---more than once too!





I continue to piece my next blog hop entry and this morning finds me with just 3 blocks to go.  I am hoping to get this pinned tomorrow which was the goal I set for myself over the weekend.  BUT it has not been easy!  I don't know that I have ever had a project where more un-sewing has been required of me.  I do like how the joined rows are looking and am not sorry that I am making this quilt but what is my problem??  I may have a few theories.

 The time change?  Well, I have often have problems sleeping under the best of circumstances and messing with the clocks is no help there.  Pushing myself too hard to get this finished?  Could be.  Normally you can walk away when things are not going so well.   Take a few hours or days off.  Time is not on my side at this point.   Not paying attention?  Well, maybe. "Measure once, check twice" works for sewing too but twice I pinned the wrong seams resulting in an incorrect section.  That could have been avoided if I had verified first.
 
Then we have the 5 or 6 sections that needed to be re-sewn completely.  SIGH  How this one happened will be a bit more clearer when you see the finished project.  The background fabric is only a hair lighter on one side, more subtle coloration.  Yep, sewn with the wrong side out.   DJ heard me groaning about this a few days ago and again yesterday.  He thinks I don't mess up when I sew, the poor deluded man.   "How is that happening?"  I told him to take a look at the fabric and he might see.  He persisted with the "how can you keep on doing that?" line showing just how clueless he is.  Teasing me really.   At that point I "ordered" him out of my sewing room with a "you don't know anything about sewing" .  To that, he said something along the lines of  "apparently you don't either"   Point taken, LOL.  Once or twice was bad enough but I crossed over to repeatedly territory.  I am not a perfectionist but I do try to do my best work on all my projects, avoid sloppy work, do the best I can to nest the seams, not chop off points, etc.  He knows that.

One other spot I un-sewed was intentional so I don't mind that so much.  It was because of a color choice. The block I wanted to replace was on the end of the row on the edge where I could get at it though the top half was assembled.  I do not agonize about color placements so much, not having wall space for a design wall.  Toss the blocks on the floor, I'll step on them.  Clipping to the book shelf  or laying on the pressing table will work for a while.  Toss them on the bed and Skyler won't leave them alone or worse, starts chewing on any loose strings I may have missed.  Besides that, I hate moving one block and then ending up moving 6 more!  I concentrate on a couple rows at a time and as long as the same print does not land right next to each other, I am normally good.  Working with a limited palette and bold, masculine colors there is a not a whole lot of variety in this project to start with.   Most of the primary contrasting fabrics are from a layer cake which to me means, not a ton of variety in colors or textures.   The eyes may be popping all over like a ping pong ball in viewing this one!

So, here is hoping that today's sewing goes off with any hitches.  I checked and do not appear to have any backwards fabric on these last 3 so it should be okay.  I found some fabric in the garment sewing basket that will work for the back but it will need to be pieced for backing.   I am reserving judgement on the binding choice at this point, LOL.  Pin tomorrow, guild on Saturday but I think I will take the remainder of that day off before I start quilting it.  Something tells me I will be binding up till the last possible minute but it will get done-----For the Boys.

Scoot off to see the hop participants when you get a chance,  cheer them on.  I'll keep plugging.
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Nov 4, 2013

For the Boys Blog Hop Nov. 6th through 15th

NOTE:  Extended to the 15th!
 



The next blog hop is coming up this week as the badge indicates.  Once again Mdm Samm of Sew We Quilt, the queen of Sew & Show Blog Hops has extended a challenge to the participants to come up with something "for the boys" ---boys of any age!  Head cheerleader is Amy of Sew Incredibly Crazy and the final schedule is listed below.  Mdm Samm will list the sponsors when the hop starts.

I am participating on the last day of the hop this time. As of this writing, I am no where near ready for this one though I did hit the halfway point last night.  Thankfully, things seem to be going a little more smoothly and I am settling into a bit of a rhythm with this project.  Whew there!   If you don't see me for a few days, assume that I am sewing.  LOL 

Wednesday, November 6th


Thursday, November 7th

Friday, November 8th

Monday, November 11th
Tuesday, November 12th

Wednesday, November 13th

Thursday, November 14th
Friday, November 15th 
Life, Quilts and a Cat too     <<<  THAT'S ME!!   >>>
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THANKS!


Though I try to reply to each email comment when it is blog hop time, I realize the someone might sneak through under the radar and I miss one.  Some are no-reply bloggers and may not realize it--darned that google plus anyway.  Some don't comment at all but do run by to take a peek.  The view number shoot up into the mid to high hundreds.    Some may prefer to head to the overview shown on the Pinterest page that Mdm Samm has set up.  Who knows??

Well, I know that I have had a blast participating in these hops and coming up with ideas and projects that I can share with a larger audience.  It has stretched me a bit, gave me "permission" to sew on something else besides donation quilts.  I have been able to try some new patterns or patterns I have collected in some manner.  Any number of things are involved and I so enjoy it.  I appreciate your kind comments and a little recognition for my work.  That is often in short supply around my house where the husband's attitude is along the lines of "So?  You will just start another one tomorrow.  You never are finished".   I don't know why I expect anything else from him though I have been at it for 25 years now.  While he may have a point, that is an age old complaint on my part.  He is not going to change but I can change how I feel about his attitude.  I don't want to ever be finished!!  I want to be excited about what I am working on till I am physically unable to do so.  But I digress-----

Here's the thing.  As sewists, crafters and quilters you "get" it and know something about the time and effort that goes into this.  I love the support that we give each other, cheering each other on. We all seem to rise to the occasion and it is fun to be along for the ride!   I was honored to have my stitchery piece picked for the Halloween Hall of Fame (top 2) last week.  I was thrilled when my name was pulled for one of the sponsor prize packages---woo hoo there!  Mdm Samm emailed me to say that a lovely package of Windham Hill Halloween fabrics and a Bird Brain Design pattern will be coming my way along with some other goodies she has tucked in.  THX to the sponsors and Mdm Samm again!

So as the banner says "THX to you all!"   YOU make my heart sing.

I may be a bit MIA for a few days as I am participating in the "For the Boys Hop" that starts on Wednesday.  I am not up until the 15th, the last day, but am no where near ready though I hit the half way point last night.   Fortunately this is a week where I am mostly home and can hit it.  Next week, not so much, LOL.   I DO still plan on posting a tutorial for my little envelope bag that I made for the Wicked Hop but it will have to wait till I can spend a bit more time on the computer.  

And sew it goes-------


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