Spring is almost here, and time to bring out the spring décor!
My friend is welcoming a new granddaughter in June and requested a baby quilt in bright colors and florals.
After going through my stash, she and I decided on my Scrumptious layer cake by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.
Scrumptious is an older collection made up of beautiful whimsical florals in bright pink, reds, orange, green and aqua.
We decided on the zipper quilt patten by Missouri Star Quilt Company. You can watch the tutorial for this quilt pattern here.
I cut the layer cake into 4 charm packs. I used a little over one 5-inch pack to piece the baby quilt top. She wants Minky on the back of the quilt, I am out of pink Minky so I will order some soon.
With the remaining charms I made a couple of table runners.
The inspiration for the first table runner is also from a Missouri Star Quilt Pattern – Tulip Time. I added my own spin to their pattern by adding machine embroidery to the center and using a pieced border around the entire runner.
The second runner I used the churn dash / Greek cross quilt block, another one of my favorite blocks, it’s very versatile and offers a strong impact depending on fabrics used.
I was going / hoping for a spring Easter look with both runners.
I spent a little time this week working on scrap projects.
I have been reading blog posts and watching You Tube videos on bag/purse making techniques. I wanted to learn more about supplies – hardware and stabilizing fabrics.
I was happy with both products. Pellon Fusible Foam I can purchase locally at JoAnn’s with a coupon which makes it a good buy. The end results were the same but I found the Soft and Stable a little easier to work with.
The bag below I used scrap charm squares from the baby quilt I made here. The denim is from a pair of my hubby’s old jeans. I used the Pellon Fusible Foam with this bag. Inside is a slip pocket and zippered pocket. I used a magnetic snap as the fastener.
Bag measures: 15 inches wide, 12 inches tall, and 4 inches deep
The second bag I tried a little improv piecing! The fabric is batiks, I got a fat quarter bundle from JoAnn’s on clearance when I purchased the Pellon foam. I used the Soft and Stable foam in this bag. Inside the purse is a slip pocket and zippered pocket, with a magnetic snap fastener. This purse I added an adjustable strap using a D-Ring and Swivel Snap Hook in antique brass as the hardware.
Bag measures: 14 inches wide, 12 inches tall and 4 inches deep
Before my mother-in-law passed, she gifted me a bag of African print scraps. My first project with the scraps was a string pieced wall hanging I finished last year.
I started two new projects with more of the scraps.
One of our local shopping malls hosts a craft fair twice a year. Because of Covid-19 they are changing the format this year, I will not be able to participate in the spring event due to travel plans but I’m still offering an item for one of the door prizes.
In the past I have only offered a gift certificate to my Etsy shop, but this year I wanted to do something different.
I have never made an equilateral triangle quilt and thought this would be the perfect opportunity.
I bought a kid friendly junior jelly roll, background fabric and a couple of coordinating fat quarters. Created the strip sets with the jelly roll and started cutting triangles with the background fabric. It was late at night and decided I would cut the strip sets in the morning.
Next morning, I cut the strip sets into triangles and sat down at my machine – when I tried to match the seams – I got ill because realized my mistake ☹
Sorry I did not take a picture of the triangles, but I hope you can tell from the ruler pictures what happened! The Creative Grids ruler (left ) has a blunt tip on top and the Clearview Ruler (right) has a pointed tip! Although both are 60 degree rulers there is a difference in how you sew them.
It was 9 am and I was ready for a drink…but that was not going to help. After several starts and seam ripping, I managed to make it work. Obviously, there are several imperfections, and I am hoping the recipient will not hold it against me.
The triangles that I could not get right I used on the back of the quilt.
With the small fabric purchase, I was able to make a quilt, bib, burp cloth, wash cloth and diaper clutch !
Thanks for listening to my first “almost” quilt disaster of 2021!
Use my scraps – adding the event “scrap time” to my daily planner.
Unfortunately, I can sadly report that I have not accomplished much in organizing my scraps!
I have several large plastic containers under the bed in one of my guest bedrooms full of Ziploc bags! Those bags contain “leftovers/scraps” from previous projects I’ve made.
Last week I pulled out the Katarina Roccella Ziploc bags from the projects I made here and here, below is what I made….
Crooked Courthouse Pillow
Inspiration from this project came from the scrap queen Bonnie Hunter! I used her tutorial found here.
Boxy Heart Pillow
I love paper piecing…this was a free pattern from the Seasoned Homemaker found here.
Off-Center Half Square Triangle Pillow
I used the bonus triangles from the snowball block from the quilt here to create the layout for the pillow. I had just enough of the black and white fabric for the border to fit the pillow form I had on hand.
Improv Pouch
I made two QAYG improv panels and used them to create a wristlet pouch. It’s a perfect size for my hot rollers or make up the next time I travel.
Again I’ve been MIA…I went back to Texas to spend time with my new grandson! The two grandmother’s are taking turns babysitting while the parents work. My daughter is a traveling nurse and works nights so we’re taking turns helping out. It’s been an unbelievable pleasure spending so much time with baby Jaxon ♥
While I was away my sweet hubby covered my hours at the shop and mailed all of my online orders – I am eternally grateful and thankful for his help, unfortunately he can’t do any sewing. I’ve spent the past few weeks marathon sewing to restock the shelves before my next trip in March.
Here are a few of the items I finished in January.
Charming Diamond Table Runner –this simple HST is one of my favorite “go to” table runner layouts. I used the Riley Blake charm pack Sending Love to make the runner.
With the few remaining charm squares I made a set of matching potholders/trivet showcasing the “X & O” quilt blocks.
I keep a journal listing my “someday” projects. I can now check off the Red Braid Table Runner by Anoria Morris of Samelia’s Mum off my list. I used 9 scrap 2.5 inch Kaffee strips from my stash along with a newspaper print low volume fabric. This was definitely a fun and quick to sew runner. Next time I plan to make a longer version using a grunge jelly roll in Halloween colors. If you’d like to make one yourself the pattern tutorial can be found here.
I didn’t participate in the Moda Stitch Pink QAL, but I did purchase the fabric used. I have a serious obsession with Moda’s Grunge fabrics, the bundle was full of luscious pink and red! I cut some of the fat quarters into 2.5 inch strips and made a few strip pieced hearts for another table runner. The inspiration for this runner came from Kristina Brinkerhoff with Center Street Quilts, you can find the tutorial here.
I’m getting better with organizing my scraps so I can use them. I pulled out my valentine scraps to make set of 4 placemats. I used the courthouse step block — again it’s a quick block to construct and adapt into placemats.
The rail fence quilt block is another go to choice when I need to make quick runners.
My all time favorite is making mug rugs and potholders for me and my girls!
Finally with the scraps from the braid and heart runner I made myself a pixel heart mini quilt!
Hello 2021! Are you ready for the new year — I know I am!
2020 was undoubtedly a year filled with much pain and sadness for many, I pray for them but to keep my sanity in check I try to focus on the blessings of 2020.
We welcomed a new grandson to family in November. Jaxon is my daughters first baby, he was 91bs 2 oz and 23 inches long at birth. I was fortunate to be there when his parents bought him home and spent 7 heavenly weeks in Houston spending time with them.
It feels wonderful to be emerging from my cave after a long period of blogging hibernation. Although I haven’t been posting I did find time for sewing and crafting.
I want to share a few of my handmade gifts for baby Jaxon.
Of course I had to make Jaxon a quilt! I used the free tutorial Big Baby Bento Box Baby Quilt from Ronda’s Creations. The pattern was very easy to piece. I was super happy to find fabric in my daughter’s color scheme at Hobby Lobby.
I made a matching diaper bag – using a picture I found on Pinterest, I sketched out a pattern. I struggled with the side pockets but eventually figured how to sew them. I added both a slip pocket and zipper pocket on the inside. My original plan was to use a recessed zipper on the top but got frustrated when I couldn’t get my panels even. In the end I used a magnetic snap for the bag closure.
The diaper bag turned out nicely and I’m happy to report my daughter loved it and has used it several times!
Lastly I made a matching diaper clutch and changing pad.
Again happy New Year and I wish you all good fortune and health in 2021.
To Do Tuesday is a linky party hosted by fellow blogger and quilting friends Roseanne & Sue at Home Sewn By Us. It’s a great way to document projects you are working on, stay focused and be inspired by what others are making!
To-Do for the week of April 28th through May 4th:
Quilt and Bind Flag Tumbler Quilt – √ done
Quilt and Bind Twisted Star Table Runner – √ done
Quilt and Bind Spinning Star Pillow – √ done
Quilt and Bind Wonky Fireworks wall hanging – X not done
Quilt and Bind Baby Elephant Quilt– √ done
To-Do #1 – Quilt and Bind Tumbler Flag Quilt
I’ve had the Missouri Star Flag Tumbler Quilt on my “someday” list for awhile. You can find the video tutorial by MSQC here.
My flag tumbler measures 36 x 24 inches, I used red, cream, and blue scraps of Grunge seeing stars and seeing dots fabric lines. The original pattern included a border, I chose not to add the border so that it will fit on the glass portion of our coffee table. The heart flag embroidery design was purchased from Planet Applique.
To-Do #2 – Quilt and Bind Twisted Star Table Runner
I really love the look of half rectangle triangles! There are so many modern quilt layouts using hrt blocks. I used the Creative Grids Perfect Rectangle ruler to make the half rectangle blocks for the star, the table runner measures 12 x 36 inches. I used RWB fabrics from my stash.
The wonky log cabin placemats measure 12 x 18 inches.
To-Do #3 – Quilt and Bind Spinning Star Pillow
I love this pillow ♥ I paper pieced it using a free pattern from All People Quilt. You can find the instructions and pattern here. Pillow measures 20.5 x 20.5 inches, again I used scraps. The pattern did not call for binding — I really like how the red binding frames the pillow.
To-Do #4 – Wonky Fireworks Quilt — not done
have to purchase more fabric to complete the quilt 😦
To-Do #5 – Elephant Baby Quilt
Can’t wait to gift this baby quilt!
Quilt measures 36 x 36 inches and I backed it with cuddle fabric!
To-Do for the week of May 5th through May 11th:
Start piecing Floating Stars baby quilt
Finish orange peel quilt top
Finish Wonky Fireworks wall hanging
Be sure to stop by to see the lovely creations of those who joined this weeks To Do list linky party with Roseanne at Home Sewn By Us.
To Do Tuesday is a linky party hosted by fellow blogger and quilting friends Roseanne & Sue at Home Sewn By Us. It’s a great way to document projects you are working on, stay focused and be inspired by what others are making!
To-Do for the week of April 21st through April 27th:
Blanket Stitch Orange Peels – √ done
Finish Baby Elephant Quilt Applique – √ done
Start piecing Flag Tumbler quilt – √ done
Spinning Star Paper Pieced Pillow – √ done
Start Wonky Fireworks Wall Hanging– √ done
To-Do #1 – Blanket Stitch Orange Peels
I was able to get all of the applique stitching done. Each block is 10 inches unfinished and I made 16 blocks. I still have time before this quilt is due, I’ll need to get it laid out and decide if I want to add a border.
To-Do #2 – Finish Elephant Baby Quilt Applique
I did the applique stitching and added a butterfly to the layout. The backing fabric arrived last week so hopefully I can get quilted this weekend. Again I have time before this one is due.
To-Do #3 – Piece Flag Tumbler
I’ve had making a flag tumbler quilt on my “someday” list for awhile.
To-Do #4 – Spinning Star Paper Pieced Pillow
I’m really obsessed with paper piecing! I used the scraps from my RWB log cabin quilt to make this pillow. I need to quilt it, add backing and binding.
To-Do #5 – Start Piecing Wonky Fireworks Quilt
I’ve got all the pieces made for the Wonky Fireworks Wall Hanging. Plan to get it finished this week.
To-Do for the week of April 28th through May 4th:
Quilt and Bind Flag Tumbler Quilt
Quilt and Bind Spinning Star Table Runner
Qult and Bind Spinning Star Pillow
Quilt and Bind Wonky Fireworks wall hanging
Quilt and Bind Baby Elephant Quilt
Be sure to stop by to see the lovely creations of those who joined this weeks To Do list linky party with Roseanne at Home Sewn By Us.
I took a break from sewing this week and did other crafting projects.
I purchased a Cricut Maker and Cricut Easy Press this past Christmas but haven’t really taken the time to learn how to use them other than a couple of Valentine T shirts for friends.
I looked on You Tube for inspiration and found a few projects that I could make with items I already had on hand.
Kitchen Towels– The Cricut software has lots of free fonts so I created a few designs to test and used a couple off free ones I found on Jennifer Makers site. If you have a Cricut and need help or inspiration she is a wonderful teacher. You can find her here.
kitchen towels
Wall Art using Canvas and Foil Vinyl— This technique is called Reverse Canvas. Underneath the canvas is a wood frame. I painted the frames, added the vinyl design onto the canvas. The designs I used are free if you join Cricut Access community. Using a staple gun I applied the canvas to the back of the painted wood frames. Lastly added a saw-tooth hook for hanging.
foil canvas
Foil canvas
I made this frame for my desk. I spray painted the frame using a metallic paint. Covered the cardboard in the frame with scrap book paper that had metallic looking lines splashed on the background with the vinyl word art applied to it.
Wall Art using Scrap booking paper and frames— The black frames were cheap ones I had for my kids art work 30 years ago! ( I did keep their art work) 🙂 Using a glue stick I adhered the floral scrap book paper onto the cardboard and applied the vinyl design on to the decorative paper.
laundry wall art
laundry wall art
T-shirt for my neighbor — We love to drink wine while discussing our daily lives ♥♥
wine t shirt
This last project involved a little sewing. I started with these 3 fabrics
I cut them into 2 inch strips and braided them…
Joined the braids using a zig zag stitch on my sewing machine — I didn’t have enough of the burgundy fabric to complete the final round…which was OK…
Rag Braiding
The goal was to use the braided rug as a toilet topper in one of our guest bathrooms. I had an old galvanized tin in the garage — First I washed it, then using a glue gun covered it with twine and added nautical rope for handles. Added a vinyl word art…
Voila….I’m so pleased with the results
toilet cover
Keeping the farmhouse theme going I used the Cricut to make labels for two Mason Jars.
As much as I love sewing it was great venturing into other creative outlets. The Cricut can be used in many ways and I’m looking forward to trying as many as I can!
During this time of quarantine I find I need to be productive so I’ll stay away from watching the news on TV.
How about you, have you tried any new ideas or ways to be creative?
To Do Tuesday is a linky party hosted by fellow blogger and quilting friends Roseanne & Sue at Home Sewn By Us. It’s a great way to document projects you are working on, stay focused and be inspired by what others are making!
To-Do for the week of April 14th through April 20th:
After creating a pseudo kaleidoscope quilt block I thought I would try making a real one using Halloween themed fabrics in white, yellow and orange to give it a candy corn look.
It such a great feeling when your points line up! The orange fabric has spiders and the black background fabric has cat faces! The orange and yellow wedges form windmills that really pop against the black fabric.
candy corn kaleidoscope wip
candy corn kaleidoscope wip
To-Do #2
I finally finished my Hexie Blossom wall hanging! YAY 🙂
hexie blossoms finished
hexie blossoms finished
To-Do #3
I was able to get the elephant baby quilted pieced. I still need to do the blanket stitching and other details. Haven’t decided if I will add baby’s name or some other embroidery design.
elephant baby quilt wip
To-Do #4
Winged Migration is quilt I started last year. Finally got the quilt top pieced and ordered the backing for it.
winged migration wip
To-Do #4
I’ve been a bit obsessed with paper piecing lately. I really enjoy it and it’s something I can do while watching/listening to TV.
wonky log cabin placemats wip
I used half rectangle triangles to create the spinning star.
HRT spinning stars wip
To-Do for the week of April 21st through April 27th:
Blanket stitch orange peels
Finish Elephant Quilt
Piece flag tumbler table runner
RWB paper pieced pillow
Layout Wonky Fireworks wall hanging
Be sure to stop by to see the lovely creations of those who joined this weeks To Do list linky party with Roseanne at Home Sewn By Us.
