Squirrel Project - Done!

...and what did I make with all that pretty fabric?  Well some potholders for my mom of course!  I did a mix of different patterns for each of them and then just kept it simple in the back and mixed four different 5inx5in pieces for the back.  She said she wanted some red and beige mixed with some neutrals and other than the addition of yellow, I figured this was the perfect collection of colors.

 The binding was some left over Kona Gray I had in my stash and thankfully I had just enough when piecing them together to finish all three.

 It looks so pretty.... but it looked even prettier in my moms' kitchen. =)

Merry Christmas Mom!

Bedside Storage

My husband has things around his bed constantly; magazines, water bottle, a small light, etc. and for me making the bed is kind of a pain since I have to move everything off the ledge of the bed and then put it right back in an unorganized mess.  I saw online a quick fix for that one, a little pouch/mat that you put between the mattress and the boxspring with pockets on the side to put said items in.  It was $50.  Although I love organization, I certainly don't love it that much so I made one of my own, and I even get to pick out the colors that I want, so really I win.

These are the colors I picked out, a little blue print, a little brown and then the main is a chestnut print with both colors.... they just happened to be on sale when I stopped to Joanns last week and at the time I didn't even have this project in mind but now I'm glad I swooped it up. 

I wont go into full details, mostly because I made it up as I went, but I sewed the pocket part backwards, turned it around for nice seams and then stitched on top where I wanted the pockets to divide.  The top part I also sewed inside out for nice seams, turned it over, and then cut a piece of that non-sliding mat material you put in your drawers to keep them nice an clean, and sewed it right on top.  That'll keep the weight of the items from making the whole things fall from in between the bed.

Finally, I sewed both pieces together.  I put it on the bed, and stuffed it with all of my hubbys junk. =)  or I guess he would call them useful things, we'll just agree to disagree on that one.  

Super Secret Squirrel Christmas Project In Progress

The super secret squirrel project is well underway and I just have some finishing touches to add on.  Since I can't really show any pictures until after Christmas I thought I would at least let you take a peek at the pretty colors in the collection. So here they are:

I'm always surprised as to how far one little charm pack will take you.  I still have a decent amount of the Hometown pack which is great since I'll have some left over for another project.  The Ruby project has not yet started yet but I really need to find some time to sit down with all those pretty colors because they are really yelling at me to make something pretty.

So... for the rest, I guess we'll have to wait until after Christmas!

Re -Vamping....

Well, first off, I got my pretty charm packs, and let me tell you, I'm PUMPED!  I can't wait to do some quilting this week.  I'm not sure what I should start first, the "secret" project, or the baby quilt. (Or maybe it'll become something else, who knows.)

Second... have you seen all my webpage re-vamping... I know it, it's kinda annoying, I'm just trying to find out what looks good and what I like.  I promise though, not too long. 

On another note, I've been meaning to update my workspace area for anyone who is curious... still trying to figure what looks good down there too.  I got some new poms which definitely ads some much needed pop to the basement, but the organizing is not so great and nothing really matches.  I'm pretty dead set on getting THIS nice bookcase from Ikea with a table top that comes out the middle into the room.   All white.... I think I'll look pretty sweet, but until then, this is what I have!

Also, I just noticed, the chair... it's horrid. It looks great on our deck with our deck furniture where it's supposed to go... but not really next to my pretty machine.... I really need to work on that too.  Maybe I can reclaim an old chair and paint it some funky color... anyone have any ideas?

Still Waiting

For Oh so many things... but since I have time, I might as well tell you what I'm NOT waiting for anymore.

This! <---- So excited, and I know it's not Christmas yet but we're pretty close anyway so I even already put it on our bed, and let me tell you how cozy it feels. I had a great night of sleep and I'm blaming it on our new duvet cover.

Bad news is....I'm still waiting for my pretty fabric so I'll still be stalking the mail.  Maybe It'll come today and I can start a little sewing before Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow... that would be nice.

New Projects as Promised

I'm am beyond excited right now.  I just ordered two different charm packs for two new projects! Yay!

The first one will be an unnamed project because it's for a Christmas present so I'll have to wait until after to be disclosed, but just look at all the pretty colors and patterns.  Doesn't just make you want to sew?  

Doesn't it also look like it belongs in a kitchen? hint hint....

This fabric was bought on Etsy on Sounthern Fabrics' shop.  Check them out, they have great stuff.  

This set is called "Hometown" by Sweetwater for Moda.

Lastly after stalking Camilles' website "Simplify" on a daily basis I bought some of her new fabric.  

It's called "Ruby" by Bonnie and Camille.  

(You can also buy this on Etsy, and I'm sure lots of other places since it's pretty much amazing stuff.) 

I think I might make a new baby quilt for my shop... but I'm also loving these fabric squares from this years Scrap Lab.  Now I just need a baby.... or someone who has a baby. =) Anyway, Check the beauty out.

Gorgeous right? Now I'll be stalking my mailbox for the next week, Grrreat!

Christmas Quilt

...and finally part two of my lovely Christmas quilt. After the quilt top was finished I moved on to basting, which let me tell you it took foreverrrrr because this quilt was much larger than I'm used to making. Only it was finished basting I moved on to the fun part, quilting!

 I kinda wanted to do it with red and green thread but after starting the quilt I decided it would look alright to use the red thread over the green middle piece, plus it was much easier.  Take a look bellow. 

And yes, the bottom thread it white, but I promise, it looks great with the backing. =)

Finally the picture of the quilt (well, folded, so half of it) with one of the pillows and the new curtains. 

I do feel though that it was a little too much red in one place though so I moved it to the other couch so it didn't clash with the red curtains. And now it's perfect! 

Well, until next year anyway and I decide to make another one.

In Love

I'm all the sudden in love with Christmas.  I've never been much of a Christmas person, really all the family stuff when I was younger wasn't all that fun to me.  The last couple of years though I've really been warming up to the idea of Christmas... so to get into the Christmas spirit this year I have already made these Christmas pillows, and now the matching quilt I'm going to show you guys.

I actually started the quilt first, before the pillows, but since I only had a charm pack of all the pretty fabrics I quickly realized I was going to have to improvise to make a large enough quilt for cuddling on the couch.  I ended up just doing a border with the charm pack and then used the small amount of left-overs for the pillows.  

That above, ended up being the finished quilt top.   Pretty good if I say so myself, and really without all that much intricate sewing going on it really didn't take that much time.  Maybe 2 hours?  I seem to loose track of time rather easily when sewing. Thankfully I had all of Saturday to finish this bad boy up. 

So pretty all bunched up, and you can see all the nice patterns.   I really wished I would have saver the package so I could tell you what it actually was...  Ooops. 

Alright, I'll leave the rest for the next post... because you never know how long it'll take me to start the next project. ;-)

Our Final Harvest

For it being the first year of a home garden, I must admit I think we did pretty good.  We ended up with tons of peppers, lots of different kinds of lettuce, tomatoes and finally some carrots.  

It froze outside, and it snowed, and it was kinda time to let the garden go.  We pulled the last of the tiny carrots and threw away all the dead plants, but now it's ready for another year!  We can't wait to try some other foods out in the garden.  Personally, I'm rooting for some strawberries. =) Yumm.

Christmas is Just Around the Corner!

Well, I did finally get down to the basement to start some Christmas decoration making.  I started with a quilt top, but had to stop because I ran out of my pretty red Kona fabric so instead I moved on to some matching pillow covers.

Pillow covers are done and on the pillows!  I don't think my husband was nearly as excited as I was though as he pointed out there were still two other holidays ahead of Christmas to celebrate. Oh well, I'm still keeping them in the living room.  AND, I also got my new red curtains for the holidays in the mail yesterday so I'm pretty pumped to start decorating. =)

Front

Back

Slouchy Bag Reveal

And finally, as promised way too long ago, the reveal to the slouchy bag!

It looks just like I had imagined.. now it just needs a home. =)

The front has the cute little pouch with a velcro closure and the back has a mini zippered pouch great for storing lots of little items that you don't want to fall out. 

This bag also features some sewed on sinchers on the side to give it the slouchy look.  How fun!

Want some more pictures and a link to the listing?!  Check out my ETSY posting!

I'm Alive

I promise, I'm alive! 

Fall is just such a busy time at work it's almost impossible to get any sewing done.  That, and I think I need some new inspiration for some sewing projects.  So, that's my new goal in the next week or so, I really have to get down to that basement and start something new up!  Plus, I did re-decorate the sewing space so I should probably use it. =)

On another note, check out my amazing garden. 

Before:

After:

Note to self:  Next year, make sure you space out the tomatoes and peppers from.... well... anything else since they take over everything. Not too shabby for the first year!

New Project - Slouchy Bag

Looking at all the cute Vera Bradley bags got me thinking.... I think I can make one of those, and so this new project begins.

A short trip to the fabric store and we got ourselves some material.

I started by making the front zipper pouch.  For not doing much zipper work I think it turned out pretty good.  I was satisfied and even lightly surprised.

Next, I interfaced both the front and back pieces and made the front and back zipper pouch and regular pouch.

I even added some cute matching yellow binding to the regular pouch.

A little big more sewing for the top zipper, the sides of the bag and some extra touches and the bag was finished.

All that's left is to take some cute pictures of the final product and I will update soon!

Zipper Pouch Love

I may make a million more of these, I just have to figure out what to do with all of them when I do.  These zipper pouches are super easy and quick. Perfect for when you want to feel like you got something done without doing that much work. Check out the finished product:

So cute, right?

You can even fold the corners in (or sew them) so it stands up. 

And check out the coordinating lining.  I'm in love!

If you are too, Check out Noodleheads' tutorial here!

My Husband is an Ironman (Well... Half)

This whole summer my husband has been training to do his second Half Ironman.  For those of you who have never heard of this race, it's a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, and a half marathon (13.1mile run). Needless to say, it's really long and takes a lot of training to do.  We arrived on Saturday to check in and and made it to the hotel just in time for the rain to start.  Last year it rained in the morning and it was miserable.  I was just hoping that this weather would pass and the morning would be much better.

When we woke up on Sunday, Jeff felt great and ready to go.  I felt good too, well prepared, full of food and water and armed with a good book. We got to the park and found out the swim was canceled.... not cool, although according to Jeff he was proud of his results and it ended up being okay. He finished with a time of 4:34:48 and even though that did not include his swim, he would have still cut off almost an hour off his previous years' time. So, there you have it, I have myself an Ironman. =)

Baby Blanket 1 of many....

My custom order is finished and handed over.  I had a lot of fun making the blanket and I'm sure I'll be making lots more in the future.  

I cut simple 9x9in squares and sewed them together for the top. For the black ribbon I wanted to make it perfect so I sewed it on separately from the bottom to the top; right sides together leaving some open to turn. 

Top stitch to close the opening and it's all done!  Simple, cute, and lots of fun to make!

Weekend Update

It was a nice and relaxing weekend with the hubby.  It's so nice to both have the same weekends off and get to spend some time together.  We both got to sleep in and I even got a little Simming in. =) We got some working out done and even took a bike ride around campus for a little something extra.  We made yummy dinner and because it was so nice out we even got to eat out side.  So great!

Sewing wise... I made a new shirt!  How exciting! I traced a shirt I already had and tweaked it a little and after about two hours of sewing and trying the shirt on 40 million times; it was finished.  Now I just need to take a picture of it so I can post it.  So, until then, you'll have to settle for a couple of other projects, one of them being some burp rags I made for my shop. 

How cute are they!?

 

 They have soft mikee on the back and adorable animal print on the front.  Adorable.  If I have a child I would make a million more of these for him. =)

 Anyway, on to the process.  They were pretty simple.  For each one I cut out two pieces, one of minkee and one of the cotton, sized 7x14in.  I sewed them right sides together stopping about an inch from where I started so I could turn it right side out.   Once turned I topped stitched about 1/4 in all the way around.  Simple as that!  Pick some cute colors and you have a winner!

Stay tuned for a pretty minkee blanket, a new shirt and another onesie coming up soon!

Baby Onesies

I took a break from the quilting world to make some baby onesies?  Why you ask since you don't have a baby?! Well because they are adorable! ... and quick.  I finally got the right heat&bond and it was super easy to use.  Then a little free motion.."sewing", and they were done!

 They are currently in my shop, so check them out!

Shabby Chic Quilted Pillow

Yay! and today, the Shabby Chic Quilted Pillow.  Originally I had cut too many 7x7in squares for the quilt and I didn't really want to get rid of them sooo.. I made a pillow!  It turned out great and I could not be any happier. 

It started with just random sewing/piecing and then I added the gray on the sides to make it an appropriate size.

A little quilting on the front... 

...and tadaa!! It's done!


Of course, I didn't really pay attention to the fact that I only had 17x17 pillow inserts so I kinda had to stuff it in there for the picture, but you get the idea.  I'm sure with the smaller 15x15 insert it will look perfect!

And if you are interested, click here!

Shabby Chic Baby Quilt

I'm done with my to-date most favorite quilt ever.  Inspired by calming pastel colors and a girlie feel. It took me a couple of days, but I even finished a coordinating pillow which I'm super excited about. Today, the quilt, tomorrow the pillow. =)

I started by making the squares and trying to figure out how I wanted to sew them together...

Eventually, I decided on the classic chevron pattern.  I sewed the squares into strips and then the strips onto each other making the quilt top.

Quilt top, Done!

Front

After making the quilt sandwich, basting, and binding, it was all done!

Back

For the back I used some scraps from the front and pieces thing together with a gray Kona solid.

At first I wasn't too sure about the purple stripped binding, I thought it may have been a little too strong, but now that it's on, I love it!

And that's it! All done!

If you would like to purchase this quilt you can do so by going to by ETSY shop here.

Sister Love

I just got back last night from seeing my sister and her new cute baby boy Daniel.  Seriously he is the most easy baby ever.  He just sleeps and sleeps unless he needs to eat or change his diaper. It was so nice to spend time with her for longer than a couple hours since that's what usually happens when you live so far away, but lucky for me I'll get to see her next weekend again for our family reunion. Also, I gave her the quilt I made for Daniel and she loved it!  So exciting!

On another note,  here is a couple pictures of my latest project.  A Shabby Chic Quilt!

I just have a little quilting left to do before the binding and I should be set.  Plus, I'm making a matching pillow with some scraps which is already making me so exited to finish this project!

House Potholders

Recently I've seen some very cute quilting squares in crazy shapes such as this and this and I wanted to join in on the fun, and since I don't have the patience, yet at least, to make a full quilt full of pretty pieced blocks, I settled for some potholders instead.  Check it out!

 

 I think the pieced house top took about a half hour to make, and it was totally random piecing.  It's my first try, so maybe next time there will be a plan before hand and the colors and pattens will match better, but, for the first time, I'll take it. 

  If you're interested in purchasing these check them out here!