Thursday, July 28, 2016

Fun Fabric and a Finish

Not long ago I entered a giveaway at Pink Pincushion and I won.  The giveaway was this cheerful "House of Hoppington" fat quarter bundle from the Fat Quarter Shop.   It is really a fun collection of fabrics.  I have not decide what quilt pattern to use, there are 18 fat quarters, any ideas?



The project below is one that I have been planning to work on for some time.  I had chosen the fabrics to make a pillow for a wedding gift for my brother and his wife.  Their wedding was in April and they received the pillow this week.  I  went up to my sewing room one day and said to myself, "you will not leave here until this project is complete."  I sent the pillow off to them the next day.  Actually, I should say that Pat sent the pillow off for me the next day.


This pillow was made using the "Quilt as you Go" method and was inspired by a tutorial found here at Quilting in the Rain.



The pillow was planned to be a rectangular shape but due to my miscalculations it is now a "almost" square pillow.


I did make the overlap on the back off set on purpose, I have learned that it is o.k. to be flexible and a little creative even when it comes to the back of a pillow cover.   That is the little bit of sewing I have been able to accomplish this month.  I have had to let go of my goals planned for this month and last but feel o.k. about that because family and friends have filled my spare time.  Setting goals has been great for me but letting them go when necessary is good for me too.  I will be linking this post with Julie at Crafty Quilter for Hello 2016 Goodbye UFO's here,  Visit and see the projects that have been completed this month.

Friday, July 15, 2016

Where Bloggers Create 2016

My "sewing room"/creating space is upstairs in our old 1940's house.  There are two bedrooms at the top of the stairs and of course, I have chosen the larger of the two for my space.  The picture below shows my space in a rather messy condition as it has been much of the time lately.  I guess that means I must be using it to create things but I am not sure that that is true.  I think it is more like I haven't kept it too tidy lately.

Not the clearest picture but it gives you the general idea.  The chest on the right is still unpainted, it has been a goal for several years now.  I plan to move my room downstairs shortly, we will see if the painting gets done then.

I love my card catalog and I "file" many things in the drawers which are labeled, of course.

I smile when I see this sweet little frame given to me by a sweet friend.  I look at it to be reminded of what I should be doing while in this room.  

As you will notice I like to keep things around me in my room that remind me of swaps I have participated in and friends and family who have given them to me.

I found this pincushion while visiting my sister in California and my buttons are from years of collecting them.  Many were my grandmothers.

This sign was a gift from my sister Becky.  It hangs over my file boxes and basket of patterns.

I do love pincushions.  My sister Lynda made the tomatoes and the purple pincushion is one I bought when we visited Hawaii.  Of course we had to visit the fabric store in the town we visited on Maui. The heart pincushion is from a swap I participated in and I crocheted the flowered pincushion a few years ago.

This is my fabric, much of what you see is fabric to back the many quilts that are waiting to be completed.  I do have just a few fabrics that I will have to think about before deciding how to use them.  The glass front bookcase below these stacks holds a bit more. 

The project on the corner of my work space has been sitting there a while but I can say that it is now a completed project.  I started and completed it yesterday.  I will share it in a blog post soon.

A sweet friend gave me the bird thimbles on top of my grandmothers spice chest.

Fabrics that are part of a couple of projects in progress.

This picture and the following are of some of my favorite things in my room.




This picture and the one below were taken a short while ago when my space was a little bit neater.






I should have posted a warning at the top of this post that I had many pictures to share.  I love having my space to work in but even when it was the kitchen table I have always enjoyed making things, sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, crochet and many other crafts.  I hope you enjoyed my little tour and will come back again for a visit.  Visit Where Bloggers Create 2016 at My Desert Cottage to see many more sewing rooms, studios and kitchen tables.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Proposed Finishes 2016 Finish-Along Q3

I was able to complete a few of the projects on my list for the second quarter but will move some over to my new list and add some that I had not posted.  Planning goals has helped me to stay focused on finishes and I have been able to cross some off my list.

Adornit quilt, complete the pieced back and quilt and bind it.

Sunshine quilt, complete blocks and borders, quilt, bind.

Make a pillow or wall hanging.

Make pillow or wall hanging.

Quilt and bind baby quilt.

Fall quilt that I made for the Desire to Inspire Challenge at Henry Glass Fabrics.  Prepare backing, have it quilted and bind it.

Another quilt from the Desire to Inspire Challenge.  Needs quilting and binding.

Snapshot quilt, top complete and sent to quilter, bind when completed.

I have the backing and binding material so this small quilt is waiting to be completed.

Lincoln Schnibbles, top pieced, quilt and bind to complete.

Vintage Quilt, quilted and ready for binding.

These are my goals for the 2016 Finish Along.  I am sure they are more than I will get to but I will keep working to complete as much as can.   I will be linking with the 2016 Finish Along Q3 here.  It is fun to visit and see what plans other quilters have for the quarter.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Getting Ready For Where Blogger's Create 2016

It is time again for "Where Blogger's Create", a blog party sponsored by Karen Valentine at My Desert Cottage.    Click here and read Karen's post about participating in the 2016 event.


I love my creating space but it does need a bit of work.  This will motivate me to get it a few thing taken care of and take a few pictures.  I doesn't matter how simple or elaborate your space is, snap a few pictures and share it with us in a blog post and link up to this fun blog party.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Tumbler Quilt Complete

This quilt was simple and fun to make and is now a gift for one of our granddaughters.  I love the cheerful Riley Blake fabrics and the quilting made this simple quilt pop.  It was not the number from my All people quilt list that I had planned to complete because when I decided that it would be Rosie's birthday present.   I started to work on this instead of my #10 project, this was such a busy month and I did not spend a lot of time sewing.



Rosie's birthday is tomorrow, I hope she likes her quilt.  This project is shared on my post for the 2016 Finish Along post here .   I will link with Julie's Hello 2016 Goodbye UFO's post here.  I will also be linking with the 2016 Finish-Along Q2.