quilting friends

During quilting class this week, we had our end-of-year/Christmas party.  The food was beyond delicious - my favorites being the stuffed mushrooms (ok, I brought those) and the bean dip (thanks, Holley!). Our teacher, Kathy, gave each of us a quilt block "rug" made from the gorgeous Moda fabric line "Midwinter Reds".

Seeing that I had something smart to show, I finally mounted the bird cage display that I had purchased about a year ago.  I'm sorry the photo is so lousy but it's in the corner, the day is gloomy, and I only have a cell phone camera (note to Santa!).  The little hanging bobble block is something I picked up a few days ago for $4 at the quilt shop. I'm anxious to add more interesting items.

And here is the mug rug that my friend Holley gave me (yes, Holley of the favored bean dip).  She had made a different one for each person in the class.  Holley is the bomb!

And finally, here is the darling pincushion that my friend Karen made.  She gave me three to choose from and I picked the red with dots because it so nicely matched "Bernina" written on my sewing machine.
Not true.
I picked it because I had been to Disneyland the day before and it reminded me of Minnie's dress.  But it does coordinate beautifully with my machine.

Christmas is fun!

dresden dish towels

I needed simple gifts to give a few of my friends for Christmas ... something inexpensive ... something homemade ... something quick. And actually in the end I got a bonus - but more on that in a later post.

For about a year now, I have wanted to do something with the vintage towels that are sold in the quilt shop where I work. First step: buy 10 towels in five colors: berry red, bright green, pale yellow, deep sky blue, and black (sorry, not all pictured). Nest step: think of something interesting to stitch on the front using what you have on hand at home.
 So I took this ...

Made by this company ...

And these simple tools ...

To make this finished product.
I like to think of it as "half a Dresden plate is better than none!"

I packaged them all in clear treat bags and slipped a Merry Christmas cupcake pick behind a twine bow.

And because I had them, I sealed the back with a bakery sticker.

I'm thinking I need to make just one more for my son's piano teacher whom I'll see tomorrow at lessons.
You know what I'll be doing tonight ...

H - A - double L - O - double U - double E - N

Halloween is just around that old creepy corner.  Although I'm not a big fan of the holiday ... except for the chocolate ... I do "get a little pumpkin on" in spite of myself.

The trick of treat banner is an idea I copied from a Pottery Barn catalog a couple of years ago (mine is a larger version), and the bewitched refused to focus wall hanging is one you might remember from last year.  Besides an orange candle here and there, this is the sad extent of my holiday spirit.  Fortunately, no one has complained.  Otherwise I'd have to get my witch on!

Oh, yes!  I do have this quilt as a shop sample where I work.  I'll probably get it back after the holiday.

baby basics

Two flannel blankets and one little knit hat for the precious newborn grandson.
Just practical stuff, but usually the stuff you need and use the most!

This blanket I bought with the holes punched for crocheting from The Fabric Mill in Provo, Utah.  I'm so happy I didn't cut into the stitches when I snipped the final thread like I did with the last one I made.  Ouch!

This blanket's edge is non-flannel.  Next time I will square the corners since I hate cutting fabric on the bias (didn't) but also hate fighting the curve when its not a bias cut (did).
All items have been shipped and are hanging out with baby.
I sure wish I were!

car cozy

As you might know, I have a grandson.  As you might not know, this grandson LOVES anything with wheels:  cars, trucks, trailers, trains, motorcycles, wheelbarrows (ok, maybe not that one).  But cars are his #1 go-to toy and have been, I'm sure, for as long as he can remember!   So when I saw the pattern for a car carrier in the Winter 2012 Simple Quilts & Sewing magazine, I knew who needed it.

Last night during quilting class, I discovered some fabrics that inspired me to get sewing.  They are from a Riley Blake line named Boy Crazy.  The fabrics are so cute that I bought some others from the line to make a special pillowcase for Grandma's house (pics to come).
I stitched up the car project in no time this morning and will whip up the pillowcase this afternoon.  Gotta love the easy ones!

The only changes I made to the pattern were to add rick rack to the pocket dividers and to top stitch the yellow road lines.  Oh yes, I didn't use black flannel for the road as the pattern suggested.  I thought it would collect far too much fuzz and crumbs from the floor.
(I just noticed the whisker thread at the bottom that needs snipping! oopsie)

I bought the tractor and jeep from Target, and the green/silver car we had leftover from my boys.  I do wish the tractor had a trailer, but Evan is quite skilled at taping and I'm sure will finagle a way to have it "haul" something.

See what I mean??

The cozy folds in half and rolls up quite nicely, even with the bulky cars inside. After I took this photo, I angled the ribbon ends and applied Dritz Fray Check - a sewing staple!  

Happy vroom-vrooming to Grandma's little darling!

pillow cheer

A little something to brighten the day for my dear stepdad who is convalescing....

I know it's not much; but hopefully these pillowcases, in a simple way, will let him know that I'm thinking of him.



Tutorial from the blog Notes from the Patch linked here...

let's repeat that!

Because they're just so much fun to make....

.... today I made another coupon wallet.

This one was made with some leftover 14 inch long strips from an Amy Butler fabric roll. I sewed two precut 2.5" wide strips and trimmed each down to 1.25".  Then I sewed another strip and cut it down to 1.25, adding more strips and trimming until I had eight strips sewn.  Then I cut down the entire rectangle to 8.5"x12".

Now wouldn't you make one if you had an extra button lying around???

P.S. Original post with tutorial link and more info here.

it's about time!

Months ago, my eldest daughter asked if I'd make her a coupon wallet.
"Sure," I replied.

And then I didn't make it.
She never again mentioned it, but I knew that she knew that I owed her.

So finally ... FINALLY... I got to the business of sewing one.  And it whipped up in a jiffy.  And I have no idea why I procrastinated so long!

The tutorial is found at Art Gallery Fabrics and is by Fat Quarter Gang.  They call their pattern Fabric Envelopes.

I didn't much care for their squared-off front flap (plus I worried it wouldn't stay closed), so I made mine with a curve and a notch to accomodate a button closure (that way the button wouldn't be low on the front).

For placement with the loop, just measure it a little below the center of the button.  Do you see how I double stitched the elastic cord at the flap edge?  That will hopefully keep it from coming loose.

I used heavy thread when stitching the sides, and my bobbin didn't like it so well.  But because it's the back, I'm not going to worry about it.

Much better than the plastic ziplock bag her mother uses, no?
A quick project if you need a gift in a jiffy (I'd certainly like one!).

Time to get to saving :)

the little bag

Today during lunchtime, I stitched up a little something for myself.

I found the tutorial at Pink Penguin, and it's called Reversible Patchwork Bag.

Fortunately, I had a leftover finished block from a quilt that I had made as well as some 2.5" squares - just what the pattern called for.  A pinch of this, and a scrap of that and voila!

It's only 8 inches square and so stinkin' cute.

I love a project that is spontaneous and speedy.
What a fun Make it Monday ... and probably Tuesday, too!

p.s.  I'm thinking it will be a nice hiding place for my mommy chocolates .... you know what I'm talking about!

to pin or not to pin

For some reason (maybe because I've been crazy busy?), I forgot to write a post about this little - or rather big (5.5"sq) - pincushion I made a couple of weeks ago in my quilting class.

(If you compare the differences in the background color, you can tell how quickly the lighting can change here in Southern California. The sun loves to play hide and seek with the morning marine layer.)

Making the teeny tiny center patch was a challenge, but the rest of it came together quickly.
Normally with sewing and quilting, I don't use these types of fabric; but I do like the way this project turned out.

Kinda makes me not want to poke it.

cash and carry

Saturday before last my sweet husband took me to a local sewing machine store, Sewing Machines Plus, in San Marcos.
And he brought along some $$.

I had been wanting a new class sewing machine for quite a while.  What that means is that I was looking for a machine that didn't weigh a thousand pounds, would have enough features for any project I wanted to work on during class time, and wouldn't be so expensive that I'd be constantly worried for its welfare when it left the safety of my sewing room.

Introducing Janome 3160 QDC.

Isn't she perfect? (Umm... Do I sound like a mother?).

Anyway.... I have already sewn on the binding for three quilts with her, and she stitches like an obedient child.  (OK, now I know I sound like a mom!)
I have owned a low end Janome for about ten years - mechanical and HEAVY - and because she's in earshot I'll add that she's been such a faithful machine!

But this one is light weight yet not jumpy when you sew, is computerized so I can make more precise adjustments, has PLENTY of stitch options (including my favored blanket stitch), has none of those funky/childish colors that are on so many machines (why?), and even comes with an extension table.  Soooo much better than my old machine, and I can still use all the Janome feet I've purchased over the years.

Class is on Tuesday and I can't wait to introduce her.

Happy me! (And now I sound like a child *wink*)