100 Day Hustle - Results

Its time to see how I did with list of projects for The 100 Day Hustle at Kelsey Sews! The goal is to get your projects done by the end of the year, so you can start 2013 with a clean slate. Back in September, I created my list with projects that I thought were do-able.

 

GOALS

1. The Oct, Nov, and Dec monthly color palette challenges at Patchwork Times.

• October and November completed.  I do not think that I will get to December's project (but I do still have a few more days...)

 2. Complete a project from a craft book for the linky party at Craft Buds.

• Completed my entry "Dawn & Dusk"

3. Complete my Proverbial Quilt top for the Quilt Along at Poppyprint.

• Completed the top, now I need to get this quilted.

 4. Complete a 2nd Proverbial Quilt top.

• Several blocks done, maybe 5% of the top (going nowhere fast)

5. Complete the package of charity blocks for Margaret' s Hope Chest.

• Completed and package sent

6. Complete the pinwheel top from Material Obsession2.

• 50% completed.  (Started on a new project from the book "Jazz Hands" which is 90% complete)

7. Begin work on a top based on the feathers designed by Anna Maria Horner.

• In progress and looking cute, further along than I had planned

8. Complete my spider web scrap quilt top 

• About 80% complete.  No progress lately due to not having scraps, but am slowly making more scraps

Not so bad.  It is so interesting to look at this list because I have done so many other projects since then, that were not even on the list.

The linky party is open at Kelsey Sews , so share your progress and maybe win a prize.

Finish it Fridays - Step Down Tops

What a holiday season it has been - making presents, travelling, and the flu.  Yup, I am really having a fun time.  So today my finishes are really just tops, which are ready to go in the to-be-quilted pile.

 

I decided to get myself a Craftsy class for Christmas since they were having a sale.  I got Sarah Fielke's Big Techniques From Small Scraps - and so far I love it!  The first project was a mini using a step down piecing technique.  When I first saw this, I thought there is no way I am going to get this.  But I did and I made 2 tops.  Each top was created in one night.

The first top was made using some Little Apples scraps.  The second top was made using a charm pack of Tula Pink's The Birds and the Bees.  I have been using a lot of gray lately, so I thought I would switch it up some and use white.

 

And......both of these were made using my new sewing machine!  Yes, Santa left me a new machine at my parents house for Christmas.  I also got the flu for Christmas, so I haven't had much time to test it out.  Its a Brother and I am used to Singers, but it works great.  There are some new features that I am getting used to, and I already broke the needle.  Ooops.

 

Hoping I get more time to play during the long holiday weekend.

 

Linking up today with Finish it up Fridays at Crazy Mom Quilts and to Whoop Whoop Fridays at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Merry Christmas!

 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  Hoping that you all are keeping safe and warm.

Finish it Friday - Presents

Woo hoo! I cannot believe what I saw in JoAnns' last night.  Just several months ago when I worked with some comic book fabric, I wrote that my inner geek/nerd would love to have some Star Trek fabric. 

 

And in JoAnns' there it was - a whole rack full of Hello Kitty, Mickey Mouse, and Star Trek TOS (The Original Series) bolts of fabric.  Well, I shouldn't say the rack was full.  Some of the bolts did not have much fabric left, but I didn't have time to shop for material after work.  So I'll just have to check back after Christmas.

  

But I couldn't help myself.  I just had to pick this up.  Its a no-sew fleece throw kit.  I have never made one of these, but I figured that I would try it.  And, I really do need something on the couch since all of my throws/lap quilts were stolen in the burglary.

 

Next week, maybe, I'll have time to get to it.

 

Actually my finishes this week were some wonderfully simple pillowcases using this video tutorial by the Missouri Star Quilt Company.  I couldn't believe that it takes less than 1 hour to make one.  The bummer is that there are no photos because I managed to wrap them all this evening before I even thought to take a photo.  But they really are cute -  promise they are. 

 

Linking up today with Finish it up Fridays at Crazy Mom Quilts and to Whoop Whoop Fridays at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Work in Progress - Stars

The Charming Travelers traveling charm swap is on its way to a new home.  The winner is Jenniffier of  Jenniffier's Sometimes Creative Life.

It seems Christmas is fast approaching.  I have completed most of my Christmas sewing, and I started working on some of the WIP's laying around my work area. 

 

This week I am working on making more Jazz Hands blocks.  I have enough for a lap quilt, but decided to make a large quilt.  I can see the finish line approaching.

Linking up today to Work In Progress Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Finish It Friday - iPad Pouch

I have been working on making pouches using this simple tutorial.  Last week, I made a flat pouch with a centered zipper for my rulers.  The problem was that my larger rulers didn't fit in the pouch easily.  I thought I would try again, but this time I would place the zipper toward the end of the pouch.

The new zipper placement now works great for the rulers.  But, I just happened to have my iPad sitting on the table and noticed that the pouch was very close to the size of an iPad case.

And, it does fit nicely.  So, now I am trying to decide if it should be a ruler pouch or and iPad case.  Of course, I could just make another pouch so I don't have to decide.

Linking up today with Finish it up Fridays at Crazy Mom Quilts and to Whoop Whoop Fridays at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Also, I am still in possession of the Charming Travelers traveling charm swap. There is still time for you to play along and win this travelling stash by leaving a comment on my December 11th post.



Work in Progress - Giveaways

I have been very lucky lately to have won 2 giveaways - which both arrived on the same day!

 

The first is the Charming Travelers traveling charm swap.  You can play along and win this travelling stash by leaving a comment on my December 11th post.  I have been having a good time going through my stash and pulling charms to add.

 

 Here is a sample of charms in the stash.

The second giveaway was from Random Thoughts Do Or Di as part of the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway.  Check this blog out - very pretty makes and inspiration.

 

I received the generous package of 11 fat quarters - 8 pieces of Amy Butler Cameo and 3 coordinating solids.

 

 



I couldn't resist and started cutting into this bundle.

 

 

I know.  Its just what I need - another project during Christmas.  But, I couldn't resist.

 

Linking up today to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Charming Travelers - Charm Swap Giveaway

Woo Hoo!  I've got the stash!  I won the Charming Travelers  traveling charm swap from Kelsey at Kelsey Sews.  

 

There really is a variety of charms in this pack.  There is some modern fabric, novelties, and even some civil war repro fabrics.  Here is a sample.

 

 

These are the charms that I have pulled to keep - some novelties and some dots.  I am going to replace them with maybe some FMF and some Amy Butler fabrics.

 

 

So, do you wanna play along and have a chance to win this travelling stash?

 

Here are a few of the rules taken from the blog From Blank Pages where there is also a map showing where this travelling stash has been. 

 

winners must be active bloggers

you must reside in the US (ONLY the blue pack is traveling throughout Canada as well as the US - you must be willing to ship to either country to enter that giveaway.)

before sending the charm pack off to the next winner, there must be 56 - 5" x 5" squares of fabric inside - please no yucky fabrics

to help keep the map updated, winners will fill out the quick and easy form to let me know where you are!

if the charm pack arrives full of unwanted charms, let me know and we'll clear it out and fill it back up with some more beautiful fabrics!

To play along, leave me a comment on this post and I will draw a random winner on Saturday, December 15th.  If you'd like a topic to comment on, how about telling me how you learned to machine quilt (if you do).  I am trying to learn and have a class scheduled, but I was wondering how others learned - a class, a friend, a book, YouTube video? 

 

Also, please be sure I have a way to contact you.  Good Luck!

Design Wall Monday - Flat Pouch #4

 

On my design wall today are more pouches using this great tutorial from Terrabyte Farm.  Just a few weeks ago, I had never made a pouch or had ever worked with zippers.  Now I am on my fourth pouch and am tweaking the design, just a bit.

 

Friday, I was working on a boxed pouch and decided to leave it flat to store my rulers.  But I did have an issue with the centered zipper.  It did not allow me to easily insert some of my larger rulers. 

 

So now I am making another flat pouch with a plan to off set the zipper toward one end.  Not only do I think this will store my rulers and supplies, but I think it is the perfect size to be a case for my iPad.  I had my iPad on the sewing table and noticed that the pouch is the right size.

 

Linking up today to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times and to the Monday Link up at Plum and June.

Finish it Fridays - Flat Pouch

Yes!  I have a finish.  I celebrate these because I like to start projects but finishes are kinda rare.

 

I had planned to make a second boxed pouch using this great tutorial.  But, when I got almost finished and ready to set the corners, I realized that this works great for another project on my to-do list.  I need a flat pouch to keep my rulers in and decided that this is just the right size, so I am calling this finished.

Linking up today with Finish it up Fridays at Crazy Mom Quilts  and to Whoop Whoop Fridays at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Work In Progress - New Boxed Pouch

Last night, I decided to start on another pouch using this Boxed Pouch tutorial.  I cut into a roll of Field Study and decided to make the pouch bigger than the tutorial.  I know its only my second pouch, but I think I will take a chance and start playing with the dimensions.

I am hoping to make a few of these for Christmas gifts.

Linking up today to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Design Wall Monday - Christmas

I feel like I have been going non-stop this weekend.  Ah....the holiday season.

 

On my Design Wall today is a red/white/blue quilt that is a Christmas gift.  I only have to create the top and gift it.  The quilting will be completed by someone else.

 

Also, I am going through my stash pulling fabric for this month's Color Palette challenge at Patchwork Times.  There is no color guide.  This month we are to pick a color and make a monochromatic project.  More details are at Field Trips in Fiber.   This project is something that I really have to think about, I don't think I have ever made a one color project.

But, I have been very good at completing projects on my to-do list.

For the Amy Butler Cameo Sew-Along, I finished a pillow and a large table runner .  This is my first pillow and it turned out just like I thought.

 

I have some good news too.  I won the Charming Travelers swap package from Kelsey at Kelsey Sews.  I can't wait to see what's in the stash.  I'll be posting soon about this giveaway, so watch for it if your interested.

 

Linking up today to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times and to the Monday Link up at Plum and June.

Color Palette Challenge - November

The color palette for November's challenge was chosen by Vicki Welsh at Field Trips in Fiber.

 

 

I didn't know what to do with this at first.  (Yes, I know I say that every month!)  Something designed for Christmas would probably be the way to go, but my Christmas decorations have moved away from the traditional colors.

 

After searching through my stash, I decided to use a charm pack of a Stitch in Color and create a LOVE mini that has been on my to-do list.

 

 

 

I cut out four pieces of tissue paper 5 x 7 and used those as a base to freely paper piece the letters.  It was hand quilted and is now hanging as part of my Christmas decorations on my door at work.  I like that although these colors are Christmasy, I think I will be able to use this piece year-round.

 

Check out how other's used these challenge colors at Patchwork Times.  For December's challenge, we are to choose our favorite color and then create something monochromatic.  Eek!  This sounds like it will be the toughest challenge piece yet!

 

 

Travelling Pic Stitch Blog Hop

The Travelling Pic Stitch party is going on over at Quokka Quilts.  As soon as I heard about this party, I knew that I had to join.  It involves two of my favorite things - travelling and stitching. 

 

The photo that I chose was taken several years ago when I visited Lisbon, Portugal.  I was taking a walking tour of the city and it began in the older area called Alfama.  We were just getting started and I looked up and snapped a photo.

Using this palette, I found that the colors matched well with my Sherbert Pips stash.  I wanted to use "Scoot" as a focal fabric, but couldn't decide between vanilla or gray so I used both.  Being new to English Paper Piecing (EPP), I decided to try something simple and work with hexagons.

 

I created a hexagon flower.  But somehow, I had a feeling that I needed to find a project to work on so my flower would not end up as an orphan block.  I found a tutorial at Terra Byte Farm for a Boxed Pouch.  Now, I have never made a pouch before, or anything with a zipper but the tutorial looked easy and I decided to go for it.

 

I added the side quarter hexagon pieces in the gray border fabric and was carefull to sew one of the Scoot piece upside down.

 

Coordinating fabric was used for the lining.  This is actually the first project that I have machine quilted.  (I still quilt by hand, but I have a class scheduled to learn machine quilting.  Its a 2013 goal).

Not only did I learn how to put a walking foot on my machine, but I also learned about my zipper foot.  And.....ta-da.....

 

I did it!  Making a pouch with a zipper was one of my goals for 2012 and I am quite pleased with my pouch.  I can't believe how easy this was to make and I can totally see more of these in the future (maybe some Christmas presents?)

 

 

 

 

Following this blog hop has been great fun and joining in has provided me with many firsts.  Check out the other Pic Stitch projects at Quokka Quilts.

Work in Progress - Cameo Sew Along

I originally thought of making 1 mini quilt for the Amy Butler Cameo sew-along., but have now started several more projects using Cameo fabric.

 

 

I did not use a pattern to create this mantle cloth for the fireplace.  I still have to put up my Christmas decorations, but I tested the fit and it works.  (Now I need to find more projects where I can sew on more pom-poms!)

 

 

I also finished sewing the hexagons together for the pillow.  I had planned to practice some machine stitching.  But after looking at the hexies all put together by hand, I decided to hand quilt the piece.

 

Linking up today to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

 

 

Design Wall Monday - Cameo Sew Along

Wow, I just reviewed my to-do list from last Wednesday and I realized that I have made great progress over the long holiday weekend.  I was able to get in a lot of good quilting time.

 

I started on my project for the Amy Butler Cameo sew-along.  I was over-thinking my design and did nothing for 3 days.  I finally just cut into the fabric and the piece looks exactly how I imagined.  

 

Since this mini quilt is almost complete, I started on 2 more Cameo projects - a hexie pillow and a mantle scarf for the fireplace.  This was my first time working with trim and although I love the look of the pom-poms, it was kind of a bear to sew.  I think this was because the pom poms did not have much trim material.  I just could not get this to work on my machine even when using a scant seam allowance.  I ended up blind stitching this by hand. 

 

 

Linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times. and to the Monday Link Up at Plum and June.

 

Work In Progress - Many Projects

Well, its good to be back.  Mickey, Minnie and friends are all well.  But looking around my sewing area, I see that there is quite a bit of projects to be done!

 



1.  There is progress on my Jazz Hands blocks.  I have completed 10 of the 12 blocks, but have decided that I want to make this quilt bigger so there will be more blocks to make.

 

2.  The Color Palette Challenge for November mini is almost finished, just needed is binding.

 

3.  I am still working on an English paper piecing (EPP) project for the Travelling Picstitch Bloghop at Quokka Quilts.  I am new to EPP and this is a bit of a challenge.  The linky party is November 30, so I need to get this finished soon.

 

4.  I am totally bummed that I did not receive my Tula Pink fabrics in time to finish a piece for the Tula Pink Sew Along, but I just received a bundle of Amy Butler's Cameo.  I do think that this bundle looks much better to me in person than on-line.  Hoping I can have a piece ready for the Cameo Sew Along deadline of December 5th.

 

5.  I did finish my signature block for Liz at Dandelion Daydreams.  She is making a thank you gift for Beth with signature blocks from those that participated in the Lets Get Acquainted Blog Hop.  If you participated in this bloghop, blocks are due by the end of November.

 

Wow, that seems like a big to-do list especially with the Thanksgiving holiday this weekend.  And, this list doesn't even include my Christmas to-dos.  I think I better get busy!

 

Linking up today to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

 

 

Color Palette Challenge - October

The color palette for October's challenge was chosen by Vicki Welsh at Field Trips in Fiber.

 

 

I wasn't quite sure what to do with these colors and I could not find a focal piece in my stash.  I pulled what colors I could find and decided to work with some very small scraps to create an 8x10 inch mini. 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out all of the other October challenge projects at Patchwork Times.  Also, check out the color palette challenge for November. 

 

 

Work in Progress - Jazz Hands

 

Over the weekend, I made three more Jazz Hands blocks.  I am having a good time making these.  It may be the hand sewing or just that this block is so portable.  This makes 6 blocks completed, so I have got 6 more blocks to go.

 

Linking to Work in Progress Wednesdays at Freshly Pieced.

Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2012!

It is time once again for the Blogger's Quilt Festival!  My entry is my "Stretch" mini wall hanging.

 

Finished quilt measures : 19″x 19″

Special techniques used : hand applique, beading embellishments 

Quilted by : hand quilted by me

Best Category : Applique Quilt, Hand Quilt, Scrap Quilt

It was during the Blogger's Festival Fall 2011 that I realized that I was in a design slump and needed to expand my skills.  I declared that 2012 would be my year to try all new designs and new techniques.  So far, it has been great trying new things.  New things are good - but maybe in 2013, I might declare it to be the year where I finish things (LOL).

 

My word for this year is "Stretch" and I made this mini as part of the Lets Get Acquainted Blog Hop which I wrote about here. 

 

I think it is also interesting to look back at my previous Blogger Festival entries and see how I have stretched my quilting in a new direction.

 

 

For great quilty inspiration, please check out the Blogger's Festival entries at Amy's Creative Side.

 

 

Work in Progress - More jazz Hands

Just finished my 3rd Jazz Hands block from Material Obsession2.  This one was pieced totally by hand while I watched TV.  My first 2 blocks were machine pieced using Y-seams.  So far, it takes me one night to complete an entire block.  Three blocks down, nine more blocks to go.

Linking to Work in Progress Wednesdays at Freshly Pieced.

Blogtoberfest - Day 24