Le Challenge - Nature

The theme this month at Le Challenge is "nature" which really got me thinking about projects to make.  But since this month I have been making totes for cancer patients, I knew that making a tote was the way to go.

 

I had this beautiful Tula Pink fabric from Saltwater that I could never cut.  I mean, who could chop up those octopus?  I think this tote turned out nice and serene.  It's an even bag, even though the picture may appear a bit distorted.

 

At last count, Whitney was still short of her tote goal.  She has the goodies, but still needs a few more totes. 

 

I have enjoyed these monthly challenges.  Cant wait to see what theme is chosen next.

 

 

Finish It Friday - More Totes

It's Finish It Friday and I have a few finishes this week. 

 

First up are more totes for breast cancer patients.  The deadline has been extended to June 1st, so I think I'll be able to make a few more using this simple tutorial.  More details are at O Sweet Mystery of Life.

 

Also, I have finished another quilt for the Hands 2 Help Challenge.  The deadline for completed quilts is the first week of June.

Next up, I need to come up with a project for Le Challenge.  This month's theme is "nature" and I am thinking it will be a mini quilt.

Linking today to Finish It Friday and Whoop Whoop Friday.

Hands2Help Challenge - Check In

Today is the day where we show our progress in the Hands 2 Help Challenge.  I think that so far I am right on schedule and have not felt like time is creeping up on me.  I have finished several quilts and have a few left to be quilted.

Top #1 is based on one that Tula Pink showed at last quilt market.  It is very easy to make and instead of choosing many colors, I opted to use different light grays as the secondary color in each block.  The plan is straight line quilting, which I hope to start soon.

Top #2 is simple patches using some very pastel, floral charms.  Instead of solid charms, I chose to use some polka dots which I think makes the top a bit more fun.

It's not too late to join the challenge.  I am choosing to make multiple quilts, but you can just make one if you like. 

 

I can't wait to see what projects everyone else is working on.

Finish It Friday - Totes For Breast Cancer Warriors

It's Finish It Friday, and I have something non-quilty to share today.  MJ (a fierce cancer survivor) is collecting handmade tote bags to hold items given to those newly diagnosed with cancer. 

 

I haven't made many tote bags before.  But after reading this simple tutorial for a lined tote bag, I knew that I was going to try.

This took abount an hour to make and I can't believe how well it turned out.  I think I will be making more of these in my future.

 

I hope that you can help MJ reach her Mother's Day goal by making a bag.  More info is on her blog, MJ's Lost Cause.

 

Linking today to Finish it Friday and to Whoop Whoop Fridays. 

Le Challenge - Bright

The theme at Le Challenge this month is "bright".  I knew that I had a charm pack full of bright yellows and pinks that would be perfect for the challenge.

  

I had wanted to tone down the charms by placing white squares between them, but then I got the wild idea to embrace the brightness and use pink squares with the charms.  I quilted this with loops and am getting better, but I still need to work on gripping my project when FMQ (free-motion quilting).

 

I think this little quilt will be sent to Hands2Help.

 

The next month's Le Challenge theme is "nature".  I cant wait to see how this theme is interpreted. 

Hands 2 Help Challenge - Tips

I have been working on my quilts for the Hands2Help Challenge hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

 

This Sunday is a link-up for your favorite tips, patterns, tutorials, or snacks.  I think that my favorite tutorial is not really a tutorial.  But, I mean that the easy pattern that I am using comes from a quilt that Tula Pink shared during her schoolhouse video at Fall Market.  At around minute 10, Tula has a quilt that is made from jelly roll strips.  I thought that I would try to make it with a small bright jelly roll that I had.

This may be the easiest quilt top that I have ever made.  I am currently making another quilt top in  solids for the challenge.

 

Also from the schoolhouse video, at around minute 8 there is a quilt titled "Moxie" that was recently uploaded on her website.  I already have the templates cut out and am cutting into my Tula stash for this quilt.

 

Hoping to see what others are working on for the Hands2Help Challenge this week.

Le Challenge - Order

The theme for this month's Le Challenge is "order".  I think this has got to be my favorite theme yet.  It certainly gave me plenty of project ideas.

 

With my sewing time rather restricted lately, I knew that I would have to make a small project for the challenge.  I decided that getting my work area in "order" meant finding a storage solution.

I decided to cut into my Field Study stash and try noodlehead's Open Wide Zippered Pouch.  I thought it went together quite fast and easy.  I am still new to zippers, but the tutorial had plenty of pictures to walk you through the process.  I can see myself making more of these as gifts. 

 

I wonder what next month's theme will be.

 

Linking today to Le Challenge and to Whoop Whoop Fridays.