Finish It Friday - QAYG Pillowcase

July must be my month because I have gotten several projects finished.  This is my Quilt As You Go (QAYG) pillowcase inspired by the QAYG Bags class at Craftsy.

I really like the look and texture of this technique, but was a bit hesitant to start with a tote bag.  I thought I would try making a pillowcase using my Denyse Schmidt scraps.  The whole thing goes together quite easy and it makes for a very strong fabric.  I could easily see myself using this technique to make floor pillows.

I started by making a large piece of QAYG fabric.



Then, I sewed on the pillow lining by stitching in the ditch.  You can see from this photo just how much I love to pin baste....not!

I sewed 2 sides together, being sure to enclose the seams so there is no fraying.  Lastly, I sewed on the binding.

I loved the way this turned out.  Now I just need to find other projects to make using QAYG.

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

Le Challenge - Toffee

This month's Le Challenge theme is "toffee" and I was determined not to wait for the last minute to finish my project this time.  Since I had a jelly roll of Field Study out, I pulled assorted browns and wondered what project to make.

I used a tutorial from The Sewing Chick and made a pin cushion.  The tutorial is well written and quite easy.  I think it turned out kinda cute and could see myself making more of these as gifts.

 

For fun, I thought I would show it next to my current pin cushion.  It was made by me when I was about 10 years old during a Girl Scout meeting.  For some reason, I remember that I really wanted that pink polyester fabric and had to act fast to grab that scrap from the teacher's fabric pile before any other girl.  Ha, I didn't realize that I had started developing my fabric hunting skills at such a young age.  

 

Please check out all of the other toffee themed projects this month at Le Challenge.  I cant wait to see what next month's theme is, because these really have been challenging!

Finish it Friday - Spider Web

OMG!  I am doing the happy dance!!  I cannot believe that I have a finish of a full size quilt.  I think its the first in 2 years.  And, its a quilt for me - that rarely happens.  It took a little less than 2 weeks to hand quilt my spider web quilt.

Let me tell you, when bloggers wonder how they are going to tame their scraps, I always recommend making a spider web quilt.  Its super easy and made a major dent in my scraps.  I used a tutorial at Quiltville.

 

For the back, I used some fabric from Amy Butler's Cameo line.  In my haste to start quilting, I just haphazardly cut my fabric in two for the backing.  I then had this sick feeling because I remembered that the fabric was directional.  I opened the fabric, aligned the pieces, and found that I had an inch to spare when lining the 2 sides together.  Lesson learned - look before you cut.

It is currently on my bed and it seems so very bright for my bedroom.

I also have another finish to show soon.  This month's theme for Le-Challenge is "toffee".  The linkup will be on the 15th, so you still have time to make something - anything goes as long as it is completed.

Oh, and look what just happened to arrive in my mailbox this week.  Its a half yard bundle of Architextures.  I know I said that I was going to focus and work on my mountain of WIPs, but maybe.........not.

Linking today to Finish it Fridays  and Whoop Whoop Fridays.

WIP Wednesday - Quilt as You Go

I am still here.  I have been hunkering down and finishing WIPs and I learned something........it's boring.  But, I do have some finishes to show soon and I am glad for that.

 

Right now I am waiting for an aqua bundle of Tula Pink Saltwater so I can start making a Christmas gift.  Don't moan, Christmas will be here before you know it!

 

I got a new Craftsy class - Quilt As You Go (QAYG) Patchwork Bags and I am really enjoying it.  I am not a bag making person, but after watching the class, I think that I can do it.  So, this will need to go on my to-do list.  Maybe, I can make some as Christmas gifts.

 

I do love the look of QAYG and the texture of the fabric.  I decided to start by making a large pillow using my Denyse Schmidt scraps and I am loving the look. 

 

Linking today with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

City Sampler Quilt Along - Tula Pink



Last week, I decided to hunker down and concentrate on finishing some projects since I have a huge stack of WIPs.

 

It really started when I saw my bright spider web quilt top looking kinda sad.  I had been wanting to make this for my bed and hope that this will be a great way to start the day by waking up to something so cheery looking.

 

My plan was to hand quilt it and I finally got started.  I was sitting on the floor just sewing away when my dog decided to sneak across it.  I told him to "STOP", but it was too late.  He froze and plopped over trying to play dead.

I took a quick pic and then told him to move.  He just froze and acted like he didn't understand me.  Nice try, but no - he had to move off the quilt.  I am really hoping to have this finished and ready to show soon!

 

Today is the day to show off our blocks 13-15 in the City Sampler Quilt Along.

 

For block 13, I changed the color placement and it makes for a different look.  Its kinda like a giant hashtag.

Block 14 was made with Tula's Prince Charming.  I cant wait for her new Acacia fabric to come out.

Also linking today with the Monday Lets Get Acquainted party at Heart of Charnwood.

Moving to Bloglovin

Claiming my blog since Google reader goes down in July.

 

Alyce, at Blossom Heart Quilts, wrote an excellent post that I used to transfer my info to Bloglovin.  If you need help, check it out and the tips that are written in the comments.

City Sampler QAL - Blocks 10-12

A short blog post today, as we are showing off our blocks 10, 11, and 12 for the City Sampler Quilt Along.  I cannot believe how fast these are made and use such small pieces.  If you are like me and love to save scraps, I think these blocks would be a great way to showcase your precious scraps.

 

Block 10

 

Block 11

Block 12

The prizes for those linking up this month include some Tula Pink Aurifil thread that I have been wanting to try (insert squeal of giddiness here!). 

 

More blocks can be found at Sew Sweetness.   I am getting excited to see everyone's finished projects since such a variety of fabric is being used on these blocks.