Sew, What's Going On?

--ONGOING--
Happy Quilt-a-long - Tribal
I am managing to stay caught up with the quilt-a-long I joined so far!  This past week we put together 16 patch blocks in a random fashion.  It was fun to put all the different fabrics next to each other!!

A mid point in assembling.

They are assembled, and need ironing!

And here you go!  Six 16 patch blocks all hanging out together.

For the most part I am happy with how my seams matched up.  And the randomness is fun.



I just found out that our next step is to cut these blocks down the diagonals and reassemble to make a different shape.  It's pretty innovative and I am looking forward to cutting again tonight (after I fix a few rogue seams that got away from me -- see the bottom right of this block below)

The sashing comes next -- which means I should pick it out already.  I am thinking a chocolate brown or maybe I'll pull another tribal print.  I think it will be easier to decide once I have the diagonal cuts and re-sewing done.

What do you think?

Best part... this quilt really is coming together quickly... you can use charms (pre-cut 5x5 inch squares) which saves cutting time... and the randomness.. have I mentioned how much fun it is?  I can see making this quilt pattern again!

Central Park Pin Wheels

Most of my weekend was focused here in Central Park land!  A happy, wonderful, colorful place!

I finally assembled the center and had that giddy moment about how fun it is to use such big squares to show off these prints!

Then I spent a lot of time making sure all those square and pinwheel seams matched up.  For the most part it looks pretty dang right on!  whoop whoop!

This is the backing I am looking to use.  I laid it out and the fabric isn't quite wide enough to accommodate which means I need to 'design' the back now. 

Originally I was thinking of using some of the left over pinwheels.  But looking at this pictures... wow that is a 'loud' fabric.  I might head more in the direction of a big thick brown stripe offset from the center. 

Another look at the pinwheels and backing together.  Aren't those birds cute!!

And another glory shot of the front all pieced together and ironed.  I'm really liking it!!

And yes, this quilt top is officially Katie approved!  That's the highest mark of quality I could ever hope to reach.  She lays on it every time I turn around.  So cute!

X Marks the Spot

I haven't pulled this one out this week.  Although, now that Central Park is off the design board... this is the next one to go up and get it's arrangement.


You Can Sew-a-thon!
Read the intro to our sewing adventure here.  

No progress here.  I think one project a month is going to be where I head with this.  The good news.. it's almost March -- meaning time for the next project!!


--BACK BURNER-- *cricket, cricket*

Tulip Runner - no change here, but getting closer to picking this one back up.

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 5
New Projects: 0

Finished Projects: 0
Total WiP's: 5

---Linking to W.I.P. Wednesday---

A Finish and Start

--NEW--

Happy Quilt-a-long Tribal

I told you about the quilt-a-long I am joining and here are the beginnings of the squares I cut last night. 

--ONGOING--

X Marks the Spot

Happy accident.  I was creating a block for Block Party at Quiltstory (wasn't that so much fun!) and I think I have come up with what will be the cornerstone block for the X.  Next step is to put it up on the design wall and then make a bunch more of the Friendship blocks!  See more here.

Central Park Pin Wheels

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I have decided on and sewn the center of this quilt and I think that is going to push me over the finish line on this one shortly.  Remember all those charm squares (5x5 inches) that I couldn't cut into... well... here are a few of them!

And then all the other pinwheels will dance around the center working from cream out to brown!

Do you get it?  The fabric is called Central Park... and there is a 'park' in the center of this quilt design complete with flowers, animals, and sidewalks.  Go ahead scroll back up and take a look.

Yup, I'm pretty smitten about the idea too!!  Actually can't contain how giddy it makes me.... or does this just prove how much of a geek I am?  Ahh... either way, I will be happy to see this top completed and I can't wait to show you what I picked out for the backing and binding!  That will be in next week's installment.

You Can Sew-a-thon!
Read the intro to our sewing adventure here.  

And, look who has made the first project: strawberry pin cushions!!

Sugar the Golden Retriever shared that her Mom has tried her hand a making them up!!  Isn't Sugar just a doll!!!

How cute is this one over at Seaweed and Raine? (picture from Seaweed and Raine)

Kasey from Fabric Thread; Paper and Pens has also been busy making Strawbeeroos!!  Also, have you seen her hexagon and hand stitching work?!!!  (picture from Kasey)

I am still finishing up the luggage tag pattern and looking forward to sharing that as our second You Can Sew-a-thon project!!

--BACK BURNER-- *cricket, cricket*

Tulip Runner - still haven't even cut a single piece of fabric for this.  I am hoping I can find it some new wind this weekend and get a good start!! 

--FINISHED--

Confetti

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 5
New Projects: 1

Finished Projects: 1
Total WiP's: 5

---Linking to W.I.P. Wednesday---

You Can Sew-a-thon - Strawberry Pin Cushion

What is You Can Sew-a-thon!! ??

This adventure is designed to build confidence in a new sewist, kindle or rekindle the love of sewing, brush up sewing skills, and even encourage you to create a nice handmade something that can be given as a gift!   

Are you game?

First Project is a Strawberry Pin Cushion!!
--using this tutorial from V and Co. blog--

I have seen these on the Martha Stewart website, in my local fabric shop, and more recently at V and Co. where I was finally pushed over the edge to give this a go.  And, to my delight Vanessa created the perfect tutorial to follow!  So go over there and bookmark this page and together we will follow it to make a ton of cute strawberries in the 'nic of time for Valentines gifties for your sweet valentine or even just a few for yourself!

I mean, how cute would one of these be on a little gift box?

I always start by gathering up all my supplies.  After reading the tutorial and then trying one... here are the items I ended up using:

• Fabric scraps in red/pink and green.  I also experimented with a totally non-traditional choice for a strawberry and love the outcome!
• pen
• thread
• needle
• sewing machine (not pictured)
• yarn in place of the floss
• bits of left over batting in place of polyfil
• hot glue gun.  you know it's going to be a good project when you get to pull out the glue gun!

Following the tutorial directions I cut my fabric to size -- this felt like an easy part!

Next was making the ice cream cone shape.  I free handed the cut and came to find that this part is also very forgiving.  The shape isn't terribly important... since the curve becomes the top of the strawberry which I was happy to find out gets hidden with hot glue.  I *heart* hot glue!

I have to admit I was nervous until I opened up my cut and matched it to Vanessa's photo.  They look pretty similar!  Phew!

I went on to the first sewing part.  After all... this is Sew-a-thon!!  I used my sewing machine for the two lines below... but I could see just as easily doing this by hand.

How are you doing so far?  Motivated to give this one a try?  Are you mid trying?  Any questions?

I cut the little tail off as instructed, flipped this inside out.  All good so far. 

I stuffed the batting bits in the turned out strawberry.

I did the running stitched around the top and was excited when I really could pull the thread to tighten the top.  Looking back now, I think I pulled the top too tight honestly compared to the tutorial where it looks like it is actually ok to leave the top stuffing sticking out... since you cover it with the leaves and hot glue.  That might be why my strawberries ended up being skinny.  I like them skinny, but might also try the other way to see what it does.

I followed the instructions for the leaves (the tutorial has good instructions and pictures for this part) and found it fun to make this shape organic.  I did use my sewing machine to stitch the pieces together... but this is another great place to hand sew if you prefer.

I also made the pink one with four leaves... I would say it looks just as good as the five leaf one if you were wondering.

At this point I had my skinny strawberry and leaves!  I can almost taste victory and cuteness to gift!

I didn't have the floss recommended in the tutorial.  I did however have some gold rick-rack... I tried it out and guess what... it looked like a Christmas ornament.  Confirmed by Mr. Happy.  Here's a quick snap of the rick-rack in case you have the same stuff on hand.  That got me thinking about what else I had to use instead...

That's when it struck me to pull out some yarn.  Yarn to the rescue!

My other note here would be to make the yarn a tiny bit longer.  The tutorial recommends 9 inches, but once I knotted it and hot glued it in place I didn't have a long enough loop to attached them to my rotary cutter.  Yup, I would make the yarn maybe twelve inches next time.

Following the last bit of instructions was a snap!  The hot glue hides anything you may have been nervous about up to this point and it finishes fast!  I am a geek and sewed four strawberries up first and was able to hot glue them all in about 5 minutes.

I really like the results!  And I am already looking for different combos to try and thinking of all the lovely ladies in my life who sew and NEED one of these.  Can't wait to hear what you thought!!

I have also made up a button for the embarking of our adventure... a funny... cute... don't take life too seriously... and try something new button.  Take one, post one, share one if you like!  They are yours to use!

<br /> <a border="0" <center><a href="http://describehappy.blogspot.com src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/forphotoskitty/YouCanSewathon.jpg" /></a><br />

Sew-a-thon Details

We will pick 1-3 projects a month -- February will have two... the luggage tag is the second.  I will create the projects with lots of photos and thoughts along my creation process.  I may even show you ways I modify or give some things my own twist.  Then you give it a try and ask me and the other Sewists a ton of questions!  At the end of the month we will share our successes (and not so successes; hey we all have them) as they will all count as entries to an uber cool You Can Sew-a-thon prize pack!  -- think fabric, sewing notions, cute inspirational items, something handmade, and maybe even some chocolate!!

I am also very excited to hear any feedback you might have.  Did you like this, would you like to see more?  Do you have a project you would like to see us do?  What would you change?

Happy Sew-a-thoning!!

A Day of "I did it!"

Yup, shoveled ice and snow today.  Becoming the norm around here.  And, I can't believe how quickly it's toning my flab.  Who knew Snow-ercise could work so well!

In other news, I finally spent some time in my sewing room between yesterday and today!  Whoop whoop!

Here are the results so far... more pinwheels!!

This is what the Central Park pinwheel quilt looked like at the start of the day...

Now after adding 15 more pinwheels.  Sounds like a lot, but still more to go.  I am still playing with the design and placement, but it's nice to see that I am getting closer to having all the pieces I want.  I also still have the full charms to incorporate.

I'm definitely enjoying this one!

AND!!!  I did it!!  I made my first time very own bias binding from a fat quarter and even have it machine sewn it on the top and have begun hand sewing it down on the back.  This is all thanks to the binding tutorial from Monika at My Sweet Prairie.  Monika, thank you so much for taking the time to put it together and share so many of your tips and expert methods!! 

Here are few teasers...

I'm feel like a quilting rock star... the real deal... genuine!!  Confetti is almost a wrap!!  I have gained a ton of binding confidence.  I can almost say that I am liking binding now... guess it helps to know what you are doing (which I clearly didn't before this -- I may even do a comparison so you can see what I was doing vs. the right way).

The day wouldn't have been complete without the gaze of these adorable chocolate eyes.  Katie has been the best buddy a gal could ask for today! (even though her face says stop taking my picture)

One last thing... I may or may not be doing something heartfelt with crochet... (I know... I'm all over the place, but it's a quick project that is portable a la riding the train in this crazy winter weather)  I will show you the full project soon!  Really soon!

Ok, this is really the last thing...  

You Can Sew-a-thon! is officially here!  As in this week!!  The first two projects that we will tackle together will be..... drum roll please

1. The Luggage Tag -- and I have an idea for those of you who don't need a luggage tag, but still want to make this cute project  ... and a 2. Strawberry Pincushion!  I will post the official kick off Friday!  I like Friday's... gives us the weekends to play and sew! 

Muah! xoxo  Talk to you more soon!

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats -- same as last week

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 5
New Projects: 0

Finished Projects: 0
Total WiP's: 5

---Linking to W.I.P. Wednesday---

You Can Sew-a-thon Announcement

Remember how I was telling you that I have seen a bunch of comments about how my adventures might be inspiring you to pick up a needle and thread or dust off your sewing machine -- well, I'm all about that -- and binga-boom the creation of  You Can Sew-a-thon!!

These little guys are erasers; I couldn't resist their cuteness factor.  The giraffe lives on my pencil and the cow lives in my little notions box that I showed you here.  You can often find a bit of whimsy in my work area!

What is You Can Sew-a-thon!! ??

This adventure will be designed to build confidence in a new sewist, kindle or rekindle the love of sewing, brush up sewing skills, and even encourage you to create a nice handmade something that can be given as a gift!  Are you game?

How will it work??
I am still working out some of these details out, but I think we will pick 1-3 projects a month.  I will create the projects with lots of photos and thoughts along my creation process.  I may even show you ways I modify or give some things my own twist.  Then you give it a try and ask me and the other Sewists a ton of questions!  At the end of the month we will share our successes (and not so successes; hey we all have them) as they will all count as entries to an uber cool You Can Sew-a-thon prize pack!  -- think fabric, sewing notions, cute inspirational items, something handmade, and maybe even some chocolate!!

Tell me more?
I'd like us to take this week to pick out a few things that might be fun to start with and have you vote to decide what we do first -- maybe something cutsie for Valentines Day? 

So, your homework (if you are interested) is to look through the list below and pick out what you like or add new suggestions.   Let's meet back next Wednesday as I reveal what project we will start with and announce creation time lines.

Current list of ideas.... what do you think?

1. pin cushion (example tutorial from Happy Together)
2. apron (example tutorial from Stop Staring... and Start Sewing)
3. pillowcase  (example tutorial from Film in The Fridge)
4. snack baggie (example from I Have to Say)
5. luggage tag (example from Rudy and the Dodo)
6. dog bandanna (example tutorial from Love to Sew)

I have a feeling this sew-a-thon will span the whole year.... this means you can jump in when you see a project you like or progressively try things that may seem impossible, or come back to a project when you need a gift or a have a few free moments.  

I also thought if you are a sewing tutorial creator... then you could leave a link to your simple/fun/creative sewing tutorial in the linky tool and we just may select your tutorial to work from (the linky will be open till the end of the month!!  Any sewing projects welcome!

Alright, that's what I have so far.  I'm excited to give this a go and even try new things myself!  Can't wait to hear what you think, see your tutorials and suggestions, and then off to the fun part -- playing with fabric!!