Time Marches on as Sewing Stacks Mount

Seems like an eternity since I posted anything.  My apologies to those who read my blog.  I've been busy and returned to my full-time job.  While I treat sewing as a full-time job as well it often takes a back seat to other things that seem to come along--like housekeeping, playing with cats, being with friends, etc.

My latest quilt is in progress.  I've not done a lot of hand quilting but I'm busy at it this time.  The quilt I posted earlier is the one I'm working on.  The pattern is huge spirals with smaller spirals intermittently aroudn the quilt.  It should be very modern in it's appeal and certainly very different in the approach to hand-quilting.  It would be great to say I thought of this on my own but alas the idea came from a quilt done by my best friend that is done in this spiral pattern.  It seemed so fresh and appealing so I'm copying what has already worked for someone else...and doing it shamlessly.

I'll post a picture as soon as my latest project is complete.

Happy quilting, happy sewing, happy creations of all kinds.

Visions of Quilts Dance in Her Head

Slowly but surely I'm getting caught up on projects and house upkeep.  It's a challenge at times but one this hyperactive lady can rise to.  Especially while I'm in my creative mode.

Last night I slept awful.  It was a night filled with visions of quilts and quilt patterns dancing in my head.  My latest quilt top...see below...I see as large and small spirals scattered about the quilt.  I got the idea from my best friend Phyllis is a quilt she showed me.  It just made sense and I think I can do it in pretty quick order.  The quilt is someone's (don't know who yet) Christmas gift.  Yeah for getting things off the shelf and moving out toward the door.

Got my new/used sewing machine last night from UPS.  It had a bonus I wasn't expecting--a generic carrying case.  This will be useful for carrying either machine with me when I go someone to sew.  Hip Hip Hooray for bonuses.  Gotta love it.

The cats got a bonus as well--a box filled with shipping peanuts and bubble wrap.  Annie was on it like stink on kitty litter.  She loves boxes with lids and playing with the peanuts.  I'll leave the mess she's made for another day so she can have full blessings of the bonus box.

Off to create.  Happy sewing and creating.

Apron Explosion--The Saga Continues

I thought I was nearly done with aprons but my sister-in-law's aprons have spurred an epidemic.  I have three more to make for her friend for Thanksgiving.  So....I am thankful for the fact others appreciate my work and make requests.  Yeah.

There was left over fabric from the last project and it was enough to make a cute little "helper" apron for my sweet kissey great niece Kiersten.  I can only hope she likes it.  Little kids sometimes can be hard to please but it is a companion to her MeeMaw's apron so that is a plus.

Back to feet...the sewing type.  This latest project I got to use three different feet: one for doing pintucks; another for edging and top stitching; and yet another for ruffling and gathering.  This sewing feet thing is getting really easy and fun--plus the end product is so much nicer.

On a sad note, one of my sewing machines "shot craps" and lost.  It's not very old and hasn't been overly used so here I am down to one machine again.  Thank goodness for eBay.  I managed to find a replacement of the same brand and make for $42.00.

Happy sewing and creating.

Seeing What's Possible

Today was about doing a quilt top...that is finishing what I started last week.  The picture posted is a creation that started from scraps of sample fabric I bought from the wholesaler.  I've cut and laid out the picnic blanket, but not sewn it yet.  The three center sections were from some of the leftovers.  By adding additional fabric I have a vibrant lap quilt or something that could be used on a toddler's bed.  The colors draw me in...but then I'm into color. 

What do you think?  Leave me a comment if you have one.

And She Does It Again...Another Apron

Here's a pic of my latest creation.  It gave me the most difficult as I decided to be very creative.  Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it presents challenges I don't want to deal with.  This was one of those.  But it's cute as can be.  And, the one thing I really like is the neck strap is adjustable and features a detachable flower on the end.  Something a little different.  Where's my fray check?

Happy sewing and creating.

Aprons, Aprons Everywhere!

Another apron done.  It's amazing that when I picked up the fabric I knew immediately what the finished product would look like.  I'm pleased and my sister-in-law is pleased.  That's what truly matters.  She's the one who must be seen in it.  He he!

Time to go sew some more.  I have two more aprons to go and I've purchased fabric to finish another quilt top/picnic blanket.

From Scraps to Keepsakes

Last night was interesting. I hosted a casual family dinner for my cousin, his fiancee and my best friend. So nice to be around people you enjoy and care about, to share what's up and to co-miserate about what's down. Mostly we have "ups" and interesting projects to talk about. For me and my best friend, it was sharing with everyone what we've recently completed. We are both on a mission to complete projects ideas from the past.

When Phyllis arrived I was so excited to share the new apron. She countered with a quilt top she had completed made from the floral scraps left over from shorts she had mass produced for her eldest daughter. The quilt was beautiful and amazing and will be a gift to her child when backed and bound. Can you imagine what joy she and her daughter will have remembering events and life's journeys based on the fabric of that quilt. It will be transformed into "The Fabric of Our Lives" as a fabric memory book. My friend does such an incredible job taking scraps and turning them into keepsakes.

If I've learned nothing else over the last year of quilting, it is to rethink what I call scraps and to not to be too generous in what goes in the trash bin. Phyllis has taught me to keep what is 1" or wider and keep it because those make beautiful quilts. She has taken what I would discard and made some wonderful baby quilts that can be sold. It never occurred to me that scraps could be someone's next keepsake quilt.

So the moral to the story is, short of being a pack rat, save you sewing scraps and create Fabric Memory Books. It will be a journey well worth taking.

This the quilt I finished yesterday. It's soft petite floral prints framed in tea stained muslim--perfect for the little girl it was made for.

One more project down, and I can hope in my heart of hearts it will become a keepsake for the baby it is intended for. It will be fun and exciting to see the mommy's reaction to this quilt.

For now, it's back to aprons. There are another three to be done for my sister-in-law. Love the creative time and playing in fabric.