WIP Wednesday

Wow, I feel like I haven't been here in a bit!

The quilt on Friday and the ruffle shirt on Saturday were scheduled posts, and Sunday's post is not usually about sewing.

Also, I haven't sewn in a week and this leads me to drink makes me very sad.

So even though my dining room looks like this...

...and packing should be my main priority right now [t-5 days until the move]...

I'm spending the evening at the sewing machine. For my liver peace of mind.

Project #1: Making a clutch for my sister for Prom on Saturday [cue high school prom nostalgia]

Project #2: Jessica's mini for our personal swap!

And not touching these new fabrics unless I get everything else finished :) Erm, I've petted them, like how you should pet a llama, but I won't cut into them yet.

*Linked up over at Lee's!

WIP Wednesday - The Not-Much-to-Show Edition

Happy Wednesday!

Outtakes from a very windy day!

I spent much of my time this past week finishing up the binding on my friend's wedding quilt.

And then I spent all day Saturday finishing my Pillow Talk pillow.

I mailed my For the Love of Solids swap items.

So now I'm finished with my swappy obligations...leaving me free to make whatever I want!

Here's the list:

1. Schoolhouse Tunic with seersucker plaid - pattern pieces are all cut out

2. Lisette dress - needed more fabric for 1 more pattern piece, so I got that, but need to trace and cut it

3. Shoeology shoes! Wonder if I need a different needle to sew shoes...

4. Secret project - I'm not even sure if this is supposed to be a secret, but I'll wait until I've officially gotten word back to share the news

5. New pillow for the couch - this is a maybe; if my Solids swap item is a pillow then I won't need to make one!

Yay for sewing for me! :)

WIP Wednesday - The Leap Year Version

Still playing with my Pillow Talk clamshells. Probably won't sew them together for a few days. I'm letting them marinate.

I've had my design for the Modern Mini Challenge all drawn up for about a week, but today I picked out my fabrics. I'll be using these 16 fabrics in quadrants just like this. And yes, my design involves curves. I'd actually love to make it scrappier than it will end up being, but I don't have enough different fabrics in the shades of the colors to do that. Here's to hoping it turns out like I want it to!

Joann's finally got black embroidery floss in stock, hallelujah! They hadn't had any in over a month [I go every week, and believe you me, I complained every time. To be out of black for that long? Seriously?]. So I finally wound all the floss onto these cards and ring. These are just the colors I've been using [and anticipating using] for my mustache cross stitch and my Dessert of the Month. I can finally put eyes and faces on those little cuties! It's so weird that cupcakes and truffles can stare at you accusingly without even having eyes...

Happy Leap Year! Since there's an extra day this year, why not put off obligations for a little browsing the other WIPs over at Lee's! ;)

WIP Wednesday - The One Where I'm Hungry

Ok, I'm seriously hungry for some lunch right now, so this will be quick!

Binding this little guy today so that I can put it in the official entry section of the Tangerine Tango Challenge. The contest ends March 2nd, so you still have time! I don't think mine will win anything because I took a completely different, more artsy/abstract take on it, and there are some beautifully pieced minis over there [this and this might be my favorites!]. Oh well, it was fun!

I spent some time the other day unpicking some straight-line quilting on this quilt I gave my boyfriend for Christmas. He's been using it [gingerly] because as you can see on this corner, I didn't do binding, I made it like you would a coaster, and have just been trying to add quilting for stability, but it is technically usable. Just probably wouldn't do great in the wash! Anyways, I can't wait to actually get some quilting on here that works [it's backed in a cuddly plush fabric that isn't minky, but the same idea] because this quilt has a saga. That's right folks, not just a story behind it, but a saga. Indicating both disasters and ultimate triumph. Except I haven't reached the triumph stage yet. Hopefully soon!

Then of course I'm still working on my item for the Sliced contest, I've decided to make both my mini designs for the Modern Mini Challenge and then decide which I like better, and I need to do some serious work on my Pillow Talk Swap item.

But I finished my For the Love of Solids stuff, and so I'll consider that a win :)

Now, to run errands, eat my weight in sesame bagels [seriously, how are they so good?!], maaaaaybe run to the only modern[ish] quilt shop around here, and safety pin about 250 swaps for Thinking Day that my Girl Scout troop is going to tonight [any Girl Scouts out there that just got hit with a wave of nostalgia from swaps and Thinking Day?].

Toodle-loooo! :)

And maybe check out some of the other WIP posts while you eat lunch. And you probably will do it much more dignified than me ;)

Mustaches.

Happy day-after-Valentines! Poor February 15th never gets any lovin'.

While yet another Wednesday has rolled around [seriously, this year is already flying by!], I'm afraid I do not have too too much to show for it. This past week has been a crazy mash-up of changing my schedule for my boyfriend's new job [I like to make him breakfast and stuff], being responsible for $3500+ worth of Girl Scout cookies, cookie booths and Girl Scout meetings, etc...

But I have had one solid day of sewing, and I worked to finish my For the Love of solids big item. I've decided to leave the quilting as is, without adding any more to it, because I would hate for it all to be overwhelming. Today's plan is to take the last few steps to turn it into a pillow cover.

I also finished my small item for the swap [the deadline isn't until March, so I feel very pleased with myself that I'm so ahead of the game!]. 

The cross-stitch was so well-received that I took my pencil-and-graph-paper-scribbles and used a professional cross-stitch program to turn it into a pattern. I included the DMC floss numbers that I used, as well as a page of basic cross-stitch instructions and tips that I have for this specific pattern. I think it's an excellent pattern for a beginner and has a younger feel to it. So it is posted for sale in my Etsy shop for $3, which gets you a photo of my finished product, the pattern and stitch key, tips, and basic cross-stitch instructions, all in PDF form via email. [I like to download it to my phone and stitch at coffeehouses]. So consider getting one for yourself for your fabric stash/wall decoration, or for a friend with cheeky humor!

Ok, does anyone else think of Tom Selleck when they think of mustaches? Just me? Alright.

We were doing this at 11 pm, hence the bad lighting.

And finally, to hopefully bring a smile to your Wednesday, my other fabric project this week was to help my little sister make some valentines. She's editor of her school paper, and likes to keep morale up [they often stay late into the night when the paper goes to press] by giving her staff food. So she found an idea on Pinterest for lollipops made into superheroes. The original photo used cardstock and printed templates for capes and masks. I said, pffffftttt, we can use fabric scraps! So she raided my scrap bins and cut the pieces to size and I cut a little slit to slide the fabric up the stick and then hot glued the front to sort of look like the cape was tied around the superhero's "neck". I also burned my fingers a bunch, but that part is not in the instructions. Then we tied black ribbon to be the "masks". At home she added "Have a super day" to finish these little cuties up!

And now, to finish my non-sewing WIP of the day...laundry. Ew.

[Go to Lee's to check out the other WIP posts. No laundry over there.]


**Edited: I'm also linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday since my hoop art was a finish! And, because I like to keep it real, I didn't finish the laundry. In fact, there's piles of clean laundry that need to be folded/hung up and I've been avoiding eye contact with them. I thiiink that if you do that long enough then the laundry fairy rolls around and takes care of it, yes?

Happy Wednesday!

Today is a great day already!

My boyfriend just got a new job that pays substantially more than the job he was at. We went out to my favorite brunch spot to celebrate [yes, I got to choose the place :) ]. And I have afternoon plans to go get a free vanilla latte at Starbucks.

My sewing is going pretty well also! And that's the important part. Today I'm listing my projects in order of priority, as they all have deadlines.

1. Interlocking Stars quilt - This is a present for a friend whose bridal shower I'm attending on Saturday. I decided I wanted to make her a quilt a couple weeks ago, and originally was going to do double wedding rings with wide borders. But she's way more modern than that, so I settled on stars in a palette of blues, aquas, greens, and oranges. I need to finish the top today so that I can quilt it tomorrow and bind it Friday. Good thing I work great under pressure!

2. Tangerine Tango Challenge mini - This is completely done except for the binding, so really I need to just sit down and do it. I'm debating between an orange binding, or white, so that the minimal use of color really pops. The challenge ends March 2nd, and I want to submit my piece so I don't have to worry anymore about getting it done.

3. For the Love of Solids Swap - I talked about this a couple days ago, and have made no progress since then, because I got my Pillow Talk partner and had to play around with that. But I have been stitching on some mustache cross-stitch in case my partner is cheeky like me! So this pillow cover is going to be my big item, and then I need a small item, which I haven't entirely figured out yet. Or figured out at all. Maybe like a 12" mini? Hmm...

4. Pillow Talk Swap - The deadline for this is a couple days after the deadline for the solids swap. I was just so excited that the night I got my partner [at midnight!] I stayed up stalking and thinking of ideas. I had settled on the clamshell shape but had no idea what I wanted to do with it. And then. Voila. I got this design. I must admit, it has been easier to execute than I anticipated.

 These two practice clamshells were sewn with no pins. Next time I think I'll see what happens when I use pins. I'm just not a pinning type of girl, not really sure why. I'm sure it would improve my sewing accuracy, but I guess I'm just too impatient for that? Anyways, these measure about 5.5 inches at their widest point, so I won't have to sew too many of them to make a nice sized pillow. But I have no idea how to calculate how many I'll actually need, so I'm just going to make lots!

Maybe when I'm done you all would like to know how to make this design? I'm willing to share my methods and template if you're interested :)

So that makes 4 serious projects on my list. I'm also making a little Swoon mini, the new Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery dessert came out today, Moda Bake Shop announced their Sliced competition, and Ellison Lane Quilts is hosting a mini competition [for which I already have an idea that I'm excited about!]. So much going on :)

As always, check out what other people are up to at Lee's WIP Wednesday!

How is it Wednesday again?!

But seriously, how is it that another week has gone by!?

There's been a lot of progress around here lately. Including the ongoing WIP of my fitness level. By the time I got to college I was so tired from playing 2 or 3 sports a season that I started taking naps in between classes instead. So I've gone from being a varsity cross country runner and soccer player to being sad that I live on the 3rd floor. [Ok, so I'd be sad regardless about that...have you ever had to lug groceries up 3 flights of stairs? It sucks]

So today I went on an 8 mile bike ride. In the 80 degree weather that is Orlando right now. I had a great time!

And now, the sewing WIPs, because I know that nobody really cares whether I got my exercise today haha.

My tumbler table topper on the table for now, still unbound. I hope to get it done this weekend, or else I'm afraid it'll never get done!

Worked on my big item in the For The Love of Solids swap last night. I had to make my own template, so I used the cardboard that comes on the back of charm packs. I didn't realize until after I had already traced out one color that I was missing the seam allowance on the bottom, so I had to retrace some pieces. It should be interesting trying to piece this whole thing together though; it might require some partial seams.

 

The color options. As you can see in the top photo, the lighter pieces are Kona Ice Frappe. The design calls for very skinny borders on each side of the diamond shapes, like a half inch maximum. I originally planned for these borders to be the off-white color at the top, and then the space in between to be the gray. But gray makes the whole thing pop so much. Now I'm not sure if I should omit the skinny borders completely...

I joined the Made in Cherry QAL and chose this stack of fabrics. I don't want to just make the large star though. I want to put my own spin on it. So I've been drawing out ideas.

Other projects:

-Ruby pyramid quilt - no progress

-Charm quilt for a friend - don't have many fabrics in the requested color palette, and I have to wait a bit before I can buy more fabric

-2nd Schoolhouse Tunic - I'd really like to sew this in one sitting if possible this time, so I'm waiting until Thurs or Fri to tackle this

Go get your weekly wow's over at Lee's with all the other people who linked up their projects!

In a funk

I am in a sewing funk.

I rushed last week to finish up a swap package to send out, and doggedly sewed to finish my shirt. Leona was pleased with her package, and then of course there was the disaster with the shirt. I don't know if it's because of that, but I haven't had much desire to sew these past couple days.

In fact, I've been battling against a severe lethargy. For anyone who's new here, I just graduated in December with my master's degree. I didn't really work during the year that I was finishing it because I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship that included room and board money. So here I am, age 22, still looking much younger than that, with 2 degrees under my belt, looking for a job. I've applied for more jobs that I can count over the last couple months, but just began in earnest here in January now that I have an official transcript saying I'm done. I know these things take time, but I'm a person who has always been very busy [I worked full-time during my undergrad, so this past year with no real job has been hard enough on me] so I'm very bored most days while I wait for employers to respond to me. I apply for jobs, bake or cook, clean if needed, volunteer with Girl Scouts, but that's really it. You'd think I'd want to sew to alleviate the boredom, but I think I'm just sinking deeper into the funk.

Because of that, I only have progress on 1 WIP :(

My January Dessert of the Month -- the champagne truffle! I bought this natural colored linen at Joann's [but now I'm coveting Jeni's sparkly linen from Joann's!] and just picked out whatever DMC floss I thought would go in a champagne truffle.

How do I take pictures of these to accurately reflect the colors? Natural light wasn't doing it the other day.

And I don't even know if I like it [I think that's probably why they give you a color chart to follow haha]. I do like the pinky-peachy color, but the lighter color is a champagne floss mixed with a strand of a silvery-champagney metallic floss [that was HORRIBLE to work with] and I'm not sure if there's enough contrast for me to like it. I know that I didn't want the white and light pink, so maybe I'll do white and the peach.

They were out of black, so I'm going back today so that I can get it to finish the rest and see if I like it. I also don't plan on stitching the months out until the end, in case I just want all the cute desserts hanging out, but without the months listed. 

WIPs that have seen no progress:

-my friend's birthday quilt [her birthday is tomorrow...oops...I never planned on finishing on time, but still]

-another friend's quilt - this has no timeline, and she's commissioned it sort of. She's paying me in random presents throughout the year. Kind of fun, yes?

We just got our partners for the For The Love of Solids Swap, and I also signed up for The Pillow Talk Swap, so here's to hoping sewing frenzy strikes me again soon!

And please, go check out people who have actually accomplished things this past week :)

First WIP of 2012!

I'm glad that this is back because I love lists, and gathering all my quilting stuff each week!

I was fortunate enough to end 2011 with just 1 WIP. The quilt I gave my boyfriend for Christmas. It's got a fleecy/minky/cuddly/pain-in-the-butt fabric on the back, and I only got 3 sides sewn [at 5 am Christmas morning!] together before turning it right-side-out, and calling it good enough to give to him.

Of course, now I have to finish it. And yesterday the high was about 42 [very very very rare in Orlando, mind you] and we all froze, and of course it would have been so nice for him to be able to snuggle under that blanket. And of course it still wasn't finished.

It's only been 4 days of 2012, but I already have 2 big projects on my plate: 

1. A quilt for my old roommate's birthday at the end of January. I'm using this photo as my inspiration [um, I LOVE it], and making a pyramid quilt with a Ruby by Bonnie and Camille charm pack and some coordinating solids, and white.

Source

2. A quilt for my best friend from high school. She went to MIT for her undergrad, and I was lucky enough to be able to visit her twice, but now she goes to Berkeley, and I can't afford to fly out to California. Her birthday is in July and I want to send her a quilt before then. It's going to be deep plums, rich dark blues, and coal gray. I'm reviewing designs now, but I'm thinking something abstract, as she majored in architecture. 

As for finishes, my only finish of 2012 has been this cute little pouch:

It's for a present for a friend, and is filled with some toiletries. Her boyfriend bought a quilt from me for her for Christmas, so I know she totally digs handmade. It's pink polka dot lining, and I think for the next one I will add some interfacing in addition to the batting. It stands up on its own, but I'd like it to be a little stiffer [um, and maybe less wrinkly than this picture, whoops!].

Feel free to head over to Lee's to check out what other people have been up to in 2012 so far! :)

WIP Wednesday #?

Finally working on some new things after a little hiatus! Celebrating [no bemoaning this week] my WIPs over at Lee's today hurray!

I'm going to pick favorites this week...this guy...

-Savvy Season Swap: I am loving how this is shaping up. I had wanted to finish the top on Tuesday night, but I ended up having to cut out more pieces. I really want to finish this up so that I can mail it, and some other things, on Thursday.

-Pillow covers for my parents: 2 simple Christmas pillow covers. The designs are drawn, and are very simple. I asked my parents if they wanted modern or traditional covers, and they said "what?" haha. So I don't want to scare them with anything crazy. These need to be done by the end of the week though.

-Advent calendar: This literally just needs the buttons sewn on it. I don't think I have time to finish before December 1st, but I'd be happy to get it done over the weekend. I think it's adorable, so I can't wait to share with you guys! 

And that's it! Just a few little projects, and no finishes. I have a huge paper due next week, which is why I haven't started any of my larger projects, but starting next week it's game on!

Be sure to go check out the other projects! :)

WIP Wednesday #3!

This is my last WIP Wednesday before the big day [of the craft fair] and I have a personal deadline of having all the sewing done [with the exception of coaster sets and coffee cozies] by Thursday.

That being said, and this being written Tuesday night, my Wednesday is going to be pretty busy.

Finishes:

-Merry Christmoose pillow [this took some thinking on my feet. But that's a story for another day!

-Century of Progress pillow

-A Very Merry Grinchmas quilt

-Embroidery hoop ornaments

In progress:

-SuperSwoon tree skirt [its 45" square!] - just got the additional fabric in the mail Monday, pieced the top and I hope to finish piecing a back here in the next hour or so and then quilt it and bind it this afternoon

-Retro Christmas table runner - this is really just because I've sort of lost interest in this [I forgot to put my middle blocks on point, so that kind of bugs me now]

-Linen tree skirt - I don't think this will get done in time for the craft fair, which I'm ok with, but if I do have extra time then I''ll see what I can do to finish it


So I'd best hop to it!

By the way, this is the 1st year anniversary of WIP Wednesday over at Lee's, so go check out the other links. Thanks for a year's worth of kicking our butts in gear!

WIP Week 3!

Phew.

This has been one sewing-filled week to link up over at Lee's!

Finishes!:

California Dreamin' ["The Allison"]

Coordinating pillow for the above quilt

Jovial Table Runner

Purple star pillow [I wish I knew the name of the fabric in the star!]

Christmas tree pillow in the style of the one made by Kati at From the Blue Chair [although I didn't use her tutorial, just made it up as I went along]

Dutchman's Puzzle hotpad

Countdown to Christmas stocking pair

In Progress:

-Retro Christmas table runner

-SuperSwoon tree skirt [waiting on additional gnomie fabric for this]

-Grinch Stole Christmas quilt

-Merry Christmoose pillow

-several embroidery hoop ornaments

-several coaster sets

Good thing my productivity level has been off the charts lately :)