Sunday, March 28, 2010

A little sewing, a little knitting

I finally got my Schnibble quilt pinned together and quilted on the sewing machine.




It's a manageable size that I could quilt it on the machine. Took some maneuvering at times, but I got it done. What a busy looking sewing area. Does yours get as messy as mine when you sew? I love having a window by my machine. It lets a lot of light in.

And the quilting is now done and the binding is on. Yay! All I have to do is sew down the binding and it will be done. I will be using it as a wall hanging.



Ooops, looks like I missed trimming some small thread ends. That will get done as I go along.

I've also been working on the watermelon house socks and they are done. What a fun knit this was! Love the colors.



Can't wait to give them to my daughter. Hope she likes them and they fit.

And look at the cute little tin I bought at Joann's! I just love this owl!



I'm using it to store my quilting safety pins. Only $1 at Joann's. Go get one! My sister has one too. We love our owl tins. My daughter is also getting one but she doesn't know it yet.

And that's how I spent my weekend.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Fabric, fabric everywhere

I'm on the home stretch of my Downy Touch of Comfort Quilt. It's all pieced, the borders are on, ready for the next step.




It's all layered with backing and batting and pinned together. I've started the quilting on my sewing machine.



This quilt isn't that big so I've been able to quilt it on my sewing machine. It still takes some maneuvering but I'm managing. Just a couple more rows of quilting and then I can bind it.

I've been learning more each time I make a quilt. I'm totally addicted. The next one will be better, the seams will align better, the colors will be better. I'm totally enjoying this! Once this Downy quilt is done then I can get back to finishing up the Schnibbles quilt and then . . . the list is a mile long of what I want to make.

In the meantime I received some fabrics in the mail that I bought. Once again from an etsy shop. I can't stay away. Fabric is taking over my life.



Aren't they cute! I have no idea what I'll make with them. Maybe a little bag for Easter goodies. Maybe an Easter table runner. The possibilities are endless.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

It's National Quilt Day!

Look! I have knitting! I finished these socks the other day. Nice and bright.




I used Lion Brand sock yarn for these, and just a basic sock pattern. Another pair of socks to add to my collection.

Today is National Quilt Day. I am doing my part. I'm working on a small quilt. Downy is sponsoring Touch of Comfort Quilts. You can read about it over on the side under my Links. They sent me the cutest fabrics to use!



That's what I'm working on today. I've gotten quite a bit done on the quilt top so far. This is very bright and colorful too!

And I just HAD to show off this fabric that I got in the mail. I fell in love with it in an etsy shop and just HAD to buy it. Aren't those birds just the sweetest little things!



I have no idea what I'll use it for, but I'm very happy it's now in my stash.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Another week, another block

Block 2 of the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along. So far, so good!




Have a great weekend! I plan on doing more sewing, working on a quilt, knitting, watching a movie.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

So much fabric . . .

Just moving right along on my little Schnibble quilt. Next step is to add the borders. It is going to be so colorful.




It's been such a fun little project. But there has been a lot of ripping and re-sewing. Gotta get those seam allowances just right or the whole thing is off. I finally figured out the 1/4 seam mark on my sewing machine and things should hopefully go a lot smoother now when I make a quilt. I still need to get the backing fabric for this and the binding. Can't decide on a color.

Had a grand time this past weekend shopping with my daughter. We met up halfway between where we each live and shopped in a whole new area. Found a quilt shop in our travels and just HAD to go in!



Love those charm packs! So addicting. And also found a pattern for journal covers. Something different! Can't wait to make some of those.



I have plenty to keep me busy. I need more hours in the day. But I better get to work so I can earn more money to buy more stuff . . .

Sunday, March 14, 2010

I have a fiber addiction

Such a dreary gray rainy weekend. I just want to stay inside and sew. And I will. Later.


I got the St. Patty's Day totebag done for my Aunt. It's on the way to her in the mail. I hope she likes it.



It was hard to part with. I like how it turned out. Instead of using fabric for the handles I used grosgrain ribbon. And I added some lace trim to the pocket. It was fun to make as I love making bags. I'm addicting to making bags. I can't stop.

I've also been working on my Schnibbles quilt. The blockss are sewed together and done.



Next step is to sew the rows together. Then I can add the borders. That will keep me busy today.

I also started the house socks I'm making for my daughter. I'm using Plymouth Encore worsted weight yarn. These will knit up a lot quicker than socks using sock yarn.



I love the colors! I've dubbed them "watermelon socks".

Time to go do a few chores and errands then the rest of the day I'm hoping to sew. And sew and sew and sew. Have a great Sunday!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sew Till You Drop

I've been busy at the sewing machine again. Completing one project, immediately starting another. It's been fun!


I got the can caddy completed. A lot of stuff can fit in there. Scissors, rulers, rotary cutter, etc. And of course the one thing I use a lot: a seam ripper.



Just may have to make more of these. It would be a cute gift.

Also finished is the fifties housewives apron. Love the fabric! It just cracks me up.



I'll add it to my pile of aprons. I love making aprons. Little pieces of creativity for not a lot of money.

Today I worked on my little Schnibbles quilt. For hours and hours. It's amazing how time flies when I'm sewing. Here are the blocks before I sewed them into rows.



So colorful! This is going to be a very colorful little quilt. And why yes, I did eat quite a few of those jelly beans. Very addicting.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Green Things

Spring is in the air. I'm sure it won't last, but it's nice while it's here. The snow is melting and I can see grass. And the temp is in the 50s! But this is Michigan and that could change in a day. I noticed that the days are getting longer now too.


I finished the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along block. That was fun working with a jelly roll.



The next block pattern doesn't get released until next week, so I have plenty of time to play with other fabrics.

My Aunt was born on St. Patrick's Day. This is a milestone year for her, so I'm making her a gift. These are the fabrics.



Green. Shamrocks. I'm making her a totebag. Can't wait to give it to her!

And look! I bought yarn! Haven't done that in ages. I'm going to make my daughter some house socks with this yarn. So bright and colorful! Super wash. Easy for a college student to take care of.



I'm hoping to have them done by Easter so I can put them in her Easter basket. Yes, I still make her an Easter basket.

Friday, March 5, 2010

It's the Weekend!

I'm so glad it's Friday! I live for the weekends. More time to do stuff I enjoy.


My Jelly Roll came in the mail! I was so happy to come home to a package. It made my day. I have it all cut out and ready to sew. Here it is before I unwrapped it and the scissors got to it.



An unusual blend of colors. But they go so well together. Can't wait to get started on this for the Jelly Roll Quilt Along.

I signed up for a mystery quilt class. It was supposed to start in February. Hmmmm, it's now March and no class has started. I did buy a secondhand sewing machine to take to the class. It's just sitting here waiting to go.



So I made her a dress. Gotta keep her clean and free of dust. Hopefully soon we can travel together and have fun. She sews so smoothly. I'm glad I bought her.



If the class doesn't start soon, I can leave her on the dining table and sew there if I don't want to sew in the sewing room. It's nice to have choices sometimes!

And, yes, I still knit. I've been working on a pair of socks. They take forever. Eventually I'll have some knitting content. That's what I've been working on. How about you?

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Coming attractions

I just can't stop sewing. I'm just about done with the 50s apron. No pictures yet.


What do you think this is? A big empty coffee can, a pattern and fabric? Why, a can caddy. Of course you knew that!



I can keep all my sewing notions and tools that I need by the machine in this thing. I keep having to pull out more and more little sewing tools when I'm sewing. Now I'll have a big pretty caddy to keep them in right by the sewing machine. I could probably use a bushel basket for all the tools I have, but a can will do for now.

I keep coming across the term "Schnibbles" lately. So I just HAD to find out what that meant and then jump on the bandwagon and order a pattern. It arrived safely in my mailbox! I can't wait to start this. I've got my charm squares and background fabric all set to go.



I'll probably be working on it this weekend. I always need to keep busy when someone I love is traveling. It passes the time until they arrive safely. And it will give me something to work on while I impatiently wait for my jelly roll to get here for the Jelly Roll Quilt Along.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Charming

Charm squares. My new addiction. I can't get enough of them. And I love bags. I love making bags. From start to finish. Here are some charm squares all sewed together ready to be quilted for a totebag.




Here they are now quilted. Nice and soft and with a little bit of body to them now. I love taking pictures in the morning light.



Once all the quilting was done, by machine of course, it was time to assemble the totebag. Everything went together so easily. A very well written pattern.



And nice colorful pockets on the inside! Of course, made with more charm squares.



Done! And now I have a new totebag.

Here is where it all happens. The sewing area. I had this all straightened up and organized the other day. That didn't last long.



I just can't say away from my sewing machine lately.

Next up, another apron. I love making those too. Love the fabric I'll be using for this. Retro looking fifties housewives! I'll be making the one on the top left of the pattern envelope.



I'll be back at the sewing machine today. Impatiently waiting for the mailman to bring me some goodies I ordered.