Christmas Sewing

I have been checking off my Christmas sewing list one project at a time and making headway.  Currently I have finished a quilt and pillow cover and have 2 out of 8 Christmas stockings fully complete (sans the names emroidered) and the six others in some form of construction and also another pillow intended for a gift awaits hand quilting.  The reason I have the first two stockings complete is because they are for my first grandbaby !! I am over the moon excited about my grandson and although he isn't due to arrive until spring, I made him a stocking for my house and also one for my son and daughter-in-laws home.  I do have a picture of the quilt and pillow cover to share and when the stockings and other pillow are complete I will share those as well. I see alot of sewing for baby in my future and I am so excited.

Staying busy

Oh boy... These days seem to be filled with saddness in the news and sewing has filled my extra hours with a welcome distraction.  The latest tragedy in Las Vegas is just heartbreaking but once again I am consoled by the bravery and courage of those who risked their lives to help complete strangers in many cases.  In the face of these atrocities humanity reminds me there is so much good.  I have continued to use up scraps this week. I made 5 identical tote bags from the scraps left over from the red, black, and gray split decision quilt I made for charity.  These colors are our school colors so each of the girls I work most closely with will recieve one.😀  I also have been working on a Christmas quilt .  I took progress pictures inside so they are poor quality.  I have several other Christmas projects in the works also but I am unable to share them yet... They are secret... It is safe to say I'm anxious to show them!  Hopefully soon...

Hello Again

With the start of the school year I found myself very busy getting into the rythym at work but also determined to reduce my scrap stash.

 I mentioned in an earlier post that I wanted to finish languishing works in progress and reduce my stash ( specifically my scraps).  I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of scraps I had accumulated.  So I have been sewing in earnest to make charity quilts out of those scraps.  A coworker recently had a baby girl so I pulled out some pinks, greens, and oranges and made a stacked coins quilt for her.  Once that was done... I got to work on the others.  During this time hurricanes ravaged Houston and the surrounding areas and I decided to kick it into overdrive and finish as many quilts as I could for the "Quilts for Harvey" quilt drive through the Linus connection.  I took some quick pictures of them during their construction and then feverishly basted, quilted and bound them.  I shipped them off in haste and forgot to take photos when they were done 😕.  I hope they bring some small measure of comfort to someone who needs just that.  Although I cannot replace a lifetime of memories or a family home that has been lost, I can send a quilty hug to someone in need and let them know I care.  I have also been busy with secret Christmas sewing... Hopefully I will be able to share that soon!

Rainbow Bugs

Given the title of this post, one might asssume I've been under the influence of psychadelic mind altering substance.  Alas, that is not the case.  A few years ago I was given a ton of fabric, some scraps and some yardage.  Included in that ton was 5 yds of rainbow Volkswagen bugs on black background fabric.  I have kept it thinking sooner or later the right project would come along.  The right project came along in the form of a picnic quilt for my niece who celebrates a birthday this month
It is serendipty as she is bright and colorful just like the fabric, she just recently recieved her drivers license and also.... She drives a Volkswagen Beetle.  Here are some pictures.  They are low quality as they were taken with my phone but you get the gist. ☺

I made and atttached the tie to the back so she could easliy keep it in her car.  I hope she likes it.  Happy Birthday sweet niece of mine..

Hippy hippy shake

This weekend I decided to purge some of my stash.  I bagged up some to pass along, and started yet again another 3 projects.  I took my most colorfull scraps and played around a little bit.  I have a rough idea for one project... the other two maybe quilts for charity, I'm undecided.  One thing I know for sure is these colors brighten my sewing table and leave me feeling kinda groovy 😉.

Stay tuned for some colorful, bright, and happy finishes...

It's finished...

I finished the "camo stars" quilt.  It is washed and properly crinkled 😉 and ready to be gifted to my coworker and his wife.  Although the color palette is not anything I would normally gravitate to, I'm pleased that I was able to pull a harmonious bunch of camoflauge inspired colors together from my scraps to construct the stars.  This quilt was made entirely from fabric I already had on hand so it also put a nice dent in my scraps which is always nice.  I hope the recipients like it and I hope that this new chapter in their  lives is filled with happiness .  I decided to incorporate the cowboy boots on the back instead of on the front as originally intended.  Its been so hot here 109 degrees.  Looks like I picked a great time to move to the desert.  I snapped pictures lickety split on the fence in the backyard.  Not the prettiest as the back yard is all dirt thus far ... it is likely to stay that way too... until it cools down 😜

Camo stars

It's hard to believe it has been over a month since my last post.  I have been busy between work and moving but thought I would update my progress on the retirement quilt I have been working on.  I have finished both tbe quilt top and backing  but have not basted or quilted it yet.  Here  is a picture.  I'm hoping to finish it this weekend and then I can get my barn door quilt finished and have it on my bed.😊
  

A little of this and a little of that

I really need to get my sewing ADD under control.  There is just something about making for others that appeals to me in such a way that I easily lose focus on current projects 😉.  My scrap bins over floweth and so when a dear friend and coworker announced his retirement and pending move to Texas, I sprang into action
He has taken to wearing cowboy boots and is quite an outdoors man so inspiration came in the form.of a camouflage print fabric I've had in my stash for far to long.  I have been stealing a moment here and there to work on it and I'm using scraps so it is gratifying to see my scraps being used! Scrappy four patch stars and boots are the the theme.

Hands2Help quilt finishes

My day job is keeping me busy as it nears the end of the school year ( I work at a high school).  So not much progress on the sewing front this week.... insert sad face.  I didn't get to work on the barn door quilt I mentioned in my last post at all, but did start , or rather started cutting  fabric for a retirement quilt that is a gift for my coworker.   The Hands2Help  challenge that Sarah over at Confessions of a fabric Addict has been hosting is drawing to a close.  I intended on making 3 quilts but only made 2.  I've blogged about them in seperate posts previously but wanted to put pics of them both together in one post for the final linky party. The blue/green one went to Stash Builders Box for Camp Hobe while the pink one went to Em's Scrapbag for Happy Chemo. Here they are again.

 This was such a fun challenge and it is such a good way to give comfort to those who are going through adversity.   Sarah is so generous of her time and talents and I can't wait to participate again.

A long time ago....

A long time ago I was inspired by a sew along for the barn door quilt.  I bought batiks for it at the road to California quilt show in 2015 and got to work.  Halfway through, as usual I got distracted by other projects and set it aside.  As this quilt was for me it fell to the back burner.  Im happy to say I have the top completed and a wide backing ordered.  Im anxious to finish it and have it on the foot of my bed!

Just keep stitching...  I finished 4 identical dresden pillow covers that were commissioned for graduation gifts.  Unfortunately I have only one in process pic because I forgot to snap pictures before delivering them... doh!  I also finished the scrappy stars quilt for happy chemo and a baby quilt as well.  It is time for my machine to be taken in for service so I wanted to finish theses asap. I hope you are able to enjoy some sunshine and fabric play now that spring is in full effect 😉

Hands2Help

Happy Easter!  I have been busy moving along with completing commissioned graduation gifts, but have also completed a quilt top for the Hands2Help challenge.  It's another WIP completed and designated for Happy Chemo.  I'm pleased to be finishing this quilt and donating it to such a worthy cause.

Here comes the sun

The last four days have been nothing short of delightful.  It feels like summer and I'll take it.  My daughter in NJ is experiencing a Nor Easter.  I wouldnt trade places with her right now 😉.  On the quilting front I have been busy. While still plugging away at UFO's and baby quilts, I signed up for the Hands2Help challenge.  I like the idea of giving to worthy causes and work much better with deadlines. Im hoping this will be the extra push needed to complete these UFO's and turn them from piles of scraps into something beautiful and useful and well loved.  Take a moment to go over to Confessions of a fabric addict and read about the Hands2Help challenge she hosts each year.  I've already completed one quilt to donate and have two more in progress.  Here are a few photos of my work recent

ly.  The blue/green triangle quilt will be donated to happy chemo.  Until next time, keep on stitchin' 😊

I have been plugging away at my wip pile as I set out to do but was pleasantly distracted by a commissioned quilt for a baby shower.  My youngest daughter's best friend is having a baby girl and she is throwing her a shower 😊.  She told me what colors and we went shopping for fabric together.

Also she requested a diaper cake and that is in the works... pictures to follow as soon as it is completed.  In between I am working on a Christmas quilt for next year.  I started it three years ago so it will be nice to get it finished

Happy New Year

I successfully completed my  Christmas sewing, which this year consisted of fabric shopping bags

 Thirty of them to be exact.  I decided to work on my wip pile which is honestly overwhelming.  I have come to terms with the fact that I may have crafting add.  The idea was to attack quilt tops in all stages of completion... most just need basting.  What do I do instead?  Start two new quilts... ugghh. 😊 . I want to also grow my blog as I have been reading blogs and have gleened so much knowledge, not to mention inspiration.  I would like to share in that.  Here is just a peek of the things I have been working on the past few weeks.  I also made a total of 7 memory pillows from flannel shirts that belonged to a customers father. The picture shows just two of them.  I finished a quilt for a friend.  It was made from scraps from two other quilts I previously made.  I highly recommend the fabric grocery bag pattern by Michelle's patterns.  They are a quick make and are very roomy