Where did June go?

My goodness, I can't believe June is nearly over!  This month has flown by.  I have tried to sew as much as I can, but it seems like family, work, other chores, and out of town traveling have kept me from sewing.  Here is what I have been up to for the past few weeks.....

Hop, Skip & Jump BOM with Sew Lux Fabric
Last year I did the Designer Mystery BOM with Fat Quarter Shop and I loved it so much that I signed up for this BOM a month or two ago with Sew Lux Fabric.  I just LOVE LOVE LOVE getting an envelope of pretty fabric in the mail each month.  Our first block was a churn dash and the fabric we are using is Happy Go Lucky by Bonnie & Camille.  

Happy Birthday Table Topper

My local quilt shop is great  and they also offer many kitted items.  I just finished this one last night.  It is a Happy Birthday Table Topper from Kimberbell Designs.  It is kind of cute.  I guess the idea is to put your cake on the green and red nine patch in the center.

Sweet Land of Liberty Quilt

This is another project from my local quilt shop.  It is the Sweet Land of Liberty pattern from Kimberbell Designs.  I just basted and stitched in the ditch around the blocks last night and will hopefully finish this one up in the next few days.  There are still many embellishments to add after all of the quilting is done, but it is getting closer to being finished.

Fireworks

Yet another project from my local quilt shop!  I just love any fabric by Bonnie & Camille and really love Camille's patterns too - so joining this block of the week was a no brainer for me.  So, now I have two WIP's using Happy Go Lucky.  My local quilt shop is offering this kit as a block of the week.  Here is my block one.  I may.....no I am....currently four blocks behind already!!!  Eek!!  

Box of Chocolates - 2 twin quilts

Slow progress on this one.  I have completed 86 blocks and have a TON more to do.  Luckily I am enjoying the pattern and the lovely fabrics so it has been fun to work on.  These quilts are destined for my old college roommates little girls room.  The pattern is Box of Chocolates in the Skip the Borders book by Julie Herman.  The fabric is Vintage Modern from Bonnie & Camille.

Patio Furniture

My patio furniture re-paint project is finished!  Yay!  This one took forever it seems.  My parents decided they no longer wanted their super heavy old iron patio furniture and offered it to me - YES PLEASE!  It needed some freshening up so I repainted it in Aquatic Mist from Lowe's and just love how it turned out.

By the way, what has happened to Flickr?!  I can't figure out how to edit my photos anymore.  If you can offer any tips on how to do that, I would be grateful.  

Linking up this super long and overdo post to WIP Wednesday with Freshly Pieced.

New Wave Finish

I finished hand stitching the binding to the back of this quilt yesterday!  Woo hoo!  I was also able to throw it in the washing machine last night, so now it is nice and soft and ready for its recipient.  

As mentioned in a previous post, the pattern I used is New Wave Quilt by Elizabeth Hartman.  I really enjoyed making this quilt and would like to remake it in some brighter colors someday.  The fabric I used for this masculine version is Curious Nature by Parson Gray.  I really liked working with that fabric line and probably have enough fabric leftover to make another quilt from.

I quilted the printed sections with a stipple using Aurifil thread in coordinating colors and stitched in the ditch along the solid sashing.  As usual, I neglected to take a picture of the back, but it is the same cocoon print as photographed above but navy blue instead of green.

I am linking this finish up to Finish it Up Friday with Crazy Mom Quilts today.  Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend!

WIP Wednesday!!

Happy Wednesday!  The long holiday weekend has been throwing off my week, but I will take a three day weekend anytime I can get one.

Here is what I have been up to for the past week or two -

I finished this baby quilt for a soon to be delivered little boy.  It is kind of big, but that is OK!  More room to grow, right?!  It is made from lots of different fabrics I had acquired from a couple swaps and some Riley Blake Ginghams and Chevrons I already had.  The sashing is a gray Bella Solid, the backing is the aqua and navy Chevron print from Riley Blake and the binding is a red Bella Solid.  I stippled this quilt with some gray Aurifil thread.

Over the long weekend, I was also able to quilt this New Wave Quilt made from Curious Nature by Parson Gray.  I am about half way done hand stitching the binding to the back but forgot to take an updated picture.

I also started a new project a day or two ago.  I am making two - yes two - twin quilts for my dear dear friends little girls room.  She fell in love with the line of fabric, Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille so that is what the quilts will be made out of.  I love that line too!  The pattern I am following is called Box of Chocolates from the book Skip the Borders by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.   I am excited about this project!

Finally, over the weekend, I repainted some old iron patio furniture I recently acquired from my parents. It was an old faded black color and now it is a pretty aqua color - aquatic mist from Lowe's to be exact.  I am so pleased with this!  I have two more chairs and a large table left to paint.  

That is what I have been up to recently and can't wait to continue working on these projects....as well as the many older project just begging to be finished.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced today.  Thank you for stopping by.

Blocks for Boston

Like everyone, I was so upset and horrified about the bombings at the Boston Marathon several weeks ago.  I simply cannot understand how someone can have so much hate inside of them to attack innocent children and adults.  

When I heard the Boston Modern Quilt Guild was asking for quilt blocks to turn into quilts for the victims and affected families, I knew I wanted to help.  I made these two blocks and mailed them off today.

The colors of the marathon are blue, yellow, gray and white.  The block on the left is made with City Weekend by Oliver & S for Moda and the block on the right is made from Bella Solids.  

There is still a little time left to send blocks to Boston.  They are asking for all blocks to be postmarked by next Friday - May 24th!

Linking up this finish to Finish it Up Friday today! 

WIP Wednesday

It has been about a month since my last WIP Wednesday post.  It seems like life has been extra busy lately so there hasn't been as much time to sew.  I am hopeful things will slow down a bit for Summer and that I will have more time to play with fabric.

I made this tote for my Mom for Mother's Day.  She seemed to like it - so YAY!  The pattern I used is called Lucy's Beach Bag by Sweetwater.  This is the second time I have made this tote.  The fabric I used was Oh Deer! by MoMo for Moda fabrics and it is twill.  The lining of the bag is the same polka dotted print.

I also managed to get this quilt basted this past week.  I need to get busy quilting on this one as it needs to be finished by the beginning of June.

New Wave Quilt

Finally this week I basted another quilt!  Two quilts basted in one week - a new record!!  This quilt is for one of my dear friends soon to be born little boy.  Unfortunately this is the only picture I have of this one so far.  I added a gray border after this picture was taken.  

This quilt is a mixture of lots of different fabrics, but it mostly has Riley Blake Chevrons and Gingham's.  The baby's room is going to be bright, so this will fit in nicely.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday today at Freshly Pieced!

Pouches, Pouches, Pouches!

I don't know about you, but I am so glad it is Friday.  Yay!  I started making these pouches a few weeks ago and finished them up this week.

I am part of a local ladies service organization in my town, and this year I was in charge of the service chairs.  The service chairs were responsible for coordinating all of our organizations service activities for the year.  Since our end of year banquet is held in May, I wanted to give the service chairs a little something to thank them for their hard work but not spend a ton of money.

This one is my favorite!

When I saw this pattern on the Moda Bake Shop a few weeks ago, I thought this would be the perfect fit.  I am going to fill these pouches with candy and give them to the ladies on Monday.

The tutorial was easy to follow and this was the first time I had ever attempted a zipper.  Two broken needles later....I had twelve pouches!  I used a layer cake of Marmalade by Bonnie & Camille for Moda to whip up these sweet little clutches.  I even had 6 layer cake squares left.

Have a great weekend!  Linking up to Finish it Up Friday today.

A Late Easter Finish

Better late then never, right?!  I finished this Easter quilt up about a week ago.  It was a kit at my local quilt shop and the pattern is from Kimberbell Designs.  I think it turned out pretty cute!  

When I quilted this, I tried to challenge myself to do some different types of free motion quilting.  Behind the bunting that says Easter is a paisley design, there are some loops with the carrots and baskets, a small stipple with the bunnies and baby chicks and some swirls on the pink fabric in the chevron row.  Finally, I did some clover behind the big flowered row.  I am taking the Leah Day class on Craftsy and wanted to put my new knowledge to use!  Also in the border I attempted to quilt some flowers that was a tutorial on the Cluck Cluck Sew blog a short while ago.  

All that being said, it is hard to see the quilting in this terrible picture - but trust me - it is there!  

Linking up to Finish It Up Friday.  I am hoping to get some serious sewing time in this weekend!  Thanks for stopping by.

Honey Honey

When I first saw the line Honey Honey by Kate Spain, I was instantly smitten!  I love the fun bright colors and I especially adore the floral prints!  Really, I love everything Kate Spain designs and I am not at all embarrassed to admit that I have purchased something in every one of her lines.

This sweet little baby quilt is off to a new little baby girl named Holland.  I used the Charms Squares Baby Quilt pattern from Elizabeth Hartman to make this one.  This quilt is easy to whip up and may now be my favorite go-to baby quilt pattern!  It simply uses one charm pack and not much yardage for the top.

I quilted straight lines in the gray areas of the quilt with my walking foot and guide bar attached.  It was the first time I had used the guide bar and I will definitely be using that again.  Then I stitched in the ditch around the charm squares.

For the backing I used one of my favorite prints in the Honey Honey line, called Wayside Garden in Linen Violet and for the binding I used the print Pollen Blush.

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday today!  Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by.

WIP Wednesday

It has been about three weeks since I have updated my WIP list and linked up with Freshly Pieced.

I finished this quilt top over the weekend.  The pattern I used was New Wave from Elizabeth Hartman and the fabric I used is Curious Nature by Parson Gray.  I am making this for someone who works in my husband's office who is going to law school in a few months.  We are so excited for him and what the future has in store for him.  I really like how masculine this quilt turned out to be.

Now....full WIP disclosure....here goes....

Completed Quilt Tops - 11
These tops are awaiting basting and quilting....sigh
1.  Bounce quilt made with Flea Market Fancy
2.  On a Whim quilt made with Flora
3.  Jelly Roll Race quilt made with Tradewinds
4.  Fat Quarter Stars QAL quilt made with City Weekend
5.  Summer Sampler quilt made with Heather Bailey fabrics
6.  Wild Things quilt made with Fresh Flowers
7.  Fresh Cottons quilt top
8.  Mystery class quilt made with Pam Kitty Morning fabrics
9.  Lone Star class quilt made with Modern Workshop
10.  New Wave quilt made with Curious Nature fabrics
11.  Easter mini quilt kit from my LQS (no photo - whoops!)

Quilts in Process - 5
1.  Hexagon quilt from QuiltCon class made from Lilly Belle fabrics
2.  Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer Quilt from Vintage Modern fabrics - current on blocks!
3.  Crazy Nines quilt from 2010
4.  Piccadilly Stars quilt from 2010
5.  Hand Applique quilt from a 2010 class at my LQS

Yikes!  That is a bunch!  And I have SO MUCH fabric that I am itching to cut into for other fun things!

Oh, and on another note, I have finally claimed my little, tiny, blog on Bloglovin!  Please join me!  There is a button on my side bar for you to click.



<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5529489/?claim=hhygkkaqtab">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Thanks for stopping by!

Houndstooth: Finished!!

The Houndstooth baby quilt I started a month or two ago is finished!  Woo hoo!  I am so pleased with how it turned out.

This is for a little boy who will be born in June, so it feels good to be ahead on something - for once.  

I used Moda Bellas Solids - purple and grey for the front fabrics.  I free motion quilted this on my machine with a stipple.  I love to stipple.

The baby is going to be named Jackson and they will call him Jacks for short so I couldn't resist using the grey jacks print from the Apple Jack line by Tim & Beck for Moda for the backing.  I nerdy like that sometimes.  And of course, I forgot to take a picture of the back.

I would like to make this pattern (Houndstooth by V&Co) again someday with different colors!  The color combinations are endless!

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday today.

Meet My Machine - Bernina 750QE

I love reading about different types of sewing machines!  This time, I have decided to link up with the linky party over at The Tilted Quilt for the Meet My Machine blog hop currently going on. 

I got my new machine the week after this past Thanksgiving.  I have been in LOVE ever since.  

Bernina 750QE

My current machine is the Bernina 750QE.  I had been in the market for a new machine for awhile and I first test drove one of these beauties in October and just couldn't get it out of my mind.  I finally pulled the trigger and ordered her at Quilt Festival in Houston and picked her up the week after Thanksgiving.  I haven't officially named her, although my husband says I should name her Betty.  The jury is still out on that one.

Things I love about this machine:
REALLY EVERYTHING!  I am still learning about this machine and am scheduled to take three classes on her next week but for now I will say I love these things about the machine specifically - 

• Automatic thread cutter - how did I survive before?!
• Speed control of the machine is adjustable 
• The lights!  She is bright with 30 LED lights on her!
• Large throat space for quilting
• Pretty, pretty, pretty stitches every time
• BSR
• Super large bobbins!
• Dual feed system
• Needle up/down

I would definitely recommend this model to anyone!  I love love love this machine.  The only downside that I can note about this machine is her weight.  She is a heavy girl but that is okay with me as I don't plan on moving her around often.

The machine I upgraded from was the Singer 7469Q Confidence Quilter.  I sewed on her for almost two years and while she was great to learn to sew and quilt on, she was limited in her abilities.  I was frustrated with they way she would chew up fabric and she just had tension issues too frequently for my liking.  The tension issues were the worst when I would free motion quilt.  I do still use her as she is my traveling machine.  Here is a side by side comparison of my old and new machine.  Check out the size difference!

I also have these two machines.  The aqua one is a Singer 338 and she is a tank!  My Mom received this machine as a high school graduation gift.  I remember sewing on her, here and there, as a child and she still does work but could use a good tune up.  Funny, the machine still smells the same way that it smelled when I was a kid!  Who knows what that smell is, but I kind of like it.

I just received this black Singer from my sister as a gift this past weekend!  I know nothing about it!  I haven't even tried to turn it on yet, but she is pretty.

My sewing space needs some major organization, but I will share a few pictures anyway.  Currently I sew in the back part of our family room behind our sofa, affectionately called "The Nook."  I have some storage in the nook but the majority of my fabric lives upstairs.  I recently purchased some comic book boards to neatly organize my fabric but just haven't done it yet.  I also want to figure out a way to move my fabric downstairs to the sewing nook.  One day.  One day.

Thank you for stopping by my little blog!  I am looking forward to reading all of the machine posts!

Finish It Up Friday

I have a small finish to share this Friday.  Small, but super cute!  

I made these cute bibs from charm squares.  The pattern I used is called Charming Bibs from Thimble Blossoms.  I just love her patterns.  Her patterns are well written and totally my style!  The fabric I used is from Andover and it is called Asbury and is designed by Thomas Knauer.  I received a charm pack of this new line at Quilt Con and I really love this line - bright and fun prints - especially those ice cream cones!

I am linking up to Finishing It Up Friday with Amanda Jean today.  Happy Friday!

Has It Been a Month?!

Wow.  It has been one month since my last post!  That is terrible.  Where did the month go?  I am not sure.  I do know that I have been out of town for three of the past four weekends, so that is part of it!

Anyway, I try to sew as much as I can, when I can, and am thinking about what I want to create when I am not able to sit down at my machine.

Here are a few things I have been up to lately -

Jelly Roll Race -

My LQS had a jelly roll race a week ago.  I have made this kind of quilt top before but never raced!  It was fun!  I didn't place at the race but had a good time sewing with friends.  I used the bright and cheery fabric - Tradewinds by Lily Ashbury for this one and am pleased with how it turned out.

Houndstooth Baby Quilt -

I finished the Houndstooth Baby Quilt top that I have been working on for a few weeks.  I found myself working on this one sporadically.  Quilters A.D.D. I guess!  Anyway, I am glad it is done and need to find some fabric for the back.  This is a for a baby that is due in June so I am still ahead of the game!  The pattern is Houndstooth by V&Co and I used purple and grey Bella Solids for the fabrics.  

Hexagon Quilt -

Last month, I was fortunate enough to attend QuiltCon in Austin!  It was a great experience and I need to do a post on that so I won't forget the experience.  Anyway, one of the classes I took was taught by Jacquie Gering.  She was a great teacher and I am really glad to have taken her class. In the class we learned how to machine piece hexagons!  I am pretty slow at the process but enjoying the result.  Like the Houndstooth quilt above, I work on this one for a little while and then put it away for awhile.  I don't have a picture of my progress yet, so this is the picture from the design wall in the class.  The fabric I am using is Lily Belle by Bari J. for Art Gallery.  I love these fabrics!!

I need to go back and update all of my WIP's but I am afraid to!  Eek!  Too many to count!  Linking up to WIP Wednesday with Freshly Pieced today.  Thank you for stopping by!

A Forgotten Finish

I finished this simple patchwork quilt the first week in January and forgot to post about it.  Oops!  In December, my husband and I were given a free place to stay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  It was awesome.  A friend of ours has a timeshare there and he and his family were not able to go, so they let us use the week.  SWEET!

As a thank you I made them a quilt that reflected some of the colors I saw in Cabo.  The colors in the quilt show the different blues in the water, the different and bright colors of the buildings at the resort, and then of course the colors of the beach, rocks and flora.  

I used several different colors of Bella Solids and cut them into charm squares and just put them together very simply.  I love a basic patchwork quilt.  I quilted this one with diagonal lines going in one direction.  The binding is a scrappy binding made with some of the leftover Bella Solids.  On the back I used a gray dot print from the It's A Hoot line for Moda.  I forgot to take a picture of that.  This is also the first quilt I quilted on my fancy new machine and it was a dream!!!!

I just couldn't resist putting up this second picture with my naught puppy Sunny in it!  He looks like he is smelling up some mischief in the air!  He is a sweet but naughty boy at times - he just can't help it.

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday with Crazy Mom Quilts!

Enjoy the weekend!

WIP Wednesday

It has been a few weeks since I have linked up to WIP Wednesday with Lee at Freshly Pieced so I best link up!  I am trying to do this at least twice a month to hold myself somewhat accountable.  So here is what I have been up to for the past few weeks:

Valentine Mini Quilt - Finished!

This mini quilt was kitted up at my local quilt shop and I just love it!  Lots of machine applique, my first attempts at embroidery, flowers made from Dresden plates, and the first bunting I have made.  It is kind of cutesy but I love it.

Strawberry Fields Quilt - Finished!

Finally!  This quilt top was started around the Super Bowl in 2012 and finished around the Super Bowl in 2013.  Eek.  I am glad to have this cheery quilt finished - come on Spring!  The fabric is Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree for Moda and the pattern is Shortcake by Cluck Cluck Sew.  I will definitely re-make this pattern again.

Lucy's Beach Bag - Finished!

This project is from the monthly Label Crew offered by Sweetwater.  I love their fabrics and patterns.  This monthly project was some time in the Summer and for whatever reason I waited until February to make it!  The fabric is from their Lucy's Crabshack line for Moda in canvas and the pattern is called Lucy's Beach Bag.  The bag is far from perfect but it will do for me.  I am trying to get better at making bags - they are still a mystery to me!

Still in Process - On a Whim Quilt Top

I finally put the borders on this one!  So, now the top is complete.  Yay!  Finally!  I don't know why I lost steam on this one because I really do like the pattern and fabric.  Just too many distractions I think.  This quilt is big and I am seriously considering sending it to a long arm quilter.  I am still undecided though and obviously not in a hurry!  

We won't discuss the many many many other WIP's I referenced here......

New Project - Houndtooth Baby Quilt

This one will be a gift for one of the employees in my husband's office.  She wanted the quilt to reflect the colors of her alma mater so.....purple and gray it is.  Eek.  So, I using Moda Bella Solids in Purple and Gray to make this one.  I am enjoying making this pattern so far and trying not to rush through it.

Whew!  If you are still with me - thanks!  It has been a busy few weeks here.  I do love to unwind at night in front of my machine and create! 

Linking up to WIP Wednesday!  Next week....QuiltCon!!!

I'm going to QuiltCon!

I am so thrilled to be going to QuiltCon later this month! Yay!  I simply cannot wait to get there to learn new techniques, see some of the bloggers in person that I have been reading or following for a few years, and of course to do a bit of shopping!

My dear friend, Laura, and I are going.  We are signed up to take 3 classes.  We are taking Quilting Negative Spaces with Angela Walters, Foundation Paper Piecing with Penny Layman and Machine Piecing Hexagons with Jacquie Gering.  I am so excited to learn from these talented ladies.

I am fortunate enough to live about 4 hours from Austin so the trek for me and Laura will not be that far.  Here is a picture of me that was taken in December....in Cabo.....

Since I am essentially a brand new blogger (since late September), five new things you don't know about me won't be that hard!

1.  I met my precious husband by working in his office!  He is twelve years older than me and I worked in his office the summer between my junior and senior year in college.  Who knew we would end up dating (after I left the Summer job) and then wind up married?  Crazy.  This September we will have been married for 10 years.  Time flies.

2.  I am have three sisters.  I am number two in the line up.  They all live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and I am in East Texas.  There is a span of two years between each of us.

3.  I lived my senior year of high school with my tennis coach and his family.  My Dad's job at the time transferred my family to California for my senior year.  I wanted to play tennis in college on a scholarship and thought that moving out of Texas would impact that.  So, I stayed in Texas and did get that tennis scholarship I had worked hard for.  My parents and sisters all moved back to Texas my sophomore year of college so it truly worked out beautifully.

4.  I love this quilting/sewing hobby of mine!  I have tried many hobbies before and they just didn't stick.  I only first touched a sewing machine about 3 years ago and have been hooked ever since.

5.  My last fact is pretty random.  I haven't vomited in 18 years.  It is true.  The last time I did was my sophomore year in high school.  I am actively trying to continue this streak for many many more years.  Totally random fact.

QuiltCon....here I come!  I am really looking forward to meeting everyone.  I am linking up to the linky party with The Modern Quilt Guild.

My Favorite Schnibble of 2012

Last year I completed all 12 of the monthly Schnibbles projects.  I enjoyed making all of the projects and I really enjoyed seeing how every one's projects looked too.  It is amazing how different they can look simply because of your fabric choices.

The project is taking a break for the first part of the year but starting up again sometime this Spring I think, like maybe April or May.  I can't remember for sure.  Any hoo..... for January we are just supposed to feature our favorite Schnibble of 2012.  Here is mine - 

The name of the pattern is called Dimestore and I made it out of Ruby by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.  I just love their pretty fabrics!!  

Here is a close up of my stippling.  I am still trying to get better and have lots of fun quilting like crazy.  I actually have incorporated this into our very limited Valentine decor.  Love the pretty colors.

Please be sure to check out every one's favorites on both Sherri and Sinta's blogs.  Thanks for stopping by!

Two Finishes!

I have two finishes to share this week.  I still have several WIP's but am so glad to have a couple of finishes.

First up, is this baby quilt I made for a shower this week.  This is for a little boy.  The fabric I used is called Mischief by Nancy Halvorsen for Benartex.  I must confess, I didn't love this line when I first bought the charm pack, but now I like it a lot more.  The green is a sweet little plaid I picked up at my LQS.

 

The second finish I have to share is my Let it Snow mini quilt.  As I mentioned last week, I broke one of the little man's eyes - so I had to go get another button!  He is all fixed up now though - and quilted and bound.  I think he is kind of cute.

I have finally joined the rows together on my On a Whim quilt top.  It seems like I have been working on this one forEVER!  I still need to add the borders to this one and then the top will be complete.  Hopefully I can get that done this week and remember to take a picture!

Linking up again this week to Fabric Tuesday and WIP Wednesday!  Thank you for stopping by!