To Do List 2014

Wow can you believe that we are on the Eve of a brand New Year!!!  This time of year everybody seems to be list people including myself.  I have a lot of different lists going on but the only one I'm really excited about is my sewing list.  It's not really a to do list but  a sewing wish list. 

First we need to start with the WIPs and UFOs:

Star Flower Quilt Along:  Still in beginning of piecing phase
Virtual Quilting Bee: Need to make two of each of the last 6 blocks
Tula Pink's City Sampler: about 3/4 of the blocks done
Christmas Quilt: Front is 90% done and back is in piecing phase
Medallion Along:  Need to finish quilting and binded
Star Surround Quilt: Front done, have an idea for the back
2.5 Quilt: Need sandwiched, quilted and binded
Sisters' Ten BOM:  Front done, no idea for the back yet


That list isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It would be nice to get some of these finished but as long as I make some steps forward in each project I will be happy.  This list has not deterred me from starting on some new fun stuff. 

There are lots of QALs I've got my eye on as well as BOMs and you know I'm going to try to squeeze in a swap here and there. 

Lucky Star BOM from Don't Call Me Betsy
Sew Retro Kitchen from Quiet Play
Tone it Down QAL from American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine
Polka Dot Bikini from my new found friend Sharon over at Fabrics and Flowers
Star Light Star Bright QAL from Happy Quilting
I am also now part of the 2014 Stash Bee, a big shout out to Hive 11

Super exciting stuff!!!! 

Also another goal that is somewhat related is to redesign my blog, taking better pictures for my blog, and posting more on my blog.  I know I've been playing hooky but I felt a bit overwhelmed for a moment and decided to get back to sewing without obligations to get myself motivated again and I'm coming back with a bang in 2014.  I'm hoping to learn a lot more not just about sewing but designing!!!

Happy New Years to all of you beautiful sewing people and may your year be filled with lots of joy and happiness.  Thanks for all your support to this newbie last year. 

Sister's Ten BOM Finished

I started my quilting journey back in March and I still remember a couple of my first.  The first blog I followed was none other then Amanda over at Crazy Mom Quilts and she got me so excited and inspired to do so much more.  But it was the Sisters' Ten BOM that I would say was my first real taste of creating a block.  At first I didn't realize there was math involved and I kind of thought you cut these shape out and sew it together but really there are steps that need to be taken for it to really work.  I learned so much from this BOM and I can really see my skills improving with each block from the piecing to my fabric choice. 

Here are my first blocks, like I said before I would've tried to cut out triangle, pieced them together and crossed my finger hoping it would turn out alright.  This was my first experience with HSTs. 

 

 I liked this BOM so much I joined lots of other things along the way such as SALs, QALs, and a virtual bee.  At this point I seemed to have my hands in everything and to be honest I got a bit overwhelmed.  So I got a little behind after these blocks. 

 

 

I would say it was a combination of having too much on my plate and this block that did me in.  I really had a hard time making one of them because I wasn't in love with it and I couldn't get past it for a while.  I saw what others were doing with it on the Flickr page and that really got me inspired. 

 

 

In the end, November came and it was time to put the top together and I was 4-5 sets of blocks behind but I was so in love by the way the top was suppose to turn out that I was determined to make them all and get a complete top.  The blocks are  put together in the most unique way to make this beautiful top. 

 

 

 

 I am absolutely in love with it.  It's so different from everything else I've made this past year and it really shows how much I've learned.  The last two blocks are my favorite and I would say reflects my style the best s far as fabric choices. 

 

 

 

 

Overall I would say I am extremely happy with this BOM and this is the first to many more.  Linking up my finish over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Finally Blogging Again!!!

Super exciting stuff here.  I've been avoiding blogging and sewing altogether with.  Honestly I thought I lost all of my sewjo.  I mean I've been trying to get into it with making a Christmas quilt out of the blocks I got from my wonderful bee, We Bee New, and believe me the block I assigned them was incredibly not fair on my part, it being my first bee I'm afraid I broke some bee etiquette but my ladies pulled through and I got the most amazing blocks that inspired me to do quite a bit with them.  Still I got about 3/4 of the way there for the top and then put it aside.

Today I had no plans for sewing but I looked over at my sewing table and saw the projects piling up and then it hit me.  I wanted to finish my Sisters' Ten BOM quilt.  I finally had all the blocks made and all the background fabric cut up and ready to go.  I decided to sew it all together once and for all. So I just did it.  It took 3 hours on and off but its done and I can't wait to share my experience with y'all when I can get some pictures taken. 

Now as far as blogging goes, I haven't stopped reading everybody else's blogs I just neglected mine a bit.  But I no longer have any excuses seeing as how we just got a new laptop thanks to Black Friday.  Before this I had to do blogging through my iPad or a very old desktop with a loose mouse and neither made it convenient or fun but I feel like this is way better and definitely more reliable.  Now all I got figure out is how to get pictures onto this thing.  Oh before this I did all my picture taking for the blog with my phone even though I have a really great camera I wasn't able to connect it to the iPad so I'm hoping with the new laptop I can get good quality pictures to share. 

I am very blessed to be able to do what I love and I'm very thankful that the quilting community is such a wonderful place to share all of it with.  Can't wait to keep blogging, sewing, and blogging some more. 

Swapping Friday

We all know the best thing about being in a swap is receiving the package from your partner.  Sure the sewing for your partner is also important but its all about the happy mail.  This week I got two of those and I'm a big geek about it because I don't open it unless my whole family is present.  I feel like its the little moments that count and they need an audience. 

First off I got this from the Strawberry Pincushion Swap.  My partner was  from California.  I love everything about it.  Usually I would give the sweets to the kiddies but I'm going to hold on to these a little longer for something extra special.

Next is my Halloween Swap.  This came in a big UPS box and wrapped with care from Sheri.  Just the gift bag and tissue paper alone was exciting.  (I know I'm super cheesy)  In the bag was some beautifully made coasters and a table runner to match.  Something about handmade things, there is such a sense of specialness.  This table runner was all I needed to be satisfied, I kept touching it as if it was my blankie or something (Please don't judge).  I love the little pouch but the little one claimed it and promised to share the candy inside it with her older sister.  There was also this adorable card and pumpkin silicon pad.  Last but not least a flour sack tea towel that I will not be using but for display, it's too special.

I finally got my own package ready to be sent out with the assistance of the UPS box and some of the tissue paper.  I made the Market Tote and Pincushion from the Patchwork Please SAL, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, killing two birds with one stone.  A couple of baskets using this tutorial from Pinterest.  Last  a fancy folded star hot pad, I almost felt like I was cheating on my husband with this one since he's been all up on me about making more for a quilt he wants.  That's another story for another day.  I packed some extra goodies and off it goes. 

To top off the day we baked some yummy cookie and cream cupcakes for my daughter to take to school to celebrate for 5th birthday.  I can't believe how old she's getting, if it was up to her she would be the older sister. 

What a wonderful finish to a week and the weekend is just to begin.  Can't wait to share.  Oh and one last goody of the week I was at the library returning some stuff and the copy of Doctor Who Series Seven Part 2 was there on hold for me and I've already watched it all and boy do I miss myself some Doctor.  Thanks for stopping by.

Linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts.

What I'm hoping to get done...

October is here and my little one is going to be 5 in a few days.  Then there's Halloween Yay!!!!
This month I'm going to do some catching up which includes:

Finishing up Patchwork Please! Zakka SAL 2.0.  I have 3 projects that need to be done by this Sunday.
Catch up with the Tula Pink City Sampler, I think I'm 20 blocks behind Yikes.
Catch up with the Virtual Quilting Bee QAL, 4 x 2each behind.
Catch up with the Sister's Ten BOM, 2 to 3 months behind.
Finish my items for the Halloween Swap and send it out by the 15th.
If there's any time left I would love to finish quilting my Medallion quilt. 

This list doesn't look too scary.  Happy October everyone.  Linking my goals over at the usual spot for ALYOF.

Strawberry Love!

I've got myself into a few more swaps but the most recent one is the Strawberry Pincushion Swap hosted by Erin @ Why Not Sew?  and let me tell you the stuff coming out of this group are the most adorable things ever. 

Today was the mailing date and of course I wasn't at the post office until 4:30 in the pouring rain.  But I got it out and that's all that counts.

 

I can't wait to see what my partner made me, whatever it is I'm sure it will be incredible.  Next up is the Halloween Swap and I just signed up for the Autunm Swap yesterday hosted by the lovely Martha Fipps.  I think that will be the last of year.  (Who am I kidding?)  Have a great weekend everyone.

 

I'm linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts!

Finished my First Market Day!!!

It's amazing how fast this month flew by.  I mean it really went right over my head and now here is October.  This month my goal was to make it through my first ever Market Day and here were some of my worries:

Was I going to have enough stuff?
How do I price things?
Would I sell anything?

I was so stressed it was ridiculous!!! I was putting so much pressure on myself, I really wanted to make money.  That's not why I sew but I felt like if I made money I could justify this very expensive and time consuming hobby.  You know what they say about turning a hobby into a job, you end up not enjoying it anymore. I finally gave up half way through the month and said there was no point in worrying and what happens was going to happen.  With that in mind instead of sewing I spent the week before reading The Fault in Our Stars, a very good simple read to make you appreciate life and love.  Not productive for Market Day but very much in calming my nerves.

The day of it rained all morning.  I mean really rained but we set up as late as possible to try to keep things dry.  Luckily about an hour in the rain stopped and the sun came out and honestly it got really beautiful and this gave us a chance to just sit outside and enjoy it. 

A panoramic shot, thanks to the iphone upgrade the night before, of the whole booth.

I painted some bunting a white tablecloth from Target. 

My sign that blew over at least 15 times the whole day.  I easel I had gotten the day before at a yard sale for 75 cents. 

I made some bags and pouches to sell.  You might recognize most of these quilts from previous post.  This owl quilt is my newest one I made specifically for this day.  I made some matching pillows.  I also put a lot of things I made from the Patchwork Please! Zakka 2.0 SAL for sale.  The book quilt from that was the only quilt  I sold and it was a very exciting moment.  Most of my decoration came from Target's clearance section and believe me some buyers were more interested in those than my things lol.  The idea of bunting on the tablecloth and my sign came from Pinterest. 
The end result was I didn't sell very many items but I sold enough to feel like it was a successful day plus it paid for all the food and lemonade we bought while we were there.  I priced my items at wholesale price = (10/hr + cost of material) x 2 which I felt was very comparable to others pricing and I definitely had enough stuff to sell.  I plan to sell everything else through my Etsy store. 

I was very happy with the way my booth looked and thanks to my hubby my quilts were displayed beautifully.  It gave me a chance to see all the pretty things I made in a pretty way.  Our tent was blue and that wasn't my first choice (I was imagining white) but it was on sale and you can't argue with great pricing so I tried to make the rest of my decorations match and went with a blue/purple theme and in the end I wouldn't change a thing.  I'm very proud of the way everything looked and it was a booth I would've shopped in and been like oohhing and aahhhing at everything.  I'm also very proud of my products, especially my quilts.  Again I know I'm bias but you don't often get the chance to just sit there and enjoy the fruits of your labor and I got that wonderful opportunity thanks to the support of my hubby and my family. 

We all had a really good time. 

Linking up for a ALOYF and Crazy Mom Quilts.

This Little Piggy is Going to Market

I'm going to be attending my first Market day at the end of this month so I really have to concentrate on making stuff for that. I want to make bags, kitchen items, and crossing my fingers to finish at least two more quilts.  I also have to create a booth and that itself is going to be a huge project.  So my goal for September is to be able to make it through Market Day and share all the wonderful first of being a booth vendor. Hope you guys  have a great September and see you on the other side. 

Linking my goal up at Sew BitterSweet Designs.

Down to one post a week...

So it looks like I'm a one post a week kind of gal these days.  I don't like it but it is what it is.  I still share stuff on my flickr page but when it comes to writing a full post I find myself a bit overwhelmed throughout the week.  I've started working full time again due to shortage of employee at work and its kicking my butt. 

It's that time again where I get to look back and see what I got done this month.

 

These are the blocks I got done for the City Sampler QAL. Blocks 28-35.

1. Mail Organizer from Patchwork Please! 2. Star Blocks 3. Quilted Squared Quilt

4. Back of Squared Quilt 5. Medallion QAL top 6. Hexi Trivet from Patchwork Please!

7. August We Bee New block 8. Star Surround QAL top 9. Market Bag from Patchwork Please!

I finished two tops this month and one quilt.  I feel pretty awesome.


August flew by so fast and I have a feeling September will do the same.  I have my first Market Day September 21st so my goal for this month is to survive that.  I plan to use this month to make stuff I can sell so I won't be blogging until that is over with.  I will continue to do the Patchwork Please SAL because I can sell all those cute things but all the other-a-long will have to wait until October. Hopefully I won't bet too far behind. 

Hope everyone else had a great month of sewing and many more to come.  I'm linking up my finishes at Bittersweet Designs for a A Lovely Year of Finishes  . I guess I'll do one more post for my September goals but that's it, it's so hard not to share with you guys. 

Thanks for checking out some of my stuff.

A check off the To-Do list.

I finally finished this beauty.  I love everything about it.  All the fabric but the pink for the back was from my stash.  The block came together easily, and the quilting on it was a simple diamond with straight lines.  I taped off my lines to keep them as straight as possible.  This is the biggest quilt I have yet to finish. 

Ready to go to the post office when I am thanks to an old friend that was able to sneak the address to me. 

I was also able to finish my Medallion QAL's top.  I am honestly lost about what to do for the back.  Any ideas? 

Now for the other gazillion things on my list.  Since making my August to do list I have added a star QAL from Crafty Fox and two othe quilts that I want to get done before I go to my first Market Day in September.  I wanted to make a second owl quilt, this time the full size and with fall colors and a smaller version of Looptastic from Modern Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman.   Not counting the fact that I have to make a lot more stuff to sell as well as for the display.  My head is spinning. 

I honestly have not been working on my BOMs but I do have to get my August block done for We Bee New.  We'll see how much I get done this weekend. I'm linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF over at Sewing By Moonlight.  Come check out what everybody else got done. 

Come check out my sewing space or spaces.

Have you seen Studio Spotlight hosted by Ellison Lane?  I always love seeing where everyone else sews.  It gives me idea of what would make my own sewing space more efficient.  Like everyone else I would love to have a dream room filled with all the necessary shelving and a center island for cutting and a wall big enough for a design wall (and of course a cleaning fairy to put everything back neatly after a sewing session) but that is not happening anytime soon for me and a lot of others so I love to see everybody else's improv. 

I started sewing back in March and since then I have moved from the basement on my industrial Juki, great for piecing not so much quilting, to upstairs in my living room with my beautiful Janome Horizon 12000.  I convinced my husband to let me keep it upstairs for a while so I could learn how everything worked. 

These are my keeping it real pictures

 

I've always done all my cutting upstairs on this beautiful Dora the Explorer table.  It is honestly the best height for me to sit on the couch and watch TV and do cutting.  The only thing is my table got left outside from a birthday party and rained on so its beginning to sag in the middle. 

I use to press on a little dorm size ironing board until I started making some serious quilts and my husband got me a big girl ironing board.  I always get all paranoid about hurting someone with my iron so everytime I step away, even if its off, I yell "the iron's hot".

Since I've started writing this post I really want to make my basement space my own and have been cleaning it out again to combine my sewing spaces into one sewing room.  It isn't the easiest since it is the space for my stock pile, you heard me right, a stock pile because I happen to be a couponer as well.  Wish me luck and hopefully next time I share my sewing area it will actually be a room. 

Quick Weekend WrapUp

This weekend I finished:

 

With some first time machine binding

I have to say that again this was one that I was really looking forward to making but without this SAL I would've dragged my feet and even if I did start it would've been a WIP for a while.  I really love the way it turned out.  There's ribbons at the top for hanging, I just didn't have a rod to put through it.  

I also finally got caught up again with the City Sampler blocks:

 

I'll be linking up my finishes over at Debbie from A Quilter's Table and Sew Sweetness.

 

Friday!!!

I can't believe it's been close to two weeks since I've posted anything and it doesn't really feel like it has been that long.  Between camping last weekend and school starting this week I feel like my head is spinning. 

I did however get a very lovely package in the mail before we left for camping.

This was from the Triple Zipper Pouch Swap.  My partner was from Nevada and she definitely filled it with lots of goodies.  This one is more for looking than eating.  I don't know how everything fit but I'm glad it did.

It gave me the push to finish mine and get it in the mail. Too bad I didn't get any pictures so I hope my partner will post a picture when she receives it. I'm definitely a procrastinator when it comes to getting stuff to the postal office so I finished cutting up the fabric for the Low Volume Fat Eight Swap and the Heather Ross Charm Swap and got that sent out as well.  Poor Whitney from my We Bee New group had to wait for my tardy blocks.  I have no problem sewing them in time, it's that darn trip to the post office.  With all that said I'm all caught up on my swaps for now.  YAY!!!

I am also caught up with the Star Surround QAL.  I've got all 9 lovely stars sewn and pressed ready to be surrounded.

                 

 

I'm missing block 28 and 36 and then I'll be caught up with the City Sampler SAL.

Next up this week I need to play catch up with all my BOMs and my Patchwork Please! Zakka SAL.

I also have my "Squared" quilt quilted,  I just need to finish hand binding it and maybe a label of some sort .  I'm afraid this is the easy part, next up is finding the address for the recipient.  As this quilt is for an old classmate that is going through a rough journey with breast cancer, we weren't really friends but I knew her enough to know what a great person she is. 

I'm linking up at Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIFF over at [Amy's] Crafty Shenanigans.  Have a great weekend everyone.