Catching UP

My last post was photo heavy of quilt shows pictures so today I will catch you up with what I've been up to in my sewing room. 

Besides sewing 2 quilts tops for my nieces wedding coming up this fall (pictures later), I made this bag for my mom's birthday.

It has 2 side pockets and the ties allows for the bag to open wide if you need extra room.

 Inside it has a large zippered pocket and on the other side, 2 open pockets.

The pattern is from Clover and Violet.

July's color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is Teal. Here is my block.

And for creative therapy, I have been spending 15 minutes of play. Made fabric based on Victoria Findlay Wolfe's book. 

Don't they go well with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge?

Now that July is here, my June calendar pages are complete.

What have you been doing?

I'm back...

graphic by Madame Samm

Welcome 2013! 

I hope this year will be blessed with peace and love around the world. Have you made any New Year resolutions? One of mine is to go to the gym...got a gym membership for Christmas! Another is to work out of my stash as much as possible...limit fabric purchases. That is always a challenge.

It has been a struggle to find time to post about what's been happening around here for several reasons. Besides it being the holidays, I was having trouble with uploading photos and also needed to update my blog interface as it couldn't be read on mobile devices. Took me a while to figure things out but I think I works now. 

I did do some sewing for gifts. I saw this cute bag on Pinterest. It is called It's a Cinch Bag by Katy @ Sweet Verbena. I made it for my mom.

The main fabric is linen and the lining and handles are a heavy weight cotton, all from my stash! It has a zipper closure and a zippered pocket in the lining.  

It is quite large! Plenty of room for lots of stuff.

I also made 3 new Christmas ornaments. It is my family tradition to make and exchange an ornament each year. 

I saw so many cute ones I couldn't just make one. 

Gingham stars and Homespun Candy Canes were found on Pinterest. 

A Spoonful of Sugar

Eyeballs By Day, Crafts by Night

I found Scrappy Stocking on Threadbias.

Jenny @ Stumbles & Stitches

I also have been trying to keep catch up on the Easy Street Mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter. 

I never was able to catch up enough to actually link up but I was poking along. I only made half a 'recipe' since I didn't want the finished size so big. I will have to make a few more of each block once I consider the layout. Here are my complete steps.

4 patch

flying geese block

shaded 4 patch and green triangles

 more flying geese and green squares

 house block

double bar and large squares (waiting to be cut into quarter triangles)

Tomorrow I will start putting together the blocks and layout. 

I also have another baby quilt started and I'm waiting to find space/time to sandwich my completed Craftsy BOM flimsy. That's for another day.

The winner is...me!

Last month I visited many blogs in the giveaway day sponsored by Sew, Mama, Sew!  It was a lot of fun visiting so many talented people out in blogland.  One blog I visited was sleepy time sewing and guess what?  I was chosen as one of her winners!  I patiently waited for the package to arrive and it finally did on Thursday!! Here is what I won!

 One hundred 2 1/2" vintage fabric squares!  Yummy! Thanks Leigh!

Another of my favorite blog to visit is Krista over at Poppyprint. She is a very talented young mom and quilter!  She has recently been published in a new quilting magazine from Canada, Quilter's Connection magazine! Go over and check out her blog. You will fall in love!

And finally, another little bag I made.  These bags are so cute and fun to make.  

That's all for now!  A busy day...hope the weather holds off...

This and That

Memorial Day weekend was a beautiful weekend spent outside, inside and with good friends!  Friday night I spent sewing and made this:

I saw this on a blog and linked to the free pattern but then couldn't find the original blog where I saw it made.  Does that ever happen to you?  Anyways...I just love it...look at all the ruffles.  I will add that the instructions are not very detailed...not for a beginner.  I needed to change the size of the binding strip, added an inside pocket [all bags need pockets], and needed to adjust sewing together the lining and bag to make them fit better.  I must say that there is plenty of room inside!!

Saturday was mostly spent outside cleaning the gardens, planting flowers, and washing windows.  There is something about clean sparkly windows that leave the sunshine in! A productive day!  On Saturday evening, my hubby and I spent the evening watching the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Playoffs!  While I am not a hockey fan, I am a Chicago sports fan!  It was a great high scoring game and the Hawks came out on top!! One down and 3 to go!  Of coarse, my hands could not be idle so I worked on a little stitchery.  A peek a little later...

Sunday, another beautiful day!  After church, I decided to sandwich and quilt my Happy Camper surprise quilt.  I still need to quilt the borders and then bind it!  Almost done!  In the late afternoon, spent time with hubby preparing and planting the vegetable garden.  Nothing like fresh veggies from the garden!!

On Monday, we were invited to our dear friends home for breakfast, Memorial Day parade and relaxing fun!  We love this family like our own!  Here is a picture of Ruth's breakfast table...

We arrived home to settle in and watch the last 2 periods of the Blackhawks game!  Another exciting game with the Hawks coming out with the WIN!  I did a lot better watching and following the plays.  Hockey is a very fast moving and physical game!  2 down, 2 to go!  Go HAWKS!!

I finished the stitchery block that I started working on.  Here's a peek:

Note to self: Must prep another block!

Hope your long weekend was as productive and enjoyable as mine!  

UPDATE...finally

Again it has been a while since I have been able to get around to my blog.  There has been a lot going on following my daughter, Kirsten's graduation.  She arrived home on Monday, May 3rd and started packing up her things.  She has moved to South Dakota and has started her new job.  On the Friday before she left,  our wonderful family friends hosted a Open House/Art Gallery to show her work.  Here are a few pictures...

Early Saturday she was headed for Rapid City, South Dakota.  That same night, May 8th, our oldest daughter, Brit, graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in Art Education.  Yay!! We are so proud of her! Here are a few pictures from her graduation.

Receiving her diploma!

CONGRATULATIONS BRIT AND KIRSTEN!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! WELL DONE!

The very next day was Mother's Day.  My daughter's did a nice job making me feel special! Take a look.

AND now for an update on the little bit of sewing I have been able to get done...I finished 5 more little bags and added a some bling.  I also knitted a pair of fingerless gloves to help out a friend (no picture).

Also, coming May 21st is the Friday Night Sew-In hosted by Heidi and Bobbi.  Head on over here to join the fun!  It's a great way to devote some serious time to catching up and maybe win a prize!

One last picture from my spring gardens.  Pretty...

That's all for now.  As summer comes, I will have more free time for the things I love! 

Happenings...

I'm back for a brief update.  It has been very busy around here but exciting! Our 2nd oldest daughter, Kirsten, graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University yesterday!  We attended a very beautiful Baccalaureate Ceremony on Friday and then Graduation on Saturday.  We are so proud of her and her boyfriend, Mike! Here are a few pictures...

This coming week will be a crazy one as Kirsten comes home and gathers her things to move to South Dakota to start her new job and adventure.  At the same time, we are preparing for our oldest daughter, Brit, to graduate from University of Illinois - Chicago next Saturday.  I'm preparing for the emotional roller coaster that this week promises to be!  Tears have already been shed and I'm sure there will be many more, both of joy and sadness!

On the sewing front, I have been able to work on a few things!  I have started 2 lap quilts, one having the top almost pieced and the 2nd one well on its way (no pictures, sorry), I completed 2 of these adorable little bags, directions here, and here, and I have finished all but 2 of the 96 blocks on my red and white quilt.

Aren't these bags cute!  I need to add some bling to the zipper to finish them off.  I will be making several more.  What I haven't done is work on my husband's Mariner's Compass.  Sigh!  I need a good solid block of time and I just don't have it right now.  It will have to wait a little longer.  That's it for now!

EDIT: I finished the last 2 blocks - a total of 96 blocks - of my red and white 2-color quilt - Robbing Peter to Pay Paul!