Valentine Scrap Quilt

This is my finished quilt. I've used up almost all of my Valentine fabric scraps. I used a soft pink flannel for the backing, also from my existing stash. I washed and dried to give it that qreat 'krinkly' look. I think it turned out great. The blocks inside the quilt were cut to 5" square. I added the border and strips just to mix it up a little. This was the first time I used a single layer binding and that was because I only had a small ammount of that fabric and the store was sold out too. I actually liked the single layer binding. It was cut on the straight of grain and was 1.5" wide. It went on really easily. I'm sorry for the quality of the photo. I hope to get a better one soon, but I was in a hurry to share. I hope you are all working on using your scraps, too.

Last year, I made some cute table runners from my Valentine scraps. Here is the link:
http://sewmanythingstosay.blogspot.com/2010/02/quilted-valentine-table-runner.html

Happy Sewing~
Susan

Two Sewing Goals for 2012!

Hey there. As I mentioned in my last post, I am SEW excited about the new year. There is something so neat about new beginnings. And, as always happens, as soon as Christmas is over, I want to organize everything.That brings me to my first sewing goal.

1. Organize all of my fabric and sewing supplies.

Even though I just set up my studio a year ago, when we moved into this house, sadly there are still boxes that are not unpacked. Also, everytime I do a project my studio gets more and more dishoveled.

To show you how this un-organization takes it's toll, I'm going to share a true blonde moment with you. Feel free to laugh, it's pretty funny.

I was looking for my 1930's reproduction fabrics last night. I looked everywhere and I just couldn't find them. I have a ton of them, cause I've been collecting them for years. Well, I had given up and went to bed feeling defeated. I was lying there a while when all of the sudden I thought of a place to look. I got up and looked in my rolling sewing machine case that was under one of my cutting tables. There was definatley something in there.....but it wasnt fabric. No, it was wrapped Christmas presents for my kids. But...they were not from last month, Christmas 2011. NO! They were from Christmas 2010! I knew I was missing two gifts from that year but there was a whole case full. Wow! I'm a good hider, for sure.

Hidden Gifts from 2010

Now to my second sewing goal.

2. To use my stash of fabric.

Yes this has been a goal in the past but I am hopeful that I can do a lot better this year. I have found two ways to help me in this. The first is that I signed up to do a block of the month club at Craftsy. This looks really fun. For beginners it is great because each block is made with a video instructor. She makes the entire block with you. For those of us who are a litte more advanced, you can also get printed instructions. I hope you'll check it out. I plan on using my 1930's fabrics....um...that is if I ever find them. Anyway, this would be a good way to use up your stash.



A second way to use my stash is to use my scraps. I love, love, love the look of scrappy quilts. I can't throw those pretty little scraps away, just like our ancestors couldn't and they used every little piece. I was very exciting when I found Pleasant Home's Sew Scraps Along. They have some beautiful ideas and tutorials of how to use your scraps. I love a challenge and the thought of sewing scraps with others. I plan on participating and I hope you do too.



So, these are my first two sewing goals for 2012.

1. Organize my fabric and sewing supplies.
2. To use my fabric stash.

Participating in the Block of the Month and the Sew Scraps Along will surely help my with goal #2.

A personal goal I have is to lose 20 to 30 more pounds. I've lost almost 40 since August. I plan to be at my college weight by my Birthday in the spring. I hope and pray that you can meet your personal goals and that you make time for your self by sewing or crafting or whatever brings you joy. God bless you in 2012.

Happy Sewing!!
Susan

My First Eight Strings Blocks

I finally got started on my Strings Quilt. I am using scraps of fabric and all those scraps of batting that I have accumutlated. I am using the quilt as you go method. I am really excited about this quilt. I think it is going to be really cute. I think I will give this quilt to my youngest daughter.

I have also been working on my 39 Squares Stitch along embroidery. I think it is going to be alot of fun. And....I have finished embroidering five blocks for the Free Seasons Quilt Along.

Have I done anything I had on my sewing "to do" list, iike make drapes or Easter dresss? That would be a big fat NO. I will, however, get to it tomorrow...hopefully.

Happy Sewing!!
Susan

Update on my Dresden Plates

I started off kind of slow today. I couldn't breath because of my cold for the last two nights, so I barely slept for two nights in a row. With the kids coming in and out of my room all morning, I really didn't rest but didn't get in the studio til after noon either. I sewed all of my cut out dresden plate pieces. I only started with one charm pack, the Friends and Flowers by Moda. I need to get another one asap. I won't do a tutorial on these, because there are a lot of good ones out there already. I will say to be sure and clip your corners before turning and I love the the wooden "turny thing". My dresden ruler by Darlene Zimmerman came with it's own "turny thing". Good idea!

I can't wait to get these stitched together, but I am happy with the progress I have made so far. Turning and ironing them all is a job in itself.

I was excited to get an email today about the Potholder Pass 2. I got the name and colors for my person and my mind is already whirling with ideas. I have been to her blogs and am trying to find out what her tastes are through her blog.

Oh....can you see me doing the happy dance? Well, I am. I just checked the mail and have already gotten my package from Pink Chalk Fabrics. I received my two patterns and my Studios magazine. I just ordered them 2 days ago. Bravo, Pink Chalk! You rock!! I am gonna post my pics for you and dig into my package of goodies. I feel like a kid at Christmas. If I still have time after that, I may go cut out some of my Conkerr Cancer pillow cases.

Happy Sewing!
Susan

Sewing and Movies

I am feeling a little better today. Well, enough to sew anyway. It just so happens that my favorite movie and series is having a marathon today. I just adore the "Love Comes Softly" series from Hallmark. They are running the movies back to back all day. I plan to stay in my jammies, sew and watch the movies. I love watch tv or movies while I sew, especially when I have seen it before so I can picture what is going on and not have to pay constant attention to the tv screen. I don't have a tv in my new studio yet, so I will have to move to the living room.

What about you? Do you like to sew while the tv is on or do you find it distracting? I would really love to hear your comments on it.

My sewing for the day will be to sew some Dresden plates. I cut them out last night out of the Friends and Flowers charm pack. I haven't made a dresden plate quilt yet but I am excited to start. Also, I have a ton of Koncerr pillow cases to make.

It is cold and rainy today and I am so grateful to be able to stay home and sew. Happy Sewing!!
Susan

Joseph's Coat Quilt A Long

Ok, Ok, I know I have way too many unfinished projects. But I have fallen in love with a new quilt. I found the blog "Don't Look Now" and she is having a quilt a long using the pattern Joseph Coat. The technigue is similar to one I use in Hexagon pattern. It looks so fun and a good way to use some of my fabric. I can't wait to get started. I would start tonight, but I need more printer ink (grrrr). I will post pics of my blocks as soon as I can. Happy quilting!!

http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/josephs-coat-quilt-along-.html

Quilted Valentine Table Runner

I had the top of this runner pieced for a few weeks. I spent today quilting and binding it. I finished just in time to use it for the girl's Valentine Party we are having Friday night. I love mindless projects like this, where you don't have to think a whole lot...just sew. Good therapy today.

Sewing, Sewing and more Sewing

Anyone who sews knows there are many different kinds of sewing. There is what I call "utilitarian sewing" which involves sewing for practicality. There is "work sewing" which involves sewing for the purpose of making money. There is "gift sewing" that is when you make gifts for someone you love. Then there is plain ole "therapy sewing". Therapy sewing is when life is beating you up and you just have to escape to your sewing space and create....just for survival purposes. Sometimes these forms can overlap from one category to another. For instance, I just finished make drapes that I was commissioned to make. These were both "utilitarian" and "work" sewing. They were a little on the boring side, but very helpful because they will buy us groceries this week. Last week, I was able to do some "gift" sewing, one of my favorites. I helped my oldest daughter make a quilt for her boyfriend for his birthday and I embroidered two baby blankets for a friend who just had a baby. These blankets were already embroidered, one with a monkey and one with Santa. All I had to do was embroider the babies name and make it very personal. New parents just love to see their new baby's name in print or thread as the case may be.
I am posting pictures of the gift sewing projects. Then I am headed to my studio to do some much needed "therapy sewing". Life is kicking my butt right now and I need a refresher...it's my kind of "re-boot". Hopefully, I will feel human soon and get back to "work sewing". I am making cloth, fitted diapers to sell. I will post detail and pictures later. To all of my fellow sewists.... Happy Sewing! and don't let the bad guys win.

New Quilt Completed

I finally finished a quilt for my Dad. I started it about three years ago and I bought the fabric almost 8 years ago, when I worked at Granny's Trunk it Lakeland. My dad has been constructing things my whole life, so when I saw this fabric with power tools and screws and nails, I just had to have some. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it and I didnt really get enough of it. I had to add thses other solid colors to it and I used almost every inch of it. When I bought the solid backing, I was short changed by 1/2 yard from the lady at the fabric store. That meant more piecing for the back. I think it looks pretty cool, but unfortunately I had to cut two inches off the front borders. I am very glad to have it finished in time to give it to him for Christmas.

My Latest Quilt

I have spent most of the week working on this quilt. It is called Emma's Quilt and it is is made with 2.5" strips. I was able to use some of my scraps from jelly rolls and charm packs, but I had to add some pinks and greens. Stash Busters would be somewhat happy. I did use backing and batting from my stash. Yay! This quilt was made for a friend at church who is having a baby shower tomorrow. I am done just in the nick of time. I just finsished the binding and sewing on the label. I really enjoyed making this quilt. I think I will make another one to sell.

Penny Haren's Pieced Applique Class

I recently spent two days with Penny Haren at Sew Worth It in Sarasota. I had honestly never heard of her before. But the owner of Sew Worth It told me she used techniques using freezer paper and since I am the Freezer Paper Queen. (seriously, I use freezer paper and glue sticks in almost every class that I teach). Well, since she used freezer paper AND glue sticks, she had to be a smart cookie. The class was fantastic! She has come up with a way to make blocks look perfectly pieced.....but they are appliqued in some very easy ways. She even had a ruler made just for her technique. I left her class asking, "Why didnt I think of that?". I hope to be able to teach some classes using her book and techniques, next quarter. She and I have the same philosophy. I am always telling my students that I have to find away to make it "fast", "easy" and "fun". And she has a similar philosophy, probably because we both have raised a lot of children. She has five and I have six. You can find out more about Penny and how to get her book at http://www.pennyharen.com/.

Two Of My Current Projects

I can't show the quilts I am working on...but I can give you a preview of the fabrics from two of my current quilts. One of them will be the cover for my new pattern. I love both color schemes...but I wont decide on a cover quilt til they are both completed.