more sneaky sewing

Why does time speed up as we get closer to Christmas? Why does my husband wait to ask me to make gifts?

Anyway, I have been able to sneak in some table toppers this week:

A forest of Christmas trees!

3 toppers, stripped-pieces trees (from a mix of greens and scraps), free-motion-quilted.

The larger 2 are 40" by 15", the smaller is 36" by 14". Raw edge appliqué.

Are you still sewing for this upcoming Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza?

 

and now for something different...

This week was lost to a horrible virus that took me DOWN!

I felt so bad 2 days I didn't even look at a quilt magazine, much less sew! But fortunately it ran its course, and by yesterday I was on the mend.

To treat myself, I made a triple zip bag. I was introduced to this tutorial by my friend Kim, she used it to make one for her swap partner in our guild's pouch swap. So I bookmarked it and waited. I am a finisher, I have to finish what I am working on before I leap into something else. Well, only if it is not a quilt. I like to have different quilts in various stages to work on as time permits. But I digress.
Since this was not a quilt, I needed time to work through the (extremely well-written) directions, after changing my mind multiple times on fabric choices. And zippers, I had to buy zippers. (I followed this alternative finishing tutorial, a bit easier!)

Scissors from my stash for the linings!

So much fun!

My first, I already have plans for more! These will make great gifts to keep on hand and they make a great use for scraps. Just need to get more zippers!

Easing into 2013

Some highlights of my holiday break sewing:

 uninterrupted time with my Featherweight

piecing a new "big impact star"

 trying the "scrappy trip around the world" block

details here

 (caution: this is addictive and uses up scraps like crazy!)

joining the #scrappytripalong on instagram

What have you been up to?

New Project

I am making this quilt:

With these fabrics:

It is going to be gorgeous on my king-sized bed!

So, While I am finishing up the FMQ on a contemporary piece, I am feeling a little traditional. And the class is being taught at my LQS by a fabulous quilter, dear friend and all-around nice lady! Last night was our first class where we planned our fabric arrangement and cut the star fabrics out. We have homework to finish before the class next week. This is a challenge for me, taking my time! Normally I would plow through and whip the quilt out! But, no, I want to slow down, take my time, soak up Ellen's (that my teacher!) knowledge and really get into the process. It is a gift to myself. It is also recharging to spend a few hours with fellow quilters and friends. That is also a gift to myself!

I will post my progress on this one.

a mid-week update

No sewing going on right now. I am staying with my sweet MIL who was just released from the hospital Monday after 7 weeks (the first 3 were very tense), but thanks be to God, she is on the recovering path now. Anyway, we are rotating night time sleep-overs and I was there last night and tonight. So, I am taking this time to recharge some creative batteries. That being said, I have bought some (old, $1 each) quilt mags, ordered 2 new FMQ books and just today bought a pattern on etsy!

This pattern, as a matter of fact!

I believe the large solid areas will be great to show off FMQ stitching.

do I need an intervention?

I love, LOVE my Twister tools! Yes, now I have both the large and small size! 

Remember this work in progress?

Well, I thought it was a good start, but it seamed a little fat, like it needed something to zhuze (sp?) it up. My Little Twister came to the rescue!

Here is "My Heart is Full", 24" square, free-motion quilted on my new Baby Lock Quest (love).

Queenie the Quest is doing so well!

Here's the back:

 Five completed!

Thoughts while quilting

So its Friday night, Hubby and Man-Cub are at the high school football opener, and I am in the sweatshop, free-motion quilting like crazy.

Normally this sones me out; the hum of the machine, the softness of the fabric, the repetition of the movements.

Not tonight. I am covered in a shroud of anxiety. 

Not all anxiety is bad. This is more of the " I am anxious to find our new home, get moved and settled and resume life."

Right now, I am in limbo. I know, I have been asking for this for well over a year (Hubby took the new job in Feb of 2009). I just really am ready to GO.

I know we will have to have transitional housing. We are planning to crash with my MIL as she lives alone and we have enough room for our hounds. No room at all for our stuff, but enough room for the dogs! LOL. And everything will have to be stored for that time.

Yes, I may have to go almost A WHOLE MONTH without quilting! (I am aghast at the thought.)

I may spend the time, piecing instead. I simply cannot go that long without sewing. Period.

Anyway, wish us luck, we are looking at 4 different houses tomorrow. I really hope one of them is THE ONE!

Not finished, yet. But....

I have gotten into the habit of posting completed projects. This is more for me, since it gives me the "deadline" I need to finish what I start. I am currently quilt a top and piecing another. The one I am piecing is my UFO, my king-size Christmas quilt. I got started on it and had worked out a time line. It is a great pattern, with lots of little blocks that go together to make big blocks and since it is king-sized, that means there are a LOT of little blocks. Well, I got frustrated with it, put it aside and have completed several smaller quilts. Now I am back on track with it as well. 

The point of this post? As I said, I am almost finished quilting another and I so love what I am f-m'ing on the border, that I had to share! (Yep, those are threads I haven't sewn in yet). So here's my feathers:

I love them! They are looking so good! It is amazing what practicing can accomplish. Well, I am off to quilt.

Another off the WIP list!

I completed this top in March, but just got around to quilting it.

It measures 49" x 49". Suitable for a small throw, baby quilt, play quilt.

I used a Micheal Miller FQ bundle.

The blocks are wonky 9 patch. 
I F-M'd the center with a loopy-loop and used a soft curve for the block border area. 

 I am building inventory for a show I am doing in October and to reopen my etsy shop. I am trying to layer and baste 2 tops this week. The quilting just flows!  Happy Mother's Day! 

And now, back to the sweat shop!

I started this bag yesterday, it's for my niece, Maddie, who will be 9 in July.
She saw the one I made for my other niece (& her cousin) Kahia, and requested one. She asked for blue and yellow. I bought the fabric at Mary Jo's.


I love to use a light color for the lining. It makes it easier to find what's in there. And I think the big dots are very sassy!



I got the basic pattern here and altered it slightly. I added the cell-phone pocket, and used by label from yesterday's tutorial. Fun and cute, I might make one for myself!

How to make and print your own fabric labels*

Here is how I make my own printed labels for my quilts and bags.

You will need these:

1. Computer with software to lay out the type you want (I used Microsoft Word)
2. Printer
3. Freezer paper or full-page sticker paper
4. Iron
5. Prepared For Dying fabric (PFD) this is ESSENTIAL!

These are the steps:
1. Design your label, include any info you wish. Set this info up as a "text box".
2. Copy and paste as desired on your 8.5" x 11" page layout. Don't forget to give yourself room to cut apart and seam allowance to attach to your item!
3. Cut a piece of the PFD fabric to 8.5" x 11". Attach to either the full-page sticker, or a 8.5" x 11" piece of Freezer Paper. I used the sticker paper for this.


4. Print this page (I have a Lexmark P4350 ink jet printer).
I use the regular ink that I have in the printer.


5.Allow to dry completely.

6. After completely dry, remove sticker paper (or freezer paper) backing.

7. Heat set ink with a hot (cotton setting) iron.



8. Cut and attach to your item!
I apply double-sided fusible to the back, folding over edge to catch with the fusible. Then remove backing paper and fuse to the item, I then whip-stitch for a nice, smooth edge.

9. This creates a label that is wash-proof. This photo shows my label on a quilt after laundering.



Any comments or questions are welcome.
*my first tutorial!