What's a new year without some unrealistic goal setting and crazy declarative statements?
This year I will:
1. Only buy the thread I need (and I will work on using a widely acceptable definition of the term "Need")
2. Finish and deliver my baby quilts in a timely manner ("Timely" being defined as within the first six months of the child's birth)
3. Blog more often than quarterly.
4. Read the directions to a pattern all the way through before cutting any fabric.
5. Organize my stash.
6.
Oh crap. Isn't this embarrassing (and typical...)? I apparently started this in January. Maybe #6 should be "I will only blog during months starting with "j". Must make up for lost time I suppose. I have been sewing though. Does that count for anything?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
We're on a roll now!
That's right kids, it's not yet the end of January and I have finished not one, but two projects! That's half of what I completed in an entire YEAR last year. So what if neither of them are quilts and both items are for me? Don't rain on my parade.
Farmer's Market/Beach Bag
So very much love my new bag! It was reasonably easy to make, big enough to be useful, small enough to finish before I got bored or frustrated. I think I could actually fit a small child in it and, thanks to the nylon webbing sewn in to the handles, I think it may actually stand up to the weight. The only odd thing are the pockets inside. I was so intent on following the directions (sewing anything with three dimensional shape requires intense concentration on my part... the importance of spatial awareness rearing it's multidimensional head again) for the pockets that I failed to double check their usefulness. There are three pockets along one side, two at 5" wide on each end and one huge one in the middle at 12". Oh yeah, and they are 11" deep! Since it is supposed to be a Farmer's Market bag, the only (silly) thought that came to mind was a specialized cucumber pocket. Seriously, I don't know what else will fit in there. Asparagus? Carrots, but only a few? But I do really love the bag. Also happy to (smugly) report that I finished two random spools of thread on the piecing of this bag.
Front of Bag
Back
Inside (look close for the cucumber pocket!)
Dark and Stormy
Horrible thought the other day and I was purchasing batting for this project. Because I used batiks, I had to prewash all of my fabric. That means I also need to prewash (and therefore IRON) all of the backing fabric as well. PPPPPPPPPPBBBBBBBBBBTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHH.
Luc's Dinos
Luc has been watching me make quilts for other people for a while now. A few months ago, he asked me to make him a dinosaur quilt. Even though he has several beautiful and well loved quilts already, how could I say no? Keepsake Quilting had a darling set of precut dino shapes in a variety of fabrics. I ordered those and let Luc pick out some fun dino flannel for the backing. OCQ found some cute Michael Miller retro dino fabric for the front. I got the dinos and checked them out for applique ease only to discover, to my utmost horror, THEY HAVE NO STICKY STUFF ON THE BACK! Seriously? Who does that? Thank goodness Quilt Moxie and I went in on an entire bolt of fusible stuff a few years ago. (Yes QM, I STILL have my share of that) Once I get the dinos appliqued, it will go fast. I hope I finish it before dinos are out of fashion.
Farmer's Market/Beach Bag
So very much love my new bag! It was reasonably easy to make, big enough to be useful, small enough to finish before I got bored or frustrated. I think I could actually fit a small child in it and, thanks to the nylon webbing sewn in to the handles, I think it may actually stand up to the weight. The only odd thing are the pockets inside. I was so intent on following the directions (sewing anything with three dimensional shape requires intense concentration on my part... the importance of spatial awareness rearing it's multidimensional head again) for the pockets that I failed to double check their usefulness. There are three pockets along one side, two at 5" wide on each end and one huge one in the middle at 12". Oh yeah, and they are 11" deep! Since it is supposed to be a Farmer's Market bag, the only (silly) thought that came to mind was a specialized cucumber pocket. Seriously, I don't know what else will fit in there. Asparagus? Carrots, but only a few? But I do really love the bag. Also happy to (smugly) report that I finished two random spools of thread on the piecing of this bag.
Front of Bag
Back
Inside (look close for the cucumber pocket!)
Dark and Stormy
Horrible thought the other day and I was purchasing batting for this project. Because I used batiks, I had to prewash all of my fabric. That means I also need to prewash (and therefore IRON) all of the backing fabric as well. PPPPPPPPPPBBBBBBBBBBTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHH.
Luc's Dinos
Luc has been watching me make quilts for other people for a while now. A few months ago, he asked me to make him a dinosaur quilt. Even though he has several beautiful and well loved quilts already, how could I say no? Keepsake Quilting had a darling set of precut dino shapes in a variety of fabrics. I ordered those and let Luc pick out some fun dino flannel for the backing. OCQ found some cute Michael Miller retro dino fabric for the front. I got the dinos and checked them out for applique ease only to discover, to my utmost horror, THEY HAVE NO STICKY STUFF ON THE BACK! Seriously? Who does that? Thank goodness Quilt Moxie and I went in on an entire bolt of fusible stuff a few years ago. (Yes QM, I STILL have my share of that) Once I get the dinos appliqued, it will go fast. I hope I finish it before dinos are out of fashion.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
2011: The Year in Preview
Sew I am looking forward to a fun project filled year. A least that is how it is starting out. I have loads of ambition and hope Reality does not take too hard of a swipe at me, especially once the weather warms up and I get to use my new paddle board... But the weather has been perfect lately for my favorite indoor hobby. I am pleased to report that I have even finished my first project for the new year! I was the lucky recipient of an iPad this Christmas and wanted a fun cover for it. I found a nice looking one on line made of grey felted wool. It was a little pricey, but made of nice wool and looked very chic. But I wanted another color and the option to add a monogram or something personalized. They did not offer that and when I looked closer at the cover, I though to myself, "Self, I think we can make one of those!" So Me, Myself, and Quilt Moxie (brought along or technical, moral and coupon support) toddled on to the fabric store. Do you know how expensive 100% wool is (btw thanks Quilt Moxie!)? Sheesh. But totally worth it to personalize it. I had a vague idea of what I wanted it to look like, took a few loosey goosey measurements and off I went. I think it came out pretty well. I freehanded my initials on the front, hand sewed a flower on the back and used one of my fancy stitches to decorate the border.
What else... What else?
Lots of fun planned for 2011. I have my farmers market bag pieced and need some fusible interfacing. I accidentally bought sew in interfacing since I had the Wee One with me at the fabric store. So that project is on temporary hold, but I am pleased with the progress. Also finished piecing the top for Dark and Stormy. Am saving the quilting for a meet up in early February. The binding will be shoulder aching, but the recipient is worth it. I have a few baby quilts planned and am so excited that one is for my baby sister! I haven't picked a pattern yet, but am going to try to get it one by the time the baby is born. That's May. We'll see. So far, that's all I have planned. I received a lovely jelly roll of Fandango, but so far am jealously guarding that one for me. No plans yet.
What else... What else?
Lots of fun planned for 2011. I have my farmers market bag pieced and need some fusible interfacing. I accidentally bought sew in interfacing since I had the Wee One with me at the fabric store. So that project is on temporary hold, but I am pleased with the progress. Also finished piecing the top for Dark and Stormy. Am saving the quilting for a meet up in early February. The binding will be shoulder aching, but the recipient is worth it. I have a few baby quilts planned and am so excited that one is for my baby sister! I haven't picked a pattern yet, but am going to try to get it one by the time the baby is born. That's May. We'll see. So far, that's all I have planned. I received a lovely jelly roll of Fandango, but so far am jealously guarding that one for me. No plans yet.
Those who can, do. Those who don't, blog?!?
Sew, don't think it has escaped my wandering attention that I haven't posted since July. I hope my three faithful readers do not think that I have not been sewing since July. Ho no my little pumpkin muffins, I have occasionally and sporadically been productive, in my own way. It's just that when I have the time and motivation to sew, I don't have the time or motivation to do other things, like blog about sewing. You see my quandary, yes? I suppose I can provide an update on my previously mentioned projects.
Life Goes On (oh bla di)
Finished my living room quilt and absolutely love it. It is HUGE and warm and looks great hanging on the beautiful quilt rack my DH made for me in the wood shop. Slightly irritated that one of the beige fabrics greyed out in the wash, but I suppose that is one of the hazards of not pre washing your fabrics. It's really too bad that I hate ironing fabric so much, but I am in the process of getting over it (just the greyed fabric. I do not plan to ever get over my hatred of ironing).
Pumpkin Madness
Thusly called because it involved pumpkins in the pattern and madness on my part. I have had a cute pattern for a fall table runner for at least 5 years now, along with some fabulous swirly pumpkin perfect fabric. I decided that 2010 was the Year of the Pumpkin Table Runner. Decided that several days before Thanksgiving, I did. Whatever, table runners are small, right? So what if my in laws were due for a visit and that meant I had to get my sewing stuff put away? I managed to get the thing quilted the day the in laws showed up. That left me a few days to hand sew the binding down. Which of course I left to Thanksgiving day. Thankfully my DH does most of the turkey day cooking, so I was free to finish the table decor.
I think that is all that I managed to complete in 2010. Add in the two baby quilts I made and delivered and that brings the grand total of completed projects to 4. Looks unimpressive written down, but sheesh people, I do other stuff too, like blog! Oh wait...
Life Goes On (oh bla di)
Finished my living room quilt and absolutely love it. It is HUGE and warm and looks great hanging on the beautiful quilt rack my DH made for me in the wood shop. Slightly irritated that one of the beige fabrics greyed out in the wash, but I suppose that is one of the hazards of not pre washing your fabrics. It's really too bad that I hate ironing fabric so much, but I am in the process of getting over it (just the greyed fabric. I do not plan to ever get over my hatred of ironing).
Pumpkin Madness
Thusly called because it involved pumpkins in the pattern and madness on my part. I have had a cute pattern for a fall table runner for at least 5 years now, along with some fabulous swirly pumpkin perfect fabric. I decided that 2010 was the Year of the Pumpkin Table Runner. Decided that several days before Thanksgiving, I did. Whatever, table runners are small, right? So what if my in laws were due for a visit and that meant I had to get my sewing stuff put away? I managed to get the thing quilted the day the in laws showed up. That left me a few days to hand sew the binding down. Which of course I left to Thanksgiving day. Thankfully my DH does most of the turkey day cooking, so I was free to finish the table decor.
I think that is all that I managed to complete in 2010. Add in the two baby quilts I made and delivered and that brings the grand total of completed projects to 4. Looks unimpressive written down, but sheesh people, I do other stuff too, like blog! Oh wait...
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