Project Quilting--Hope Springs Eternal

I was excited to see the first prompt for this year's Project Quilting challenge.  It is one of the few times I've had an idea right away.  Last week I went to Los Angeles with Sarah for the annual IMTA Convention.  There she competed in several acting and modeling categories hoping to catch the attention of talent managers and agents =) We had so much fun!

June Madness

So, last month I had a couple of fun distractions ...

After the Pulse shooting, one of my Facebook groups got together to make heart blocks.  Diane Bohn designed the Love is Made of Hearts quilt and gave it for free ... more work that I would usually put in, but it was a great experience.

September ALOYF Finish

I started this bag back in July in the hopes I'd make it into Sewvivor.  I had it all cut out and ready to go just in case.  When I didn't make it in, it sat there on the top of my pile, mocking me.  I decided the best way to just get over it was to finish it =)

The flap was pieced and quilted separately and I really like how it turned out.  I did some outline & FMQ on a handful of the herringbone units.

September ALOYF Goal

August was pretty busy for me.  I did finish that goal ... last night.  So, a little late.  Oh, well.  At least it got done.

This month I want to finish a messenger bag that I started in June.  I plan on using it as my temple bag and I love the black/red.  I didn't realize until after I started on it that it also matches the scripture case I made ages ago.  Its not my usual preference, so I was a little surprised that it worked out that way.

Linked up as #71.

2013 Round-up

Once again its time to look back over the year and {hopefully} surprise myself a little.  It has been another growing year for me in many ways.  Enjoy the pictures and a little reflection and introspection ...

It's a Sister Thing!

Today is all about the swap I participated in this summer.  I got back from my cross-country trip last Monday and am finally getting my bearings.  The first thing I grabbed from my stack of mail waiting on my sewing table was a squishy package that had some really cool treats!

Despite my lack of posting, I think she figured me out.  Right now red/aqua is a favorite combo and I absolutely LOVE the plus mug rug.  Of course, since I got a mug rug, she also included some goodies to go IN that mug.  Yummy!

She also included two little pincushions that look like chickens.  Aren't they the cutest!  Thanks so much to Laurel at Drowning in Fabric.  You hit a home-run--Thanks!

Before I left for MD, I also sent off my goodie bag to my secret sister.  I haven't received word that she got it yet, but I'll post it anyway.  I got to stalk Janet at Caribou Crossings.  She posted even less than I did this summer, so I went way back on her blog; its a good thing she's been posting for more years than I have :)  I also had the great fortune to have worked with her round robin quilt in the few months previous, so I had an idea to work with.

I learned that Janet loves hexies and the great outdoors, so I went with many of the same blues and greens I used in my round robin border and added pops of yellow and orange to add some sunshine.  I used the pattern in Sherri McConnell's A Quilting Life (book.)

Janet also does a lot of handwork, so I included some cute labels, some amazing Clover Clips, and some sticky thimbles.  Hope you enjoy, Janet!

Thanks again to Michele at Quilts from My Crayon Box.  I'm so glad I stumbled on your sweet blog last year!

This-is-so-COOL: Meet Chantal

I saw this bag on a linky party sometime early last year.  I was immediately in love!  I went to the site of origin and started following Geta.  She is an amazing designer and quilter.  I waited months until she published the pattern for the bag, then once I had it, it sat in my to-do pile for another coupla months.  It took a birthday party invite for Sarah to get me off my duff and actually make it.  And, of course, everyone knows it's just as easy to make one more while you're at it :)  Aren't they cute?

The lines and curves of Chantal are fresh and modern and oh, so versatile!  There are two pockets inside and the zippered pocket on the outside.   It is so easy to keep things organized with all those pockets!  There is also a magnetic snap for keeping that top opening closed.

I chose to quilt both bags because it said in the pattern that I wouldn't have to press them again after I washed them.  It took quite a bit of extra time, but I not only love the quilted look, but I also appreciate the wash-n-go feature :)

This small bag is for me.  It will be my to go sewing kit.  The original pattern did not include a zippered pocket for the small version, so I winged it, but it turned out to be the perfect size to fit my embroidery scissors and a small bin of pins.  Inside, I customized pockets for my marking pen, small quilter's rule, needles and thread.  I keep my projects in individual plastic bags, so all I need to do is grab and go.

The bigger black bag is for Sarah's friend.  I've never been very good at visualizing finished sizes; this turned out larger than I expected, yet exactly what the pattern said it would be.  I figure she can use it for sleepovers or a school bag.  The pockets are big enough to fit my cell phone (Galaxy 2), or a small notepad.  It would be a great way to keep track of smaller items like nail clippers or lipstick or keys, too.  We put another small gift bag inside filled with individual spa-type items.

This-is-so-COOL!: Mom's Birthday Present

I posted a preview of this little project a couple of weks ago.  Here is the final product.  My inspiratoin came from the Sew, Mama, Sew website (http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2007/11/wellness-bag/).  I love this idea--any excuse to take a moment to retreat and relax is always good.

Tote Bag for Mom

This morning I'm off to another doctor appointment with my oldest, but I thought I'd take a couple of minutes to share a picture of my current proect.  My mom's birthday is at the end of January and I saw this old post on SewMamaSew:  http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2007/11/wellness-bag/.    Mine turned out a little different, but I'm so excited about the way it looks.  I hope to finish the bag tomorrow and then begin work on the hot and cold bag covers.  The sewing should go quickly, then I get to go shopping to round out all the little add-ons.