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.

Quilt U Be Mine--I'm in LOVE!

... with mystery round robins, that is.

Welcome to everyone who is stopping by to see today's mystery round robin reveal!  So nice to visit with you.  For those of you who don't know me yet, I'm a mom of 3 wonderful kiddos, a wife, a volunteer, a crafter and much, much more.  I started my blog just over a year ago as a way to explore my creativity and expand my horizons.  I didn't find my love of quilting until several months later, and lately, that is my main focus.  I also post about other things from time to time, but that time is less often than I wish it were.

Yay, I finally get to show everyone my awesome round robin quilt.  It was with some trepidation that I set out on my first round robin experience back in October.  I remember wondering to myself why I was worrying about Valentine's Day before even Halloween--yikes!  I decided to start with this heart block.  I love the scrappy look and I hadn't attempted anything like that yet.  I was so pleased with how it turned out!

So, off it went into the mail and now my butterflies really began ... not just because I was sending off my project, but now I was being entrusted with someone else's ideas and hopes.  I was worried I wouldn't know what to do or know how to put my ideas into reality.  The first block I received was from Pippa in France.  I love her center block!  It was embroidered as a remembrance of her two kids.  I added the XOXO borders to share the love, then the ribbon border to tie it all together.

Next I got to work on Rachelle's block.  Her LOVE was so darling, but it already felt a little busy to me, so for my first border, I kept it simple.  The second one I added was a scrappy braid.  I like the symbolism of families and friends knit together in love and the braid seemed the perfect way to say that for this project.

Lastly, I worked on Sami's quilt.  Since mine were the last two borders, I knew I wanted a spectacular finish for her.  I really liked the tumbling hearts of the center block and tried to pull them out with the first border.  I made all those  hearts with 1" squares.  For her second border I used a scrappy rectangles to offset the first border that was added.  I think it turned out super cute!

**UPDATE**  I originally included only portions of my borders for Sam's quilt because I didn't want to trump her reveal on her blog.  I was reminded, however, that she intends to add to hers to make it full-sized and quilt it for her reveal.  Sorry, Sami!

Finally, I got my own back home--you can see all the fun that my group had with mine.  Didn't it turn out *AMAZING*?!  I love how the center block is not-so-centered and it reads all red-and white.  There are only small touches of pink here and there, but they are subtle.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to the wonderful ladies of Group 2 and especially thank you to Michelle for co-ordinating this fun project.  I'm already on my second round robin (Thanks to Michelle's gentle nudge :) and I'll be posting the first sneak peak for that here in a couple of days.  I haven't quilted (or named) my topper yet, but I will ...  Thanks for stopping by--and Happy Valentine's Day!

My Ruffle Quilt Finish

I have been trying to get this posted in earnest for a week now ... yes, its been that kind of a week :)

I started this quilt last summer with a quilt along that kind of fizzled out.  But that's OK, because I knew who I was making this for; I just didn't have a deadline for it.  Until Letters to Santa.  Sarah decided she wanted a quilt of her very own.  She was tired of using everyone else's leftovers from the extra blanket fund to keep herself warm.  Now, she does not just have one or two of these on her bed--she has a pile.  I see this as an opportunity to pare down and reduce a little.  That has yet to actually happen, but I have hopes :)

Sarah is a bit of a tomboy, so I didn't want to make it too girly, but a little girly (the ruffles) is OK.  She just turned 10, so I wanted it to be able to grow with her for a while.  Samantha picked out the fabrics--a Malka Dubrawski line.  I wasn't that thrilled with it, but the more I used it, the more I liked it--and now I REALLY like it!  Notice the orange/lime backing.  Yes, that's a stretch for me, too.

I used a batting that I wouldn't have to quilt too closely--the instruction page said I could quilt up to 10 inches apart.  The squares are about 8-1/2 inches, so that worked out fine.  Because of the ruffling, there really wasn't any quilting per se.  I just stitched in the ditch between each block.  I was worried about catching the ruffles, but it really wasn't bad.  It did take a bit of muscle.  It's the largest quilt to date that I've put together and I was surprised at how tired my arms, got, but it was worth it!

Wake up Sunshine! {winner-s}

Thanks to everyone who left a comment on my last post!  I had 131 comments.  I'm still working my way through responding to all of them, but they are so positive and uplifting!

This has been a busy week--I have my second quilty finish for the year (I'll post pics another time ...), I had an extra shift at work and the kids were off school for two days.  This AM Nicholas is going on a campout--in the SNOW.  I've had to beg, borrow, steal and, yes, buy quite a bit of gear for that.

I made a handful of wristlets, since I was reminded how easy it is to do combine steps and make several.  Other than a little bit of time, you might as make more than one :)  Plus, this way I get an extra one and I get to spread the sunshine a little more.  I do like that!

This morning, I got up and copied and pasted all your beautiful comments into my word processor.  This numbered and consolidated them for me.  I printed them all out and cut them apart.  Folded each strip and put it into a basket ... and my kids had some fun ...

Congratulations to #66 , #68 & #126:

the girlfriend gapJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:03 AM

Love the sunshine!
And so many cute little purselets in the sewing world these days. Just saw one again today at sew can she. Thanks for the chance at a giveaway! Janita

Shannon MeyerJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:22 AM

Your projects are beautiful!! I'm only a beginner quilter, but you have inspired me to work harder at it!!

Charlotte ThompsonJanuary 30, 2013 at 11:34 AM

Love your dresdens. I'm a follower and thanks for following me also.
Charlotte

Just a quick reminder ... if you want to make one of these awesome little wristlets for yourself, just go here.

Dare to Dresden--Wake up Sunshine!

I'm so excited to participate in another blog hop!  As soon as I saw this announced, I knew I wanted to do this project!  But first ... a little business ... and if you make it to the end, I'll have a little surprise for you :)

Thanks so much to Mdm. Samm and Christine at Quilt Monster in my Closet.  I'm always amazed and awed at the amount of time and positive energy our cheerleaders have for these projects.  THANK YOU.  I am in awe.  There is an amazing round-up of talented ladies today and for the next few days.  Go check them out, too!

A Reformed Heath'n (yay, you're here!)

Thimble Mouse & Spouse

Meadowbrook

Rosemary B

Stitch Duchess' Crazy & Sane Quilting World

Grammie Q's

Bumbleberry Stitches

Sunshine Girl

Spiral

Butjenter Quilter

Blooming Where I am Planted

Quilting Lodge

The Tilted Quilt

Life in the Scrappatch

Pretty Bobbins

In the Boon Docks

Sew Much and More

Threading My Way

Pink Ribbon Quilts

This is actually a project I made over the summer for my daughter, Sam.  Each year she attends Girls Camp with the Young Women's program at church.  It has become tradition for me to make a pillowcase for her to have her friends sign.  The leaders keep the theme for a camp a secret from the girls, soI always sneak behind her back and find out what it is so I can coordinate her little gifts.  Last year's theme was Arise & Shine Forth, from D&C 115:5, 

"Verily I say unto you all: 

Arise and shine forth, 

that thy light may be a standard for the nations."  

I knew just the thing ... but I had NO yellow in my stash, so I bought a few coordinating fat quarters. Then, I cut 20 wedges for each  ray of sunshine the full size of my Easy Dresden ruler from 8" strips ...

Next, I folded the edges over once and chain-stitched the hem on all the tops.

Here they are all laid out.  When I sewed them together I started from the outside so that all the edges lined up.  I knew I was covering the center, so little inconsistencies wouldn't matter :)

Then I cut out a piece of batting just barely smaller than the circle.  Up to this point I had never appliqued before, time was of the essence and I knew it would be well-used and washed over and over, so I just wanted the durability of the machine outline to attach the Sunshine to the background.  There was just a little of the batting showing on the edges which I carefully trimmed as close to the stitching as possible.  I wanted the texture on the sun, so it was a necessary evil.

If I had this to do again, I would hand-applique the center circle on--it would have looked a lot better, but it was OK.  The center piece, I printed onto freezer-paper-backed-fabric that I sent through my laser printer.

I simply quilted each ray of sunshine with a free-motion s-curve and I LOVE the way it turned out.

 I did make two pillow cases because Sam's best friend goes with her and I *love* them both.

Also last week, I used my EZ Dresden ruler yet again.  This time for my Stash Bee.  How timely of the queen bee to request this block in January :)  She posted her tutorial with the link to the original inspiration here if you're interested.  She doesn't want it finished, so it's a simple circle.

This is the third blog hop that I've participated in, so I thought that I'd try a give-away.  Because I do my blog on my own, just for fun, you get something I've made just for you :)  I made several of these little wristlets from Javajem's tutorial here.  I absolutely love mine.  I can put my cell phone, drivers license and a couple of other things and not carry around a big purse.

photo courtesy of JavaJem

Just leave a comment below (I know many of you will anyway ...) and I will have one of my kids pick a number out of a hat or a bowl or a basket or whatever on February 1st and let you all know what happens.  This giveaway is now closed--thanks to everyone!

Have a wonderful week!

I'm a Winner!

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks now, but January is quickly falling from my grasp!  Last month I won two give-aways from blogs that I follow regularly.  How cool is that?

First up was this awesome fat quarter bundle of Joel Dewberry's new Notting Hill line.  Kelie from Craft Nurse Quilt and her sponsor, Caitlin of I Don't Do Dishes ... I Sew Instead, were so on top of things.  The package got here so fast, I forgot to send a thank-you e-mail--amazing!  (In my own defense, it was delivered on Christmas Eve ...)  Kelie is a great inspiration to me--she works so hard and gets so much more sewing done than I do.  Caitlin's Etsy shop is packed full of sweet modern fabrics.  Check them both out.  THANKS, ladies!!

Just last night I decided that my first project for these fabrics will be in the center block for the Modern Mystery Round Robin that I joined.  I also bought some coordinating grey fabric that I think I'll use to make some place mats and matching napkins.

My second win came from Amanda Murphy.  She is an amazing talented designer.  I love her patterns and her fabric lines.  The fabrics have an updated traditional feel to them.  Does that make sense?  Her quilt designs have been published in several magazines and she's go several free tutorials--I'm drooling over the Ambrosia bag.  Love the pleats :)  Just need to make the time ...  She sent me this free pattern and 3 fat quarters from her Bella fabric line.  THANKS!!

On a final note, today is Day Two of the Dare to Dresden blog hop.  I'll be coming to you Monday with my project on Day Three.  See you soon ... I promise!

S.W.A.K.: Reflections on 2012

This year has been a hard year.  But as 2012 comes to a close, I wanted to look back at all I've been able to accomplish.  There have been many drafts of this post, but as saw the awesome collages on some of my favorite blogs, I had to one of my own :)  This post is a bit long, but have fun!

(1.  Mosaic Mini, 2.  Valentine's Day Table Topper with Sarah, 3.  Baby quilt for Jen & Family, 4.  RWB Blog Hop, 5.  Starburst blocks for Stash Bee, 6.  Samantha in SF, 7.  Nicholas, 8.  Chemo caps, 9.  One of my bulletin boards--I love the reverse silhouettes!, 10.  Sarah, 11. Me in SF, 12.  Ruffle Quilt Squares, 13.  the 30-miler, 14. My center block for Quilt U Be Mine, 15.  Heirloom necklace remake for Jenell, 16. Holiday Lane Blog Hop.)

In collecting these pics, I realized how truly blessed I am.  I had more pictures that I wanted to include, but this is a good sampling of me.

 My year started off with finally making my blog public.  That was a huge accomplishment for me.  I wanted everything just so and it took me weeks to learn how to do the backgrounds and do all the little design elements.  The direction that it's taken is a little of a surprise for me, but I'm enjoying it.  Hopefully in the coming year I'll be able to return to the more diverse ideas I had in the beginning.  I want to do more with general ideas and a family tracking/history.  I love my sewing and feel like I've truly found my creative outlet there, but I want to include more of the things I love and love to do.  There is so much more to me and my family than my sewing and quilting :)

Just days after I made my blog public, my oldest came down with an intractable headache that has since been diagnosed as New Daily Persistent Headache.  NDPH is a chronic condition that has taught me more about empathy, patience and compassion than I could have ever imagined.  Helping a 15-year-old struggle with chronic pain is a heart-wrenching, soul-stretching journey.  Just last week, we finished 3 days of injections--her fifth attempt to break the headaches.  As we enter the new year, I fervently pray that we find answers for her and her life can re-normalize.

Just after Sam's first hospitalization, my husband was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  He's had pain on and off for several years, but it finally became bad enough that it could no longer be ignored.  When they did the blood test, they started his treatments immediately.  His treatment is low-dose chemotherapy that he takes orally once a week.  The side effects seem to have leveled-off over time, but he is still wiped out for 2 to 3 days each week.  I'm amazed by his strength and perseverance.

Our other two kids are adjusting to the new normal.  They've both had amazing achievements of their own.  Nicholas turned twelve and is progressing well in Scouts.  He loves campouts and archery and is adjusting (slowly) to life in middle school.  Sarah is our social butterfly and World of Warcraft aficionado.  She loves playing with Rhett's guild.  Both of these guys tested for TAG earlier this year and are learning to play chess through one of the enrichment programs.

Because of my blog, I have been able to do many new things this year that I could only have imagined previously ...  First and foremost, I learned how to quilt.  While I am far from expert, I have become quite adept at matching points and creating projects (not to mention picking out stitches & seams.)  I also joined an online quilting bee--the Stash Bee--and am challenged each month to stretch my skills and color theory.  I participated in two blog hops, one fabric swap, and three quilt alongs.  I learned that I don't always need a pattern.  I learned that the online community is so fascinating as well as supportive.  I've won several prizes for making comments and participating in other online events and am amazed at the talent and quality I have been able to learn from.

There are many aspects of my every day life that are not shared here.  For one, I am an avid volunteer.  Most of my love and energy are spent working with the Young Women's organization in our church.  I love teaching, organizing activities and doing things with them and for them.  I also volunteer in several capacities at my kids' schools.  I discovered a love of bulletin boards and hallway decor.  My favorite place to be is in the classrooms and libraries, so I hope to get back to that, too.  In addition to volunteering I enjoy the outdoors.  This year I went on a 30-mile hike with the YW and it reminded me how much I enjoy hiking and camping.  I certainly live in an ideal location so near to so many natural resources; I need to take more advantage of that.  I also have other hobbies that I dabble in from time to time.  I enjoy crochet, toll painting, reading and baking.  Hopefully, I'll be able to squeeze more of these into the coming year, too.

Looking back, I know that I am so blessed.  Rhett teases me about using that term too freely--but I really feel like I am.  My kids are older and pretty self-sufficient so I can take a break when I need to and and not worry about everything falling apart before I return.  Rhett works hard to provide the necessities in life and I have a job that allows him to be home when I'm not.  I have a great relationships with my immediate family as well as our extended families even though they're far, far away.  I could go on and on.

Thank you for being part of my journey in 2012--I hope to see a lot more in 2013!

Quilt U Be Mine--December

Yesterday I finished my work on the round robin for December. I love seeing everyone else's work!

This one really stretched my ability to "see" the next step.  Since it's a secret until February, here are a couple of sneak peaks :)

       

Rachelle asked for a signature block, so here's mine:

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is looking forward to another long weekend celebrating the new year.  I, for one, can't wait.  I'm off today for the start of another round of treatment for Samantha.  Wish us some luck that this will do the trick!