Modernista Holiday swap

Can't say too much just incase my secret partner happens upon my blog but I made this for my swap partner and I am hoping she likes it. I will be mailing it out this week so I will know soon. I can't believe how fast the Holidays are approaching I am working hard to finish many handmade Christmas presents will post as I get them done. The list is long.

Amy Butler Weekender

So I finally tackled the Amy Butler weekender bag. I have to admit I have had this pattern for over a year and have pulled it out several times to look over the supplies and instructions. I was more than discouraged when reading the tools needed, seam ripper was third on the list. For me this is not a good sign. HA. I did figure out later that you need it to open up the fabric for your zipper, which would have been great if ONLY thats what I used it for. I did have some troubles with the zipper but not with actually putting it in. I DID NOT look at the pattern right and thought there were 4 pieces but  there were only supposed to be 3 actual pattern pieces ( if I had only understood that you needed to tape the one piece to the  top panel piece to make it longer) so as I am going step by step and went to attach the top panel with bottom to main panel I was about 9 inches too short. AGH........ I had to take the whole dang thing apart get another zipper altogether ADD the 9 inches to the top panel now I have 3 extra seams, I was also trying to figure out why it called for a 30 inch zipper when I only used about 21 inches HA HA HA Jokes on me, BUT I tackled it. I succeeded and I DID IT!!!!!!!!!! Add that to my list of accomplishments. It is quite high on the list just below happily married for 20 years and 5 great kids. I am so happy with the way it turned out I used all my scraps and the only thing I had to buy supply wise was the Peltex and the interfacing. TADA.......

Zakka Along Week 19 Prettified Pincushion

I can't believe it's the last week of the Sew Along. How did the last 19 weeks fly by so quickly ?  I have enjoyed every minute of it, even if of a couple of the projects frustrated me. I have learned a few new tricks and I feel a sense of accomplishment that I completed all 19 projects.

 Thank you Lindsey and Debbie for hosting a great sew along.

I am so happy that I have quite a few gifts made for Christmas. The 2 quilts have already found new homes. One was a birthday gift for a  friend and the 2nd one was a wedding present for a couple who appreciate a handmade gift. I only kept 2 projects for myself, the cafe apron and the large drawstring shopping bag. 

Zakka Along Week 18 Sweet Trips Pillow

Ok, so once again I struggled with the little pieces. I had planned on making the front of the embroidery pouch  and then turn it into a mug rug. However, I was unsuccessful with the little pieces. At 10pm I asked my husband to take me to Kinkos so I could copy the pattern at 400%. I made the patchwork portion of the pattern and turned it into a pillow instead. I was able to use my mad piping skills, I learned from the 1st Zakka Sew Along, to create the pillow. The back of the pillow was made with scraps I had left from the front. All in all, I am pretty pleased with the outcome. As you can see my little Tofurky (the kitten) liked it too. He couldn't help but pose for the pics. He must have been jealous of the bunny.

Zakka Along Week 17 Handy Market Tote

I have been a bag maker for many years. I have made all types and styles so naturally I LOVED making this bag. So far I have made a total of 6 of these useful bags. This pattern is great and the instructions are written very clearly. Everyone I know must have one of these for Christmas! I have cut out a few more and I will stock pile them for the upcoming holidays. There IS only 99 days till Christmas. :)

Zakka Along Week 16 I-Love-My-Ipad Quilted Cover

Week 16,  I love my I-pad cover.

I don't have an I-pad, so this is going to make a great gift to someone.

I really enjoyed quilting this project. As I gathered the supplies I realized I had the velcro in a jar in my studio. I was thrilled I didn't have to go to the store to buy a thing to make this. I have no idea what I will do with myself once the sew along is over. I am happy though that I was able to get some Christmas gifts done early, awesome ones at that :o)

Week 15 I had troubles, pencil case

Did anyone else have troubles with this pencil case? I started by making the tiny pencil points with the paper piecing method. That in itself was quite the challenge with all the tiny sewing. I was pretty doggone proud of myself for just accomplishing that until it came time to sew them together. Needless to say, the little pieces are still there but not on the bag, as you can see. I did the best I could in the 3 hours I spent working on this pouch. I can make a pencil bag in my sleep but this one, well, it is what it is. I envy the people who are able to complete this project. I do think it looks nice even if it doesn't have the pencil points. With these projects I think I have found, the bigger the better, for me anyways. I seem to have trouble with the smaller projects.

Happy sewing...till next week.

Zakka Along Week 14 Triangle Patchwork Box Pouch

Week 14,  Oh My!!!! I was a little worried when I saw this project in the book. I did make a little mistake but I can live with it. I am sure you can see what I did wrong too. I do think it's an adorable little pouch and it will make a fabulous present. I think this is a bag I will make again and the box pouch is something I have been wanting to learn to make. So Cheers for that.

Happy Sewing, I will be back next week.

Piece-of-Cake Shopping Bag

IKEA here I come ! with my Piece Of Cake shopping bag. Big enough to fit a small elephant inside ( just kidding). It is pretty roomy and, believe it or not, I was able to fit all my purchases in the bag. If you look closely, I used fabric from IKEA that I had purchased a few years ago. I am happy to finally make myself something so awesome with it.

WINNER

Here's my loot from winning week 8 of the Patchwork Please! SAL The fabric is so awesome I am working on a quilt with black and whites and was thrilled when I opened up the package. I am super psyched about the GC from spoonflower so I can  design my own fabric, and the quilt batting..... need I say more. Thank you to all the sponsors that donated the prizes for the SAL.

Zakka Sew Along Week 12 :: Happy Hexagon Trivet

How is it that the smallest and simplest projects are the ones that I struggle with the most ? I made 2 quilts one week apart, no problem! Then when its time to make a simple trivet  it literally takes me all week to get the darn thing done. Well here it is, finally finished. I worked all day today, on next weeks project and I am happy to say it is done too. In fact I am going to IKEA tomorrow and will take it with me to carry my purchases home.
Happy Sewing!!!!

Week 11 Mail Pocket

Well I'm halfway through the Patchwork Please SAL week 11 it's really going fast, as with life I guess. When I first got this book as I was looking through the projects  this is the one I was most excited about. I was visualizing it hanging right inside the front door so I could put everyones mail in  each pocket. We are a family of 7 so naturally we will use all the pockets. Purple is my favorite color and I was happy be able to use all the scraps from the Swedish Bloom quilt to construct my mail pocket. I hung it up right away and already have mail in it for the kids  when they come home.

Zakka Style Week 10 : Bloom Time Quilt

Quilt no. 2 in the sew along. Next time I do a sew along I hope that I choose a different vacation week. Making 2 quilts and going out to Santa Fe, New Mexico (DRIVING over fourteen hundred miles each way)  made me really manage my time. I admit I worked ahead but I still had quite a bit to do when I returned home. Now it is finally done and I am pleased by the results. This quilt will be a  wedding gift for a very sweet couple.

Life is good and the rest of the sew along should go smoothly.

I am so excited by next weeks project and I have the perfect place to hang it so everyone can get their mail when they walk in the door.

My Scrappy Box week 10

This project was so cool I had to make 2, one for me and one for a friend. The same friend I gave the story book quilt to. I filled the Scrappy Box with fun stuff and wrapped it in cellophane, all late birthday gifts, but I am sure she will tell you it was worth the wait. I delivered them in person and boy was that one long drive, lol. This is week number 10 in the Patchwork Please Sew Along. I am learning so many new things from this book and enjoy every minute of it, even if some weeks are more a bit more challenging. 

What I would like to know is, if Ayumi knew her book would be a sew along, would she have put two paper pieced quilts one week away from each other ?  I am sewing my butt off to get  the 2nd quilt done on time. Until next week

Happy Sewing!!!!!

Week 8 Books For Quilt

I think quilting is starting to grow on me.

Dino Hat Week 7

Isn't she just the most adorable model ever? I don't have small babies anymore so I made this hat for my neighbors granddaughter. All she had to do is model it. She did so fabulously ! This child has such a personality and is so very photogenic. Thank you little Addison, for being a wonderful model. Enjoy your dino hat.

Apple Bibs. Week 6

Well, we are on week #6 of the Patchwork Please Sew Along and we are on to the kids section of the book. The first project from this section are these adorable apple bibs. I couldn't just make one so I made 2 and they will both go to my cousins little girl for the holidays. Yay! one more gift made. And so far in advance too.

Zakka Style week 5

Hello and welcome to week #5 of the Patchwork Please! Sew Along. This week I made a set of patchwork placemats. I changed the pattern a little bit because I had a busy week. I was pressed for time but I still think they turned out fine. Grandmas china looks great on these colorful placemats.

Week 4 of the Patchwork Please! Sew Along Cafe Apron

Wow, I can't believe we are starting week 4 of the Sew Along. I know I said that in the end I would have 18 presents for Christmas, but I think I am keeping this one. I have to admit that I have no real use for this cute apron but I will have to wear it just for the heck of it. I was able to get 2 yards of the gorgeous yellow fabric, at IKEA, for 97 cents a yard. I have been waiting for just the right project to use a piece of it. 

I love the way this project turned out, so I made myself a Christmas gift. No, I will not wait till the Holidays to wear it.

Week 3 Lettered Tea Cozy and Teabag Holder

Oh what a wonderful gift this will make. This weeks project in the Patchwork Please! Sew Along was an adorable tea cozy and a matching teabag holder. This was a pretty simple project, I think I even did well on the quilting. I was thinking, " paired with a vintage teapot it will make a really great gift for a really great friend" . The owl teapot belongs to my daughter (sorry if you were hoping this gift was going to you :)

Tea Towels Week 2 Patchwork Please!!!!!

Hello again,

It's week number 2 in the Patchwork Please! sew along. This weeks project was a breakfast, lunch, and dinner tea towels. This is another great way to use up some of those scraps I have been collecting for some time now.

Patchwork Please! Sew along

 Week number 1-  Pepper coasters

My newest project is following along in the Patchwork Please! sew along. One project a week for 20 weeks straight. The book is by Ayumi Takahashi and has some awesome projects including 2 quilts, yep 2 quilts. I am taking the challenge not only because they are very cool projects, but because by the end of the sew along (which ends in Oct) I will have 20 Christmas presents done. Who will be the lucky recipients???????

And the winner is

Congratulations Heidi ! 

The Donnie Osmond socks are on their way.

New item preview.......GIVEAWAY

An elephant never forgets...........

I am doing a little show at the end of the month with my friend Julia.

I decided to make these little stuffed elephants for the show. I have a few more in purple (because

purple is my favorite color) anyways it'll be a fun road trip and a fun girls week end.

I am giving one of these cuties away, all you have to do is leave a comment  and let me know what your favorite color is. I will do a random drawing on Monday April 15th make sure you leave an email address so I can get a hold of you if you win.

Good Luck!!!!!!

                                                            The Covert Robin swap

My covert robin came this morning. It came from Bobbie St Clair who lives in IL.
She made me a turtle tote with a little matching bag tag and sent along a few other goodies, fat quarters, notebook, list pad, chocolates, and some soap.
Thank you Bobbie, I will enjoy  everything you sent and thank you so much for making me such a beautiful tote.

March 25th The quilt is done.

 Hello,  it's been a while, i know.
I have been working on a quilt along due April 1st. I got off to a slow start but was able to make up for lost time and get the quilt finished.
I love the way it turned out ,although a bit busy, I am giving this one to a friend of mine who rarely leaves her house, I think this will brighten her day and she deserves it.
The top pic is the quilt all done, and the bottom pic well Crafty Cat  thought it might be for him lol
sorry Crafty Cat not this time.

Orbit Quilt Along

My newest sewing challenge is the Orbit Quilt Along. I am so excited because I can use my scraps on this one. This is a 6 week sew along hosted by Lindsey @ LRStitched. Once the quilt is completed it will be given to a good friend of mine. She is a "shut in" and with the bright colors I think it will be cheery for her. This week I will be busy cutting and sorting. It took me a while but I laid it all out and have it pinned. This is how I did my organizing. There are 9 rows in this quilt and I have them sorted by row and numbered. This should be pretty easy to put together, one could hope, right?