Secret Santa revealed ~

my first paper piecing ~ eyeglasses
Pattern by Sew-Ichigo
open wide bag pattern by Noodlehead
ruffle inspiration from Twin Fibers

eyeglass case ~ pattern by Studio Cherie

lined with flannel

the bag and case for my Secret Santa

My gift from my Secret Santa

This post has been long overdue. I couldn't write or post pictures of the projects for Christmas because it would have spoiled the surprise. It turned out that I was the secret Santa for my secret Santa. I have made a new quilting friend.

This is just some of the 'elving' that has been going on. 

Fussy cut challenge ~

pillowcases

 

 

ribbon trim and french knots added

 

 

 

I thought a matching pair of pillowcases for a guest room would be a great project to show off Heather Ross' fabrics. We were given scraps/pieces of fabric and the challenge was to create something using the fussy cut method. Each of my pieces were cut to 4 1/2" so I tried to show-off the best of each piece that I had. I think these are a 'go with everything' type of accessory for a little girls room or guest room.

I added little bits of ribbon here & there and added french knots behind the bees to accent the pollen. I backed the piecework with a strip of fabric to protect the seams. All the seams are enclosed for wear and tear and it is finished off with french seams...whew! Sorry just notes to myself...

I love these fabrics and wish I had gotten into sewing sooner. They just make you smile

a little apron ~

Sunday-Dinner Hostess Apron

Something I have been wanting to make for a while. The quilt guild that I belong to is having a little challenge using Heather Ross scraps donated by one of our generous members. So I made this today, really, using a vintage tablecloth. I have a few aprons and now a half apron. This is not my entry for the challenge but it is getting me in the mood for sure.

Now to whip up some dinner, I am feeling a 'June Cleaver' moment coming ~

(sorry the picture was missing...technology and I have a love/hate relationship)

what I learned this weekend ~

During our meeting I finished another block from the 163 Patchwork Favorites. I might a have long pause here, only because the next quilt block looks rather complicated. I could make it with more seams but I will attempt it the way it is shown. 

Keep the seam ripper close...

clown block pg 17 from 163 Patchwork Favorites

While at the SDMQG meeting this weekend a member gave a very informative talk and lesson in regards to binding quilts, including types of binding, cutting fabric for binding, applying binding and hand stitching. Who knew? I learned there was more to binding that I ever thought and certainly more to consider. There are probably a few things I could change for the better for future quilts. Thank you Julie!

binding on one of the quilts for the twins

coiled around the extension table foot

love my juki

Another member brought in her Juki and we started to chat about all things we love about this machine. I typically sew the binding on after I have free-motion quilted using my Juki because it is on my sewing table. It is a heavy machine to take up and down. I found winding the binding up and placing it under the foot of the extension table to be a rather clever way to keep it off the floor and to keep it from get all tangled up. 

Have a great week and happy sewing

Quilt guild swap ~ bag

 

 

 

  

 

Learned new techniques and it was fun to play with a new type of fabric. You would have thought I picked this fabric while at Superbuzzy a few weeks ago. I found this tutorial after that trip so I had to search around for fabric I thought that the crafty ladies in the guild might like. So one call to Momen+, in Torrance, did the trick. 

I was hoping that the pink selvedge would show more. Instead of pinning the fabric I used my quilt binding clips. The instructions call for a special foot and needle for the nylon fabric. I decided to see what would happen using what I had and it worked out fine. I used white thread and I am thinking black might have looked better. I just won't say anything...It is perfect just the way it is.

Love the little green birds!

I wonder what the other ladies are whipping up right now?

Finished ~

Friday


I hope that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?
The runner that Angela from the SDMQG had made for me was a big hit at our home that my darling stated 'you could make one with Christmas fabric for the piano'. So without direction and checking and rechecking the measurements I came up with this reversible runner





Have a great weekend

G ~

G is for ~



Gingerbread cookies

Cooks Illustrated recipe

girls creativity 

  

Gifts ~
to my swap partner

mug rugs inspired by Material Obsession
zipper pouch tutorial found on A Spoon Full of Sugar
picture taken by SDMQG member

and gifts from my swap partner
A table runner

love the grey, pinks and pattern
picture taken by SDMQG member

Happy Friday

F ~

F is for ~

fabric

The members of the San Diego Modern Quilt Guild had a very nice Christmas party which included the scrap swap and food. What I didn't know is that one kind individual goes through their stash and makes enough raffle prizes for everyone in the group. I randomly chose a bag and inside were scraps of fabric and all my favorite color. 

Whatever your passion I would encourage you to seek out a group of like minded persons to hang out with and share ideas.

'F' is for friends!

Have a lovely day

Halloween 2012

'No-Face' & 'Princess Mononoke'

The girls ~ and 'Laura Ingalls'

 My darling daughters designed their costumes and I with my trusty sewing machine stitched. I used  McCall's pattern M4948, for the Laura costume and lengthen the sleeves. This is the pattern I used for when she was Alice a few year back. Such a versatile pattern, add calico print fabric and you have a prairie girl. I found the bonnet tutorial on the internet via 'Given Moments' blog. The internet is wonderful!

Next up is a little fabric swap among the quilters in the San Diego Modern Quilt Guild. I have made one item but no pictures till we swap... two more little things to go to round it out.

Lastly trying a new recipe for baked donuts. I think it will bring a little holiday spirit to the house. 

Our November is filling up with debate tournaments, SAT testing, college applications~ our life is full and happy. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. Furious baking and cooking followed by resting. As I am planning for Thanksgiving, I think first thing is to clean the ovens. I know there is splatters and spills but it just feels nice to start fresh. My recipes are gathered, I did this a few years back realizing that I used the same recipes so why not have them all in one place!? Sometimes I feel like a late bloomer ~

And I am ready to get back to my original plan/idea for this blog which was '12 Quilts 12 dresses'. I need to do an inventory to see where I am at and plan out the 'dresses'. The little girl is easy to sew for, not so many curves. I have probably made 12 or more quilts and have veered off course here and there but I am probably close. I will report back soon...

Happy November

Towel & WIPs

 

Finally finished that little towel. Now that it is all dressed up it looks nice next to the embroidered Anthropologie towel.

The binding is all stitched to the Rain or Shine quilt. Next the yo-yo's ~ I am stitching them using DMC floss no.8 with a little 'x' at each wedge. And what you may be able to see is my attempt at a stipple free-hand motion quilting. I received encouragement and tips from a member of the San Diego Modern Quilt guild at our last meeting ~ thanks Pam! I will need more practice though. 

In the wings waiting to be quilted is my Avalon, Montana and Modern Workshop quilts ~ plenty of practice.

Best get to finishing Halloween costumes