Holiday rush and gifts galore

Hello everyone. Sorry I've been quiet, but I was busy working on gifts and I didn't want to show them too early. Besides I didn't want to give away what I was making. First off this is basically going to be a picture heavy blog and I'm sorry about that. However, that said you'll see what I had been making for gifts. Yes, I'm already trying to think of what to make next year for people. I'll figure it out. I'm actually proud of myself because I was able to get them done and one time. I even did a ceramic dragon (I painted it)that I gave to my oldest boys friend, which she loved. So really without further ado, I'll give you the pictures. :)

I'm actually not sure what order these pictures are in. But the potholders and oven mitts were kind of fun to do. All gifted out to people. Then the progress pics of the wall hanging I made my step daughter. She loved it. So all in all I'm happy with what I did. I learned some things too in the process of this. One thing I learned is that fact that I can do it and I will be doing a lot more. I have plans for 2014 and here's to all those lovely ideas dancing in my head.

I doubt I will be posting again here in this blog, so I'm signing off this blog for 2013, I hope your new year will bring happiness, joy and of course many more creative ideas to fill the time.

GH
See you all in 2014. :D

I did it! So excited. :D

Hey all.

I know I updated yesterday, but by George I feel that another update is needed. I'm so proud of myself. First I did the wreath, and I know it's not perfect, but I did it! I did it without help and so forth, that for me is an accomplishment. I'm usually looking online or calling someone. I did this myself, with the help of the book Block Magic, by Nancy Johnson -Screbro. Love, love this book and I'm so happy I bought it years ago. Little did I know that I would venture finally into doing what I wanted to do besides sewing.

Next it the tree, it was easier to do, but still, I did it. There was a bit of confusion with some of the measurements and hubby came to the rescue and he helped me with that. It was a little hectic because one of the cats fell into the tub and got all wet, and then the dog wanted outside. I did get it done and I finally decided, yes, you better pack it up for the night. I just feel so accomplished and am so proud of myself.

Here are the pictures. :) I'll be making another holiday wall hanging with this. It may not get done this year, but that's okay because I'm learning and having fun. Next year it will get displayed.

Til next time, have fun!

A new shirt and some walking foot sewing.

Hey all.

I've been a busy beaver, working on christmas gifts, which I can't mention. Also I was working on my holiday wall hanging, which is coming along nicely. Ken (kenmore sewing machine)was being temperamental. Actually he's temperamental at least once a day when I use him. So miss my Grace babylock, oh so much, and I'll be dancing when she's fixed. Anyway, so I've been busy. One of which was getting a shirt done and sewed up for my youngest. I finished that today. Below you can see it. He was happy to see it done, that was for sure; me I was happy to have it done so I could move on back to my other projects. Go me!

Next is a picture of my holiday wall hanging that is a work in progress. I hope I can have it done in time. I am finding that machine quilting, is a bit of a struggle because you do have to move your fabric around constantly. I cannot see myself sewing a twin or anything bigger on the machine, but I suspect I will surprise myself as time goes buy because lets face it, Long arm sewing machines are expensive. So here is are a couple of works in progress for the wall hanging. The walking foot is proving to be very useful; I can't wait though to start the free motion quilting on it. That will come.

I had to rip out a section that I did today because the bobbin bounced, but once I fixed it, it seemed to be okay. So ripping was the last thing I did today before I put everything up for supper. It was a very productive day and I'm quite happy with the progress I'm making, even though Ken likes to give me grief. [laughs] So here are the pictures for the wall hanging.

Well that's it until next time.

Keep sewing and having fun

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween everyone. I hope all the kids out there are going to have a blast trick or treating. I hope the adults out there have their fun too, because remember no one is too old to have a bit of Halloween fun. I managed to finish the Halloween wall hanging that I started at the beginning of the month. I'm both proud and disappointed with it at the same time. Funny how that is. lol

The pattern came out of a Patrick Lose magazine, and I just had to make it; so I did. I'm disappointed that it didn't turn out straight and that my applique came out a little jumbled. I'm kind of happy with the free motion quilting that I did for it and I'm really proud of the binding. It was one reason it took me so long, the binding. I hate it and love it at the same time. Not to mention that it's been a while since I've done any type of binding. So it really was a surprise to know that if it I didn't want to, I didn't have to do bias binding. I just cut out what I needed and went from there. It was a bit of a challenge since I kept sewing the pieces together the wrong way. It took me three tries to get right, but once I finally did, I got it on then hand sewed the back. I actually got lost in the hand sewing and almost forgot to put super on. Thank goodness for my husband who happened to pay attention to the time and ask if I was putting dinner on. So all in all it wasn't a bad day and I still wish I had my laptop.

Anyway without further ado, here at the pictures. I have more but with the laptop in the shop those pictures may have to wait.

I have my hand stitching I was doing, and then the finished product. Remember I'm a beginner and I know it's not the best, but I made it and well, I'll try another later and see how I made out with that one. For now, I'm proud of what I accomplished and not to mention what I learned through making this. Indeed this was an adventure and I'll do it all over again, soon. :)

Once again, I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.
Laters :)

Sewing troubles, and Halloween bags.

Hello everyone, I hope all is well.

It's the middle of October and I've been sort of busy with a lot of things. My main sewing machine Grace broke down. I think it was my own fault, so I had to pull my Kenmore out and he's still as temperamental as I remember him lol. As my mother said though, I'm glad I can switch machines. I really miss Grace because she was so nice to sew with and you didn't have to fight with the tension. I'll get to sew with her soon, well after the Christmas holidays. Until then I'll deal with Ken. He's still much loved, but he's just a temperamental machine.

I got busy today(tonight)and worked on two Halloween bags, One for my Husbands grandson and then his granddaughter. I made a pillowcase for the grandson; I figured he'd get more use out of it this way since it will double as a halloween bag. Now the granddaughter gets a cute little bag. It's a little big, but she will grow into it and when she's older I'll make a pillowcase one for her. So, that was my adventure tonight. I really enjoyed myself as well, and I can't wait to give the kids their little gift.

Here are pictures

The first picture is both together. The second is a close up of the little bag that I made for the granddaughter. The third is the close up the decorative stitch I used. Lastly the last one is the pillowcase. I always make them a bit bigger. Easier to get on the pillows.

Well that's it for now.
Happy sewing/quilting and crafting. Stay Creative. :)

First Time Free Motion Quilting.

Today, I did take the plunge and tried out free motion quilting. It really and truly is not as easy as it looks. BUT it's fun! lol. I don't have an extension table, although it is on my list to get. Along with that list is my walking foot. I'm going to need it soon. Anyway I'm not giving away that project. Today is about finishing a UFO= Unfinished object. In my case my plunge into free motion quilting. There are several video's online and I've watched a couple here and there. I had ten potholders to do and well, that's what I used. I know I need a lot more practice, but I'm going to continue. I had a lot of fun and towards the end I was be-bopping along with some music.

I did run into one snag and for some reason my first bobbin decided it was gonna tangle all over the place. I figure (and as does my mother) the bobbin wasn't wound right. So I got another bobbin ready and didn't have another problem at all. I went on my way and I was having fun. I can say that an extension table would have made things just that much easier and that will come. I was happy though. Those woman and yes men out there that have done this for years, kudo's to you for making it look so easy and I only hope one day I can make it look like that as well.

Here are the potholders. Close up of the free motion. I didn't do too bad; I know that at times my stitching was longer or shorter, that comes with practice I'm sure of it.

For sure I will be doing this again; I really enjoyed the free motion quilting. One project in the bucket done, several more to be working on.

Oh happy day/evening.
Until later. :)

Halloween Project

It's me again. I finally took the plunge and turned my dinning room in a sewing room. Even if that is the case, my sewing machine still resides in my living room, because there isn't enough room in the sewing room. Besides, where the sewing machine is now, I can easily look out the window, so that's kind of nice. I'm happy with it, because I can work on the projects without having to take the table down. Also, during the holidays the long table will serve as a dinning table, so it's a win-win situation.

Here is one of the many projects I am working on. I realized too late I had forgotten to see about getting fuseable interfacing. My bad, but I also need it for another project I'm going to be working on. Hopefully I buy enough, lol. Here's a sneak peek at the Halloween project. It came out the the fons and porter - Patrick lose fall edition; The mini quilt is Seasonal Silhouettes. I can't wait to get it going and learning some more things.

Here are the pictures, and as you can one of my 'helpers' decided to get into the pictures as well. The view with Skittles in it, is the picture of the whole room, and my little cutting area. :)

Happy crafting/sewing/quilting everyone.

Lunch bag

Hello, hello

I finally sat down and made my youngest his lunch bag. I'm happy with it, but I discovered I have a real hate for binding. But, that's something that will take practice I know. LOL. So the tut I followed was this one - Lunch bag I like this pattern because it's very compact and not a lot of pattern pieces to shuffle though. Hey who doesn't love not having a million pattern pieces? I did this up this morning and I do plan on making another one. I might change the pattern though, to be a little wider and perhaps a bit shorter. ALL in all I did like how it turned out. Still need mega practice on binding and maybe I will grow to love it. lol Or you know go back to the way I was taught to do it; half by machine other half by hand.

Here are the pictures of the finished product.

So one project done and many to go. Like making another lunch bag.

See ya later.

Do we put to much effort in looking good?

My silly, well maybe not silly thought of the day was brought to you by Bonnie Hunter, and her Quiltville's Quips and Snips - http://quiltville.blogspot.ca/2013/08/necessary-shopping.html

She made mention of the fact that she hates shopping for anything, but fabric, and anything sewing related. I can't vouch for the runway show because I have never watched it. I'd probably like it, but I always thought it was a high end show that made high end clothing. I'm with Bonnie though, I'd rather be comfortable then not so comfortable. I hate shopping, though window shopping is more to my taste. I can wander for hours looking at things and not walk out with a single thing. I just have to make sure I have my trusty water bottle with me.

But what brought me to post this was comfort. Do we put to much effort in looking good that we forgot comfort? I can tell you quite frankly if I'm not comfortable within the first three minutes with an item of clothing it most likely won't see the light of day again and this is why I want to learn to make my own clothing. I want clothing that will fit me and be comfortable for me. The thing is, well I'm not an expert and I am far from a intermediate sewer. I sew for fun mostly, but I do know the added benefit of making my own stuff would be so much better then the store bought stuff. The fact that they've changed sizing in garments isn't lost on me either. I'm actually a large or extra large, but now I'm a 1X or to be really comfortable a 2x. The clothing for that size is awful, the industry needs to change. I'm overweight, yes, but there is no excuse for clothing to be the way it is. I walk into almost every store and I don't like anything that is offered for clothing. I find myself going to the mens section for shirts because they are roomier and more comfortable. I guess us woman, are made to suffer with clothing; I want comfort and I think that will come with better fitted clothing.

So I guess with my little ramble there is, Sewing is love, even it's quilting or making a garment because at the end of the day, it's make with love, and by a person's own hands.

Oh and to keep with things, I haven't been working too much on my stuff lately. Been a little worried about my youngest boy and his going to a new school. We had the meeting today and I am still worried, but I think I'll just get his lunch bag down and sewn so he'll have that. Need to work on my quilt. Been working on my Halloween quilt off and on too. Happy sewing(Quilting) Everyone! :D

A little headway

I have been fiddling around here with some projects. Lining up my fabric for the net set of patches for my Hollie Hobbie quilt. I made a bit more progress. Now it was discovered too late but the bottom of the panel was not straight, even when I went and cut it. Anyway, suffice to say, you can really see where it wasn't even. I'm not to worried about it, because again, it's a patch work quilt. I think it gives it a big of character. I put a brown border around it and now that it's done I can go into the patch work. Hubby and I figured out the measurements and honestly, I'm glad hubby is the math guy because I am not good at math. LOL My youngest boy was nice enough to hold up the quilt for me to take a picture of it, so I can show it. So here ya go, the slow progress on it.



That's it for now, happy quilting,crafting or whatever you may be doing.

Supervisors

I worked on my quilt today. Got it almost the way I want before I add on the patchwork blocks, or rather more rectangles. I figured out what I would need, and it's going to be a little bigger than a twin size quilt, but smaller than a double. Today while I was working away, the kittens decided they wanted to supervise. It was cute, until Skittles decided my ruler needed to be swatted a couple of times. Granted she stopped after realizing I wasn't budging. Eventually my supervisors fell asleep, and this was the end result of it all. I'm glad they work for me and only charge in food and the occasional petting. No actual pictures of the quilt in progress this time. I'm actually holding off because I'm trying to decide on something.

In other news I am likely going to get a free motion foot this weekend. GO ME! I'll be able learn to free motion quilt. So that plan is in the works. Going out with my mother and we're hopefully going to make a day of it. Look at fabric and the likes. Oh if only I had some money. lol (don't we all!)

Anyway without further ado, here is the picture of my supervisors for today. They fell asleep on the job!

Happy weekend everyone!

Holly Hobbie a go!

Yep, Holly Hobbie is a go. I've been working on her and enjoy it, a lot. Who knew working on something like this could bring you comfort and joy. :) I have the smaller panels done, now to figure out the rest, but it's coming together so nicely. Yes, I know there are a few mistakes, but this is my quilt and it's going to be mine. Something I can wrap myself into and keep warm. Here's all eight of the small panels done. Go me!

One of the kittens(Skittles) taking a nap on my table with all the my quilting stuff. I thought it should be shown. lol. The other kitty likes my iron board. Yes, I have a picture of her as well, This one would be Sally.

So the animals always keep it interesting. Today when I was working on the smaller panels, the dog(Tanis) was chasing the kittens from one spot to another. At one point they kittens were on top of my project bin staring down at the dog.....It wasn't a boring morning that`s for sure.

So that`s what I've been doing.
See you again, next time

This is what I've been up too.

Evening everyone. :)

I failed the challenge on sewing everyday, but that is okay. My goal for myself is to keep being creative and that's what I've been doing. The other day, I had a light bulb go on. Remember that patchwork cutting I was doing, well it hit me what I could do with it. I'm actually very happy about it. I just finished cutting more patchwork blocks; I stopped though because it was getting too hot and I really wanted to sit in front of the fan.

Anyway, here is more on the patchwork quilt idea. I'll let the picture do most of the talking.

Basically I've had the Holly Hobbie stuff for about 3 yrs and finally, FINALLY going to be doing something with it. I' m rather proud of myself for finally figure out what I'm going to do with it. The quilt will be a gift to myself, since I grew up with her as a kid.

I want to thank my mother for the scraps she gave me for the patchwork quilt. I can't wait to get this going and underway, along with my many other projects I've got listed to do. :)

So that's what I've been up too.

Laters

Not so much today.

Today was a very off day for me. Despite the wish and or want to sew it didn't work out. Well not today anyway. I did do a bit of hand sewing and I need to really practice on that. So I'm working on the pot holders and getting openings sewed up. Yeah, I'm still not great at it, even after all these years I'm still not good. Practice makes perfect they say. LOL Well someday I will get right right!

No pictures today, but just the basic hand sewing of getting the pot holders sewing up so I can stitch them with a design on the sewing machine later.

that's it folks. :)

Major progress and something to sew tomorrow.

Hey, hey hey.

Today, I did the pot holders I had cut out. I just need to stitch them up, and they'll be done and sent to the people they are going too. Then I set to work on a quilt idea, so I'm working on that and you'll see a picture of the progress there. I've decided to challenge myself and try to sew every day this month. I can't take the credit, because someone else issued a challenge and whom and I to say no. The challenge was issued on a group that I'm member on Facebook. So I did sew today! Just pot holders, but I need to stitch them closed then maybe do a design on them too. I don't have a free motion quilt for my grace; I do have fancy stitches so I will use those. :) All in all it was a good day.

Here is the big pile of pot holders

And here is another project I started, which is pinned to sew up tomorrow. I don't know if I'm going to make it into a quilt or if I'm just going to keep it small and make it into something bigger. I'm thinking a quilt, maybe a double. Yep, I'm likely to get in over my head, but honestly, I think it will be fun. :D

And that's it for me tonight. :) I feel pretty good about what I did today. Now I'm going to go reward myself with a nice soak in the tub! :D

Tootles!

Skulls and Greens and paper piecing too.

Hello everyone. I managed to sit down today and do a pair of shorts. It only took me two hours to do, and that was even stopping to eat lunch. Anyway, the shorts were made for my youngest boy, who adores them, since he hasn't taken them off since I asked him to try them on. The pattern was a Mcalls pattern - M4364 The shorts were super easy to sew up. I just took longer because I like to zigzag the raw edges to help prevent fraying.

Also yesterday, I spent the afternoon with my mother and we did paper piecing. She had done it before, but I have never tried it, so that was quite interesting. We made A LOT of mistakes, but it was also a very fun and sometimes frustrating learning process. I will be doing that again. I'll just have to wait and I've added it into my bucket list of projects I want to do. lol I have other projects that are sitting to be sewn up, and am probably going to do those tomorrow. So with out further ado, here are the pics; one is the paper piece that my mother did and you will notice the mistakes (it was a test square anyway for my mother to learn how to do it right.)

The bottom image is of my youngest boy, who rather looks cool with his new shorts and sunglasses on. As I said before he's quite happy with them and that makes mom very happy as well. :)

Until next time.

Busy busy

Yesterday June 24, my husband and I celebrated our 18th anniversary. We actually didn't do much, but that's how we roll. We don't make a big deal out it. Funny, because being married 18 yrs is a big deal today. Ah well. lol

Anyway, no pictures today. Just a little catch up to tell you what I've been doing. Currently, I just finished cutting out a short pattern for my youngest boy. I showed him the material this time and he told me what he wanted with them. A pair of shorts and a top , more specifically a tank top. The boy loves Muscle shirts and tank tops, so he'll be getting one. I'm also going to be making some stuff for myself a nightgown and some t-shirts. I think it's about time I actually started sewing stuff for myself. Yep, I think so.

Also I've been slowly working on my Halloween wall hanging. Found the hoop I was using just too bulky and awkward, so I'm going to return that one to my mother and then get the smaller one. I was debating on the floor quilt frame, but I honestly have no place to put it. So smaller hoop it is. I have a couple of more pot holders to do as well; all in all I'm trying to keep busy. I've got a couple of ideas for quilts. Now if I could magically be mathematically inclined I'd be in heaven. That's not likely to happen any time soon. I'll figure it out soon. Eventually I will anyway.

So yeah that's the quick little update. Once I get the shorts made and done, I'll post a picture.
Until next time.

Potholders oh my.

Hello again. I've been busy and doing what I usually do. I made potholders, now I didn't take any real progress pictures of these because I somewhat followed a tutorial that can be found here - http://howtosew.com/blog/sewing-projects/square-pot-holder

There are a few good learning tutorials here. Now, I really didn't need to follow the tutorial, but if you're just a beginner sewer, those tuts might be good for you. One thing for sure, I'll be making more Potholders. One thing I did find with them is that if you add decorative stitches, it takes a bit of the bulk away. Now, you don't have to use decorative stitches, you could just use a straight stitch and it will get the job done. Actually potholders are a great way to try out those stitches on your machine that you don't normally use. So go for it, have a little fun. Anyway here are the pictures of my pot holders. I do love the colors in them so, hey I guess that's a good bonus. :)


This one here is one side of the pot holder. It's finished for the most part beyond doing some decorative stitching too it.


The other side. Yes, I'm partial to green. :P


And here they are both done.

I had fun with them, and as I said before, I do plan on making more. Maybe I'll try a couple of other decorative stitches as well.

On another note, I am on the search for a free motion foot for my beloved Grace, who's a baby lock. I did find that I could get one. (according to the manual)On the babylock website it doesn't say I can. So, yep, I'm on the hunt. Meanwhile, I've other projects lined up and not having that quilting foot isn't going to stop me. Hopefully next week I'll be able to show you my next project. If not, til next time, because I'm sure I'll be able to find something to sew and have fun.

Little project

Howdy all; I'm back again. So my husband has a co-worker that has a little boy that loves cars. I had left over fabric and well, I figured instead of it sitting in my stash, I'd make a pillow case for this little guy. It turned out rather well. It's not a major project, but I enjoyed myself and that's the main thing. So without too much chatter today, I'm just going to link the picture of the finished pillow case. I hope the little guy likes it. :)



Can we say Vroom Vroom. lol
Til next time :)

The quest for knowledge continues

Not really, but it is a chore trying to figure things out; honestly though, I love the challenge and that to me is the main thing. Today was about major challenges, since I'm not very mathematically inclined I tend to make blunders. The good thing in this, it wasn't too bad of a blunder. A phone call to my mother, a quick ten-fifteen minute visit and I was back on track again. A stop for lunch and then another blunder of sewing the fabric wrong seen me sitting in a chair, watching M*A*S*H for forty-five minutes while I ripped that out.

The dog was vegging in her bed during all this and no help what so ever. However, she kept me company and that's kinda cool. Though, she gave me some looks as to why she couldn't cuddle up beside me. Yeah, she thinks she's a lap dog. She's close to being one, but nope, she's a little big for it, but not much. Anyway, I'm happy to say that I got the quilt put together for the most part. The back is done and I'm actually quite proud of it. So with out further ado, here are the picks.


This here is the front after getting the batting on and pinning the heck out of it.



The back of it. Gotta tell you I do love the spiderweb fabric. I wish I had thought to get more. lol

Lastly, when you do a project like this, pins are your best friend and you end up pinning the heck of it, is what you do to keep in place. This is if you want to work on hand stitching or working on the bias.

So here is the close up of the pinning love.

Long time no see

Well it's been a very long while since I've even stepped foot onto this blog. You may be asking why. Well, I ended up running into snag with a pattern and it greatly discouraged me. But I got back on the wagon recently. I ended up moving my sewing area and it's now in front of the window. I like it there, a lot. Just had to say that. LOL My first project after the failed one was a wall hanging. It's done for the most part, I just need the batting and then to do the back and I'm good to go. So here is the latest project. Mind you it was super easy and it really is just a panel with added material, still I like it. :)


That's it for now, and hopefully I'll have more blogs soon.