Monday, November 21, 2011

The rest of the strip projects

The rest of the projects that I presented at the precuts, strips session 2. When I saw this on the Moda Bake Shop, I just had to make it. It is a playmat for baby. The pattern actually shows how to make two projects from a single jelly roll. I used scraps from the shop, but it would be cute in any fabric. The second project in the pattern is a smaller version that could be used as a changing pad.

The same designer also has a similar pattern that makes floor pillows. I made my second round into a floor pillow. This pillow is so cute!!! And it is the small one. This would also make a cute bed for a pampered pooch too.

This one is a super fast and easy project and would make a great gift. It is a growth chart from the Bake Shop also. I added the applique for some additional interest. And you can take it with you if you move.

I realized that I missed taking a pictureof the octopus, so just check her out on the Bake Shop and I will try and add her picture to another post.

I also showed some quilts that I think you all have already seen from a couple of different patterns. I will double check my photo gallery and if I haven't posted them yet, I will. (if I remember). LOL
Happy stitching everyone.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Trip To Portland

I can not believe how fast time is going. The last week end in October I went to Portland (Oregon) for my niece's wedding. My Sister-in-law was supposed to send me some of the wedding pictures electronically, but I am still waiting. I do have some Portland pictures.
I traveled by myself because the hubs will not fly. I actually think it is easier to travel alone. I flew Chicago to Phoenix and then on to Portland. I rented a car, set my GPS on my new android and took off. I took a small detour to a adorable little village that has a quilt shop (surprise!!!) and a yarn shop and a bead shop.
I just went to the quilt shop and I got a few batik FQs. Then I went on to my SIL's house. We chatted and caught up on all the news and the wedding plans. They had the rehearsal dinner to attend and just the wedding party was invited so I was off to shop. I returned to the village  and bought some yarn and a few beads. Then I went to the other side of town for a visit to another quilt shop. (And a bit more fabric for my stash).
Friday morning I made an airport run to pick up my DD#2 and her friend D. I was so happy to see them. The day flew by and Friday night my SIL had a party for allt of the out of town family to get together. Lots of laughing and food and fun. (Why do I always think of the camera afterwards?)
Saturday was the wedding day but we had most of the day free. DD#2 and D and I took off for downtown Portland to walk around. We walked thru the city and then down to the waterfront. Finally I remembered the camera. Tada the waterfront.



Sam and Doug

From the waterfront looking back at the city.

The evening and the wedding were both wonderful. Hopefully I will have some pics to share soon.

Sunday we just hung out and relaxed and chatted. Monday I left at 5:30AM to head east. SIL too Sam and Doug to the airport in the afternoon. The end to a great trip.
Happy stitching everyone.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Precut club part 2A

The second session of the precuts club is all wrapped up and I can show the projects now. BUT before I do that, I need to tell you that my DD went to Vegas over the week end and got married. I am a Mother -in -law. I told K I would try not to be one of 'those' MIL. LOL. They have been together a few years already so he isn't worried. I love them both, and I am excited to add K officially to the family. (More on the wedding later).

The theme of this session is the little ones in our lives. I made this diaper bag ( Moda Bake Shop) in these crazy brights. It would make a great overnight bag or a gym bag as well. Super easy construction. The outside has two giant pockets on the ends and two smaller pockets on the long sides, all on the outside. When I make the next one I will probably make some inside pockets.

The diaper burp cloth and the bib come from Moda Bake Shop as well. It is such a great place to go for tons of free patterns. Anyhoo.. The burp cloth is a cloth diaper with a pieced strip down the center. Easy, fast, and adds some cute to the burp cloth. The bib  looks like a square right? Well it is, but what isn't in the picture is the way you put it on. You get some ribbon or trim of your choice and some mitten clips. Tack the clips onto the ribbon and you have a detachable tie (for lack of a better word) so you can take it off and use another bib , but you only need one tie. (Think those clips the dentist uses to put on the paper bibs, then imagine it with cute ribbon. The other burp cloth is strips pieced, flannel on the back. Sew RST  with a small opening for turning. Turn and top stitch. I just sort of did a pattern, but in my opinion it is way too small. I will try it again only bigger.

I love this chair cover. ( I am getting a  bit more worried that I will feel the need to cover everything in my house with fabric strips). This is another Moda Bake Shop pattern. It is perfect to protect your favorite chair from the mess your favorite fur baby makes on your chair. Or from that baby that needs an even bigger burp cloth. heehee.  Or perhaps your favorite chair is in need of a bit of freshening. This chair cover  is made in sections and then all put together with the seat section. So easy. So fun.

This little bag was a must for me when I saw it on the Bake Shop. It is called the Doggie Doo bag. To put your bags in when you take your dog out for a walk. Now I have to tell you that I would put my keys and cell phone in the bag and some baggies in the pocket.

Lastly I did an apron from the Bake Shop and I love it. You only need 7 strips (2 1/2 inches) and a bit of yardage. Cut the strips in half, and piece them together. Add the hem. Add the top and ties and done!
I got a notion to try to push the pattern, I made a reversible apron. Fall/Thanksgiving on one side and Christmas on the other side. So much fun.


There are more projects so stay tuned. Also upcoming, more on my niece's wedding and my DD wedding too. AND I was going to do a give away when I got to 100 posts, but I am sooo slow at posting these days that I do not think I can wait. :)
Happy stitching everyone.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Veterans Day

A heartfelt thank you to all the Veterans who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces. And hugs and prayers to all of their families who may not wear a uniform, but who serve as well.
Thank you to my Dad who is a career Navy man and a veteran of Korea and Vietnam. I am so grateful that he came back to us when so many did not.
Thank you to my Uncle Dick  who is a career Marine and a veteran of Vietnam.
Thank you to my Uncle Lidge who was a career Marine and a veteran of Vietnam.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

More strippy projects

I got up at Dark thirty (OK 4:30) yesterday morning in Portland. Took my rental to the airport and boarded a plane to Denver. I had a three hour lay-over in Denver. Boarded another plane to Chicago. I looked at my boarding pass while in Denver and saw that I booked my flight home into Midway Airport instead of O'Hare. WHAT???? I do not know how I managed that one. I got off the plane in Chicago, grabbed my suitcase and barely made the shuttle bus to O'Hare Airport. After one transfer and one hour I got there.
Grabbed a cab. Home sweet home 8pm CST. (I will post about the trip and the wedding later).

I promised I would show you the rest of stripy projects I made for the presentation. This little cutie was super simple and took only 2 strips. I made one for the baby of one of DD's friends. He liked it so I thought ""why not"? Layer two strips right sides together, round off one end. Sew together and turn right side out.
Stuff with fiberfill. Roll and stitch. Pattern is on Moda's Bake shop.

This is a super simple little runner also on the Moda Bake shop. What I love about it is that you can use more or less strips or even make them wider to fit the table or dresser or buffet you need it to cover. I also changed the technique a bit...I made it as a quilt as you go so it was even faster.

I thought that this would be a really cute hostess gift. Two strips of fabric and a bit of ric rac. I used Halloween fabric because it is that time of year, but any fabric would work. 

This runner is the opposite of fast and easy. It is from Eydita Sitar's book (same one as last post for strip sets). I made a large strip set and all the diamonds were cut from that. You could make several smaller strip sets and get a more scrappy look. All those Y seams were a challenge but I think it turned out pretty well.

The last project is a string quilt. It is from a pattern called Diamond Jubilee by Pieces of My Heart (I think).
Super easy and fast. Makes a cute throw. I used a jelly roll that I had in my precuts drawer for a while. Started it at 9 or 10 pm and cut, stitched, cut, stitched until 2 am. 

It was fun making these projects. The next session is one week from tomorrow. Guess who has not sewn a stitch yet??? I have a plan. :) I will let you know if I can get it all done.

Happy stitching