Yay, I finished Dulcie's quilt top--which is one good step in the right direction! There are just over 50 prints in the background. I wish I had used more. Luckily, the eye tends to follow the diagonal line instead of moving up and down. I finished this on the 29th. It was a complete skin-of-my-teeth photo finish to squeeze it into September at all. Not all the seams match, but it doesn't really matter. My girl loves it, and so do I :)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
October!
Yes, it is October. I managed to do at least one thing that I really wanted to do last month. Boy, NaSewMo was a complete fail for me this year. I just had too many non-sewing things going on. Partnered with the other smaller item sewing obligations I had, it was just impossible for me.
Yay, I finished Dulcie's quilt top--which is one good step in the right direction! There are just over 50 prints in the background. I wish I had used more. Luckily, the eye tends to follow the diagonal line instead of moving up and down. I finished this on the 29th. It was a complete skin-of-my-teeth photo finish to squeeze it into September at all. Not all the seams match, but it doesn't really matter. My girl loves it, and so do I :)
Yay, I finished Dulcie's quilt top--which is one good step in the right direction! There are just over 50 prints in the background. I wish I had used more. Luckily, the eye tends to follow the diagonal line instead of moving up and down. I finished this on the 29th. It was a complete skin-of-my-teeth photo finish to squeeze it into September at all. Not all the seams match, but it doesn't really matter. My girl loves it, and so do I :)
Thursday, September 22, 2011
NaSewMo Week 2-3
I went on vacation and it was totally awesome and relaxing. I haven't stitched a thing in like 1.5 weeks. I have to finish up my obligations to Hive 21 for the 3x6, and then I'm set! I opted not to join the October NuBee round so that I can start working on Christmas presents and that sort of stuff. My daughter's birthday is in November and the DH is hinting none too subtle that he wants to throw a big party for her. If that ends up being the case, I should have started Christmas last month given all the planning that takes, LOL!
Seriously, I think I may have to reschedule my NaSewMo this year ;)
Seriously, I think I may have to reschedule my NaSewMo this year ;)
Sunday, September 11, 2011
An Unproductive Week
I'm honestly surprised how much busier I am this year than I was last year. Sewing wise, this has been a very unproductive week. I managed to sew all my rows (10) and pair them together for my daughter's quilt. I had hoped to have them sewn together (aka finished!) today, but that didn't happen. Instead, I spent 7 hours muddling my way through TWO blocks for the NuBee block swap. Granted it wasn't 7 continuous hours, but whenever I had time to sew, I opted to work on that. I think my energies are off when it's coming to sewing. Everything is seeming a tad more tedious than it should be. I am disappointed that I didn't reach my Week 1 goal for NaSewMo. At least I did manage to finish those 2 blocks and I cut for a 3rd. I need to finish all my blocks by Thursday afternoon since that's when I'll be going out-of-town for a long weekend.
Monday, September 5, 2011
NaSewMo - Week 1
I finished sewing my do.Good stitches blocks today.I had to remake one of the blocks because when I measured it today, it was nearly a .25" shy on one side. I also started on my Hive 21 blocks for 3x6. I did one practice block and it was a failure. Well, not complete failure. I just forgot to change a fabric placement and so it didn't work like it should have. And with it laid out, it wasn't quite what I wanted--even if the colors had been in the right places.
I have a small, but growing, collection of blocks that don't belong to anything. Either they were the wrong size and had to be cut down, or they just weren't what I wanted. Here is a sample of the most recent additions:
I decided today that I'm going to cobble them all together and make a truly scrappy patchwork. I don't know how long it will take to save up enough pieces. I know I have a few more blocks hidden away. Or I might just use this selection as a base. I'm finding I really like the bright aqua/teal, pink, yellow, green combination.
I know I probably should have started NaSewMo's first week *last* week since the 1-3rd was then, but I had too many things going on with the power coming back on the evening of the 1st and what not. I'm still boggling of the sheer amount of laundry my little family managed to produce in 5-6 days. I never noticed before since I wash a load sometimes every day to keep the DH in clean scrubs. Now that I'm more (or less) caught up on household obligations, I find my eyes turning toward the sewing machine. It is my goal to complete my daughter's quilt top. I am still divided on the thread situation, so I won't be quilting it just yet. Not that it matters since I have 2 other quilt tops ready to have that treatment already.
I have a small, but growing, collection of blocks that don't belong to anything. Either they were the wrong size and had to be cut down, or they just weren't what I wanted. Here is a sample of the most recent additions:
I decided today that I'm going to cobble them all together and make a truly scrappy patchwork. I don't know how long it will take to save up enough pieces. I know I have a few more blocks hidden away. Or I might just use this selection as a base. I'm finding I really like the bright aqua/teal, pink, yellow, green combination.I know I probably should have started NaSewMo's first week *last* week since the 1-3rd was then, but I had too many things going on with the power coming back on the evening of the 1st and what not. I'm still boggling of the sheer amount of laundry my little family managed to produce in 5-6 days. I never noticed before since I wash a load sometimes every day to keep the DH in clean scrubs. Now that I'm more (or less) caught up on household obligations, I find my eyes turning toward the sewing machine. It is my goal to complete my daughter's quilt top. I am still divided on the thread situation, so I won't be quilting it just yet. Not that it matters since I have 2 other quilt tops ready to have that treatment already.
Friday, September 2, 2011
September = NaSewMo
It's NaSewMo, again! I cannot believe it's been a year already. I decided this year, I am going to work on completing my 'in-progress' projects and maybe one or two small ones. While my power was out, I worked on my daughter's quilt. Not sewing, but the layout (I had luckily finished block construction the night of Hurricane Irene), and here they are:
I wish, hindsight being what it is, that I had just done the scrappy purple for the bows. I think it would make the first option look better, instead of like a scrappy snowball. Even so, I think both arrangements are handsome. Since I couldn't really decide, I showed the pictures to my daughter and asked her to choose her favorite. Without a second of hesitation, she chose the second layout. I think that, when it comes to bowties, the angled bow looks nice with the solid bow/scrappy background and the joined/latice version looks nicer with a patterned fabric for the bow.
Now that I had my layout, now I needed my thread. I had ordered some real-thread color cards. They arrived while I had no power. I admit, I was very taken with the idea of varigated thread before I had even started the quilt. That's what prompted me ordering the color cards. I wanted to find a nice one to coordinate. Superior threads recomment using a 50 wt thread for the bobbin, so I ordered the Masterpiece color card, too (only the one with the applicable colors, though).
But since I do a lot of ordering on-line, I splurged and bought a Mettler silk-finish real thread color card, too. I'm a recent (as in last month) convert to piecing with cotton instead of polyester. I haven't been quilting long, and really, it didn't seem like it mattered. Now I know differently. It helps that my borrowed machine loves Mettler (I'd heard people say things like that about thread before and never got it. And then I did.).
I love color cards. I have a folder of bookmarked sites. I'm gradually building a collection. I already have one for Kaufman's Kona Cotton and Moda's Bella solids. It seemed kind of 'duh' that I finally got around to buying a thread card, too.
Back to the quilt. I can't decide if I really want varigated thread or not. The color I want is King Tut's Egyptian Princess.
As you can see, it's a tone-on-tone varigated with color change every inch, but it's subtle. I wonder, if it's so subtle with all the patterns I have in the background is it worth it? You'll only see it on the bow ties, and that might not even stand out. Which makes me ask myself: do I even want it to stand out? I don't want to be so in love with an idea that I can't see the forest for the trees. I think I've spent more time debating the thread than sewing at this point. Honestly, I don't know that I'll have a solution anytime soon.
I wish, hindsight being what it is, that I had just done the scrappy purple for the bows. I think it would make the first option look better, instead of like a scrappy snowball. Even so, I think both arrangements are handsome. Since I couldn't really decide, I showed the pictures to my daughter and asked her to choose her favorite. Without a second of hesitation, she chose the second layout. I think that, when it comes to bowties, the angled bow looks nice with the solid bow/scrappy background and the joined/latice version looks nicer with a patterned fabric for the bow.
Now that I had my layout, now I needed my thread. I had ordered some real-thread color cards. They arrived while I had no power. I admit, I was very taken with the idea of varigated thread before I had even started the quilt. That's what prompted me ordering the color cards. I wanted to find a nice one to coordinate. Superior threads recomment using a 50 wt thread for the bobbin, so I ordered the Masterpiece color card, too (only the one with the applicable colors, though).
But since I do a lot of ordering on-line, I splurged and bought a Mettler silk-finish real thread color card, too. I'm a recent (as in last month) convert to piecing with cotton instead of polyester. I haven't been quilting long, and really, it didn't seem like it mattered. Now I know differently. It helps that my borrowed machine loves Mettler (I'd heard people say things like that about thread before and never got it. And then I did.).
I love color cards. I have a folder of bookmarked sites. I'm gradually building a collection. I already have one for Kaufman's Kona Cotton and Moda's Bella solids. It seemed kind of 'duh' that I finally got around to buying a thread card, too.
Back to the quilt. I can't decide if I really want varigated thread or not. The color I want is King Tut's Egyptian Princess.
As you can see, it's a tone-on-tone varigated with color change every inch, but it's subtle. I wonder, if it's so subtle with all the patterns I have in the background is it worth it? You'll only see it on the bow ties, and that might not even stand out. Which makes me ask myself: do I even want it to stand out? I don't want to be so in love with an idea that I can't see the forest for the trees. I think I've spent more time debating the thread than sewing at this point. Honestly, I don't know that I'll have a solution anytime soon.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Bow Tied
After reading something on someone's blog (I can't remember whose), I did something that seriously needed to be done. I gave myself permission to use fabric from my stash. My daughter is transitioning (hopefully) to her toddler bed, and I wanted to make it special (and therefore more likely to happen?) by making her a quilt and matching pillow or sham. At first, I started looking for new fabric. I have a modest stash: less than some, more than others. The thing is this: I rarely use the fabric I've already bought. That was one of the reasons I joined some block swap bees. One reason being that I could be more social that way. The other being I'd actually *have* to cut fabric.
It's funny really. Up until I joined the 3x6 bee, I only had ONE gallon ziploc of scraps. And it wasn't even full. In the last 6 months I have filled up THREE more bags. I finally understand why people have scrapbuster projects!
Anyhow, I've been wanting to make a bowtie quilt for a long time. I dug in my stash and found all my girly pinks and purples--since that's totally my girl's style.
Initially, my planning was to make a scrappy pink background with scrappy purple bow ties. Then I started to worry that with all the patterns that the bow ties wouldn't stand out. I thought I had the perfect solution. I had previously bought 3 or so yards of Moda's Bella Solid in Hyacinth. It's a kind of blue-y pink-y purple. I would use *that* for the bow ties.
I figured I was all set, and I started to cut. I really wasn't sure what kind of bow tie quilt I wanted to make: did I want to turn the bows to be more like a lattice (which I love) or angle all the bows and keep them individual (not as fond of but still like)? I decided I'd make it simple by doing a step-by-step assembly line and just see what happened (not good planning, at all).
I spent 3 days (about 4-5 hours a day. I really want an Accucut cutter now) cutting squares. It wasn't without casualties. My poor 4.5 square. I hit it no less than 8 times--on each side! Needless to say, my blade was shot, too. I had forgotten how wonderful a sharp blade feels. For those who have forgotten, too: It's HEAVENLY and as effortless as a hot blade on butter.
I spent another 2 days chain stitching all the squares and pressing them.
And then I took a break and spent 2 more days stitching the remaining solid square to the print. And then I took another break. I don't think I've ever been so reluctant to sew, LOL. Usually, when I get a project, I try and slam it out as fast as possible. I think I made my Nana's quilt in 3 days from start to finish. Last night, I finally started making the actual bow tie blocks. I've made about 20 6.5" sq blocks. I have like 60 more to go. Only time will tell if I do any more tonight!
It's funny really. Up until I joined the 3x6 bee, I only had ONE gallon ziploc of scraps. And it wasn't even full. In the last 6 months I have filled up THREE more bags. I finally understand why people have scrapbuster projects!
Anyhow, I've been wanting to make a bowtie quilt for a long time. I dug in my stash and found all my girly pinks and purples--since that's totally my girl's style.
Initially, my planning was to make a scrappy pink background with scrappy purple bow ties. Then I started to worry that with all the patterns that the bow ties wouldn't stand out. I thought I had the perfect solution. I had previously bought 3 or so yards of Moda's Bella Solid in Hyacinth. It's a kind of blue-y pink-y purple. I would use *that* for the bow ties.
I figured I was all set, and I started to cut. I really wasn't sure what kind of bow tie quilt I wanted to make: did I want to turn the bows to be more like a lattice (which I love) or angle all the bows and keep them individual (not as fond of but still like)? I decided I'd make it simple by doing a step-by-step assembly line and just see what happened (not good planning, at all).
I spent 3 days (about 4-5 hours a day. I really want an Accucut cutter now) cutting squares. It wasn't without casualties. My poor 4.5 square. I hit it no less than 8 times--on each side! Needless to say, my blade was shot, too. I had forgotten how wonderful a sharp blade feels. For those who have forgotten, too: It's HEAVENLY and as effortless as a hot blade on butter.
I spent another 2 days chain stitching all the squares and pressing them.
And then I took a break and spent 2 more days stitching the remaining solid square to the print. And then I took another break. I don't think I've ever been so reluctant to sew, LOL. Usually, when I get a project, I try and slam it out as fast as possible. I think I made my Nana's quilt in 3 days from start to finish. Last night, I finally started making the actual bow tie blocks. I've made about 20 6.5" sq blocks. I have like 60 more to go. Only time will tell if I do any more tonight!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Lull and Other Things
Everything has gotten pretty calm on the home front. I finished my do.Good stitches blocks a few days (or so) ago. I have 2 blocks left from Hive #5 for 3x6 and all 6 left for Hive #21. I hope to finish Hive #5 today. It's very rainy today and it'll be cheery to play with my fabric. I still have no clue what I want to do for my Hive#21 block. Tomorrow the registration for the September round of NuBee Block Swap opens. I really love this swap. It's USA based (for the time being) and has a month-long duration (so you make 5 blocks in 30-31 days).
Speaking of things to do on a rainy day--Crafty Fox of West Wood Acres has a new tutorial and it looks really neat (and fun!). It's called Taffy Go Round, and it's a decorative pillow cover pattern. I haven't made nearly as many decorative covers, and this gives me an excuse to make one! She has it up on Leona's Quilting Adventure (who is also the host of the uber-fun Mug Rug Swap Adventure) and they are having a giveaway to go along with it! I highly encourage y'all to go over and give it a gander :)
Speaking of things to do on a rainy day--Crafty Fox of West Wood Acres has a new tutorial and it looks really neat (and fun!). It's called Taffy Go Round, and it's a decorative pillow cover pattern. I haven't made nearly as many decorative covers, and this gives me an excuse to make one! She has it up on Leona's Quilting Adventure (who is also the host of the uber-fun Mug Rug Swap Adventure) and they are having a giveaway to go along with it! I highly encourage y'all to go over and give it a gander :)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Schedules
![[do.Good] Hope Circle - August by woodbines creep](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/6004399418_1f6369b10a.jpg)
I readily admit that I put a whole lot on my plate for August. It isn't anything I can't handle. I really just wanted to keep busy. I started on my Hope Circle blocks for do.Good stitches the other night. I had to order some solids to go with my other 2 blocks (peach and blue) which is why they aren't pictured (yet).
I only attached the first round of triangles, and they all measure roughly 7.5". I'm hoping to have at least these 4 done by the end of this weekend. Hopefully, my fabric order will have arrived by then, too, so I can finish the other 2 blocks as well. If not, there is always the following week :D
I am making good time on my block swap Bees. I've already managed to get 3 blocks done for one Hive. I still need to decide on a block for the 2nd hive. I really don't know what I want to do. Part of me wants to do a Greek Cross because it's THE SAME as a churn dash, just the color values are in different locations(I'm using the churn dash for 2 other groups so I'm in that groove).
I know I'll be able to turn them out, and that is an attractive thought. Even so, I am on the fence. Maybe I'll have a better idea of what I want after I finish do.Good for the month! Then I can really focus on it.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Good Start
![[3x6] 3rd Quarter - Hive 5 by woodbines creep](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5995968884_c141937595.jpg)
In the last few days I have made 7 churn dash blocks and 2 pinwheel ones. Honestly, I'm only this productive for Bees and swaps. My Tula Pink quilt is still sitting in a bag on my window seat next to the 2 quilt tops that need quilting.
I have always admired the churn dash block. It was one of those blocks that were in my 'to-do-sometime-this-decade" list. Now that I've made half a dozen, I really want to make one now. Like now, now.
I think I am going to make a baby blanket for my soon to be niece or nephew. Then I can vent my churn dash desires without the obligation of making it large enough for an adult human to use. Not to mention not feeling guilty for skipping ahead of all my other in-progress projects.
My SIL doesn't want to know the gender, so I think I"m going to just do rainbow but only red,orange, yellow, green, and blue. That range of colors is gender neutral, but yet pretty enough, to satisfy the situation (in my opinion).
Now I just need to go shopping, again ;D Oh, darn.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
NuBee: August
![[NuBee] Hive 1 - August by woodbines creep](http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/5978691795_3c792c57b7.jpg)
The first month of the NuBee is only days away. We received our hive assignments the other day, and it appears we will have our hive-mate's info either tonight or tomorrow. Even though I've been needing to sew (coughUFOcough) I haven't. Instead, I pulled fabric for the Bee ;) And then I spent the rest of the day contemplating what block I should choose.
Since this bee is month-to-month, I decided on something simple. I think I'll be doing a churn-dash block. I've been debating if I should do the same block for all my hives. I don't think I will. I think it will keep my interest (and therefore keep me sewing) to do at least 2 different blocks. So I might still do the churn dash block for one more hive in the 3x6.
I think I'm getting drawn into that: "I don't want to make a boring block" syndrome that seems to happen in bees. A churn dash block seems so...ordinary, but I really like the way it looks, especially after I made the tone-on-tone one for my do.Good strip earlier this month. I hope my hive-mates won't be disappointed (I'm sure they won't be, but you all know what I mean.).
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Gearing Up!
My quiet July is winding down. I've done next-to-no sewing aside from my contribution to do.Good for the month. I wanted to quilt two of my WIPs (my Supah Fresh and Amelia quilts both have batting, backing, and binding. I just need to actually put it all together), but found I needed thread. As I have mentioned before, the DH abhors Joann's. I had one thing working in my favor--a card of 40% off coupons and a desperate need to upgrade my rotary mat (which I've mentioned before).
My poor, poor mat is in awful shape. It's done a good job--but it looks like some poor refugee that found a forgotten land mine. Frankly, it's embarrassing when I take pictures and forget to move it out of the way. My daughter colored all over it and there's all sorts of deep scars on it with fabric bits and batting stuck in the grooves. And it's also a half inch too small all-around for the standard virtual bee block size (12.5 unfinished).
And then there's my favorite ruler with one side all dinged up from my blades nicking it.
Generally speaking, I seriously needed new notions. And as you might guess, I finally convinced the DH to take me shopping! I replaced my mat with a nice 18x24" one that's roomy enough for all my day-to-day sewing needs. And a new 3x18" clear ruler. And thread.
But then I got home and forgot that I needed new shears since certain persons think that it doesn't matter what they use them on (*cough*even though I have fabric tied to one loop and have said they are ONLY for fabric *cough*). Even so, I think I'm ready for the next round of Bees (3x6 and NuBee are both starting on the 1st) plus do.Good. Just in case I am biting off more than I can chew (in 2 hives for the 3x6) I'm probably going to sit out of the ALFALC swap for August. It seems only sensible~ I don't want to disappoint anyone by being stretched too thin.
My poor, poor mat is in awful shape. It's done a good job--but it looks like some poor refugee that found a forgotten land mine. Frankly, it's embarrassing when I take pictures and forget to move it out of the way. My daughter colored all over it and there's all sorts of deep scars on it with fabric bits and batting stuck in the grooves. And it's also a half inch too small all-around for the standard virtual bee block size (12.5 unfinished).
And then there's my favorite ruler with one side all dinged up from my blades nicking it.
Generally speaking, I seriously needed new notions. And as you might guess, I finally convinced the DH to take me shopping! I replaced my mat with a nice 18x24" one that's roomy enough for all my day-to-day sewing needs. And a new 3x18" clear ruler. And thread.
But then I got home and forgot that I needed new shears since certain persons think that it doesn't matter what they use them on (*cough*even though I have fabric tied to one loop and have said they are ONLY for fabric *cough*). Even so, I think I'm ready for the next round of Bees (3x6 and NuBee are both starting on the 1st) plus do.Good. Just in case I am biting off more than I can chew (in 2 hives for the 3x6) I'm probably going to sit out of the ALFALC swap for August. It seems only sensible~ I don't want to disappoint anyone by being stretched too thin.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
FFA 3
I finally received my preorder for Far Far Away III yesterday. It came in a small envelope and I was almost afraid to open it. Why afraid? I had preordered the Snow White print in yellow--a half yard of it. There has been some issue with the scale of this print. Namely due to the fact that you cannot get an honestly usable fat quarter (unless all you want is Dwarves). It has been said that to really enjoy the print you need a full yard. I did not order a full yard, but then I also preordered before this was a known issue. I also ordered the flower print in blue. I admit to holding my breath while I opened the envelope like it was some award show. It was honestly a surprise since i would not know what I got until I, well, looked.
You can imagine my joy when I saw all nice and whole in the center:
And then all around at the outlying areas:
There is another Tree house at the opposite side of the yardage, but it doesn't have the full clothes line (only about half) and the 2nd tree. Which I think is fine since it will still be a nice fussy cut since it does have the full house section. Though, there is a partial at the top of the yardage that I think is a loss except for being able to fussy cut the clothes line.
There's also another Snow White on the left hand selvedge BUT she's largely unusable because half her face is gone. It is a nice one to use to fussy cut the animals around her (the skunks mostly). Oh, and another group of Dwarves at the bottom of the cut that is also very usable. Overall, I'm very happy with my half yard! Oh! I can't forget my little favorites:
I love these guys! I have two owls, but only one squirrel. I love the weight of this fabric much more than FFA 2. FFA 2 was a medium weight canvas (which I understand some of FFA 3 is as well) that I find kind of unyielding. I didn't photograph the blue wildflowers, but they are also very lovely and are the same weight as the Snow White print.
Now I just need to get some of the other wildflower colors and possibly some girls with horses (on the fence on this). Maybe swap for some clotheslines. I wonder if it's worth it to buy another half yard of Snow White but in pink? I'll have to think on it!
You can imagine my joy when I saw all nice and whole in the center:
And then all around at the outlying areas:
There is another Tree house at the opposite side of the yardage, but it doesn't have the full clothes line (only about half) and the 2nd tree. Which I think is fine since it will still be a nice fussy cut since it does have the full house section. Though, there is a partial at the top of the yardage that I think is a loss except for being able to fussy cut the clothes line.
There's also another Snow White on the left hand selvedge BUT she's largely unusable because half her face is gone. It is a nice one to use to fussy cut the animals around her (the skunks mostly). Oh, and another group of Dwarves at the bottom of the cut that is also very usable. Overall, I'm very happy with my half yard! Oh! I can't forget my little favorites:
I love these guys! I have two owls, but only one squirrel. I love the weight of this fabric much more than FFA 2. FFA 2 was a medium weight canvas (which I understand some of FFA 3 is as well) that I find kind of unyielding. I didn't photograph the blue wildflowers, but they are also very lovely and are the same weight as the Snow White print.
Now I just need to get some of the other wildflower colors and possibly some girls with horses (on the fence on this). Maybe swap for some clotheslines. I wonder if it's worth it to buy another half yard of Snow White but in pink? I'll have to think on it!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
True Story
I decided to update my banner, and I used a true story as an inspiration. I took the girl to Joann's list last May and there were two cutters and a" line" (I use that loosely since everyone just kind of mobs at the front until their number comes up) that stretched back into the surrounding aisles. I was there waiting to get the fabric cut for over a half hour (I gave up checking after the 30 min mark) with my girl crying for the last five minutes or so of it (I wasn't timing, but when a child is crying it always feels like forever). When I got home, I went to add the fabric to my stash, and none of the cuts were straight. I don't think I've ever gotten fabric from the actual Joann's store that was cut straight. It's always crooked and is dramatically narrower at one point. This is why I rarely get fabric there--maybe 2-3 times a year. That's about as many times a year as the DH can stand to be in the place so I can get notions. Naturally, I try and grab some AH novelty whenever I'm there, too. My Joann's never gets the designer FQs that everyone else seems to get. As much as I hate to pay shipping (though flat shipping is a great thing!); I hate shopping at Joann's more.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Getting In Order
The thing about vacation is that invariably you need recoup time afterward. A vacation from your vacation before you climb back into the saddle of life. At least that is true for me ;) 6 days later and I am ready to tackle it. Well, that is almost true. I did manage to mail 2 swaps the other day, and that is something!
This morning I made 2 new mosaics for the 3x6 bee. After this quarter I should have enough blocks to make my lap quilt top. I also pulled fabrics for do. Good stitches. Red is the theme color this month. I was a little afraid, but I actually had more red in my stash than I remembered!
I decided to use a few splashes of green to accent the red. There is also a little bit of pink or pink-like colors in the Andalucia floral and Farmer's Market apple prints. I'm going to use a mix of orange-red and the more blue based darker reds and hopefully that will give it some tonal depth and interest. I'm really excited to start this. I hope to today, but that might not be in the cards. There is always tomorrow ;)
This morning I made 2 new mosaics for the 3x6 bee. After this quarter I should have enough blocks to make my lap quilt top. I also pulled fabrics for do. Good stitches. Red is the theme color this month. I was a little afraid, but I actually had more red in my stash than I remembered!
I decided to use a few splashes of green to accent the red. There is also a little bit of pink or pink-like colors in the Andalucia floral and Farmer's Market apple prints. I'm going to use a mix of orange-red and the more blue based darker reds and hopefully that will give it some tonal depth and interest. I'm really excited to start this. I hope to today, but that might not be in the cards. There is always tomorrow ;)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Back!
I'm back from vacation :D It was great--long, but great. It's kind of weird when you essentially take a break from your life and then come back, LOL ;D It was fantastic to see my mom and dad. And even better to see them with my girl~ I want them to have memories of her being little, and it's hard since they are in Bama and I'm in Connecticut.
I did a lot of shopping while I was there. Like YIKES. Not a lot of fabric shopping, since I don't like the quilt shops around my mom. We did hit up Joann's and Hancock's though because I needed buttons. I ended up getting a few long quarters of some Robert Kaufman and Alexander Henry fabrics--couldn't resist.
I also did some work on my Pyrex/Corelle collection. I added a good I dunno...20 pieces? to the collection (most likely more! I'm pretty sure more now that I am thinking about it. Probably closer to 35 pieces).
I also bought my daughter roughly 60 new books (thrift store there sells them for like .10-.79 each with additional discounts to keep the stock moving).
Needless to say, I went a little crazy, but isn't that what vacation is for?
I did a lot of shopping while I was there. Like YIKES. Not a lot of fabric shopping, since I don't like the quilt shops around my mom. We did hit up Joann's and Hancock's though because I needed buttons. I ended up getting a few long quarters of some Robert Kaufman and Alexander Henry fabrics--couldn't resist.
I also did some work on my Pyrex/Corelle collection. I added a good I dunno...20 pieces? to the collection (most likely more! I'm pretty sure more now that I am thinking about it. Probably closer to 35 pieces).
I also bought my daughter roughly 60 new books (thrift store there sells them for like .10-.79 each with additional discounts to keep the stock moving).
Needless to say, I went a little crazy, but isn't that what vacation is for?
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Rope Ends
Only 2 more days until my trip! I'm coming down to the wire on having everything situated for it. I still need to locate the DD's birth certificate. Something I'll definitely do tonight. We bought the last few things I thought we might need for the flight last night--M&Ms. Seriously, I worry more about the travel than the vacation. It's always puzzle figuring out how to keep the girl entertained for the 3-4 hours it will take to get to Alabama. It was easier when she was tiny. She would just pass out and sleep the whole flight once the cabin became pressurized, LOL!
Yesterday, I wrapped up my A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate Swap--but I missed the mail man this morning! The last few weeks he'd been coming at 3p and today he came in the morning :/ Tomorrow is a new day ;) As long as it gets out and on it's way before I leave I'll be happy.
Though, I can give a hint of what I was working on:
I completely loved what I was working on. In fact, I want to use the same design and technique to make a cover/pouch for my Nook :) I think it was very successful. I think I'll make it tonight!
Yesterday, I wrapped up my A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate Swap--but I missed the mail man this morning! The last few weeks he'd been coming at 3p and today he came in the morning :/ Tomorrow is a new day ;) As long as it gets out and on it's way before I leave I'll be happy.
Though, I can give a hint of what I was working on:
I completely loved what I was working on. In fact, I want to use the same design and technique to make a cover/pouch for my Nook :) I think it was very successful. I think I'll make it tonight!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Ticking Down
My trip to Alabama is quickly approaching. I leave next Saturday! I'm excited and nervous--mostly because I have half a million things left to do around the house. And I'm in two swaps for this month :x I finally got some inspiration for MRSA 2. I decided to combine several attributes from my partner's favorites into one item. Hopefully, she'll like it. I think she should since it has elements from works she liked. Anyhow here's what my work table looked like yesterday:
We aren't supposed to mail before the 15th. I'm going to have to take it with me to Alabama and mail it there. I don't trust the DH to remember, LOL! A happy secondary event: I received my fabric order from Banberry. I'm so excited. Their sale was quite awesome for Memorial day and I was able to snatch up some appropriate fabric for the backing of my 3x6 Bee quilt. Granted, I still need 1-2 more quarters before I can put it all together, but I'm covered for the backing, LOL. It was a steal at 2.95 a yard! I couldn't pass it up.
So, yes, a very productive and happy day :D
We aren't supposed to mail before the 15th. I'm going to have to take it with me to Alabama and mail it there. I don't trust the DH to remember, LOL! A happy secondary event: I received my fabric order from Banberry. I'm so excited. Their sale was quite awesome for Memorial day and I was able to snatch up some appropriate fabric for the backing of my 3x6 Bee quilt. Granted, I still need 1-2 more quarters before I can put it all together, but I'm covered for the backing, LOL. It was a steal at 2.95 a yard! I couldn't pass it up.
So, yes, a very productive and happy day :D
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Prince of Paris
I can now finish my Tula Pink "Into the Woods" quilt top. I had been holding out on buying Parisville once I read that she had another line, Prince Charming, coming out for the spring/summer. A line that was recently released, so I bought the pieces I needed from both lines! This is also my first exposure to Tula's work for Free spirit in person (Prince Charming on the left and Parisville on the right).
To be honest, I'm mixed. I only picked up 3 prints from Parisville, so I can't compare colorways. The ones I did receive seem dull and not so crisp. Like there's no depth to the design. In my opinion, they seem flat--especially the filigree which I bought in yellow and green.
Now, I bought pieces from two colorways from Prince Charming. Honestly, it's almost like Free Spirit asked Tula Pink for a Neptune of their own. I mean Neptune is wildly popular. I would hazard to say it is her most beloved range from her time with Moda. Do I mind? Not at all, I am twitterpated. I love Prince Charming. Except one thing:
I find the olive colorway ( from which I bought 4 prints) has the same muddy, lack of depth/crispness that the pieces I bought from Parisville had--again in my opinion. I do love the honeycomb print. Out of the 4 I bought, I think that it's the best looking. I was disappointed in the froggies being such a great fan of her Owls and Bunnies (Full Moon Forest & Hushabye). My second most liked print is the snail print which reminds me happily of Flutterby (another favorite Tula Pink line).
I also bought pieces of Prince Charming from the aqua/coral colorway, and OH MY the difference. The pieces are crisp and beautiful. I fawned all over them and I am most definitely going to by at least 2 more prints from that colorway to accompany my aqua/coral pieces of Neptune. They coordinate beautifully. When I see them all together I want to go swimming and hang out at the beach.
My opinion of the olive colorway makes me hesitant to purchase pieces from the two other colorways. I may just hold out until later in the year when the range starts to go on sale. Now I just need to focus on finishing my Tula quilt before her next line is announced, LOL!
To be honest, I'm mixed. I only picked up 3 prints from Parisville, so I can't compare colorways. The ones I did receive seem dull and not so crisp. Like there's no depth to the design. In my opinion, they seem flat--especially the filigree which I bought in yellow and green.
Now, I bought pieces from two colorways from Prince Charming. Honestly, it's almost like Free Spirit asked Tula Pink for a Neptune of their own. I mean Neptune is wildly popular. I would hazard to say it is her most beloved range from her time with Moda. Do I mind? Not at all, I am twitterpated. I love Prince Charming. Except one thing:
I find the olive colorway ( from which I bought 4 prints) has the same muddy, lack of depth/crispness that the pieces I bought from Parisville had--again in my opinion. I do love the honeycomb print. Out of the 4 I bought, I think that it's the best looking. I was disappointed in the froggies being such a great fan of her Owls and Bunnies (Full Moon Forest & Hushabye). My second most liked print is the snail print which reminds me happily of Flutterby (another favorite Tula Pink line).
I also bought pieces of Prince Charming from the aqua/coral colorway, and OH MY the difference. The pieces are crisp and beautiful. I fawned all over them and I am most definitely going to by at least 2 more prints from that colorway to accompany my aqua/coral pieces of Neptune. They coordinate beautifully. When I see them all together I want to go swimming and hang out at the beach.
My opinion of the olive colorway makes me hesitant to purchase pieces from the two other colorways. I may just hold out until later in the year when the range starts to go on sale. Now I just need to focus on finishing my Tula quilt before her next line is announced, LOL!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Finally!
I know I have been posting, but that's because I've been sewing. Well, on and off. I decided I was DEFINITELY going to do a quilt. I decided to use my Freshcut by Heather Bailey stack because I was determined to use it and not just let it rot under my bed. I knew immediately what I would make once I saw the new pattern from Happy Zombie (Super Zag) to go with her new Happy Mochi Yum Yum range. Firstly, I love green tea mochi! It's a special treat for me that I no longer get to have now since I moved a few years ago. I was drooling of her pictures of them ;)
I know I've mentioned this before: I have a hard time with showing progress photos since I don't find them very interesting. I'd rather just keep working until the project's done ;) Though, I do like seeing other people's progress pics! I think I might try the WIP Wednesday to help me get over that. Anyway, as per usual, on to my mistakes, LOL (this is progress, right?)
1 - Before this, I'd not ever assembled anything in a diagonal. I had to really think it through to keep myself from being confused. My brain kept wanting to read the pattern vertically or horizontally (eventually, I rotated my print out so it looked that way, LOL) This led to me mis-matching 6 pairs. Great way to start ;) Me and my seam ripper are great friends.
2 - Because of what happened in the above, I had to map out every row with abbreviations so I used the right print. I was going to chain stitch but decided to assemble row-by-row instead to keep my confusion low (well, lower). This was also because I deviated from the original 'recipe' for the quilt top (I didn't use any solids). If you just use the solid with a print, it's not confusing at all.
So my suggestions for anyone who wants to make this quilt with no solids: map out your blocks and make the appropriate notations on a print out of the assembly. Really. Serious. If I could do it over again, I would make a faux assembly of the first 3 rows so I could appreciate how all the colors looked next to each other. I just arranged my stack kind of haphazardly. I only wanted that no solid pink/peach fabric was next to each other. I would totally change the placement of 3 fabrics if I could start over today ( I wouldn't have the LIGHTEST print smack in the middle jumps to mind first).
Over all, I love the quilt though. If you exclude the solids you need 10 half yards (to be safe, sometimes selvedge is wider and sometimes narrow. I could get 5 blocks typically out of a 4.5xWOF strip but once I only could get 4) and another yard for the setting triangles.
I actually finished this last night, but my daughter wouldn't leave the thing alone ;) She says it's her picnic blanket. I have plenty of scraps to make another quilt of the same fabric just for her. Mommy and daughter quilts~ Kind of cute.
I know I've mentioned this before: I have a hard time with showing progress photos since I don't find them very interesting. I'd rather just keep working until the project's done ;) Though, I do like seeing other people's progress pics! I think I might try the WIP Wednesday to help me get over that. Anyway, as per usual, on to my mistakes, LOL (this is progress, right?)
1 - Before this, I'd not ever assembled anything in a diagonal. I had to really think it through to keep myself from being confused. My brain kept wanting to read the pattern vertically or horizontally (eventually, I rotated my print out so it looked that way, LOL) This led to me mis-matching 6 pairs. Great way to start ;) Me and my seam ripper are great friends.
2 - Because of what happened in the above, I had to map out every row with abbreviations so I used the right print. I was going to chain stitch but decided to assemble row-by-row instead to keep my confusion low (well, lower). This was also because I deviated from the original 'recipe' for the quilt top (I didn't use any solids). If you just use the solid with a print, it's not confusing at all.
So my suggestions for anyone who wants to make this quilt with no solids: map out your blocks and make the appropriate notations on a print out of the assembly. Really. Serious. If I could do it over again, I would make a faux assembly of the first 3 rows so I could appreciate how all the colors looked next to each other. I just arranged my stack kind of haphazardly. I only wanted that no solid pink/peach fabric was next to each other. I would totally change the placement of 3 fabrics if I could start over today ( I wouldn't have the LIGHTEST print smack in the middle jumps to mind first).
Over all, I love the quilt though. If you exclude the solids you need 10 half yards (to be safe, sometimes selvedge is wider and sometimes narrow. I could get 5 blocks typically out of a 4.5xWOF strip but once I only could get 4) and another yard for the setting triangles.
I actually finished this last night, but my daughter wouldn't leave the thing alone ;) She says it's her picnic blanket. I have plenty of scraps to make another quilt of the same fabric just for her. Mommy and daughter quilts~ Kind of cute.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Hum Drum
Nearly a week, and I've not had anything to say. I haven't had anything to sew, either. It was nice to take the break after making those dresses. I drug out my Tula fabric for my "Into the Woods" quilt. I decided I didn't want to have sashing, so now I need to make manymany more blocks. I suppose that's for the best since I want to incorporate Prince Charming and that range hasn't been released yet. It will also give me some time to pick up some Parisville. There are only 2 prints I have considered adding to the quilt. I think most of the prints are too multicolored to mesh well with the general feeling of the design.
I'm really anxious for the MRSA 2 to start. It's just shy of 3 weeks until my trip and I'll be gone for nearly a month. I'll have to work on it right away to ensure that it is in the mail before I leave on the 11th. I hope that gives me enough time to adequately stalk my partner ;)
I'm really anxious for the MRSA 2 to start. It's just shy of 3 weeks until my trip and I'll be gone for nearly a month. I'll have to work on it right away to ensure that it is in the mail before I leave on the 11th. I hope that gives me enough time to adequately stalk my partner ;)
Monday, May 9, 2011
Lovely Afternoon and other things
Mother's Day was just that--a lovely afternoon. We went to Weir Farm and had a picnic. It was me, the girl, MIL and SIL. All girls. It was really fun. It was a shame that there was so much poison oak, though! It was like they were cultivating it, LOL! For all that, it is still very lovely.
The Weir Farm is a National Park, and they support the arts. They provide these bags of art supplies for the visitors to use free of charge. So we indulged and made a painting for Daddy since he had to work.
Though, my baby did get tangled in the remains of a dry briar, and scratched up her legs something awful :( She didn't seem to mind as much as I did. As she said 'I'm having an adventure." And she was.
As for other things: There is a wonderful giveaway over at Leona's Quilting Adventure. A baby Go! cutter and a few dies are up for grabs. A fabulous giveaway, if I may say so. I admit to admiring that little gadget. I am not always *cough* accurate in my cutting. And it can be a little tedious (if not repetitive). It certainly is appealing to have something that will do all that work for me with accuracy ;) If you are anything like me, you should go over and try to get it, too!
The Weir Farm is a National Park, and they support the arts. They provide these bags of art supplies for the visitors to use free of charge. So we indulged and made a painting for Daddy since he had to work.
Though, my baby did get tangled in the remains of a dry briar, and scratched up her legs something awful :( She didn't seem to mind as much as I did. As she said 'I'm having an adventure." And she was.
As for other things: There is a wonderful giveaway over at Leona's Quilting Adventure. A baby Go! cutter and a few dies are up for grabs. A fabulous giveaway, if I may say so. I admit to admiring that little gadget. I am not always *cough* accurate in my cutting. And it can be a little tedious (if not repetitive). It certainly is appealing to have something that will do all that work for me with accuracy ;) If you are anything like me, you should go over and try to get it, too!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mommy's Day to all of those who are (or are soon to be) Mommies :) We celebrated early since the DH works at the hospital tomorrow. It was really nice. I had a great time. And I got my present, too. I didn't even suspect it, either. It's a Nook Color! I love it (even if there is talk of a new eReader launch on the 24th). I spent a little tick this afternoon making wallpapers for it featuring Heather Ross and Tula Pink (as well as Sandi Henderson and my own little Dulcie). I'm pretty stoked.
My week of making dresses has come to a fiery end. The machine I use is a Brothers. If I had known better, I would have NEVER made a shirred dress part of my line-up. I spent a long time trying to make it work. Nothing I did worked, and I'm not comfortable changing the tension screw. It's not my machine, so I want to keep it factory. I hand wound tight. I hand wound loose. I machine wound. I played with dials. It was a nightmare, and while I was muddling through it; I wasn't a person to be around. Completely agitated!
I need to find a new project. I'll have to think of something soon.
My week of making dresses has come to a fiery end. The machine I use is a Brothers. If I had known better, I would have NEVER made a shirred dress part of my line-up. I spent a long time trying to make it work. Nothing I did worked, and I'm not comfortable changing the tension screw. It's not my machine, so I want to keep it factory. I hand wound tight. I hand wound loose. I machine wound. I played with dials. It was a nightmare, and while I was muddling through it; I wasn't a person to be around. Completely agitated!
I need to find a new project. I'll have to think of something soon.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Pookie Flowers
My daughter calls most wild flowers "pookie flowers". Dandelions that have gone to seed are "pookie heads". Wood violets are "pookie violets". After I finished her dress today, she wanted to go outside, so it was a perfect opportunity for pictures!
This lucky lady is modeling dress #4. Just one more and I've reached the high end of my goal for this week! Then I realized something. I'd run out of washed fabric! So after some careful deliberation, I decided on some Miss Modd.
I'm going to tackle a shirred/smocked sundress next. I haven't tried this technique before. I'm a tiny bit scared, but hopeful. I have my fingers crossed and the fabric in the wash. My hope is to get this done today and be a head of schedule by a day (tomorrow is the last day!). Now if only little miss will cooperate ;)
This lucky lady is modeling dress #4. Just one more and I've reached the high end of my goal for this week! Then I realized something. I'd run out of washed fabric! So after some careful deliberation, I decided on some Miss Modd.
I'm going to tackle a shirred/smocked sundress next. I haven't tried this technique before. I'm a tiny bit scared, but hopeful. I have my fingers crossed and the fabric in the wash. My hope is to get this done today and be a head of schedule by a day (tomorrow is the last day!). Now if only little miss will cooperate ;)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Nearly There
So I'm just past middle of my dress making extravaganza~ I feel really good about my progress! I was able to finish Dulcie's new Analise dress last night. It was the wee hours and quiet. I was happy for something to do while the DH was at work.
I was so happy with myself that the moment she woke up this morning, I cajoled her into it! Today was terribly rainy, and with little else to do; I worked on the next dress. Since I definitely could see making another Analise dress--I did. This time I'm using some Sandi Henderson Ginger Blossom and Amy Butler Love. I received both pieces from swaps this last week. They are gorgeous. I feel lucky to be able to make dresses for my baby with them.
Construction is going smoothly. The pattern is fresh in my head from yesterday. It also helps that I've made this dress a handful of times before. To be fair, it is a beginner-friendly pattern. I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone wanting to make a little girl's dress. All I have left to do is the skirt. It would be amazing if I could finish tonight. If not, tomorrow will do.
I was so happy with myself that the moment she woke up this morning, I cajoled her into it! Today was terribly rainy, and with little else to do; I worked on the next dress. Since I definitely could see making another Analise dress--I did. This time I'm using some Sandi Henderson Ginger Blossom and Amy Butler Love. I received both pieces from swaps this last week. They are gorgeous. I feel lucky to be able to make dresses for my baby with them.
Construction is going smoothly. The pattern is fresh in my head from yesterday. It also helps that I've made this dress a handful of times before. To be fair, it is a beginner-friendly pattern. I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone wanting to make a little girl's dress. All I have left to do is the skirt. It would be amazing if I could finish tonight. If not, tomorrow will do.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Rookie
I was busy all day yesterday doing the regular-type of thing--like grocery shopping and what not. I didn't get a chance to start my third dress (the Analise dress). I did however have plenty of opportunity to make a rookie mistake. Which one, you might be asking yourself. This one:
Between several swaps and all the fabric arriving from my retail therapy, I neglected to put away any fabric. In fact, if you go back a few days you'll see the mess my work space was. Well imagine several more yards. Enough that the DH noticed.
Like I said, rookie mistake ;D
Usually I spirit my lovelies away, and hide them from sight. You know, so he only sees what ever project I am currently working on. Last night, after he went to work, I tucked most of it away. No reason for him to continue to think about it, right?
Today, on the other hand, was far more productive. I cut and finished half of the dress. I just need to construct the skirt (more gathering, hip-hip-huzzah). I really like how it's looking. I had a different fabric from the Flower Power range for the straps, but I had a moment of intense greed and couldn't be bribed to use it. Instead I substituted another fabric from my stash. One I know nothing about, except that it isn't the same quality.
It's only the straps. I feel confident that it won't matter in the long run. I made it a size 3T since my girl is 2.5 and in-between sizes. I want her to be able to wear this all summer. I forgot how much I loved this pattern. I haven't used it since Christmas last year when I made Lyra one as a present. I can totally see me making another one sometime this week :)
Between several swaps and all the fabric arriving from my retail therapy, I neglected to put away any fabric. In fact, if you go back a few days you'll see the mess my work space was. Well imagine several more yards. Enough that the DH noticed.
Like I said, rookie mistake ;D
Usually I spirit my lovelies away, and hide them from sight. You know, so he only sees what ever project I am currently working on. Last night, after he went to work, I tucked most of it away. No reason for him to continue to think about it, right?
Today, on the other hand, was far more productive. I cut and finished half of the dress. I just need to construct the skirt (more gathering, hip-hip-huzzah). I really like how it's looking. I had a different fabric from the Flower Power range for the straps, but I had a moment of intense greed and couldn't be bribed to use it. Instead I substituted another fabric from my stash. One I know nothing about, except that it isn't the same quality.
It's only the straps. I feel confident that it won't matter in the long run. I made it a size 3T since my girl is 2.5 and in-between sizes. I want her to be able to wear this all summer. I forgot how much I loved this pattern. I haven't used it since Christmas last year when I made Lyra one as a present. I can totally see me making another one sometime this week :)
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Great Case
The dress making continues! I can't believe how long it took me to make this simple garment. Dulcie was feeling particularly needy. Which was fine :D I love my baby, so I'm always up for a cuddle or reading a book. Goodness knows that before I know it, she won't want to hang out with ol' Ma any more ;D
This one features the South Hampton range by Franchelle Contreras for Henry Glass. After this was all washed up, I just *loved* the feel of it. It's pretty, too, but not my girl's style. I had to bribe her to even try it on. It's not bright enough for her. The other colorway (blue and pink) probably would have been more her style. She's a real girly-girl, but I was getting tired of all the pink.
While I was sewing the dress, it reminded me more of bedding. So instead of making another Homage dress, I made a pillowcase-y styled one. I used some 1/2 elastic and halter-style straps instead of the traditional pillowcase dress gathered straps. I added some pearly buttons, too, just to add to the cuteness. I like how relaxed it is. I think it's the perfect kind of dress for a plane ride.
I think for the next dress I'm going to make an Analise dress by Sandi Henderson. I have the fabric ready for pressing. I got it in a great swap last week :)
I love this soft feminine floral. Jennifer Paganelli is another local designer (as in she has a studio here in Connecticut like Denyse Schmidt and Kate Spain. Actually, I'm not far away from them at all! but then Connecticut is a small state ;D). Maybe one of these days I'll actually make it out to one of their studio sales (though I think the DH would rather have oral surgery).
This one features the South Hampton range by Franchelle Contreras for Henry Glass. After this was all washed up, I just *loved* the feel of it. It's pretty, too, but not my girl's style. I had to bribe her to even try it on. It's not bright enough for her. The other colorway (blue and pink) probably would have been more her style. She's a real girly-girl, but I was getting tired of all the pink.
While I was sewing the dress, it reminded me more of bedding. So instead of making another Homage dress, I made a pillowcase-y styled one. I used some 1/2 elastic and halter-style straps instead of the traditional pillowcase dress gathered straps. I added some pearly buttons, too, just to add to the cuteness. I like how relaxed it is. I think it's the perfect kind of dress for a plane ride.
I think for the next dress I'm going to make an Analise dress by Sandi Henderson. I have the fabric ready for pressing. I got it in a great swap last week :)
I love this soft feminine floral. Jennifer Paganelli is another local designer (as in she has a studio here in Connecticut like Denyse Schmidt and Kate Spain. Actually, I'm not far away from them at all! but then Connecticut is a small state ;D). Maybe one of these days I'll actually make it out to one of their studio sales (though I think the DH would rather have oral surgery).
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Fluff & Flounce
I did it! I finished my first dress of the week :D
Ignore the chocolate milk and lipstick mess on her face ;D I started off using this tutorial from Sew. Craft. Create. for the 3 hour dress. To be painfully honest, I couldn't follow it. I read and re-read it, but the tutorial only confused me. But I really liked the look of the dress so I just threw it all to the wind and just tried to make a similar dress. I think I was somewhat successful in making an homage dress. And I finally used my Heather Bailey fabric. This is definitely a dress that one doesn't look too closely at ;D I think I worked out some of the kinks, and I'm going to try it again with this fabric:
I bought this last summer to make another Analise dress. I'm going to try my new homage styled dress, instead. I have it waiting on my ironing board for cutting. I'm hoping to have this done by tomorrow afternoon :D We'll see. Oh! And I joined another Flickr swap-type group:
I'm really excited :) I have had a really good experience so far with the 3x6 mini bee, so I wanted to expand my horizons a little. It's a small project so I should have it done before I leave to visit my parents in June (I sure hope so, I mean I have like a month to finish it! LOL)
Ignore the chocolate milk and lipstick mess on her face ;D I started off using this tutorial from Sew. Craft. Create. for the 3 hour dress. To be painfully honest, I couldn't follow it. I read and re-read it, but the tutorial only confused me. But I really liked the look of the dress so I just threw it all to the wind and just tried to make a similar dress. I think I was somewhat successful in making an homage dress. And I finally used my Heather Bailey fabric. This is definitely a dress that one doesn't look too closely at ;D I think I worked out some of the kinks, and I'm going to try it again with this fabric:
I bought this last summer to make another Analise dress. I'm going to try my new homage styled dress, instead. I have it waiting on my ironing board for cutting. I'm hoping to have this done by tomorrow afternoon :D We'll see. Oh! And I joined another Flickr swap-type group:I'm really excited :) I have had a really good experience so far with the 3x6 mini bee, so I wanted to expand my horizons a little. It's a small project so I should have it done before I leave to visit my parents in June (I sure hope so, I mean I have like a month to finish it! LOL)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Retail Therapy
We've been potty training--learning--what-have-you my daughter. As you all can imagine (or even know), at some point, it gets shocking and a little, yes, disgusting. After a particularly messy day that left both her and I completely traumatized, I decided I needed some serious compensation for all my hard work.
And the happy thing is this: there are more packages coming! This is just the first wave. Monday will be glorious. Since I bought so much fabric, I need to do something with the stuff I already own. I went through and washed (or re-washed) the fabric dogeared for clothing. My goal is to make several dresses between now and Friday. I want at least 4-5 dresses completed. If only to prove to myself that I can. I even started already. Someone might remember these lovelies:
And I only say that because I promised myself back in JULY that I would make my daughter a dress out of this. At least I managed to do it before the year anniversary, LOL!
And the happy thing is this: there are more packages coming! This is just the first wave. Monday will be glorious. Since I bought so much fabric, I need to do something with the stuff I already own. I went through and washed (or re-washed) the fabric dogeared for clothing. My goal is to make several dresses between now and Friday. I want at least 4-5 dresses completed. If only to prove to myself that I can. I even started already. Someone might remember these lovelies:
And I only say that because I promised myself back in JULY that I would make my daughter a dress out of this. At least I managed to do it before the year anniversary, LOL!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Things to Do
Since Easter my space has been a hectic mess. I wanted to say 'artfully askew' but I'm falling just short ;D The Monday following Easter, several of my pending swaps arrived and they've been trickling in all week. Since I've been trying to keep it all straight; I kept the fabric out where I could see it. Some of it is mine. Some of it is new.
Amongst the mailers waiting for recycling and spirited away Easter remnants, I also have some projects waiting to start. Namely, I want to make the girl a new dress for mother's day. Which brings me to my next point. I know I said I didn't love it, but I am a collector by nature.
And to set the stage: I needed more bias tape to make another Kyoko dress. It was free shipping day if your spent 25 dollars or more (which is better than the coupon I had). Bias tape is only 1.99. I ordered 3. As you can plainly see, I had no choice. Might I also say, this was the morning of the first day that DS Quilts Fairgrounds & Picnic was listed of the Joann's website.
The box arrived today. Funny thing. The bias tape does NOT match the fabric I'd selected for the dress. But, in an odd turn of events, my fabric is actually cut straight (something that never happens when I shop in the store). I was not shorted any fabric (also another something that happens all the time in the store but I don't realize 'til I get home).
I want to make a smocked sundress out of the plaid. The dots? Not sure about them yet. I'm sure something will occur to me. The more I look at the fabric in person, the more I am beginning to like it. I think the blue/green plaid may be my most favorite of the line.
Amongst the mailers waiting for recycling and spirited away Easter remnants, I also have some projects waiting to start. Namely, I want to make the girl a new dress for mother's day. Which brings me to my next point. I know I said I didn't love it, but I am a collector by nature.
And to set the stage: I needed more bias tape to make another Kyoko dress. It was free shipping day if your spent 25 dollars or more (which is better than the coupon I had). Bias tape is only 1.99. I ordered 3. As you can plainly see, I had no choice. Might I also say, this was the morning of the first day that DS Quilts Fairgrounds & Picnic was listed of the Joann's website.
The box arrived today. Funny thing. The bias tape does NOT match the fabric I'd selected for the dress. But, in an odd turn of events, my fabric is actually cut straight (something that never happens when I shop in the store). I was not shorted any fabric (also another something that happens all the time in the store but I don't realize 'til I get home).
I want to make a smocked sundress out of the plaid. The dots? Not sure about them yet. I'm sure something will occur to me. The more I look at the fabric in person, the more I am beginning to like it. I think the blue/green plaid may be my most favorite of the line.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Misadventures in Swapping
Boy, I really didn't know what I was getting into when I decided to try and freshen up my stash by trading some of the stuff I wasn't using. I don't know how people do this on a regular basis! I currently have something like 8-9 swaps going on right now. Talk about nerves!
My post office won't allow me to purchase DC on anything but priority mail, so once it leaves me I'm in limbo until someone tells me it arrives. And then there's keeping everyone straight! I made my first booboo and slipped the wrong FQ into an envelope. Luckily, it was just one FQ and not a complete mix-up (ya know where they each receive the wrong FQ). I'm usually so OCD about this stuff and quadruple check the envelopes (and obsessively measure and remeasure), but today I was just off my game (if one can call being crazy 'game'.)
I'm hoping that's the first, and last, one of those I make :/ Though, it's kind of like the cosmos is patting me on the shoulder and telling me it's going to be okay. I thought I only had a half yard left (so it was easy to cut another FQ and make up for the booboo). I actually had 3/4 of a yard left! That was nifty. I couldn't remember how much I ordered. It seems I had bough 1.25 yards. So I don't feel so bad about the loss of a FQ any more.
My post office won't allow me to purchase DC on anything but priority mail, so once it leaves me I'm in limbo until someone tells me it arrives. And then there's keeping everyone straight! I made my first booboo and slipped the wrong FQ into an envelope. Luckily, it was just one FQ and not a complete mix-up (ya know where they each receive the wrong FQ). I'm usually so OCD about this stuff and quadruple check the envelopes (and obsessively measure and remeasure), but today I was just off my game (if one can call being crazy 'game'.)
I'm hoping that's the first, and last, one of those I make :/ Though, it's kind of like the cosmos is patting me on the shoulder and telling me it's going to be okay. I thought I only had a half yard left (so it was easy to cut another FQ and make up for the booboo). I actually had 3/4 of a yard left! That was nifty. I couldn't remember how much I ordered. It seems I had bough 1.25 yards. So I don't feel so bad about the loss of a FQ any more.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Rainy Days and Easter Eggs
Tomorrow's Easter and it's RAINING very hard in my region of the world. My mind is scrambling because this means no outside Easter egg hunt! Last year, my daughter didn't get it at all. Why couldn't it have rained last year, instead? This year, she gets everything. Halloween was awesome. Christmas memorable. But Easter? I am at least hoping that the rain stops sometime this afternoon, and maybe the ground will dry enough for her to dash around in her sneakers. Though, I really don't want her running around in this:
Once I got her in the dress, she wouldn't take it off yesterday. All very good signs that she likes it ;) I'm glad. Thankfully, with the sash on my mistakes are camouflaged. After I'd gathered the skirt, I tried to re distribute the panels in the back and the thread seized! So one plaid panel is large, the strawberry panel is off centered, and the last plaid panel on the back is too gathered. I was too tired to take the threads out (a third time since I had my first 2 sets BREAK mid-gather) and do it again.
I really hate gathering, LOL!
Once I got her in the dress, she wouldn't take it off yesterday. All very good signs that she likes it ;) I'm glad. Thankfully, with the sash on my mistakes are camouflaged. After I'd gathered the skirt, I tried to re distribute the panels in the back and the thread seized! So one plaid panel is large, the strawberry panel is off centered, and the last plaid panel on the back is too gathered. I was too tired to take the threads out (a third time since I had my first 2 sets BREAK mid-gather) and do it again.
I really hate gathering, LOL!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Prince Charming
Tula Pink put a sneak peak up on her facebook a few days ago. I scoped on it the day she did, and I was instantly in love. To me, Prince Charming is more like her Moda works than Parisville. I just couldn't really get into Parisville. Even though I admired some prints, I still haven't bought (or swapped for) any of them. I probably won't get any until it's on clearance (I do like the tonal lacey/foliage print). Prince Charming on the other hand? OMG I want. I lust for. And now I'm coming to the realization that my 'Into the Woods' quilt just won't be complete until it has some Prince Charming in it. I already went and bought some more Nest to go in it (green nest/egg & some green tracks). Seeing the green froggies makes me realize I absolutely HAVE to get some green owls. So far I have the following Tula Pink lines represented in my quilt:
Full Moon Forest, Flutterby, Nest, Neptune, & Hushabye
I am only missing her newest ranges. This line is debuting at Market, but I wonder when the release date is? Maybe I should just buy a FQ of some Parisville while I wait.
This quilt will NEVER been done, LOL.
Full Moon Forest, Flutterby, Nest, Neptune, & Hushabye
I am only missing her newest ranges. This line is debuting at Market, but I wonder when the release date is? Maybe I should just buy a FQ of some Parisville while I wait.
This quilt will NEVER been done, LOL.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Kyoko!
Oh, this was an adventure. This is the first pattern I've done from ModKids/Patty Young. As with any new pattern, there's a learning curve. I found one or two parts of the instructions a little awkward. As in I had to contemplate them for a few minutes before I could begin to visualize what exactly was intended. I think the pattern could do with clearer pictures, but from what I've seen; I think this pattern has been reprinted so maybe the newest printing of it does.
Naturally, though, none of my mistakes had anything to do with muddled instructions, LOL. They had everything to do with me forgetting parts of the instructions or being inattentive (by the way, I'm not done with the dress yet. I should finish tomorrow).
My first mistake:
I decided to do short sleeves. And then I forgot to flip the pattern and made two of the same side. Oops. It was easily remedied though since I made the short sleeve. If it had been the long? OMG I probably would have cried.
Okay, tangent time. When I bought this pattern I went looking for yardage requirements so that I could order the pattern and the fabric at the same time and reduce on shipping. I found a place (I think a seller on Etsy) that listed the requirements as being 2/3 for the bodice and (2) half yard cuts for the skirt for the view B (aka the dress version). Let me say that 2/3 yard isn't enough yardage for the bodice with long sleeves. And the back of the pattern is misleading. For 2T view B the materials are listed as being 1 yard and and optional 3/8 yard for the lining. The instructions *inside* the pattern clearly say to cut 6 strips (3 from each fabric design), but the material list doesn't reflect the need for 2 half yard cuts. The pattern piece for the long sleeve measures ~11.5 inches for 2T. After cutting the 2 sleeves (lets say with a half inch buffer from the top and between pattern pieces), there are only 12 inches left (11.5+11.5+1-36). The length of the strips for the 2T is 14 inches. So I am thankful, at least, that the seller had it noted that you needed 2 additional half yards.
On to my next mistake? Sure, why not!
You may or may not be able to see, but I sewed the skirt to itself while I was topstitching. Luckily, I caught it after a few inches, LOL! It was pretty late when I did this, and it was signal that I *really* should go to sleep instead of sew. I just wanted to make sure this project was done in time for Easter. I ended tonight with finishing the skirt construction. I just need to gather it and attach it to the bodice. I already made the obi sash. I started with it to get it out of the way.
Okay, another complaint. After I removed the selvedge, the pattern for the obi was longer than the folded fabric. I was very conservative when I removed the selvedge, too. I remedied this by shortening the sash. I tried it on Dulcie, and it still fit fine. Thank goodness :D Overall, I would make this pattern again. I'm a confident beginner and I felt it fit with my level of sewing. Now that I've made it once, I know the second time will be easier. And I will make sure to buy adequate amounts of fabric, too ;)
Naturally, though, none of my mistakes had anything to do with muddled instructions, LOL. They had everything to do with me forgetting parts of the instructions or being inattentive (by the way, I'm not done with the dress yet. I should finish tomorrow).
My first mistake:
I decided to do short sleeves. And then I forgot to flip the pattern and made two of the same side. Oops. It was easily remedied though since I made the short sleeve. If it had been the long? OMG I probably would have cried.
Okay, tangent time. When I bought this pattern I went looking for yardage requirements so that I could order the pattern and the fabric at the same time and reduce on shipping. I found a place (I think a seller on Etsy) that listed the requirements as being 2/3 for the bodice and (2) half yard cuts for the skirt for the view B (aka the dress version). Let me say that 2/3 yard isn't enough yardage for the bodice with long sleeves. And the back of the pattern is misleading. For 2T view B the materials are listed as being 1 yard and and optional 3/8 yard for the lining. The instructions *inside* the pattern clearly say to cut 6 strips (3 from each fabric design), but the material list doesn't reflect the need for 2 half yard cuts. The pattern piece for the long sleeve measures ~11.5 inches for 2T. After cutting the 2 sleeves (lets say with a half inch buffer from the top and between pattern pieces), there are only 12 inches left (11.5+11.5+1-36). The length of the strips for the 2T is 14 inches. So I am thankful, at least, that the seller had it noted that you needed 2 additional half yards.
On to my next mistake? Sure, why not!
You may or may not be able to see, but I sewed the skirt to itself while I was topstitching. Luckily, I caught it after a few inches, LOL! It was pretty late when I did this, and it was signal that I *really* should go to sleep instead of sew. I just wanted to make sure this project was done in time for Easter. I ended tonight with finishing the skirt construction. I just need to gather it and attach it to the bodice. I already made the obi sash. I started with it to get it out of the way.Okay, another complaint. After I removed the selvedge, the pattern for the obi was longer than the folded fabric. I was very conservative when I removed the selvedge, too. I remedied this by shortening the sash. I tried it on Dulcie, and it still fit fine. Thank goodness :D Overall, I would make this pattern again. I'm a confident beginner and I felt it fit with my level of sewing. Now that I've made it once, I know the second time will be easier. And I will make sure to buy adequate amounts of fabric, too ;)
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