What's Up Wednesday: Getting Old

You may think from the title that I am referring to my old age, but in fact it's these great granny squares that are getting old!  I have made quite a few great granny squares since last Wednesday's post, but first I want to show you a few other things I am also working on.

Heart Block

 This heart block was made using Diary of a Quilter's tutorial.  Amy's instructions are very easy to follow.  However, I am ready for some blocks with not as much piecing and matching of seams ;-)

Ugly Fabric Challenge

I should keep that in mind when selecting the modern block to make for our guild's ugly fabric challenge.  This book is a great go-to book for 12" modern blocks.  I already have a few choices in mind for this challenge.  Any suggestions on how to use my "ugly" fabric?  I don't think it's ugly so I'm thinking of making a block that will showcase this fabric.

Added to the library

I've been browsing these two books on stitching.  I highly recommend them both.  I've compiled another list of projects I want to make.  I am running out of journals!

Block Seven

I was surprised to see that last Wednesday I was only up to five great granny square blocks.  I have now made twelve!  Before I forget, here is the link for the tutorial on how to make the great granny square blocks.  I was remiss in including it last week.  

Block Eight

I won't bore you with showing individual pictures of the latest seven, but they are up on Flickr if you are interested in seeing them all. 

Block Nine

I am sure I mentioned before that most of the prints in all these blocks are from Kate Spain's Serenade line.  The white used is KONA white.  

Block Eleven

Occasionally, however, I have included prints from other lines just because I was running out of combinations with the Serenade for variety.  The above block for example has Verna (also from Kate Spain) in the center.

Block Twelve

I guess I ended up showing you most of the latest seven after all.  I have to say I am ready to move on to a different project.  You may or may not see more of these great granny square blocks around here.  I do have three more blocks cut out and ready to go.  I'm thinking I might as well finish those too.  I like to have a few extra blocks in case some of them don't turn out or play well with the others ;-)

What's up with you this Wednesday?  Hope you have a wonderful one.
Thanks for stopping by,

Mini Monday: Pajama Pants

In an attempt to learn how to sew expand my sewing skills, I tried my hand at a pair of PJ pants.  I used this tutorial I found while browsing the internet. 

PJ bottoms

There are quite a few tutorials out there, but I like the only-one-seam feature of this particular pattern.  I would have liked more instruction with certain aspects, but they are probably sufficient for someone who sews regularly.

Step One:  make your pattern

The first step is making the pattern.  I used a pair of PJ bottoms from my drawer and a roll of craft paper I have had since my oldest was a kindergartener.  There is an advantage to hoarding! 

Gorgeous Karavan fabric

 The fabric is Valori Wells Karavan from my stash.  The pattern is pinned on the fold to alleviate one of the seams.  In addition, I doubled up the fabric so I only had to pin and cut once.  

Self portrait

I deviated from the pattern in that I didn't add contrasting cuffs because I wanted a fuller, capri style bottom.  Even though there is room for improvement, I am pleased with my first pair!

On to the next pattern

For the next pair, I am planning more of a lounge pants style that is roomier in the waist and longer.  I might even try adding the contrasting cuff.

Happy stitching!  Thanks for stopping by,

Really Random Thursday: Family Stuff

So my daughter has now discovered Etsy.  For Halloween, her group of friends are going as The Avengers.  I've mentioned before that I am not a big fan of Halloween.  

She loves them

For this reason, I didn't mind that my daughter took the initiative and found a pair of shoes and a t-shirt on Etsy to combine with a pair of jeans for Iron Man.  Easy peasy!

Got my pink on ;-)

Homework while tailgating

 We visited our middlest for Parents Weekend at FSU.  Love these weekends with him!  We are regulars at this particular tailgating spot.  So glad we won this time.

Have you seen this video?  They played PSY's Gangham Style during the game and the crowd went wild and started dancing.  Of course I was unfamiliar with the song/dance, but when I noticed that the older woman next to me knew what was going on, I insisted my kids educate me.  No wonder I couldn't understand the words to the song....it's Korean....I feel better now ;-) The video grows on you.  If you decide to watch it, I will say the main dance part starts a minute into the video.

Creator of Spanx

Took a picture of this billboard while in Tallahassee.  Very cool!  I didn't know about Spanx until a few years ago.  Now couldn't live without this product ;-)

What I'm reading

 I am reading Winter of the World now.  I downloaded the free sample on my iPad after finishing Fall of Giants, but it's nice to read a "real" book every now and then.

Patchwork note cards

 I usually find inspiration from random objects while browsing Barnes & Noble.  I have quite a collection of cell phone pictures snapped of various notebooks, coffee mugs, etc. to use in some future quilt project.  I spotted this cool notecard box and thought it'd make a great quilt.  When I looked closer I realized, it WAS a picture of a quilt!  Inside are five different note card designs of patchwork from Tula Moon.  It was added to my purchases.

Growing so fast

Family fun

 Apparently Leo is experiencing cooler weather up there in the Pacific Northwest.  

Max likes the sun

  It's a little warmer here in Florida.

So how random is your Thursday?  See Cindy's blog for other randomness.

What's Up Wednesday: Monday through Wednesday

I made this patchwork journal cover with a cute little bundle of fat-eights I picked up in Seattle, and if I wasn't playing hooky with my daughter on Monday, it would have been the perfect Mini Monday project to show!

Finished

I am embarrassed to admit how many notebooks, journals and binders I have and use on a daily basis.  In my opinion, a girl can't have enough paper and pencil/pen even in these digital times.  I have also accumulated an equal number of patterns and tutorials to cover said notebooks and journals.  

Outside without notebook

Inside without notebook

I was thrilled to discover this particular tutorial by Rachel at Stitched in Color as it doesn't have any of those annoying fusible interfacing liner things that usually deter me ;-)  Patchwork skills only are required to make this....yes!

The front

The back

Imagine my excitement when after completing all the steps, my composition notebook actually fit inside perfectly!!!  I feel like I am on my way to sewing (versus just quilting).

Inside front cover

Inside back cover

Usually at this point I will decide to make something complicated like a winter coat, realize that is over my head, become discouraged and never sew again.

This time I am determined that will not happen.  Think I will make a few more notebook covers first ;-)

Log cabin block made by my mom

Now, my mom can really sew.  For example, she made my sister and I matching dresses for Easter when we were growing up.  Michelle and I like to say we quilt, but we can't sew.  My mom says she can sew but could never quilt.  Well, she is the brave one because she decided to take quilting classes so she would know what my sister and I were up to to better understand the obsession that Michelle and I share.  I am so proud of her.  She sent me a picture of her second block - a real log cabin (not the wonky ones that I sometimes make) block.  Wonder what she will learn in today's class?

Block Four

Block Five

Yesterday, I completed two more great granny square blocks.
 

Five Great Granny Squares

Now there are five!
We shall see how many more of these I can make before getting bored ;-)

So, what's up with you this Wednesday?  Have a good one!

Friday Finish: Use Your Scraps

Today's Friday Finish was actually finished a week or so ago for our Gruber's swap.  As I mentioned in the previous swap post, I retreat with some awesomely talented quilters so I knew I was going to be nervous about making a gift for one of these ladies.  The good news is these gals are also super sweet not to mention supportive and encouraging, so I took comfort in knowing that my gift would be appreciated no matter what.

Swap made

After drawing my own name a couple of times, I drew Amanda Jean's name.  Mmmm....can I have my own name back?!  Just kidding.  Remember, I said super talented AND super supportive.

Closeup of tiny scraps

In contemplating a handmade gift for Amanda Jean, I remembered how encouraging she was when I brought what would eventually become my Liberated quilt to the second retreat asking for suggestions, and how complimentary she was when I brought it back completed to our third retreat.

WIP - on the design wall

I decided to make her a small version using my scraps.  In addition to the much smaller size, I made a few other changes.  For one, the background is white instead of gray, and I used a print fabric for the backing instead of a solid.  The colorful bars are also staggered rather than side by side.

Finished - still on the design wall

I don't know how I managed to send this off without taking a proper picture, but that's what happened.  All my pictures were taken on the design wall with poor lighting.  Ugh.

Another angle

 This quilt was the first one I finished off with a facing rather than binding, and I used this facing method.  (Since then I have made several more but using this technique.)

Use Your Scraps

The quilting on this mini is different than the bigger, original version.  I quilted organic lines around the bars, and (taking a deep breath) I free motion quilted the phrase "Use Your Scraps" which is how she signed my copy of her book.

The label

Here's the back.  I wasn't planning on attaching a Rene' Creates label, but I goofed when writing the label in permanent ink and needed to cover it up.  Shhh, don't tell Amanda, but under the Rene' Creates label it says Save Your Scraps rather than Use Your Scraps.  Oops!

All rolled up

Again no pictures, but I included some sewing notions as well.  When Amanda received her package, she sent me the sweetest email.  When I saw the subject line read "oh mylanta!" (search the phrase on her blog if you don't know what I'm talking about), I had to smile!

I sure hope Amanda Jean likes the quilt I made her.  She really is a special person, and I am happy I drew her name.  

So, how funny is it that I am linking up to Crazy Mom Quilt's finish it up Friday with the quilt I made her?!  Do you have any finishes to share this Friday?

Happy stitching!

Really Random Thursday: Casual Observations

Who knew fly fishing and sewing use similar supplies and techniques?

Luscious colors

By looking at the above picture, one might think it was taken at my LQS.  Instead, these drawers of brightly colored thread were spotted inside my husband's LFFS (local fly fishing shop).  These threads are used for tying flies.

Sign for Florida, not Montana, fishing store

Don't think my husband bought the idea that our obsessions hobbies are closely related ;-)

Think she got carried away with the exclamation points?!

My husband just celebrated a birthday (he's much older than me...ha!), and my daughter decorated his cake with M&Ms the way her grandmother used to when her dad was growing up.  So cute.

No orange and blue combos in this house

Her cousins sorted the leftover M&Ms by color and this bowl was labeled "Rejects".  If you are not a Gator fan are a Seminole fan you will understand why ;-)  These orange and blue candies found their way into the garbage can.

Do you take your own reusable bags when you go shopping?  I am pretty good about remembering to do so when I am grocery shopping, but I often forget when shopping at other places such as Target for example.  However, I remembered last time and brought four reusable bags with me.  Somehow the cashier managed to squeeze all my purchases into one bag, when I would normally find myself walking out with at least three plastic Target bags.  Seriously?!  Why can't they do that when using their plastic bags?  Could it have something to do with the $.05 they give you for each bag you bring in (and here's the key) and is used...hmmm.....

Need help

I was shopping the other day for a dress to wear to a luncheon and needed some advice from a friend.  My usual uniform of jeans and a tank top would not be appropriate for the occasion.  Don't you love the convenience of technology at times like this?  Help, asked and received, was forthcoming almost immediately ;-)

Won in a giveaway

Did you notice the cute phone case?  I actually won that in a Twitter giveaway courtesy of Pantone and Adobe Creative Cloud.  It happens to be my favorite color.  Cool, huh?  It's been a while since I  have won a giveaway.

Colorful music

I added two more KONA color inspired playlists on my iTunes - denim and lipstick.  Denim is full of my workout tunes.  Why denim you may ask?  To remind me how I want to fit into my favorite jeans!

My baby with his baby

Rubba dub dub

Closing with a Leo picture.  He just turned four months old.  I couldn't be there to throw him a party, but I will be there for when he turns five months!

So how random was your Thursday?  See other random posts at Cindy's place.