So Long 2013!

For me 2013 was the year of QuiltCon and 3D sewing; joining my first online bee and publishing my first quilt pattern; the closing of the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative;  meeting new quilty friends and spending time with good friends; and celebrating family weddings!

1. DWR Challenge3, 2. Holiday in London duffle bag, 3. Quick Change Trousers, 4. Quick Change Trousers, 5. Flag for #tobostonwithlove using @happysewlucky pattern., 6. Hugs4, 7. Something Blue 4, 8. Scrappy selvage bag, 9. 3 blocks quilt for sister, 10. Mug rug swap, 11. Featherweight cover, 12. Llama pillow, 13. Sew Together Bag

These are some of my favorite projects from 2013.  Thank you so much for visiting me this year, inspiring, motivating and encouraging me!  See you in 2014.

Happy stitching!

Mini Monday: Christmas stitching finishes

I finished a few little projects right before the Christmas break and the breaking of my right hand…ouch!

organic quilting lines

The festive llama block received a border of Kate Spain Twelve Days of Christmas fa la la strips and some straight line quilting with Aurifil 50wt #2021.

pillow back

llama pillow

I used this tutorial and Sweetwater's Countdown to Christmas fabric to make an envelope style backing for the pillow cover. 

no picture of finished stocking

Leo needed a stocking for Montana so I whipped up a quick stocking using fabric from my Christmas stash (don't know what it is though).  I traced Leo's daddy's stocking and followed this tutorial.  I am hoping I took at least one picture of the completed stocking before coming to Montana (left memory card at home so not sure) because all the photos I took with my cell phone over Christmas were lost when my phone … ahem… fell in a bucket of water yesterday.

I also finished the fabric chalkboard placemat for Leo.  I took pictures along the way, but alas they are on my memory card at home.
  

chalkboard fabric side

I laminated a 13x18 piece of Ann Kelle Super Kids fabric and placed it wrong side to wrong side with the same size of chalkboard fabric.  Holes do not go away with chalkboard fabric so no pinning or ripping is possible.  

careful stitching

I used Clover clips to hold the two pieces of fabric together along with the Lollipops Designer Bindings pre made binding strips I found in my studio.  Doesn't that polka dot match perfectly with the super kids fabric?

reversible cover

Lastly, this sewing machine cover was made as a gift for my sister's featherweight.
I used this tutorial found on Pinterest adjusting the dimensions somewhat to fit the featherweight.

featherweight cover

The cover is reversible; one side is decor weight fabric from my stash and the other side is Kona Modern Quilts fabric by Cynthia Frenette  gifted by my sister.
Hmmm… is that considered regifting?

Thankfully I was able to travel and spend Christmas with my husband, children and grandson despite my broken arm.  Leo and his parents flew back home yesterday, and the rest of us are just hanging out and relaxing before the new year begins.

Wishing you and yours a happy and safe new year!
Thanks for stopping by,

Wordless Wednesday: last minute Christmas stitching

teeny tiny pincushion in progress

Super Kids and chalkboard fabric 

stocking in progress

Happy stitching,

Mini Monday: meet Friday's Finish

I got so busy with our guild's holiday Sew Day that I forgot to post last Friday's finish.

mug rug swap

 We swapped mug rugs at our holiday party.  This is the mug rug I made and Kathryn received.  Most of the fabrics are scraps of Kate Spain's Twelve Days of Christmas; the bottom of the mug and the handle are Sweetwater's Countdown to Christmas; the background is Architextures by Carolyn Friedlander.  The tutorial I used for the mug rug handle can be found here.

group photo

You can click on our Orlando MQG's website to see some great projects from that day.  The only picture I took (and since I'm in the picture technically I didn't take it) is our group photo showing off our mug rugs.  Marge made that fun horse mug rug that will be perfect in Montana!  Thanks Marge!

holiday Chucks

I also whipped up these cute holiday shoelaces using that same Sweetwater fabric line and Maureen's tutorial.  This counts as my Mini Monday project.  I have to say these shoelaces are so fun to make AND wear!  The bonus feature of this tutorial is feeling like a teenager again!

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Monday and happy stitching,

Really Random Thursday: Preparations

Is it Thursday again already?!  My daughter informed me there are only 13 days until Christmas.  Yikes!

Christmas cactus

Like my Christmas cactus who just now decided to bloom, I am running a little behind with the Christmas preparations.  Sigh…

daughter avoiding the camera

My daughter volunteered her services (and a little of mine) to make Tres Leches for her Spanish fiesta at school.  It was fun hanging out in the kitchen with her listening to Christmas music while she baked for school and I prepped my dip for the OrlandoMQG holiday sew day.

Nutella gift

My husband received this jar of Nutella straight from Italy.  This will be used in some Christmas baking, hot chocolate and just plain ole toast eating.  Search Nutella recipes on Pinterest….it will rock your world!

quilt not blanket rack

I received an early Christmas present from my mom.  Thank you!!!  My quilt rack was quickly put to use.  My daughter even commented on the convenience of having a quilt rack in the family room.  I cracked up when I saw the description on the box though:  it was labeled a blanket rack.

borrowed from Pinterest

need this!

While out and about the other day I spotted this perfectly colored sewing machine.  Don't you just love it?!

Linking up with Cindy's Really Random Thursday.
Thanks for stopping by,

What's Up Wednesday: Can't Decide

There are three small WIPS hanging around that are almost finished….if I can just decide what form they will take.

EPP hexies

These colorful EPP hexies were once 2.5" squares leftover from Leo's Peace Baby quilt.  After hand stitching them together, I machine stitched the flower shape to a piece of quilter's linen with Aurifil 50wt #2805.  I then used perle cotton to hand stitch around them.

Now to decide if this will become a zip pouch, needle book, mug rug, journal cover or something else.  Suggestions?

Christmas llama

This holiday llama has been an ornament block since last year.  The cute fabric is designed by Laurie Wisbrun.  I am contemplating making this into a pillow but am not totally sold on that idea.  Possibly a table runner? 

lots of blue in my studio

After making the scrappy selvage bag, I quilted these leftover panels from Something Blue's quilt back with the idea of also making them into a bag.  

That's one decision made!

Thanks for stopping by,

Impromptu Swap

Recently my husband and I took a (business) trip to Napa.  This was my first time in California if you don't count airport layovers.  

glorious day

While waiting for our luggage to arrive in San Francisco, I grabbed a quick cup of coffee and took a picture of the local You are Here mugs which I posted on Instagram.

You are Here

That posting prompted an impromptu mini swap with my friend MaryAnne.  I was happy to oblige and glad to have an Austin mug to remind me of our meeting at QuiltCon!  

Happy mail!

When my package arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find an extra goodie - the Studio Stitches/Empty Bobbin pattern!  Fun!

hubby and me

The California trip was last minute and work related so I couldn't squeeze in any quilty get togethers or shopping, but other than that, it was fabulous!

Thanks for stopping by,

Mini Monday: Travel Pillow

I whipped up this cute travel size pillowcase from a tutorial at the Fat Quarter Shop.

flannel pillowcase

This was my first time ever making a pillowcase and it was super easy!  I did omit the prairie points because I didn't think this particular case needed them, but I'd like to give them a try sometime soon.

I used flannel that has been in my stash for a very long time.  Leo will be getting this little pillow as one of his Advent gifts.  Wouldn't matching PJs be cute?! 

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy stitching,

Friday Finish: Cosmetic Bag

I have several projects soooo close to completion but only one finish today.

boxy pouch

 I followed a tutorial (by Skip to My Lou) found on Pinterest to make this boxy cosmetic pouch.  Other than adding some topstitching, I followed the tutorial as written.

inside shot

The fabrics used for both the outside and the lining are designed by Tina Givens in home decor weight bought on sale.

zipper pull

antique mirror and brush

I added a zipper pull from Zipit.  The gorgeous mirror and brush set are my grandmother's.

While home for Thanksgiving my mom showed me a few of her recent finishes.  Since she doesn't have a blog (yet), I am showing them off here ;-)

baseball quilt made by my mom

 I love this baseball quilt she made for her all-star grandson!  She added appliqué and buttons for the scoreboard.

mini stockings and tree skirt

 This mini tree skirt and stockings are for her granddaughter's personal Christmas tree gifted a previous Christmas.  SO cute!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Linking up with Amanda Jean's finish it Friday.

Really Random Thursday: Traveling

I did not post on Thanksgiving as too much fun was happening with the family!  Lots of traveling involved, not just for me, but for Leo too….

Did I mention we took Max the dog as well?!

Four generations- we are all the oldest of our generations too

Florida visit

Leo wanted to see all his great grandparents for the Thanksgiving holiday, so he and his parents flew from Washington to Florida….drove from Florida to Mississippi (all of us caravanning in two cars with the dog and picking up my middlest along the way)….and then flew from Alabama back to Washington.

even during a meltdown he's so cute

Quilts make everything better

After all that traveling (and experiencing 3 Thanksgiving meals), I am pleasantly surprised that Leo et al will meet us in Montana for the Christmas holiday.  This morning's weather forecast reminds me of our first Christmas in Montana when we experienced a 100° temperature drop from the 82° Florida weather to the negative 25° weather waiting us in Big Sky!

Brrr…that's cold!

Now for some randomness…

On the drive Leo experienced Cracker Barrel for the first time...

genius at Cracker Barrel game

Listened to the FSU v Florida game in the car on the ride back even though we had tickets to the game.  Decided I would rather spend a few extra hours with Leo before he flew home than sit in the Swamp watching the football game…. hubby went alone ;-(

Final score 37-7

You might be a redneck if….

Yep, I do that!

Quilts on PBS…

Quilts matter

My mom found this quilt…

Great Great Granny Ellzey's quilt

Fun fabric spotted at LQS…

spotted at my mom's LQS

Traditions…

Have to get my shrimp po boy fix when home

putting up the Christmas tree at Granny's

Linking up with Cindy's Really Random Thursday.  Thanks for stopping by,