Scrap Quilting

I finished my baby scrappy quilt and had just enough time to spray baste it yesterday before the kids got home and chaos ensued.  Today I was able to sneak up to my sewing room to get my scrappy baby quilt half quilted before swim practice.

I hope tomorrow I will be able to finish the quilting and binding.

Off the Cuff

I went shopping and was very uninspired.  I needed a birthday gift for a 10 y/o girlfriend of my daughter.
I had read a blog yesterday (for the life of me I cannot remember where) about the feeling of being overwhelmed by received gifts and the alternatives.

The words of the post sounded like the tattoo of a drum, 'No, trash, No trash, No trash', I could not find what I was looking for at the store so I returned home a bit disgruntled.  I did not want to saddle another mom with crap disguised as a gift.  I also did not want to look as if I had put no effort into the gift and just give cash.  An idea bloomed as I drove back to the house.


I had just enough time to whip up a child's wrist wallet.  Christie, a blogger I follow had a great tutorial here on lunch money wallets.  Very easy and well photoed.  

Here is my little wallet, and it did not take any time at all.  I will be making more for my kiddos.



A box, homemade card and a little tissue and we were ready to go.

A Month?

Oh dear, a whole month?  Between being ill, the end of school, kids out for Summer Break and Swim Team not much getting done at my house.


I have taken some time to teach my kids the basics of sewing.  My son (7) has taken to learning much better than my daughter (9) which does surprise me.  He is usually the ball of energy with little patience.  But he sat down, let me explain the machine, and why we sew with right sides together.  He has made 3 basic pillows with very nicely done seams, very straight.  My daughter is the design oriented child, she wants to invent and create - not sit there and learn how to sew a 'boring' pillow.  She wants to explore (play) with music and  the fancy stitches and 'create'.  I do get a little antsy that I cannot just hide and sew but on the other hand I love to see them take an interest in sewing.


I have found that I can whip up the flannel receiving blankets while the kids are sewing.  They are easy to stop and start on, not much thinking involved.  I also cut and marked some quilt squares that I plan on using for a quilt at a future date.    My children's school is planning a Halloween Craft Bizarre and I am looking forward to setting up a booth and glad that we have the time to build up inventory.  I also have time to wait for the sales, I am on the hunt for zippers CHEAP!  I love making the wrist wallets and several friends have asked about them.  I also want to make a personal pouch for me, something like a mini-messenger bag, that would hold just my phone, drivers licence, a few bills, and my new Kindle Fire.  Yes, I got an early birthday present I was so shocked and tickled I nearly fell out of my chair.  Especially after the weekend we had had.


By Sunday it was the weekend that pours.  You know, 'When it rains it Pours'?  It started with the A/C fan motor go out on one of our 2 units, the cable snapped on our garage door trapping me at home for 2 days (did not mind at all) my cell finally bit the dust and had to be replaced, my daughters ceiling fan was shooting sparks and had to be replaced....there were a few more minor things but they were lost in the drama.  The upside are all healthy and together.

I also took on (took over) making vests for my daughter's G.A. Mission Group.  The leader had bought the fabric (???) and piping (???) but no binding.  My machine really hated the fabric till I got about four layers in, it just slipped and slid all over the place.  It must be some kind of polyester.  I have the first one done except for finishing the sleeves.  I am going to go find some binding, or make my own.  I had to make the vest two-ply and used the piping in the outer seam.  It is a good fit, now I just have to find out how many I need to make.  It was fairly easy, I had to wing it without the instructions since the fabric was too flimsy lightweight for the pattern.

  In the end, looks good and has a much more finished look.

Time? Gone?

Amazing how fast the time goes.  I am having a hard time getting any sewing done.  Between the kids home for the Summer and them invading my sewing room, not to mention all the activities with music and the kids demand to keep them from driving me insane.

In October my kiddo's elementary school is hosting booths for crafters to hawk their wares.  I am working on getting a little stash made up to support my own booth.

My working list at the moment:

Wrist Wallets for kids (maybe a few for moms)
Flannel receiving blankets (w/2.5 binding)
AIO cloth diapers
Diaper covers
Wet bags
Cosmetic or assorted small bags
Bound burp cloths/changing table covers
Baby sized quilt

Baby Gift - Boy

Finally got my neighbor's baby gift done.  The baby is 2 weeks old and just haven't walked across the street, I just kept making more nick-knacks for her new one.

 On top is the Spit Cloth/Changing Pad Cover then a self bound Flannel Receiving Blanket and then with scraps I made a cute little baby sized rag quilt.

Wrapped it up in a bow and put it in a baby bath.

Made up a quick little card.  I loved the effect of the colors matching, kinda of unintentional.


Then I found a cute little delivery boy to help me walk it across the street.  Miller felt like such a big boy, he could just barely handle the odd shaped package.  So Adorable.

Independence Day

Worked on several projects and finished one today.  

First, I started a new quilt - a windswept 4 patch inspired by Debbie Gibson in her BOM on Craftsy.  The fabric pattern I am using is "A Walk in the Woods" by Aneela Hoey and a pale pink I had in my stash.

I pinned all my squares in grid, I am horrible getting my pieces from the planning area to my machine then sewing them in order.  I saw someone using this grid and it made sense to me and is working until my assistant begins to help.  Yes, here he is below re-pinning all my squares.

Too cute to scold, he wants to help so bad, he even sat down at my backup machine and tried to sew while I was piecing.


My second project was off Riley Blake's blog.  This fish is too adorable for me to put it off.  I assure you that Riley's was much prettier than my first attempt but my kiddos loved it.  HERE is the tutorial and the pretty photos, of when a professional takes her hand to the pattern.


Third I settled down in front of the television and worked on my 'Grandmother's Garden' quilt top.  I will probably be a granny by the time I am finished but it is calming work.

 Just watching the tube, listening to the fireworks it is a nice end to a quick day.

Happy Independence Day.

 Thank you to all those who sacrifice to keep us the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Kona Solids

Cindy over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting has a Kona Solid offer going on.  I have been wanting to try Kona Solids, it would be so great to try them out.  Here is my pick.

Reminds me of Hibiscus, Sunflowers, Echinacea, and Thistle.  I was inspired by the hot vivid colors of summer flowers in the south.