Sew & Tell Friday 2

It's finally Friday! This week I have been working on this UFO, previously posted about here. It is a 4 patch frenzy--four repeats of one fabric are stacked exactly, cut into squares, and then each stack is sewn together.

I got the blocks sashed (it's all actually darker) and borders sewn on. The dragon flies is part of the backing. Now I just need a chance to pin it together and get it quilted. My hope was to quilt it today, but I ended up working most of the day. It rained all day--a perfect quilting day. Maybe Sunday afternoon . . . .

I can't wait to get this finished--it is a very late birthday present for my dad. Click on the left button to visit all the other Sew & Tells!

Makin' A List and Checkin' It Twice

Since Christmas is actually on the horizon, I've been thinking about projects. Our family does not exchange a lot of gifts--we draw names (2) in my husband's family plus give something to each little kid (4 not counting ours). In my family we don't really exchange gifts, but I like to send a little handmade something. In the past, I've made dishcloths, earrings, scarves, pillowcases-- most often things I can make while watching tv.

I'm pretty happy that I've even been thinking about our list already--way ahead of schedule for me. So here is what I need to get done in the next two months:

• 5 sets of produce bags (3 each?) ~ when I saw these in Sewing Green and then the ones Alicia made (Posy Gets Cozy--see blog log), I thought they would be perfect for my green, often organic family. I think I'll use unbleached muslin and lots of little scraps!
  
• 4 little bags for 4 little girls ~ right now I'm thinking the poochie bag by Happy Zombie. These are quick and easy and delightful, and I already made one for another little girl, so I know what I'm doing!
• 3 pj pants for the men in my house ~ these are fun and my LQS has some new flannel and batiks that will work well
• 2 market style bags for 2 friends ~ I've know them since 2nd grade, and I think this red Metro Market will be a lot of fun!
  
• 1 lap quilt ~ I would like to finish up the wonky log cabin quilt I started for ORBC Quilt Along (click on the side bar button) for the name I drew. I hope this SIL will appreciate these batiks and crazy pattern. Just 8 blocks left to make!

Let's see, there are 8 weeks until Christmas. Realistically, I get one full day and maybe a couple hours more on a weekend to sew. I should be able to crank out the produce bags in a weekend. Maybe 2 poochie bags in a weekend. Certainly 2 market bags in a weekend. That's 4 weeks. I might rethink the pj pants--it's really cheaper to buy ready-made. But I think I can manage the lap quilt if I stick with my plan.

Well this sounds ambitious, even to the eternally optimistic me. I'm in a swap, too. On the other hand, it would be sooo COOL to finish all these! Let the countdown begin!

Sunday Stash

I have been searching my stash for bag fabrics. I have 5 to make for Christmas, but here is one I'm making for myself. The focus fabric in front is "Birds of Norway" by Michael Miller with a coordinating print. Then 2 Kona Cottons--I think olive and stone. The button is from Dill's new line--marvelous chunky buttons in lots of earthy colors. I wish I could do a better job with the photo colors. The green is not so intense--earthier really.

I can't wait to start this, but first I'm trying to finish the 4 patch frenzy UFO I showed earlier--just need to piece the back and quilt it!

Gratitudes
Some sunny weather, although a whole day at a time.
A cute 14 yo who just got his driver's permit and has become my permanent chauffer.
Looking forward to the Harvest Festival at church--the confirmation kids are helping the little kids play lots of games and do crafts.

Have a good start to your week!
Kolleen

Pay It Forward

Ok, I have been seeing this around, so now it's my turn. I signed up for PIF with Rene and now it's my turn. The first 3 people to comment on this will receive SOMETHING handmade from me within the next year as long as you blog about it and get 3 people to sign up with each of you. Questions? Just leave a comment and I will email you. This could be as much fun as a swap!

Sew & Tell Friday

Poochie Bag
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

Do you think a newly turned 6-year old girl will like this? It's her birthday tomorrow, and I was looking for bag patterns to try--this is the Poochie Bag from Happy Zombie! She also had a cute variation at Moda Bake Shop for trick-or-treat/gift bags. This is such a great pattern!

I am lucky enough to also have 4 nieces (the rest of us all have boys), so this year for Christmas they are all getting bags.

The poochie bag is so very easy to follow--although I admit I didn't quite follow the directions (I find that nearly impossible). I added batting for a bit of firmness. Otherwise, I tried to do exactly as Happy Zombie so clearly described. I really like the results and will spend some time today digging through my stash for some more baggy collections--3 fat quarters is all I need for each one!

If you'd like to join Sew & Tell, just visit Amy! Have a great weekend!

Gratitudes:
Healthy (relatively) men in the house
Most of a day off work
Fun with fabric (plus I received my STUD swap from Julie--more about that later!)

WIP Wednesday

Four Patch Frenzy
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

I pulled these out of the UFO box, started 2 years ago! (See more blocks at my flickr.) They are a take-off on the 4 patch frenzy (stack four layers, aligning the repeat exactly, sew each stack together). Just ironing them up got me interested again--although I'm not sure I have quite enough for a lap quilt. This project is intended for my dad, back when he turned 65! (Sorry, Dad--we're all so slow). I think I will back it with red dragonflies.

I'm not sure how to quilt this--probably in grey since the fabric is dark with greens, greys and golds and the sashing is this dark, dark grey. I'm most comfortable with straight lines, but this seems to call out for a spiral or something. Got to get them sewn together first!

It's rainy here but supposed to be nice by Friday, my day with any time at home. Hmmm--sewing or yard clean up? Yard clean up or sewing? Do I really have to ask? Boys were just made for yard clean up, right?

Sneak Woodland Peek for Julie

Sneak Woodland Peek for Julie
Originally uploaded by QuiltyBee

I spent some time on the Swap Til You Drop (STUD!) mini with the woodland theme. I wish my pictures were better, but I think the old canon is dying! I had a lot of fun with this. Hint: the wonky bug has bitten! Now I just need to quilt & bind it.

I love these swaps and quilt alongs--they really keep me going with a project!

Wonky Progress

Finally got back to my Quilt Along blocks. I switched fabrics--same prints but slightly different colorway. This will be a gift and I needed to go with reds more than purples. I still plan to finish the purple and green blocks. It's thrilling to use up this fabric. (I have so much fabric it should have it's own address.)



Today was rainy and cold, so it was great to get some sewing in--my first Friday off in a few weeks (I'm supposed to have it off). I've joined a new swap--the theme is "Woodland Wonder" and minis less than 16 inches. I have some sweet owl fabric that might work.

My older DS is off on a date, the younger DS (newly minted 14 year old) at a cold & wet football game, and in a minute DH and I will sit on the couch and watch Numbers. Have a good weekend!