Progress / 2015 New Years Day Mystery Quilt with Heather Spence

I know I have been totally MIA and I apologize for that.  Winter can be terribly unmotivating for me.  I have spent way too many nights lounging around with the dogs and I'm finally back at my machine with the fun new projects underway.   

This one is very nearly done being pieced.  It's the New Years Day Mystery Quilt by Heather Spence.  This time the donation was to the Family Renewal Shelter in Washington.  I was out of town when it started, but I started it as soon as I got home.  I think I'll be able to finish piecing the top by February.  The background is actually a subtle tone-on-tone design from the Cotton + Steel Basics collection.  It has so much depth.  I'm going to add a border from the scraps.  I can't wait to see it quilted.  I'm debating on using it to practice free motion quilting. but we'll see if I work up the nerve.  I have 2 other quilts to finish before I pick up the backing and batting for this beauty.

All my fat quarters and secondary background are from Bobbie Lou Fabric Factory.  Great prices and service.  Totally check them out.  They are getting all the new 2015 collections in now and have free shipping on order over $50.

The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery / Christmas Cheer Sampler

 

It's been a long month.  Things seem to be settling down now (fingers crossed!) and I'm ready to get in the holiday spirit.  It's a little early.  I typically like to wait until Thanksgiving, but since I'm leaving on Christmas day to visit my family, I feel like starting a little sooner than usual.  Plus, I could use some cheer in my daily life.

I have had my eye on The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery ever since I saw a few friends on Instagram start posting their progress photos of their Halloween projects.  When I saw people starting the new Christmas Cheer Sampler I knew this was my Christmas project.  I had dabbled in cross-stitch as a kid.  I never really finished any projects, but I did enjoy it.  I found a gallon bag of DMC embroidery floss in my basement (probably picked up from an estate sale years ago) and was able to get almost every color I needed for this project out of the bag.  The rest of the supplies, including the aida cloth, needles and hoop were just over $10 at my local craft store.

I'm running a little behind.  The next set of clues comes out on Friday and I have a long way to go to get last week's finished in time.  I already made one little error, but I don't think it will be noticeable in the end.

Add me on Instagram to follow my daily progress!  I'll be sure to post my finished project here with a complete review when I complete it.  I'm not sure if I want to put it in a frame or make it into a seasonal pillow cover.  Thoughts?

Are you doing any holiday projects this year?  I'd love to see what you are up to this season to get into the holiday spirit!  Please share in the comments.

In Progress / Persimmon Patchwork Quilt

I can't help myself.  I started another project.  This one is very simple though and I should be able to finish the top very quickly.  Sometimes you just need to get back to basics, and after relizing I really needed to work on accuracy and nesting my seams, I decided to do a very basic patchwork quilt, but try to be as accurate as possible.

I got a fantastic deal on a handful of charm packs in Persimmon by Basic Grey for Moda.  I had to supplement with a few charms from an Autumn Woods by Moda Charm Pack to get an even rectangle.  It's been really good practice and it's been fun to see it come together so quickly.  I'm planning to do a simple straight diagonal crisscross over the top to finish it.  I have no idea what I'll use to back and bind it, sometime inexpensive by soft.   

As a bonus, here is a little peek at what we have been dealing with for the last two weeks.  Logan had the brilliant idea to stick his foot through an old window and has been stitched and coned for 12 days.  The stitches came out this morning, but he needed another laser treatment and I couldn't help snagging a quick picture of him in his goggles. 

He's feeling much better, but we are ready to go back to normal life.  The cut on his foot is healing really nicely, but all he wants to do is run, wrestle and play.  Poor guy.  We are so thankful he is OK and for the support from our family and friends.

Hope you are having a beautiful autumn.  We are experiencing a little indian summer right now but are expecting storms tomorrow.  Please share what you are working on this fall!

Progress / Briar Rose Patch Quilt

I couldn't resist tearing into this jelly roll anymore.  I know I am supposed to be finishing things, but I needed to be inspired and this did the trick.

I purchased this Briar Rose by Heather Ross Jelly Roll in a summer sale for a steal.  I'm a huge fan of anything Heather Ross does and have quilted with her illustrative fabrics before.  As soon as I saw it I knew I had the perfect pattern for it saved in my pattern collection.  It's called 'Floral Bouquet' and it's from Jelly Roll Quilts by Pam Lintott and Nicky Lintott.  Instead of mixing up the fabrics for a scrappy look, I decided to isolate and highlight each of the fabrics in the roll. 

When it's finished it will be such a fun spring/summer twin sized piece.  I am thinking about saving up to have it long armed, but I may just go simple and do some straight line quilting on my machine if I'm really eager to see this one finished.  Thoughts?

I'm about 33% through the blocks.  Then the remnants will be used for a scrappy border and simple back (yet to be determined).  Of course I will be updating here along the way.

Crafting & Sewing Room Lamps

I need a lamp.  As the days get shorter, I do most of my sewing and crafting in the evening without natural light.  My sewing space has two options... a very dim lamp on the office side of the room and an obnoxious florescent ceiling fixture.  Neither is ideal.  So I need a lamp.  There are so many out there to choose from.  My budget is small and my desk is short on space.  I haven't found the perfect one for me yet, but I have found lots of options I love.

Whether you like ambient light from a table lamp or directional light from a work light, here are some of my favorites for crafting and sewing tables.  I have included a variety of prices and styles for sewing tables (and budgets) of all sizes.  Enjoy!

1. Torna Lamp from Ikea  /  $69.99
2. Glass Bottle Table Lamp from Overstock  /  $138.00
3. Gavik Glass Lamp from Ikea  /  $14.99
4. Clear Glass Table Lamp from Overstock  /  $98.99
5. Arod Work Lamp from Ikea  /  $39.99
6. Modern Banker's Lamp from West Elm  /  $129.00
7. Modern Taupe Lamp from Pier 1 Imports  /  $59.99
8. Vanadin Table Lamp from Ikea  /  $14.99
9. Knubbig Cherry Blossom Lamp  from Ikea  /  $14.99
10. Brushed Steel Desk Lamp from Overstock  /  $79.99
11. Glass Table Lamp from Home Depot  /  $29.97
12. Natural Wood Table Lamp from Home Depot  /  $90.00
13. Nyfors Work Lamp from Ikea  /  $59.99

Halloween DIY Round-Up

We are entering the final two weeks before Halloween.  It's the perfect time to jazz up your front porch, and if you are hosting a party you should be starting to add some spooky to your home.  I confess we still don't have our pumpkins yet.  I have been so busy working on the two handmade costumes I'm committed to this year, so I haven't had any time to decorate. 

I've collected some of my favorite Halloween Decor tutorials from across the web. They range from super quick and easy to more elaborate.  I also included a range of styles from creepy to natural to quirky and fun.  Enjoy!

1. Crochet Doily Spiderwebs from Country Living
2. Vanilla Bean Skull Cake from The House that Lars Built
3. Cat Face Garland from Country Living
4. Calligraphy Pumpkins from Style Me Pretty
5. Bat Mobile from Martha Stewart Living
6. Foliage Decoupage Pumpkins from Poppytalk
7. Sequin Polka Dot Pumpkins from Sugar & Cloth
8. Plaster Hands from Martha Stewart Living
9. Bat Anatomy Art from Lost & Fawned

Illustrations by Kendyll Hillegas

I've been busy working on my Halloween costume and one for my little nephew (from everyone's favorite movie... Frozen).  But in between projects I have been jazzing up and adjusting my new sewing space.  I'm falling in love with having a REAL space to do my work.  Eventually I want the wall behind the desk to be covered in functional storage (I'm thinking some of the wall storage bars from Ikea with some buckets and hooks) and inspirational art and images. 

The first step in this process was my new Cider Donut print from Kendyll Hillegas Illustration.  I met Kendyll through my other blog, Lost & Fawned when she approached me about hosting a giveaway.  Since then I have fallen in love with the way she captures food and ordinary objects. 

Be sure to stop by the giveaway on Lost & Fawned to enter to win a print of your choice from Kendyll.  Pick your favorite food to motivate you in your sewing room, or go more literal with some crafting tools.  Take your pick!  There is also an exclusive discount code available on Lost & Fawned. 

Happy Friday!  It's supposed to be rainy and gloomy here in the Midwest, so I'll be getting a lot of work done on the costumes and making some progress on the UFO's (UnFinished Objects) sitting on my sewing table.  What are you working on this weekend?