Work in Progress

We're home from the Bahamas and back to a normal swing.  Well, until school starts in 2 weeks and then we'll be back to that swing, but I'm enjoying every second of these last bits of summer!

Since it's been a long time since I blogged, it's been even longer since I showed a work in progress.  Today I'm in progress!  I've turned my machine back on in the last few days and I'm making things again.  :)

It's a good feeling.  It's a feeling I want to keep going and as school starts in 2 weeks, I'm hopeful that I can continue sewing now and making progress.

Today I'm doing some selfish sewing that's not really selfish at all.  My friend Jenny, the great pattern designer, has a new pattern for women's shorts with different waist- and hem-lengths and I volunteered to try it out.  So you see, while I am making something just for me, I'm really helping out a friend...  Really, I'm just the picture of kindness.

Emma and I ran by JoAnn's yesterday to look for fabric both for the shorts and for some skirts and maybe a new top for her for school.  And I found this great black and white cotton blend.  It's got a bit of stretch and a heavier weight so I'm hopeful the shorts will turn out looking tailored and fun.

I wanted some orange seersucker that would be perfect for summer days and Gator games, but their selections was miniscule.  I settled for some black that I intend to make into some shorts as well.

So, I'm ready to cut and after looking through the pattern directions, I'm hopeful to be modeling these for you tomorrow.

I've also got some bee blocks and some birthday party things I've made for my sweet nephew to show off soon.  And some Bahamas pictures.  Oh man, it was the best vacation ever!!!

What are you up to today?

WIP Wednesday--The Starry Edition

Hi everyone!!  I hope you are staying warm and dry today.  It is rainy and windy here, but after seeing how much of the US is under snow right now and the UK with rain, I'll take my day of rain, stay inside and call it a win.

I showed a pic yesterday on instagram of how frustrating it is to follow wrong directions.  I'm tired this week.  And I'm a little geometry/math challenged.  And I got 3/4 of the way through this block by following the rotary cutting instructions of my EQ5 (which led to more Y-seams by the way) before I threw the block away in disgust.

I don't know if you can see well, but the cutting directions were off and I was in no frame of mind to figure that math out on my own.  So, I printed the ever-faithful paper piecing templates and quit for the day.

Today I started over with the pp templates and made this beauty:

Strip Star

Sorry for the difference in the filters making these fabrics look so different but I LOVED how the darker filter made the stars in the blue sections really look like they were sparkling.

Wouldn't a quilt made out of just this block be neat?  You could even have colors radiating out across the quilt if you wanted to.  That would be cool.  But I digress...

Anyway, this is block 17/20.  The end is in sight.

After I threw the block away yesterday, I wondered if maybe I should just stick with 16 blocks and do bigger borders.  I'm making this quilt for Oren's bed, so I'm shooting for a quilt top that's roughly 80" x 88" but I'd like it a little bigger to make up for quilting and wash/dry shrinkage.  I designed 2 versions to show Oren last night.

Here's the 16-star quilt.  I added an outer row of sashing in white and blue and then bigger borders.  This quilt top finishes at 86 x 94.

Then here's the 20-star version like I'd originally planned.  It's got smaller borders and no outer sashing.  It finishes at 80" x 90".

Which one do you like?  I can't decide.  Oren of course wants all 20 stars he was originally promised!  I've got all but the last 3 on the bottom row made and while they don't exactly look like this, it's close enough for me to see what I've got and where I'm going.

So help me out...do you side with Oren and think it needs all 20?  Do you think I should convince him 16 is good.  I plan to make all 20 either way and just put 4 on the back to offset the Star Wars fabric I relented to buy a small amount of for the back if I go with 16.

I'm linking up with Lee.  Head over to see what everyone else is up to...

WIP Wednesday

It’s been awhile since I was actually working on something to show off a work in progress on a Wednesday.  But deadlines will do that to you…

So, I’m busy working on the quilt for my Dad.  I mentioned before that he’s a Chicagoan with largely Irish roots.  So I knew that I wanted to make him an Irish Chain quilt.

Then my friend Dana decided to do a tutorial on a Double Irish Chain quilt and I knew immediately where I was headed with Dad’s quilt.

Dana’s quilt was full of pinks with a navy background but I could imagine swapping those pinks for some golds and greens and making my Dad a “Fighting Irish Chain” to honor both his heritage and his love of Notre Dame football.  J

How’s that for a nifty name?  It should be one of those before and afters on Wheel of Fortune!

Here's a quick mock-up that I made in EQ5.  

 Dana’s tutorial is great for laying out exactly what you’re going to need and how to get started.  I was using scraps instead of new fat quarters, so some of my piecing was a little more complicated but no harder--it just required me to think and count instead of blindly following directions.

And after seemingly forever while I waited for the navy fabric I had to order and cutting strips and sewing and pressing and trimming and sewing and pressing and sewing and pressing I’m finally getting some blocks made!

I’ve got 12 made so far and they come together so quickly that I should have most of the rest done by tonight.

These are Block A for the quilt and will not be set together like I laid them out here just for a quick shot.

They’ll be off-set with Block B which is mostly navy with gold corners.  I haven’t even started cutting them yet—one step at a time.  J

So, that’s what I’m working on today.  I just keep reminding myself that I’ve got to keep working—Christmas isn’t very far away!  Yikes!!

What are you working on today??

WIP Wednesday

Well, I said I was subbing this week....What I didn't know was I'd actually be home recuperating from a nasty virus that knocked me flat.  Like seriously--I could barely move yesterday.  After lots of sleep, some medication and many Sprites, I am feeling a little more like myself today.  I am still dizzy when up for too long and I still have a killer headache, but the fever and body aches are gone and I am no longer only moving to walk slowly but felt quickly to the bathroom, so I am much improved.  :)

I did feel fit enough to get some more strips sewn today for Dad's quilt while I wait on that navy fabric to roll in.  But after ironing and trimming about 5 strips, I had to call it quits.  So much for lots of progress...

At this point though, I'll take the kind of progress that leads to feeling better.  I'm off to lay back down for awhile.  At least I've got a stack of books waiting on me.

Stay warm and well my friends!

WIP Wednesday

I'm working on something!

Yep, bee blocks...for October...that month that's almost over!

But I should have them done tomorrow morning and then I've got all kinds of things to show y'all.  I finished Athena's dress and she wore it yesterday for her presentation.  The kids and I ran a colorful race.  I've got projects, projects, and more projects to finish, start or in my brain waiting on time to work on them.

I'll be back tomorrow to share...  :)

Lost and Found

So I had no intention of not blogging for a month.

Really, I didn't even know it had been that long.  But you see, my blog got lost.  My life got so full of other stuff--PTO, softball, karate, doctor appointments, subbing, running, etc, I couldn't find it.

So, after a full month of running around, I decided to take a few days to re-prioritize.  To look for what mattered most and you know what I found...

I found me.  And part of me is sewing.  Knitting.  Baking.  Creating.

So I found my way back here.  My blog--my time for me, my time spent with y'all, my very creative friends is important and has been found.

I've got a ton of things I wish I were working on, but this week I'm making something gold and silver and white.

You might look at the calendar and assume it's a Halloween costume of some sort.  It's not.  My sweet girl has been studying the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks in her Enrichment program at school and they're putting together exhibits and a play for the other 4th graders and us parents.

Emma's going to be Athena.  And Athena needs a worthy costume.  Em and I sat down with pencil and paper and she let me know just what she had in mind.  A gold bodice, white skirt, silver breastplate...she thought it through.  We went to JoAnn's where she picked out what she thought would work.  Athena's famous for wisdom, weaving, owls and war.  So we obviously needed fabric that showed off it was woven.  We needed silver for a breastplate, and we needed gold fabrics that looked regal enough for a Goddess.

I'm waiting for my little Athena to get home tonight so I can try this bodice on her before I add the skirt.  It looks awful small, like I messed up somewhere in my calculations...let's hope not.  Gathering all that sheer fabric over the (cheap) satin was a pain and I'd rather not do it again.  haha

I've missed y'all, my dear friends.  I promise to try and make time to always share with you and not let my creative endeavors get lost again.  It takes away a big part of me and I'm worse off for it.

What have you been up to and what are you working on this week?

p.s.  I THINK my bloggy birthday is coming up...  So that means there'll be goodies given away around here!  Check back soon!

Wordless WIP Wednesday

Well, mostly...

Making some Lemon Squares blocks for Meesh in That Stash Bee.

Be back tomorrow...

Nearly Wordless WIP Wednesday

Laying out some fall inspired patchwork...

Come back Saturday to see the final reveal.  There's more to this project than just what you see here... Muahahaha, that's my sneaky laugh.  Is it working for you??  Are you intrigued?

Linking up with Lee.

WIP Wednesday

Ahh, the sound of quiet in the house during the day.  I almost feel like I might be able to get some stuff done this school year. :)

Of course, I'll still have a lot to balance, especially when I start subbing, but I am hopeful...

Today I'm working on an embarrassingly-old WIP.  My wonky pinwheels quilt for the Empower Circle of do. Good stitches.  I got behind on this one when some other deadlines popped up and then I realized I was out of batting without literally piecing together like 80 strips, so I had to wait till I could get enough (on sale!) to move on.

So, I'm basted up and ready to start quilting.  I've got my quilting plan all worked out--now I just have to get it done.

I'll try to pop in tomorrow with a sneak peek of how the quilting is going.  Cross your fingers for me, would you?

To see what everyone else is up to today--head over to Lee's WIP Wednesday link up party!

WIP with a Clean Slate

I know there are people who are neat freaks.  There are people who clean up after (or during) each project and keep their sewing/creative area in order.  There are people who finish projects quickly and get them out of their sewing area before starting something new.  There are people who revel in an orderly environment.

I am usually not one of those people.  But even I reach my limits of having 3 baskets full of WIPs, a mountain of fabric to put away, more scraps than I know what to do with and a maze to walk through to get around in my sewing room.

First off, let me say I realize how blessed I am to have a small room to myself to sew, read blogs, escape to. But because it's mine I often worry about it last and because I've got so many projects going, I'm more likely to work on them instead of cleaning up.

So, while the kids are at my Mom and Dad's for a few days, I cleaned up.  I stopped all projects and sorted.  I cut scraps into workable sizes.  I rearranged a few things.  I put all of my yardage (fat quarter and larger) away.  I tossed 3 mini-trash cans full of things no longer needed.  I found old projects and inspiration pieces. And I made a pact with myself.

I will NOT start any new projects (other than bee blocks and emergency things that come up) until at least one of my 3 WIP baskets is empty.  I'm really working toward all 3, but you know how it goes...

So what am I working on?

**a quilt that's already sandwiched and just needs to be quilted and bound.

**a quilt top and backing that need to be put together and then quilted...I already know what I'm going to do and have the binding ready too.

**a dress that needs to have a kick-pleat added and sewn up.

** a pair of dress pants needing a button

**a dress I made for me that just literally needs a zipper and a hem.

**My Road to Fortune quilt needs to be put together--this is half with the others clipped nearby.

**My May DgS quilt blocks are almost all in from my rad friends and I'll need to put it together.

**Oren's star quilt is steading growing.  I've got fabrics and paper piecing for 2 blocks set out by my machine ready to sew.

**a few quilt block sets that need to be sewn into quilts from bees I've done in the past and just unfinished projects.

**an embroidery project I completed 3/4 of before getting tired of it and setting it aside.

**some baby clothing projects I've got going for some special people.

So, my sewing room isn't perfect just yet--there's still a lot of stacks of things to be finished.  But it is a work in progress and that's where I'm at.  And if you are a neat freak, please don't shudder at my piles.  C'mon over and help me sort them!  It'll be fun for both us.  ;)

Linking up with Lee.

WIP Wednesday

I'm back!!  Actually, I didn't tell y'all I was taking a short internet break, but when your data plan runs low at the end of the month, sometimes a little internet fast is good for the soul, you know?  Instead I concentrated on time with the kids, running, time with Chris and actually did some kniting.  Weird I know since the temperatures are close to 100 here daily...

So what am I up to today?

Well, I recently finished my bee blocks for June (early thank you to make up for my tardiness of late) and am  t work as always on Oren's Star Wars quilt...

Empower Circle--Postage Stamp blocks with a gradation from red to yellow

Modern Maple Leaves for Debbie in That Stash Bee

Up next is the 3-Layered Star from Emily.  Meesh made these blocks a month or so back for a bee and I thought immediately "That has to go in Oren's quilt!"  So I'm choosing fabrics and printing templates as you read.

And I'm working on a fun (last-minute) maritime project for Le Challenge.  The link up is this weekend (the 15th) so I'm formulating my plan and getting cracking on it.  I had good intentions for lovely sailor skirts for myself and Emma but not the time to make that happen.  So...I moved on to plan D.  Yep--plan D.  But I'm using this fabric and you'll have to come back Saturday to see what I do with it...

It's a sheer navy/white stripe with clear sequins--very cute!

And what else have I been working on?  Signing up for this because I'm either insane, or fiercely competitive, but I think it's both.  But I'm not just doing the half marathon again--oh no that's not crazy enough.  I'm doing the Glass Slipper Challenge which is the Enchanted 10K (6.2 miles) on Saturday and the Half Marathon (13.1 miles) on Sunday.  So--in 2 days I'll be running (more likely completing hopefully) 19.3 miles.  But a good friend is doing it and I couldn't let her do it alone.  Then I found out Meesh is doing it too, so I'll be in good company at least when I want to curl up in a ball and sleep for a very long time...

Add caption

So there's been lots of running too.  Which is good because it helps me complete the #56milesinJune challenge.  And I found out that my parents are also doing this through walking each day of their summer vacation too.  Shout out to Mom and Dad!!  ;)

Not too much finishing around here right now, but lots and lots of in progress activity...

Check out what everyone else is up to over at Lee's WIP Wednesday link up party too.  :)

Oops...

Umm...I've been a little busy.  Wednesday was my only day I didn't spend at school last week so I wrote up a nice WIP Wednesday post and apparently never pressed Publish because when I sat down at the computer today--here it is...  So, let's all pretend it's Wednesday again and see what I've been up to and I'll be back tomorrow with a new post.  :)  Have a great weekend everyone!!


**Edited to Add--I'm so sorry I forgot to announce the winner of my Giveaway Day Prize.  I contacted the winner, contacted Amanda about the gift certificate and totally forgot to tell y'all about it!  Thanks to Kristy for reminding me...  Our winner was Sandra!!  And I'm so glad to be sending her new fabrics to kick off her journey back into sewing.  :)

Whew, life has been busy lately.  Last week I spent 8 hours each day in the school Book Fair (volunteer hours of course) and when you add on my Mom duties of chauffeuring, grocery shopping, house cleaning, sports-cheering, and just plain loving I was one tired girl.

But, I've got one day off this week between field trips, field days, and all that other Mom stuff to get some things done.

So...what am I working on today?

I'm mailing these Depression blocks to Cathy for That Stash Bee.  She asked us to think "Black and White TV" when making them.  I can't wait to see this quilt all made up.  What a striking quilt this will be.

 I'm working on another Star Block for Oren's Star Wars quilt.  This one took a back seat when I got busy with everything else, but I'm working on block 11/20 and I want to have this one on his bed before summer is over.  That seems reasonable...

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Next up for bee blocks are some improv square blocks I picked out for the Rad {Empower} circle of do. Good stitches.  It's my month to host, and I thought we could all use the ease and creativity that improv squares bring to the table.  Here's the color scheme I picked out:

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Maybe not my norm, but I'm all for branching out...sometimes... 

And when I finish the star blocks and the improv squares...I'm cutting into this for a summer skirt.

Crafterhours is hosting Skirt Week 2013 and I want to play along this year.  

You can play along too--head to their awesome site to check out the details.  I'd love to make most of what I wear this summer, excluding running clothes and swimsuits, of course...  ;)

So, what are you up to today and this week?  Let me know...I plan to get a lot more done once school gets out in two weeks.  :)

WIP Wednesday

**If you're here for the giveaway or looking for it--click here.  And if you haven't entered--what are you waiting for???**

Today I've just got a minute to pop in.  This is Teacher Appreciation Week, so we've been busy making our teachers feel as special as they are by serving breakfast on Monday and lunch today.  When you add that in with our normal crazy schedule of softball, karate and everything else--this Mama's ready for some summer vacation!!

Anyway--quick pic of what I'm working on today...
My April (hangs head in shame because I'm NEVER that girl that's late with bee blocks) X+ blocks for Shannon and our Rad {Empower} circle of do. Good Stitches.

Here's one done:

Shannon asked for low- to medium-value prints in any order.

And here's one in progress:

And here's a little sneak peek of something getting made for a special bebe on the way...

Picking the fabric is always the hardest part for me...now to sew!

I will HOPEFULLY be back Friday with some finishes to show off...

What are you up to on this wonderful Wednesday?

Link up with Lee and show us all...

WIP Wednesday

Hello everybody! (Is anyone else hearing Grover from Sesame Street in your head right now??)  I've been thinking about the blog and y'all a lot lately, but honestly, I feel like I'm a work in progress right now.  I don't seem able to get everything done in my allotted hours of the day anymore...

There's been a lot of this

And this

a little of this

I recently went back to this on a part-time basis

Subbing--not teaching...

With a sprinkle of sewing throughout.  I'm pattern testing for Jenny again--this time for Emma.  It's a teen/tween maxi dress and I just need to try it on her and add the straps...

I'll show a finished project in the next few days.  And can I just say that it pains me a little that I am old enough to have a daughter that is old enough to need a dress this long.  Seriously--when did this happen???

In the meantime--don't forget that this coming Monday is Sew, Mama, Sew's Spring Giveaway Day (Week!).  I haven't decided for sure what I'm giving, but there will definitely be something being given away, so make sure to come back Monday if not before!!!

Nearly Wordless WIP Wednesday

Starting on that summer wardrobe after all...

This is The Staple Dress Pattern by April Rhodes.  Still deciding on fabric choices, but I think I'm going to start with a blue paisley linen-like fabric I got at JoAnn's on Monday.  But first comes the worst part--taping all those pieces of paper together to make a pattern.  :)

Here's a sneak peek of what the dress looks like:

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Details to follow...

Halfway There

In November I asked the Empower Circle of do. Good Stitches to make wonky pinwheels (from this tutorial)

in these colors:

I love this design and I also loved the simplicity I thought putting them together would bring.  I'd get them in November, slap them together, sew up my rows and be ready to quilt, bind and send this baby on.

I thought wrong...

With the holidays and some personal issues going on, I didn't get them all in until January and then I still had to make mine which I'd put off until I had them all.

Then when I got them all laid out to sew together I realized that some of the blocks were sewn together wrong.  It was an easy-to-make mistake.  I almost did it myself.  A few girls matched the points instead of making the wonky pinwheel and these blocks stuck out big time!

So, I had to rip them apart and re-sew those blocks before I could put the top together.  I think 5-6 were wrong, so it wasn't hard to fix them, it just took time to do it.

But finally, I've got all of the block sewn together into a quilt top and I do love it!

I love the fabrics in this block!  

I'm thinking an over-all FMQ on this quilt.  Maybe stippling.  Maybe a loop-de-loop design.  I'm not sure.  I don't think I want to do anything straight because of all of the angles in the quilt besides the wonky-ness of the pinwheels.

This block was made with linen--LOVE it!!!

But I don't want overly dense quilting because of all of the seams in this one.  It's already pretty heavy.  I don't want this quilt to be a pain to cuddle under.

Suggestions?  Ideas?

I love my d.GS circle.  The girls are all so kind and creative.  It's such a fun group to work with, talk with, and do good for others with.

If you've ever considered joining up either as a stitcher or a quilter, I'd highly recommend it.  The rewards far outweigh the work you put in.  And we can all stand to give a little more to make someone else's day brighter can't we?