Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Progress of My Zipper Bag Project



It's early this New Year's Eve morning. I've already been sewing, and put together this little bag. (Ummm. I like it.)This is probably the only end of the day I'll be awake to enjoy. It's never been a big draw for me to stay up until midnight to welcome in the new year. I'm definitely a morning person. But, for those of you who are prepared with your hats and party horns, make a lot of noise, and kiss someone for me. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Unisex Baby Quilt


I finished this little quilt top this afternoon. I'm SO happy how it turned out. I think it says, "Baby!", and neither girl nor boy. Mission accomplished. That's what I was aiming for. We've got company coming this week to visit, so it might not be a finished quilt by week's end, but I'm shooting for it. It's given me so many more ideas on how to use the Depression fabrics.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Birthdays




We celebrated Christmas quietly yesterday, and today we're on to a daughter's birthday. December is a busy month here. We're part of a rather large extended family, and getting to the point in life where children are marrying, and our siblings and friends are becoming grandparents. It's rather exciting, isn't it? Babies are such a joy to be around, especially when you aren't directly responsible for them, and they go home with someone else!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Fa-La-La-La-La, and I'm Not Done. Are You?


I showed you this little quilt top a few weeks ago made with a Merry Go Round charm pack. The fabric designer is Nel Whatmore for Freespirit Fabrics. It's become a favorite after using it, and one I'll replace for my stash. Very girly and romantic, but modern, too.

Monday, December 22, 2014

One Charley Harper and a Zombie Dog Bed Done


My daughter requested a dog bed for a friend. Could it be something edgy for one very feisty dog? I love the Zombie fabric, and luckily had some leftover in both my stash and scrap bins. They agreed, so I used the same piecing method as the Love quilt. Free-cut strips, and improv piecing. I didn't pay much attention to the layout, but evened up the strips when they were long enough. I was aiming for a 24"x24" top.

Friday, December 19, 2014

No Rest for the Weary




Remember a few days ago when I was looking forward to my week alone with my husband? I was planning to sew my days away with little responsibility, take walks with the dogs, etc. Well, let me tell you, it didn't happen quite like that. 

All week long I've run like a crazy woman. I've refereed more llama disputes than I could imagine, been spit on because I got in the middle, and have had mulitple flashbacks to the early days of mothering 5 kids. The other family dogs came yesterday afternoon for a total of six. Three over 50 pounds, and 3 bad dachshunds. It was a sleepless night while the new dogs got used to regular house noises. We were all up by 4:30. While trying to get medications out for one big dog, the other two played chase in the living room, and took out a lamp. One doxie didn't want to eat, but I coaxed her into it. She then threw up for the next several hours. Oh, dear, I hope it's not contagious. 
(Did I happen to say today's my 27th wedding anniversary?)

So, while I babied the sick dog, the rest have had a couch day. They slept, I finally got the new lights for the tree on, and you can see the little church and Santa finished the decorations. Now it feels like Christmas time.

I did squeeze in a little time to sew.
This is the other pillow top done for dear son's new house. I'll get it all together before he's home from vacation.


This, next, is a Christmas present for the in-laws. It's a dog bed top for their Scout. My mother-in-law has always had a thing for birds, and loves Charlie Harper prints. Harper did a fabric line with winter birds, and it was a perfect match. Some of the fabric was in a panel of sorts, and I had to be creative to work those into a bed top. Two rows go up, and two go down. No matter how the bed is turned, half the blocks are in the correct direction. I think it adds interest to the top. The sashing is a grey with hatch marks.


I quilted the blocks at about an inch apart, and the sashing in between closer to 1/2".


I think his prints give so much character to the animals. 



All six are sleeping hard, and I think I'm going to sneak downstairs alone.


Remember the saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie."
I'm off to sew alone.

Monday, December 15, 2014

My Christmas Mantle and Musings





My "Need to Make or Buy" Christmas list is very small in spite of our family's size, but it still has some big holes in it. I may not get it all done before the big day, but that's still okay. I know there are people who believe the holiday is ruined if the presents aren't just perfect--or complete, but I live in the real world. I don't have little children anymore, and we're all very busy people. Realistically, there isn't always enough of me to go around. Any of this sound familiar? 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Low Volume Projects--Who? Me?



Even I have to snicker to myself when I say that I really enjoy the look of low volume quilts. Super-color-saturated-me! Perhaps it's the yin and yang I crave. I had my first introduction to it with A Month of Sundays by Cheryl Arkison. Also inspiring was Sunday Morning Quilts by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison. I think this one book gets pulled off my shelf weekly. I started digging deeper into the low volume theory, and I believe that Malka Dubrawsky was the first person credited with the term, but there are others, too, who were involved in it becoming the trend it is today. Looking at Dubrawsky's work, she's also a strong user of saturated color. So, maybe finding balance is in our nature.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

"Tradition!" (said while humming Fiddler on the Roof)


Whatever your beliefs, the Season is upon us, like it or not, and it's here with its many traditions.

I was brought up in a little Mennonite church, in a small town in Ohio. My family had lived there for generations. Therefore, my life was wrought with tradition, most of which I challenged, and much to my grandparent's and parent's chagrin. Some traditions made no sense and didn't 'catch', but others slipped in, binding with my brain and heart, and demanding to be observed this time of year. Combine them with my husband's, those our family adopted, and a Moravian community saturated in them, and we have one really patch-worked holiday here! If marriage isn't a compromise, the holidays are!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Sewing Machine Covers and Ironing Board Redo

What isn't there to love about Saturdays?


It was a whole day to putz in the sewing room. I tidied, dusted, made sure to vacuum off my sewing machines, and put my cover on. It's a good practice to follow as dust is a real enemy to your machine. I made this one years ago, but my new machine needs one now. Something jazzy.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Waterproof Mug Rugs




I suppose I shouldn't start a post by complaining, but I have a pet peeve with ordinary Mug Rugs. If you use them as a coaster on wood and you have a spill, you may wind up with a water ring or even ruined furniture. I need things to be functional--not just 'decorative'. This family really lives in our home, we eat and drink in the front room, and we don't always pay attention. I say this from experience.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Tiny Houses Tiny Trees-Big Reveal




Tiny Houses Tiny Trees
Here's the Big Reveal!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Tiny Houses Tiny Trees WIP



I love weekends without big commitments. 
I got a lot done,  
but you'll only get to see the trees today.

I did several small stints at my Janome on Sunday, and the Tiny Houses Tiny Trees was quilted. Later in the evening I sat with the family and sewed on buttons. A few more hours, and it will be ready to hang. I'm getting excited now. 






Someone asked me where I find the time to sew and quilt with all I have going on. We have a very busy household here. If you're interested, read on.

Do you know people that when you try to find a date for a get-together, and they start paging through their calendars into the next 2 months? They're booked solid in their personal lives as well as their professional lives. They will say, "My schedule is crazy! It's not me--it's the kids!" We have 5 kid  from teens into twenties now, but they were all young once long ago. I hear my friends lament, and wish I could tell them this.

I have a dear friend who once told me she only allowed each of her kids to do one outside activity that maintained a schedule, like a sport, twice a year. So, 6 kids on a rotating basis, and not all at once. She limited the craziness in her life by setting limits. She's a smart cookie. I applied a lot of her mommy wisdom to my own life with young kids, and still do. Like, I once bargained with one of our children the opportunity to have a horse instead of playing on a softball team again. It was the same amount of time investment, but spread out over the year, and a regular schedule. My kids did do sports, but when they did, they all took lessons at the same time, like tennis or martial arts. I never felt the guilt that they had to do it all. The free time we gave them was every bit as important as another scheduled activity.

Every one of my children found a unique hobby growing up by not following the norm of 'The Hurried Child'. They all, so far, have carried these interests into adulthood. Forcing them to fill their own time worked.

Your free time is often hard to control, especially during the holidays, so don't burn yourself out this season. Manage your time instead of allowing it to manage you. If you must, mark off your calendars with "Free Time" with a pen--it's non-negotiable. I'm advocating a Slow Holiday, and Less-is-More theme.




This is my effort at holiday decorating so far. I found it at the local store on sale this weekend. I love to give a big, sarcastic, "Whatever!" to my kids now, probably because it was a banned word in our house when they were all little. (Having older kids is really more fun, I'm telling you!) I think it carries the same sentiment, but in a holiday way. 

Doxie Girls, let's go pick up your 3 canine cousins, and make this a sewing day. 
(Shut in a room with 6 dogs.)
(Hmmm.) 
Not sure I'll get a lot done today, but we'll have fun.


Saturday, November 29, 2014

A Tiny Post on Tiny Trees


Tiny Holiday Trees 

My little trees I accidentally squished together turned into a sweet wall hanging. I finished it up yesterday as a gift for my friend, Wenda. It was a happy accident, and I was pleased how it turned out.

I used the chance to try out the machine quilting I had in mind for the larger wall hanging, and also the button and pearl embellishments. I think the bling is pretty, but it could easily be made less glammy by using colored buttons on one or all the trees. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving


 "Tiny Houses, Tiny Trees" came together at last this afternoon. The week before Thanksgiving brings so much extra work and preparation, so this project feels like it's taken forever. It actually hasn't been a week, though. I think I was so anxious to get the piecing done because I'm really looking forward to the next part. Bring on the bling!

Two books that have been on my shelf for several months are both by Aimee Ray. I haven't done much in the way of embroidery, but I started this project with the intention to embellish it. I think embroidery will enhance this project.


Here are another two loaded with ideas. 



I made this block while working on the project, but the trees wound up too close together. It's okay. I learned how 'not to do it', and now I have a piece to practice some techniques on before starting with the actual project.


The wine is chilled and the turkey defrosted. The cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes were cooked today. Tomorrow after the rest is prepped, and while the turkey bakes, I'll be stitching away. My mom will call to ask how the meal prep is going, and once again tell me I should be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I'll just smile. 


May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day wherever you land, and be careful in your travels. And remember, be kind to each other.

Doxie Girls, let's head to bed.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Tiny Houses Tiny Trees II




 Tiny Houses Tiny Trees--Work in Progress-WIP

It was a working weekend for me, but I have a lot to show for it this morning. This little project does not show the hours sunk into it. It is a time vampire, but I love how fun it is!

 I had done the remaining tree blocks during the morning. 
Sunday afternoon I started at this point.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Tiny Houses Tiny Trees


I have always had a thing for Teeny Tiny Houses. I always thought it would be So Fun to live with minimal space, and the barest of possessions. One trip to a Disney efficiency room with two girls who were appalled at the lack of privacy changed all that overnight! I'm happy enough now to just look at pictures, Thank You.

This little project started off with the stripey fabric reminding me so much of trees. I thought a little wall hanging with trees would be a nice seasonal touch. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Quilted Clutch Bags




Somewhere along the Quilting Road, I never learned what a walking foot was, or did, because I had always sewn on a Pfaff. That wonderful old machine with an integrated walking foot! Mine is on the older side now, over 20 years old, and I'm still just as thrilled with it as I was the first day. The only thing that I can't do is quilt a bigger piece on it with the tiny 6 3/4" throat. For that, I need my new Janome. 

All my quilting is done on the Janome now, but I had never just straight stitched a quilt. Once I learned how much fun it was to do free-motion, I couldn't see why someone would even want to do straight stitching. While I love the creativity of free-motion, Fiona's dog bed required a straight stitch because of the bulk. So last weekend it was finally necessary to learn how to use the Janome's walking foot. I 505'd together two cute scraps, and figured it out. Not tough at all, but now I had seen how it could transform my fabric with just that straight stitching, and I was really impressed with the look. I just had to find something to do with my test piece!


So, this little clutch was born, and the idea continued to be refined, ...

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Holiday Hip Hot Pad



From here until the first of January, it's a social season. There are invitations to gatherings, parties, and the occasional unexpected company shows up at our doors. There are frequently times when we should be showing up with 'something', and my head goes blank when I'm pushed for a last minute idea. I've been racking my brain for homemade hostess gifts I can make and take, and I always think about what I would want to receive myself. There are the typical things like wine or a small plant, etc., but it seems at the holidays that people bring holiday-themed gifts. I would bet that each one of us here has a little different decorating style for our holidays, and I'm trying to find something that all of us can use, and hopefully appreciate.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Favorite Quilt Scraps Powder Puffs



You may not want to hear this, but it's officially 6 weeks before Christmas, and a week and half before Thanksgiving. The calendar turns whether we're in denial or not. Do you have a list of people expecting a gift from you? Are you interested in some quick projects that are fun to do, and will be one-of-a-kind because you make them? I'll share a few of my secrets with you this week. Let's make this Christmas a low-cost, low-volume holiday, and focus on homemade, which allows us to re-purpose or Upcycle.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Poor Freezing Fiona's New Dog Bed


This is one very large, very warm dog bed made for a deserving dog who can't get warm.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Patchwork Cushion



For all you scrap lovers, this post is for you. 

Here's the story of a family heirloom that no one wanted to sit on. It was too hard.


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Feather the Nest-3-Recovering Chair Cushions


Let's start with an After shot to the left, and a Before on the Right. I'm feeling lucky you can't see how stained and dirty that cushion fabric is, but rest assured, it needed replaced.

This is a close-up of the finished seat cushion. What an improvement in both design... 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Project "Feather the Nest"-2


Today is Veteran's Day. Take the opportunity to thank those men and women who gave a great deal to us with their time and devotion to our country. Young and old, they all remember the sacrifices, and are grateful and honored when they know the rest of us remember, too. A simple, "Thank you for your service", is appreciated.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Project "Feather the Nest": Dog Beds



Today is the first of a string of a few stellar autumn days. Sun and mild temperatures for this time of November are fully enjoyable, if not untypical. Here, we've had a keen eye on the weather during our barn project, and every spare moment on dear husband's part has been spent there in both sun and rain. I hope that the remaining material come in an are installed this week. We're all ready for the barn to be done. The Arctic cold front hits us Tuesday night, and I fear for the harsh winter they're predicting to be near on it's heels. Brrr.

Friday, November 7, 2014

I Survived the Zombie (Quilt)




This is Friday, and I'm doing the Happy Dance.
The Zombie quilt is done, done, done. 
Woohoo!



Thursday, November 6, 2014

Patch, Donate, Rebuild

Do you have some fabric that you really love? You know, you take it out and look at it, pet it, and decide not to cut into it. It's your favorite, or one of. I have several I've been loving, and not ready to part with in a quilt. This is one, and I needed just a little patch on my jeans where I snagged the knee at the barn. Torn jeans just don't cut it for me, so I parted with a few inches, and made a cute patch. It's raggedy like the boyfriend jeans, functional, and I can enjoy the print. Because my tear had straight edges, I did my best to zigzag them together. Then with your quilt fabric, cut a rectangle, make a tube right sides out, iron it flat with the seam in back, blanket stitch the edges, and hand sew on. The original patchwork. Come spring, I may change it out for something brighter.


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Promise Kept and People Met



Yesterday was a Super Sewing Day! I packed it in from morning to night, but it was both productive and fun. 


First Meet-Up at Jo-Ann's

I think this deserves a shout out. We had a ball! Most who came didn't know each other. The company was diverse in age and interest, but everyone came to sew or stitch. No meeting. No agenda. The teenagers took off to walk in the mall together, but came back to observe what we were doing. We create a little hook or picture in their brain, and that is how it all starts for them. That was how most of us started. We watched, and then decided we could do that. About a dozen adults sewed, we laughed, we laughed some more, and kept on sewing. We showed off our work, asked each other how to do things--and someone there always knew how to help. It was actually nice that the room was fairly small. We became well acquainted with whatever our neighbor was working on. The cookie-brownies were a little burned, my own fault, but no one complained. We simply enjoyed the time we shared. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Get Out of Your Quilting Room and Vote!



            Susan B. Anthony                           Elizabeth Cady Stanton                       Lucy Burns


It's November 4th, and here in the U.S. it's Election Day. Be part of the Process, and get out to Vote! If you're female, and I imagine most of you are, keep in mind the strong women who gave years of their life to the suffrage movement so all women then and after had the right to vote. Can you imagine our world if we didn't? We all have a voice, and our voices count. Make yours heard today. Pay tribute to their legacy. Go vote!