Christmas 2010

Alright, so if any of you have read my "About Me" and actually made it partway through I mention a quilt that really is the reason I jumped into quilting and started the blog, etc. etc.

I figured this was the perfect time..

The story goes like this..

Last year I started dating my boyfriend and he had seen the quilt on my bed (my mom and I made together) and being the sarcastic guy that he is - jokingly said I should make him a quilt for Christmas.

Let me put this into perspective for you - we started dating in April, he made this comment around July.

Well, by September I decided I would stick it to him that holiday season and I began my search for a simple enough pattern to follow, supplies I would need, etc. 

I began sketching out ideas, scouring the internet, etc. etc.

I finally found this pattern 

Well, being from New Jersey, my boyfriend is a DIEHARD Yankee fan, while I personally prefer not to watch baseball, just to be a nudge i'm a "Mets" fan.

I wanted this love of sports to play a part, I thought it might help him appreciate the quilt a bit more.

Well, the research for yankee cotton fabric began. I soon realized this would be out of the question.

Did you know that MLB fabric is EXPENSIVE??

Apparently the rights to make the fabric was only out for a few short years, as such, the quantity of fabric is minimal, so browsing ebay or other sights I was looking at sums of $20 for a 1/2 yard and more. As a broke college student this was OUT OF THE QUESTION.
Even now as a working girl.. still OUT OF THE QUESTION haha

So the colors were at least set - blue and white.
Then I started googling pattern ideas and I found this one..

Well, even though it gave measurements I really had no idea how much material I'd need, how many blocks, etc. 

My boyfriend has a queen size bed, so I was aiming HIGH.

 In process photos (how I managed to take these, pre-blogging and WHY I took them? Idk.)

 massive.
unfortunately the "wrong" side of it, I was getting ready to back it..

The ONLY picture of the backing.. which is fleece (apparently the only fabric from MLB you can still get with logos)

Then, the big reveal.. needless to say boyfriend was super confused why I was step by step documenting his reaction (my mom was so upset she wasn't there to see it, so I promised to document)

still kinda confused...

(Anyone else notice the amazing quilt already on his bed?!??! 

His grandmother was a quilter, I LOVE this quilt)

Shock is setting in..

In ALLLLL its GLORY :)

(unfortunately the only picture of it all laid out, and boyfriend won't let me take it outside now and take current pictures because of its size)

Happy boyfriend.

This was pre-machine binding and quilting knowledge, so its actually turned on the edges and "quilted" with ties throughout the quilt. This was also pre-cotton batting, so the polyester stuff is FLUFFY.

Regardless, boyfriend has seen newer quilts with more experience and still favors his, so if he's happy, i'm happy. 

Remember how I said I didn't know how much fabric I'd need? Oh yeh, tons of scraps (front and backing) so his mother is getting a lap quilt this Christmas with the same fabrics :)

I've been meaning to write about this quilt for some time and

 thanks to the Bloggers Quilt Festival 2011 I decided to do just that.

:)

The one that surprised us all..

So when the weatherman says there will be 6-8 inches of snow on October 29th, its safe to safe people will assume he's wrong. Even more so when its 50 degrees the day before and BEAUTIFUL.

Well. THEY. WERE. RIGHT.

Seriously, how often does that happen!

This was the beginning.. around 11am 

(Snow wasn't supposed to start till 6pm or later!)

Sorry for the dark shots, but this was around 7pm

You can't see the EXTENSIVE amount of damage done by broken tree branches.

Sunday morning, the street in front of my house.

multiple trees fallen on power lines

Hopefully power comes back soon!!

Winter in October?

Sorry for the silence, we got hit HARD this weekend by SNOW!

Can you believe it? We couldn't either.

I'm still without power, since Saturday around 2pm, I have pictures for you and projects to show but unfortunately, they will have to wait for now. Hope everyone had a safe and productive weekend!

Cross your fingers our power comes back soon, its chilly!

:)

Winter Stitching

I've decided to hold myself accountable this winter and I like the idea that FairyFace Designs had about making a list and linking it up so I can try and keep a more organized list of what I want to do..

Here goes nothing..

1. Modern Christmas Table Runner Swap 

2. Elf Wall Hanging - top done, waiting to be quilted and bound

3. SewHappyGeek Wall Hanging/Table Runner Swap

4. Ruby, Pearl and Opal Quilt (have all my supplies just waiting to find some time!)

5. Swoon Quilt (3 down, 6 to go)

6. Houndstooth Quilt

7. Finish quilt design

8. Christmas Surprise Quilt (in the process of piecing)

9. Crochet cowl scarf

10. Sewing machine cover

11. Wall hanging (design i've been wanting to make foreverrrr)

12. Baprons (babies due before Christmas plus some extras to have on hand)

13. Participate in 2-3 more swaps (maybe host my own??)

14. Write some tutorials!

15. LEARN HOW TO FMQ! (Should probably follow along with Cindy's)

16. Finish my 2 P.I.F. projects

Alright, that should hold me over for a while - only 3 actual quilts on the list

the rest are things to motivate me and get me to try new things.. all attainable though!

Wish me luck!

What are your plans this winter??

Not a lot of sewing..

This week has been crazy with TWO back-to-school nights (the perks of having multiple students in multiple grades)

So, needless to say my sewing machine has been pretty quiet this week.

I did however sit back and watch some movies so I decided to let you know about them!

This one I saw on Wednesday and it was hysterical. Definitely not a children's movie though. I'm a huge Ryan Reynolds fan so if you like him, I recommend it even more.

This movie I saw on Monday, and it was awesome. My boyfriend isn't one for romantic comedies so i was surprised he even agreed. This movie was HYSTERICAL and was something we both could enjoy.

4 stars!

Alright, sewing this weekend I hope.

Anyone else in my area where they are calling for SNOW tomorrow?

Ugh, its October! Too early!!

Enjoy the weekend everyone, here's to being productive!

:)

W.I.P. Wednesday #10

Woohoo! Double digit W.I.P. post! 

haha, it's the little things.. really (anyone else experience that?)

Works In Progress

1. Elf Wall Hanging - no progress from last week

2. Christmas Table Runner - almost complete! Pictures to follow tomorrow 

3. Swoon blocks - after these blocks monopolized took up so much of my time, I took a break.. well, i'm back and ready to start some more!! I cut the blocks for 2 more :)

4. Christmas Surprise Quilt - central blocks done, cutting some pieces -- my sewing table is covered in this though.. so not toooo much progress.

5. Christmas Scrappy Quilt - eh, no progress.

Finished Projects

1. Sew Happy Geek Table Runner/Wall Hanging Swap (just need to complete a small goodie as an extra)

2. Scrappy Swap 2011 - mailed this week :)

Projects on Hold:

1. Spanish Tiles

2. Swoon

3. Houndstooth Quilt (boyfriend can't decide on a color and i'm hoping I get the special ruler I need for it for Christmas hint hint)

Busy week(end) ahead of me, hoping to find some quality time with my sewing machine because I have a ton to complete before Christmas!!!

As always, I'm linking up with Lee from Freshly Pieced

:)

Sunday Sewing

Well this weekend was dedicated to swaps.

First up, I finished up my scrap swap package and will be sending it out today.

Next, I worked on my wall hanging for the SewHappyGeek wall hanging/table runner swap.
Which by the way, I love! My partner totally has the same color schemes that I like so I had a bunch to work with which was great!

Love in the Mist block

I think i've fallen in love with hand stitching.. i love the look of it!

Lastly, I almost finished my Christmas table runner, just need to finish up the binding.
Pretty successful weekend, though I only worked on the "easy" projects that were designed and cut and just needed some TLC.
What that means is now the hard(er) projects are left that I need to finish for Christmas presents.

Have a fabulous Monday everyone!
:)

Friday Favorites

This week was all about the HST's for me. 

I personally love the look they give projects and it's a real test of my cutting/sewing ability to make sure all those darn points match up!

1. Pillow Talk Swap Pillow Finished, 2. maybe a geese block for kimmie, 3. FMB block for KarrieLynn, 4. MT swap sent, 5. Circle of Geese, 6. DQS 11 received

(btw I am aware that not all of these are in fact HST's! haha)

Have a fabulous Friday everyone and for those of you in another part of the world, have a fabulous night!

I'll be back this weekend with some more sewing to show! I've been productive!!

:)

W.I.P. Wednesday #9

Here we are again, but this time I have some things to show!

Works in Progress

1. Elf Wall Hanging - top done, basted, waiting to be quilted.

2. Modern Table Runner Swap - finished the quilt top, waiting to be basted and quilted!! Hoping my partner will like this, she said its best to "keep it simple" with her!

I used some pieces from a jelly roll of "Figgy Pudding" that I had - I like it so much I see another one in my future (don't you hate when that happens!)

3. Christmas Surprise Quilt - Somehow every week I feel like I'm retyping the same thing.. pieces cut and beginning to work on quilt top (definitely falling to the bottom of the list meaning i'll be working into the last moments with it!)

4. Sew Happy Geek Table Runner/Wall Hanging Swap -- 

TOTALLY STUMPED.

I've attempted pulling fabrics, attempted designing.. nothing seems to fit my partner -- sigh, i'll keep trying, wish me luck!

5. Mystery - I mentioned last week I was working on something I may sell for the holidays, but I need to keep working on it and as we get closer I'll show everyone and see what your thoughts are!

Completed Projects

1. Curtains - This project became a "new" project as of Friday night, and completed by Saturday. My sister came home from college requesting simple curtains, there were 4 panels total, but they were a quick job :)

New Projects

1. Christmas CopyCat quilt - for my boyfriends mom, pictures this week(end) into next week - scouts honor!!

2. Houndstooth pattern - received it in the mail yesterday!! This quilt come at special request from my boyfriend, in fact - he wants to pick the colors! (I may have to gently push persuade his decision) haha

On Hold:

1. Swoon

2. Spanish Tiles

Works in Progress - 5

New Projects - 2

Finished Projects - 1

Total W.I.P. - 7

This list wouldn't be so overwhelming if the swap items weren't due within a week of each other and the others MAJOR christmas presents.. 

btw, I saw a post yesterday that said 68 days till Christmas

(just in case you weren't mad at me already for having blogged about Christmas blocks, etc. haha sorryyyy!)
As always, I'm linking up with Lee over at Freshly Pieced
(If you've never gone over on Wednesdays you MUST - the talent these ladies have is amazingggg)

:)

App Time!

Hey everybody, I wanted to share this AMAZING app I have on my iPhone.

I came across this app a few months ago and have been using it ever since, then yesterday when I was using it I was struck with the *AHA* moment that maybe you all would like to know about it as well!

Robert Kaufman has this FREE app out that you can download to your smart phone!

Some features include :

• a converter between fractions and decimals
• a backing and batting calculator
• a piece count calculator that figures out the number of pieces of a given size can be cut from a larger piece of fabric and vice versa, how much fabric is needed to get a certain number of pieces of a given size (AMAZING perk - use it all the time)
• This one actually shows you how to best cut the fabric also to get the most pieces!!
• a binding calculator
• a border calculator
• calculators for square-in-a-square, set-in and corner triangles

I'm not sure which Smartphones will readily have access but I know iPhone users will have access.

(nobody asked me to write this review, I really just wanted you all to know because I think its so fabulous and get so much use out of it!!)

Anybody else have any apps that they use for quilting??

:)

Sunday Sewing

Alright, this weekend I was able to devote a solid amount of time to sewing.. yay!!

(I forgot how my back feels after 4-5 hours at the machine.. ouch!)

Woohoo!! Finished the top quilt for my elf wall hanging!

Close-up of all the blocks - I decided to keep the witches heels for a "girly elf"

added some variety :)

Thennn, Friday night my younger sister came home from school.

Apparently theres a bright street light sitting between her windows and though she has blinds at her college apartment she still has trouble blocking the lights.

We went and picked up some fabric - couldn't find any cute upholstery(thicker) fabric so we went with cotton and I backed it up to black fabric. 

Total of 4 panels made, it was a windy day and I didn't want to wrestle with all of them! 

The happy monster with her curtain panel :) 

So all in all, productive weekend, I also got the top almost finished on my christmas table runner - just need to add some borders.. more on that later this week!

Have a great Monday!

:)

Gift for ME!

I've decided that with all the sewing I do, I need to create for me sometimes too!

My machine is totally naked! It needs to be covered up!!

 

1. My sewing machine cover!, 2. Sewing Machine Cover, 3. Voile and Linen Sewing Machine Cover, 

4. swoon blocks, 5. MMM Swap Machine Cover, 6.Sewing Machine Cover, 

7. Sewing machine cover all pieced & quilted, 8. Sewing Machine Cover, 9. Sewing machine cover in 'Martinique', 

10. Sewing Machine Cover, 11. Pillow Talk Swap 4 - Sneak, 12. sewing machine cover front

I decided to look for some sewing machine covers I LOVE and create something for me!

Trouble is.. with Christmas only.. less than 80 days away, I have too much else on my plate.. so therefore, in the new year, this will be one of my first projects!

I have 3 months to design I want -- What have you taken the time to make specially for YOU?!

:)

W.I.P. Wednesday #8

Wednesday's are rolling around way too fast..

Lately there's been a whole lotta "cutting things up" and not much "sewing them back together!" haha

Works in Progress -

1. Christmas Table Runner - Design determined. Stalking Done. Pieces starting to get cut.

I'm cutting up some "Figgy Pudding" that i've had in my stash

Just a better look at some of the fabric.. 

pattern picked out, we'll see how the rest of this week pans out for some piecing!

2. SewHappy Geek - Wall Hanging/Table Runner Swap - ZILCH done.

3. Surprise Quilt - SLLOWWWWLLYYYY starting to assemble. I was able to print on fabric this weekend (a total first) that went well until my printer decided to eat my fabric it was tired and didn't want to print anymore.

4. Which Witch - So, since I'm not a lover of Halloween I started the elf one instead :)

Not appliquéd yet, but pieces are cut!!

Hopefully appliqué this weekend, need to get some red thread..

Finished Projects

1. Scrappy Swap - 

I made this pouch for my partner and I'm still tweaking what scraps to send out, but this one is just about done!

New Projects:

1. I started working on something this week but I'm not quite sure how it'll turn out, I'll show you pictures once I'm finished with it.. I'm thinking of maybe selling them for the holidays, but I'm not really sure as that wasn't the purpose of starting this blog and I'm not totally sure thats the route I want it to take.. we'll see - stay posted and I'll let you all be the deciders!

On Hold-
1. Spanish Tiles
2. Swoon

Works in Progress - 6
Completed Projects - 1
New Projects - 1

Total Projects - 7

As always,

I'm linking up with Lee from Freshly Pieced