Um, yeah, I'm still here....

It's been busy. Kiddo graduated high school. I'm changing jobs. Life is just kinda messy and full right now. I have managed to sew a good bit. I even took pictures. I just haven't blogged.

So, how about a picture heavy post then my pathetic not touched much list?

First up, Aggie baby. I love the way this one turned out.

Baby Q's quilt. Another one I love. The sweet girl this quilt belongs to was born just 2 days ago. Squeeee!

Also finished is a chemo quilt for a friend of a friend.

 And a few baby boy quilts that are available in my Etsy store.

Now to the list...

1. CLEAN THE SEWING ROOM! It's become a catch-all for all kinds of stuff lately. Non-sewing crap needs to be taken out and everything thing else sorted.
2. Swoon I really need to work on one of these because this quilt is for me!
3. Pillowcases I'm a total slacker. :(
4. Aprons It's a little hard to sell these if you don't make any...
5. Secret #1 I have the fabrics but keep changing my mind on pattern. I think I have a new winner.
6. Secret #2 No clue. I change my mind daily on what I want to do with this one.
7. Josey's quilt I need to add a border and finish the backing so I can take it to my friend, Jessica Darling for quilting.
8. Pouches I have some new patterns I want to try!
9. Scrapboxes As soon as I get stuff cleaned/organized, I will start one of these.
10. Baby boy quilt Top pieced, needs one more border. Backing selected. Want to get it done this month.
11. Baby girl quilt- Needs to be done this week.
12. Bailey Fabric selected, pattern selected, need to make a plan and get started.
13. Kyle I recently (like this week) changed my mind on fabrics, found a wonderful pattern. 
14. Heather Need to make a plan for this. I have it all cut and sorted, it needs to be worked on!

WHEW!!! Hoping to be very busy in the sewing room very soon.

Until next time, good quilting, good sewing, or whatever makes you happy!

Oh my stars, it's September!

August was crazy busy. I didn't post all month. Geez. I didn't get a ton of stuff done either.

August list

1. Apron need to decide on pattern and fabrics Done and delivered. She loved it. I forgot to take pictures
2. Swoon block I think the purple block this month Didn't happen
3. Pillowcases Boy fabrics this month Also didn't happen, so 4 this month
4. Kyle Baste and quilt by end of month Yeah, it's sitting on the table looking at me.
5. Bailey Finish all blocks and begin layout I laid all the blocks on the guest bed, pics below, only like 7 to finish.
6. Heather Finish step 1 of 3 blocks Done!
7. Baby quilt #1 Piece top Well, I made another block anyway
8. Baby quilt #3 choose design and fabrics So, this one just grabbed my heart and away I went. The top is pieced. Need to choose backing fabric.
9. Secret project #2 finalize design and fabrics Didn't even think about this one.
10. Pouch for swap Must do this week. Done. Delivered. Loved.

Of course, I did a few things not on the list!

My best friend had a birthday this month. I made her an awesome trippy apron (that I forgot to take pics of), some fuzzy socks, and a pouch. She found some cool laminated cotton in an owl print, so I made her a makeup bag.

and it's lined in the same fabric

thought of her the entire time I made this one so it had to go too.

Pouch for the AMQG swap

I forgot to take a pic of this completed, but I made this for our football booster club fundraiser silent auction

Big List

1. Aprons
   
2. Bailey Most blocks pieced. Layout started
3. Kyle All decisions made. Top finished. Quilting this month
4. Swoon 3 blocks made, 6 to go.
5. Pillowcases 4 made.
6. Secret #1 Has to be done by Christmas.
7. Secret #2 Finalize design and fabrics this month.
8. Secret #3 Have fabrics. Need to pick a design.
9. Baby quilt #1 2 of 9 blocks complete
10. Baby quilt #2 12 of 16 blocks complete.
11. Baby quilt #3 Top complete. Searching for proper backing fabric.
12. Arbor Lane Not sure if this is going to get worked on anytime soon.
13. Potholders for gifts
14. Pouches Because I'm now obsessed with making cute little pouches.
15. Socks I made some fuzzy house socks. The other one is still on the loom. Maybe during the Olympics I can finish it.
16. Heather Step 1 of 3 blocks complete. I need to type up a longer post about this.

Sunday list

 Oh, wow. It looks like I am actually going to complete all my projects BEFORE the end of the month. I'm pretty shocked to be honest. Let's update this thing...pics at the bottom.

July

1. Apron for someone else. Done and delivered.
2. 2 Swoon blocks 1 complete, other mostly pieced, maybe I'll finish it this afternoon.
3. 2 pillowcases Done
4. Ironing board cover Done.
5. Sewing machine cover Done
6. choose pattern and fabric for Heather's quilt. Done, I even cut the fabric and started layout. Go me!

Big List

1. Ironing board cover
2. Sewing machine cover
3. Aprons this month's is done
4. Bailey Most blocks pieced. Layout started
5. Kyle All decisions made. Top finished. Maybe quilting next month.
6. Swoon 2 blocks complete, 7 to go.
7. Pillowcases 4 made.
8. Secret #1 Will be next month's big project.
9. Secret #2 I'm back to my original idea on this.
10. Baby quilt By November
11. Arbor Lane Not a darn thing
12. More baby quilts By December
13. Socks Didn't touch
14. Heather Lots of progress this week.

 Swoon block #2, points match up much better on this one.




 

 Swoon block #3, almost done.





 

 Pillowcases, love this brown and pink combo



Blurry sneak peek of Heather's quilt
 

 Until next time, good sewing, good quilting, or whatever makes you happy.

June wrap up

Okay, I didn't finish everything I set out to do BUT I did add a time-intensive project halfway through the month. Forgive the bad cellphone pics, please.

To be finished in June:
Wildflower quilt 

1 Swoon block (didn't get to this so I will do 2 in July)
Apron for me

1 apron for someone else (Didn't get to it. It's my first July project. Plan to have it done by the 4th.)
sewing machine cover (nope. will do in July)
ironing board cover (If you look in that last pic above, you can see it laid out. It will be my 2nd July project)
1 pillowcase (I MADE TWO!!! These are super easy and 2 yds of fabric will give you two coordinating cases.)

super secret project (Finished and in the mail. It will get it's own post later this week.)

All in all, not a bad month. For July, I will not add an extra project that has to be finished.

Good sewing, good quilting, or whatever makes you happy.

Sunday List

 What a lovely, relaxing week...we spent the first part in San Antonio and finished at home. I got some quality time with the still unnamed machine as well. The super secret project is nearly done. I am hoping to finish it tonight. I took the sock with me and worked on it in the car. It's coming along nicely.

Only 6 days left so I think I will be spending most evenings in the sewing room to try to finish these projects. I know I can do it. I played with and showed off a bunch of my lovely fabrics with my mom here this weekend. It helped with the OMG WHY DID I DECIDE NOT TO BUY FABRIC freakout.

I finished my apron earlier and as soon as it's trimmed up, I'll post some pictures. It's super cute but not perfect. It will help keep the threads off my clothes and that's all that matters.

The Wildflower quilt made it to my friend on her birthday. She loves it. I am happy.

To be finished in June:

1. Wildflower quilt pics here
2. 1 Swoon block
3. Apron for me
4. 1 apron for someone else
5. sewing machine cover
6. ironing board cover
7. 1 pillowcase
8. super secret project

 Master List (in order by priority)

1. Wildflowers quilt- Needs to be quilted, bound, and mailed by mid June
2. Sewing machine cover- Will be finished this month
3. Ironing board cover- Will also be finished this month
4. Apron for me - Fabric cut. I just need to sew it up.
5. Aprons- I've gotten a few requests. I have the fabric just need to make them. Will finish one this month
6. Bailey's Christmas quilt-2 blocks made! Lots of prep done to make the blocks go together faster.
7. Kyle's Christmas quilt.- Top complete. Backing fabric delivered. Quilting plan decided.
8. Swoon quilt- One block complete!!! Love it! Will make 1 block per month.
9. Because I obviously need more projects, I found this A Case for Smiles and have to get involved. It will be a great way to use up some novelty prints lurking in my stash. Haven't made one yet but I did pull some fabrics. Will make 1 case per month
10. Secret project 1- I've changed my mind about what I want to do. More soon.
11. Secret project 2- Pattern picked. All fabrics for the top purchased. Needs to be finished by August.
12. Baby quilt- Needs to be finished by November
13. Arbor Lane BOM quilt. I started this one on our honeymoon last year (roadtrip). I am handpiecing it. No roadtrips, no work on this one.
14. More baby quilts- To be finished by December.
15. Socks. This is actually going well just slow. I work on it while watching television with the guys. 

Good sewing, good quilting, or whatever makes you happy. 

Sunday List

I didn't get much accomplished this week. Work was crazy as I was preparing to be off for a week. WOOHOO VACATION! We aren't doing much, a quick trip to San Antonio, a few days at home, and a visit from my parents. It will be fun times. I just need some time to decompress. I did spend a bit of quality time with my machine though. Oh, I need to name her. I name all my cars; my machine definitely needs a name. I'm working on it.

Finished one project. Started on a secret one. I made decent progress on it. On to the lists....

To be finished in June:

1. Wildflower quilt quilting started DONE and MAILED!
2. 1 Swoon block
3. Apron for me
4. 1 apron for someone else
5. sewing machine cover
6. ironing board cover
7. 1 pillowcase
8. super secret project

 Master List (in order by priority)

1. Wildflowers quilt- Needs to be quilted, bound, and mailed by mid June
2. Sewing machine cover- Will be finished this month
3. Ironing board cover- Will also be finished this month
4. Apron for me - Fabric cut. I just need to sew it up.
5. Aprons- I've gotten a few requests. I have the fabric just need to make them. Will finish one this month
6. Bailey's Christmas quilt-2 blocks made! Lots of prep done to make the blocks go together faster.
7. Kyle's Christmas quilt.- Top complete. Backing fabric delivered. Quilting plan decided.
8. Swoon quilt- One block complete!!! Love it! Will make 1 block per month.
9. Because I obviously need more projects, I found this A Case for Smiles and have to get involved. It will be a great way to use up some novelty prints lurking in my stash. Haven't made one yet but I did pull some fabrics. Will make 1 case per month
10. Secret project 1- I've changed my mind about what I want to do. More soon.
11. Secret project 2- Pattern picked. All fabrics for the top purchased. Needs to be finished by August.
12. Baby quilt- Needs to be finished by November
13. Arbor Lane BOM quilt. I started this one on our honeymoon last year (roadtrip). I am handpiecing it. No roadtrips, no work on this one.
14. More baby quilts- To be finished by December.
15. Socks. This is actually going well just slow. I work on it while watching television with the guys. 

That's about it. I need to go pack so we can get on the road soon.

Good sewing, good quilting, or whatever makes you happy.

Wildflower quilt COMPLETE!

This one has been fun to work on the entire time. It just came together so easily. Sure, points don't match and such as that but creatively, I never hit a wall.

 If you have been following along, you know this quilt used to have borders. Once I got it backed and started to quilt it, I decided the wide and pieced borders were too much. I sliced it down to a 1 1/2 inch border and I'm much happier with it. It is "organically" quilted in the ditch with a variegated thread.

 The back is pieced from an extra square (bordered the way the quilt originally way) with the bluebonnet print from the same Moda line and a "Quilt Across Texas" print that I fell in love with at first sight.

 Hey, I even remembered to use a label!

 I like the look of quilts in trees...if only my grass would grow.

Close up of the binding. A snazzy black and white print from my stash.

This quilt is in the mail to a friend who has NO IDEA it's about to show up on her doorstep. I can hardly wait to see her reaction.

Fabric...

So, I cleaned the sewing room yesterday. It was a much bigger task than I was prepared for. I need to totally reorganize fabric. It's kinda ridiculous. I found fabric that I didn't remember buying...and it wasn't that long ago that I bought it.

I have decided that it is time to try a longer fabric free period. I made it through a whole month earlier this year. This time, I'll try for a whole season. I am going to work only from my stash for the entire summer. I will not buy fabric from June 20th to September 21st. I'm probably going to get grumpy so have patience with me. ;)

I don't really need anything new. I'm sure there are plenty that I want. I have everything to finish all the projects I'm working on now. We'll see how it goes.

Changin up the list a little

So, I think I need a bit more structure in my list just to keep me from adding random things and having to RUSH to finish gifts and such on time. In order to accomplish this, I am going to have an overall list and a monthly list. Hopefully, this will keep my wandering mind on task!

To be finished in June:

• Wildflower quilt
• 1 Swoon block
• Apron for me
• 1 apron for someone else
• sewing machine cover
• ironing board cover
• 1 pillowcase

 Master List (in order by priority)

1. Wildflowers quilt- Needs to be quilted, bound, and mailed by mid June
2. Sewing machine cover- Will be finished this month
3. Ironing board cover- Will also be finished this month
4. Apron for me - Fabric cut. I just need to sew it up.
5. Aprons- I've gotten a few requests. I have the fabric just need to make them. Will finish one this month
6. Bailey's Christmas quilt-2 blocks made! Lots of prep done to make the blocks go together faster.
7. Kyle's Christmas quilt.- Top complete. Backing fabric delivered. Quilting plan decided.
8. Swoon quilt- One block complete!!! Love it! Will make 1 block per month.
9. Because I obviously need more projects, I found this A Case for Smiles and have to get involved. It will be a great way to use up some novelty prints lurking in my stash. Haven't made one yet but I did pull some fabrics. Will make 1 case per month
10. Secret project 1- I've changed my mind about what I want to do. More soon.
11. Secret project 2- Pattern picked. All fabrics for the top purchased. Needs to be finished by August.
12. Baby quilt- Needs to be finished by November
    
13. Arbor Lane BOM quilt. I started this one on our honeymoon last year (roadtrip). I am handpiecing it. No roadtrips, no work on this one.
14. More baby quilts- To be finished by December.

 I do have a few other projects I want to work on but I am going to force myself to finish some of these before I add them to the list.

Good quilting, good sewing, or whatever makes you happy!

I did get some sewing done this week but none this weekend. Preschool graduation and baby shower took precedence over quality time with my machine. Hoping for a good bit of time with her this week.

1. Bailey's Christmas quilt-2 blocks made!
2. Kyle's Christmas quilt.- Top complete. Backing fabric delivered. Quilting plan decided.
3. Swoon quilt- One block complete!!! Love it!
4. Space aliens quilt- for a special little boy. DONE!!! Will be delivering this on Saturday He LOVED it. 
5. Wildflowers quilt- Back pieced. quilting soon. I'm hoping to at least get it basted this weekend. Didn't happen. yup.
6. Arbor Lane BOM quilt. I started this one on our honeymoon last year (roadtrip). I am handpiecing it. No roadtrips, no work on this one.
7. Sewing machine cover. Fabrics picked. Hopefully getting to this soon. Why do I put off the stuff for myself?
8. Ironing board cover. Mine's old and ugly. Need to chose fabrics and get started. Bought cording. The materials to make this are sitting here staring at me.
9.  Secret project 1- I've changed my mind about what I want to do. More soon.
10. Secret project 2- Pattern picked. All fabrics for the top finished.
11. Because I obviously need more projects, I found this A Case for Smiles and have to get involved. It will be a great way to use up some novelty prints lurking in my stash. Haven't made one yet but I did pull some fabrics.
12. Apron for me - Fabric cut. I just need to sew it up.
13. Baby quilt. - Done! and super cute. Delivering it Sunday. I also made some other cute gifts for her. Delivered!
14. Aprons- I've gotten a few requests. I have the fabric just need to make them.

Next week, I am going to clean up and reprioritize the list. Until then, good sewing, good quilting, or whatever makes you happy!

Patchwork Chevron, Baby Style

So, my sista Angie is having a baby. We used to be SILs but a lot has changed in the last few years. We still love each other like family though. I'm stupidly excited for her. When I got the invitation to her baby shower and saw the cute little banner on it, I knew I had to use my Reunion by Sweetwater to make her baby boy a quilt.

I had seen the Patchwork Chevron pattern and was in love. I wanted to adapt it to a baby size. After playing around with my graph paper and map pencils, I determined I needed to make the squares smaller in order for it to look more like the original. I went with 4 inch squares. I love this fabric. I think I'm going to have to buy some more.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to use as my solid. I'm not a fan of white for babies or children. I want my quilts to be used and mommas don't tend to use things that are predominately white. I dug around in my stash and found some denim that I hadn't used because it was a bit too yellow for anything else I had tried to use it in. The yellow in the Reunion made it perfect for this project.

All squared up and ready to go!

Placement determined.

Quilted following the line of the chevrons.

 Backed with a sweet Sew Cherry print.

It was raining the day I finished it so I had to take pictures inside.

 Denim binding. It isn't esp easy to work with but I love the way it looks.

Now to wrap it up and deliver it!

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

Another first for me this year! I'm linking up to the Bloggers' Quilt Festival.

This quilt is for a sweet friend with a darling new baby. She loves owls so when I saw this fabric, I had to buy it. I just didn't know what I was going to do with it. When I found out she was expecting, I got to work on incorporating it into a baby quilt. For all the pics from the making, go here.

 The colors are a lot brighter than these pictures show. I'm getting better with the camera.

 This was the first pieced back that I did and I really like it.

 It was the second time I backed and bound a quilt with denim. I like the look and feel of it.

I played with a lot of stitches and used a LOT of color in this quilt. It isn't exactly my usual style and it isn't for everyone but it was PERFECT for this momma!