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Maddie is making her first quilt!

As Maddie turned 4, 5 and 6, I started to introduce crafts to her. While I saw a spark of interest now and again, nothing really seemed to stick. At 7 I took a step back and waited. Now she's 8 and suddenly she's turned crafty!! First there was the potholder business ( which is still going strong! She's sold 4 potholders through etsy and now she's making some for Grandma.) and this past week she started sewing. Be still my heart.

We stopped by the local fabric shop -- Robert's Sewing Center -- after a failed trip to an estate sale that was a total dud. We were looking at all the pre-cut Moda packs and she fell in love with the Fresh Picked fabric pack and I told her she could get it and try sewing on the machine. She was nervous at first, but soon she was off and running! She's sewed 3 strips of her 6 strip quilt already and has plans to make a pillow after finishing her quilt.  I'm so proud of her!

Yo-yo fun!

Have you tried the new yo-yo makers from Clover yet?  I have them in just about every size and shape -- probably because I haven't seen a crafting gadget I didn't like.  They make yo-yo's super easy and fun!  I'm working on my ornaments for the 2nd Annual Holiday Ornament Swap.  (There's a Flickr Group too!) and I'm almost finished making my yo-yo's but I'm enjoying them so much that I think I'll continue making more so I can have a holiday yo-yo garland for my new office.

(Speaking of the office, there has been progress and I'll post photos soon!)

How to make yo-yo's here:

• Heather Bailey's tutorial
• PDF showing how to use Clover yo yo makers

More holiday yo-yo inspiration here:

• Heather Bailey's yo yo garland
• Soule Mama's yo yo garland
• Sunshine Creations' yo yo Advent calendar
• Old School Acres' wool and yo yo ornaments

I'm sure there are ton's more -- leave me a comment with a link to your favorite yo yo idea!

Bag Experiment

So much going on -- I've been MIA because Pete got a new job and we decided to squeeze in a quick vacation before he started. (Very relaxing, but now I'm trying to catch up on work -- you know how that goes!) And in addition, my sister is about to have her baby. She's been having contractions for a few days, so I'm thinking it could be any time!

But there has also been crafting. I got it in my head that I wanted to make a nice quilted bag with a flap -- sort of messenger style. So I got out some fabric and started sewing. Now I admit, this may not be the smartest way to do things, but I like to learn by doing and so I dove in. First I quilted the fabric pieces:

I like the squares, but next time I think they need to be on an angle. THe straight up and down lines made the corners awkward -- the bag wanted to "fold" at the quilting lines instead of the seams. Hmmmm. . .

I also made a proper lining complete with pockets which worked out fine:

I used straight of grain binding around the top edge. Since I was feeling lazy at this point -- and because I knew that this wasn't going to turn out exactly as I wanted, I cheated and machine sewed the binding instead of hand stitching it on the inside.

I love the handle -- and the stability of the quilted part of the bag. The flap is another story -- I thought it should be softer, so I used a different batting and didn't include any interfacing -- not such a good idea.

So all in all, I learned a lot from making the bag and I'll take what I've learned and make another. It was a fun project at any rate!

Pieces

While I haven't completed a quilt block in the last few days, I'm all set to get one finished today (and hopefully several this weekend).  I spent some time cutting and have quite a few pieces to show for my efforts.  I'm looking forward to sitting down at the machine and getting some sewing done, but I need to take a trip out to the quilt shop to get some thread first -- a minor roadblock.

I've been thinking of sewing a lot lately (when I'm not thinking about cross stitch) and I wanted to share a new book with you.  I purchased this a few weeks ago and have been meaning to write about it, but time has gotten away from me:

The book is called Simple Sewing with a French Twist and is written by Celine Dupuy.  There are a huge number of projects in it -- everything from simple bags and aprons to upholstery and home dec projects. 

The first section of the book is an illustrated sewing guide that coveres everything from handstitching an opening to inserting a zipper.  French seams are covered too -- which I appreciate because I always have to search the internet to remember how to do them! 

The middle part is filled with the projects which are divided into several sections including a "First Steps" chapter filled with simple projects -- perfect for a beginner, but fun for even an advanced seamstress.  There are also projects for the kitchen, bath, bedroom and even the garden!

The final section is devoted to fabric selection and she includes a list of suppliers, which is very useful if you want to duplicate the projects exactly as pictured.

There is so much in this book that it is fun just to page through it -- many projects can be adapted as you wish and are an inspiration from which to plan other projects.  Lots of photos and diagrams make this a joy to page through and remind me a bit of some of the Japanese craft books that I love so much.

Speaking of Japanese craft books -- I need to find time to give you a peek into the stack of the ones I received last week!

Flower Pincushion Challenge

The second Pincushion Challenge is coming to an end and last night I realized, in all the excitement, that I hadn't finished (or even started, truth be told) my pincushion!

Well, lately I've been reading Gwen Marston's Liberated String Quilts, so I guess that's what inspired me to get out the scraps from my latest quilt and start hacking away at them.  I really like how it turned out, although I still haven't mastered adding rick rack as a picot edging.  I suppose I should probably do the corners by hand, but I was in a bit of a rush as it was 10PM and all.

You still have until midnight to get those pincushions made!  If I can do it in less than an hour the night before the challenge ends, I know you can make one today!  I have confidence in you!

*** Update ***  Wow!  Lots of pincushion photos coming in today!  I can't wait to show you the gallery tomorrow!

Cute online pattern!

I've been busy working and catching up on sleep, so I don't have any pictures for you. I do however have a link! Go on over to my little mochi and take a look at the Chibi Rabbit and Kitty pattern! Aren't they adorable?

Booga Bag Day

So yesterday I didn't do very well on my goal list but I got *a lot* done!  One of my stops was this little quilt shop I just discovered.  I had to pick up this:

Yes, I'm starting to stash fabric for my back-tack project, so I guess that is progress on one of the goals in an indirect way. 

Anyway, I need to explain the title of the post.  While I was there I got to chatting with the woman cutting my fabric and we were talking about knitting and I mentioned I'm a knitting designer.  She said she just got into knitting after a long hiatus.  Turns out she's knitting a felted bag -- well, what a coincidence!  I design felted bags!  We chat a bit more.  I mention something about having a website and she looks at me funny and asks the name of my "pattern".  Well, I have 9 patterns so far, but my most popular is the Booga Bag, I tell her.  She, of course, is knitting the Booga Bag!  She had no idea that I was from the area and was all excited, saying that she was going to have to tell her friend that she met me and everything.  (heh!)

So we move on with the rest of our errands -- hours of errands.  I come home and later in the evening check email.  There is a comment on the blog from Greta saying that she just picked up a quilting magazine and "there was the booga bag in a glorious color spread".  HUH?  I knew nothing at all about this.  Well, I had to see it for myself!  It turns out it is the Spring/Summer issue of Quilt Sampler (Better Homes and Gardens quilt mag that is on *every* grocery store checkout!!) and there it was on page 63:

How cool is that?  They were doing a piece on one of my retailers -- The Threaded Bear Fabrics in Vancouver -- and took this picture in their shop!

So lots of Booga Bag weirdness all in one day!    

Monthly Pincushion Challenge?

Okay, I've had this idea in my head all week and I can't get it out.  I know I already have a lot on my plate, but I'm thinking this might not be too much work once it's set up.  Here's my idea. . .

I want to set up a pincushion challenge something like tie one on.  Basically there would be a website and a flickr set.  Each month there would be a new theme and you would make a pincushion and upload your picture.

I was also thinking that I could incorporate a pincushion swap a few times a year.  (I know this part would be more work.)  But wouldn't that be fun?  It could be a pincushion & pin swap or something!

Okay, tell me what you really think about this idea.

Fabric Splurge!

When my mother-in-law sent me birthday money and I called to thank her, she said, "Spend it wisely!"  I asked my husband if he thought this is what she had in mind  :)

At any rate, I was lusting after it, stalked it, and purchased it literally the minute after it hit the store.  I was updating my browser as the items hit the shop!  And I have to say, now that it has arrived, I am very happy with my purchase.  The pinks are a lovely salmony pink -- the reds are tomato-y -- the browns are dark chocolate!  Each color is just perfect and the prints are lovely too.  Just look. . .

And the rest. . .

I've actually been dreaming of what kind of quilt I will make with these fabrics and I'll share more of that in the coming weeks.  For now, I'm finding all of the discussions on Denyse Schmidt and her new fabric line really interesting.  You can find comments about it at disdressed, dioramarama and yarnstorm.

I'm generally of the opinion that Denyse's Quilt's are beautiful for their simplicity and use of quite a bit of solid fabrics, so I certainly wouldn't expect to use a bunch of her fabrics and one of her patterns together.  Just look at the quilt they are showing on the Freespirit website that is supposed to be showcasing her fabrics -- oy!  That's just not right as far as I'm concerned.  Take out about 50-60% of the prints, throw in some solids in their place and you would have a lovely looking Denyse Schmidt-esque quilt.  Or take her fabrics and make an all together different kind of quilt!  Just don't try to make Drunk Love with her fabrics, 'kay?

And a quick comment on her book -- Denyse Schmidt Quilts -- I love so many of the quilts in it and love that I can (now theoretically) reproduce them, but I have to agree with Liesl.  I really wanted to learn the method for making the quirky quilt!  She hit the nail on the head!  The patterns are all well and good, but I'm sure there is a method for making the quilt without a pattern and that's what I want to hear about.  Hmmmm. . . .

I bought the fabric from Fat Quarter Shop by the way and they were *super* fast and look how cute they tied it up!  I got half yard cuts which was a pretty good value.

Quilting Homework Finished!

I spent a good portion of the day working on my quilting homework.  This week we had to finish the top -- all of the piecing and all three borders!  Here's the top before the borders:

And after the three borders:

This week we learn how to quilt!  I'm completely confused as to how I'm going to get this quilted in a week, but that's the plan.  The following week is binding.  We'll see.

In podcasting news -- we got a microphone, only to find that we need some kind of preamp.  Hmmm.  I'm not sure, but I think this may be getting expensive and more involved then both Pete and I first thought.  At this point we are have decided to go for it though, so I ordered the mixer thingy and we should (hopefully) be good to go in about a week. 

If anyone out there knows about these things, please enlighten me!  We have a Shure SM57 and I've ordered the Behringer UB802.  I've also downloaded Audacity and I'm getting the hang of it.  Is there anything else I need?  I would hate to get the preamp only to find that there is one more piece of equipment that I need but don't yet have.

Freespirit Website

Did Freespirit's website always look like this or did they just totally update it?  It's so cool!  I was just surfing around and discovered that they had it all organized with free quilt patterns organized with the fabrics and everything.  I've been on it a bunch of times before and I don't remember this at all.

And they have up the Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy fabrics with a picture of a quilt -- no free quilt pattern yet.  Maybe one will be forthcoming as there are many available with the other collections.  Hmmmm.

Mad dash!

It's been a bit of a mad dash around here today.  Thank goodness Pete had today off!

First, I wanted to get together a post for whip up on French monochromatic cross-stitch designs.  I have the design I included in the post over there  coming from Stitching Bits and Bobs.  Bobbie, the owner, has been a peach!  I had to special order the thread because it takes a *ton* of the same color (*duh*) which had to be dyed up all in the same lot.  I'm hoping to get everything to start on it in the next week!

I also had to get all the fabric for my quilting class washed and pressed today.  It's in the washer on *super* gentle cycle as we speak. 

The rest of the morning has been taken up with work (lots of orders for Black Sheep Bags since I was featured in an article in CNA Magazine!)  This did give me time to get caught up on the crafting podcasts though.  Here's some new ones (episodes) I listened to:

• About Time -- Great interview with the Yarn Harlot.
• KnitCast -- Marie's 1st Anniversary show with lots of guests!
• Cast On -- Brenda's latest episode with some interesting ideas on advertising and podcasting.
• FiberCast -- New to me.  Not really about knitting -- this podcast is more about spinning and fiberarts in general.  Great episode with info on raising Angora bunnies.

So you see. . . it's been a busy day.  And I still have a quilting class ahead of me!

And Liz, you have *completely* changed my mind about CVM!!  I am in love and will not be happy until I have a whole mess of CVM in my hot little hands.  I think Theresa & I will be combing MS&W this year for this lovely fiber.  I'm now thinking that the dyeing process must not have been kind to the CVM I had, because the lovely chocolate brown stuff you sent was so soft and springy that we could hardly believe it!  Thanks again!  We are having a lot of fun trying out these new fibers and were ooohing and aaahing as we fondled each one. 

I'm taking a Quilting Class!

I've longingly looked on as gorgeous quilts were started and completed in the modern quilt along.  I own The Modern Quilt Workshop and I've thought about joining, but I know I'm just not up to the task.  (Check out Kim's quilt -- is that not incredible?)

Now I've started several quilts over the years and not one of them has ever made it anywhere near completion.  Probably because I have always chosen something too ambitious and gone into it with too little know how.  So I decided to start with something easy and to learn the basics from my knowledgable local quilt shop teachers.

Even though I've been sewing since I got my first children's sewing machine when I was about 7, I went in and told them that I wanted to start from scratch.  I asked to be taught about thread, fabric selection, everything.  So that's how I'm coming at this -- with a totally fresh outlook.

With the help of the friendly staff at Robert's Sewing Center in Joliet, I chose these fabric:

And I will be making the "Candy Cane Lane" quilt from Christmas at the Bears Paw Ranch.  It's a *very* easy design in which there really aren't any corners that have to meet, so I don't have that to worry about.  We'll save that for quilt number #2.  The fabrics are civil war prints I think and they are from various manufacturers.  I needed so many different prints that we kind of had to pull them from all over the place. 

Overheard at our house:

Me:  My homework is to wash and iron the fabrics.
Pete:  I'll show you how the iron works.
Me:  Very funny.
Pete:  And I'll wash the fabric too.

Cute Fabric ~ or ~ A Second Look

Several years ago we were exploring and antiquing in historic Lockport, IL (just a few towns over) and I stopped in this little quilting shop.  It seemed small and rather uninteresting to me.  I don't remember if I even bought anything. 

So, a few weeks ago when we made a detour through downtown Lockport, an accident of fate due to some bad traffic on the highway, I wasn't sure I wanted to take the time to stop in the shop again.  Something told me that I should though and as we were driving past I blurted out -- Stop!  I want to go in the fabric shop!!

Pete is awful sweet about these kinds of things and quickly agreed.  Lucky for me that he is so indulgent of my whims, because this shop was not what I remembered!  It was big and open and full of great fabric!  After looking at everything twice (okay, maybe three times -- thank goodness they had comfy chairs for Pete & Maddie to sit in!) I decided on that lovely brown civil war print (civil war?  who knew I liked civil war prints?) with some matching red.  And I couldn't resist the "Kaye's Kitchen" fat quarter's. 

I chatted with one of the owner's for a while and asked her about the shop.  It seems that a while back her and another woman purchased the store and transformed it into what it is today.  So let this be a lesson to you.  You may want to give that shop that previously underwhelmed you a second chance.  I'm sure glad that I did and I know that I will be going back!

*** Update ***  Pete just emailed me to tell me that I forgot to include the name of the shop!  Oops!

Thimbles
940 S State Street
Lockport, IL 60441
815-836-8735

Denyse Schmidt Fans Rejoice!

New fabrics from Denyse Schmidt?  I just received a comment from a reader who has a site called Quilter's Buzz and apparently Denyse Schmidt has a line of fabric coming out in May called Flea Market Fancy which will be distributed by Free Spirit!  You can see the fabrics in Gina's post. 

Gorgeous, aren't they?

Books and Back-Tack

After several pathetic attempts to start a book blog, I had almost given up hope of having one.  Then Theresa generously agreed to let me in on hers!  It's called Two Friends Collect Books.  Theresa already reviewed The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques -- go check it out!  And make sure you add the site to Bloglines or bookmarks because between the two of us, we probably own just about *every* knitting or fiber related book.  (It's a sickness really.  I love books, I love fiber -- you know what I mean?)

And in back-tack news. . .

Time is running out!  So yesterday I sat down an focused on sewing.  The fabric I used is a thick cotton -- like an upholstery fabric -- so the bag has a nice feeling of substance.  And inside. . .

There are some pockets for "stuff" (which will not be shown here just in case my back-tack match reads my blog!)  Notice the bias binding on the top edge of the pockets -- I have kind of solved my bias binding problem.  I purchased a bias binding foot for my Pfaff (I *heart* Pfaff!)  It only works for little bindings (you start with 1 in. strips of fabric), but it is really amazing.  I'll have to do a tutorial on it sometime so that you can witness the magic -- because it really is like magic!

And before I cleaned up, I grabbed some scraps. . .

And made this little buttoned pouch.  I wanted to practice button holes on the new machine and I also wanted to do one of my favorite things -- sew on a button.  Why?  Because this machine sews on buttons for you!  (This really amazes me for some reason!?)

Ingeborg progress picture tomorrow!

I love my Pfaff and Mac & Cheese too

I felt so domestic yesterday!  As we sat and drank our coffee and ate our donuts, we watched the Food Network.  Rachael Ray was making mac & cheese from scratch and I got it in my head to do the same. 

Now when I want to cook or bake something I usually scour my vast cookbook collection, search the internet and then come up with a hybrid recipe.  However, yesterday I found a recipe that needed little change -- Fannie Farmer's Classic Baked Macaroni & Cheese.  I switched out whole milk for the milk & cream and I omitted the breadcrumbs because I felt lazy.  The mac & cheese got a thumbs up from the whole family.  (How could it not -- did you see the nutrition info -- yikes!!)  The only change I would make is to use a very sharp cheddar next time.

After the mac & cheese was consumed, I decided to take the new sewing machine out for a spin.  Working without a pattern, I came up with this nifty little pouch.  Look at the tiny little seems I can make with this new machine:

Is that cool, or what?  My zippers have never before looked this good!  The pouch is fully lined and I even used bias binding to cover the seems inside.  Bias binding is my nemesis and I still can't get it to look as perfect as I would like.  I'm winning the battle of the zipper though, so I do have some hope that bias tape will eventually yield to my will!

Can anyone recommend some good basic sewing books?

My New Toy!!!!!!

I got a Pfaff!  For years I have been longing for a new sewing machine.  I have been using my Mom's old Sears Kenmore machine from the 70's and every time I sewed with it, it was a struggle.  This new machine is so smoooooth!

I had quite a bit of work and some errands to do yesterday, so only a bit of sewing was done. . .

A flannel (lined with muslin) heating pad cover.  This was super quick and much needed.  I have chronic pain in my ear and neck and my heating pad had a nasty, scratchy polyester cover -- yuck!  This is so much softer.  I didn't have time to make the super cute pieced heating pad cover that is in Denyse Schmidt Quilts, but this will do for now.  Hopefully I'll have more time for sewing this weekend!

A day for sewing!

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to do much crafting except for a few rounds a night on my poor sock.  So Saturday I decided to take (most of) the day off so that I could sew. 

I got a super cool Japanese craft book on my trip to Mitsuwa in July and had been wating to try to make one of these triangle bags that appear on the cover.  The instructions were in Japanese and for some reason the directions for this bag weren't as extensive as the ones for other items, so I  had to wing it.

I had some scraps of Halloween fabric laying around (hence the halloween bag made in july  :) and I figured it would have to be quilted to be able to stand up.  So I forged ahead.  It's not perfect, but I feel like my sewing is getting better with practice, so I'm considering it a success.  I learned to make bias tape, although I used store bought on the seems on the inside of the bag. . .

I also started a patchwork bag of my own design, but ran out of time.  Maybe in September I will get back to it  -- ha ha.  August looks like it will be busy for us.

Adobe Illustrator question!!  I just downloaded the trial version of Illustrator and loved it.  I used it today to make a diagram for my Carroll Bag pattern (yes, I'm back to work on a Sunday).  So I only have 24 days left and I'm feeling sad already.  Does anyone know a good place to get the program -- there's no way I could pay the $500 it's going for.  Is there a place I could get an outdated version maybe?  And if so, are older versions still good?  Any input would be much appreciated!

Photography

Since yesterday was super busy and I had no time for crafting (other than the 2 rows I did on my sock in the doctor's waiting room), I am going to re-hash yesterday's pathetic post by putting a new spin on it.  I'm going to discuss digital photography. . .

Now I own a Sony DSC-W1, 5.1 mega pixel camera.  I love it and it takes much better pictures than my last camera (an HP something or other -- 3 mega pixel, I believe), but I find that I only get *really* good pictures if I use a tripod and the slow speed setting. (I think that's what it's called.  It says SL and has the little "flash" lightning bolt after it.)  The above picture is taken using that method.  For yesterday's shot I didn't use the tripod and you can see the difference!

However, at the top of today's picture you see that I did get a bit of over-exposure.  (I'm throwing around photography terms like I know what I'm talking about!)  This is a big problem I seem to have with this camera. 

But I have been inspired to do better.  I read Felicia's blog, Sweet Georgia and her photographs are beautiful!  I love looking at her blog.  So I am going to aspire to be more like her and I am going to try to work on my photography skills.  Anyone know some good online resources for digital photography tips?

And for everyone who asked about the knitting fabric from yesterday -- I got it online from The Virginia Quilter and here is a close-up:

I'm off to get caught up on pattern orders!

Bags & Pouches (yes, more sewing!)

I've been sewing again!  The 4th was rainy here, so I stayed inside and sewed all afternoon.  Up above is the tote I made for Maddie.  She spotted this Hello Kitty fabric when we were out shopping one day and asked me to make her a bag.  Who was I to argue?

It's just a basic tote -- no pattern involved.  It is lined and I also used interfacing to give it some body.  (I'm *so* into the iron-on interfacing.)  I think I mentioned this before, but if you ever want to make a tote and don't know how, just check out Mariko's totebags 101 at her blog Super Eggplant.  I'm sure you all know who Mariko is, but if you don't, go check out her blog -- it's great!

Next up. . .

Here is a cute little pouch that I made.  I've seen a lot of pouches and things made as a result of the whole back-tack thing.  (I'm so sorry that I missed getting in on that!)  And there is even a tutorial for this type of zippered pouch listed on the site -- Thimble's Front Zippered Pouch Tutorial. 

Once again, I didn't use a pattern (although I did look at Thimble's tutorial before starting).  I had a 7" zipper and I knew I wanted the pouch to be square, so I went from there.  And of course I used iron-on interfacing  :)

It's even lined.  See. . .

Don't let all this sewing fool you though!  I've been knitting too.  The latest Black Sheep Bags design is in it's final phase and I've also been working on my lace scarf pattern.  More on that later!

Aprons!

I've been a bit obsessed with aprons lately.  First there was my sewing binge & then I started looking in at Tie One On.  And last weekend when I went to the library I found this little gem --

How to Make Aprons by Roxa Wright.  Yep, it's long since out of print.  Published in 1953.  A lot of the patterns in the book remind me of aprons I saw Sunday at the Sandwich Antiques Market. 

It's from the "Barrows Recommended Library for Homemakers"  which include such other fine titles as:  "Setting Your Table", "Better Dressmaking" & "Cook it in a Casserole".  And it includes an apron for every task  --

Here's the "Washing Apron"  which you can wear for "any splashy job." 

The "Dressmaking Apron"

The "Hair Washing Apron"

And of course the "Mend-While-You-Iron Apron" (which cracks me up since I never iron, let alone mend!)

And while I rarely find time to cook these days, I do appreciate a cute little apron.  And this book has several of those too.  I love all the little half-aprons, but I thought this one looked especially smart (don't I sound old fashioned?):

The illustrations in this book are great -- very 50's.  It's got me wanting to sew up a couple aprons despite the fact that I don't really do any "home-making" activities that would require the use of one!  (Does microwaving Stouffer's count?)

Now if you want to see some cute vintage aprons, check out Jan's post from yesterday.  I love the rickrack!

More sewing -- zippered pouch!

Well, I'm back to sewing and I'm trying to perfect my zippered pouch pattern.  My first attempt ended up as a mangled mess and into the garbage it went.  Try number 2 turned out much better, don't you think?  It's even lined:

And I used some interfacing since the cotton fabric is very flimsy by itself.  That part of the process went very well.  The zipper is fully functional and looks pretty good from the outside, but the lining is a little wonky.  Not sure what I need to do to fix this in the future.  Any good books on the subject?  Let me know!