Lots of Fun Sewing

 

I really enjoyed sewing this past week. It's been a while since I've been able to say that. I didn't work on any one thing but lots of little things and even a few finishes.

I finished up some of the mystery gifts. I'll show what they are after they have been gifted.

Do you remember Tulip paints from the 80's? Do they still make them? This was a very old Walmart kit I picked up at the guild garage sale. The witch was all pre-cut with fusible already attached. The pattern picture shows it on a sweatshirt, I made a little wall hanging.

 I'll applique around her and hand embroider faces on her and the cat. I think she turned out really cute.

The guild also issued a new challenge...something pumpkin themed - it didn't have to be a new project but what fun would that be. The block is a variation of Penny's Patchwork Pumpkin which is a free pattern from Quilt in a Day.

I tried to make one of Rose's dimensional leaves  but failed miserably. I gathered it up a bit to make it a little bit dimensional and really like how the whole thing turned out. I'm not planning on adding a border - just quilting and binding. I've got to get this finished by October 18. That is the real challenge.

I took the corner extras and made this little block.

The block will finish at 4 inches. I love love love the fussy cut little witch. I'll probably make a little mug rug with this. I'm still playing with ideas.

 I'm trying to encourage a friend to learn how to quilt. Unfortunately she's in California and I'm in Oregon. The Fat Quarter Shop has an excellent beginning quilting video series. I'm making the quilt with her. We are taking one block at a time and today was block one.

 I'm not the best teacher or maybe I should say roll model. I'm hiding my block with the next block's instruction because I cut the plaid so wonky that even though the block is square it doesn't look it. I'm not going to change it.

Next under the needle is my Daphne BOM. 
 

Ten blocks finished, six more to go.

And last but not least...the 2021 Project Linus mystery Oliver's in the Dog House. The first clue was released last Saturday.

The clue has two parts. I've picked my fabrics for both blocks (using the rest of the Lori Holt Prim bundle I bought last year) and hope to get it cut out and pieced tomorrow.

I hope the next week is as fun as this past week was.

Lucy is Finished

 

Just in time for the new Project Linus Mystery to start on Saturday, my Lucy's Love Notes top and my September UFO Challenge project is finished.

Quilting it will be interesting as the center doesn't lay very flat but I have a few ideas so it may get quilted sooner than later.

I've started a few secret sewing projects.

I can't say too much here because I know at least one of the recipients reads my blog.

One is an experiment and the other is a fun project. I'll share more when I can.

My guild garage sale was today. I took four bags of stuff from my sewing room and came home with half a bag.

Isn't this pretty! The print is huge. There are three pieces that total 2.5 yards. I think I see a BQ quilt in my future.

Here is the rest of my haul.

I have no idea what I will make with the red and black fabric (a little less than a yard) but I really liked it.

Almost Done

 

Lucy's Love Notes became a UFO because I didn't like the way the pattern said to create the closures for the envelopes. I knew there had to be a better, easier way. Process improvement, that was part of my job responsibilities when I was working. HA! I wanted to use pretty snaps on the envelopes - easy right. HA! Wrong. I have discovered I am major snap challenged. I've tried several methods and several brands and did a really good job of screwing up all my test versions. Thank goodness I didn't "test" on the real thing.

Lucy was very close to going back to the UFO pile.

So then I thought I could kinda sorta follow the pattern and use iron-on Velcro and iron-on heart patches. HA! The Velcro wasn't too bad, but the hearts barely stuck.

So guess what? I did it like the pattern only it was 10 times harder because I didn't stitch the Velcro and hearts as I was making the envelopes.

I am loving my new sewing machine. I used it's blanket stitch which is total different from my Bernina's blanket stitch.

 The Baby Lock blanket stitch double stitches everything. I wasn't sure about it at first but I ended up loving the texture it gave. And the tension while stitching was wonderful! Another plus is I can adjust the stitching speed of the machine. I set it to snail and very slowly stitched everything.

Here is the quilt (pre-hearts) laid out on the design floor.

I should be able to finish assembling the top tomorrow.

More estate sale treasures...

Major score on the 16.5 inch square Creative Grids ruler - only $2. Doing a happy dance.

And She Unsews

 

So I should have kept my mouth shut because prolific was more like pathetic.  I made the back for Christina's quilt - decided the tie-dyed looking fabric was too teal then took it all apart and ordered more of the nautical flannel fabric online.

I did get two sections of my blackwork project done.

I've also been having some sleeping issues. So instead of fighting the sheets I got up and evaluated my leader-ender project. I think I've mentioned it once before but haven't really given any details. The quilt I'm making was designed by Doodlebugs and Rosebuds Quilts. It is great for using up lots of 2.5 inch squares.

I did a count of all the 4 square strips, made the last 3 needed, ironed them all then cut out the sashing strips and the squares for the nine patches. It is really tempting to make this my main project but I've been really enjoying having it a leader-ender, so it will continue as such. I think I finally went to sleep about 5:30 a.m.

Check out Doodlebugs and Rosebuds Quilts blog as she has some beautiful quilts. 

So I do have a little bit of an excuse for not being prolific ... I belong to a card group, and cards was at my house last Thursday. Then my cousin and his wife came to visit and my mom asked if I would make dinner Sunday night. So lots of cleaning and cooking was done last week. Does that sound like a good excuse?

Okay and maybe I did a little shopping in Medford one day...here is my thrift store find:

I kinda sorta think I already have the Posh Kitty pattern. But maybe not as it has curves and you know how much I hate curves. Aren't the hand dyed fabric colors wonderful! I think it may have been a kit as the deep blue is just a little bit larger than the other fabrics and the far right fabric is a print that looks like dirt with tufts of grass - maybe a flower garden wall hanging?

And I did get the borders on the community service quilt last Monday night.

I really want to make this again with a black border and brighter colors.

Bella's boyfriend has been visiting often.

I've found out that she is a he, and his name is Henri. Bella likes younger guys as he turned one years old this week (he is soooo small compared to her). This guy is a love bug! I really really really want to steal him.

Bella is still keeping a close eye on the front of the house.