A Two Parter

It was a busy night last night.  After working a little late I got home, changed clothes and B-guy and I went to the gym for a nice little workout.  It felt really good especially since it was storming out and we really didn't want to go!  After showering it was time to get my craft on and off I went.  Since it was already late, you'd think that I'd just do something nice and easy.  Well, of course that's what I should have done.  Actually I thought I'd make another coaster with the loom and scrap fabric.  So I spent some time doing that and then decided I didn't like it.  So now I've wasted a good 15 minutes and I move on. 

I go to my box of Quilt Market giveaways and pick up another charm pack and start sewing.  I again waste some time thinking I'll make up my own thing.  Uh, not a good idea when it's late and I'm tired.  So I rip out some seams and start again.  And this is what I had time to do for Day 35's Challenge:

 

I think I'll turn it into a table runner which is why this is a two-parter.  I didn't have time to finish it so I'll work on it again tonight.  But, I'm loving that I have all these random freebie charm packs.  Any ideas on what else I should make with them??

Challenge - Days 33 & 34

It's fun to come home, sit at the sewing machine and spend time just playing.  Last night I was rolling along and almost to the end of my project when WHAM!  Serger decides to take a break.  Nice!  I was 2 edges away from being finished.  Heavy sigh!

So tonight I finished last night's project (Day 33)

 

 coasters

 to go with the placemats.

 

and created today's project (Day 34):

I think that's the end of this fabric except for small scrap pieces.  Slowly, but surely!!

Challenge - Day 32

Wow!  I'm more than half way through this challenge which means my birthday is right around the corner.  Yay!  Today as I was sewing I was thinking that I think I'll continue on with the challenge, but maybe I'll do a paper, pen, paint, etc. type challenge.  I do like to draw and doodle so we'll see how I feel when June rolls around.

But, today was a wonderful day.  I took two bags of scrap material, threw them on the table and started sewing.  All of the scrap material was quilted and each one of the pieces represents yoga bags, etc. that were previously made. 

So, without further ado, here is today's creation:

  front

 

 back

 

front

 

back

 

These are nice sized placemats.  I think they'd look lovely with some Fiesta ware - so bright and cheery.  Of course, the "front" and "back" are arbitrary - I just didn't want anyone to think that there were four placemats.  I still have some small scrap pieces so I may whip up some fun coasters to go along with these gems.  One-of-a-kind, that's for sure. 

 

So, I could add binding to these puppies, but I ran out of time.  But, if anyone thinks binding would be better, let me know.  I would probably do something in polka dots, though, just so you know!

 

I was also thinking about turning these into a bag . . . what do you think???  Bag or placemats . . . place your vote.  



Multi-day Challenge

It all started with a free charm pack from the Fall Quilt Festival.  It was Thursday night, (Day 29) and I was on a roll.  I made 25 half square triangles.  I played with arranging them and trying to figure out how to make the quilt top larger.  I still had 17 5"x5" squares left.  After a couple attempts at cutting the extra squares and screwing up, I decided it best to walk away and go to bed before I totally ruined the quilt.

On Friday, (Day 30) I pieced the quilt top and added borders.  I had the day off from work so I was able to do a little bit more than Day 29. 

And then today, (Day 31) I pieced the back and used up all the extra squares.  I think the quilt will be very nice once it is quilted.

 

Perhaps tomorrow I will put this puppy on the longarm and quilt it up.  It's not very large, maybe 41"x41", but for a freebie quilt, I think it'll be nice.  And yes, I think it'll go into my 58 day give away pile.  WooHoo!!

And when I discovered this charm pack, I also discovered a lot more freebie charm packs from the Quilt Festival.  I tell you, I totally scored on attended School House.  They give away a lot of stuff if you ever have the chance to go.  It's easy for me, I know, because I live in Houston.  But, for those of you not able to attend, be sure and come back in June when I start giving away all this stuff.  Is anyone excited about that besides me??!!

Challenge - Day 28

Besides participating in this 58 day challenge, I also make and sell yoga bags and other quilted items.  My latest item is the yoga shawl - perfect for Shavasana and meditation. 



 Doesn't this just look so comfy-cozy?

And if yoga isn't your thing, then this shawl is perfect for cool/cold nights while curled up in your favorite chair reading or relaxing.

 

Challenge - Day 28:

 

I found this scrap of fabric and thought "why not?".  I paired it with some nice polka dots and it's all ready for its road trip.  New York anyone?  I've always had a great time in the City.  My last visit a couple years ago included a run in Central Park.  So happy.

 

 

Challenge - Day 27

The "box envelope" I'm working on is about 11" x 17" x 1/2" so it'll take awhile to finish. . . so this one's a work in progress. 

I don't know about you guys, but I'd love to receive some correspondence in this envelope.  Does anyone else still send snail mail???

This is the 2nd one of these monster "box envelopes" that I've drawn and painted on.  The first one was also painted on the inside and then filled with photographs for the recipient.  I'm recycling these puppies as we receive our annual calendars from Switzerland in them.  There's like eight of us in our office and they send around 30 or so calendars each year.  I found these "boxes" in the trash and just had to rescue them.

Challenges . . . for sure

I was out of pocket for a few days, but now I'm back. 

Day 24:

I saved this cardboard piece from my tissue box . . .

and turned it into this.  Not super glamorous I know, but I was short on time.

 

 Day 25:

 70's flashback anyone?!

 Day 26:

 This fabric makes me happy.

 

I went home to visit my family and celebrate some birthdays.  Much to my surprise I discovered one of my brothers and a niece were running a half marathon on Sunday and I was so there for them!  So much FUN watching them cross the finish line.  I have to admit I was a bit jealous that they ran without me, but I wasn't quite ready for another 13.1 miles.  Would have been nice to have the bling though!  Hopefully I'll get a run in tomorrow morning before work.  I need it!

Challenge - Day 22 and 23

These little coasters were made yesterday (Day 22) and today (Day 23).  I hope you like them.

Day 22:

 

 



Day 23:

 

 

They're like supersized coasters!!

 

So, I'm going to be away from my sewing machine and computer for the next few days.  Sad face.  But, I will continue with my project . . . (spoiler alert . . . probably something to do with paper, paints and pens) so I will post these early next week.  Until then . . . hope everyone finds their FUN this weekend!

Zipping Right Along

I came home yesterday and found this:

 

Is this not the coolest?  I asked B-guy to inventory my zippers and he went beyond my request and got very creative and used an old shoe rack to hang my zippers.  Now I not only have a written count, I can also open the closet door and voila, I know exactly what I have . . . and don't have!!  Believe it or not, it's time to order some more zips!

For the first time since this project began, I wasn't feeling the creative love tonight.  I was tired and even though I wanted to whip up some fun little project, I knew my energy level wasn't up to par.  So I spotted the end of this fabric and decided to make a pencil case.  Well, as proof of my tiredness, I cut the fabric wrong and had to turn it into more of a makeup sized bag.

 

Originally this had a wristlet strap on it, but I screwed up on that also, so it's just a plain little bag, but it really is pretty.

And so kiddos, that's Challenge - Day 21!  It was still fun to make, but being tired means I didn't quite get it right tonight.  No worries . . . I have tomorrow . . . and tomorrow . . . and . . .

Reinventing the fabric

So, I spent some time studying the quilted fabric in front of me.  I wasn't very keen on it so I went searching for something to do with it.  And then I came up with the brilliant idea of changing the lining.  Easy peasy.

The pink wavy fabric was added to the original lining.

The lining fabric was folded back to the front to create a contrast. 

Finished project - Challenge Day 20

 

 So cute!  Not bad for a Monday.