Friday, January 23, 2015

Finish Friday: Side Projects


Wowzers!  Been a minute since I posted... Sorry!!  Guess my "New Years Resolution" to post more frequently isn't going so well. Lol. 

I have been a busy little bee though. Cranked out a couple of small projects, even though Hubby's "Family Guy" quilt is sitting.... Basted and ready to quilt. I think subconsciously I keep putting it off because I still don't have a "plan" for quilting yet. I'm vowing to get to it this weekend though.... I'd like to get this done before spring and Hubby can actually use it before next winter!!  Lol

Finish #1 (& 2) - "Rock Legends"Button-Down Shirts (x2) for Hubby and his DJ-ing partner

 

There are actually 2 shirts in this pic, but really all you can see is one.  Hubby picked out this fabric from Fabric.com called "Rock Legends Musical Skulls."  Quite appropriate for them seeing as its skulls with headphones :)  This makes shirts numbered #7 & 8 that I've made so far.  Getting so good at these that I don't even need the directions anymore!

Rock Legends Shirt Details:

  • Started: January 9, 2015     Finished: January 20, 2015
  • Pattern:  McCall's M2149
  • Fabric: Rock Legends Musical Skulls
  • Notions: 4 - 3/4" Black Buttons
  • Thread: Coats & Clark - Black All-Purpose Thread

 

 

 Finish #3 - Wall Organizer

 


I stumbled upon a gal's blog called Fort Worth Fabric Studio and checked out all her awesome tutorials.  Saw this adorable wall organizer and knew right away I needed to make one :-)  While at what has become my weekly pilgrimage to JoAnn's last Friday, I picked up the fabrics for this to match my kitchen.  Came together so easy, I thought I was doing something wrong... Lol.  I even used "Pearl" to do some embroidery on it.  Used the Viking 6D Communicator software to use a font off of my PC on my embroidery machine.  So incredibly proud of myself for that one... Ha ha ha.  I know it's not centered, and at first I couldn't figure out why.  But after a post over on one of the Facebook groups I belong to, I found out that there is an official top and bottom of the inner hoop for the machine, and the little arrows need to match.  Whoops!  Didn't know that!  Wasn't too big of a deal considering it's just for me, but now I know for future reference :-)

Wall Organizer Details:


 I've also got a crochet WIP going too....  Like I don't have enough projects on my plate as it is.  Lol. 

I found this kit over at Herrschners for their Baby Bright Scallops Blanket that I though was absolutely adorable!  Considering I've got a yarn stash that looks more like a yarn store... I figured instead of buying the kit, I'd use something I already had.  The pattern was pretty easy to figure out, and once I got done digging thru all my tubs to find something to make it with... I was ready to go.  I've got a girlfriend expecting #4 this weekend, and thought the colors would work well for her.  This is boy #3, and they're totally not the fru-fru baby colors types.  I was hoping to get it done before "Baby J" makes his arrival, but it's taking me a lot longer than I thought it would.  I haven't crocheted anything in YEARS, but it really is like riding a bike, so I picked it back up with no problem.  I just can only manage to get 1-2 color rows done a night before I start going cross-eyed and have to put it down for the evening.  Got the last 6-7 episodes of American Horror Story: Freak Show to watch, so maybe I'll plop down at some point this weekend and get some work done on it. 


Hope everyone has had a wonderful week, and have a great weekend to come!




Linking back to Finish It Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts , TGIFF at From Bolt To Beauty, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Link-A-Finish Friday at Richard & Tanya Quilts

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

WIP Wednesday: First Project of 2015!

With having all my WIPs done and getting my room moved... I couldn't wait to get started on a new project.  Only one problem... I couldn't decide on which one.  Lol.  Too many on the list to choose from, and honestly it became overwhelming to even think about it.  I didn't sew one single stitch from the Tuesday before Christmas to this past weekend.  I was starting to get antsy, but just couldn't settle on a project to start.  Should I start the wall-hanging I want to do?  Or the quilt for my mom?  Or the quilt for my living room?  The decision making was driving me nuts!  I finally just decided to just stick my hand into my project tub and just pick one.... so that's what I did.

The winner is......


"Family Guy" Quilt for the Hubby!!! 

I bought these fat quarters some time ago from the Fat Quarter Shop when they had them as their daily flash sale.  I bought two of the FQ bundles and I think they were only around $12 each!!  I grabbed two because I had no clue what I was going to do with them yet and I wanted to make sure I had enough.  Thankfully I did as they're not available on their site anymore :(

The pattern is "Jack's Blocks" by A Bright Corner and I got it off of Craftsy.  I needed a pattern that would allow for the large prints in this set, and this one fit the bill nicely.  I had to make some modifications for the cutting as I had about double the prints than the pattern called for.  I just kinda winged it and started cutting the blocks as they fit.

I used some black County Classic Solids I got from JoAnns.  Hubby chose red for the binding, so I grabbed some of that while I was there. 

Started cutting this one out on Saturday, and by Saturday night... I already had two rows complete :-)


The top was done by Sunday night, and basted by Monday night.

Now it's time to figure out how to quilt this baby.  Hubby requested yellow thread for the quilting.. but that's as far as I've gotten.  Can't really do my habitual "echo quilting" on this one as most of the blocks are too big.  Thinking I may just do either a large meandering or stipple.. but I'm not sure.  Haven't FMQ'ed anything without a stencil so far, so I may need to practice a bit before I attempt it on this one.

It's in the single-digits here in NE Ohio, so I'm hoping to get this one finished up this weekend so Hubby can enjoy it while relaxing on the couch!



Sew Fresh Quilts


Linking back to Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday and Sew Fresh Quilts' Let's Bee Social


I Quilt @ Pretty BobbinsMy Quilt Infatuation


Linking back to Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation and I Quilt Thursdays at Pretty Bobbins.



Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Santa Baby

Santa was VERY good to me this year!!  He definitely got wind of my new "obsession," and brought me plenty of new toys!

First up.... my gifts from my "Secret Santa."


My immediate family decided a few years ago that instead of everyone exchanging gifts, that we would do a "Secret Santa."  Each person would only have one person to buy for.  There is a $100 limit on store-bought gifts, and each person has to do a handmade gift.  Fortunately for me, my "Secret Santa" was my mom this year.... meaning she actually knew what the items on my wish list actually were.  Lol!



Mom got me the Martelli ErgoCutter, Skini-Mini Rulers Set, Individual Block Templates w/Fussy Cut Windows - Sizes 5.5" and 7.5", and Measure Cuts Scissors.  I also got two of the feet I wanted for my Viking machines... the Free Motion Echo Quilting foot and the Left Edge Top Stitch Foot.  Then, my parents still fill our stockings with little things, and this year I also go two rolls of Sulky stabilizer :-)  I'm so lucky to have had a crafty "Secret Santa."


Next up.... gift from the in-laws.



My MIL must have called Hubby and asked what I wanted for Christmas.  They got me the Queen-Sized Supreme Slider that I also had on my wish list.  She had no clue what it even was... so I know Hubby must have told her I wanted one.  Lol.  I have the smaller version of it and I love it.  It just is a little bit on the small side when it comes to doing larger quilts.  Now I've got both sizes and am prepared for anything!


Finally.... my gifts from Hubby a.k.a "Santa".



He got me all the organization stuff I had on my wishlist from Michaels.  We moved my craft room during our break from work (both of us were off work the week between Christmas and New Years) and I really wanted a pegboard to put by my cutting table to hold all my goodies.  Now it's just a matter of getting Hubby to actually put them up for me :-)

I was totally SHOCKED when I opened up the last present....



Not only does he pay attention when I talk, but must have a super memory to remember that I really wanted an Open Toe Free Motion Quilting Foot AND also the Do-It-All Quilter's Hoop for my embroidery machine!

LOTS of new goodies to play with... and now that my room is moved (post with pics later this week), I've got no excuse not to get in and play with them!

Hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday!

Linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River


Monday, January 5, 2015

2015 Already?!?!

Wow!  I can't believe we're already into 2015!!  The past few months have been such a whirlwind and went by so quickly.... I was having a hard time trying to keep up!  I've got a LOT I want to share.... finished Christmas gifts, what Santa brought me, details of "Operation: Rosie Needs A Bigger Craft Room," as well as my first project for 2015.  I honestly started writing posts, but then got side tracked and never finished them :-(

That being said.... I'm going to do all my updating over the next few days and then ** hopefully ** get back on track with future posts :-)

Update #1: Finished Christmas 2014 Gifts


Total of 8 quilts in a little less than 6 months!  Not too shabby.... especially for a "newbie" like myself.  All quilts were done, washed, labeled, and wrapped by Christmas Eve!  It was a race to the finish line, but they all made it in time.  Some of them I've already shared, but there were the final couple that haven't been posted yet.

2014 Christmas gift quilts - Ready to Wrap!


Without further ado... Here are the completed Christmas gift quilts for 2014...

1.  Jolly Jelly Roll Quilt - given to my BFF



2.  Lattice Quilt - given to my Aunt Susie




3.  Easy Jelly Roll Quilt - given to my Aunt Debbie



4.  Yellow Brick Road Quilt - given to my Grandma




5.  Garden Party Quilt - given to Hubby's Grandma



Garden Party Quilt Details:

6.  Steelers Rag Quilt - given to Hubby's Grandpa



Steelers Rag Quilt Details:
  • Started: November 27, 2014       Finished: December 2, 2014
  • Pattern: My Own Pattern
  • Fabrics: Steelers Cotton, Black Keepsake Calico Cotton, Gold Keepsake Calico Cotton, Black Snuggle Flannel, and White Snuggle Flannel <-- All from JoAnn's
  • Thread: Omni Black Thread
  • Batting: None

 7. "Realtree" Hunting Rag Quilt - given to Hubby's step-father



"Real Tree" Hunting Rag Quilt Details:
  • Started: December 2, 2014       Finished: December 6, 2014
  • Pattern: My Own Pattern
  • Fabrics: "Real Tree" Cotton, Brown Keepsake Calico Cotton, Hunter Green Keepsake Calico Cotton, Brown Snuggle Flannel, and White Snuggle Flannel <-- All from JoAnn's
  • Thread: Coats & Clark Machine Quilt Cotton Thread - Dogwood
  • Batting: None

8.  OSU Rag Quilt - given to Hubby's brother


OSU Buckeyes Rag Quilt Details:
  • Started: December 6, 2014       Finished: December 9, 2014
  • Pattern: My Own Pattern
  • Fabrics: Ohio State Cotton, Grey Keepsake Calico Cotton, Red Green Keepsake Calico Cotton, Grey Snuggle Flannel, and White Snuggle Flannel <-- All from JoAnn's
  • Thread: Coats & Clark Machine Quilt Cotton Thread - Nugrey
  • Batting: None
Phew..... I'm getting tired again just thinking about all that!  Lots of hard work, hand-binding, cursing (lol), and hand-cramping (from snipping all those seams)... but it was totally worth it!  I even put "Pearl" thru the ringer and made matching labels for all of them.


I used some of the leftover fabrics from the fronts of the quilts and added borders around them.  Spent two nights hand-sewing them to the backs of the quilts... and they were all ready to go! I honestly kinda impressed myself with all of this... they all turned out well, AND they were all done in time!

Well, that's it for my first update for 2015 :-)  I'll be back with more in the days to come.  Stay tuned.....