SEWjo Saturday - Dr. Seuss Baby Quilt

Phew.  I'm so excited it's finally the weekend again.  Not that my 4-day work week was that terrible, I just couldn't wait for the weekend to get here.

I finally settled on a design base for the Dr. Seuss quilt.  I started sewing the 9-patch blocks together using the layout I created on my iPad in the Quiltology app.

Next came the scary part.... cutting them into quarter blocks.  I don't know why this was so scary for me, but it was.  Maybe it's because I only had just enough fabric to do the squares, leaving no room for error.  Who knows.  I was honestly shaking during the cutting of the first block.

Now I've got the layout going on my floor in my sewing room.  Unfortunately I don't have a design wall (yet... no room for one in my current sewing room), so I have to do all my placements on the floor.   Not exactly ideal, but it has to do for now.

Hopefully going to get started on sewing the blocks together tonight/tomorrow and get this quilt top done and ready for some quilting and binding.

Happy Saturday everyone!


Linking up with SEWjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life

TGIFF!/Finish It Up Friday - Baby Blanket

I know it's not sewing/quilting related, but I did manage to finish a project last night... A knitted one.

My sister's girlfriend is pregnant and I wanted to make her something. Honestly, I stumbled upon this pattern and just couldn't wait to have a baby to make it for :-). It was super simple and easy to memorize. I love knitting, maybe more than any other craft I do.  I think it's in part that it is something I can easily take with me and work on it in spurts. Plus, I've been knitting for a lot longer than anything else, so I'm more confident in my abilities. 

Here's the project details:

• Ravelry Link: Sunny Baby Blanket 
• Pattern: Sunny Baby Blanket
• Started: April 25, 2014 - Finished: May 29, 2014
• Yarn: Bernat Baby Sport in Ecru
• Needles: Size 8 KnitPicks Nickle Plated Options
• Mods:
• Cast on 148 stitches 
• Did 10 a 10 stitch garter stitch border
• Did a total of 13 repeats before doing the last repeat of the pattern 
• Added a 2-row single crochet border and then 1 row of a scalloped border

All-in-all, it's a great pattern. I added the extra stitches and repeats to accommodate the sport weight yarn. In retrospect, I should have dropped at least one needle size and slipped the first stitch on every row to make a nice, finished edge. Live and learn right?

This was a great project, but I'm thankful it's done and ready to go... With time to spare even. The shower isn't until June 21st, but I'm so happy I got it done. All it needs is to be washed and it'll be ready to wrap :-)

I did also finish the Cleveland Browns baby rag quilt this week.  Got it off to the laundromat on Sunday and now it's ready to go :-)   Off to be put away for the (hopeful) future "Baby Rockstar" or another lucky Cleveland Browns fan recipient.

Blanket before snipping seams and washing

With the finish line being in sight all week on the knitted baby blanket, I haven't had a chance to start my Dr. Seuss quilt.  You know how it is.... you're so close to finishing that you can't even think about working on something else until you get it done.  Hubby is dj-ing a party tonight, so I'll have the house to myself and can really get started on getting all the blocks cut and pieced.  Hoping to make a nice dent in the quilt top this weekend and get the party started on my first "official" quilt.

Check this project off the "To Do" list :-)  Hope everyone has a fabulous Friday!!!

Linking back to Finish It Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and  TGIFF at Ms. Midge.

WIP Wednesday - Dr. Seuss

Well, Monday didn't go quite as planned.  I had no obligations for Monday so I decided to spend the day crafting.  I did do some crafting... just not nearly as much as I had hoped :-(  Overslept (which wasn't necessarily a bad thing) and by the time I actually completely woke up, it was already afternoon.

I spent some time knitting, working on that baby blanket I need to finish for a shower next month.  I made some awesome progress on it and now it's officially about 95% done.  Just have one more repeat to do, and then the crocheted border I want to add and it's ready to go.

The rest of the day I was dedicating to working on my Dr. Seuss baby quilt.  I really had hoped to actually get into the craft room and physically DO something, but it never happened.  Instead, I spent the day monkeying around on my iPad trying to finalize the design.  I downloaded an awesome app from the iTunes store called Quiltology a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to try it out.  I took pictures of my patterned Dr. Seuss fabric and got started.  After about 2 hours, I had this...

I've got solid black, blue, and red that I want to use to fill in the spaces that I don't have patterned fabric for.  I've only got 36 - 6" charms to use, so I definitely need additional squares.  Only problem with this version is that there are a bunch of "L-shaped" squares that, at least to me, stick out like a sore thumb.

Back to the drawing board I go.... and after another 2 hours, came up with this.

I added some white into the mix as a fourth solid color.  No more "L-shapes," but for some reason, I still don't like it.  Maybe it's because each color is featured in each column... no randomness.  I'm thinking I might just go ahead and start piecing and sewing the squares together, and once I get them cut into the Disappearing 9-patch squares, play around with placement.  The app is very useful for visualizing the quilt once it's sewn together, but there's something to be said about physically placing the squares.  Maybe I can get a more random placement that way.

I didn't manage to get anything physically cut so far, but the solid fabrics are prewashed and ready to go.  I'm really hoping I can get started on the cutting tonight after work, or tomorrow.  My goal is to start piecing the 9-patches together by the weekend and getting a good start on this.

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

A Craftsy Workshop

So, being new to this whole sewing/quilting game (well, not really new, just newly dedicated), I know I still have a LOT to learn.  I've been reading blogs, watching tutorials on YouTube, and taking in as much information as I can.  I feel that with every project my abilities and confidence grows.  With that, I'm starting to (in my opinion) get a little ahead of myself with being a little over-ambitious on projects.

However, I read over on Amy Smart's Blog (Diary of A Quilter) that she was going to be doing a workshop over on Craftsy for a "mystery quilt" of sorts and I got totally intrigued.  I'm a fan of Amy's patterns, and know she's got something great in store for us!

Unfortunately, as I just went to get the link for the Craftsy signup page, it has disappeared.  I'm guessing that means it's sold out :-(  (EDIT: Finally found the page on Craftsy.  Looks to still be available.) So glad I grabbed it when I did!!  It starts on June 1st, and the kit you get comes with everything you need to do the project.  I did also order the additional 5 yards of matching backing fabric so I can actually finish it!  Just gotta pick up the batting for it, but I can do that once I get the top all done.

I've never done any project (knitting, sewing, etc.) that has been a complete mystery before starting.  Really hoping I didn't get in over my head on this one, and that it'll actually be a project I can complete :-)

Can't wait for June 1st to get started!

Make-A-List Monday - 5/26/14

Happy Memorial Day to all you in the US!  Sometimes it's hard to remember what today is all about.... not about the 3-day weekend, not about parties and BBQs.  It's about remembering all those who have served in our armed forces and the sacrifice that they make for us.  I'm not going to lie though, the 3-day weekend is wonderful!  A chance to spend time with friends and family, the "unofficial" start to summer, and a chance to "reset" from life.  At least that's the way I look at it. 

Anywho, it's time for Make-A-List Monday.  I've actually added a box on the sidebar showing where I'm at on my monster of a to-do list.  Figured it would be easier just to update that than post it here every Monday :-)

Here's what's on my plate for this week:

• Take the Cleveland Browns Baby Rag Quilt to the laundromat for a good washing
• Start working on the Dr. Seuss Quilt for my "Baby Rockstar" stash. 
• Diligently work on the knitted baby blanket for the baby shower next month.  Goal is to have it 100% done and washed by the end of this weekend. 

Hopefully this week at work won't be as crazy/chaotic as the past two weeks, and with it being a short (4-day week) it'll go by quickly.  Fortunately Hubby and I don't have any major plans this week after work or this upcoming weekend, so I'm determined to get a couple more projects worked on/done :-D  It's really a great feeling checking things off the "To-Do" list instead of adding to it!

Happy Monday Everyone!!

Sunday Stash - Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Here's my very first "Sunday Stash" from over at Molli Sparkles' Blog.

I actually got this order a few weeks ago but just kept forgetting to blog about it.  Ya know how it is.... you get some "Happy Mail," tear open the package, fondle all the goodies inside, and then put the box in your craft room to be put away.  However, in the days that pass, you forget about the box and then when you do remember, you can't remember where you put it :-(  That's what this was like for me.

I placed a decent sized order with Missouri Star Quilt Company (my new favorite place to shop!) and got it about a week later.  Oh, the box was FILLED with lovely goodies :-)

1. The BLOCK Magazine, Vol 1 Issue 1
2. Enchanted Pond Jelly Roll by Holly Taylor for Moda Fabrics
3. Kona Cotton Parchment Jelly Roll
4. Enchanted Pond - Magenta Yardage
5. Kona Cotton Parchment Yardage
6. Small Charm Quilt Pattern by Fons & Porter
7. Tree Skirt Pattern by Fons & Porter
8. Summer In The Park Quilt Pattern by Fons & Porter

Now, I know that the three patterns are all ones where Jenny from Missouri Star has done tutorial videos on YouTube.  Maybe I'm weird, but I like to have the physical pattern to reference to rather than watching the tutorial a million times to try and write down the directions from there.   For whatever reason it just seems easier to have the physical pattern.

The Lattice Quilt that I'm going to be making for one of my aunts for Christmas this year came out of the BLOCK magazine.  It is a gorgeous pattern and I can't wait to get started on it.  The jelly rolls and the yardage from this order are all for the Summer In The Park quilt that I also got the pattern for.  That one is going in my living room... whenever I manage to get it done.

That all being said, after reviewing my post from Monday and looking at my "To-Do" list, I've decided that I'm not allowing myself to buy any more fabric/materials until I get a couple of projects done off of the list.  I have the backing and batting for the two quilts for my aunts (picked those up at JoAnn's last weekend with a couple of coupons and a good sale) but I'm holding off on buying the stuff to make the tops until one or two more projects on my list are done.  I've got all the stuff already picked out and sitting in a cart on Missouri Star's website, but I'm holding off on hitting the "Submit" button, at least for now.

Today also happens to be my Dad's birthday!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dad!  Here's to many, many more fun-filled years!!

Dad enjoying the sun on their vaca to Floriday last week

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday, and has a great week to come :-)

SEWjo Saturday - Cleveland Browns Rag Quilt

Wow!  I can't believe it's Saturday already!! Where did this week go?  I was so completely swamped and stressed out at work all week, this weekend is muchly needed!

After finishing my placemats the other day, I started working on a blanket for "Baby Rockstar".... If he/she ever happens. I literally zipped thru this blanket and can't wait to see how it turns out after a good washing at the laundromat. 

The pattern is pretty simple, but I think it works for the fabric. Cut all the squares at 6" and the batting (Warm & Natural) at 5". Sandwiched them all together and I was ready to go. 

Quickly sewed the rows together with a 1/2" seam and I was good to go!  Now comes the fun part of snipping the seams. Hopefully it doesn't take too long as I'd LOVE to get this to the laundromat some time this weekend. 

Check one more project off the massive "To Do" list once this is all washed. Next up... My Dr. Seuss baby quilt. Really hoping to make a dent in it over this glorious 3-day weekend!

Have a great Satuday everyone!!

Linking up with SEWjo Saturday at My Go-Go Life

TGIFF!/Finish It Up Friday - Easy Peasy Placemats

Woo Hoo!!  I actually have a project to share on this glorious TGIFF/Finish It Up Friday!!  I got my placemats done!!

They're a lot simpler than I imagined them to be.  I really wanted some quilting on them, but with the embroidery in the corner, I knew it would be a challenge... one that I'm not quite ready for.  They're simple and basic, but that is OK with me.  I'm really happy with them and can't wait to start using them on the kitchen table.

I've also started working on the Cleveland Browns Baby Rag Quilt for my baby stash.

In our house, we bleed brown and orange... especially during football season.  Since we're planning on an addition to our family at some point in the future (hopefully near future), I want to think optimistically and get started on a project for "Baby Rockstar" as we're passionately calling it. If BR doesn't happen, we've got plenty of friends and family that we might be able to give it to.  I got the fabric for a really good deal at JoAnn's a few weeks ago and found it hard to pass up.

This is yet another project on my massive "To Do" list that I'm hoping to check off soon.

Thanks for stopping by, and hope you have a Fabulous Friday!

Linking back to Finish It Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and  TGIFF at Georgia Girl Quilts.

WIP Wednesday - Placemats

So glad to actually have a WIP to share this week!!  I actually started my placemats on Saturday.  I had a few hours in between a Dr. appt and "date night" with the Hubby, so I got to work.  After finishing up the Cuddle Blanket for Miss L, I got all the pieces cut out for the placemats.  Nothing too fancy, just 12.5" x 18.5" rectangles for the fronts and backs, and then 12" x 18" rectangles of some iron-on fleece interfacing.  I actually stumbled on a tutorial video on YouTube from Professor Pincushion a while back and knew I just had to make these.

Of course I can't just do things the easy way.  No, no, no.  See, I have what I passionately call "Jacki Syndrome" named after my mother whom I have inherited my passions for crafting from.  She can NEVER do things the easy way!  Always, always, ALWAYS taking something simple and putting her own twist on it, usually creating twice as much work.  Ha ha ha.  That being said, I had to jazz up my placemats.  Just couldn't leave the solid brown side so plain.  Off to the embroidery machine I went.

I found a couple of designs over at Embroidery Library that I thought would work and I was going to make them all different.  Attempting to simplify things a bit, I ultimately decided on just one design and am sticking with it throughout the 6 placemats.  I managed to get a couple done after work last night, and will hopefully get the rest done tonight after work. 

Fortunately there were only two colors used which makes the embroidery go by relatively quickly .  I don't get much time after work/before bed during the week to get much done, but I'm trying really hard to keep plugging away at these so I can wrap them up this weekend.

I've also made some serious progress on the knitted Baby Blanket I'm making for a baby shower gift next month.

I'm thru 10 repeats out of a total of 14, so I'm really hoping I can get this wrapped up this weekend/next week.  I did have a minor setback though.  Over the weekend, apparently Mr. Vito (the fur-baby) was bored and decided to get into my knitting bag and drag my project across the floor, making a tangled mess of everything.  Fortunately, it doesn't appear that he actually damaged the blanket on the needles, just the big 'ol skein of yarn attached to it.  Just an insanely tangled mess!

I'm debating on breaking the yarn and taking the mess over to my ball winder and attempting to untangle and rewind the skein.  I just hate the thought of having to weave in an unnecessary end.  Guess I gotta do what I gotta do.

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

For My Little Ladybug

Seriously, the $9 I spent on the Playtime Quilt pattern from the Sewing Expo last month was the best money I've ever spent!  I LOVE making these!!  So quick and simple, yet so useful.  While at JoAnn's during their last really big sale, I picked up the fabric to whip up one of these for my adorable niece, Miss L.

My Cute Little Ladybug, enjoying the beach for the first time

Since my sister and I were little, my mom has called us her "Ladybugs."  That has now trickled down to my sister's daughter, and she's now the youngest of the Ladybugs.  I thought it only fitting to make her one of these quilts using some adorable ladybug flannel I found.

I'm anxious to give this to her this weekend when I see her.  I hope she likes it, and I hope mommy appreciates it.  The little twists on the quilt are three-dimensional so you can easy clip those little toys to it.  Miss L has discovered the game that is "if I throw my toy on the ground, a grown up will pick it up."  Ha ha ha.  This way, if she throws her toy down while in the car, it won't go very far.

I'm getting better with these.  My seams were almost perfect this time (one or two that didn't line up 100%), and I hand-bound it.  My mitered corners still need some work, but I'm getting there.

Really loving this pattern and it makes for a very quick and easy baby gift.  I'm hoping to make the full-sized version one day if we ever have children :-)

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Tuesday everyone!

Make-A-List Monday

Phew... it's been a week and a half since my last post!!  Where did the time go?!?!?  Well, part of it was crazy, stressful days at work resulting in literally crashing when I got home.  The other part, and I'm pleased to announce, was a couple of productive days.  Housework and laundry mainly, but I did manage to get into my "Craft Cave" this weekend and get some work done on a couple of projects :)

Unfortunately, the rest of the weekend was chaos, so I didn't get a chance to take any pictures.  I'm planning on doing that tonight when I get home so I have a couple of things to share with you. I have a finished project, and one WIP moving. :-)

So... with it being Monday, I thought it would be a good idea to do a "Make-A-List  Monday" so I can see where I'm at.  I posted a list on my last post, but it has been adjusted a tiny bit since then.  This is a comprehensive list of all the projects that I need to do/need to finish.  Hoping that putting all down in a list will help me stay motivated.  Without further ado, here we go...

 Knitting:

1. Finish Baby Blanket for a baby shower next month.  I'm about 75% of the way done... but then Vito (the fur-baby) decided he needed to get into my knitting bag and play with it.  I haven't had a chance to look at it since Saturday night, but I'm praying its OK.  If not, I'll have to come up with something else to make her :-(
2. Start Fingerless Gloves for my "Secret Santa" gift for Christmas this year.  Every year, my family does a Secret Santa exchange where you have a certain dollar amount limit to the store-bought gifts and then you have to do a handmade gift.  This year we pulled names in January so we would have plenty of time to get the handmade part done.  The yarn is bought and ready to go :-)
3. Finish Sunnyside Cardigan for Miss L.  I started this cardigan back in March and it's a 12-18 month size, so I've got some time to finish it.  It does need finished though, and preferably before her 1st Birthday in October.
4. Finish Entrelac Pillows for living room.  I've got the first one at about 75% done and all 4 pillow forms bought.  Just need to get these suckers done.  Not a hard pattern by no means, just a little time consuming.
5. Finish Endless Waves Scarf for me.  I found this pattern on Raverly and fell in love.  I ran out and bought the perfect yarn for it and cast on.  Well, it was short lived as sometimes I have a bad case of "start-itis" and quickly cast on for another project shortly after starting this one.  I would like to get this one done by the fall so I can use it this winter.

 Sewing/Quilting:

1.  "Playtime" Cuddle Quilt for Miss L.  D.O.N.E.!!!  Finished on Saturday (5/17) Pics to come :-)
2. Finish Placemats for my kitchen.  I got the pieces cut on Saturday and the interfacing attached to the backing.  I'm adding some embroidery to the top and I hope to get started on that this week after work.  After the embroidery, the rest should go together quite quickly.
3. Cleveland Browns Baby Rag Quilt.  Easy-peasy quilt for my "stash" of baby stuff.  All the materials are bought and ready to go.  Going to try and whip this one up as soon as the placemats are done.
4.  "Dr. Seuss" Disappearing 9-patch baby quilt.  This is for my "stash" of baby stuff, so there's no real deadline for this.  I am using this quilt as an icebreaker for getting into doing larger quilts.  All the fabric is bought and pre-washed.  Just need to get started on it.
5.  (5) Self-Binding Receiving Blankets for gift stash.  Saw the tutorial on YouTube and thought they would make quick and easy baby gifts.  All the fabric is bought, just needs pre-washed.  Going to use these as in-between projects.
6. "Jolly Jelly Roll" Quilt for my BFF for Christmas.  This is going to be a huge undertaking for me as it will be my first big quilt.  Pattern seems easy to understand and not so complicated that I think I'm getting in over my head.  Fabric/batting/backing is bought for this, but that's as far as I've gone with it.  Hoping to get started by the end of June/beginning of July on this one.
7. Lattice Quilt for Aunt #1 for Christmas this year.   I've got the precuts all picked out over on Missouri Start Quilt Co. website, and I picked up the backing and batting yesterday at JoAnn's (had some mega coupons). Hoping to start this one by the end of July/beginning of August
8. Easy Jelly Roll Quilt for Aunt #2 for Christmas this year.  Again, the precuts are all picked out and sitting in a cart on Missouri Star, and I picked up the backing and batting yesterday at JoAnn's.  I'm hoping to get this one started by the end of August/beginning of September.
9. Rag Quilt for my Grandma for Christmas.   My mom loved the Survivor Rag Quilt I made so much, she suggested I make one similar for my Grandma for Christmas this year as she is also a cancer survivor (colon cancer). 
10. "Summer In The Park" Quilt for my living room.  Fabric and materials are bought, just waiting to be started.  With this one being for my living room and really not having a deadline, it's been bumped to the bottom of the list.  I would like to get it done by the end of the year, but looking back on my list, it's not looking to promising. 

As of right now, this looks to be it for the projects to do.  This isn't including any of my scrapbooking WIPs and UFOs, but those really don't have a deadline and I work on them here and there in between other projects. 

WOW!!!! That's a LOT of stuff to do!!  Especially with summer right around the corner.  Our weekends become a bit chaotic during the summer and my time in my Craft Cave is going to be limited, so I need to make the most out of my time.  I'm really going to do everything I can to get thru this list one way or another.  Just need to keep the mojo going and motivating myself to keep going.

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and a wonderful Monday!!

Motivation

I am in desperate need of some! I've got a list of projects "to-do," but seem to be lacking the motivation to start them. Here's my list:

• Placemats for my kitchen (fabric bought & pre-washed)
• "Dr. Seuss" Disappearing 9-patch baby quilt (fabric bought & pre-washed)
• "Cuddle" blanket for my Niece (fabric bought)
• Cleveland Browns Baby Rag Quilt (fabric/materials bought)
• (5) Self-Binding Receiving Blankets for gift stash (fabric bought & partially pre-washed)
• "Jolly Jelly Roll" Quilt for my BFF for Christmas (fabric bought)
• "Summer In The Park" Quilt for my living room (fabric bought)

I'm also trying real hard to finish a knitted baby blanket for a baby shower I have to go to in June, plus I've got 3 knitting UFOs that need to be wrapped up ASAP.  Fortunately, knitting is one craft that I can take pretty much anywhere and work on it here and there.  I can't exactly lug my sewing machine around to work on projects.  Lol. 

I have a relatively quiet weekend coming up and I'm trying to get the motivation to get into my "craft cave" and start working on projects.

I got my room somewhat cleaned up last weekend, but found myself just staring at the tubs of fabric, just waiting to get touched. Just didn't have any motivation to start anything. Now the list is long, and the urge to keep planning (and shopping for) future projects is becoming overwhelming again. I made myself a promise though.... no more buying until I finish something. You'd think that would be motivation enough, but not so much.

Unfortunately, I've been under the weather over the past few days, so I REALLY haven't been doing much of anything other than sleeping.   I'm really hoping to get back in the swing of things tomorrow night and at least tackle something.  ANYTHING.  We've got a couple of errands to run right after work, but then it's going to be off to my "craft cave" to work.  Maybe I'll get the fabric for the cuddle quilt washed... maybe it'll be cutting out the pieces for my placemats.  We'll just have to wait and see.  But I am determined to do something!

TGIFF!/Finish It Up Friday - Survivor Quilt

It's officially D.O.N.E. :-)  I'm so excited over this project, I could do cartwheels (but I won't... lol).

Sorry for the cruddy picture!  Hubby took it on my phone for me as my point-and-shoot camera has gone AWOL somewhere in my craft cave.  Not to mention, it was 8:30 at night and it had already gotten dark out. 

I am IN LOVE with this quilt.  From the fabric, to the thickness, to the softness, to how the seams ragged... I just LOVE IT!!  I was truly worried that the black/grey squares would be over-powering on this, but with the backing being grey, the contrast in the seams really makes it blend together well.  Honestly, if I would have done my original plan and did it all in purple... it would probably have looked like a hot mess.

After showing it to my mom, she hinted around that my grandmother would like one of these as well. She's a colon cancer survivor and her favorite color is purple as well.  We'll see.  I've got a bunch of other projects I'd like to start first before tackling another one of these.  I've got the "pattern" I designed saved on my computer, so who knows... maybe for Christmas this year :-)

Linking back to Finish It Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and  TGIFF at Quokka Quilts.