WIP Wednesday: Commissioned

A few months back, one of Hubby's really close gal-pals kinda cornered me and begged me to make a baby quilt for her soon-to-be niece.  The criteria.... "Non-baby, non-girly, non-pink, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on it."  Seriously?!?!?!  Talk about a quilter's challenge!!

I racked my brain, scoured the internet, and read every quilting magazine I own cover-to-cover trying to find a pattern that would be easy, yet able to incorporate a large variety of fabrics.  I had settled on using "Happy Dots" by Michael Miller as my patterned prints, plus I had some TMNT novelty prints that I needed to incorporate.  Finally found a pattern that would show all of it off nicely...  

Bow Tie Baby Play Mat by Chris Malone for Quilter's World Magazine

Pattern is a very basic (easy!) one that shouldn't take too long, and it's a prefect one for the prints I picked :-)  Started the cutting back on August 1st and had all the solid and print squares done, as well as fussy cutting enough TMNT fabric for 8 blocks.  One layer cake was plenty to do this one quilt, plus quite a bit leftover so possibly a smaller one down the road :-)

Lotsa squares!!

Once all the squares were cut, I got to assembling the first part of the block... snowballing one corner of each of the 165 white squares :-D  Keeping the color sets organized proved to be a bigger task than I thought.  (Don't mind the mess on the floor behind my ironing board... I've been "organizing" for weeks and still have a ways to go... Lol).

Getting all the blocks fully assembled took no time at all thanks to some mega chain-piecing!  Got them all sewn together and then re-organized into colors.  Each color technically had multiple prints (just different sized dots), so I just piled them all up by color and was ready to go!

Now, I must diverge for a moment and just talk about what little shortcut I did that made my life SO much easier!!!  Used my Martelli Roundabout with the ironing pad on it on a TV tray right next to my machine.  WHY DID I NOT DO THIS SOONER?!?!?!?!  I LOVED how convenient it made pressing these blocks as I went without having to get up a million times to go over to the ironing board.  Lol.  I know this is far from a new trick.. but it's new to me and quilting won't be the same for me ever again!  Lol

One all the blocks were organized by color, it was time to play with the layout.  This proved to be harder than I thought it would be!  I was going for kinda a "scrappy" look, so I was just putting the blocks up randomly... but my OCD kicked in and I couldn't have two of the same-sized dots next to each other, or the same color more than once in a row or column.... I was starting to pull my hair out when I finally gave in and just let things lie where they were and that was it.  Lol.  If I kept going.. I'd end up bald!

All laid out and ready to go!

 

 

 

 

Since this one is only 45" x 45" square when finished, assembling the top took no time!  Literally about an hour or two one evening and I was done :-)  Cleaned off the kitchen table and had it basted and ready to quilt in less than about 45 minutes!  I love doing baby quilts for just this reason!

Now came the fun part... trying to figure out how to quilt it!  After way too much thinking on this, I decided to go with just plain echo stitching around the bow ties.  Short and sweet.  But those white blocks that were created from the placement totally needed something... I just didn't know what.  My FMQ other than meandering still needs some work and I didn't want to practice on a quilt I was getting paid for.  So... at the suggestion of my mom, I pulled out the embroidery machine and that fancy hoop Hubby bought me for Christmas last year and decided to give embroidering the blocks a try :-)

Hooped up and ready to go!

I decided to use the Dr. Seuss font to add outline alphabet letters to all the white spaces.  I digitized the font using my Embrid software and then stitched it out.  This Viking Quilt-It-All hoop is specifically made for quilting and has s special inner hoop that is smaller to accommodate the thickness of all the layers in a quilt.  Added bonus.... when embroidering on a quilt, you don't even need stabilizer as the three layers of the quilt are plenty to keep it stable :-)

My current status on this project is "nearly done."  I got the quilting all done on Monday with it being a holiday, and have been working on the hand-binding portion as much as I can when I get home from work.  Thinking this actually should be wrapped up tonight when I get home :-)  Just will need a quilt label and it'll be ready to send off, and then I can "officially" check this commissioned quilt off my To Do list :D

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

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

WIP Wednesday: Lotsa Projects

I've been so busy in the craft room... I just keep forgetting to post.  Bad Blogger!!  Lol.  Unfortunately, most of my recent projects are upcoming gifts and I don't want to ruin the surprise (in the off chance they read my blog).  I'm most definitely going to have a bunch of finished project posts here in the next few weeks.  I promise!

There are, however, a few projects I can share.

 

I saw this awesome pattern over on Craftsy and knew I just had to try it out.  Turned out to be SUPER SIMPLE, and even with adding the embroidery to it, still was done in less than an hour!  I've got enough fabric to make two more of these, just need to get a couple of other projects done first.

1-Hour Basket 

• Pattern:  1-Hour Basket Tutorial by Hearts and Bees
• Started: April 8, 2015     Finished: April 8, 2015
• Fabric: Home Decor fabric from JoAnn's 

Also on the finished projects list are some Keychains/Snap Tabs I did on my embroidery machine.  These will soon be in my upcoming Etsy shop and I hope they'll be big sellers :D  Especially considering I kinda went overboard with the vinyl and have enough to make quite a few :D

They're made using marine vinyl and some KAM snaps.  I'm seriously addicted to making these!  I've probably got two dozen different designs in my arsenal and can't wait to start getting them made up so I can get them listed up for sale :D

I've got lots more projects to share, so stay tuned for more updates :D

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Also linking up to Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday and Sew Fresh Quilts' Let's Bee Social

Actually Making Progress!

It's been what feels like years since I've actually quilted!  Between all the shirts and vests, and then the Bionic Gear Bag... Hubby's poor "Family Guy" quilt has been on a back burner.  I think the side projects were partially to blame, but also my indecisiveness on the quilting was also a major factor.  I think I was over-thinking the process and making it out to be more difficult than it needed to be.... resulting in it sitting for the past 6 weeks or so.

So... this weekend I was determined to get it done.  I pulled it off the shelf, dusted it off, and got to work.

Just simple straight-line stitching in the smaller blocks and rectangles, then some diagonal lines in a couple of the larger rectangles.  Then it was time to tackle the 12" square blocks and the 8" square blocks.  Didn't want to do something too crazy or intricate, but they definitely needed something.

On the 12" blocks, I just used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a star shape out of cardstock that was about 8" x 8", traced it on the block, and then used my FMQ foot.  They're far from perfect, but they look OK.

Then, for the 8" blocks, I used my loopy swirls stencil and just did some FMQ in the block.  Again, far from perfect, but doesn't look terrible.

It's now about 95% done with the binding attached and just needing the hand-stitching done.  Add to that a quilt label (which I still have to make), and it'll be ready to go.  Figures... I am finally going to finish it and we have officially entered Spring here in NE Ohio with temps in the 50s.

Linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River, Fabric Tuesday at A Quilt Story, and Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts

Also linking up to Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday and Sew Fresh Quilts' Let's Bee Social

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

AWOL!

Wow, did February get away from me!  I can't believe it's already March!!!  The past five weeks have been the most emotional and trying weeks I've had in a long time....

Towards the end of January I got slammed with the flu.  Hit me like a ton of bricks and completely knocked me down for a few days.  Then, just as I was starting to feel better, round #2 started.  Unfortunately, it was that strand of flu that knocks you flat and between the upset stomach and the fatigue... I didn't get out of bed for days.

Then, on February 12th I lost my dear grandmother.

She survived the open-heart surgery back in December and was on her way to a full recovery when...WHAM!  She gets hit with the flu while in the nursing home which turned into pneumonia.  Such a shocker, especially seeing as though they were talking about sending her home. We spent a few days in PA with my family for the funeral, which turned into some of the hardest days of my life.  I was very close with my grandma, and now there feels like such a void in my life.  I don't think it's really hit me yet, but I'm sure it will here soon. 

As soon as we got back from PA, I was hit (yet again) with some kind of bug that knocked me down again.  I think it was a combo of being around so many people for a few days, plus being physically and emotionally drained that did me in.  Finally was feeling a bit better by the weekend, and spent two days cleaning my house.  It had been in shambles for going on three weeks due to being sick and then having to go out of town.  It was in DIRE need of a good scrubbing!

That weekend I also had to finish Hubby's scarf for Comic Con.

He and a group of his friends went to the Cleveland Comic Con and of course they had to dress up!  Well, it was only him and one of his gal-pals, but they had a blast!  The "Gru" scarf was simple enough to do, just took a little bit.  Stephanie is a dead ringer for "Lucy" from Despicable Me 2!!  They said they had a ton of people stopping them and asking for photos.  Lol!  I managed to finish the scarf in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, but it was done in time for them to leave at 10 am the same day.

The past week or so has been crazy at work which has left me exhausted by the time I get home.  This past weekend totally got away from me and I didn't get anywhere near what I wanted to do done.  I did manage, however, to get the Bionic Gear Bag started for my BFF.

I'm not going to lie, I was a bit intimidated to do this one, especially after seeing that the instructions were over 80 pages long!!!  I did find an awesome tutorial on YouTube of a gal demonstrating the construction of the bag from start to finish.  It was a total life saver! The bag is sitting at about 95% done, just have the main outer zipper to finish and it'll be done.  I had every intention of finishing it up on Saturday, but the day just slipped away and I never got around to it.  That's my goal for tonight is to finish it up so it can be packaged and mailed off to her by the end of the week :D

Also on the list to finish up this week....

1. Finish the Valentine's Day vests I started for Hubby and & DJ partner - I know it's past Valentine's Day, but I don't want to leave these as a UFO until next year.  Better to get them done and off the list.  Just have one to finish the side seams on, and then both need buttons & buttonholes.  
2. Finish Hubby's Family Guy Quilt -  This sucker has been sitting on my work desk for weeks... just needing quilted.  I am DETERMINED to get this done this weekend!  I think I'm just going to keep the quilting simple for now so it can get done.  With any luck, it'll be ready to hand-bind by the end of the weekend.

Well, that's it for me for now.  Sorry again for abandoning you again!  I would say it won't happen again, but unfortunately.... I can't make any promises.  Lol.

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

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!

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

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

WIP Wednesday: Garden Party

So glad to be able to share with you a WIP this week!  I've been busy, chugging along on my Christmas gifts, but for whatever reason I keep forgetting to take photos, blog, etc.  I'm sorry :(  I hope you don't think I've been neglecting you! 

I wrapped up Christmas gift #4 last week (#3 of 3 going to family in PA) and couldn't wait to get started on the next one.  I found this gorgeous line over at Missouri Star and it just had Hubby's grandma's name written all over it!

The line is Lagoon by Paintbrush Studio.  I just fell in love with it!  I've also had the Garden Party quilt on my "bucket list" of patterns I want to do, so I decided to pair this fabric with that pattern, and VOILA!  Christmas gift for Gram!

Instead of 3 charm packs like the pattern calls for, I got a layer cake (a Daily Deal over on Missouri Star I think).  Just cut the 10" layer cake into 5" charms :) For the solids, I got some Bella Solids - White Bleached yardage for the sashing and borders.  240 - 1 1/2" squares to cut... and that was just for the main blocks.  Add to that another 96 needed for the border.... that was A LOT of cutting!  Lol

Sorry about the crummy lighting!  I've got lousy light in my craft room, especially after dark... so it's kinda hard to get decent pictures.

Spent the night on Sunday getting all the blocks "snowballed," and then the past couple of nights getting them trimmed and pressed.  Couldn't wait to see how it was going to look, so I quickly put together one of the blocks.  LOVE IT!!!  I really can't wait to get this one done and ready to go under the tree for Christmas :D

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

WIP Wednesday: Countdown To Christmas

Well, as of today we are "officially" 56 days away from Christmas.  I don't know about you, but that kinda freaks me out.  Just thinking about everything that I want to do/need to do before then is giving me a bit of anxiety.  Lol.

I decided back in the beginning of the summer that I wanted to do quilts for my two aunts and my grandma.  I took the first step and bought everything that I needed.... but then the stuff sat.  Why it took me until August to get started on these I'll never know.  I honestly thought, even in August, that I would have plenty of time to get them all done.  Well, the first one took a little longer than I had anticipated, the second one (which I'll be sharing on Friday) took even longer, and now I'm working on the third one... trying to get it done relatively quickly (thankfully it's an EASY pattern) but still nicely.

Quilt Top Ready To Go!

For this third quilt, I decided to do the Easy Jelly Roll Quilt (6-sizes) that I found on Craftsy.  I ordered everything I needed from Missouri Star, and got started on it about a week and a half ago. Finished up the top last night, and it's ready to go!  Planning on getting it basted and quilted by the end of this weekend so I'll have another Christmas gift checked off the list!

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

WIP Wednesday: For Grandma

My poor grandma!!!  She came to visit us from PA back at the beginning of August.  The plan was to stay a few weeks with my parents and then a week or two with her sister up in NW Ohio.  Well... that was the plan.  About a week into her stay, she landed herself in the hospital in congestive heart failure :-(  A week in the hospital and she was good to go.  Left to go to visit her sister and within 3 days of her arrival up there, she had to be brought back down to be admitted again.  Another two weeks in the hospital and they finally released her to a nursing home near my house.  It's been nice having her so close, but it's under terrible circumstances :-(

That being said, I decided to bump up grandma's quilt from a Christmas gift to a "sorry you're not feeling well" gift.  I actually managed to get this entire top pieced and ready to go in one evening two weekends ago!

The pattern is Yellow Brick Road and the fabrics are from the Downton Abbey Fat Quarter bundle I got a while ago.  I honestly should have paid more attention when gals were saying to be sure to read the directions completely before starting...  I didn't and ended up with a mega goof!  Instead of three different block layouts, I ended up with only two.  Whoops!  I just did a little adjustment to the layout and all seems to be OK.  Shhhh... no one will ever know :-D

Fast forward to this past weekend and after all the marathon sewing I did to crank out two more of the Comic Book Button-Down shirts for two of Hubby's friends, I buckled down and wanted to get this one basted.  Only one problem.... I was a bit tired when I decided to start basting this.  "Cheated" by not spray basting and relying on just safety pins.  Ended up with a boat-ton of puckering on the back :-(  Being the perfectionist I am, I had to re-do it.  Problem was I was a little too tired to tackle it Saturday.  Put it to bed for the night.

Monday night I decided to take care of pulling out the 150+ pins I put in, re-aligining everything, and then basting again.  I even managed to tear Hubby away from the football game on TV long enough to help :-)  Fortunately, once it was spray basted this time (Yea!), the pinning went by rather quickly.

So excited to be wrapping this one up!  I really want to give it to grandma before she heads back to PA next weekend (that's the plan).  Now it's on to the fun part.... quilting!  My mom convinced me I need to overcome my fear of FMQ.  Just bite the bullet and jump right in, according to her.  Well.. I'm a bit of a chicken.  There was no way I was comfortable enough doing FMQ to even attempt it on a quilt yet!  Then the light bulb went off!  I ran to JoAnn's after work last night, picked up some simple quilt stencils, and came home and started to practice.

First Attempt - Two pieces of muslin with batting inbetween

Tracing the stencil on the fabric was the easy part!  Man, is this a lot more difficult than I imagined it to be!  The butterfly in the top, right-hand corner was the last one I did on this sample.  I can definitely see the improvement, but I still need much more practice!

Attempt #2 - Extra border fabric, muslin backing, and actual thread I'm using in my project

Attempt #2 went MUCH better than the first!  I think I am finally getting the hang of this!  It's going to take a lot of guts, but I think I'm actually going to attempt this design in the 5.5" squares on my quilt :-)  I even got a butterfly border stencil that I want to use in the border.  Hopefully it won't be too hard.  We shall see!

Let's hope this one is finished up by this weekend and I'll have a finish to share!

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