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.

Operation: Stabilizer Organization

WOO HOO!! This is post #100!!!  Just thought I'd share :-)

I have been a crafter for as long as I can remember. I leaned how to knit when I was about 6, and started sewing around 7 or 8. A couple of years ago, I was introduced to scrapbooking. Finding time to craft, especially with so many different ones has always posed a problem. Even more so is finding places to store everything!  The more crafts you do = the more stuff you have.

With my recent obsession/passion for quilting and embroidery, my craft "hoard" has gotten a little out of control. I've got things stuffed into tubs, my closet, two bookshelves, storage chests, and pretty much any space bigger than a matchbox. As you can imagine, it makes finding things that much more difficult. 

Last December Hubby and I moved my craft cave from a smaller upstairs bedroom to the first floor master bedroom. Not only is it nice to not feel so disconnected being cooped up in an bedroom upstairs away from everything, but the master bedroom is MUCH bigger, giving me the space I needed. 

I've made it my mission this summer to get organized, use from my stash, and to get projects done. First step... Freeing up a drawer in a filing cabinet which holds up my craft table counter. It's "prime real estate" in my room and I'm desperately needing a place to organize and file all my patterns and embroidery stitch out sheets. 

This is what the drawer was being used for....

It was housing all my embroidery stabilizers, and not very well I might add. I was having to pull out almost every roll looking for what I needed and it was becoming such a nuisance.  So.... I went in search of a solution. 

I found a bunch of ideas online, one being a shoe rack. Great idea, but I wanted it to match my room if it was going to be out in the open. So, I figured I could just make it myself. I found this awesome pattern on Etsy and immediately knew it would be perfect!  

I got some pink & black fabrics from Joanns, along with some clear vinyl and I was ready to go. The pattern is very well written and very clear and easy to understand. With a little help from Hubby in cutting the dowel rod for me, it was ready to hang. Only took a couple of evenings and it came out better than I had hoped!  

Stabilizer Holder Details:

• Started: May 13, 2015     Finished: May 16, 2015
• Finished Size: Approx 18" x 35"
• Pattern: Embroidery Stabilizer Keeper by I Gotta Stitch on Etsy
• Fabric: Keepsake Calico: Leigh Medallions and Flowers and Keepsake Calico: Leigh Dots from JoAnns
• Batting: Warm & White Cotton Batting remnant

So great to finally have a place to store them that makes them easy to see (and monitor amounts).  I've got it hanging by a Command clip on the back of my door and it really looks great!  I also so happy to have that filing cabinet emptied!  Now I can get my patterns and such organized.  It's a small step in my mission for organizing, but it's still a step.

Let The Fates Decide

This is the first time in over a year that I don't have projects with deadlines or on the "desperately need to do" list.  Totally feels weird!  Honestly, I've been so preoccupied with gifts and such that I haven't even made anything for myself :(

Hubby kinda demanded that my next project be something for me.... however, I have oh so many projects on "the list" that I had no clue where to even start!  So, I decided to let everyone else pick what was next on my list.  I posted a poll over on the Missouri Star forums with ten options, ranging from Etsy store stuff to a commissioned project, to quilts for my house.  I let my fellow quilters decide.

"Technically" the poll won't close until today, but I gave the deadline of 6 pm last night.  Whichever project had the most votes was the "Winner."  After 75 votes.... The "Charmed Spools" quilt for me looks to be what's next on my quilting table!  I actually bought the materials for this one back in December when Missouri Star was having one of their free shipping days.  I can say enough how much I LOVE this store!

Here's my "haul" from December for this quilt....

• "Fairy Frost - It's a Girl Thing" Charm Pack by Michael Miller
• "Fairy Frost - Tan" by Michael Miller yardage
• "Fairy Frost - Onyx" by Michael Miller yardage
• "Fairy Frost - Passion" by Michael Miller yardage

Most likely I'll just be using some plain white muslin for the backing, but we'll have to wait and see what "goes" with it. 


I'm going to be starting my quilt this weekend, but before I do, I want to finish up a smaller project I've been working on. Since getting "Pearl" last November and getting back into embroidery, I've accumulated quite a stash of stabilizers. Up until now they've just been thrown into one of the drawers in my filing cabinet. It is a pain to have to keep pulling them all out just to get to the one I need. Going in search of a solution, I turned to Google, scouring the web. I saw a bunch of blogs where people are using shoe racks, but unfortunately I have no room in my HUGE walk-in closet to hang one (I know... Cleaning it out is on my list for this summer). I then stumbled on this adorable pattern on Etsy and it was just what I needed!  I can hang it on the back of my door and it'll be personalized to my craft room :-)

After a trip to Joanns for fabric and vinyl, I was set. First thing I did right off the bat was make the bias tape. I can honestly say that's one thing I've never done before. Lol. The pattern author suggested the "continual bias tape" method (something I have never heard of).... So back off to Google I went. A couple of YouTube videos later, I was ready to give it a try. 

Now, the pattern said that 3/4 yard should be enough to do all the double-fold and single-fold needed. I'm thinking I did something wrong as I only got about half of what I needed out of that 3/4 yard :-(

ANOTHER trip back to Joanns to get more fabric. Made up another 3/4 yard of tape and hopefully that will be enough. I actually grabbed 1.5 yards just in the event it wasn't. Not that I have any problem with going to Joanns, but I just didn't want to have to run again as going in for "just one thing" ends up costing me a fortune. Lol. 

I've now got my holder to the point of adding the vinyl pouches and I'm determined to get this done today so I can empty out that drawer and use it for other goodies!

As soon as I get get this done, it'll be time to start my quilt and I'm so excited!!  It'll be so nice to actually have something for myself for a change :-)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday!

Linking up with Show Off Saturday at SewCanShe

Finish Friday: Totally Wicked

Well... I can FINALLY share my "top secret" project I've been working on over the past few weeks (ahem....months).

This one is for my mother-in-law who is a HUGE Wizard of Oz fan.  She even refers to herself as the "Wicked Witch" and threatens to "send her flying monkeys at us."  I bought the panel months ago and then found the matching fabrics to go with it.  I had no clue what pattern to do, but then found the "Totally Wicked" quilt by Quilting Treasures online and it was perfect!

The top was fairly easy to assemble, but I did realize after I had started that, according to the pattern, the finished quilt size was going to be a bit on the small side (44" x 52").  I wanted this one to be something big enough for her to cuddle under, so I added a 1" green border, and then a 5" black-print border.  The final size (before washing) was 56" x 64" which I thought would be a good size.

I'm getting much better (and faster) with basting, so I had no trouble putting this one together.  The backing is plain black and I used unbleached cotton batting due to the white fabrics (didn't want them to look "dingy" by using natural batting).

Then came the fun part... Quilting!

I had NO CLUE how to quilt this baby.  I didn't want to do too much over the panel in order to prevent from distorting it, so I went with a simple cross-hatch and used a Hera marker to draw the lines (no, I don't quilt that straight without help.  Lol).  After the panel was quilted, I just did stitch-in-the-ditch around the diamonds in the border, and then along the borders themselves.

Oh, I forgot to mention... I really didn't want to use any color thread for the quilting that would make the panel look awful, so after doing some research online as well as getting some tips from the Missouri Star forums, I went with some YLI Wonder Invisible thread in the top and just black Superior Omni thread in the bobbin.  I honestly was expecting some troubles with tension and breakage, but "Rosie" (my Viking Eden Rose 250c) did a wonderful job with absolutely no problems!

I started the quilting a few weeks ago, but then got sidetracked with a bunch of little projects (here and here), so it got put on the back burner.  With the intended due date of Mother's Day, I finally had to kick it into high gear and get it done.  I cranked out the rest of the quilting, and then the binding followed soon after.

Since I added the extra border, I didn't have enough fabric to do the original binding on it.  I went in search of a suitable replacement and found some Black & White Striped fabric by Timeless Treasures on Etsy and it was a perfect fit!  Totally reminds me of the socks the witch was wearing when the house fell on her!!

Finally, it was DONE!  Just needed a label and it was ready to go.  I made up a label on my embroidery machine and even did some cool applique on it!

The applique ruby slippers came from AppliqueGuru on Etsy, and I found some cool red sparkly fabric at JoAnns on one of my recent trips.  The fonts used were ones that I had on my computer and was able to digitize them using the Viking 6D QuickFont program.  Took 3 tries to get it to look good, but it was totally worth all the effort.  Added some of the extra binding to the edges and I am so pleased with it!

"Totally Wicked" Details:

• Started: March 26, 2015     Finished: May 8, 2015
• Finished Size: Approx 56" x 64"
• Pattern: "Totally Wicked" by Quilting Treasures
• Fabric: Wizard of Oz: 75 Years of Wickedness
• Thread: YLI Wonder Invisible Thread and Superior Threads Omni - Black
• Batting: Warm & White Cotton Batting

Now it's time to get started on a new project!!  Hopefully the next one won't take so long to complete  :-)

Hope everyone has a Fabulous Friday!

Linking back to Fabric Friday at Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Finish It Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts , TGIFF at A Quarter Inch From The Edge, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Link-A-Finish Friday at Richard & Tanya Quilts

Show-Off Saturday: Yet ANOTHER Bag!

I know, I know... I think I have an addiction!  I made yet another Bionic Gear bag.  However, this one wasn't my choice, it was a request by my mom.  She loved her bag so much that she wanted one to give to my uncle's wife for her birthday.  She was just going to give her the one I made her (and pay me for it) and then keep the sewing-themed one that I made for her.  Told her that was silly, and of course I could make another one for her.

Went "stash diving" and found an awesome FQ bundle I had gotten from Fort Worth Fabric Studio a little while back.

This was one of their "Friday Bunches" a few weeks back and think it was called "Silent Movie."  Loved the black and white prints together... so fun!

I used the chalkboard fabric for the outside and then bits and pieces of the rest of the bundle for the inside pockets.

Bag Exterior

Bag Interior

I'm SO glad I ordered a million zippers from Wawak the last time they had a huge sale!  Honestly thought I went overboard and bought way too many (close to 200 total!), but now I'm seeing how quickly the stash is going down with every bag I make :-)  May have to keep an eye out for another sale soon!

I also FINALLY have my "top secret" project finished and should be able to share soon!  Just need to get it to the recipient before I do, seeing as though I don't know if he/she reads my blog or not.  Don't want to ruin a surprise.

Trying to decide what project is next on the list... I've got so many, I don't know which one to choose!  No more secret projects (I think) or projects with upcoming deadlines, so it may be time I finally made something for myself.  We'll have to see ;-)

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Saturday!

Linking up with Show Off Saturday at SewCanShe

Finish Friday: Busy As A Bee

With the arrival of my third "nephew" back in January, I've been in complete "baby mode."  The baby's nursery theme is "Bees and Honey," and I was having the HARDEST time finding fabric!  Seriously... checked out every online store I could think of, as well as JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby, and came back empty handed.  Well, that was until a couple of weeks ago.  Just happened to be browsing the aisles at JoAnn's and stumbled on some adorable bee flannel. Just knew it needed to be turned into something fun!  I already made a self-binding receiving blanket for him, but hadn't done one of my Cuddle Quilts yet.  Forty minutes later (having the hardest time matching colors for some reason), I was ready to go.

LOVE how easy these quilts are.  No time in getting the pieces cut, and even the main assembly is really quick.  Only issue I seem to have on each one of these is my basting stitches on the twists showing thru.  Thinking on this one I should have used white thread instead of black for the piecing... but ah well!  It was done and ready to give last weekend.  Mommy & baby love it!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Linking back to Fabric Friday at Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Finish It Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts , TGIFF at Quokka Quilts, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Link-A-Finish Friday at Richard & Tanya Quilts

Sewing Expo Recap (A Wee Bit Late)

I'm a little late with my post, but things at Chez Rosie have been a bit on the chaotic side lately.  Last Friday I headed off to the Cleveland IX Center for the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo with my mom and my sister's MIL.  It's and annual tradition for us, and so exciting this year because I actually do half the stuff that they demonstrate and know what I'm looking at.  Lol. 

I had a shopping list and everything!  Ha ha ha.  So many things I wanted to check out, and excited for the great deals ahead :D

Me, Mama, and Kath taking a break for lunch

I didn't take any classes, but had a blast shopping with the gals!  Mom was on a misson to find embroidery software, and after HOURS of walking around and exploring all the options, she finally settled on the Husqvarna Viking 6D software.  She got a KILLER deal too.... 50% off!!  Talk about a fabulous deal!  Honestly, I'm totally psyched she got it.  I've got a couple of designs I need for some upcoming projects that I've been unable to find.  What a great way to "play" with the new software!

I also took the opportunity to meet a fellow Missouri Star Forum member, Debbie MM (Debbie).  She was at the expo on the same day, mainly taking classes, but we were sure to meet up in-person for the first time.  So great to meet Internet friends :D

I wish I could say that I was "good," but I can't.  Well... technically, I was some-what good.  I followed Hubby's rule of "if it doesn't fit in the craft room, I can't buy it."  Lol.  No major purchases for me, but I did manage to pick up LOTS of great goodies!

Don't mind the mess in the background!  I didn't clean off my table before shooting pics.  Lol.  Included in my "haul" was....

• Tear-Away, Cut-Away, and Poly-Mesh stabilizers for my embroidery machine
• (6) Tea Towels (for co-worker Christmas gifts this year)
• BIG spool of embroidery machine bobbin thread
• Various spools of day-glow and neutral embroidery threads
• A package of the Bosal In-R-Foam Single Sided interfacing (just HAD to try it out!)
• A couple of 1-yard cuts and a couple FQ's
• A Viking 1/4" piecing foot and package of bobbins
• (2) Stuffed Lady Bug panels
• Couple of patterns
• A fabric stack for the "Betty Bag"

All-in-all, not too bad.  I was debating on going back on Saturday (Hubby offered to take me) to pick up some more of the big spools of embroidery thread and to see what kind of wheeling and dealing was going on with it being the last day of the expo, but decided against it.   I got enough stuff to keep me occupied for a while, and while I didn't "break the bank," I still hit my budgeted amount and didn't want to go over.

Already looking forward to next year's expo... is that sad?  Lol.  Was very happy this year though, going into it with some knowledge before hand of what I was looking for, what would be a good deal, what I needed, etc.  Completely beats last year's visit! 

National Quilting Day

Happy National Quilting Day to all my fellow quilters out there!  This is my first one, and I'm totally excited!  I've got big plans for my craft room this weekend.

Before I get started on some quilting, I got a bit sidetracked trying out this "Eggie" design I got from over at Uncle Matt's Crib.

I bought a bunch of fleece remnants a few weeks back from JoAnns specifically to try these out.  Not only were they easy to do (only took about 20 minutes) but it didn't even use much fleece.  1 yard of the anti-pill fleece will make LOTS of these guys!  All the parts of the face are just plain crafting felt.  So incredibly easy!  This one is for my niece, Miss L, who is OBSESSED with Elmo!  Better yet, I stuffed it using an old bed pillow that was on it's way to the garbage :-)

Now it's time to get to doing some quilting....

First up this weekend is at least one Cuddle Quilt. This one is for my new "nephew" and his nursery is bee-themed. I love these little quilts and got so excited when I found them at JoAnns a few weeks ago. Fabrics are pre-washed and ready to go. 

Hoping I can get minimally the cuddle quilt done, and really hoping I can get started on another gift. This one I won't be able to share until it's done as I don't know if she/he reads my blog or not. Don't want to ruin the surprise and the theme of the quilt would totally give it away!!

Off to go play in my craft room for the day. Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday!!

Linking up with Show Off Saturday at SewCanShe

Friday Finish - For the Hubby

I know every person out there who is married thinks the same thing.... I am the luckiest person in the world.  I'm here to tell you, I fit into that group as well!  Hubby and I have been together for almost 15 years (married for 10 years this October) and he is truly my best friend, my other half, my soul mate.  He loves me for who I am and says he wouldn't change a thing.  It is because of that love that I am the person I am today.  He supports me in whatever I want to do, and even "fuels the fire" a majority of the time, enabling me more than any one else I know.

Because of that, I knew I just had to make him something (well, other than another button-down shirt).  I knew he was going to get a quilt.... someday.  But when I found this "Family Guy" fabric over at the Fat Quarter Shop as one of their 24-Hour Flash Sale items, it was a perfect fit!

  "Family Guy" Quilt Details:

• Started: January 3, 2015       Finished: March 18, 2014
• Pattern: "Jack's Blocks" by A Bright Corner
• Fabrics: "Family Guy" Fat Quarter Bundle from the Fat Quarter Shop (No longer available), Country Classic Solid - Black
• Thread: Coats & Clark Cotton Multi - Gumballs
• Batting: Warm & Natural

This quilt should not have taken as long as it did, but my indecisiveness on the quilting added to the impromptu other projects that needed done caused it to get sidelined for a bit.  Overall, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, and I think Hubby is too!  

Now it's on to the next one...... :-)

Happy Friday Everyone!

Linking back to Fabric Friday at Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Finish It Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts , TGIFF at ayliN-Nilya, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Link-A-Finish Friday at Richard & Tanya Quilts