WIP: February 27, 2013

As we close February down, I am happy to say, I have done a pretty good job of accomplishing my goals. My first goal of not trying to join too many swaps is going well. Although I would love to do everything it is just not possible. My goal for more exercise is going well. I teach kindergarten and next week are parent conferences. I have 45 students, so this past week it has been difficult to get out for a run. With only 4 more reports to write I see the end of the tunnel . Now I just need to get the shoes on. Today is the day!! Finally the goal we are tAlking about... Works In Progress, this week I am working on drafting my own pattern. I am taking Design and Sew an A Line skirt on Craftsy. I finished drafting it on Monday night. I made my very first muslin ever, and last night I cut into some navy blue cord I have had for many years. I am not even sure when I bought it. Not only am I working on the goal of sewing more pieces for my wardrobe, I am also busting the stash!! The skirt is all sewn up I just need to hem it and take pictures! I hope to have it to wear out with my ladies on Friday night! The fit is not perfect... I should have taken the back darts in a bit more. For a first try it is pretty cute.

I also was able to get some more work done on my strip quilt for my nieces. I am hoping to have 40 blocks done by the end of the month to turn in to Mini Scrapbasket Block Swap on Flickr. They are due by the end of March so it is looking good.

What is inspiring you to create?

I am linking to:

Swapaholic!

Ever since I signed up for Flickr a few years ago I have been addicted. Flickr, is an online photo sharing social media network. Flickr is full of crafters whom love to swap their ideas. The Flickr world is full of quilters and sewists. There are different ways to swap on Flickr. You can become a member of a virtual quilting bee. I have done quite a few of these now. They have helped me to increase my quilting skills and learn a lot about modern quilting. You can also sign up for swaps. Swaps are usually short term and the turn around and completion is a lot faster than the year long quilting bee. I do like both venues. Bees are great because you get to know the group of people you work with over time. This is especially if you have an awesome Bee Mama whom plans all kinds of fun activities. I also love the swaps because you get to see all kinds of creativity and it is not always just quilts. It can be purses, aprons, bags etc. Over the last few years I have been a member of the following year long bees: Quilting Under the Rainbow Bee, Orange You Glad Bee, Sew Blues Bee, Modern 99, Promise Do Good Stitches, and Modern Block Party. I have also swapped blocks in the ADD a Border Block Group, 3X6 block group, Scrapbuster Block Swap, and the Mini Scrapbasket Block Swap. I have also been a part of Modern Scrappy Bits Swap, Modern She Made, Scrappy Mug Rugs, and Pretty Little Pouch Swap, After Sewing Summit Swap, Mouthy Stitches and For the Love of Solids. I am sure there are others I have joined that I am not remembering. This is the year that I am trying not to join in even though I really truly want to. I am trying to focus on sewing for me. Only joining bees that involve the ladies I have already made strong friendships with. I ma trying not to buy more fabric until I have used what I have. I am trying to stay focused to my goals and only work on the current projects I have already started. This said I am so jealous to watch the new sign ups come and go of a swap I truly love. So to say the least... have fun ladies at Modern She Made I will be watching your creations... with just a little bit of envy while patting myself on the back for sticking to my goals and resolutions.

This is the project I received last Modern She Made. I use it everyday and just love it... as you can imagine it is hard to turn down a spot.


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Moving into Wardrobe Sewing

This past fall at Sewing Summit I was so inspired to start sewing my own wardrobe again. When I was in high school I made all of my own clothes. This summer is my 20th Reunion from High School, so what better time to start up again. I have tried to make a vow with myself that I will limit the amount of clothing I buy to things I make for myself. I am also on a wellness challenge with work to try and loose a little bit of weight. So I am hoping the combination ends in my favor and I make some clothes that fit my body better. In High School I had two advantages, I had a perfectly skinny little body that fit patterns to the T, and I had my sewing teacher to help me draft clothing. Now is all I have is the internet. Well lucky me there is really so much information out there. Craftsy is an amazing platform for anyone wanting to learn just about anything crafty! I was given a great deal on the A-Line skirt class at The Sewing Summit, so I could not turn it down. My goal is to have a skirt sewn up by the end of the week. My girlfriends and I are headed to a concert on Friday in Boise and I would like to have some new duds to wear. I am thinking I will go with the new top I made last week and if I can get this ALine skirt done then tada... won't I be looking cute?

Well, tonight is all about drafting the pattern and hopefully on Monday I will be able to cut a Muslin and get it sewn together. I am thinking of making the skirt out of Corduroy. I better make sure I have enough before I get too big of a grand idea in my head! Check! In the wash to get it all ready for cutting!

What are you creating?

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Weekend Update

It has been a fun weekend. We went out skiing as a family yesterday. Boy was it cold. We received 3 inches of new snow and it was a pleasure to watch Sage try to get through the powder. Three inches to him are a big deal. At one point the wind was so strong that he had to take a little time out to warm up. I have been plugging through hand quilting my Circle of Nine quilt. It is not as east to FMQ and takes a long time. I really do want to get better at it so plugging away is the only way to do so.

We made this snowman back in December.  He got a little fresh snow on him.

Today is Sunday and we had a great time sledding this morning.  Sage and I had some pretty great giggles.  Now we are up to watching a little Sesame Street, working on a few sewing projects, napping and hopefully skiing and eating some tasty Barbeque tonight.  We will see what the hubby cooks up!

About those sewing projects I am still trying to bang out a few more string blocks to finish a top.  I would also like to draft up an A-Line skirt this week.  I am taking the Craftsy class and I would like to at least make up my muslin this week.  This year I am trying to make a few new pieces for my wardrobe each month.  This month I would like to make a few A Line skirts.  I bought a bunch of drafting books for myself for Christmas and need to put them into use!  I am really enjoying the classes I am taking on Craftsy.  I am also taking FMQ with Leah Day.  I have followed her blog for years; however the class is outstanding and I am really learning a few things that I did not pick up before.  I need to get my large 3 X 6 quilt quilted up.  Starting with Stitch in the Ditch.  I have practiced on a few smaller quilts, so now is the time to bite into the big one!!!

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WIP Inspiration

It is a good year to try and nail down some Works in Progress and get them finished up! There are so many cheerleaders out there. I have joined in on a few different groups to help encourage me to get things done. I am trying not to start any new projects that do not currently use up some of my stash. I am also trying not to start any new quilts until I finish up the ones I have already started. So is it possible that I make one more commitment to a cheerleading group. Well, I do not think it is a bad idea, because it keeps me honest and keeps me motivated. So thank you for stopping by to cheer me on.

What I have finished:

I would like to say this week I finished up a baby quilt for a dear friend. (However things got in the way and I did not post last week, so I actually finished this last week.)  She is not due until later this year so I am ahead of the game. However, she is not going to find out if it is a boy or a girl, so it was a bit hard for me to decide what colors to choose. I pulled fabric a few times, and then I decided I was going to stick with a block I received through the Add a Border group on Flickr probably over a year ago. When I received the orginal block I knew that it was going to be hard to let go, so I was holding on to it until I was inspired to create something really cool. Well, mission accomplished. I think it turned out great. I have been taking Leah Day's Class on Craftsy to learn more about Free Motion Quilting. The first part of the class is about stitching in the ditch. I am getting better at it, however it is not easy. I really like these small quilts to practice on. I have some really large quilts that need to be quilted and I am nervous to try them until I get better at some of these teqniques.

This year I have also made a commitment to make more wardrobe pieces for myself.

Last week I also finished up my renfrew top.  See Blog post here.

Well this week I have been working on finishing up a quilt for a dear friend that is under the weather.  The blocks were all donated by my Sew Blues Bee and the quilt we be sent out later this week.  See the  blog post here.

I am also excited to say that I finsihed up a few potholders I am giving away for a gift for a local charity group I am in called the Papoose Club.  The club helps to raise money for local children's activities where I live.  It has been really fun being involved with this group.  I would love to eventually make quilts to raffle off in their yearly raffle.  It was my goal last year to try and volunteer more often so I got involved with this group.  It is really hard for me to make the monthly meeting; however I do like doing the volunteer part. In a few weeks they are having a free ski race for the kiddos and I look forward to it.  Last year was the first time my son participated and it did not go all that well.  He went as fast as he could, but did not realize he was supposed to stop.  He is okay and I think he might want to do it again this year.  

Here is a picture of the potholders I am donating.  Each month at the meeting we give away a little gift. Everyone that wants a chance to win throws their name and a dollar into a basket.

The next picture is just a peek at a gift for a Flickr swap with the ladies I met at Sewing Summit.  I do not want to kill the surprise so it is just a little peek.

Current WIPs:

Now for the bigger chore, all of the works in progress that are not yet there.  I have been bitting off a bit each week.  Last week I was able to finish sewing up the blocks for my Under the Rainbow Top.  This project has been on a shelf for a long while.  I am finally motivated to finish it up.  I also laid out the design for the back and just need to sew it up. 

I also am working on a couple of quilts for my nieces.  I need to make 40 more string blocks to finish up the quilts.  I got a few more started but nothing finished.  I also need to do some piecing of letters.  I am going to use the Wonky Alphabet paper piece pattern.  My goal is to get this done by June for my niece's birthday.

I am also teaching myself to hand quilt.  Well not entirely.  I took Handstitched with Rachel at Stitched in Color.  However, I never really got around to practicing the hand quilting part so I am doing it now.  I am working on a Circle of Nine.  I took a class last Spring with Janet and am just getting around to quilting it.  I would like to have this one done by summer.  We will see.  My son asked how long it was going to take.  I am not sure how to answer that one.  Depends on how often I work on it I geuss.  I am leaving it out on the couch hoping this will inspire me to work on it.  

This weeks stats:

Projects finished this week:

Blue Belles Get Well Quilt

4 Potholders

Projects I worked on:

Under the Rainbow

String Quilts for my nieces

Circle of Nine handquilting

Bottled Rainbows

Other WIP with no progress:

Quilt blocks for our bedroom quilt

Curtains for our bedroom

Civil War Quilt

3X6 quilt (I finally have it basted I just need to get after the quilting.)

Felt Hat

Santa decoration

Maxi Skirt Details

Medallion Quilt

Projects I have the fabric for but have done nothing:

Polka Dot Amy Butler Apron Dress

Linen Amy Butler

Curtains for the upstairs door

Curves Quilt

Curtains for downstairs

Curtains for the laundry room

Weekender

Polaroid Sleeping Bag

Alabama Chanin Skirt

Pillows for students

Idea Pouch

Please go check out the other links at Freshly Pieced and The Freemotion Quilting Project.

Knit Renfrew Top Finish

I finished it finally!  I have been working on this shirt since October and the Sewing Summit.  Well maybe that is the problem.  I have not been working on it.  I can not believe how quick and easy it was and how great it came together.  I look forward to making more.   I just need to get through all of the other projects I have already commited to by buy fabric for them first.  I have promised that I can not buy any more fabric this year until I finish up all of the projects I already have fabric slated for.  The pattern is from Sewaholic the Renfrew top.  This year I really hope to make more articles of clothing for my wardrobe.

Sew Blues Fun Thanks Ladies

Sew Blues Fun, a set on Flickr.
Well, the year is off to a great start and projects are getting done. I have been having a really stressful time at work, and the sewing machine definately soothes those nerves. I have been working hard on making priorities and trying not to stretch myself too thin. I have been trying to do more excercise and put my little one first. Meanwhile, in the mix of it all I am still trying to get projects done. This one is a surprise for a friend of mine. My quilt group has put this quilt together for one of our bee members. I look forward to sending it on out.  I hope she likes it!

I have not used my walking foot much.  But decided to give it a try.  The quilting is a 1/4 inch on the side of each horizontal ditch.  I have been using the ideas on this blog Petit Design Co for ideas and tutorials for the walking foot.

The backing was put together by Moni of The Quilting Climber.

I used the tutorials on Cluck Cluck Sew and Canoe Ridge Creations to help get the binding put together.

Thanks for the inspiration 

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Come check out the other blogger's submissions.

Inspired to finish

I joined A Lovely Year of finishes and I actually finished my project in the first week of February. I needed to finish the back and quilt the top of this little baby quilt, and I did it. Yeah thanks for the inspiration! The original block came from the Add a Border group on Flickr. Thanks for the start ladies!

A Lovely Year of Finishes February

For February my goal is to finish this rainbow quilt. It is for a baby due in May... But it is small and great FMQ practice so I know it is doable before I tackle some of the bigger ones I would like to finish this year! I am not sure how I plan to quilt it yet. It is all ready to go I just need to be inspires. I plan to use rainbow thread because I love it.