Proud Crafty Grandma!

Been extremely busy this past few weeks sewing for my wholesale client--some special order aprons and working with beautiful Fall prints for their autumn stock. Will be busy ongoing, since the Christmas stock orders are piling up too!  Anyway, I have lots and lots of scrap materials when I sew continually.  I sort them into larger pieces for future crafting projects and strip pieces for future quilting.  

On Tuesday's my grandsons come over after music lessons and spend a few hours visiting.  Last week, Padraic, age 10, wanted to know if he could make something from the materials in my strip pile while I visited with his mom and entertained his little brother.  He chose the fabrics--took his lead from my crazy quilted Christmas stockings. (Previous post about them.)

Here's what he came up with:

Strip Christmas tree!

He took it home to hang.  I don't know if he decorated it or not!  My daughter saves all kinds of materials for his projects at home, including toilet paper rolls and Popsicle sticks and boxes.  Once he made a castle with these kind of materials!  He's very crafty; he loves to make things, using his hands! Anyway, I am a proud grandma--my family is following in my footsteps!!!!

Use it up, wear it out, made do or do without!

Weekend Crafting Activity with Scraps

Spent the weekend crafting with scraps!  If you know me at all, you will know that I don't get rid of fabric scraps!  I separate them all into piles of like sizes and if there are pieces that are at least 5 inches square I immediately cut them into circles for sewing into yo-yos at a later time.  With all my scraps sorted, I have to designate a time to use them up!  Well, this weekend was one of those times.

I sorted out scraps of green and pink in all sizes. Then sewed like sized pieces together in twos.

(Sometimes, threes, to make a small block.)

Some twosies!

 Next I sewed together several "blocks", making larger "blocks"

Sometimes this meant that I needed to cut them slightly, to fit.

Don't worry about uneven sides, nor try to match seams.  This is not purest quilting!  It's upcycling your scraps into a beautiful project that will cost you nothing but time! You end up with sheets of  patchwork "fabric", size depending purely on the scraps you have and your own process.

 Mine ended up to be approximately 14" by 20" which as perfect for the project that I had in mind. But yours could be fat quarter size or any size you prefer.

What did I make from my patchwork fabric (and some other scraps of trim)?

What-do-ya-think?  Pretty good, huh, from my scrap pile!

Linking today with:

Create-with-Joy's Inspire Me Monday

Monday's Inspiration Project!

Two weeks ago I asked for my readers' input on choosing some fabrics for a project. Most people didn't like the bright pink option for my Spring project, although I did. Sew . .  I took their advice--thanks to all who commented-- I  left out the bright fabric from my project.  I will use it in another project!  Here is the original inspiration post. Actually, in leaving out the bright pink, I played off of the focus piece of fabric with the ice blue in it and used that color for the flower blossoms--although I don't think it shows up well on my monitor--hope it comes out better on yours!

Although I am not completely finished with this mini art quilt, because it needs "a little tweaking",  I thought  might share it anyway with the Inspire Me Monday linky today.  Here is the nearly finished mini quilt.

I'm going to add another small "branch" to the bottom left corner!  It looks a little bare in that portion of the piece!   May add a few more embellishments too!  Later this piece will be available in my new shop, AbigailJayneArt.  Love to have you visit in April when I open.  (should be between the 10th and the15th.)

Thanks to all my readers for participating in this little project! 

 I appreciate you! 

In Progress!

Some time back, I started a scrap quilt and had wanted to finish in one weekend.  But, alas, life interrupts us, and the quilt went into the unfinished black hole. . . er . . . box!  I am now a guest in a friend's awesome studio, with lots of room for quilting.  I had wanted to quilt three already finished tops into finished quilts in the time that I will be here in this studio.

One block of the unfinished top

I started on the afore mentioned scrap quilt and was going along at a pretty good pace, when I ran out of the thread that I had brought.  You would think that my friend's studio would have some similar black thread that I could use and replace, but no!  I tried some thread that she did have, but I think it was a fine, silky machine embroidery thread, and it just would not work in the quilting machine!  When I put it in the bobbin case and tried to use it, it just made a mass of  loops on the bottom side of the quilt, no matter what I did!  I tried everything!  I finally gave up. (Remember, I am still learning.)  So here's what I have done so far and I will try  to finish it again today with some different thread that I bought.   BTW, this is free motion quilting, for those of you who are not quilters, as I know not all my readers are.

Same block  with finish quilting

I sure would like to finish this soon, so I can go on to the next one!  I hope to show you the finished quilt later this week!  Wish me luck!

Mundane Life?

At the first of the year, many of us reevaluate our lives.  I have been thinking, seriously, about all the tasks that fill up my life and where I am, that I really don't want to be.  Yes, I often get serious and tell myself that I am not where I had wanted to be, even where I had purposed to be, even as late as last year.  My goals for last year were not all accomplished and are still goals.  Am I at a standstill?

Just what did I fill up my life with, last year?  Well, besides the family sporting events and gatherings, house sitting for friends, running my online shops, blogging, and church activities, most of my life was filled with everyday activities.  You know, making breakfast, lunch and dinner -- when I couldn't convince hubby to go out to eat!  Then there was the laundry once a week and grocery shopping, and don't forget the dishes!  I didn't finish my children's book, nor work in my personal scrapbook, as I would have liked, adding all those photos that I gleaned when I visited my mom's house.  But--stick with me here--it's not all mundane.   There was creativity in my life. Yes, not all of my creative projects were finished and are still in the "unfinished" box.   The question is, will those projects stay unfinished?  Will I let my mundane life take over my creativity?   Emphatically, NO!

Here's a quick look at my unfinished projects as a way of reminding myself--and letting you hold me accountable--what needs to be finished! (And these are just a few from my box!)

Hubby's Lighthouse quilt

My "Doily Bubbles" quilt

My children's book illustrations

Besides all my projects that need to be started and finished:

More apron styles for my wholesale line

More yo yo's to make!

And new coaster designs!

Well, all I can say is:  "I better get to it!"  

How about you, what's in your unfinished box?

Holiday Weekend Project Incomplete

Well, I didn't complete my goal for the holiday weekend! I had wanted to finish an entire quilt during the long weekend, but other things seem to always get in the way of one's plans!  I had in mind a 'crayon box quilt',  anyway that's what I call it.  Lots of primary colors all surrounded by black lattice work with a black and colorful backing.   "Should be a fun project" I thought.  And I did have enough supplies to finish it in one weekend! 

My fabric scrap pile had been getting higher and higher!  So I sorted out some larger pieces and some strip pieces like in the photo below.  I tried to stick to "crayon" colors--brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink etc.--for the larger pieces.  Since I was using my scraps, some of these are relative with small gauge prints, like the one pictured here for brown. 

squares and strips 

I then added strips of fabric in a simple log cabin style around the squares to frame them.

Here's one that was completed.

I got the top all together, and, wouldn't you know, decided I wanted the finished product larger.  So that meant adding some more blocks.

So I picked out some suitable fabric pieces but got side-tracked by a friend on Sunday.  She had some other plans, which were fun, but didn't allow me to finish.   Then on Monday, Veterans Day, I realized that I have a big craft show coming up next weekend, so I shelved the quilt project in favor of  more expedient inventory projects.

Oh well, there is always another day . . . . 

What have you shelved lately? 

Long Ago's Project Finished!

I have projects that are unfinished, I know you do too.  But I just had to tell you about this one project that I just FINISHED!  Such accomplishment I feel! 

I had a stack of fabric (and some trim), that I bought, actually when I lived in another state!  It was intended for my daughter.  She wanted a table runner for her newly painted living/dinning room.  No problem! So I bought some fabric.  But . . . . you know how it goes, life happens!  Well, I finished her table runner today!  Yay!

It's reversible, one side for everyday, and one side for special occasions.  And you know what?  When I got the stack down from the shelf, a receipt fell to the floor.  You know what date it had on it?  03-15-2002!  How do you like that?  I hope she likes it after all this time. 

And, I don't know what I was thinking, back in 2002, but I bought a ton of fabric, nearly three yards of each of these purples!  Anyone else need a table runner?  It might be done by 2020!  hee hee!  :-)

T-Shirt Quilt in Progress



Colleen's Life T-Shirt Quilt

 I know, I know . . . . I did an "in Progress" post a few weeks ago . . . .and I never showed the finished project!  Well, I'm like most of you, I think, and I have several projects going at one time.  The quilted baby blanket that I spoke about earlier is not finished.  The quilting being done is taking quite some time, and is difficult on my old sewing machine.  I definitely want a walking foot for Christmas!!!
Interruptions of a craft show, my Design shop Birthday sale, house sitting for a friend, a giveaway, and choir dresses to hem--eight of them--have impeded my progress! I will get back to the quilt soon and show it to you!  I promise!! 

Anyway, I want to show another project that I am working on.  I know . . I know . . . I've featured my oldest granddaughter in several posts lately, but I want to follow-up on one that I wrote about her graduation present.  (You may have missed it, because it was also about the Last day of the Sale that I hosted--I think it got lost in all the sale hype!) I can finally show you the work in progress.  Her Life T-Shirt Quilt:

Mind you, it is not finished, I will finish it when I am house sitting again at my friends house over Thanksgiving. She has an awesome huge sewing room and I will finish the quilt there. My friend recommended using this 'quilt as you go method.'  The seams are cut in a fringe style and I really like it since t-shirt material tends not to fray and this makes a nice finish for the quilt. 

This quilt has several layers. When cutting a portion of the front of a t-shirt, I cut an identical piece from the back side and used it for a batting. The printed portion is re-enforced with a thin iron on interfacing to provide stability for each design, and besides, it's t-shirt material, very stretchy.  I needed to do something to limit the stretch.  Then the backing, not shown, is a flannel.  This quilt will be very soft and cuddly when it is finished!  I can't wait to see it finished!!

What are you working on that may have taken a back seat to another project?

" . . . Use it up! Or do without!"

Ok, Let's talk about a word that we all avoid . . . "Broke!"

What do you do creatively when your broke . . . . busted . . . . no money!??? Can't go to the local supply store and get supplies!

No problem, we're all into recycling and upcycling, aren't we?  First things first--instead of taking your lunch at the kitchen table and wallowing in pity, pack it up and head out to the river bank to eat it!  That's what I do.  Nothing inspires and rejuvenates me more than a look at the water and wildlife.  No river?  Well, how about a park, or the local garden on their free day?  Anyway, back home I begin looking through my unfinished projects, my stash, and my library.  If that doesn't work to spark creativity, I then take a look at what hasn't sold and see if I can "recycle" it!  Kinda like us girls who occasionally want a 're-do' or an 'up-do' for our own good looks, so maybe a few of our products could use a re-do too! 

If you're stuck creatively, try one of these little tips and see what you can come up with that's NEW!  

Here's my new project.  I didn't sell these pillow covers, although they're really cute, so I will be using the tops for squares of a quilt about air balloons! I have the basis of the quilt and can use my fabric stash for the rest! How fun is that?  

A few thoughts . . .

Bloggers have to make decisions from time to time, or their blog will stagnate. I've been thinking about changes to my blog for some time now. I've decided to share some of my recent thoughts and actions with you, my faithful readers . . .

I was a little uninspired about the blog and felt stuck in a rut! I thought about how to get myself inspired to write. I asked a few of my blogger friends, and they suggested that I have a theme for each day, that would help me keep rolling along. You know, like Wordless Wednesdays, Friday Features, etc. I still thinking that one through, although I do now participate in the Wordless Wednesdays--they're fun!

Cloud Reflections in Water - nature always inspires me!

I had fun this weekend, doing this blog revamp! I always wanted three columns but really wasn't comfortable messing with the html codes to get it. Once I had my son try to help me, but he didn't have enough time to figure it out either. So when Blogger introduced the new design options, I was thrilled! I'm not finished, yet, still working on my plan and excited about it!



P.S. Had a new grand baby last night! Ada Margaret arrived! Will try to show a picture soon!

New Bed Quilt

Don't ya just love fabrics? I do!

I'm wanting to pick out some fabrics for a new quilt for my bedroom. My old one is falling apart. Actually it is an imported promotional (cheap) quilt. I loved the colors and the patterns when I bought it. My room was done in a forest pattern, with bears--which I love-- and Canadian geese with a cabin like, mountain feel, complete with miniature pine trees and real pine cones--I love them too! It reminded me of the mountains that I love, but no longer lived in. I have enjoyed the quilt for several years, but because it was not well made, it has not worn well. Oh well, it served it's purpose! (Can you tell, I love the outdoors!)



I now live in a forested area and want a change (just a little one) in my bedroom, which also doubles as my sewing room. I am wanting something a little simpler. I want the quilt to still have greens and browns but with an ivory background fabric. I have found the pattern that I want, but not the fabrics. This calls for a trip to the fabric store!! Yay!! (Of course, I will be checking the Etsy fabric shops!--goes without saying!)



Here's the pattern I have chosen, but I will change it slightly. Foresty, right? I'll show the fabrics after purchase! Should be a fun new adventure!!!

Book Review

If you will notice, in the right hand column, I have recommended a book, and today I am adding another one to the list. There are loads of books available on every project for crafting, sewing, quilting etc. most of which are a little disappointing when you get them home! When I find one that I want to refer to over and over, I will recommend it.

Contemporary Quilting, by Cindy Walter and Stevii Graves is one such book! It's colorful, innovative, instructional and just plain fun! It is divided into three sections: The Evolution of Contemporary Quilting; The Projects; The Gallery. You'll love some of the projects, and the gallery has some awesome award winning quilts! It provides a heavy dose of inspiration, if for nothing else than color combinations! I highly recommend it!

Make your own!

How do you store all those earrings? How do you know what you have? Those cute little store bought holders that look like a flower or a little animal and only hang 8 or 10 pair of earrings just won't cut it when you love earrings! Or when you make earrings! I have dozens! So I made my own holder and you can too! Here's how:

You will need some thin balsa wood strips (mine were about 1/2 inch square by 36" long) from the hobby store; some quilting batting; and some glue or tacks.

1) I just made a frame that is about 7 inches by 36 inches tall. You can make it any size you need. Just cut the wood to size with a sharp knife or saw. (I made it this size because I had a wall space that was between the patio door and the closet door. It's all the space I had! I've moved since then , but still use it!)

2) Then use the glue and tacks to put together a frame and don't forget the cross supports. Plan the size you need with the supports. Supports can be at the corners (making a triangle) if you have a larger span than I did.

3) Then cover the whole frame with the batting. You can glue it down or just use the tacks to hold it stretched over the frame. The finished product will be extremely light. You can hang the frame over push pins in the wall.

Scrappy Days!

You know what it is like to be in-between projects? Not knowing where to start next? You've got supplies and fabrics and, probably, half-finished projects, but you still struggle to begin a new project! That's where I am right now. Christmas, and it's associated projects are over; the bazaar season is over for now; and I don't know what to begin next! So, today I got out my boxes, looked thru my stash and my supplies; and on the way cleaned and organized a few things. All the while, looking for inspiration! I'm still short some yellow fabric for the landscape quilt . . . I need hot pink thread to finish some coasters . . . I haven't decided what to do with a bag full of browns that inspired me back in the fall!

Then there's all those scraps from all my previous projects!! Don't you just hate all those left-overs! I like COMPLETED projects where THERE ARE NO LEFTOVER FABRICS! Always there is this dilemma--what to do with the scraps! I love fabrics and want to do something useful with them! I don't want to waste anything! Coming up with ideas to use the leftovers is challenging!

So . . . today I pulled out the scraps and used some of them to make coasters! Little log cabin patchwork type coasters using fabrics left from my latest quilt projects. They turned out a little larger than usual coasters, but that's OK. It's creative! Besides, some people use mongo cups for their drinks! They need larger coasters, don't they?

Try something scrappy today! You'll feel so satisfied with yourself, besides getting rid of all those leftovers!!!