Playing Catch-Up

With all the sewing I've done over the last two months for church activities and Christmas gifts I got slightly behind in both of my BOM clubs. So today I devoted some time to playing catch-up and am now just one block (set of 4) behind. Hopefully tomorrow will find that one complete. But here is a look at those completed today: Block #3 in the $5 club: Balkan Puzzle

Block #4 in the $5 club: Sunlight and Shadow I really like this block and am contemplating making a large quilt just repeating this block throughout...we will have to see.

Month 3 in the Kaleidoscope of Kolor: Sister's Choice Star (set of 4) and Month 4 in the Kaleidoscope of Kolor: Star of Wonder (set of 4)

A Little of This A Little of That

What a crazy week! I spent most of it at the sewing machine sewing up costumes for the nativity program that we put on at our church Christmas party Friday night. When not busy with this major project the boys and I were busy with their schooling and the poor girls felt totally neglected. But mommy is all their's (that would be all four of them) again and they are happy campers. I did manage in all the choas to find some time over the weekend to do some pleasure sewing and I enjoyed every minute of it. I started this project several weeks ago but had to put it to the back burner as other things cropped up. Well it is complete and I am very pleased with how it turned out. A project that I will certainly be doing again in the future. A Big THANK YOU to May Britt for sharing the pattern. And these pot holders went together in a snap and will be a great gift for the person it is going to.

Santa's been Busy

Well here it is just three days prior to Thanksgiving and I am proud to say that my Christmas shopping is complete. I can almost say the same for the gifts that I make but not quite. Over the weekend I completed aprons for the girls to go into their stockings (Santa is bringing them a kitchen) and completed Sarah's Christmas dress. Now on to Ivy's. While working on the pink apron for Sarah she happened by and saw what I was working on. She was absolutely sure it was for her since it was pink so I told a bit of a white lie and said, "It is for a little girl at church". Luckly I have done enough sewing for friends at church that she totally believed me and well, it is for a little girl at church, my little girl. I think that is one of my most favorite parts of Christmas, the homemade gifts. And this Christmas I have succeeded in making most of those that I am giving. The biggest of which is still in construction. My husband has wanted a denim (jeans) quilt for about 10-years and I am finally getting off my rump and getting it made for him. I'll be sure to post photos of it at some point prior to Christmas. Some of my other fun holiday gift projects I will not be able to post as the recipient (Mum) checks this blog out frequently and rather then letting the cat out of the bag I will have to hold those till after the holidays. But speaking of the holidays, I love Sew, Mama, Sew's Handmade Holiday. There are loads of great gift ideas and links to more fun things. Be sure to hope over and check it out if you have not already.

Those Mitts

I stumbled upon this blog a couple weeks ago while hunting around for ideas for Christmas gifts and immediately knew that I had to give Leslie's tutorial for the mitts a try as a stocking stuffer for my husband. Now if you know me, you know that knitting is not my favorite hobby. Give me a crochet hook or sewing needle any day. But in starting and completing this project over the weekend I may just be converted to enjoying knitting. That and both of the boys are quite enamored with them and have been asking nonstop for a set of their own. With homeschooling them, doing them in secret will be a bit of a challenge. This pattern is pretty quick to do though even for a non-knitter such as myself and I found that I actually enjoyed doing it. So a big thank you to Leslie for sharing her talents and the pattern.

Sew Pretty

I am really enjoying a new book the local library got in, so much so that I am tempted to purchase one for myself. Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle is absolutely loaded with neat projects perfect for the holiday gift giving. I completed this make-up bag that can be found in it and plan to do up a few other projects from it for Christmas gifts to loved ones. And did I mention that I absolutely love this fabric line, Cotton Bloosoms from Moda.

Costume Parade

Well here is a look at the children in the costumes I put together for them. Sarah, at three almost four was very insistant that she wanted to be a "Pink Princess Butterfly". So I found a flower girl dress pattern that had a "princess" look to it and jumped on Jo-Ann fabric's $1.99 a yard sale of costume satin and together with some trim I already had was able to put this together. The wings and crown were also purchased at Jo-Ann's using 40% off coupons. Why pay full price if you don't have too :-) My original plan for Ivy was that of Raggedy Ann (at 2 1/2 years she is still young enough to not put up a fight on what she wants to be) but things fell trough on putting that costume together so we pulled out the Little Red Riding Hood costume I made Sarah last year. It fit perfectly and she was a doll. Isaiah was quite happy to recycle the cape I made for last year's Dracula and with the addition of a red satin bow tie and a cumber bun he made for a handsome magician. Now perhaps it is because he is the oldest or maybe the fact that he is a history buff, but Caleb always comes up with the most interesting costumes. Last year he went as George Washington (his hero) and this year he chose to go as an archaeologist (not Indian Jones mind you but an archaeologist). This costume was a bit more interesting to put together as we had to really use our heads to come up with props that would help show that he was not Indiana Jones. I think my favorite prop was that of the pastry brush (for brushing dirt off the fossils). He also put some of his favorite rocks into the bucket he carried (which also housed his candy). I hope each of you had a fun and memoriable Halloween....Happy Haunting to all

Cute Basket

I have admired Pink Pinguin's basket tutorial for quite sometime and final gave it a go on Sat. using some scraps left from making a quilt for my sister. I am please with how it turned out and can see doing may more in the future. Be sure to check out Pink Pinguin's blog for more fabulous example and the tutorial. She posts links to other bloggers who have completed baskets at the close of each of her posts. Be sure to check it out.

Sew Busy

Whew! I am so glad this weekend is about over as the last couple weeks leading up to yesterday have been crazy busy. We had our annual Super Saturday craft event at church yesterday in which I organized 4 of the 10 classes and taught 2 of them. Talk about exhausting....I did not want to get out of bed this morning. But I managed to and the day has gone on. Now that we are half way through October I am really getting focused on putting together costumes for the kiddos. I began sewing on my 3-year old's costume this week and I am getting so excited about. She has made it clear for three weeks now that she wants to be a "Pink Princess Butterfly". So we purchased a set of "wings" and I am just about finished sewing a pink satin flower girl dress that looks very "Princess'ish" and she is just as tickled with it as I. Other costumes in the works are those of Little Red Riding Hood, a Magician and an Archaeologist. The last would be for my 10-year old. He always picks some very interesting costumes. Last year he went as George Washington (his hero). A friend of mine also asked that I put together a sleeping beauty costume for her youngest daughter so when I am finsihed here I will head in to get a start on that one. But before I do that I wanted to share some more cell phone purses with you. The two pink ones went to Mum's, one being for her birthday and the other she request for a friend. The other 5 were disperse to ladys at church whom had put in requests for some. They are super quick to put together and always have great results. Another quick project are these Lunch bags: The pattern can be found here. They also work great as gift bags.

Bartering Still Works

A dear young woman from church does an amazing job with hair and since I was in need of a new do we worked out a deal. I sew a dress for her daughter and in exchange I get a new hair cut. Being a bit camera shy I did not do a before and after photo session but did get a photo of my end of the bargain before handing it off to Jane. I love the barter system! I've also spent some time this last week working on a couple projects that I'd love to share but as they are birthday gifts for Mum the posting of them will have to await her birthday next Friday...stay tuned

A Warm Completion

At the start of each year I begin an afghan that I dub my "take along" project. It is my project that I keep in the car to have on hand at various doctor/speech pathology/dental appointments for the children. Saturday while at a church activity for the children I was able to put the final rows into it and am excited to have it completed. I have done this particular pattern a total of 10 times and I like the simplicity of it. It works great as a take along project because I don't have to refer to a pattern each time I pick it up to refresh myself as to where I left off. And it makes a lovely gift.

A Little Tweet for You

I had a bit of funthis weekend at the sewing machine and after the spell away it felt wonderful. First up was the sewing of some super fun bird ornaments that I found in Joelle Hoverson's book, Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts. I used the beautiful fabric I recieved from Christine in the Christmas in July ornament swap we participated in an it was perfect for this project. Thanks again for the fabric Christine! I was able to get a total of six birds from the 2 fat quarters and the kiddos had a grand time helping to stuff the "Birds". Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson has a fabulous pattern for sale called "Paper or Plastic" which I purchased several months ago. I finally gave the "Plastic" bag a try today and am very impressed. Think it will also have to go on the must do for the holiday/birthday gift list. Wonder if I can get the 6-cent per bag rebate on my bill at the grocer as I do with the green bags...will have to give it a try. At any rate I will certainly be making more of these.

Captain's Fancy BOM 1

With homeschooling my two boys I have not been able to do near as much sewing as I usually do. But yesterday I did manage to put together the first block in the new BOM program I am participating in. Have a look:

Cell Phone Bag

I have discovered a new pattern that shall work up great into Christmas and birthday gifts. Quiltsmart has a pattern out for a Cell Phone Bag that is super quick and easy to put together and after the initial purchase of the pattern is fairly inexpensive to make loads of. This bag goes together in about 20-minutes and at most has two seams. I am sure that photos of these will frequent the blog over the next few months as I get into the gift giving/making mode of the holidays. Be sure to check them out. This tote/purse is just the right size for any cell phone and has an additional pocket to put driver's license and debit/credit card.

Bagsket

I have wanted to try out the "Bagsket" tutorial provided by Suzanne of Foofanagle for months and when Linda came up with the bag/bucket swap I thought, "what a perfect opportunity". So using Joanna's fabric line, Dandelion Girl and adding in a stitchery design from Crabapple Hill I came up with this: Suzanne's pattern was fairly easy to follow and I really like the end results. I just might have to put one together for myself as well.

Baby Blessings

A friend from church was recently blessed with one of the most beautiful baby boys ever (I say one because I believe my son, Isaiah was the most beautful :-)) and I recieved the honor of making a blessing outfit for the little guy which I had completed and rady for the baby shower earlier this week. It was well recieved and I enjoyed getting to make it for them.

Various TutorialsTried

August seems to be my month to finally get the chance to try out some of the awesome tutorials I happened upon over the winter months. A friend from church had a baby shower the other night and I took advantage of the chance to try out Joanna's tutorial for cloth baby shoes and Jody's great example of turning cloth diapers into snazzy burp towels. Both tutorials were very easy to follow and very quick to put together. And of course the fabric options are endless. And of course they make wonderful gifts for the new mommy. Have a look:

Kidlet Tote

I have wanted to make these Kidlet Wall Pocket-Tidy Tote's since I first saw them on Jennifer's blog . I finally had some free time this weekend to make some and the children are just as thrilled as I am with them. Jennifer's tutorial was very well written and easy to follow for anyone with a basic knowledge of sewing. We allow the children to read in bed for a few minutes at bedtime, (we know that just because it is bedtime does not necessarily mean one is tired plus this encourages an interest in reading). And I have been on the look out for something to hung by their beds to keep a couple of books handy. When I stumbled upon this idea I knew it was right up my alley. I can also see making many more for birthday party gifts. The first two pictured are for each of the two boys. Their bedroom is decorated with a red/white/blue color scheme hense the chosen fabrics for their totes. I made three of the following fabric color way. One for each of the two girls and an additional as a "big Sister" gift. A friend just had a new baby and they will be having a baby Shower this next week and I wanted to give the new big sister a gift as well. How great would they be with the child's name on them.

Bag Swap Sneak Peak

Here is another peak at the progress being made on the bag/bucket swap. Sorry the photos are not so great: A peak at the patchwork top band of the bag. A little look at the stichery that will be around the bottom of the bag.

A Kaleidoscope of Kolor BOM 1

Saturday I attended the start of a new BOM program at one of my local craft shops. The program is called A Kaleidoscope of Kolor and was designed by Thea D. Jirak of The Quilt Connection. This months block is called Kaleidoscope Star and with be the center of this gorgeous quilt. I started piecing it together last night and finished it up this afternoon. It was a quick block to assemble and I love the jewel tones in it.