Finishes 17: "I've Been Working on the Railroad..."

Close-up of pinwheel blocks

It'ss getting late and I wasn't sure if I would be able to get this post up before the day ends!  I wish I could say it is because I was busy sewing or cuddling, but instead, I got distracted by watching TV shows on the computer.  Well on to my bit in tonight's show.  I was only able to get one quilt top completed with a matching square for the signature block on the back!  

The quilt top without the yellow border

The quilt top with the yellow border

Close-up of the pinwheel blocks next to the yellow border.

Brown striped fabric along with the signature block for the back.

The upper half of my face.

You will be seeing a lot more quilt tops completed over the summer months.  However it may be a while until I can show you completed quilts (with stuffing, quilting and binding).  My machine is quite weary and cannot handle much more than piecing so hopefully the tops can be counted as finishes for Fridays until I can get a new machine that can handle quilting with me.  It does great with piecing until we get to the part where I want to quilt stitch the top!  Then there is problems with the bobbin, tension, needles, the operator...so I think this is best for now.  I think I have made up my mind to use a dark purple print for the border on the newest of my Jacob's Ladder quilts (See Post from Monday). What do you think?  Should I go with another color?


Linking up this week to:
TGIFF hosted this week by Christine @Quilt Monster In My Closet
Finish It Up Friday hosted by Amanda Jean@Crazy Mom Quilts

Finishes-2012-W8: "Chilling Like a Baby Villain..."

My husband likes to ask our one-week old daughter, "Are you Chilling like a baby villain?"  Now I have no idea what it means but its the cutest thing!  We are delighted to announce that I have completed my greatest project for 2012, the birth of my daughter, Ziona!  After about 24 hours of labor, 1 hour of pushing I still ended up with a c-section because she came out 1oz shy of 8lbs, not bad for two weeks "early" I'd say!  I took the picture to the right to represent my 39th week of pregnancy.

Needless to day with my restrictions after surgery my project count is low, although I did complete my 12 Wonky house blocks, 20 wonky green tree blocks and a million signature blocks (I will have extras for other projects for sure!) just 2 days before I went to the hospital, so I am pleased.  You can find the pictures for the rest of these blocks HERE on my flickr page!


Linking up this week to:
TGIFF hosted this week by Rhonda @Quilter In The Gap
Finish It Up Friday hosted by Amanda Jean@Crazy Mom Quilts
& This Week hosted by Sunni @Love Affair With My Brother!

Finishes-2012-W4: By the Seat of My Pants...

Welcome!  It has been a couple weeks since I posted a finish, but I figure since I have been working on my baby-growing project, no one minds too much.  Here's an update of my projects...

Ziona:
I have now visited the hospital twice in the past week (we just got home a couple hours ago from trip #2);  I am now in the "early labor" stage which basically means I get the fun of contractions without the progress of getting a child at the end of the round.  They tell me that this will be on-going for perhaps a whole week or more!  Needless to say I will be taking a short break from posting for probably the next couple of weeks or so...


Christmas Advent Calendar:  The stitches have been ripped out and I have started to come up with a plan for FMQ the top.  I should have posted a picture of the back of this project, which was truly dreadful before the stitches were removed!  I had some serious tension issues so there were both tight and loosen threads on the back.

Cowboy Table Topper:  More tiny star parts have been assembled, they need to be squared up before making into tiny stars.  I am hoping this might be a nice project to work at while sitting and resting these next weeks.  This is a project a friend asked me to make so I am eager to get it completed!


Wonky House Block Swap:
My husband gave me the idea of making a wonky igloo instead of the traditional wonky house (he's so clever)!  We are from Alaska, but we did not actually live in an igloo, although you'd be surprised how many people ask us if we have or assumed that we did!  Many of my blocks look similar because each block is going to a different person so I did not get too crazy making them too different so I have only posted 5 completely done so far.  Please check out my Flickr account to see all the blocks that I finished (I will post them as I get each one finished)!

Linking up this week to:
TGIFF hosted this week by Lynette @What a Hoot,
Finish It Up Friday hosted by Amanda Jean@Crazy Mom Quilts
& This Week hosted by Sunni @Love Affair With My Brother!
Don't forget to check out Laura's QAYGFMQQAL@Quokka Quilts!!

Finishes-2012-W2: "Stay..Just a Little Bit Longer..."

"Stay..inside a little bit longer..."  I keep saying to [my favorite WIP] my little Ziona.  She is all about kicking & moving, especially when she hears her Daddy's voice; I can tell she is eager to meet the world as well!  I was expecting to have some new pictures to show you of her, but she is turned away and right where she is supposed to be!  She is also already 6 lbs they told me, and they were worried.  I guess 6 lbs with 7 weeks to go means that she just might be a big baby; oh what a scary thought!  I had to do the sugar test, which is pretty nasty and I think Ziona didn't like it either (She was extra energetic kicking and bouncing etc for about 18 hours).  I then spent a very stress-filled Wednesday pacing instead of posting, but thankfully they called me first thing Thursday morning to tell me that everything is normal and they are just going to watch her closely (I now have 3 doctors watching her closely meaning 2 doctor visits per week, ugghh).  This will be my first delivery and the furtherest we've gotten in any of our pregnancies (3rd pregnancy, 5th child) so I am pretty eager to hold Ziona in my arms and see that she is safe and whole.


I cut out the pattern for her baptism gown last night and I am now debating over fabric choices (lacy fabric over an underskirt or a patterned white cotton with a little bit of lace..hmmm???) and wrestled over sizes too!  Which way do you think I should go?  I would post a picture so you's have a better idea of what I am talking about, but I am almost out of time before I can link up to TGIFF (15 minutes to go!).

I am doing a little bit of the happy dance over here as well because I finally got the Modern Twist Quilt completed!  I forgot to buy "color-catchers" so I don't dare wash it yet.  I am hoping to get it to the winners by the end of this next week though.  I really like how it turned out, especially since it was larger than I had first anticipated.  When I started it I put together the fabric strips for the binding I was planning to use (when it was baby-quilt sized) and thankfully I must have miscounted because I literally had only 3" or 4" of binding left over when I connected the final pieces!  It finishes at 60"X 60" which is the largest quilt that I have completed so far (previously it was a 45"X 60") and it gives me hope of being able to make a quilt for our own bed some day (after I replace my machine with a bigger throat space and less quarks that is).  Okay!  I think I am going to make it to both of the parties after all with a few minutes to spare!

Linking up this week to:
TGIFF hosted this week by M-R @Quilt Matters,
Finish It Up Friday hosted by Amanda Jean@Crazy Mom Quilts
& This Week hosted by Sunni @Love Affair With My Brother!
Don't forget to check out Laura's QAYGFMQQAL@Quokka Quilts!!

Finishes-2012-W1: Ringing in the New Year...

Flickr, Picnik, & Techno-vations in blog-o-sphere
The last week of the old year I opened up a Flickr account, something I have been meaning to do for quite a while.  If you have a Flickr account look me up [Sparrow In Flight] and send me your contact information, I love looking at other people's photo-streams!  Now that I have formed an attachment to Picnik my pictures are looking so much better these days!  I am hoping to keep up with adding my project pictures while they are still in process, even if I do not end up being able to put together a post after my baby girl Ziona is born.  Have you noticed that you can now make uncluttered print-outs & PDF's using Print-Friendly from my own posts[you can add a gadget to your own blog to make each posting or tutorial "print-friendly"]?  I found out about this from Madame Samm and its another techno-vation that I am in-love with now!

Wonky House Block Swap
My First week of the new year and I am so excited about the projects that I have been working on!  As if I haven't put enough on my plate I was accepted in the Wonky House block Swap in a last minute group addition, my very first block swap!  I am super excited, especially since we will be using brights and I have so many random ones in my stash that I could use.  You should check out their Flickr group, such cute ideas!  I will be posting my house blocks there as well as here so you can see my first attempts at a "wonky" house, lol.


Finishes for this week:

Two Flannel placemats in lime green, sky blue, & dark Blue

Valentine's Day Table runner in various shades of pink, red cream, & white

2 Valentine's day Mug Rugs using "crumbs", cream background, red backing & binding.

I also finished my secret Valentine's Day project that I will show you next month (but I am taking it off my WIP list)!

Linking up this week to:
TGIFF hosted this week by Laura @Quokka Quilts,
Finish It Up Friday hosted by Amanda Jean@Crazy Mom Quilts

This Week hosted by Sunni@Love Affair With My Brother

This is the last week to check out Laura's Fabric Giveaway!!

TGIFF/TW: "The 12 Days Of Christmas..."

It's Sew Good To Be Back!
[I snuck back on a day early :-D] To say that I missed you all would be putting it mildly; blogging has organized my life and enticed me to finished more projects than you can imagine!  By Thursday last week I could not figure out even what day of the week it was and I was itching to get back into my craft room.  Feeling quite a bit more rested, I begun spending small pockets of time trying to work on some of the little things still plaguing me and of course I started a couple little projects...<laughter>  I have also been working on some pre-apology sweets for the nurses/hospital staff for when I go into labor; one bucket of goodness for each shift!  So far I have made cake balls, chocolate cream cheese truffles, and I am thinking of maybe cookies as well; any ideas??

How was your Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holiday celebrations?  As Anglicans our family is learning more about the 12 Day of Christmas; it amazes me how many celebrations happen all around the world this time year!  Before next Advent season, I am hoping to make a liturgical Advent calendar, but first I am so excited that I finished my first regular [wonky] Advent Calendar top (backing fabric is in the mail, I am eagerly waiting for delivery)!  So on to the complete finishes for the past two weeks!

1 Mug Rug 5.75" X 8.5" (14 cm X 21.5 cm) in sage green/mustard yellow/coral

Flared girl's top in black/brights with Lime Green accents (Size 2 child)

QAYG baby quilt in Pastels with Bright Yellow print backing (40"X 40")

And along came some WIP/UFO's...Yes, once again I have unearthed more random unfinished projects hidden in storage boxes!  Even if I do not get them all completed, at least I will have them all together before our next move (I think/hope).  I am waiting to make decisions on claiming some of the projects I found, but for now, here are 4 more to add to my list<sigh>

I can't remember what these are for, but I am thinking of making them into place-mats...

The fate of these 3 Projects:  currently waiting for me to claim them

I was also able to sandwich & quilt the Modern Pinwheel Twist Quilt; the binding has been attached as well.  I just need to hand-sew the binding to the front and I can deliver it to the winners of our Baby Name guessing Contest.  I will be wrapping up 2011 in my post tomorrow and announcing my own small giveaway on Sunday (I need to clear out more fabric to make way for Ziona)!

Linking up this week to:
TGIFF hosted this week by Jess @Life Under Quilts,
& This Week hosted by Sunni @Love Affair With My Brother!
Also check out Laura's (of Quokka Quilts) Fabric Giveaway!!

TGIFF6: At the End of the Rainbow...

It's Friday again!  And I finally am finished with my "Melting Rainbows" wall hanging!  I was asked by several people how I was able to add the pieces to the wall hanging.

 1.  Cut parchment paper the same size of the fabric pieces (which have already been ironed to fusible web, with the paper back still on, check out picture on this POST)
2.  Place paper cut-out roughly where you want to put the piece.
3.  Sketch roughly around the other pieces
4.  You then cut along those lines, sketch again & cut paper until it fits the area you woud like to fill.
5.  Place paper on the fabric piece, cutting along the one side first (which ever side has more items to fit the piece around).
6.  Place in the area you are wanting to fill, adjust piece just in case it does not fit correctly
7.  If the other side is open (not filled with other pieces) you can cut however you would like, be creative.
8.  When piece is as you would like, pull the backing off and iron in place.  Move onto the next piece you would like to add.

The black background is two pieces of Kona solid black fabric spray-basted with a layer of Warm & Natural cotton batting between.  I cannot tell you how to go through this process sanely with pin-basting since every can shift around and cause possible bubbles so I spray-baste.  It was finished off with zig-zagging around each piece and then a little FMQ on the outside edges, then bound with a black print with grey pebbles.

I postponed my "Occupy Sewing Room" challenge to do all day tomorrow (I wasn't feeling well so crafting did not go long today).  You should click on the button on the right side to find out all about it.  I will post what I accomplish on Sunday.  Also we have announced the winner & the name of our little girl:  "Ziona Katriel"  You can find out more about what that means reading my Husband's POST!

Don't forget to also check out the link for Giveaway Day.  I may be busy checking other links, but I am also giving some things away!

My Friend Katie also has some great Christmas giveaways on her blog, Shades of Grey, go check it out!

I am linking up this week to:
TGIFF being hosted by M-R at Quilt Matters
& Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

TGIFF4: "Santa Claus is Coming To Town..."

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF); I hope you will stay for some cocoa and a little bit of merry making!  As promised here is my recipe for making one's own Cocoa mix.  I love to change the recipe up a little bit and give out as part of a gift, perhaps with a mug or this year I am giving it with the "mug rugs"  I made last week.

Rich Cocoa Mix

1 cup milk powder 

1 cup powdered coffee creamer 

1 cup sugar 

½ cup cocoa powder 

Mix well and store in a labeled container. 

(For international equivalencies it is a 2:2:2:1 ratio) 

NOTE: A hot cocoa mix is not the same as a "drinking chocolate mix" and therefore cannot be augmented to make it into one.  I have had several questions concerning that from my overseas visitors!  I did a little research and tried to augment but it doesn't work out...sorry. 12/02/2011

Variations: 

Peppermint: add 8 finely crushed peppermint lollies to a batch of mix 

Vanilla: add 5 tsp. vanilla powder to a batch of mix 

Cinnamon: add 4 tsp. cinnamon to a batch of mix

Special flavors:  You can used flavored coffee creamers to give it your personal touche. 

I have been tackling some Christmas themed WIP's week in the hopes of clearing up my list!  These two simple runners are finished off with stars and meandering stitches on the outside sashing. 
I am so happy how both tumbler quilts turned out!  I thought the quilts looked kind of plain when I was finished with making the top; I thought about adding some appliqued flowers or something.  So I decided to try FMQ a sort of flower design on the girl one and Meandering stitch for the boy quilt.  I had several firsts for these quilts: 1) first time using such a contrasting color for binding, 2) first time using a different color bobbin thread than top thread to attach binding, and 3) First time machine stitching binding onto a baby quilt. And most importantly last time I will ever FMQ with Sulky thread (If I can get away with it)!

 So finishes for this week:
1.  Christmas Table Runner 1
2.  Christmas Table Runner 2
3.  Fall into Fall mini quilt 1
4.  Fall into Fall mini quilt 2
5.  Pink/peach/green Tumbler baby quilt
6.  Yellow/green/Blues Tumbler Baby quilt


New projects (since last Friday)- 1

In process - 22 (took projects off list I haven't started)

Finishes (Since last Friday)- 6

Be sure to link up your finished projects and visit the other blog links, leaving merry little comments along the way!  Please include a link and/or button for TGIFF! (It's just over there on the right hand side) so your visitors can see other fantastic finishes.  Be sure to check back at TGIFF Central for the link party host/hostess next week!  

TGIFF3: "Put Your Records On..."

Welcome to Friday!  I have the record player on today listening to some of my favorites and taking inventory of the week!  A very sweet friend came over this week to help me sort through some boxes and get them labeled in anticipation for our move in the Spring.  I decided to pack all of my scrapbooking materials and most non-sewing craft supplies as well.  Unfortunately I was discouraged to discover several WIP/UFO's scattered through out random storage boxes that have now been identified and put on my "WIP list" over to the right side of my blog.

Continuing to have energy, I am trying to blast my way through as many projects hidden in my "WIP Pit of Despair" as I can.  That includes the blue/white girls dress (size 2) to the left.  It was a project I started over 3 years ago, sadly enough it just needed a little hemming, buttons sewn on, and I thought it needed the snazzy little scrap fabric flower I made from this tutorial.  The flower is the 2nd item I have actually made from my "Pinterest boards!"

Finishes Since last Friday:
1.  9 blue/green/yellow Modernish mug rugs
2.  Table topper in blues & cream
3.  Blue Plaid Girl Dress (Size 2) & snazzy flower
4.  6 Spirit Scrap bibs w/ yellow ties

New projects (since last Friday)- 19

In progress - 35 (Found a few more in boxes, sigh)

Finishes (Since last Friday)- 17

So, linking with Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday (TGIFF) being hosted this week at Bending Pins!
and Amanda Jean is back with Finish it up Fridays over at Crazy Mom Quilts!