WIPs & Friday Night Sew-In plans

Last Friday I pulled out those purple UFO clothing items to fiddle with and to take new pictures; they were going to be my focus for the early part of this week, but it just didn't happen.  I have been struggling to get this white part laying down perfectly and pinned, my hands just are not cooperating with me here.  With the temperatures already getting warm here (70's-80's), my hands are starting to swell again which turns my fingers into sausages!  I am not afraid to admit I am failing on getting this set in.  Thankfully a Friend came over on Saturday to help me get it set in place and I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I was for that!  Sunday my Husband drove me over to Jo-Ann's to buy some buttons and a zipper.  He has requested that the next dress I make have a zipper as he is in charge of Sunday morning dressing of Miss Z and she is a bit wiggly!

Dress sleeve cuffs

Now much hasn't been worked on the dress as other things have come up so...mainly house-cleaning.

These are the projects that I plan to work on Thursday for the Friday-Night Sew-in.  I cannot participate exactly on Friday night as family is coming in town for the Birthday party on Saturday.  Hopefully Everyone is okay with me participating a day early this month!

Playdate dress:  Adding the Yoke is giving me fits still

Two Plus Two Blouse:  Sleeves have been inserted, everything else still needs to be done.

These are the other 3 projects I am focusing on tomorrow night:

1.  Miss Z's Birthday dress:  I accidentally stripped out the gathering threads while working on this project, tossed it under my work table and promptly forgot about it.

2.   Birthday Bibs:   Someone has contacted me to commission a couple special birthday bibs for their Grand-daughter's first birthday, I will tackle this project if I have time.  I will probably make one for Miss Z while I am at it!

3.  Finish up the HST Quilt:  It is my Scrap Challenge Project for January and I almost have the top completed.  I really want to finishing making the Tutorial for it as well, but that might not all happen in one night!

You can see the full UFO/WIP List for the Finish-a-long first quarter (with pictures) HERE

I am linking up to:

2013 Finish-a-long hosted by Leanne @She Can Quilt (Via Flickr when projects are complete)

WIP Wednesday hosted by Lee @ Freshly Pieced

* Shanna

Stash Report 6: My Little Helper

Here is my Stash Report through 02/09/2013:

Used This Week:  4 3/4 yards
Given this week:  0 Yards

Used/Given year to Date: 39 3/4 yards

Added This Week:  0 yards 

Added Year to Date: 10 3/4 yards

Net Used/given for 2013: +29 yards

See you tomorrow!
*Shanna

A Four Squared Finish (week 6)

I AM FINISHED!!!  

You cannot believe how excited I was last night just 5 minutes before my husband walked into the door from work, I knotted off the last thread for this project!  Oh my this project was a lesson at every corner.  After sewing together all the charm Squares for the last project involving the 'Lil Twister Tool  [see POST], I wanted to make a smaller projects without going with a  smaller tool.  I started this project about 2 years ago.  I never imagined this is how it would turn out, but I am so grateful to Leah Day's Tutorials and videos!  I used her method of joining the four separate mini-quilts into one 40"X 40" Project.  This marks my first finish for the 2013 Finish Along hosted by Leanne @She Can Quilt.

Four Squared Weekend:  Front

Four Squared Weekend:  back

I actually bought binding a couple of years ago from an Etsy Shop which is no longer in Business.  I hadn't actually planned out the quilt when I bought it however or I might have gone with something different, something Orange maybe.  All I knew at the time was that I had 4 packs of City Weekend Charm Squares by Moda and this binding should match.  There was a little less than a yard left of the binding.  I have decided to call it "Four Squared Weekend" and little corner bits were added to house a rod for hanging rather than the traditional sleeve.

I think I just might keep this one...

*Shanna

Linking up to:

2013 Finish-a-long hosted by Leanne @She Can Quilt (Via Flickr when projects are complete)
TGIFF Hosted by Kit @Kit Lang Art
WHOOP, WHOOP Fridays @Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link A Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilt

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Let's Get Aquainted Mondays@ Plum & June (This week @Bold Goods)
Sew Cute Tuesdays @ Better Off Thread
Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion By The River
Fabric Tuesdays @ Quilt Story

City Weekend Project

"City Weekend, Hmmm"

Have you ever wondered where they get some of the names for the fabric lines?  I am sure it can be found in an interview somewhere on the interweb, but it is much more fun to make up stories and ideas in one's head instead, I should think.  I would share these fantastical stories I have made up for each line I play with, but I wouldn't want it to get back to the designers just in case there is something they might find offensive.  It does however keep me secretly amused as I sew. [laughter]

In progress, auditioning fabrics for joining strips

My lovely husband was good enough to get my computer back up and running (Ie. plug it in) so I could get caught up on Downton Abbey; the keyboard sticks a little but I can survive as long as I have a mouse and a bit of Tissue!  I have been attempting to watch while picking out the mess I made of a  free-motion-quilting stitch I tried to do on this project.  Leah Day I am not, but she assures her faithful followers that with practice and time (and perhaps a lot more practice) one might complete a new stitch she whips out as quick as a dream!

I decided to just wing it and go with a sort of doodle stitch that reminds me of 79.56% of my Public School Education.  Nothing against Public School Teachers, by the way,  I just owe my life to Librarians.  It's just I was often sent off to the Library because I was reading Persuasion while Dick and Jane were running, so I learned early it is easier to just read the textbook and to doodle.   And as usual, I digress.   I have almost decided to keep this quilt for a wall hanging, but we shall see.  My favorite Quilt is almost always the last I have completed or the one I just started!

Back

I plan to connect the bricks on this project using Leah Day's Quilt-As-You-Go Method.  We will have to see if I can get this one done.  I suspiciously hear Bob the Builder chanting in my head, but that might come from having an almost 1 year in the household who likes to repeat things.  I am also focusing on the Scrappy Hearts wall hanging I started about an hour after I got home with the fabric on Saturday.  You can see more about that on my Sunday List HERE.  The fabrics are gorgeous and I am so delighted with how they are going!

I have one last focus this week, which is some labels for two quilts I made last year [see POST].  Since one of them was auctioned off I wanted to wait to make a tag once the Winner was chosen, but someone wanted to buy the twin so I have that one to do as well.  I have been writing tags with a marker as I have seen by many of you out there, but if you go on Clover & Violet you will see tags/signature blocks of a different sort, one I really want to master--the art of embroidery.

Need to clean chalk lines off and then attached to Quilt #2

Fingers got  tired so this is where I am at for this Signature block

I need to cook a turkey tomorrow so hopefully I can get everything finished up and delivered tomorrow night.  Since I keep getting asked about the Turkey I will save you the time from wondering!  I am clearing up room in freezer and fridge for party food for Miss Z's First Birthday.  Plus Lent starts next week so trying to get temptations out of the house!
* Shanna

BOM's Away

So I almost didn't make my 4th block for the local BOM in time, which would have meant that I would have to pay for the next block.  Thankfully, I made it in time and I went off on Saturday to show my block and pick up the next one!

The Legacy Sampler.  Temperance "T" (January BOM,  or Block 4)

The Legacy Sampler.  Star of Victory (December BOM,  or Block 3)

The Legacy Sampler.  Courage at Pickett's Mill (November BOM,  or Block 2)

The Legacy Sampler.  Woven Union (October BOM,  or Block 1)

The Legacy Sampler.  Soldiers Crossing (February BOM,  or Block 5)

I also have been making those test blocks of these blocks in the Martinique Fabrics rather than repeating them here,  I can do a recap of those blocks when I reveal my finished 5th Block in a few weeks.

I am also in progress on the 2nd Block in the Sugar Block Club BOM, the first Block of the Craftsy BOM, and both Block 1& 2 of the Skillbuilder BOM being held at PileOFabric.  I dropped making the block of the Week for the Women's Right to Vote Along.  I kept trying to make the blocks but it didn't work for me.  I need a consistent level of instructions and this Block of the Week just varied too much.  It almost seemed to depend too much on the Block program to make or obtain the templates.  I may be mistaken, but I think its for the best that I leave off working on this one.  I think it will all work out in the end, especially since I have found a couple BOM's that I think I will really enjoy.  My hope though is I can really stick with it.  I plan to link up to the BOM's AWAY linky and then take a look at what others are doing about the web!

See Ya Later!
*Shanna

UFO/WIP 6

I am still so happy that I made the link-up party for the first quarter, but now its time for an update on my list!  I made strong in roads to my WIP/UFO List in the month of January.  I Have 2 pieced tops (1 has backing complete & neither have binding prepared). Next I tackled some clothing items as I wait to buy batting to finish off those quilts, no clothing projects were actually completed off my list though. Nothing is counted unless it is completely finished though so I better get working!!


Still In Process:

Christmas Advent Calendar:  Rip out all the stitching again, I ran out of thread on accident can purchase exact color. [enter in head banging against wall picture here, lol]  I wish I could steal the batting!

City Weekend Project:  Working on ripping stitches out, need to pick out joining/sashing fabric.  This is now going to be one quilt--Writing a post about it this week

Dusty Rose Quilt:   I have figured out a new pattern for this quilt; currently in 4-patch and 2-patch segments, needs some love

Dot Explosion Quilt:  This needs some reworking in concept.

Easy Street Mystery Quilt:  all the 4-patch blocks & Flying Geese are assembled (I am making half the blocks required for a smaller quilt ), I am currently using this as my Leaders & Enders project in between and around other projects (See Quiltville blog).

February's Scrap Challenge Project:  Partly pieced, process post coming soon

Fish Quilt:  Frustrating and hated pattern but I am trying to complete anyways.

HST Scrap Project:  Fabric Trimmed, squares set ready to sew

I'll Fly Away Quilt:  Pieces cut but this one is a long time project.  Since I am planning for this to fit our bed there with be many, many flying geese that needs to be made; I am guessing this one will take 3 months in among all the other projects.

March's Scrap Challenge Project:  Project kit ready to go with fabric cut from chosen pattern

Martinique Strip Quilt:  Need to assemble more strips.

Playdate Dress:  I had forgotten about this dress until I was organizing

Poppy Wall Hanging:  No progress for a while

Rainbow Block Quilt:    I have made this my orphan rainbow block quilt
Squares & Patches Quilt:  I have almost made a choice on the ideas you gave me! 

Summersault Patch Quilt:  Need to assemble more strips, some are sewn into two strip blocks

Two + Two Blouse:   I had forgotten about this blouse until I was organizing

Z's Birthday Dress:  Bodice is mostly completed, skirt is pinned and fitted to space, Sash is completed. 

Limbo-landed Items:

Chain Quilt:  Top is complete, back & bindings in process; in limbo until new batch of batting.

Red Eye Quilt:  Top & backing complete, & bindings are in process [POST], in limbo until new batch of batting.

Completed Items:
Coming Soon

New Items not on First Quarter List:

C2's Dress:  Bodice is Assembled, Skirt is cut, Sash is complete, waiting on measurements for length

Scrappy Hearts:  A Wall Hanging for Decor using the Flirt line of fabric

I am linking up to:
2013 Finish-a-long hosted by Leanne @She Can Quilt
UFO Sunday hosted by Leah @ The Free Motion Quilting Project
WIP Wednesday hosted by Lee @ Freshly Pieced

* Shanna
Are you thinking of going scrappy this year?  If you have time, link up your posts each month with your own personal challenges.  Check out February post:  HERE

Stash Report 5

Scrap bag, which is going to be used for the Sugar Block Club BOM

Here is my Stash Report through 02/02/2013:

Used This Week:  0 yards
Given this week:  16 Yards

Used/Given year to Date: 35 yards

Added This Week:  6 yards 

Added Year to Date: 10 3/4 yards

Net Used/given for 2013: +24 1/4 yards

I am so excited that I have been organizing my fabric as it has allowed me to purchase less fabrics and get more used up.  I do not count fabric used until the whole project is completed.  I do add in the fabric received for the BOM even though I will not count the fabric used until the whole quilt is completed.

So then why are there pictures of fabric on this post? Well....I was at the check out with baby girl to purchase the scrap bag of fabrics I am thinking will really work for the Sugar Block Club BOM, when I saw the prettiest little wall hanging on the wall right behind the cashier.  It turned out to be a free pattern written by one of the Ladies that works at the store and it uses Sandy Gervais' Flirt line by Moda.  Since I do not have very many valentiney decor, I simply gave in and purchased the materials.  I was thinking that if I hurry up and get it completed this week then I can use it at Miss Z's First Birthday as part of the decor...seems justified, right?  well, I just need to follow through now.  

See ya tomorrow!

*Shanna

Finishes 5

Z's Birthday Dress

So, I set out to get some clothing completed, but as usual I got a little distracted!  I did make quite a bit of headway with her dress, but got stalled at the portion where I need to pin and gather the skirt which is not exactly smart to do with such a curious child about!

I am not really worried right now that Baby Girl will be without clothing as many have graciously supplied her with an abundance of clothing via baby showers before she was born.  Well on top of that we have a doting grandmother and several ladies at my Church who seem to remember Z when they are shopping or go to a garage sale.  My problem this week as I was sorting through clothes is I really had no good place to put her items so time to do a little fabric organization!

February 1st, 2013

I have decided to keep these bins right on the table as you see it now because I think it is going to work for me.  I realized today that I have an idea of what color fabric I need for a project so I only go to the particular bin, not even glancing at the others.  With the bins up I found the perfect fabric for the Sash for Z's Birthday dress (photo above) so I did not have to order as I had intended.  I also was able to add Border fabric to a WIP Quilt Top and find fabric to make the backing right away (Photos below)!

Completed Quilt top

Backing for Quilt

I also was able to add Border fabric to a WIP Quilt Top and find fabric to make the backing right away (Photos below)!  You wouldn't believe how excited I was when I spied a couple fabrics I now plan to use to make the backing for the "Chained" Quilt top I finished last Thursday [POST].  One of the fabrics was actually purchased for that quilt, but I honestly had forgotten about it.  It is so nice to have most of my fabrics organized again!  There are a few bits and pieces scattered about, but hopefully if I can swipe adopt a shelf from the dining room I should have a  place to put all my displaced items (in my own bedroom!!!!) that needs to be to move to make room for Z's clothing in her room!

Not a huge amount of finishes per se, but I feel the fabric organization is worth it!  I did hate to cut into the Yellow, but I would much rather have a quilt back and not be tempted when Z and I go to the Quilt store tomorrow to pick our BOM.  I think I am going to let Miss Z pick out another scrap bag because she has been carrying around the last one every day, stopping to pet her fabric.  I am debating though, should I leave the fabric be or make a little something with the fabric?

Linking up to:

TGIFF Hosted by Laura@Quokka Quilts
WHOOP, WHOOP Fridays @Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link A Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilt
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Fabric Tuesdays @ Quilt Story