Charming Cuckoo

Thanks for all your kind words about my Caravan fabric. I'm not completely giving up hope on it, just putting it away for a couple of weeks. I've got a couple of projects to start and finish in the next two weeks, so I had to get my sneak peak from last post done.

So without further ado:

Charming Cuckoo

When I saw the contest announcement for the March Moda Bake Shop Challenge, I knew it was kismet. I had just fallen head-over-heels in love with Hideaway. I quickly found a pattern on the Bake Shop called Charming Stars that seemed perfect.




The original pattern called for yardage to make the stars. I wanted to play up the gingham in the Hideaway line and I already had two charm packs. I was trying not to buy too much yardage, so I bought another charm pack. That meant getting really creative on how I sewed the stars to minimize waste, but it all worked out.




I knew I wanted to include embroidery in the quilt and was thinking I would have to design a cuckoo clock pattern. About a day later Aimee Ray released her cuckoo clock pattern. Kismet! I really drug out the stitching, which is why I ultimately missed the deadline for the contest (and somehow the linen I stitched on --originally the same white as the sashing-- became discolored), but I wouldn't love this as much without the embroidery so I am A-OK with it.




I happened to have a yard of the cute village print from the day I was introduced to the fabric, but I thought it needed a little something extra. These mini stars were just the ticket.




And I couldn't just meander around the embroidery, so I did a bit of stippling in each star and then quilted a series of chained circles in the sashing. I was thinking clocks but they look more like eggs. I'm A-OK with that, too.




Particularly because I think the quilted back is pretty cool. I talked myself into doing a solid piece of Kona for the backing -- this is meant to be a wall quilt, so the back won't be seen; Kona is cheaper than a good quality print, and little piecing means a fast backing! Now I'm really glad I did, and I'm thinking maybe someday I'll tackle a whole cloth quilt.




So Charming Cuckoo has me thinking April won't be se bad. I even got to take photos outside!


-- Post From My iPad

Don't let the door hit you....

March. BLARGH. What a crappy month.

I had a couple of disappointments at work, plus the world's shortest spring break. The weather has been super crazy -- it snowed TWICE this week!

I spent a bunch of time preparing my entry for Project Selvage. Maybe I was overconfident. Maybe I should have learned my lesson after Market. Regardless, I was not selected as a finalist.

Here's my entry, "Caravan."


Not coming soon to a store near you.

And I didn't finish my March Pattern Pact in time -- which I was also planning on entering in the Moda Bake Shop March contest. BLARGH.

Here's what should have been my entry, just needs to be bound before the official photo shoot...

So far, 35 hasn't been the best.

35.

I took a few days off for my birthday. I'm feeling old.

I was planning on taking a self portrait to commemorate the day. It didn't happen. See the second sentence for my reason why.

I turned 35 on Monday. The whole family stayed home, and Charlie played with Jaxon so I could sew.

I worked on my Hideaway project.


The center square is almost embroidered. Grading projects or embroidering? I know which one I would rather pick! Have I ever shown you my design wall? I upholstered two pieces of plywood with batting and white flannel and Charlie installed them as closet doors.

I also made a mug rug for the CMQG swap.

I need to do a little hand quilting before its done, but good progress was made!

I'll be back soon with some inspiration photos I took in NYC, my March choice for the Pattern Pact, and Lynz has sent me a sweet little award (It's a major award!).

OK, and I wasn't quite honest up there when I said I didn't take a self portrait. I do have one that I shot with Jaxon while he was brushing his teeth wearing his viking "helmet." I couldn't help it.

Do you Heartsy?

Have you heard of Heartsy? Think of it like Groupon for the Etsy set. I've been watching for a week or two, and a recent deal caught my eye: $19 for $40 worth of merchandise at Hot Pink Chick. I've been on the lookout for some unique, Emma-worthy jewelry and this seemed to fit the bill.

My purchase arrived super quickly and was packaged perfectly! See:

And 10% off my next purchase. Bonus!

And inside...

Have you ever tried to take a picture of your own hand?

It's not easy.

And my arm kind of seems...severed.

Two rings and a bracelet for $19? Yes, please!

RAWR!! MONSTER PIN CUSHION!

This weekend is the last of the month, so I thought I better get my February Pattern Pact done, especially because I have an unexpected work trip tomorrow and Friday.

I decided to make the flower pincushion from the Spring 2008 Quilts and More magazine. Go ahead, go look at it, the pin cushion is in the lower right corner of the cover.

Welcome back. Does the pin cushion look extremely large to you?

Well, it is:

That cake plate holds a 6" cake. Here, maybe this will give you a reference:




See that little pinhead? It's a large-headed pin! Huge, I tell ya!

I'm glad I got it done, though, as I fly out very early in the morning. Where am I going? I'll give you a hint. My meeting will take place here:



if the photo won't display, click on it!
This is a scene from one of my favorite films. The first to name the film and where this scene is set might just get a small thank you gift for stopping by!

I miss you all already, but especially this guy...




-- Post From My iPad

Projects Galore

I really need to stop starting projects and finish something.

My ticker tape quilt is...huge. I quilted a quarter of it today, and will be headed to buy more thread tomorrow.



And I started this last weekend while sewing with some of my quilty peeps. Now if you've read my blog for any amount of time you know I loooooovvvveeeee novelty fabric. And Moda really isn't known for its novelty fabric. And therefore I don't tend to go gaga for Moda. But a few weeks ago I was in a local fabric store and came across the Hideaway line. Immediate love! Inspired by cuckoo clocks and Swiss chalets, this is my type of fabric line! I am hoping to have this done by mid-March.



And I received all of my postcards from the Fabric Postcard Swap and they are amazing! Yay!


-- Post From My iPad

Happy Valentine's Day

I had on my to-do list two Valentine's projects. I got one done, and I am saving the other for next year, I'm ready to move on!

This pillow idea came to me while working on the pineapple. I thought I would make a Valentine's themed pillow cover to replace the retro Christmas cover. I didn't really consider my Dresden size while cutting out the petals -- with the result of a 24" pillow cover! Whoops.

I had though that by placing two red petal together and then a white (etc.) that the petals would look like hearts. I don't think I was successful on that front, but it's still a festive cover.

I embroidery the center circle with plans to needle turn applique it. I do not have the needle turn skill or patience, so I just quickly machine stitched it to the front.


A quick envelope back and I am done! All the fabric for this came from my stash -- just like Pineapple Power! The next project is almost all newly-purchased fabric, but I am trying to go to the stash more often!

Still left to go this month:

• Pattern Pact February -- I chose a pin cushion from Quilts and More Magazine
• Old Red Barn Round 9 -- ready to assemble
• Hideaway Quilt -- this is the new one. The blocks are coming together
• Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge -- I have everything I need in my stash for month two, just need to get around to it

Pineapple Power!

I've finished the pineapples! They are now hanging at the top of the stairs, welcoming guests to our home.


I did a quick hand quilting with perle cotton, echoing the shape of the pineapple once with yellow, and again with green.


I actually labeled this one (Sacrebleu!) with an embroidered pineapple, which, as you can see, pleases Jaxon endlessly.


Or maybe it's the heart–shaped peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!

About time...

I thought it was about time I did something with my Hoop Up stitcheries. I *still* haven't done anything with round one (DON"T JUDGE ME!), but I did some rearranging to make way for round two. I moved the bulletin board from over the dresser in the sewing room and ended up with...


And so you can see how my "portholes" look...


Aren't they fabulous?! Thanks to Anna Joy and Dawn!

And I forgot about one of my IKEA purchases, apparently I have a thing for towel racks.


This one is behind my sewing room door with the aforementioned bulletin board. It's super cute, only it doesn't usually look this neat. More like....


...this. Oh well.

Sign ups for Pattern Pact February end soon! I have a super cute giveaway for February, so hop on over to Flickr and sign up!

One of those weeks...

Is it a bad sign that it is only Wednesday and I am already having one of those weeks? On Monday I locked my keys in my car when I dropped Jaxon off at preschool. I called AAA and they had a local truck dispatched within half an hour. I stood in the cold, windy parking lot with the driver for over an hour trying to get into my car...at which point he gave up. I didn't know they were allowed to do that. The director of the preschool drove me to work and Charlie brought my extra set of keys down when he got off work (an 1.5 hour drive). So I spent the day at work without my dress shoes (skirt and snow boots, anyone?), phone, laptop, wallet, or lunch. *sigh*

Then yesterday we had a weather change (lots of rain) and of course my sinuses FREAKED out and now I am laid up with a horrible sinus headache. UGH!

I am camped out on the couch with some work...but in between projects I get good behavior time to do handwork...


Quilting the pineapples! Yes, the sneaky peek was a pineapple! And I am planning a little block tutorial soon.

I rotate between the laptop and the pineapples, but always have the iPad for movie watching. Thanks to Netflix instant watch I have found a new favorite movie. Not in the way that Toy Story 3 and Inception were my favorites of 2010, but in the way that Mega Shark 3: Megalodon is my favorite bad movie. Mega Piranha is definitely up there. Here is an ACTUAL screen grab from the film.


Yes, that is a member of "special forces" bicycle kicking a giant piranha. This is what cheers me up when I am sick!

Also, I finished my February postcards for the Fabric Postcard Swap. I somehow forgot to take a picture of my Valentine card, but you can see it here at Julia's blog.

This is an everyday card that hasn't been received yet so keep it on the down low!


I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with both work commitments and my crafty agenda. Ohio University is on 10 week quarters (for one more year, and then we go to 14 week semesters). That means from about the third week of the quarter until about the eighth week, my blog gets very little love. I'm trying to be better about that, but here we are in week five and I haven't blogged in two weeks! Take for example my recent trip to IKEA! Prime blogging material! Of course, I picked up some fabric, but also found this towel rack on clearance for $9.


I have no need to hang towels on it, but quilts? Yes please!


I don't really have a place for it, so I put it in the corner of our dining room. Probably not the best place -- quilts and food don't usually mix -- but it is at least a temporary home.

I also picked up a table for Jaxon's room so his growing Lego collection could have a home. He loves it!


I've been thinking about what I want to get done -- crafty-wise -- in the month of February. Here's the list so far...

• Pineapple Wall Quilt
  
• Valentine's "Wreath" (pieces cut)
  
• Valentine's Pillow (supplies purchased)
  
• Ticker Tape Quilt for Old Red Barn Co. (pieces cut, didn't buy enough backing)
  
• Hideaway Quilt (still need more supplies)
  
• Pattern Pact February (I've selected my pattern for this month, have you?)
  

Shew! I need to get on task!

Pattern Pact 2011

I mentioned my resolution to sew from a pattern/book/magazine I already own once a month for the year of 2011. A couple of commenters declared a similar resolve, and Jenn has been all over the idea!

So we are organizing a sew along of sorts!



This one will be pretty low key! Each month between February and October, choose a pattern from your library and post your choice to our Flickr group. By the end of the month post your finished project! Done! Choose something simple on those busy months or tackle something you've been meaning to try.

And need another reason for joining in -- besides using those patterns that are languishing unopen in a drawer? There will be GIVEAWAYS! That's right, each month participants will be entered in a giveaway (fabric! gift cards! tools and supplies!), and those who take part for each of the nine months the pact runs will be entered in a special sponsored giveaway (just don't ask who the sponsor is -- still working on that!).

OK, so you have until February 7 to choose your first project!! Let's go!

WAIT! I almost forgot. If you'd like to post the button to your blog, go ahead and download it from this post, and link it to this post or our Flickr group. Let me know if you need help!

Sneaky Peeky

We've had a snowy week, with lots of huddling around the fireplace. I've found a little time for crafting/sewing when not working or huddling.

Jaxon has been BESIDE himself over these Dr. Who paper figures I folded last fall.

I finally broke down and made some for him.




He wanted the "colorful Doctor," the black TARDIS, and a k-9 "puppy." It took me a good two hours to fold these and he has probably played with them a total of 30 minutes. At least they were a happy 30 minutes.

I've been working on a project I'm not quite ready to reveal, but I can't help showing a few process shots. Any guesses what I am working on?








Here's a hint: I am a big fan of the TV show "Psych." If you watch you should know...

And I am looking forward to a long weekend. The CMQG is having a sew-in Saturday and I am headed to IKEA Sunday. Woo hoo! I'm hoping this morning's sunrise is a harbinger of a sunny weekend!




-- Post From My iPad

Resolutions 2011

This year we are all getting into the resolution spirit:

Samantha resolves to enjoy the cold weather, she hates the heat...


Jaxon resolves to practice his angry face, although he never uses it when he is angry -- it makes him laugh!


I resolve to make something from a book or magazine I already own each month. I buy them and then they languish on the shelf (or in the magazine rack). No more! Here's the first for January:

Cosmo Bag from Amy Butler's Style Stitches

My sister got me Amy Butler's new book for Christmas. This is my first begin-and-finish of 2011.

Fabric is Michael Miller's Gray Prom (and dumb dot), lined in curtains from Jaxon's nursery. The prom fabric was made for me! Perfect! Look at this young lady spiking the punch:



Too cute! This is designed by Shawn Wallace. She's my favorite and behind most of Michael Miller's novelty fabric.

The bag went together quickly -- I just wish I would have used heavier interfacing for more form.

Those are our resolutions! Oh, and Charlie? He resolves *not* to be on my blog!

-- Post From My iPad

Go Ohio!

Hey gang-a-lang, just dropping in to share this video with you. Wilson Footballs is in a small town in Ohio and supplies all official (American) footballs to the NFL. I can't imagine having to turn a leather football inside out. I can barely do a cotton purse. These are some craftsmen and -women!

Back to work!

Time Warp

The calendar says 2011, but I am finishing up 2010. Yesterday was my last day of vacation, the quarter began today. I got a lot accomplished over break -- lots of crafting, some work around the house, and 4 novels (and many magazines) read -- but could have used another week before facing the students.

I finally finished my Pay It Forward gifts. When searching through my blog to confirm recipients I discovered that my 365 days expired in November. I hope my Pay It Forward friends forgive me!

In each package I included:

A market tote in either pink and gray print or bright polka dots...



A small bottle of Best Press*

And not pictured...some Buckeye candy and origami wreaths. Now I can move onto 2011!

* A note about Best Press: When we visited Courtney last spring, she asked if I use Best Press. "No," I responded. "I use water. It's free."

"Well, it's really good," Courtney advised.

A local quilt shop was having a sale -- buy one gift pack of Best Press, get one free. So I've been using Best Press and I am officially a convert. Courtney, I am eating humble pie!

-- Post From My iPad