A Peek Over My Shoulder...at 2012

While not being a reflective kind of person, it is kinda fun to look back at sewing accomplishment over the last year.

One thing I have realized is that I seriously need to organize my photos better!

So 2013 will be the start of that project :-)

One the most enjoyable things for me this past year was making bags...completely surprised me how many I made,  from totes to coin purses. 

I will be making more next year considering the pile of purse frames I have!

 My crazy, mad crush on foundation paper piecing continued throughout 2012!

Had such a great time doing the Sew Out Loud QAL.

Of course, quilts continue to be the bulk of my sewing, but I think that will slow down in the future......ya right!

My actual favourite was Off The Grid (2nd row, right side)

I do love solids, which is why I am already in new bee starting in the New Year!

Star of Africa was my first bee, and it has been full of new friends, new sewing methods and no small amount of anxiety of my own making! LOL!

Do. good stitches warms my heart, and I am so pleased that I was accepted as a stitcher this year in the Happiness Circle. I really love the quilts we made!

I haven't made too many definitive plans for sewing in 2013. I'll just take it as it comes.

You know, join things when it feels right...or not!

When I look at my list for 2012, I accomplished about half, but then I added things that weren't planned.

So, it all works out!

My biggest plan is to improve my photography skills, and I am hoping that my brand new 50mm prime lens will go a long way to help that out! Woo! Hoo!

 

So here is wishing you all much love, happiness and health as we bring a new year in.

 

It's Boxing Day!

 

Oh yeah.....I feel great!

how about you?

WIP Wednesday!

Not a whole lot happening here!
Trying to do up a few last minute things before Christmas.

I finished 2 blocks for the Happiness Circle @ do. Good Stitches.

Ursi asked us to make shattered chevron blocks, and  I sure liked doing them.

This quilt will be gorgeous!

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I also made a little fabric basket using a tutorial from Elnora on Flickr.

This was so quick to do, just using a dinner plate as a template. It is reversible, so I used two fabrics that I liked!

I rushed the sewing job on the binding, so the next one will be much better.

I plan to use them as hostess gifts, and fill them with chocolates!

Then they can be reused for just about anything!

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I tested one more block for Kristy @ quietplay.

No photo, but it's a doozy!

Kristy is planning a paper pieced BOM called "And Sew On" starting in the New Year!

Doesn't that sound like so much fun!

Check out her post here for the details.

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Last month I was a host blogger for Blogathon Canada which was sponsored by Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.

They provided amazing prizes to our giveaway winners, and then, surprised the hosts with a wonderful treat of our own!

A t-shirt, a pin, and a nice selection of fabric to add to our stash!

Thank you so much Sew Sisters!

That's all for me this week.
Hope everyone has a great sewing week!

Linking up @ Freshly Pieced.

WIP Wednesday

Channeling my inner Warhol!

and...opening my Colourbox of Oakshott!!

eek!

It all started with a fabulous pattern by Amy @ duringquiettime

Seriously, she comes up with the most amazing paper pieced patterns, and I find them hard to resist!!

So here is my version of her latest pattern of a Reindeer....I made 4!!!!!

 I love these reindeer, and the antlers are so majestic!
I did some angled straight line quilting in each block, and some hand stitching with perle cotton in the antlers.

The bottom left looks a little yellow, but is actually lime green!

Love inside photography, right!

Should have done pink on lime!

Krista thinks I should go ahead and  do it anyway! Maybe in the New Year I will.

This wall hanging measures 16.5"x24"

I love it madly!

I wanted to dig into the Oakshott because I am planning on doing a quilt using it, so I needed to get the jitters out of the way!

Not sure why it is such a big deal for me, but this Colourbox is such a treasure and I don't want to waste even a one inch square of it! LOL!

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I also finished my block for Nicky in the Star Of Africa bee.

She wanted to blocks to look like "books" to line up on a shelf..

Anne of Green Gable it is....

 Luckily for me, my bee mates know that any kind of applique isn't my specialty!!

They are very kind and forgiving!

Although, I think I might be getting a little better at it!

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For the Curve It Up QAL we are already into our 4th block!

This one is the 4 patch.

I sewed my curves wrong (totally my own fault), and my points didn't match. After multiple sessions with my ripper, I got the centre to be reasonably acceptable, but the outside points are out by at least half an inch.

So, I actually chucked it in the garbage! Then pulled it out to use for something else someday. Couldn't bring myself to waste this gorgeous Bella fabric!

I will wait until the end of the QAL and see what fabric I have left, then do the block again!

Here it is fresh out of the trash....:-)

 My wonky sewing aside, can you believe this is a 4 patch block!

The Quick Curve Ruler is just so amazing!

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I'm not working on any other quilts at the moment. My WIP's are all in the cupboard waiting for the New Year.

Other than a few potholders etc., I'm being quite lazy on the sewing front.

Good thing we get snow almost daily, so I have something to do!! :-(

Stupid winter!

Linking up @ Freshly Pieced - love Lee's blog makeover and WIP button!

and The Needle and Thread Network.

Have a great sewing week!

Pattern testing...

I was lucky enough to be able to test a new paper pieced pattern for Kristy @ Quietplay

She has some really cute blocks for free on her blog,  and some amazing patterns for sale in her store on Craftsy.

So, here is the block I tested.

Really sweet scissors and thread.

This pattern came together really easily, even with several small pieces in the handle.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. 

The block measures 10"x10"

Wouldn't it look amazing on a tote to carry sewing supplies!

Maybe when I finally learn to do EPP!

Thank you Kristy, and I hope you like my interpretation of your wonderful block!

I Remember November!

I guess I did  few things in November!

Oops!

The Mouthy Stitches2 tote on top left was done in October!

My bad!

A Christmas finish!

I seriously have a box load of table runners that I rarely use, but that didn't stop me from doing another!

This is a Christmas table runner, and yes, I already have several of those too! LOL!

I used the Sunbonnet Sue paper piecing  pattern from Jennifer @ sewhooked.

The Ho! Ho! Ho! I just made up myself, then added a piece of ribbon and a button for the exclamation marks!

The text fabric is called Christmas traditions, and I really liked reading it!

It measures 12"x 54".

Look Fiona!

 Riga, Latvia!

Here it is all ready for the cats to play with when I'm not looking!

WIP Wednesday

I've had a busy and productive 2 weeks since my last WIP post!

This past week has been all about the bags.....the For Pleat Sake bags to be exact! This is a tutorial from Lisa Lam, and I made two of them!!

One for practice, and to work out the kinks I usually put into things!

it turned out amazing!!!

love the Echino fabric, and I added a much needed zip pocket.

For the second one, I put in 2 zip pockets! I also interfaced the outer fabric as well as the lining to give it more of a substantial feel.

I also added an invisible magnetic closure.

I am thrilled beyond words with this one.....

Love this fabric so much! Are those glasses not the cutest thing?? I love the red leather handles too!

As I said, two 7" zip pockets and I also added a key hook.

I think the lining is a Japanese print, but I didn't have any of the selvage to check! it sure is gorgeous though!

I think I am done with bags for a long time now!

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Another Curve It Up QAL block was ready to go this week, and once again, another spectacular take on a traditional block- this one is rail fence!

Isn't it amazing what a curve will do! I'm sure liking this Bella collection by Lotta Jansdotter too.

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Naturally, Christmas crafting has to work it's way into the mix as well!

I did a little wall hanging from a pattern by Sonja @ Artisania, and it can be found in Quiltmaker Nov/Dec 2012.

It was a near disaster! You can read about it here!

I also have started a new table runner. The Sunbonnet Sue blocks are from a pattern by Jennifer @ Sew hooked.

The Ho! Ho! Ho! in the centre is just simply pieced, with a strip of ribbon for the exclamation mark. I just need to do a bit more quilting on it, bind it, and call it a finish!

I am working on a block for Nicky in our Star of Africa bee! Almost  Nicky!!

It is supposed to be Anne of Green Gables!

I tell you, these ladies raise the bar every month!

Other than the Curve It Up QAL, my UFO quilts are sitting idle on the sidelines until after Christmas probably. Unless I get a spurt of energy! As if!

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We will be having our second meeting of the Saskatoon Modern Quilters Guild on Sunday!  We are certainly in the growing stages, but it is so nice to meet local quilters.

Today, I'll be linking up with Lee @ Freshly Pieced.

And with Monika @ The Needle and Thread Network.

Have a great sewing week everyone!

Blogathon Canada winner!

A big thank you to everyone who left such nice comments on my Blogathon Canada post! This was such an amazing and fun event.

Also, thanks to Carol who contacted me and asked that I participate and represent Saskatchewan!

The biggest thanks goes to Sew Sisters Quilt Shop for sponsoring this event and providing the prizes! 

Without further delay.....

out of 253 comments,

the winning comment was #219 who is Regan!

regan said... 19 And I'm a new follower!

I have sent an e-mail to Regan! Congratulations!

Bear with me...

It's no secret that paper piecing and I have issues at times!

However, once in a while, it goes really well........only to be hi-jinxed by my own stupidity!

Case in point...

I did this great polar bear pattern by Sonja of Artisania, which can be found in Quiltmaker Nov/Dec 2012 issue.

The piecing was quite easy and I was planning to gift it to my Aunt and Uncle who are moving into a Senior's complex after over 50 years in their same house!

So, here is the finished product after multiple fixes!

 The finish turned out to be okay, but OMG! what I went through!

This is only a little bit of the remaining pink after a bleaching!

Oh yeah, as I wet it down to remove the marked lines for the dense straight line quilting, the red in the backing bled through big time!

bleach to the rescue, and it worked well except that I think it weakened the fabric and when I was sewing on the ribbon, the fabric ripped!

So, the charm went on to cover the rip!

Good grief!

The bear isn't discoloured from bleach!

 I use Basic grey grunge in vanilla for the piecing.

I haven't decided yet if it is gift worthy or not!

Now that's it's done, he is pretty cute though!

Blogathon Canada In full swing.....

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you
 Blogathon Canada started on Monday and continues all week, so check out all the host bloggers( there are 14 of us!) across the country, and their giveaways! Open to everyone!
You can find the list with this link, or the button. Go ahead and back track to the earlier bloggers and enter their giveaways too!


Hi everyone, and welcome to Blogathon Canada sponsored by Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.

My name is Patti and I live in Saskatoon,Saskatchewan- aka The City of Bridges!
My quilting adventures began exactly 3 years ago when I took a quilting class at a local quilt shop.
I was truly hooked, and once I discovered all the new modern fabrics and patterns, I haven't stopped !
Here are a few of my favourite projects....

Yes, I love colour!

Also love paper piecing!

and cushions...

 and crafty stuff!!

I was so lucky that Who's Your Granny? was a finalist in the hand quilting category of the recent Blogger's Quilt Festival!
I've been blogging for about a year and a half, although after setting up my blog, I didn't post anything for months!
I love the blogging community, and have joined QAL's, swaps, quilting bees, and charity quilting. All things I would never have know about without blogs!
Something fun and new here in Saskatoon is the
 Saskatoon Modern Quilt Guild
The first meeting was a few weeks ago, and I think it's going to be great!
 I actually got to meet some local bloggers!
Are you ready for a giveaway?
Well, if you are anything like me, you adore Kona solids!
Here is a beauty of a bundle....5 colours...each is 1/2 metre!

Leave a comment here telling me your favourite Kona colour.
If you are a follower, leave a second comment.
Be sure that I have a way to contact you!!
The giveaway will remain open until the end of the Blogathon on November 24th
This giveaway is open to everyone!
Thanks so much for stopping by, and here are some amazing  bloggers you can find here in Saskatchewan!
 

Sew. Darn. Quilt

Samantha's House

My Sweet Prairie

Mrs.Pickles Garden

Butterfly Quilting

Quilting Curve

Jaclyn Quilts

In Stitches & Seams 

CitricSugar 

I'm Here. Might As Well Win 
 

Baggin' it

Yesterday, I decided to make myself a new bag! Because I never trust myself to follow directions accurately, I always make a "test run".

I used this great pattern by Lisa Lam @ U-handbag

and some Echino that I have been hoarding.

While, it may be a test run, I definitely want a good bag!

Yup! I love it!

I did have a few issues with it though. First.....it doesn't have any pockets, and I definitely need some pockets!!

Because the bag is pleated, including the lining, it was a challenge.

I wanted a zip pocket and and open pocket, but I ended up with only the zip.

Because of the pleats in the lining, I couldn't sew  a pocket on without either moving the pleats to the side which bunched up the fabric, or having pleats in the pocket.

Didn't want that!
I used Lush Running Stitch for the lining.

The zip pocket was a good solution as it didn't interfere with the pleats. Now I wish I had put one on both sides, and I will do that for the next one.

There is a V opening on each side, and as you can see, I didn't do a very good job of sewing them!!

I also added an invisible magnetic closure, just because I like to have the top of the bag a bit closed.

I also really like the sew on leather handles, and they were easy to put on. They are 23" long and fit over my shoulder very comfortably.

A little key holder and it's good to go!

For the next one, this is what I'll be using......

The handles look a little orange in the picture, but they are red!

Can hardly wait to get started on it!

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my giveaway.

I really enjoyed all your comments about the frame purses, and it sounds like many of you plan to give them a try.

Also, welcome to new followers!

Okay, here are the details....

I had 184 comments!

Congratulations to commenter #11  who is...Karen

Karen said... 11

Your coin purses are delightful I am getting the impression hat if I make one I will need a few practices first. Or 5 or 6! They do look gorgeous.
Congratulations Karen! She has been contacted!

WIP Wednesday

I skipped WIP Wednesday last week, as I was doing a post for my first ever blog hop!

UR Priceless ended yesterday, but it sure was fun!

So many cute coin purses...

Here are the 3 that I made.

This was the first time I had used a sew-in frame, and after the initial difficulties, it went really well and I might never do a glue in again!

Except for the big bag of glue in frames I have!

I may have even ordered more of the sew-in variety.......

I also used tap transfer paper to make the Canadian coin fabric.

Thanks Janine! for telling me about it!

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Hurricane Sandy Help! on Flickr was busy collecting quilt blocks, and I contributed a few for this amazing cause.

I think there were enough blocks to make 15-20 quilts.

Everyone did the same block, and some were colour specific.

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I also joined another QAL in the past few weeks!

This is the Curve It Up QAL

We will be making 12 traditional blocks using the Quick Curve Ruler designed by Jenny @Sew Kind of Wonderful.
Jenny and her sister, Helen are taking turns with the tutorial every 2 weeks.

I have to say, I am loving this ruler!

 These blocks are huge at 16"

Love how the curve just makes such a difference.

The Churn Dash is fantastic!

I am using Bella by Lotta Jansdotter, with Kona Ochre and Curry as background fabrics.
It's not too late to join in. We've only done 2 blocks.

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I also made a couple of Open Wide Zipper Pouches using the tutorial from Anna!

I made the small size and sure do plan to try the other 2 sizes.

They are quick and easy to do!

The top one is going to a giveaway winner that I have yet to choose! Better get on that!

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Because Christmas is coming, and we have the weather to prove it, I am working on a new table runner.....

The text fabric is amazing! I picked it up at Fabricland, and it tells the story of how Christmas tree decorating and lighting came about!

Well, I think that's about it for this week!

Linking up with Lee @ Freshly Pieced.

and

Monika @ The Needle & Thread Network.

Have a great sewing week!