Is This REALLY Necessary??

Clutch, that is!

The Necessary Clutch!!

Another great pattern by Janelle @ Emmaline Bags.

I made the clutch to match the Boyd St. Bowling Bag.....

I use the same  yarn dyed linen in black, and my Walmart find-the cotton duck poppies!

I must admit, I found this much more difficult than the bag!

Probably because of the precise sewing required and the really thick seams.

I did have to re-do the outer flap as it was too small. A quarter inch seam allowance is really important, and tough for me to do around curves!

However, while far from perfect, it was fun to do, and I am so happy with it!

Once again, Janelle has fabulous instructions and photos.

I found the photos especially helpful when sewing the side flaps to the zippered pocket!

 It's really roomy, and has lots of card slots, as well as the zippered pocket and a centre storage space.

hmmm........not sure what I was on when I picked these fabrics!!!

I really love the turn clasp on it as well.

My heart was in my throat as I was cutting out the hole for the clasp, but it was pretty easy to do.

So now I just need to move all my stuff out of my old wallet, and fill up my shiny new one!

Yay for finishes!!

Bowling anyone?

I am just so pleased that I finished my first real structured purse!

It is the Boyd St. Bowling Bag from Emmaline Bags.

Janelle does an amazing job with this pattern. Very detailed, explained well, and lots of photos, which is really important for me!

Other than my own oops! where I put the pockets in the bottom instead of the top, everything went smoothly.

I used a jeans needle and the walking foot on my Horizon for the whole bag.

I also used purchased leather handles instead of making my own. Fabulous instructions for making the handles in the pattern! I did add the D rings on each end in case I want to add the optional long strap at a later date. 

It fits nicely over my shoulder with the 23" straps, but I'm not sure how comfortable it will be in the winter over a parka!

For the interfacing, I had to use what was available here!

I remembered a trick from last years Purse Palooza, and used a fusible interfacing over top of the Thermolam non-fusible in the lining, which was all I had.

I did the same thing with the heavy sew-in on the exterior-cut the sew-in smaller, and then fused the medium weight over it. That way, I didn't need to baste the sew-in. Couldn't find Shapeflex anywhere.

My exterior fabric is actually Cotton Duck.....from Walmart!!!

This was supposed to be a "test" bag, so I didn't want to go too expensive. However, it turned out so well, I am absolutely using it!

I also used Yarn Dyed Essex Linen in black for the trim, and for the lining zipper gusset.

I didn't look for Peltex, thinking I wouldn't find it, so I used a product I bought a couple years ago for bag bottoms.

. I now have enough Peltex to last me a lifetime from a LQS- Periwinkle!

I even put the feet on the bottom! There is a hardware accessory kit that you can buy from Janelle!

For the pockets, I made both of them zippered and the same size. Added a couple cute zipper pulls....

I was worried about joining the outer shell and the lining shell.

It looked really intimidating!

But, just going slowly, and following the instructions, did the trick!

The lining gusset added to the zipper gusset......

Pretty darned pleased with myself, I must admit! :-)

After I finished it, the dates for Purse Palooza 2013 was announced, and Joanna @ Shape Moth is going to feature this bag!!

Next up, is The Necessary Clutch, also a pattern by Janelle and can be found @ Emmaline Bags.

This clutch is also on the Purse Palooza schedule by Jess @ The Elven Garden 

That's all folks!

 

Please, Mr Postman........

........send me my blocks!

With the Labour Day holiday, the mail has been really slow to arrive, and I didn't get the Simply Solid blocks I was hoping for.....darn!

I wanted to work on the quilt this week-end.

Instead, I decided to make a new bag for winter.

Well, actually, it is going to be a practice bag!

The pattern is fairly advanced, and a bit above my "pay grade", when it comes to bag making.

So, I need to do a trial run.

On Friday I cut out all the pieces, and added the interfacing.  I couldn't get any of the recommended products for the interfacing, so I did the best I could with what's available!

Today, I sewed....all day......and completed the outer shell with minimal issues! I was so stoked!!!!

Maybe it doesn't have to be a trial bag!

I really should have stopped there.....

but, no.....

I just had to do one more thing....

My plan was to just put in the zippered pockets in the lining. I have done these before with no problems at all. So, these went in really easily, and I thought they looked great!

  Yay for me, right?

Did I mention that I should have stopped earlier??

yeah, well, I'll listen to my inner voice next time......

upside down...

Upside down...

Upside Down!!!

So, here I am picking out stitches so that I can reuse the zippers.

And, to punish myself for being a complete dork and wasting all that fabric from the lining and pockets!

 I completely blame the Postman.

None of this would have happened if he had just delivered my blocks!

Happy Hexagon Trivet-Zakka Along 2.0

I've been quite the slacker when it comes to keeping up with the Zakka Along 2.0 projects!

Skipping the kiddie stuff seemed like the smart thing to do since there aren't any kiddies in my house :-)

So, I got back at it this week with the Happy Hexagon Trivet.

This was so much fun! I loved picking fabrics, and since it is paper pieced, it went pretty smoothly for me.

I did use Insulbrite instead of the batting, but otherwise followed the directions!

I really enjoyed this one, and I know I'll get lots of use out of the trivet.

Christmas is coming, and I think it would be a great present for friends.

Patchwork, Please! - placemat

I seem to be falling behind in the Zakka Along 2.0 projects!

One a week is a bit much for me, but I did manage to get the placemat done, and only a day late!

 I used Essex linen in Steel, and fussy cut some pieces of lovely Melody Miller for the patchwork.

The back/binding is a Riley Blake fabric from My Mind's Eye.

I used some lace instead of ric rac for the patchwork edging.

For the first time, I tried Elmer's School glue and WOW, it is fantastic!!

Fun and pretty easy project to do.

Definitely something I would do again.

Time to catch up on the tea cozy from 2 weeks ago!!

An improv cushion!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week-end!

Monday is Canada Day, so we are having a long week-end, and it couldn't be more perfect.

The sun is shining, it's nice and hot, the hammock is up, the beer is cold!!

I'm spending a bit of time in my sewing room finishing up a cushion.

About a week ago I received a lovely fat8 bundle of fabric from Fabric Spot.

They are an on line Canadian shop!

This came my way as part of a scrap challenge for Canadians hosted by lovely Rachel @ Stitched In Color!

I was one of four lucky participants to receive this Summer Lovin' bundle.

 

 source

I was pretty excited to be chosen, and to make something using all the fabrics in the bundle, plus we could add one other fabric if we wanted.

My initial idea was to make a kaleidoscope cushion, but then I decided it was high time I tried some improv!

Well, sort of......

I used a great tutorial by  13 Spools to make improv herringbone strips for my cushion.

I added some Kona coal, and away I went!

Loved doing this, and it was really easy!

 This is an 18" cushion.

I used a layer of batting for the front, and did some straight line quilting within each "block"

Kona coal, and a pieced strip for the hidden zipper.

Love, love my new cushion!

Thanks so much Rachel and Fabric Spot!

now.....back to that hammock.......!

Chowing down with Zakka 2.0

Week 2 of Zakka Along 2.0 brings us back into the kitchen with applique towels for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

I must admit, I am no fan of applique, and anyone who has ever received an applique from me, knows I speak the truth!!!

So, the idea of doing 3 towels with appliqued words, just didn't appeal to me.

So......instead.........I picked my favourite meal and just did the one towel.......

don't judge!!!!! LOL!

Yes, you are reading it right!

SNACKS

You will never see a close up of the applique!

It would have you rolling on the floor laughing!

I would also like to say that the snacks are just for staging purposes........

but, that would be a big fat lie..

chomp...chomp...chomp.....

WIP Wednesday 12-06-2013

I'm not sure when I did a WIP last, but it seems about time!

Sewing hasn't been a big priority, but I've gotten busy to finish some bee blocks that are due this month.

The June block for our Happiness circle @ dgs was chosen by Marika.

We used the tutorial from Greenleaf Goods

with sherbet colours. It's a combination of HST's and log cabin.

 I just might re-do the layout for the one on the right-not sure if I like it or not!

Our June block for Simply Solids : a modern {bee} was a real challenge for me.

The block is called Katherine Wheel and the tutorial came from Lawson and Lotti

and is was chosen by Anne Marie.

Fun to do, and a bit scary!

Anne Marie provided the background fabric and the red fabric.

My biggest project is the Marcelle Medallion.

I have worked on it, to the exclusion of almost everything else!

But, the top is finished, the back is pieced (hate that part), and it is basted and ready for some quilting!

I have absolutely no idea how I will quilt this, but I think I need to do some investigating on quilting patterns before I start.
In fact, all my goals for A Lovely Year of Finishes and  FAL , have been epic failures.

I've also fallen miserable behind in the Lucky Stars BOM.

I did do the first project from Zakka Along 2.0 using the book

Patchwork, Please!

I made 2 hotpads which turned out really well.

Linking up this week with Lee @ Freshly Pieced




And Monika @ The Needle and Thread Network.


Have a great sewing week!

Squishy mail...

I got the loveliest surprise in the mail today.....

all the way from the U.K.

I couldn't imagine what it could be!

That sweetheart Benta, who I only know from the SoA bee, sent me something I badly needed and can't get here!

Colour Catchers!!!

I am completely thrilled!

Thank you Benta! xxoo

The Cat Who Saved A Quilt

No, this isn't a new Lilian Jackson Braun book!
But I must admit to loving those goofy cat stories!
This story is about a cat, a quilt, an ironing board and a puked up furball......
do you need a minute ?
Here is the cat...
Sheriti...

Aw, isn't she a cutie! She is such a cuddly girl too!
Here is the quilt (in progress)
Marcelle Medallion

Here is the ironing board....

and here is....
No! I didn't take a photo of the puked up furball!!!
You'll just need to use your imagination for that one!
Finally, here is the story...:-)
I was minding my own business, and sewing a border on my Marcelle Medallion, when Sheriti coughed puked up a hairball on my ironing table!
 I was not a happy camper, as you can imagine!
After I gently shooed her away.( pause for visual effect),
I started cleaning up the mess.
Look what I discovered...

the red colour started to run!!!!
If you just said "holy crap", well so did I!
I just used some of this very red fabric in the quilt......

and I was pretty pleased about it too!
So, I had no choice but to undo my quilt...again....and remove the offending piece!
Luckily, it was at the top of the row, and didn't take all that long to do.
And that's how The Cat Saved a Quilt.
and, she got treats and kisses!
the end

Blogger's Quilt Festival- Spring 2013

This is a fun time of year, where I get so much inspiration from the fabulous work of other quilters.

As in previous Blogger's Quilt Festivals, our hostess is Amy @ Amy's Creative Side.

My first entry this year is Starry, Starry Night.
in the Favourite Scrap Quilt category-entry #12

This is the first string quilt using scraps I have ever done, and also the first time I used Navy as a primary colour in a quilt!
Who knew I would love navy so much!
This is a throw quilt measuring 61"x67".
For the backing, I used AMH voile and really love the feel of it.

 I really enjoyed quilting this one!

I quilted 1/4" on each side of the coloured seams, then used yellow, green and purple thread to quilt the intersections in the navy parts.
For the border, I quilted a tetris pattern.

I am also placing an entry into the
Favourite Quilt Photographer category.
This quilt is No Name Triangle-entry #3

I'm entering it because I went out into a snow storm to take these photos!
It is a lap quilt measuring 51"x55" using Chicopee.
I used a red 28wt. Auriful thread to do the circular quilting.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you are enjoying the Festival!

Marcelle love....

I having the best time working on the Marcelle Medallion, to the exclusion of almost everything else!

Well, I did manage to clean windows this week-end, but that's about it!

I almost made a huge mistake with Marcelle that would have made me absolutely nuts...

I didn't even notice it in the photo...

do you see it??

it wasn't until I was adding the next border that I realized that one row of triangles was going in the wrong direction!!

EEK!!!

When I looked at the pattern, it turns out that the one that looked wrong, was the only one that was right!

So, a dilemma.....

do I change the one row, or change 3 rows.

Well, I never coloured outside the lines as a child either, so I ripped out the 3 rows and turned them around! :-)

Then I spent way too much time deciding on the fabric for the third border, before just going with the Hope Valley.

I pulled out all of my text fabric to do the flying geese, and I love how it looks!

For the background I use Kona flesh, which has a slight pink tone to it.

and look.....

I didn't even plan that one!

on to the next round......

WIP Wednesday 08-05-2013

Well, it seems that the stars aligned and led me on a path to learn something new, but also to abandon something I was already doing!

First, the WIP I abandoned.....

it has really surprised me how quickly I packed this one away....

I had been dreaming of doing the 12 trees quilt using the Oakshott shot cottons I purchased just for this project!

For some reason, I wasn't really loving this.

Or maybe this is where the stars come in! 

:-) :-)

Two converging wins!

First, a magazine from Lynne at Lily's Quilts.....

The Marcelle Medallion on the cover has been a quilt I've wanted to do!

Yay!

Then I won a FQ bundle of Carnaby Street from Fabricworm

 It was just meant to be, right!

I used this print as a jumping off point for fabric colours...

and so I began

sewing!

I won't rehash my troubles with inset seams because I'm completely over it!

Day #2 

I have added two borders...

I used those Oakshott shot cottons in the triangle border....love!

I'm not sure if I like the pink corners, but I'll leave it until I add the next border.

and this is why I abandoned everything else!!!

Who could blame me!

I do have to put this aside for a couple days to get Bee blocks done, but I can hardly wait to get back at it!

So, that's about it for WIP Wednesday.

I'll link up with Lee @ Freshly Pieced

 

and The Needle and Thread Network.

Want a laugh??

Have a great sewing week!