Showing posts with label boutique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boutique. Show all posts

Friday, November 18, 2011

Tonight's the Night!

For the next Friday Night Sew-In that is!


What will I be working on tonight? Well I though about working on some secret projects that I need to finish by the end of next week . . . but then I wouldn't be able to show them to you, and that wouldn't be any fun.  :)  Hmmmmm . . . I do have some crayons left from making those crayon roll-ups for boutique.


Maybe I should work on those. Yes! That's what I'll do! So tonight I will be making more crayon roll-ups. They're fun because they're quick and easy and I get to use some fabrics from my stash that I normally don't get to use.

Are you participating? What will you be working on? I hope you'll join me!

Until next time . . .


Saturday, November 12, 2011

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Hello!  :)

So Sorry I've been away. I was going to try to keep up with posting while I was getting ready for boutique but it just didn't happen. I did manage to get a lot of stuff done though. I'm actually quite amazed at how many things I finished in a week. This is going to be a long post . . . but hopefully one you'll enjoy!  :)  I'll start with the items that I had already started when I last posted.

Remember this . . .


It turned into this . . .


Isn't it adorable?!!! I'm really happy with the way it turned out!  :)  This runner was made by a pattern I got from Cleo And Me on Etsy. You should check out all her adorable patterns! They are really great patterns with easy to follow instructions. 

Here's the back of the runner . . . 


And a close-up on the fabric . . .


Isn't it adorable! I absolutely LOVE this fabric!!! It has glitter all over too. It's so festive! I got it at JoAnn's. I only had a little left so I had to go and get more to make more runners. I already made two runners and plan on making more. They only had a few yards left so of course I got all of them!  :)

Here's the finished Christmas Tree Mini Quilt. I wish the picture was better to show all the rich colors. I added red buttons since you last saw it. I was supposed to add some stringed lights too but I didn't think they looked good. Maybe it's because I used such rich deep fabrics. I made four of these . . .


Remember this stitchery . . .


It was the last stitchery in a set of seven for a banner. I had made two of each for two lap quilts. I actually made four of the snowman just because he was so cute!  :)  I planned on using the extra two for a couple of mini quilts. Here's the beginning of the mini quilts . . .


I loved the way it looked but it needed a border. I tried lots of different border fabrics and ended up with the same white polka dot that I used on the Christmas Tree Mini Quilts. It didn't distract from the other beautiful fabrics I used and I think it kind of looks like snow.  :)  I quilted it in the ditch and then added the light blue snowflake binding to finish it off. Here it is . . .


What do you think? It turned out pretty cute, huh?!!! I really like it! Here's the back . . .


I liked it so much that I made four of them. Yes I used the other two that I had planned on using for the lap quilt with the other stitcheries. I just couldn't help myself. I knew I wasn't going to have time to make the lap quilt for boutique. Then I got to looking at the other stitcheries and my stash of Christmas fabric . . . hummmm . . . 

I turned two of these . . . 


Into two of these . . .


Here's the back . . . 


And two of these . . .


Into two of these . . . 


Here's the back . . .


I stopped there. They were all made using the same design and quilted with the same in the ditch method. I wanted to keep it simple.  :)  I ended up with four Snowmen Mini Quilts, two Santa Mini Quilts, and two Christmas Tree Mini Quilts. I still have two each of 4 different stitcheries ready for the lap quilt I plan on making. I just have to stitch up 6 more stitcheries to replace the ones I used for the mini quilts. 

What else did I make for boutique? I made some crayon roll-ups. I used Angie from Summerfield Quilts, awesome Crayon Roll-Up Tutorial to make them. The tutorial is very easy to understand with lots of pictures. Thanks Angie for such a great tutorial!  :)  They were very simple and quick. I made 8 of them.

Here they are all rolled up . . . 


Here's the back of my favorite one . . . 


And the inside . . .


I had picked up the crayons during the back-to-school sales earlier this year just for this purpose. I even have more leftover. Guess I'll be making more in my future.  :)  

The night before I had to bring my things for boutique I had some extra time so I looked through my stash. I had some wine fabric and thought it would make a nice runner so I got busy putting it together. I didn't use any pattern. I basically made it up as I went along. I knew I wanted to keep it pretty simple. I also want to use some prairie points in it. I started with the wine fabric and then put some log cabin style strips around it. Then I put a border between the two blocks and at each end. I added the prairie points with the borders at the end. I was going to leave it there but it looked kind of skinny so I added the borders to the sides. 

Here it is . . . 


And the back . . . 


I didn't know whether I should turn both blocks the same way or not. I ended up facing them away from each other. I figured it would look great that way in the center of a table. What do you think? I kept the back and binding the same brown as the front to keep it simple. I wanted the focus to be on the wine fabric.

Here's a close up of one side of the runner . . .


And a closer view of the prairie points . . .


I kept the quilting simple by quilting next to the seams and around the prairie points. I couldn't believe how quickly the runner came together. I even had time to sew the binding to the back by hand. I was very happy with all I'd accomplished.

My boutique is in Quartz Hill, California, which is next to Lancaster, California. It's where I used to live before I moved to Corona a year and a half ago. I've been doing this boutique for the last 5 years and it's a really good one. If you are near there and want more information just ask. I went there Wednesday morning to bring my stuff and help set up. The boutique runs Thursday through Saturday. I will be there Saturday afternoon to work a shift and pick up my stuff when it's over. I hope I do well. The money I make will be used for Christmas presents. Wish me luck!  :)

Until Next Time . . .


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Progress is good! :)

Hello!

How are you doing today? I'm doing pretty good.  :)  I've been making lots of progress! I love progress! I would love to share it with you!  :)

Here's what I was working on today . . .


Whatever could this be?  ;)  I'll let you stew on that for a few more days. I'll share more as I get further along. Sorry . . . I can't help myself.  ;)

I've gotten the last stitchery done for my Christmas Stitchery Mini Quilt. Actually I made 4 of them. I know I only made 2 of each of the others, but I really liked the snowman!  :)  I saw it and just knew I wanted to make another project (actually 2 of them) with just him!  :)


Isn't he cute?!!! I love snowmen!  :)


I've made more progress on my Christmas Tree Mini Quilts. I've got all 4 of them quilted. The quilting actually went pretty smooth. It's the first time I used different top and bottom thread colors. I was nervous but it worked. I didn't want to do too much quilting so I just outlined the tree levels and stitched on the red, right next to the white. Here's a close-up of the front quilted . . .


And a close-up of the back . . .


Here's the whole back, angled for a better view . . .


I couldn't really get a good picture of the quilting on the front. Oh well. Here's the whole front . . .


Did you notice I was able to get the binding on already too?! Tonight I'll be hand stitching down the last binding and then that part will be done. All that will be left will be the finishing details. Yes! There is more! I'm really liking how these are coming out!  :)  It's been really fun and didn't take too much fabric. The hardest part about the fabric was finding a variety of greens. Oh . . . and don't you just love the border and backing fabric? I love it! The reds are so deep and beautiful!  :)

Tomorrow will be the only 1 week left until boutique mark. Yes I'm behind . . . but I'm making good progress.  :)  It hasn't helped that my son's sick this week and I spent 3 hours at the doctors with him today. However now he's all stocked up on meds and should be getting better everyday. That's the important thing!  :)

Until next time . . .


Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Birdie's are Flying!

Wow! I'm quite impressed with myself! (That doesn't happen too often... lol!) The birdie's are flying around here. The last time we talked I had 4 done with 6 to go to get caught up with the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month Quilt. Guess how many I finished in the last couple of days? ................................................. 4! I finished 4 more! I can't believe it! I thought maybe 2... perhaps 3... but I never thought I'd finish 4! Now I only have 2 more to get all caught up. Yipeeeeeee! Here are the ones I just finished.

Block #5 ~ May ...



Block #7 ~ July ...



Block #8 ~ August ...



Block #10 ~ October ...


I still have June and September to do. I'm actually going to use part of the June design as a signature block for the back so I actually have 3 more to do to be caught up. I've been trying to decide what design to use for the June block. That may slow me down a bit :(. I will basically use the September design as is but will add a little more. (At least that's what I'm thinking right now... but I'm a woman and I've been known to change my mind ;)!)

I'm just so excited about these little birdie's that I can't stop! I may have withdrawals when I'm all caught up. I've really been enjoying it! I know I keep saying it but I really am! I do have another stitchery project waiting to begin so I will still get my stitching fix. I really need to get back to some other projects I put on the back burner too... Cutting & Mailing my Christmas Fabric Charm Swap  ... 2 Halloween Quilt Block Swaps ... 2 Thanksgiving Quilt Block Swaps ... at least the due dates are over week away... whew! Then I have the Halloween & Thanksgiving aprons that I'm making for myself. They're all cut and ready to sew. Of course I have other projects that are in the works too. Boy this quilting/sewing bug has really bit me big time! I haven't even mentioned the fact that I'm in a Christmas boutique November 17 - 19. Guess I better get started on making things for that too. And then there are Christmas gifts to make! Yes I've overextended myself! (Just a little!!!!!) I always do that. Not quite sure why. It's just my way I guess. There's nothing like stress to motivate you.

Guess I'd better get going and tackle some of these projects. I hope you are doing well and making lots of awesome stuff! Please share your creations with me. I really enjoy seeing them!

Have a Wonderful Day!

Until Next Time...
Cherise  :)




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

September is National Sewing Month!


September is national sewing month. I know I plan on doing a lot of sewing this month. How about you? What projects do you have going on or coming up?

Some of my future projects include:  working on my Stars Quilt-a-Long quilt, a couple of mug rugs for swaps, a couple of aprons, a bag or two, maybe start some other quilt-a-longs (haven't decided yet), work on some Christmas runners for a holiday boutique, start on some quilts for Christmas gifts... I could probably list many more items. I've definitely been bit by the sewing bug. I want to sew everything! I wish I had more time and money!  :)
Did you know that Melissa over at "Happy Quilting", is offering an AuriFil Thread Giveaway. Be sure to go check it out and enter for your chance to win! 


Have you noticed the "Ghastlies Blog Hop" button in my left sidebar? I am planning on participating this October. I ordered my fabric over the weekend and it shipped today. I can't wait to get it and get started. I will be making an apron with it! Perfect for Halloween or all year long! If you're interested, or curious, click on the button to go check it out.


I haven't gotten much sewing done the last couple of days. I have been designing a mug rug for a swap I'm in. I know what I want to do in my mind but not sure if I know how to do it. So instead of sewing I've been searching the internet for tutorials, etc. I now believe I know how I want to proceed so I will start with that tomorrow. Wish me luck!

I'm not the type of person who likes to beg but I just started blogging a couple of weeks ago and would really love it if you would "follow" my blog. It would really make my day! There's a place to do so to the right. Let me know you're following me and I'll be sure to return the favor. I plan on offering a giveaway when I reach 100 followers... only 96 more to go... lol!  :)   Help me please!  Thank you so very much!   :)

Until next time...
Cherise  :)