January 29, 2018

Working Working

Hi friends and followers!

Ever since the photobucket fiasco I've neglected the blog because I didn't know what to do. Well, it's time to get back into the swing of things.

I've got some new graphics and I'm going to teach myself how to get this back up and looking pretty.

There are so many things I've made that I can't wait to share with you, but first, I need to get rid of all of the "3rd party hosting" ugliness.

So...bear with me, check back to see the progress and get ready for some exciting projects coming soon!

Julie

August 14, 2016

More Quilts for Peace

This week I received three more quilts to bind for the quilts for peace project. I dropped them off yesterday and am so proud to be able to help out with this project.

My hope is they bring comfort to those impacted by the loss.




August 9, 2016

My contribution to Quilts for Peace

heart quilt
Photo credit L. Cors |  Lake of the Ozarks

As a member of the Fort Worth Modern Quilt Guild, we have been working with both the Dallas and McKinney Modern quilt guilds to make, assemble and finish blue heart quilts for folks impacted by the violence in Dallas.

Our president, Ann texted me to ask if I would mind binding a quilt. Now for those of you who know me, you already know the answer. I replied back, "only one"?  I got one and here it is. We recently went on a 9 hour car ride and binding in the car is my absolutely favorite place. I like all of the natural light and it is a great way to pass the time.

The only problem, I was done a few hours into it. Sigh. I'm meeting her this weekend, so maybe when I turn in this quilt, she will have some more for me do.

August 7, 2016

Starbucks Mug Rug Swap | Round 7

hexagon mug rug colorful

This swap is now hosted in Instagram, but it started on Flickr. I sat out a few rounds, but really missed it so for Round 7, I got back in. My partner likes color so this is the mug rug I made for her.  What possessed me to think I could do a hexagon shaped mug rug, I don't know. I wanted it to be unique this allowed me some practice with binding corners.

My partner sent a little late so I got a nice surprise the other day as my package came in. 
She made me not only a mug rug, but also a zip pouch and a clear pouch too. The mug she sent was Utah, which I need for my ever growing You are Here Collection.

I love this swap and Yvonne over at @quiltydream is a wonderful hostess.

July 20, 2016

Pinwheel Quilt for Baby Madison


Today, I'm sharing with you a glimpse of a baby quilt I made for my boss.  She had a little girl and loves neutral with pops of color so I selected mint and coral with light gray.

I used Elmer's glue to help me match up the points.  Have you ever tried it? If you haven't - do it! It's works wonders. My only comment would be you have to press to the side when you do this. If you were to press open it would gum up your iron.

Sorry for a small glimpse, I didn't have a chance to take a photo of the whole quilt before I wrapped it up and sent it to live with Madison.

July 16, 2016

Q3 Finish Along | 2016




Oh the things I have on my list. I've read that when you write down your goals, the percentage of you completing them increases, so in hopes this post will give me the motivation I need to complete them (and at the same time have a chance at some wonderful prizes). Here we go!
  • Make One Take One item for Fall retreat
    • I have this one all ready in my mind. I've done a little paper piecing so start, but I'm not sure that I like the mixed low volume background. Going to try round 2 with cohesive background and colorful emphasis
  • Baby Girl Quilt for R and K
    • Pattern picked out, colors of coral and grays - need to get fabric, cut and get to work
  • Baby Girl Quilt for Bella
    • It's quite embarrassing to say that she is already over a year old - acck! bad friend. I really should rename this to toddler quilt
  • Pillow for my Sister
    • I'm so excited to make this for my dear sister. She asked for it a while ago and I want to surprise her and send to her on her birthday, which is the first week of August - tick tock!
  • Zip Pouch for unnamed person (who reads my blog)

  • Quilt Big 10 Quilt
    • This quilt was made sooo long ago. You know what is holding me back? I basted it with the safety pins. The horror! I'm a certified, proud to yell it "spray" baster, but I wanted this one to not shift.  Ugh. It's a chevron pattern and I can't imagine quilting it on my machine and moving it through the throat, and....taking out all this pins.  You know the saying, nothing worth having is easy and I'm determined to finish so I can cuddle up under it during football season.
  • Finish Black and White pillow
    • Pink piping with bias binding. All kinds of new things. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Normally I don't share when projects turn out bad, but this will force me to show you a beauty or share some lessons learned.
  • Finish Fabric Baskets (3)
    • Trying to get a jump on Christmas projects and these just need some top stitching

  • Quilt Triangle Quilt
    • one of my most favorite patterns and fabrics 
  • Quilt Sisterhood Quilt
    • this quilt is very special to me. 
  • Make a United States pillow
  • Butterfly Pillow for local charity
  • Science Pillow
  • This is a stretch goal, but living in the DFW area, my guild is putting together some blocks to support the families who had an officer impacted by the recent violence. Instead of just making some blocks, I hope to make a whole quilt top to donate, and possibly even a whole quilt. I'll need to find somewhere to long arm though.


June 8, 2016

Color for the Kitchen

embellished tea towels

One of my dear friends asked for embellished dish towels for her birthday and this is what I came up with.  I was fortunate enough (thanks, Amazon!) to find some colored flour sack towels. I find the flour sack towels to be more absorbent than the waffle weave type of material and the colors - that's just a bonus!

These are 3 inches from the edge and folded over, you know, for over the oven handle, isn't that where you put yours?

I am hoping these get used, but if they don't and they are just on display, then that is just fine with me too. If you need a thoughtful gift for someone dear, consider making these.

Happy Birthday Deb!

September 13, 2015

Secret Sister

My annual pilgrimage to Amish Country in Pennsylvania is going on right now!  We have been assigned secret sisters and my "sister" likes elephants. Since I've already surprised her with not only the basket but the goodies too, I can show you what I made.

I finished this basket back in July and have been adding goodies to it for a while now.

Elephant Fabric Basket
One Hour Basket | Tutorial from Hearts and Bees


September 1, 2015

Welcome, September.



It is September already - can you believe it? Where does the time go?

star, hst


I have been a very busy bee.  Less then two weeks until I meet up with my very dear sewing friends.  We are meeting in Amish Country, in Pennsylvania.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE it up there and can't wait to go back. 

But...there are a lot of projects that need to be completed first.  We got a bit overzealous last year and did a paper piecing bee, a birthday package, a traveling quilt and now that retreat is here, a secret sister.  I didn't even mention the make one take one swap.  Seriously no idea what I am going to make for that.

A lot of my projects can't be revealed yet (since my sewing girls read the blog) but I am sharing a block that I am proud of.  It's slightly different than most stars, but still complimentary to most standard stars.  This is for the traveling quilt that I am in charge of completing the top for.  Once we have presented them to one another, I'll show you the start and finish.  I expect them all to be fabulous!

Happy September to you. Thanks for stopping in.


August 21, 2015

Birthday Placemats

I belong to a wonderful sewing group, and this year we decided to shower each other with gifts. on our birthday.

For July, our woman of honor was Tiffany.  Now Tiffany is either really hard to design for or really easy.  She is always very specific in what she likes, and doesn't (which is the easy part), but I'm always afraid that if I don't follow her likes exactly then I'll mess it up and she won't like the project at all.  (the hard part)

I'm probably being too hard on myself, but that's where we are at. I was going to do a sew kitschy theme but couldn't find a color combo that I think she would like.  I had already committed to placemats so I had to think some more.  She does like the Tallahassee block and I like to paper piece, so this seemed like the perfect marriage of the two.

She loves eggplant purple, grass green, aqua (not blue) and coral (not orange).  Notice there is some pink in there? Well she loves Joel Dewberry too, so I added some Notting Hill too.
Tallahassee placemats
for Tiffany
These arrived safely and she said they are perfect.  The placemats finished at 12x12.