Simply Solids - June

June brings me another month for another bee.  The Simply Solids Bee requires that we use solid fabrics and this month our hostess allowed us to Stash bust and select any color that we wanted to. This block is made up of Kona tan and Kona leprechaun.

I really like this block - a lot! As in I am going to put it on the never ending list of "someday" I want to make a quilt using this pattern!

If you like it too, head over to Robin's Blog where she posted the tutorial for, aptly called "Ring Toss".

The blocks for this group are all so different but it has been a blast to make such a variety.  For a full post on each block see: February, March, April and May.

 

Let's Get Acquainted - 2013

It's coming back this summer! The fun and exciting Blog hop created by Beth from Plum & June. Let's Get Acquainted New Blogger Blog Hop introduces you to up and coming, undiscovered, newer bloggers with so much talent! If you are new, check out this post for more information and if you are established, mark your calendar to visit each day to discover new inspiration sources. Something for everyone!

It will be wonderful to get to know you better and I'll be sharing a few things too.  Stay tuned!

Fresh Sewing Day - June

Here are some of my May creations!

My first ever zip pouch (made 2)

Finished my NuBees quilt from oh so long ago

Placemats for my Modern She Made partner (friend)

Octagonal Orb block for Modern Stash Bee

Block for Simply Solids Bee

Started on Summer Sampler Series (those would be the desserts)

and...my fabric basket finish.

Enjoy your day today!

Linking up to Lily's Quilts - Fresh Sewing Day!

And Another Fabric Basket

Funny how social media works isn't it? I had taken a photo of my finished fabric basket for a swap I was in and posted it on Instagram. Then one of my dear friends commented on how much she liked it. I told her if she would tell me what colors she liked I would make her one. Her comment back, "Beggars can't be choosers! I will happily take any color :) It's so cool!"

I sent her a text right away to find out what colors she liked and still...no definitive answer.

So....she gets this rainbow one. It is exciting to send it to her as she has three kids and is always doing things for them and it feels good to do something for her.

The talented Ayumi deserves credit for her well-written tutorial - many thanks to you.

Fabric Basket Finish

If she loves this I will be so happy. My secret partner, who likes to knit and has only a couple of quilting pictures in her photostream has been pretty silent this round. Some of the questions asked were with or without handles?, what will you use it for?, what size are you interested in? but no replies from her. This frustrates me because I really want to make something that she will love. She mentioned low volume, bright colors or warm sunshine like colors. I picked the sunshine palette and decided on reds, oranges, and yellows.

There was also a thread on goodies, as we are supposed to fill the basket with extra fun items, and silence. I did notice a dog in her photostream (which is the only place I could look, as she did not list a blog) so I'm going to add dog biscuits and send it off.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me that she likes it!

The Easiest Ever - Finish #2

Have you seen this Easiest Ever swap before? You have! I posted my progress photos and then my finish, but low and behold, I have another finish. It seems I am on the zip pouch kick!

I whipped up another one with pink and aqua just to get more comfortable. After I was finished and I put it on my sewing table, my 2013 resolution popped into my head.  It was to give away what I make this year.  So...without a second thought, I snapped a pic and asked my sister-in-law which one she wanted, she said the one on the left.  I added the handmade with love charm and mailed it the next day.

Here is the message I received when she opened the package.  It warms my heart!

Girl Charity Quilt #2

This is the original charity quilt that I had planned.  One male quilt and one female quilt but then I had some scraps left over from this one so I made another one.  Yeah for charity!!

I realize that the gray square kind of disappeared once the binding was on, but that is a good lesson to me to "audition" binding.  I actually thought the idea for yellow was great because it would make it pop.  Popped so loud it popped the gray right out of the composition.  Live and learn.

The Easiest Ever - The Finish

Check it out!

Ok, for those experienced zipper installers this will not be that big of a deal, but for me - it is an accomplishment!

I did my very first zipper project, and it turned out nicely - woo hoo!

I used the Easiest Sew Along Ever to push me out of my comfort zone and "just do it".
When I last left off with my progress, I had only stitched one seam so here is how I got to the finish.

1) lining and exterior              2) sewing the lining together            3) boxing the corners           4) turning it all around

Girl Charity Quilt - Check!

I am getting things done and it feels great!

One of my Quarter 2 Finish-A-Long goals was to complete a female charity quilt for the YWCA in my town.  It is small (by quilt standards) as it measures 24" x 36" but that is the perfect size for a nap mat for the children.  The only reason I think this should be a female one is because of the pink, but it really doesn't matter as long as it gets used (which I know it will).

As I do more and more of my own quilting, I wanted to try out random lines.  At first I just started sewing but that wasn't going to end up very nice so I got out my 24" ruler and started making random lines with the Frixion pen.  These are actually kind of fun (and don't take as long as some other quilting I have tried).  Per the requirements the binding had to be sewn via machine, but it is becoming easier the more I do it.  For this quilt I sewed the 2 1/4" binding on the back and then just barely caught the seam on the front to secure it.  

After I wash it, it will be ready to donate!

Summer Sampler - Cupcake and Soft Serve Ice Cream

Cupcake, a photo by me on Flickr

Soft Serve Ice Cream, a photo by me on Flickr

Here are two more blocks from the Summer Sampler over at Ellison Lane Quilts.  There will be 9 total and these are the latest two.  Did you miss out on the popsicle and lemonade?

And if you really want to see some variety, check out what has been uploaded to the Flickr group so far - it's delightful to see the various fabric combinations!

I am also linking up to Quiet Play for her Paper Piecing Party!