Tissue Covers

These are some cute tissue covers that I recently made. Quick and Easy. 

I used the tutorial from feffertim on the Quilting Board :

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/super-super-easy-tissue-holder-t107636.html

Thanks, feffertim!

Purse Pincushion

Pincushions are so fun to make! Check out these cuties. I had fun gluing beads to the pins for extra bling.

Personal Pouches

I started making these thinking about using them for coupons, recipes, notes, etc.  Then I realized that every lady needs something pretty to put her 'personals' in, right? But they really can be used for anything that you want to hide or keep safe in your purse.

Different version here. Same purpose, just a tad more involved to make.

Mug Rug for Me

What is a Mug Rug? It is larger than a coaster, smaller than a placemat. Just a little "rug" that you can put a drink and a small snack on. They are typically about 6" x 10" or anywhere in that range.

I have been looking at mug rugs for awhile, but just wasn't inspired to make them. Until now. Lately, I have been enjoying making small projects, pincushions, sachets, pouches, needle cases, etc. and mug rugs fit right in. They are kind of like small quilts.

So I told myself, okay...let's do this. But what to do? Took me a few days, but then I knew that I had to make one for me, to have on my sewing table. I wanted pink...pretty...bling. So I grabbed some scraps from a recent quilt project and here's what happened...

Here is the back:

I love it!! It is just me.

 It was FUN to make and so quick. I am going to make many more of these. Oh! just realized I want one for my office desk...hmmm, what design? Train maybe? (Our business is model train related.) Or another feminine pretty one? 

I'll show you what I end up making when I get it done.

New Quilting Tool

As I mentioned, I plan to make a quilt for a wedding gift for Kory & Whitney. I have an idea for the double wedding ring (DWR) because it is traditional, but I want to put a modern feel to it. I've heard that the DWR can be a challenge to do and I have been a little nervous about it, especially since I don't have a lot of time.

I was reading a post on the Quilting Board forum (www.quiltingboard.com) about the AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter. I never thought I would need to purchase a cutting system, I'm comfortable with my rotary cutter and ruler. After reading the post, I started looking into the GO! Fabric Cutter, just checking it out and seeing why other quilters were so happy with it. It looked like a nifty tool, but did I really need it?

As I was browsing around I realized that this could be a useful tool for cutting out applique patterns. I was seriously considering the little one, the Go! Baby, for putting cute little touches on projects.

Then I stumbled onto this....

...a die for the DWR blocks!

That looks like something I need, right? Yeah, I thought so too! A great tool that will cut out the pieces - exact. Must be fate. So I have just purchased the GO! Fabric Cutter and the DWR die. Had to get the larger system, because this die is too large to fit the smaller, but that's okay. I'm sure I will find many things to use this for. Check it out!!  www.accuquilt.com

Now I am really looking forward to getting to work on this wedding quilt!

They are Engaged!

This is my oldest son and his fiance. Aren't they beautiful? They just got engaged and will be getting married in May 2013. I am very excited!!!

I plan to make them a quilt. I'll have five months to get it done by the wedding date. Hmmm, not sure that it will be done before the wedding, but we'll see. Black, white, and champagne are the colors they want. I am considering the double wedding ring (DWR) or cathedral ceiling pattern.

Nah, not cathedral ceiling. I think that is too busy and I'm not sure about the weight with all that folding.

I like the idea of the DWR because it is traditional, but I want to put a modern feel to it. I have a layout in mind with partial DWR in the center and a flying geese border and maybe a black/white toile fabric border.

Did I mention I have five months? But isn't there a rule that you can give a gift within the first year of marriage? Might have to take advantage of that.

Mystery Quilt

I am following a Mystery Quilt a-long through the Quilting Board forum, www.quiltingboard.com.

Directions are posted for selecting fabric, then each block weekly. When starting, it is not known what the finished quilt will be, it's a mystery!!

Here are my blocks...

This is where I left off when I decided to go to Seattle to be with mom. The quilt-a-long has continued without me, so I do know what the finished quilt will look like. 

You can see a picture here of Judy's quilt here: 

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachments/blocks-month-week-f9/378234d1353770057-8-c-twelve-blocks-together.jpg

This has been SEW FUN!! First time I've ever done this and looking forward to more. If you are a quilter and haven't visted the Quilting Board, I suggest you do. It is a great place for inspiration and fellowship.

Oh! And I am very pleased that my blocks have been approved by Inspector Samir. Hooray! Isn't he just the prettiest kitty!?! 

Pretty buttons

Look at these glass buttons...

Aren't they pretty? I purchased these beautiful glass buttons from Ebay. I will use them to embellish pretty
things I make. I love looking at them, they make me happy.

Lynda

Unexpected Creative Detour

Just as I was getting back in the sewing groove, I encountered a detour and I am now in Seattle.

Just before Thanksgiving, my dear mother was told she has..

lung cancer.

Did I really just write that?? I keep thinking they'll say...just kidding...we made a mistake.

Aaahh, but not so.

There is an area on her left lung that has cancer about 4.5cm in size, (about the size of a golf ball). I decided to go to Seattle to stay with her while she goes through a series of tests; brain MRI, bone scan, PET scan to see if the cancer is anywhere else in her body. We'll hear the results on Dec. 5th.

What we currently know is that it has been caught early. Mom was having shortness of breath and feeling very tired and mentioned this to hear doctor when she was having some other tests done. The doctor decided to do a CAT scan because he was more concerned about a blood clot at that time. That is how they discovered the cancer. Usually lung cancer is not detected until later stages because there is not really any symptoms until later, when more area is affected.

I have been in Seattle for a week to-date and could be here for several more. If the cancer has not spread they will do surgery to remove the lower lobe of her lung. I will be here to take care of her (and her cats) through this. If the cancer has spread, there will be chemo, etc. and we'll see what happens with that.

Because I flew to Seattle, I do not have my sewing machine! I am missing it dearly. Mom continues to work, so I am alone a good portion of the day. Right about now, I am wishing I had a nice hand project to do, but I don't. What to do? Go shopping!! I've been to local quilts shops, fabric shops and bought some goodies. I have been playing around with making flower embellishments.

Check out my mess on mom's table. lol.

My Space

Recently, I changed our guest room into my sewing space. I was using an alcove at the top of our stairs, but it just wasn't enough room. I love, love, love it.

Creative slump broken

The last couple months I have wanted to start sewing/quilting again. I like to sew in the fall/winter and garden in the spring/summer. But lately, I seem to have had a creative slump. I blame Pinterest. I am a Pinterest addict. I love to spend the evenings (OK, weekends too!) browsing for things to create by either sewing or crafting. I was spending my free time looking for things to make, rather than making things.

I need to find some balance. No surprise there. That statement pops into my head regularly.

Maybe it wasn't a creative slump as much as a doing it slump. The ideas are abundant, but I wasn't getting anything done. What to make - aprons; potholders; sachets; pin cushions; cooking; baking; or I should organize; oh! but I should clean first ( work before play).  Ah heck, I'll just take a nap.

This last weekend I decided to break this slump and then realized I wasn't happy with my work area. For the last three months we had people staying with us until their house was ready. Finally, they moved out. That gave me an idea...

Change the guest bedroom into my sewing area. No more guest room, no more visitors staying. *grin*         (More on my sewing room in a later post.)

So now my room is all set up and I love, love, love it. Yesterday, I spent all day in my room and actually made some pretty things! It was so fun. 

Here is a cathedral window pin cushion I made following the tutorial over at Moda Bake Shop: 

A patchwork heart pin cushion:


Here are some potholders I made awhile back. I learned how to do these at a quilt retreat a couple years ago:


I made a couple more pin cushions and a couple sachets too. The sachets even have lavender that I grew in the garden. My room was smelling good while making these!

More later...til then,

Lynda