Camera Strap

So as to not look like a walking advertisement for Cannon I think that a camera needs a camera strap. What a great way to use up some scraps and have a cute camera!
I made my camera strap where it can slide on and off so it will be interchangeable.  I have seen them where you take apart the hardware on the original strap and then reattach. Since I didn't want to ruin the original strap I made it slip over...it's kind of a pain to get on since it is really tight but I wanted it to really fit and not be too loose and sliding all around.

Boo to this picture!  I couldn't use my real camera since it was the model so a phone picture had to do!

Now I need to stop procrastinating and get back to work on my big project!

Handsome Pants

I took a break from my big project to make something that would be a quick finish.  I have been wanting to make little man the Quick Change Trousers from AMH Handmade Beginnings book.  They were super easy to make, came together in an hour, didn't use a lot of fabric or brain power.  Perfect project to just do and not think.  The directions were very well written and even the most beginner sewer would be able to put these together without problems.  I think little man needs a pair in every color!  The only thing I would change is to make the legs more narrow.  His little legs were swimming in them.  Maybe once he's bigger the width would be ok but for the 0-3 months size it's a little much. 

 

**Please do not use my pictures**  

Thanks!

New Project

It might be a little while until I have a finish to share.  I've started working on a BIG project...and it is going to be worth it!  Soon my huge wall over my couch will be less boring!

P.S.  I finally got around to changing the blade on my rotary cutter...what a difference a new blade is!  I forgot how easy it is supposed to be to cut fabric!

A New Home

Meet Nook.  Nook has this wonderful little leather sleeve that he fits in. Really makes it feel like you are reading a real book...which helps me a lot!  But this soft leather is easily scratched (and kinda boring!)

 So Nook gets a new home!

 And I couldn't be any happier with it!

MQG Bee Block

I finished the latest block for the KMQG Bee.  This was by far the favorite block I've ever made, mostly because of all the wonderful fabric I got to play with to make it!  It's so bright and wonderful!  It has given me inspiration for my next project...but first I need to square up all the blocks on my table to make room and hopefully get another finish soon!

Fun Site

I found a great new site, Pinterest.  It calls itself a social networking site but it's not.  It's your very own virtual inspiration board.  You create boards to pin images you like. It's super easy.  There's a pin it link you drag onto your toolbar.  Whenever you see an image you like anywhere online you just click the pin it button and it goes onto whatever board you want it to be on.  Make sense?   You are also able to follow other people's boards or repin something someone has posted.  I started it as an inspiration board for things I want to sew but it quickly turned into pinning everything I like!
My pins are here.  You should try it, it's fun!

This Might Be My Favorite Yet!

Another WIP finished! Woo hoo!! I bought this fabric the day I found out I was having a boy. I designed my pattern a few days later and started cutting. I finished the binding only about 6 months later! But now it's finished and I think it's my favorite! I FMQ my go to stippling but on the bottom left corner I quilted the little guys name to make it even more special for him. I think I might hold on to this quilt until he's older!

                                        

I even took my time and did a little piecing for the back.  Usually when it comes to the back I am so ready for the quilt to be finished that I just use a solid back.  I think I'm going to take more time to piece the back from now on...I really like how it looks!

I have one more quilt that I have been hand quilting for over a year now and it is so close to being done (it has been for months now!)  My goal is to have it done by picnic season!  It's the brightest, most spring like quilt ever, perfect for spreading out on the grass with a good sandwich and a good book!  (I am so ready for that kind of weather NOW...I just might have to work on that quilt now to remind me that this cold, nasty weather doesn't last forever!)

But for now the baby is actually sleeping in time for me to make dinner...this is a first!  I better get on that if I want to eat any time soon!

Finally....a Finished Quilt

 This is the quilt for the little man's crib.  (once he'd big enough...for now its on the floor for tummy time!)  It matches his swing, bouncer and of course his curtains.  I used some of the scrap from his valance for the binding.  I have some more scraps that will eventually be a pillow for his rocker....someday!

The fabric for this quilt is Woodland Friends 2 by Ellen Crimi-Trent and the binding is Urban Circus by Robert Kaufman.

...I Need Help...

I am making a large quilt hanging for my living room.  It's the Two Left Feet pattern by Boo Davis (I'll try to get a picture of it soon).  I am making it in Kona Solids.  The majority of the quilt will be a cream neutral (Kona Eggshell) and the rest is a twisty design, almost like a Celtic knot.  There will be three colors to make up the knot.  One color will be Kona Brown.  I think the second will be an aqua color (Kona Caribbean).  Now the third color....I can't decide if I want Lavender, Chartreuse or Orange.  What do you think?

Great Book

Image and book found on Amazon

I came across a fabulous, fun, quilting book this weekend.  It's called Dare to Be Square by Boo Davis.  Boo has a great sense of style and is inspired by heavy metal music.  She has great designs all made up of squares and rectangles.  Her book has patterns to make owls, skulls, robots and more.  I can't wait to make some of the quilts she has.  First up is the twisted knot one as a wall hanging behind my couch!  Also, this book gives me an excuse to buy a bunch of new solids!   = )

Catching Up

Good news:  I was finally able to get some pictures off of my camera...

Bad news:  There wasn't that much to share!  Only one thing that I made!

 

The fabric is Urban Circus by Robert Kaufman

I did get a picture of this simple window valance that I made for the little guy's room.  It was so quick and easy that I want to make window treatments for all the windows in my house!  All I did was measure out a piece of fabric two times the window length.  I wanted the "hang down" part to be 14 inches long, 2 inches of ruffle on the top.  I put a piece of fabric 5 inches wide on the back to make the pocket for the curtain rod.  Since this window is on the upstairs floor I wasn't concerned with how the back looked since no one would see it.  If it's going to be visible you might want to line the back of the curtains (in that case the 5 inch wide fabric for the pocket wouldn't be necessary!)

I sewed down the fabric 2 inches from the top and then 2 inches down from that seam.  That made the curtain rod pocket. 

Then all that was left was to hem the top, bottom and sides and hang on the curtain rod. 

Simple and quick and sure finishes off a room!  I had enough fabric left over for the binding on the quilt that matches the colors in the valance.  (still need to take pictures of it!) 

For Christmas my wonderful husband got me one of the greatest gifts ever.....

No more late night runs to Joann's for matching thread!  Now if only I had a sewing room to hang this on the wall!

And my wonderful sister got me Miss Mango, my Blythe!  I love her!!

And the funniest part about the Blythe packaging...

No babies!

Thankfully the little guy is still sleeping...time to wash bottles and pick up the house....guess there's no nap time again today!  (maybe tomorrow)

Every time I sit down to sew something, the little bug cries! When he is quiet and asleep I have to wash dishes, do laundry and try to rest on the couch. I started making a dress for Miss Mango (my Blythe). It should take an hour tops to make, but it has taken 5 days instead (and it's not even half way done!). Hopefully now that the holidays are over we will be able to set up a normal, less sleep deprived routine that will allows to make something! My to sew list just keeps growing!

A Gift For a Good Friend

I made this mug rug for a good friend of mine and my co-teacher.  When drawing with the kids we would often draw the same two scenes....the beach or a little nature/garden scene.  I was originally going to make a beach for her, but when I was going through my scrap basket some of my fabrics were just screaming tree.  So I spent some time playing around and came up with this. 

I quilted spikes of grass, swirly "leaves" in the tree, some detail on the bird and lines of "bark" on the tree.  I pieced it together with raw edge applique and I quilted her name in the corner.  For one of my first adventures in applique I think it turned out pretty good.  The picture doesn't do much for it though!  I think I will make more of the little art mug rugs.  It was quick and fun to do!

Happy New Year

Sorry for the lack of posts!  I have a bunch of stuff on my camera to share but ever since our little one was born I just can't find the time to get the pictures off the camera!  No new sewing has been done these past two weeks (has it really been two weeks?!  It seems like one big, long day with a bunch of little naps!)  The past two weeks have been full of  holidays, visitors, diaper changes, feedings and deep cleaning of the house, but we are slowly getting into a routine, and once that happens I will have more time between feedings to get some sewing and blogging done! *fingers crossed!*

2010 was such a good year both creatively and personally.  I started this blog (and I will get better about posting!) as a way to keep track of all the things I make, the KMQG was formed and I met some wonderful people through it, and my skills in both quilting and general sewing have improved.  I feel so much more comfortable with my free motion quilting and machine binding (although I still would rather hand sew the back of the binding, it just seems more right that way!)  I've made some great quilts and bags and dresses. 

I have a lot planned for 2011.  I'm afraid to write out any sewing goals since I know they won't get done.  Right now I would just be happy for an hour to sit at my machine and create!  I think first up is a new outfit for my new Blythe doll that my fabulous sister got for me for Christmas. (I have a picture of Miss Mango but yet again, it's on the camera and with a sleeping baby on my chest I can't go get it!)

I hope you all have a wonderful 2011!  Here's to a whole new year of creating, sewing and spending time with the ones you love!