Yup...I'm still here!

So sorry it's been almost 4 months since I've last posted...what a dirty rotten shame. My crafting time has been drastically cut due to a new florist position at a local flower shop.
However, I'm still doing bits and pieces as I find time and I still enjoy checking out all my favourite blogs looking for new inspiration.

Okay...what to do when your husband tries to help you with the laundry and shrinks your favourite wool sweater ( besides hurt him). As you can see this happened more than once... I turned them both into carry all bags...and I love them....almost as much as I enjoyed wearing the sweater!

This is an attempt at a new applique technique...raw edge applique. Then around it is machine quilted in a swirly pattern. I'm thinking the quilting on white looks like a paper towel! I quite enjoyed doing this and may attempt a pillow or even a small quilt using this technique...stay tuned.

Verna Quilt

The inside was quilted in random circles, various sizes, all linking one to another. The outside 6" was quilted in straight lines.

The border and backing are both the same. I used a flat bed sheet! It was affordable and coordinated again with all the fabrics I was already using.

I'm really happy with how Verna turned out!  I love the mix of colours...I love the white lattice....and I'm really loving the quilting too.

I used a Verna charm pack for all the 5"squares. These charm packs are great for getting a nice variety in colour and pattern, yet they all coordinate without too much thought.

Finished just in time...

It's finished!
I've been working fast on this one...it's due for a wedding this Saturday. I just made it with enough time to wrap it up pretty.
It's kind of hard to let it go. I've spent so much time looking at it, I think I'm kind of liking it. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by a very special bride!

Trying something new...

I have been wanting to try the "quilt as you go" technique. I have seen beautiful large quilts done this way. It saves you trying to fit a large quilt into your machine...you just quilt as you go and attach them at the end.

It is essentially the long cabin technique, sewn right onto your square of batting. After you add each piece, you take the time to go over each strip. Then you add the next piece and do the same thing again, working your way around the block. It is another great way to use up all your scraps.

 

When you're finished, cut a square for your backing, trim up the edges and bind as you would a quilt.  Mine became hot pads...with matching tea towels for an upcoming shower gift!

Frolic Quilt

This quilt was simply pieced using Moda's FROLIC charm pack! I loved all the colours. In some of the squares I appliqued smaller squares just for fun.

I quilted it just with my walking foot in one way wavy stripes.

The back side.

A couple of close ups.

Scrappy Lap Quilt.....done!

My first quilt....done!  I think it took about 2 hours to stipple quilt the entire thing. I can see why everyone says to practice, practice,practice! It takes some time to get the feel of the machine and the fabric. Even with a lap size quilt it is easy to get hung up on just about anything, and with the feed dogs dropped, your needle can move anywhere, anytime. I think another time I may try doing a smaller stippling. But over all I'm happy with my first run.

The back side. Using a pattern allowed some forgiveness if my stitches weren't quite right. It also gave me a chance to use up the few scrap blocks I had leftover.

 

It is all bound with a my favourite blue and white striped fabric. I love the effect of striped fabric on binding!

Finished size: 42"x48"

Scrappy Lap Patchwork Quilt

I finished sewing together my scrappy lap quilt top! It was made from all scraps....bits and pieces I've had forever. Many were scraps from recycled mens shirts.

The patchwork squares were made using strip paper piecing. It's the first time I've tried it, and I'm sure I'll do more. It was easy and fun, and a great way to use up scrap.

I've been reading a book "Quilt As Desired" which is all about machine quilting. She had some great advice about sandwiching the layers. She recommended using masking tape to tape down the back side, stretching it taut. Then layer the batting, and then the top. It worked wonderfully, keeping everything nice and tight. Well, I guess I shouldn't confirm this until I've actually quilted it, but it appears to work nicely!

So...next step...quilting! Stay tuned...

Some beautiful quilts.

Just some pretty quilts I have been looking at recently. I really like this first one that is just a bunch of scraps sewn together....it's not even straight around the edges! Found them all here:
http://whipup.net/. They are celebrating quilts all month.

Christmas Runner.

I am really liking this table runner! It is made from Christmas/winter fabrics, but not in traditional colours. I like that the tree trunk is done from brown bias tape...makes it simple.

I'm not really a" table runner person", but I think this one done in the right colours and patterns would be fantastic. Another thing to add to the "To Do" pile.

A Quilt For Barbie!

I’ve attempted a mini quilt with all my itty bitty  little pieces for fabric. Most of the scraps were from mens shirts which I made aprons from. I cut them into 2” squares.

 

I cut a 18”x18”piece of interfacing and layed out my squares. I gently ironed them into place.

Next I sewed a 1/4” seam down each row, ironed the seams to one side, then sewed the other directions. What an easy way to sew small pieces together! The interfacing held everything in just the right place. I guess if you wanted to hand quilt though, it might make the fabric a little tough to get your need through.

I cut 4” strips to border, machine quilted, then bound with another fabric.

A very fun little project!

Patchwork sweater blanket.

What a great idea for a bunch of old sweaters...although I'm pretty sure I don't have this many of one colour!

I really like the idea of them all being neutral though. I may have to start sweater collecting at Goodwill's 1/2 price days.

I bet it would be really cozy on these cool fall days to cozy up under one of these with a good book.

For more info on how she did it, head over here.

Check out this colour...

Just a little inspiration for this Monday morning...
Aren't these little mini quilts amazing! I love the quirkiness of this one...how nothing lines up...and the very cheery colours.
I love how small the squares are on the second one...and again, the great mix of colours. AND... I love how she rounded the corners!
Go here to check out the blog Stitch In Dye.