Christmas is Coming! Stockings were made.

Another sewing weekend and it was glorious! TWO finished WIPs (work in progress). My list of WIPs is dwindling as the new year approaches. Well, not really, I'm just getting all of the little projects out of the way for that king size swoon that is waiting in the wings.

 

 

Just after Thanksgiving I fell in to the Christmas spirit! I figured stockings for my in-law's place was the perfect Christmas project this year. We decided not to do a tree since we are traveling so much for the holidays so a some Christmas fabric was really needed to make it feel like winter.

 

As you can see, even these little stockings had the cat trying to squeeze on to the fabric while quilting the fronts.

 

 

How is that even comfortable?!

 

I embroidered our names on the front cuffs and gave us each a snowflake, of which no two are alike, so I kept with the spirit and made them slightly different. You can't really tell from these pictures.

 

The backings of both stockings are both that deep blue snowflake material (my favorite). I hand drew the patterns directly onto batting and only had to seam rip them apart twice since I wasn't working with a pattern.

Figuring out how to get the insides, right sides together, and the outsides, wrong side together plus a cuff right side out but not sewn in with no seam at the top was HARD. I struggled through it with the first one and just took things wicked slow, but I figured it out!!! SO thrilled.

 

With finished stockings I turned back to the mermaid quilt. I couldn't really decide on a quilting pattern for it so I went with a tiny meandering stitch which ate a lot of thread but has really textured the quilt. All the little mermaids pop out of the quilt as I didn't sew over them but framed them.

 

 

It was a trying process trying to keep Neti from playing with the safety pins, her main bad quilting habit. I think I forcefully shoo'd her away from the quilt at least fives times and got hissed at in the process. She was not a happy cat.

 

Finally finished quilting I laid it out to trim the edges and allowed her to roll on it for awhile. She was appeased and allowed watched me finish binding and tagging it.

Done! It was too dark to get good pics of the finished product. Pictures soon. Goals for this weekend? Not a quilt, but a dress. SO out of my comfort zone. I've been calling the sister for advice. Maybe I should just make her make it for me at Christmas. Hmm...

Happy Crafting!

Mermaids. I want one!

I spent the weekend sewing. It seemed like such a LONG weekend and I guess that would have something to do with me actually getting up early and going!

 

I went to a quilt show in Puyallup this weekend and bought one or two items, though nothing compared to the grandma's there racking up $170 tabs at each booth. Insanity! I got a cute Christmas embroidery pattern to work on, which I think I may take home over Christmas, a few fat quarters for a mother-in-law Christmas present, and two fat quarters for me! I also spent some time drooling over the long arm quilting machine demos there (le sigh). Afterwards, I went home (called Grandma), cleaned, and started sewing!

 

First things first, for this Baby Hailey quilt (soon-to-be sister of Baby Liam) I had to figure out a pattern for the blocks.

I chose the option on the right. The hubby preferred the left, but right just felt right to me. (haha!) The blocks then just started to flow.

 

 

Anyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with mermaids. The entire time I worked on this quilt I was thinking of ways I could keep it and start over for Baby Hailey. How selfish! But I can't help it. These mermaids are adorable! 

 

Neti was, of course, overly involved in the entire process, which I love/hate. The hubby snapped a few pictures.

 

The finished top! Beautiful (if I do say so myself). I'm in love with this. I want one for me. I may have to go get some more fabric just to stash away for a later date.

 

Not the best picture in the world but I love the "cat vision" effect it has. I had to include it.

 

Neti helped measure for the backing.

I got this pretty pink and white zigzag (Michael Miller), but with all the busy front, I felt it was a bit boring. Also, I altered the pattern pretty dramatically when it came to fabric choices (not using a layer cake as requested) so I ended up having a bit of extra fabric.

And whallah! I really, REALLY cool backing for this quilt.

 

The plan is to baste tonight and start quilting over my FIVE DAY WEEKEND! That's right. Five days. Jealous? I can't wait! It's going to be a sewing extravaganza. I have a lot to squeeze in to this little time period. Goals are to finish Baby Hailey's quilt and finish mother-in-law's present. I think I can do it. I'll keep you posted!

 

Happy Crafting!

Mini-Quilts Delivered & More

The mini-quilts have arrived safe and sound in Chicago! Yay! Since there is no reason not to share, as spoilers have clearly been revealed, here the are the pictures of the seasonal mini-quilts sent to the sister. Please forgive the picture quality. I still can't find my camera so these are via phone.

 

 

Winter! (my favorite)

 

 

Spring!

 

Summer!

So there you have it! Mini-quilts sent. I was literally on the phone with Devon when they arrived and she had the audacity to immediately ask for all holidays: Easter, Valentines Day, Presidents Day (if you can call that a holiday). I told her I'd see what I could do :) I just can't say no to my sister.

On a separate finished note, after posting on the star quilt being finished I threw it in the wash. Immediately out of the drier I stretched it out for a look. As I was smoothing it out over the bed a certain someone moved in. She has NEVER moved in this quickly. It wasn't out of the drier two minutes. I think its warmth was a bonus. She spent a good hour there. The hubby kept saying "she just loves your work!" haha.

 

I then threw a label on it and got it ready for the office.

 

In the office!

 

See? That wall was just begging for a quilt.

 

Once hung it was time to move on. Remember Baby Liam from here? Well, he's getting a sister! She's due in January and since we'll be in VA for part of Christmas I'll get to see the family and present Baby Hailey's quilt. SO EXCITED!

 

Look at those little narwhals!! I couldn't resist. All those boy clothes and Liam's mom needs some pink in her life! I found a fabric with mermaids and knew I need not look any further. I went with a girly nautical theme. 

 

 

I fussy cut the mermaid fabric which introduces whales and octopi as center blocks. It's in the early stages but this weekend should give me a good crack at it.

 

This is another quilt where I realized after the fact that I should have bought double fabric and made this quilt for me. I LOVE mermaids. Oh well, let's see how this one turns out first.

 

Happy Crafting!

A Sister Weekend & A Weekend Alone

Between traveling for work the last two weekends have been magical for very separate reasons. First off, two weekends ago my sister visited!!! Also, my future brother-in-law (can't leave him out). You may remember quite awhile ago that I sent Devon this- a mini-quilt for her coffee table. Recently, Devon said it had a very fall vibe and requested three more, each reminiscent of a season she didn't already have. How could I say no to my sister?! We took advantage of her being here in Seattle to root through some scraps. I refuse to buy new fabric for mini-quilts.

 

 

Of course, Neti had to join in. She was in the middle of everything.

 

I think Devon had just as much fun burying the cat as picking out fabric for Spring, Summer, and Winter.

 

Sadly, it was a short weekend and Devon and Joe had to fly back to Chicago. Neti was tuckered after a weekend with family so she snuggled up on the basted star quilt which sat idle as I quickly obsessed over the mini-quilts.

 

Don't worry, this is NOT a spoiler alert. Devon saw each one, via phone, as they were created. She has not seen them quilted, which I will not spoil.

 

I made them rather methodically. Piecing each top, piecing each bottom, basting all three at the same time, and quilting at the same time. Devon, look how lucky you got on thread!

 

Well, all the mini-quilts are now FINISHED! That's right, Devon, FINISHED! All are labeled with love. Expect a package any day now. So as not to spoil the surprise I'm afraid I have to switch gears here. Pictures will follow once Devon opens them herself (I'm jealous of Winter and almost kept it).

 

This past weekend I was home alone for two solid days. The hubby went to Houston and spent time with his Uncle in a B-17. Yes, for real. I took advantage of the time and spent HOURS quilting. I left the apartment for two reasons: fabric shop & grocery store. I was tempted to start something new but that star quilt has been set aside for too long now. I manned up, put on Ugly Betty and quilted non-stop.

 

I went with, what I'll call, whirrly-gigs in all of the negative space and the star just contained a double seam line. I thought it would be more fun to quilt the negative space.

 

Neti loved all the crafting time, although I did have to walk away for a bit due to her insane need to sit on it. You can't quilt when a cat is sitting on it. Trust me. I've tried.

 

I just finished binding it and adding a D-sleeve (for hanging) last night at 7:30, just before I picked up the hubby from the airport. Talk about perfect timing! I am absolutely in love with the results. I think this is the best thing I've ever made.

 

A view from the back. I'm so glad I went with a solid back. Look at that quilting!!

 

I haven't even washed it yet! I plan to hang this one in my office at work. I need a little warmth in there and a reminder of my creative side to calm the science side. I should be hanging this baby tomorrow morning. Can't wait!!

 

Happy Crafting!

Back to Normal

If we'd never moved in to a totally new apartment I would say we are back to normal! It still feels a little less like "home" but I think that's mostly because we don't have all of our stuff on the walls and we have no doors (well, except for the bathroom door, obviously).

 

I am LOVING my new sewing area. Neti and I are back to our regular routine, as you can see.

 

 

After a quick hiatus traveling to Mississippi for work I came back to a solid day of quilting. I attended the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild meeting which was GREAT, especially meeting some new ladies. I have decided to throw myself whole-heartedly into the group and learn some new things and meet some new people. I think it's going to be great! I left the meeting feeling inspired and spent the day finishing up the front of my star quilt, piecing the back of it, and basting!

I'd say I'm about 25% done with the quilting and that's probably being generous. I'm headed to Ohio for work tomorrow but I get to come home to my sister and her fiance waiting for me here in Seattle!!! I foresee a day of video games for the boys, knitting and quilting for the girls and Chicago deep dish impostor tastings for dinner. So excited!

Happy Crafting!