Weekend Sewing

Hi friends!  Hope you've had a great weekend!  I told my mister on Friday afternoon that I was going to get some sewing done this weekend and he was sweet enough offer to play some video games so I wouldn't feel bad for ignoring him.  (Let me tell you ... it was some serious arm twisting to get him to play those games ... NOT!)

Anyway, I did get quite a bit accomplished this weekend ... some bee blocks (I'll share those later this week) and finally started getting caught up on my Scrap Attack Strings blocks.  Here's my newest set of blocks ...

I really enjoy that fussy cut strip of tulips ... what a fun surprise that will be in a big quilt when it is all done!  Are you stitching along with me?  (Or maybe ahead of me - geez!)  There is still one more day to show me your progress on the Show & Tell Post. :-)

I also finished the second installment of the "2 minis from one charm pack" series today as well.  Love how this one turned out.  It's current hanging out next to my machine...

(Probably should've emptied my trash bucket before I snapped a photo!)  Look for a tutorial on that mini on Wednesday! :-)

What did you sew this weekend?  I'd love to see what you've been working on!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Sewing Seams on ...

Happy Friday friends!  :)

About a year ago there was a craze in blogland ... did you join in?  There was a whole lot of Farmer's Wife blocks being stitched up and I bought the book.  I tried a few blocks.  I botched one of them.  (Whoops.)  I joined the Flickr group and gawked at everyone's pretty blocks.  But its been awhile and I'm ready to give it another go.  So, I thought I'd start a little feature on the blog ...

Welcome to Farmer's Wife Friday!  My plan is to stitch up two blocks a month and post my blocks on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.  Once I have enough I will put together a wall hanging or a pillow or something.  :-)  Really, I just want to master the paper piecing and try out some different blocks.  If anyone wants to jump in, I'd love to hear from you ... I can make it a linky post for show and tell if you'd like.

Anyone made a bunch of FW blocks?  Have any tips?  I'd love to see them/hear about them.

So this weekend I am definitely getting in my sewing room and giving my machine a work out ... as soon as I pick out my first FW block!  ;-)

Happy Sewing! :-)

Bees & Swaps

Hey y'all!  I can't believe its almost Friday already ... after Spring Break last week I thought, "surely this will be a long week!"  But, its blown past me ... again!

Anywho, I thought I'd share the cutie butterfly blocks that I made for the March do. Good Stitches Faith Bee.  I really enjoy contributing to all these charity quilts and I love that we make different blocks each month.  In March, we were asked to make four 6.5" butterfly blocks using this tutorial.

Des asked us to use bright fresh colors (yay for getting to use some pink!).  Aren't they sweet?

And speaking of swaps ... if you want to add a variety of prints to your stash, check out Kelsey's Aqua & Red Charm swap on Flickr.  I missed out on her green charm swap, but am excited to participate in this round.

Happy Sewing! :-)

A New Cutting Table

Hi!  I think its only fitting that I share an update on my new cutting table on WIP Wednesday ... since my sewing room is still a work in progress.  (I promise to finish cleaning it up and share some photos with you!  :-)  I really wanted a bigger space to cut fabric since moving my machine every time is really annoying.  So, I decided to make a smaller version of the one we have at the shop.  It's really easy to do so I thought I'd share a quick tutorial here ...

I had a 3x3 shelf already ... you know one of those you can get from the big box craft stores and you just screw the boards together.  I picked up a second one and placed them back to back with some space in between them.

They are about 36" wide and so I asked my pops to cut a board that was 36" x 45" to span across them and make a table. So you'll need a board and a felt back table protector pad.

Unfold the table protector face down and put the board on it.  Trim to size and fold over the edges and secure with tape.  I just used some packing tape on the corners and a few places on each side.

Now, just place it on top of your bookcases and viola!

Lots of space for baskets and cutting!  (Looks like I could use a bigger mat!) I decided to put a basket of my WIPs on my table so they are more "in my face!"  :-)

What do you think?  Do you have a cutting table or special set up?

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Back to Reality

Well, Spring Break is definitely over and I can tell you that both teachers and students are counting the days until Summer!  LOL  I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend and enjoyed some time with family and friends.  I took this picture outside of church and thought I'd share these pretty flowers with you. Look at those pretty pink hydrangeas!

Mom gave me a hydrangea plant along with my Easter basket and I can't wait to plant it.  I love hydrangeas, especially the blue ones, and have been asking the mister to plant me one for a couple of years.  So, thanks Mom for helping me get my wish!  ;-)

I also wanted to share that there is new Perle in the shop!  The Garden Steps thread kits are back in stock and we've added 10 more colors available by-the-ball!

Terrain is also on sale this week ... a few prints are at the end of their bolt!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Easter Basket Tutorial

Ready for a fun (and easy) tutorial?  I whipped these Easter baskets up this afternoon ... and you can do it too ... just in time for Sunday!  haha  (Tell me I am not the only last-minute-stitcher out there!  :-)

Anyway ... something to note about the tutorial.  I took pictures while making my prototype (pink, flowery version).  For the blue and green baskets above I modified the size a little (smaller) and I like it better.  The method is the same, but I will give you the measurements for the slightly smaller ones above.

Materials Needed (per basket):

• 1 FQ for outside of basket & strap
• 1 FQ for lining
• 1 FQ for backing of quilted lining
• Batting (1 FQ) 
• Heavyweight fusible interfacing (1 FQ)
• Marking pen (such as the FriXion pen)
• Basic Sewing Supplies (machine, thread, iron, etch) 

Thank you for stopping by for this Easter Basket tutorial. 

This post has been archived and can now be found here.

Scrap Attack Strings QAL Show & Tell #3

Hi friends!  At the beginning of 2012, I introduced a QAL to help us use up those scraps we all have stashed away. Are you stitching along with us?  (I have a few blocks to catch up on myself ...)

You can read more about the QAL here and find a tutorial for the blocks as well. (They are easy!) I will be posting a linky party once a month for a little show and tell of your blocks! I so enjoyed seeing your progress last month ... I can't wait to see how you are doing on the project! So, whether you are just getting started or stitching up a storm, share your progress on your string blocks. I will select a random entry for a little surprise. This linky party will close on 4/16/12.

Happy Sewing! :-)