ONE NEW THING WEEK 18 (AND A LESSON LEARNED)!

This week I've been able to cross off another project on my list - a triangle quilt!  I picked up a 60 degree triangle ruler at Joann's a few months ago on a quick trip across the line (as we say here in Vancouver)! I decided on the size and cut a nice little pile of triangles...

 

 

They remind me of cotton candy!



Doing the layout for this quilt took me FOREVER!  I have a small design wall which I normally use but ended up doing this on the floor as it was a bit too big.  After laying out the triangles I sewed the rows together.  I was then able to lay them out on my design wall...

 

 

Pretty, isn't it! Fortunately, I numbered the rows because a little while ago I heard an "uh-oh" from my husband as he passed by my sewing room.  I went to have a look and discovered this...

 

 

I'm pretty sure I know how this happened...

 

 

That's the last time I leave the door open! Lesson learned.

If you're interested, I cut 135 60 degree triangles from 5 inch WOF strips for 9 rows of 15 triangles - this should give me a baby quilt about 35 x 40 inches (I think)!!!

 

FINISH IT UP FRIDAY!

It's been a busy week, but I managed to finish up a little project that has been sitting on my cutting table for a few weeks! I'm so crazy about Ann Kelle prints!  I can't get enough of them! I picked up a meter of Woodland Pals at my LQS shop and a coordinating tiny polka dot and whipped up this wholecloth baby quilt and matching onesie!

 

 

These prints are just too darn cute to cut up!! I love making these little wholecloth quilts!  They are a fast and easy project and a great way to practice FMQ!

Linking up with Amanda Jean!

Have a great weekend!

 

ONE NEW THING WEEK 17!

This week I decided to tackle (and complete) this adorable little top for my friend's baby girl! I downloaded the pattern which was a reasonable $6.00 - far less than commercial patterns bought at the fabric store which I believe are around $15.00!  Yikes - seems like a lot to me! Growing up, my mom made most of my clothes - and they were beautiful! I can still remember her making me stand on a dining room chair while she held up pattern pieces against me and making alterations and holding my breath I wouldn't get poked by a pin. She kept her sewing machine in my bedroom and I remember her sewing away at the machine at nighttime while I was trying to sleep. It was a Singer slant needle in a beautiful walnut table. I think my dad must have bought it for her and I'm sure at the time it was quite the machine.  As I got older, I sewed a few things, mostly for home ec.  I never really had great results and kind of gave up trying to sew things for myself.  I wasn't really interested in having my mom teach me how to sew and now it's too late...

 

A while ago I decided to give garment sewing another go!  I've taken a few classes but mostly just have a pile of few unfinished projects that I'm not really happy with.  And then I thought perhaps if I tried some smaller projects I might gain some experience. When I found the pattern for the little blouse I thought it would be a perfect project to start with.  Here's the finished product...

 

 

I'm really pleased with how this turned out!  The pattern was pretty good...if I didn't have any quilting or sewing experience I think might have had some trouble!  The instructions were pretty clear for the most part but there were a few areas that could have used a little more explanation!  Making this little blouse has given me the confidence to go ahead with some bigger projects!

 

In quilting news, nothing new to show you this week.  I seem to have fallen into that dangerous trap of spending lots of time in my sewing room but not finishing anything. I have too many projects on the go (which is so easy to do) and too many ideas in my head.  I need to get back to focusing on one thing at a time and getting it completed. On the other hand...it's just too much fun starting new things!

 

 

ONE NEW THING WEEK 16!

A Tisket, a tasket...!  Sorry...hope that doesn't get stuck in your head.  I'm not even sure of the rest of the words!

Anyway, for this week's new thing I decided to tackle something that has been in the back of my mind for ages! A basket quilt - a modern one like a few I've seen popping up here and there in the blogging world. I checked this book out of the library again (I think this is my third time - perhaps I should just buy a copy)!

 



 

Without a little quilting experience, I think these basket blocks would be really challenging.  I decided to make up a test block...

 

 

I was pretty sure that handle was going to give me trouble...and it did!  After a few trials I managed to get it done and I think the block turned out pretty good.  I loved making this little block, even though it took ages a while! I love free-piecing without worrying about precise cutting or matching seams!   I'm planning on a small baby quilt with these blocks. This project is moving to the top of my list (okay, as soon as I finish that !#$%& star quilt)!

 

What the...!

I have always considered myself to be a fairly organized person with a fairly good memory...apparently until now!  While reorganizing my not terribly large stash, I came upon a nice little pile of 42 completed rail rence blocks. What the heck!  I had completely forgotten making these blocks which seems quite impossible after the tediousness of sewing all those long strips together.  I was kind of torn between being a little worried at having completely forgotten all about them and feeling a little excited finding completed blocks! Anyway, I got them sewn together this morning...

 

into this cute little top.  This is The Sweetest Thing by Riley Blake! What's even more concerning is that I had already made a quilt from this fabric last fall and had forgotten about the jelly roll I bought as well. I even have the fabric for the back.  Anyway, I love this and can't wait to get it finished!

Linking up with Amanda Jean today!

 





ONE NEW THING WEEK 15!

Phew!!! I didn't think I was going to get to my 'new thing' this week!!!  Busy Busy!!!

Anyway...here's another one I can scratch off my list...Amish Cinnamon Bread!

 

 

Yes...it's tiny!! I used my mini loaf pan. The recipe makes two loaves so I made one regular and eight minis!  This recipe came together really well - the ingredients are minimal and they baked up perfectly!  I haven't actually tried it yet, but if it tastes as good as it smells...Yum!!!



 

In quilting news I didn't manage to get my Sparkle Punch quilt top finished, but I did finish up all the !#$%^&* stars! Thank goodness! I can't even imagine for one second making a large quilt with these stars! I find it almost painful making them but I so love the end result!

 

The recipe for the Amish Cinnamon Bread can be found here!

 

A FINISH!!!

Finished up my road trip quilt last night!

 

 

I incorporated all my favourite colours in this quilt - aqua, orange, yellow! I had originally planned to do straight line quilting but in the end went for gentle wavy lines!  I did this style of quilting years ago on one of the first quilts I made and really liked it. I also love the fact there's no pesky marking! It feels great to finish a quilt - I seem to have fallen into that dangerous pit of eagerly starting lots of new things but never actually getting anything finished!

 

Now...back to those stars (see previous post)! I'm determined to get my Sparkle Punch baby quilt top finished TODAY!!!

 

Linking up with Amanda Jean for Finish It Up Friday!

Have a great weekend!