a work in progress

That describes my sewing space perfectly.

A work in progress.

A couple of weeks ago I got the best deal on some plastic tubs at Canadian Tire.

Like almost free kind of cheap!

so of course I bought lots!

and then I went back and bought more for my scraps-larger ones...

the smaller ones are shoebox size and they fit my other WIP's perfectly!

which made me and the hubby happy.

less than $15 = happy hubby

organized sewing space = happy ME

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so what are these other WIP's?

Well there are more than I'd like to admit....

AND this does confirm to my hubby that I'm good at starting but not so great at finishing...

but it's all relative--

and now that I'm organized--it'll be so much better!

I've told myself that once there are no more boxes for a project then I can't begin anything until I finish one--so on with the show

this one is a scottie dog for my dear middle child who has asked for a "dark blue" polka dotted dog stuffy.

SPECIFICS: Scottie Dog (free) pattern from Denyse Schmidt HERE

STATUS: so far the front patchwork is done and the back will be made from the royal blue felted sweater in the picture

Next up, a quilt made with a layer cake of my fave Sweetwater fabric called MAKE LIFE...

this quilt is a modified Disappearing 9 Patch using a special cutting method

SPECIFICS: Easy Bake pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew available HERE

STATUS: blocks completed...now I have to sew my quilt top together

now this quilt has been put away for a good reason.

I'm mad at it.

Mainly, it's just not going together right and is just not playing fair.
So I put it away and was going to leave it there for a LOOOOOONG time but then taking it out to take these photos did spark a tiny desire to see it finished....

and then as I folded it up and put it back in it's tub--and saw all the stray threads--

I remembered all the seams I've ripped out on this baby and it may stay out of my sight for a bit longer :)

SPECIFICS: fall quilt adapted from the Sugar Pop n' Change (free) pattern

STATUS: retired until further notice

These lovely blocks were gifted to me from Heather Bostic of (House) of A La Mode fame.

She was making a quilt in aqua, grey and orange 'til her hubby nixed the orange and then lucky me!

So far there aren't enough to make a quilt the size I'd like so I need to add to it...

SPECIFICS: inspiration quilt HERE

STATUS: blocks in progress

Lastly, probably my most favourite project at the moment.

A quilt for my pumpkin's bed (double) made with the love Sultry fabric by Basic Grey for Moda.

Using a couple of layer cakes to make an oversized version of the Disappearing 9 Patch.

Take a good look at this fabric--isn't it so pretty?

I just love it in all it's pinks and limes and browns.

thanks to my mom who understood my need for this fabric and came to my aid with her credit card until I could pay her back--now that's love! Thanks mom!

SPECIFICS: Disappearing 9 patch (oversized) --my first bed quilt

STATUS: initial blocks sewn--slicing and dicing, trimming and quilt top sewing in progress
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So I guess that's most of them that I'm working on however I have tons more swimming around in my head.

And I may have just purchased a layer cake of Lori Holt's new line "Sew Cherry" to make a quilt for someone super special but it won't do to name names at the moment

*wink wink*

Mug Rug Swap 3

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this!

Back in December I took part once again in the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap on Flickr.

You might remember my first swap in this group and I loved it!

So I did it again.

Only this time I was shaking in my boots a bit.

My partner wasn't just anybody.

She was a somebody...

Kaye Prince to be exact.

of Miss Print blog fame!

If you don't know of her,

you soon will.

She is the next up and comer in the quilting world of blogging and Moda Bake Shop

and she's CANADIAN!!

This is my most favourite of her quilt designs HERE.

so I set to it and came up with this design...

(mug rug front)
(mug rug back)
I was pretty happy with it in the end --however my machine was having a serious hissy fit so the quilting isn't what I had envisioned.

I think Kaye was pleased, however :)

It was hard to let that one go but soon enough mine arrived in the mail from
Katy! I had asked for a winter/Christmas mug rug and she delivered!
Thanks Katy!

So here's the thing--
I signed up again to do the 3rd swap and it's due to be sent by February 14th....

I have lots of ideas but so far nothing concrete put together so I'd best get a move on!

What was that about not joining any more swaps?
*wink*

Isn't she a beaut?

We bought our pumpkin a sewing machine for Christmas.

She's 5 and has a real interest in craft and sewing.

She has been using my sewing machine off and on

with LOTS of supervision!!!

Not really for her safety, sadly,

but more for the safety of MY machine!

After reading this post

I was convinced that I too wanted my daughter to enjoy the creative journey

and craft and sew side by side.

This machine is seriously basic.

Just straight stitch and reverse.

but she's loving it!

So far she's made a drawstring bag

which she promptly took to school before I could get a pic....

now I'm stumped...

what's next?

Any good sewing project ideas for a 5 year old?

hanging the stockings...

Our Stockings are exceptionally large...

Truly they are the largest stockings I've yet to see in use within my friend group.

I made these 2 when hubby and I were in University and just engaged.

Can you believe he'd never had a stocking?!

Crazy!

Mine is the red and his is the green.

Quite traditional really.

Used the other side of the fabric for the cuff.

I didn't have a lot of extra money and I was just so pleased with the design.

Hubby helped make them.

They are 1 foot across and over 2 feet long.

We used to only fill our stockings as gifts to one another.

We had no price range--if it could fit in the stocking you could buy it!

When Pumpkin came along she was 1 on her first real Christmas so I let her pick from a bunch of fabrics at the store.

Yes I started her fabric love early.

She chose this sparkly pointsettia print but I wanted to add to it.

I found this great feather trim that matched perfectly!

She petted her stocking for half an hour after I finished making it :)

Then our little man showed up.

Pumpkin chose the fabric for his stocking too.

I wanted trim but wanted it to be boyish.

Since his fabric didn't have any glitz to it,

I thought some sparkly sequin trim was in order.

So now, our stockings are done.

When I looked around blog land I noticed all these great stocking posts and wished I could make another.

Well, next Christmas I will have a new stocking post,

because in July we will welcome stocking # 5 to the roost of stockings!

last minute gifts...

I so see this being a late night tonight....

I'm going to need one of these for a particular little girl's stocking...

and then when I'm done I'm going to send 2 more to the hospital toy drive...

I'd better get crackin'!

A Baking Birthday Party

Pumpkin turned 5!

I almost can't bring myself to believe it...

but 5 she is!

And her newfound muse is the kitchen oven so we decided to have a baking birthday!

I made aprons for all the girls....

using the same pattern from A Spoonful of Sugar

I liked this pleated ruffle on the bottom so much that I added it to Pumpkin's apron too!
A close up of the pleated ruffle--

sew fun!



We made "gingerbread houses"...they decorated them for over an hour!

We also made cookies in a jar to give as gifts or keep
and share a time in the kitchen with someone special...
it was busy but
oh so sweet!literally!

To Snuggie? or not to Snuggie?

Snuggies seem ridiculous to me.

Ugly.

A waste of polar fleece.

Especially after reading this post

I was sworn off of them...

until now.

I mean, come on.

They wear them on the TODAY Show!

Even the crew!Look at the "ease"(?) of which they could work--

and Matt Lauer was quoted as saying that they are "toasty warm"...

You've seen my "sewing studio"...
yeah.

don't you love the concrete floors?

So cozy.

how about no walls?

Heat?
Wherefore art thou HEAT!

I want to sew.

Alot.

But I'm FREEZING down there!

The Snuggie is looking awfully tempting all of a sudden...

Anyone own a Snuggie?

Joy in the New Year

I have signed up for the Joy in the New Year Challenge

I am new to quilting/crafting

however as I have said before...

I have Crafter's A.D.D.

It is being run by Jacquie of Tallgrass Prairie Studio fame.

The goal is to finish as many of your UFO's

(un-finished objects--also known as started projects not finished)

as possible before the New Year...

If you're interested, you can still get in on the action

click here

I decided to stick to the projects that I have actually cut into and want to finish off...

so that equals 4

even though I have a loooong list to begin and finish before Christmas as gifts!

1. my mother's birthday gift-

-which I'd like to show you but she reads my blog

Hi mom!

2. a fall quilt for myself using the pumpkins gone wild line-

-more on this later...

as it may include a giveaway

*hint hint*

3. a thrifted wool sweater blanket for Bubby similar to Pumpkin's

4. 2 swap blocks using some of this fabulous damask fabric!

Yes. I've signed up to be part of a swap group.
12 women + 12 months x 2 blocks = 12 quilts

My month isn't until November of next year but in the meantime I'm going to be busy working hard for these special ladies on their special quilt blocks.

This is a big step for me but I'm up to the challenge and ready to dig in!

I can't wait to finish up these blocks and show them to you for finish #1!!

I'd better get started...

He SAID IT!!

Hubby helped me clean up my sewing area over the weekend.

(I told you he's a cleaner)

I think he now "gets it".

He looked around and felt totally overwhelmed at first but then dug right in.

I organized, boxed and labeled.
He vacuumed and sorted.

We folded the piddly little stash I have.

It's embarrassingly small.

Not even a diaper box worth-

-but someday....

then he said it....

" We might need to get you some shelves."

That was it. One sentence.

But it was an acknowlegement that summed up all that I have been trying to accomplish down there with my 17 year old Kenmore boring straight stitch sewing machine.

I don't know if my fabric obsession will ever be completely understood but my ability to sew and need to do it has been acknowleged and even accepted!

In his defense,

up until now,

my life has been a lot of starts and not so many finishes--

so I think I have now proven how much I enjoy starting and finishing sewing projects!

Big steps in this house!

You can see a bit of my tidying in this pic.

My sweet fabric basket from Jodi holds my bobbins and seam ripper.

I also toss whatever I need to take upstairs with me for hand sewing in there so it's portable.

So...

fresh off the sewing table is an apron that I zipped up for Pumpkin.

I made it from a tea towel and used this quick tutorial from A Spoonful of Sugar.

As you may notice, it has a stain already.
She wore it yesterday and wiped her hands all over it.

Apparently this is what you do with an apron.

"you do it all the time mom"

I guess I do.

Oh well. I made it to be used.

This is the one I'm making for Bubby.

Almost done.

Maybe hubby will let me buy a little more fabric...

you know...

to fill the shelves?

* Hee Hee *

Pretty Little Dresses

Here it is!

Done and in it's new home between Pumpkin's huge walk-in closet doors.

This pattern was a gift to me from Vanessa at V & Co.

and now I'm hooked!

Her tutorials are so easy to follow.

I bought the frame at the Sally Ann for $2

and in true V & Co. fashion

spray painted it within an inch of it's life

to bring it to it's shabby white perfection.

This project totally took away the fear of trying something new.

Thanks V.

I'm so pleased I could burst!!

Getting there...

so far...so good.

Hexagon Love

**inspired by this tutorial

I think I have Back to School A.D.D.

This is not an actual diagnosis by a trained professional
however I am aware of Crafting A.D.D.
which runs in my family

and I think the gene runs strong....

Remember my "project" ?

Well I've still got that to finish before Pumpkin heads off to school
um... yeah...
5 days and counting

But I had to interrupt myself to do this project--

ALSO for Pumpkin's Back to School extravaganza
and wardrobe re-fashion
(read, there's a hole in her jeans and I don't want to buy new ones)

oh,
and the lunch bag I plan on making

and the hair accessories....

yes.

A.D.D.

If I could just finish ONE of them!

These are almost done and they were quick and fun!

I used this tutorial because it was really easy to follow.

minus the Pellon's, of course.

I'll feel better about sending my sweet Pumpkin

out into the big bad world of school

if I send her with some handmade goodness

*grin*

sick...

a pit in my stomach that just won't go away...
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1. Bubby decided to pick a fight with our field stone and brick fireplace today....

let's just say that the fireplace won and I spent an hour in emerg so they could "glue" his forehead back together

--not pretty

2. Pumpkin is going to go to Kindergarten in less than 2 weeks.

On a bus.

By herself.

3. It's beautifully sunny and warm but I'd rather be curled up in front of the boob tube eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate.

My legs are aching and my arms are like dead weights that I'm dragging around with me.

I think I may be allergic to working out.

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What am I going to do?

1. I prayed on the way to the hospital out loud in the van.

While waiting in triage I prayed silently.

Not for Bubby,

he was bouncing on the waiting room chairs,

but for me, that I could stop shaking.

We prayed a prayer of thanks once we got home from the hospital and Bubby had a temper tantrum because I said he couldn't go to the park.

I think he's gonna' be okay :)

2. I think I'm going to stalk her to make sure she makes out all right.

This act will mainly aid in my digestion and rehabilitation from Paranoid Mother Syndrome

also known as P.M.S.

3. Get off my butt and go make supper.

And then I'm going to make another bookmark!