Two purses for Christa!

I got an email from Christa of Christa Quilts not long ago.  She was wondering if she could commission me to make her a couple of purses for Market.  I quickly said yes, and I was off.  She wanted a 3 zipper cross body bag similar to the one from Dog Under My Desk, and a large tote similar to an Amy Butler tote she had seen and liked.  Most of you know that I don't use patterns, so I went right to my graph paper to design said bags.

Christa requested white, gray and black with white zippers.

 

This little cross body bag ended up approximately 8 x 10.

I found these bold graphic prints at 'Home Fabrics'.  I do not know the maker or designer, but Christa wanted graphic....and here it is!

 You can see how it was quilted here.  Yay for Wonder Clips!!

The dark strip in the lining is a pocket for sunglasses.  A total of 5 pockets.

One zip pocket on the outside.  These are all the specifications that were requested...except the sunglasses pocket!

This large tote measures approximately 15 x 18.

Linking to:  Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!  NTT at My Quilt Infatuation!

A new sewing machine cozy!

My machine seldom goes unused for more then just over night. But, every once in a while it sits for a few days at a time.  I decided that Miss Ellie needed a pretty cozy for just those occasions.

I dug into my scraps and found just the ones I wanted to use.  I also decided to do something I had never done before.....keep reading.

I used every decorative stitch (that I liked) on my sewing machine!  I have never used decorative stitches for anything before.  It was fun.  Some I will use again and others not so much.  This cozy fits best with the table off.  More fun color and brightness added to my sewing cave!

Linking to: Anything Goes Monday at Babco Unlimited!

Hog heaven!

No, I'm not talking about little piggies!  I'm talking about the Harley Davidson kind of hog.  I don't ride or drive one, I don't even own one.....but I know several people who do, and they are part of the Christian Motorcycle Association.  My daughter/SIL and my sister/BIL are all involved in this worthy organization.  They have several fundraisers each year and I love their cause.  Transportation for missionaries in their every day lives.  That could mean a bicycle, camel, jeep - whatever will get them from here to there.  I have decided to take on several projects to help them along this year.  I have already told you about the 25 pouches (out of lipstick fabric) that my sister is selling to raise money.  I decided to make a quilt for their big fundraiser in February.

First off, I had to go on line to find 'Harley Davidson' fabric.  Then I shopped for coordinating fabrics in the Harley colors.

I found a FQ of Harley logo fabric on line!  I raw edge appliqued them onto 6 1/2" squares of Kona Cole.

Lots of HST for this pattern.  It is from the Autumn 2014 issue of Quilter's World. "Halloween Dash"

 

The back was fun to piece.  I used a leftover 'Harley' block as my label.



I love the way it came out.  Thank you Mr. Wonderful, for helping with this last shot!

Stats:  was - 59 1/2 x 68
    ended at - 56 x 66 (after washing and drying)

Linking to:  Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch!  Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts!  Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!

My new (old) sewing chair!

Several months back, I was looking for a new sewing chair.  My old one had given up the ghost and I needed something more comfortable.  I was sooooo fortunate to find a wonderful chair at a thrift (op) store for only $7.00.  It wasn't much to look at, but it was super comfy.

I remembered that I had this sewing notions fabric set aside for a tote and decided that it would be better served as my new sewing chair!

Then I realized that I had cut it out upside down and had to add the black.

I did an all over meander.  I used batting and a canvas backing.

I found this coordinating stripe in my stash and it quickly became the back of the chair.  I made the back cover like a slip cover.  I used batting and canvas for the back of this piece also.

My wonderful husband helped me out by taking the seat and pedestal apart for me.  Then he proceeded with the stapling!  He's so wonderful.

She's all secure and duck taped.

Here is what she looks like from the front.  Now that is my kind of sewing chair.

Just a little peek at her backside.  My room gets better with each little colorful addition.  I enjoy being in my sewing cave!!!

Linking to: Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!   Can I get a Whoop Whoop! at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

A fun fall runner....for me!

I have really been into making runners lately.  They are fun FAST projects that pack a lot of punch!  While I was laid up in bed, I let my fingers do the shopping.  I found this little bundle on eBay, and thought it appropriate for the center of my new dinning room table.

My friend Deborah loaned me her AccuQuilt Go Baby to see if I might  like to get one.  It was wonderful!  I loved it.  I used the die for the small tumblers.

I love chain piecing.

I think I guessed right with this little bundle of FQ fall fabrics.  It looks great on my table.

Linking to:  A Fresh Sewing Day @ Lily's Quilts!  Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch!  Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts!

Hartland fun!

I'm sure that we all love retreats...I know I do!  I went to a retreat recently up in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.  It was beautiful!

The Reedley Mennonite Quilt Center sponsored the weekend, and brought up some items for sale from their store!  Yes, I did my fair share of shopping.

The space was large and filled with great light.

My great friend Dotty and I shared this little corner of the room.  That's my 'Jemma' (Janome) out front!

These are my completed projects from the weekend.  Love these little minis.

 

This is the outside of the sewing building.  There was even a guy who sharpened scissors for FREE!

 



Cloth napkins and table clothes for each meal!  The food was fantastic.  Lots of choices.

This is the building we stayed in.

Great accommodations!  Only Dotty and I in this BIG room.  A great time was had by all.  It will be a whole year before I get to go to another retreat.  Sad face!

Linking to:  Anything Goes Monday at Stitch by Stitch!  Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts!

Redesigning from horizontal to verticle.....not easy!

 

A few months ago, I volunteered to pattern test for my dear friend Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts.  We had a choice between 'I love 2 sew' and 'I love 2 quilt'.  I chose the 'sew' mini.  I knew that someday I would make the 'quilt' mini also.  The problem, the wall space I have to hang them on is very narrow and the 'quilt' mini is designed horizontal!  I contacted Lorna and she graciously said to 'go for it' and redesign it to verticle....so I did.  I set about redesigning everything about this mini.

 

I started out on graph paper and it seems like it took forever to figure it all out.  I have a new appreciation for pattern designers.

 I took all of my pieces to the last retreat I went to and started sewing this little beauty there.  I had cut out several wrong pieces and failed to take my scraps with me.  So, I had to set this project aside and work on other projects that I had taken.

 I had to shrink down some of the elements, and change around all of the settings.  The 'quilt' mini has a pink sewing machine.  And I added a 'needle' to each of the machines.

 Because they live side by side, I quilted and bound them the same.

I think that they look great!  Thank you sweet Lorna, for the permission to mess with your lovely design.


Linking to:  Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!  WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced Quilts!