A charming quilt

I guess September was the unofficial Charm Pack month here at DQ. Sound the trumpets! I am so happy you joined me for the journey. To wrap up September, I am going to leave you with one last charm project, a quilt. This quilt is perfect for anyone, but I particulary liked it because it was a FAST project for me. We have recently had a big schedule change in my husband's work schedule. It has impacted us in many ways, and I just have little time to sew or I am too tired to care to sew. I bought this little laminated pattern and then realized I already had the 2 charm packs it called for and 1.5 yards of fabric. I was so excited that I actually started it relatively quickly. I started this project this week and away I went.

This quilt started with sewing charms together to make a 9 patch block in the center and surrounding it with a border. And then I surrounded it with a charms pieced border, followed with more border, and repeated. I am explaining this to you for the simple fact that because I used the brown colored charms, I think it really detracted from the pattern itself. Next time (and believe me, there will be a next time as I loved this pattern! It makes for a really quick gift.), I will be careful not to use the charms that are too similar in color to the border color.

I probably sewed for about a half hour for two nights, then I spent a couple of hours on it yesterday and the top was FINISHED. I felt so accomplished, that I think I am ready to start my next project, which is for the Polka Dots and Ric Rac Swap. I am very excited about my project that I picked. Here's just a hint, I am using some Michael Miller fabric.

If you are keeping track, I am nearing my 100th post and that will mean a giveaway not to be missed. Thanks for hanging in there with me while I am not getting as much blogging or sewing done as I did this summer.

What a Swell bag!

So, I made this cute bag out of a charm pack of Swell by Moda. It turned out cute and fresh. I used 3 rows with four columns. I also had some yardage I used to line the bag and make the handles. I made the handles by cutting 6 inches X WOF, in case you are wondering. I folded them with some batting and then sewed them. I cut the strip in half, making 2 handles. I had a few charms leftover, which I sewed together to make a couple of interior pockets.

I am curious, what projects have you made out of charm packs? Thanks for the votes and nice comments about our grab bags. We really appreciate our circle of quilters. You guys are the best!

All People Quilt Contest

A while ago, I made this grab bag from a BHG magazine. Dawn suggested I enter the APQ quarterly challenge contest. So, I looked up the directions but it said I needed a partner (to make a bag of her own). So, I asked Dawn if she wanted to do it and we were off to the races. Dawn's bag is posted on her post right now. You really should check it out. She put in loads of time hand embroidering the cutest birdy. It is just the sweetest bag.

We could really use viewers giving us recommendations and ratings. Only the 10 best fan favorites get judged and we do not have very long until Sept. 16th. If you would like to go vote for our grab bags, here is the link. Look for Dawn's little birdy bag and it will take you to both of our entries. You can vote once per day. There are lots of great ideas. If you would like to make a grab bag of your own, the free directions are here.

Soccer Mom

Whhew, what a week we've had. Buddy had his first day of school. He loves school and that makes my heart sing. In fact, my husband heard 2 really nice reports about him on Friday. Both teachers told him what a good listener he is and that he sits well and does whatever you ask of him. He is good boy.

Now, that I am back to work too. . .there is little (actually no) sewing to report. Although, I did join the Polka Dots and Rick Rack swap over at Red Geranium Cottage. I can't wait to find out who my partner is and get started. I know that will get me back to the machine! I also have had some shopping therapy! The Director took me on a road trip and along the way we hit 2 different quilt shops, that both turned out to be WONDERFUL finds, and 1 HUGE hunting store, not quite so thrilling but not too painful either.

Here are some of my goodies from the second shop, Jennifer's Quilt Shop. I hope you are sitting down for this. . .I paid less than $2 a fat quarter at this shop. That's right, they are $2 a piece or 11 fats for $20! What a great price and I did ask, it is their normal price. Their yardage was quite reasonable, too. I put the card in each photo in case any of you fabric hounds are looking for something specific and you might want to give them a ring. I have no idea if they do phone orders, but I must say they were very friendly and accomodating, considering the 4 year old was running around the fabric labryinth with his 2 dragons fighting each other and the husband was chasing him. So, here are some odds and ends fats.
Here is a log cabin kit I purchased.
I also picked up this yardage at another shop in a clearance room.
Oh, and here is my find of the week. Joann's was having half off notions sale and guess what, this Side Winder rang up for half off!
I love that it is pink. I was floored at the power that little thing has. . .don't underate it.

We finished the week with buddy's first soccer practice and game. Of course, he swims in his uniform. I had to put the most ugly darts in the shorts just to keep them up. I am not a seamstress. Feel free to give me tips.
Oh they are so precious out there! I should back up and give a little history. At the parent's meeting, the coach was a bit late and it was 90 degrees out. I sat there for about an hour and all of a sudden I had to go to the bathroom URGENTLY. Obviously, all that water had kicked in. So, that is how I nominated the Director and me for game supervisors....because that was the last item on the agenda and it was obvious we weren't leaving until we had game supervisors. My hand shot up in the air and we were outta there! Luckily, I made it to the bathroom. What a story to share for the world to see, I know. So, you can see the husband doing his role.
How cute is that little "I scored my first goal, hand pump"?