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My Birthday Boy

Birthday Boy...I love you so much.  Love that smile and those freckles.  Love that laugh, it is precious. 

You know, after looking at these pictures...maybe the dog does think you are tastier than the rest of us.  He is always trying to give you extra kisses.

You are getting so big.

Who likes a project that takes less than 2 hours? This gal!

I had some scraps left over from my Birdie Sling bag.  :)  I love scraps.  Makes me feel economical, thrifty, especially when I find some THIS cute to make with them.  Somehow I stubbled up on this tutorial by Noodle head for this cute little clutch.  It has these cute little pleats...they are hard to see in the picture.

Now I will admit it took me about 2 hours to make my first one.  I think it would seriously take less time next time and it would help if I wasn't on the phone for most of that time as well. 

It has cute little credit card slots. 

It has this divider, but mine came out more like a wet noodle shape....not too dividey...any ideas. 

As suggested, I used a bigger seam allowance on the lining (an extra 1/4 of an inch)...but it still is a bit flimsy in there. 

In other news....lookie what the mail lady dropped off at my house! 

My package from the bag swap.  My partner was Michelle of Shee Designs.  She designed this bag herself.  Isn't the design cute?  I love the 2 tone strap.  It is perfect and exactly what I wanted...a cheerful purse.  Michelle runs an internet shop of these homemade goodies.  If you are in a pinch and need a cute present, you should head over there.  She also has a fun blog.  Thanks, Michelle.  I sure enjoyed this swap.  She also made me a cute little notebook and a bit of fabric.  It is super cute.

If you are wondering where your bag package is, as of this morning, I still have 5 bags that have not been sent yet.  I know the deadline is just days away on Saturday and I have sent reminders.  I have been reassured by every swapper that their bag is going out this week, so feel assured yours will be in the mail on time.  I have heard of several that shipped over the weekend and yesterday, too.   And, I hope to hear from 2-3 people that they shipped today, that was their hope.

Moda Bake Shop Project with mom

So I helped mom make this Moda Bake Shop table runner last week I was visiting.  Her quilt shop had the materials, even batting, kitted up.  I recognized the sample right away.  We had a good time playing with her new machine, Janome 6600.  BTW, if you are planning on buying a new Janome...you best run their prices are currently shooting up.  I know my LQS is leaving the old pricing until they run out and have to order more. 

We did make our own pattern for the applique flowers.  We wanted something a bit bigger.

This was made using Eden fabrics by Lila Tueller of Moda.

Whimsy Bag in Early Bird fabrics by Cosmo Cricket

It was too tempting to make this Whimsy Bag in Early Bird fabrics.  I just love how this came out, don't you?  This is for a friend's birthday.  It was quite quick to whip up.  Although, I must admit that I did alter the end of the pattern and inserted the lining into the main bag a bit more traditionally.  This would make a great bag for teachers.

I love the 6 roomy pockets.

Flickr Group for Summer Tote Bag Swap

Hey ladies!  Our deadline is quickly approaching for the Summer Tote Bag Swap.  You have one week left to get your bags in the mail.  I have heard from many of you that you have sent.  Please let me know if you have done so already. 

Also, everyone is anxious to see the finished bags, so I created a flickr group  called Summer Tote Bag Swap.  If you do not have a flickr account, but would still like your bag posted just send me an email with the picture as an attachment and I can post it for you.  In the meanwhile, keep checking the flickr group as people post on it. 

Thanks!

A fun day of sewing

My mom, our friend, and myself get together every now and again to sew.  This time, I hosted.  Unfortunately, my dad ended up sick this time, so my mom at the last minute was unable to come.   Judy and I had fun, though we missed mom.  We went to a couple of quilt shops, despite a terrible rain storm, found lots of new fabrics, and managed to get in some sewing, too.  We kept hoping mom would still be able to make it, but the situation just got a bit worse.

We still did a lot of sewing, Judy was making her tote for our swap.  This is a Lazy Girl design called Whimsy Bag.  Didn't it turn out cute?  She used Verna fabrics by Moda.  It has 6 great pockets on the outside.  Who knows swappers, maybe this cute bag will land in your mailbox!

She also made this little card keeper/wallet (the pattern was called Little Wallet by Valori Wells Designs).  I just love that little Dritz button we found at Joanns. 

I worked on my Amy Butler Birdie Sling.  I used Eden fabrics, which I found for 50% off a while ago.  Isn't it cute?  It might be for Buddy's teacher for Christmas.  Or, it might be for me.  LOL.  The lining is in green, and I like it a lot.

Anyway, that about wraps it up.  My dad ended up in the hospital, which is unfortunate that he feels so poorly.  I am going to be spending some time with family this week, so I'll ge back to blogging in a week or so.

Pinwheel Quilt Along Finished Top

I spent a long time on this today.  If you remember, I had my blocks done.  I was inspired by this quilt.  But I didn't have scraps left over.  So, I bought a charm pack, cut the charms in half, and made a scrappy border from those instead.  I also added a 6 inch border of white.  I really like it.  It is quite big though.  I'd guess about a 72 inch square, doesn't look like it in this photo though.  Makes me really nervous to think about quilting that myself.  I will have to think on it a bit or start saving my pennies for the long armer.  A big thanks to Rachel for her tutorials on the quilt along!  I had fun. 

I am really glad that I made 4 of those blocks with the border though, because I think it helped balance the quilt versus one.

I used Boutique by Chez Moi of Moda Fabrics on this quilt and the background material was Kona Snow.  You can still find the quilt along directions at PS I Quilt.  She has all of the blocks listed on the side bar of her blog.