Charming Finishes for January/February

Kelly asked the Charming Girls Club to post their finishes for January/February.  Kelly, I have to tell you that I found it quite refreshing not to have goals.  And, it wasn't that I didn't get things done either...but I really like that one a whim you can decide to go whip something up and not have the guilt factor.

This is the apron I made at our sewing party.  Whenever I wear it, it makes me smile thinking of the fun we had that day.

This is my ironing board cover I whipped up.  Should I mention that I have wanted a new cover for over 2 years?  Well worth the time I invested in it.

These are all of my Squared Up blocks...totally pieced.

This is a small laundry bag I made as graduation present.  So nice to have it done early.

This coupon clutch and Nook cover were birthday presents for a friend.

These bags will soon be given to quilting buddies.  They are just the right size for a traveling sewing kit, I think.

Thanks for revisiting these projects with me.  Happy sewing.

Coupon Clutch Cuties

It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas....or at least I am getting a few smaller projects done that are meant to gift.  Some great ladies that I work with really liked my coupon clutch I made myself a while back, so they are getting their very own.....

Cute, right?

In even brighter news, Cath Kidston now has a US catalog and she is offering a special offer right now for free shipping on orders $100 over until December 10th;  Offer code USFP.  Everything still ships from England so free shipping is a huge offer!

Wheel Baby Quilt...actually quilted

So, I finished quilting this over the weekend at mom's house.  She is going to hand tack the binding down.  I think I will like that brown plaid binding when it is done.  I love the back material.

November and December Projects

Is it really time to post new goals?  Hmm.  Seems I am running out of time...I must get some Christmas projects done.

1.  a bag for buddy's teacher
2.  I must quilt/bind a table topper
3.  2 coupon clutches
4.  I'd love to get my ME Santa quilt quilted
5.  quilt that Wheels baby quilt and bind!!!

I heart this one...

Finally, I finished my pinwheel sampler quilt.  This was a quilt that I did last year following Rachel from PS I Quilt's lead.  I really like how it turned out.  I love my scrappy border and the red binding.  I even love the backing.

Hooray, another goal down.  As I did finish this quilt too.

Goals for September and October

Is it time for goals again?  I have had these worked out in my head for a few days, but now I guess it is time to journal them down here.

1.  Finish this baby quilt, now that the baby has arrived and has a name.

2.  Create another baby quilt with materials from the Wheels collection (which is on its way thanks to the FQS)...sorry no picture.

3.  Put the binding on the tulip quilt.

4.  Bind the pinwheel sampler quilt.

5.  Create this beautiful pumpkin table runner from the Pattern Basket.

Christmas Sewing Party- Final Update

I love this pattern.  It is such a cinch.    I took this picture, which turned out dark (sorry) to show off that since I didn't do a scrappy version of the outer bag...I did a fancy decorative stitch.  I really like how the leaves complimented the focal fabric.

I did use a different idea for the handle...I love it!  I will definitely do that again.  I love the one strap versus two handles.

I used batting on the outer bag (scraps!), and I used a craft pellon on the inner lining so it is super sturdy.

I think my friend will love this Christmas present.  Here is a shot of the inner lining...love the print.

Getting Started- Christmas in August Sewing Party

So I thought a lot last night, and I have a plan.  First of all, I decided to go with the Manhattan Handbag pattern instead.  I am going to do the non-scrappy front option because I think this big fun print is too cute to chop up.  This is a picture of the Benartex print, super cute, right?  I am also not going to do handles.  I am going to do 1 long shoulder strap, and I might even put some hardware in the mix like I did with the Kati Cupcake Bag.  I am pretty excited about this one.

We were all up late last night because the boys were camping the backyard.  I am running a bit slow this morning, but after some yummy french toast hubby is making, some coffee, and a quick shower...I will ready to go.  LOL.  I spent a bunch of time already cleaning up the ever messy sewing space.  I just could not think about sewing in that sty.  LOL...it was zapping my creative juices.

Update...my bag is done!

Christmas in August Sewing Party

Tomorrow, I am going to be working on a present for my friend, Amy.  I think I am going to use the mini bow tucks pattern by Quilts Illustrated to make her a purse.  She picked out some fun fabrics by Benartex.  I will do a post update tomorrow of the fabrics when I get started.  Happy sewing everyone. 

I have added an update.  Go here.

Revisiting my goals- I think I have quilter's ADHD

I decided I best revisit my goals....I think I am getting a bit off track.

Goal 1- Finish quilting my Schnibbles for the contest and put the binding on it.   Done!

Goal 2- Make another Camielle's Bag this time out of LOVE by Amy Butler. EDITED 7/1/10: I may opt to make a Phoebe Bag instead. It is a new pattern I'm itching to try. It is free and you can find the link here.  Done!  I actually made 2.

Goal 3- Make 2 bags of my choice out of this new fabric I picked up.  (WELL, I made 1.)

Goal 4- Get the quilt top done for Plan C out of Attitude Girls.   (HA!  I don't see this happening.  Instead, I think I am going to try to get my quilt top done for my Jelly Roll Quilt Along.  Why start yet another project until I finish that one?)

Goal 5- Sew on my sashing and border strips to my Pinwheel Quilt Along.  Done!  And, it is at the quilter's.

Goal 6- Make 2 Birdie Slings one from Moda and the other from Free Spirit.  (I made one and then decided to make another Camielle's bag out of the other, which I at least have cut.)

Goal 7- If Baby cooperate, finishing the center square and putting the blocks/borders together for this baby quilt. (At least this one is out of my hands.  Darn baby!  :)

Goal 8: Make this little wallet (Koin Keeper) for my bag partner.   DONE!

And, as usual...I got a bit distracted and added a couple of projects.  I think planning for 2 months is hard, I change my mind way too much to think that far ahead.

4 goals done is better than none, I suppose.

Charming Girls Goals for July and August

Seriously, I have so many things I want to get done in July and August that I doubt it is humanly possible!  LOL.  But, all the same, I am going to try.  At least by over goaling, it leaves me some options. 

Goal 1-  Finish quilting my Schnibbles for the contest and put the binding on it. 

Goal 2-  Make another Camielle's Bag this time out of LOVE by Amy Butler.  EDITED 7/1/10:  I may opt to make a Phoebe Bag instead.  It is a new pattern I'm itching to try.  It is free and you can find the link here.

Goal 3- Make 2 bags of my choice out of this new fabric I picked up.

Goal 3- Get the quilt top done for Plan C out of Attitude Girls. 

Goal 4-  Sew on my sashing and border strips to my Pinwheel Quilt Along.

Goal 5-   Make 2 Birdie Slings one from Moda and the other from Free Spirit.

Plan 6- If Baby cooperate, finishing the center square and putting the blocks/borders together for this baby quilt. 

Goal 7:  Make this little wallet (Koin Keeper) for my bag partner.

I hope to get a head start on some Christmas presents here, as you can see. 

We also have many fun family events planned:

1.  Buddy gets to go to 2 days camps (one is a camp I attended as a kid, the second is a soccer camp he wanted to go to).

2. I am going to help my mom a bit with cleaning out my grandmother's house.

3.  We hope to go camping if things work out. 

We've already had quite a bit of family fun this summer:  the boys went and watched Karate Kid, Buddy and I went and watch Toy Story 3, Buddy and I are working on our own version of a children's picture book, Buddy and I have went to Splash Village twice, and we had a great time watching fireworks last night.

Schnibbles Times Two- McGuffey

This fabric is so summery, it is definitely the time to work on this project.  I just finished the top of my McGuffey for Kelly's contest.  Now I need to quilt it. 

Pretty cute, huh?

Photo Finish

Oh, I just managed to finish both of these April finishes.  First up is my MIL's tulip quilt top.  It is large.  I apologize, I had a hard time getting the entire quilt in the shot.  I hope to get this quilted in May.

Next up, I finished both of these aprons, which came from a pattern by The Pattern Basket.

Tomorrow is my birthday!  I am going to a soccer game, out to eat, and then to a quilt shop and maybe a very small quilt show. 

Tote Bag Sewing Party Parade of Bags, Part 1

I want to thank all of the ladies who sewed with us in our first ever Tote Bag Sewing Party. I think it was quite successful and everyone had a lot of fun. I am going to "parade" some of the bags and then Kelly will parade the rest a bit later.

First up is Cyndi's cute Grab Bag. I love her fabrics.

Grethe made an adorable bag.  I have never seen this pattern, but it is quite darling as were her fabric choices.


Diane made a super fresh spring bag.  Don't you like her fabrics??

Kim made 2 bags.  She used her own pattern (which is reversible)  and she also made a Bella Bag.  Great job, Kim!

Di made a bag for her laptop.  Very creative!

Amy made a really cute bag, her own design.  I think the prairie points are quite nice!

Mary joined in the party fun after visiting her new grand baby...congratulations Mary.  Then she made this adorable Amy Butler Bag.

Carol was a bag making queen.  She made up some friendship totes and a Pinafore Tote Bag.  TOO cute.

Cheryl made a great diaper bag.  It is so roomy. 

Karen made this very detailed applique bag.  Very quilty!

Sandie made this cute cherry print purse.  Very nice and I love the fabric choices.

CJ made a Grand Revival Designs tote using Verna fabrics.  You know how I love Verna right now! 

Susan made a Dandy Bag.  I love her fabric choices.  Pink is a favorite of mine....she made this for a gift, I think.  :)  Susan has since made a really cute purse, you should go check it out. 

Next up is my mom, Mary.  She made these cute bags made from jellyroll strips.  She used a pattern by Bunny Hill Designs.  Didn't mom do a great job? 

Last, here are my bags I made using a Quilts Illustrated pattern. 

Thanks again to everyone who participated.  You gals were so good about getting to everyone's blogs and that made it even more fun.  Remember to check Kelly's blog, she will be posting the rest of the fabulous bags.  I had such fun and I promise to host a bag party again.  Deborah was unable to join us this time due to a family emergency.  Hopefully she will be able to join in the fun next time.