Up, Up, and Away

Yes, I am flying out this Saturday for a nice visit with my parents for the next two weeks.  I will be out of touch for the most part with posting anything on the blog.  I am taking some hand work, actually I am going to hand quilt my UFO Project #2 while I am visiting, so maybe you can get some glimpses of my progress during the next two weeks.

Click here to see all of the posts regarding this project, and here is a picture of the wallhanging I will be working on.

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FQS Mystery BOM #9

This is block 9 of the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer BOM program for 2013.  This is the second house in this BOM, and I am liking each one so far.

At first I thought it was going to be only basket blocks, but then the blocks were just general in nature, and now we have been doing blocks that are houses.  It will be real interesting to see what the whole quilt will turn out to be, as this program every year never fails in coming out just perfect and beautiful.

If you would like to see the other blocks in this BOM, just click on the label at the end of this post "Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer BOM 2013", and it will bring up all the past posts and pictures in the series.

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Done. D.O.N.E. Done

Yessiree, I am done.  All eight of them are complete.  I wanted to cry from all the frustrations and at the same time do the happy dance, like Snoopy does.  But I cried throughout the process of making them, so I settled on the happy dance.  I know I ripped out more seams on these blocks that I would ever want to admit, because after about three completed blocks I thought I figured all the seam allowances out and could just whiz right through the next five.  Wrong.  Each block was it's own struggle nightmare.  More often than not, I would do stretching to make things fit, and then iron with lots of steam to set the fabric.  Any of the wonkiness of the blocks, will get fit in when it comes time to put the whole quilt together, and then the rest of it will work itself out in the quilting of the whole thing.  

I do have to say that I really like the way the pattern is for these blocks, as they will frame the medallion center of the quilt.  I have this same struggle going on with the "Farmer's Wife" quilt blocks, so I guess one could say, I gained some more patience and skill when working with these difficult and complex patterns.  

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Civil War Tribute BOM Block 7 more...

Just dropping in to let everyone know that I am still plodding along with these blocks.  I have a determination of completing these, if nothing else to let myself know I can do it and not leave another project hanging in the wind (or to be more accurate, in a stored box or bag in my closet!).

Each block has 99 pieces, and my muscle memory of quilting seams, has to be rechecked each time I sew a piece, as if have to come in 1/16" of an inch on each seam.  Tedious at best.  I have one block to go, and then on to what is next on my list.

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Civil War Tribute BOM, Block 7

A few posts ago, here, I wrote about the block 7 of the Civil War Tribute BOM that I am trying to get completed.  I am really struggling with this block.  I opted to keep it authentic, by cutting the block on 1/16's .  After sewing up parts and trying to get the parts to fit, I realized that my seams need to be 3/16",instead of 1/4".  I ended up tearing it all apart and starting over, and trying the assembling it again.  Even at best, and trying real hard to "eyeball" the smaller seam, it is a struggle getting all the pieces to fit together properly.  And, yeah, I have seven more to struggle through!  Sigh!!

Patches

I think I must really like the fabric that I have used in the last two or three projects that I have made, or it could be, I am just using up my scraps from the projects.  Any way, my favorite pair of jeans developed a weak spot and needed some repair.  Most people would just go out and buy a new pair, but I really like the way these fit, and I've had them over 10 years, so patching them up seamed seamed like a good idea.

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I Can See Clearly

I found this pattern on Craftsy.com one evening, as I was looking for a bag pattern to use up the scraps left over from the pillow cases I made as described in a couple of posts ago.  I made up three of the small bags for each of the children to match their pillow case, and they were a big hit, because they can see what is in their bag.  Sorry, no pictures of these bags, as I finished the last one the morning we were celebrating Christmas with them.  But, here is a picture of a medium one I made for me.

The measurements are approximately 20" X 20".  The pattern doesn't include instructions for the pocket, but I added one on the outside, putting a matching fabric trim on the top of the pocket.

Another thing I did different from the pattern, was use a lining in a contrasting fabric.  The pattern called for the outside fabric and iron on interfacing.  I wanted something pretty inside, so I used the interfacing and the lining on all fabric pieces, including the top portion of the bag.

I have to put a plug here for the site I get all my zippers from, Zipit. You can find them here on Etsy.  I have always had fantastic service, and the range of choices is spectacular!  And they alway add a zipper pull free with each order.  I used my free one on this bag.  

I added this button on the pocket to hide the velcro I used to keep the pocket closed!  Just another cute embellishment I put on my bag.  

I like clear tubs to store things and now I will have a clear bag to store my ongoing projects.  I am sure I will be making more of these, as they are super easy to make, take a small amount of fabric (great stash buster!), and will be used a lot in my hobby life.  

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Land of Lincoln Sampler Block 8

Well, I was able to get back to the UFO BOM block, and the one I was able to complete last night comes from the Land of Lincoln Sampler.  This is block 8, and is called "Union Block".  This block incorporates a version of the Bear Paw pattern and has a picture print in the center of the block.

This is a close up of the print "fussy cut" center of this block.  This was included in the kit for this month's BOM.  I believe it was a fabric panel of different writings surrounding Lincoln's time.  

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iPad Cover, iPhone Carrier, Mini Wallet

I wanted to make an iPad cover for some time now, and I have looked at several patterns, both free and those that have to be bought.  I found this while browsing through the Craftsy.com site.  It is a e-reader pattern, that has several sizes in the pattern, including the iPad2, which is my model.

The pattern is by Pink Poodle Bow found here, and was easy to follow for the average sewer.  What I liked about the pattern was it had pockets on the opposite side of the cover.  I wanted pockets to carry my trade show calendar, and my weekly to do notebook.  Even in this techno world, I like to write my to do's down instead of using the many apps out there.

Here is the cover closed, my husband helped me choose the fabric.  It is a sewing room with lots of kitties.  We found it at Joanns.   I had the ribbon from long ago, and like it for a closure that goes all the way around the cover.  

I use a long strip of velcro, so if the pockets get full, I can still close it securely.  (Smile)

Here is the cover opened.  On the left side are three pockets.  The top pocket is holding my trade show calendar already.  I am sure the other pockets will be filled up soon.  the bottom pocket is divided so I can put my ETSY business cards in it and have them on hand at all times.  On the right side is the space for my iPad.  it has four padded corners holding in the reader securely!  

So far, I am really enjoying a fabric cover for my iPad, because covers for iPads are hard and have hard corners holding the pad securely.  

I also made matching iPhone carrier and a mini wallet.

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