Resolutions

I didn't want January to get away from me, without even attempting to keep my New Year's Resolution of quilting two completed tops a month.  I can say that my excuse for not getting even close to that is the flu that took me out for almost two weeks.  

Okay, moving on, I pulled out a very simple top that I did about 7 years ago that I discovered while sorting through some storage places in the sewing room.  I have been attempting to sort through all my storage of projects and fabric to catalog and work up a project sheet for everything I have in my vast stash.  

I picked this completed top to work on today, because it is a nice size, the backing was already pieced, and it is a simple top that would just need a simple quilt design.  The pattern is called "Pieces of Eight", and consists of 8" blocks, using 8 different prints sewn on the diagonal.   It's size is a nice throw quilt of approximately 52" X 67".  

This fabric is called "Seaside Rose" by 3 Sisters from Moda fabrics.  These prints meet all of my favorites.  Pink and light green, roses, and pastel shabby chic look.  This is one of my top 5 favorite lines from Moda, and I have some more of this line in my stash!

Here is a close up of this yummy fabric.  I just love how this blends into pure sweetness that will be so wonderful to wrap yourself into!

I'll be back with the finished project in about two weeks, as we have to travel out of state all next week.  So take note, the blog will probably be fairly quiet.

Warmest...

Checked off the List

Today, I once again felt like I could be a part of the human race!  I am one of the fortunate ones with this flu, as I was only out of commission for about 10 days.  I have heard some people going on three weeks of being sick!  The only thing I did that I thought helped was spend 12 -14 hours in bed actually sleeping.  The body needs rest to recuperate, and rest I gave it.

Because, I got behind on my custom order that was last on my outstanding list, I jumped right into my sewing room and worked on the purse.

Spending about 4 hours, I managed to finish this purse, and have sent combinations to the client for payment and shipping information.

This bag is identical to the other one I made last year.  I am not a fan of making something over again, identical in every detail.  Very boring!  But, the saving grace about these purses, is I am getting paid for the end product.

Please note, I will not be taking any more requests to make this purse, as it is just to labor intensive to make any profit.

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Out of Sorts

Wondering where I have been?  In bed, for 10 day with this awful flu that has swept the country!  Today is the first day I feel human again.  The only thing that I have worked on for an hour or two, has been the custom order Browning purse.  Hopefully, I will be back in a couple of days with a finished product.  Thanks for letting me whine share!

Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt Progress

I bet you have been wondering about that Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt, you know the one that I spent so much time working on and posting about in December?  Well as you know my sewing business kinda got in the way of working on the things I personally have in the queue.

Today, I was finally able to take a few minutes to get the top blocks sewn together for the main part of the quilt.

The picture above is before putting on the two borders.  The solid gold one and the scrappy one that came from clue #5.  This is a queen size bed in my spare room, just to give you an idea of how big it is so far.  

This next picture is a closer view of all the pieced units from clues 1 - 4.

I be back with more posts, as I get this one to the finish line!  If you are interested in making this now or in the future, you can visit Bonnie Hunter's site at Quiltville, and down load all the clues.  She only leaves them up on her site for a short time, then she takes them down and incorporates the pattern into a future book.  

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Runaround Bag

One of the many custom orders that I received this month, includes one of these "mini bags" that I sell on my Etsy site.  A customer saw one that I had for sale using a college team fabric, and asked if I would make one using Dallas Cowboys print.  Since I had just made a quilt for my son using Dallas Cowboys print, I had a few scraps left over that I used to make the first one.

The pattern that I use is from Lazy Girl Designs called the Runaround Bag.  Ever since I made the first bag, I have also made a "mini key fob" to go with the "mini hipster".  This is a fat quarter friendly pattern, and there is enough fabric left over to make a fob.  Perfect two mini's to go together.

I had to run to Joann's this morning for some fleece and yarn to make some team baby blankets that are also on my Etsy site.  While there, I came across a different pattern in the Dallas Cowboys, so I picked up some and made an alternative one so the customer could have a choice.  This is the one that they happened to choose.

These bags are fully lined, with a back open pocket, measures 10" X 5", zipper closure to the main body of the bag, and a strap approximately 40 inches.  I can cut and sew one, including the key fob, in less than an hour.  One of the easiest bag pattern with a zipper that I have ever done.  Actually the pattern calls for two fat quarters, but you can get two bags out of the focal print if you get a little extra of the contrasting print.  The strap is long enough to carry the bag across the body.  

Now onto the next custom order.  This one is a bag/purse I have already done, you can read all about it here.  I sold it shortly after putting it on my Etsy site, and apparently someone found it on Pinterest, and wants one exactly like it.  This is a labor extensive bag to make, so it will take more than a few days to get done.    I call it the "Browning Bag".

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Red PJ's

Just thought I would pop in and tell you that I finished the second pair of the custom order PJ's.

Again, the lighting wasn't helpful in making good pictures.

Here are the two sets, packaged and ready to ship!

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Custom Ordered PJ's

Before I got into quilting, I was a seamstress, sewing for a meager living when I was raising my children.  I mostly did alterations, but would get an occasional wedding party bridesmaids dresses, or the rodeo riders show outfits, including colored leather chaps.  I quit because, I went to a job outside of the home once the children were in full-time school.

There for awhile, people didn't seek out custom made items, especially clothing, but I have seen a resurgence of that market.  This is a perfect example of that resurgence.  

A great-grandmother, who cannot sew any longer, wanted her great-grandson to have a couple of special hand made PJ's.  This customer is the mother of another customer that I have been doing custom work for, and was asked if I would do this project for them.  

Here is the first set done and ready to ship.  The neckline is done with knit ribbing, and the body of the PJ's is flannel.

A big apology for the lighting of the pictures, the day was heavy overcast, and the room lighting wasn't working for me.

The other pair will be red flannel, with the blue trim neck, and I should have them done today at the latest tomorrow, making them ready for shipping.

Warmest...