Finally! Time to quilt!

My neck and shoulders are killing me!  Too much time at the machine and not enough breaks - I should know better.  I found this Pirate fabric at Joann's.  It's by Debbie Mumm and I just fell in love!  I finished this today.  I "freehanded" some waves to go with the theme.  This was a first time freehanding for me.  It didn't go all too well but I must keep practicing!  I think I'll do some quilt as you go on one of my projects just to get more practice on some smaller pieces.  Without further adoo (how is that spelled anyway?) her are my friendly pirates!

Until next time!



Scrap buster #2

As you know by now, I love scraps!  But I love what I can create with them even more.  I got the idea one day to make some decorative storage boxes for my sewing room.  I store a lot things in shoe boxes so I wanted to spice it up a bit.  With a ruler, a rotary cutter, hot glue, large scraps (or fat quarters) and some shoe boxes, here is what I came up.

can you see where I folded over the raw edges so they don't show?  This one stores my Christmas notions.

I measured the fabric, cut it and ironed in the all the raw edges.  Next I let my glue gun do the work.  This is the back of one of the boxes which shows its not perfect but it's fun and functional!  This box stores fabric I buy from the scrap bin.

What to do with all those selvages?  Well first there is this totally awesome blog http://www.selvageblog.blogspot.com/ that will insire you for years to come!  I LOVE it!  Once upon a time I decided to learn to crochet.  I don't love it but it gabe me something to do on the go.  I started sewing my selvages together end to end after I cut them down to a size no bigger than an inch wide.  I then rolled them into manageable size balls and started  making pot holders.  This can be done with any small strip but I have found the ones made out of selvages don't roll up as much after being washed.  Here are some I have done in the past - not pretty but once again they are functional and maybe I do like that scrappy look where nothing matches.  I hope to crochet a selvage rug some day!

                            

Hope you like!  I'll post more scrappy projects as time allows.  I hope you all enjoy your fall!

Until next time!                                                                                                                   



Homework is taking up all my time!

School is keeping me way too busy.  I'm hoping to find one or two days to sew this week so I can start on some Husker quilts (I'm a Nebraskan!).  I did find time last week to make this really cute bag for Caitlyn.

I had the idea to do this and decided to use her softball shirt.  I figured she'd never notice or care because she hates the color pink.  I used an old pair of jeans for the lining but that didn't work out quite like I had imagined so I most likely won't do that again.  Caitlyn loved the bag and carried it school last week and now her friends want some too! 

I have pictures of some more "scrap busters" ready to go but we'll take a look at those next time.  I need to finish the binding on a quilt this week and then get to work on those Husker quilts.  I also bought some fabric to make myself a winter purse and I can't wait to get started on that.  I might even use an Amy Butler pattern that I couldn't resist.  I love her bags, I just wish they were a bit smaller.  I'm not real big on the BIG purses (unless we are traveling).  Hopefully I can get one made this week and put up pictures next week.  I hope you have a great week.  Think of me as I am studying or getting up at 3:30 in the morning in order to make it to clinicals on time.  I'm in my psych rotation.  Too many more early mornings and I will be a patient!

Scrap Buster: Flannel 9 Patch

I finally got the top done.  This top was done with scrap/stash fabric only.  I used 3" squares for the 9 patches and 1.5" sashing.  I like a little "order" in things so I used cream colored flannel from my stash for my background.  The corner blocks were made out of extra squares just to ensure I didn't waste any fabric.  My husband and daughter picked the sashing out of my stash and I think they did a great job!  Stay tuned for more scrap busters!

Until next time