Japanese Laptop Sleeve

This has probably been my favorite project as of late.

I used a lot of my Japanese scraps and made a patchwork laptop sleeve that I absolutely love.

Sure not all the corners match but that's inevitable when you are using different sized scrap squares.
I just loved all the little prints featured and am even thinking of making a throw like this.

I think the only part of this project I didn't enjoy was the actual quilting part. I seem to have a problem quilting things. It hurts my back and I just get bored halfway through the process. This is probably why I only have 2 completed quilts and 5 tops laying around right now.

 

So there it is my quilted laptop sleeve in Japanese prints. Too bad this one was commissioned for someone else. I really wanted to keep it for me. I knew I should have bought more Japanese fabrics when I could. Now with this house building going on my fabric sprees are over for awhile.  I feel like I am in fabric rehab.  😦

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Kindle DX Case

Isn't this the cutest pull tab ever?
The Kindle has such whimsical packaging.

I made a case for it today and although it didn't come out as I had hoped, I was pleased with the finished product.

 

Japanese fabric patchwork for the outside
A pocket inside to securely hold the Kindle.

 

I also added an elastic strap for the cording.

 

This was definitely completely different than what I had sketched in my idea book but it will serve it's purpose.
I may try again though tomorrow to achieve my goal of my ideal Kindle case. 

I need to get working on my wonky cabin blocks now. I am probably the furthest behind out of everyone.

🙂

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4th of July Sewing

 

Hello little darning foot. After years of you collecting dust I have finally put you to use.

 

I did a little free motion quilting for the first time on this block I made yesterday. I really enjoyed it however, about halfway through the block I started getting tired of it. I don't know how people sew whole quilts like that. Maybe it's just my A.D.D.

Anyway, this block started out with a random sketch of a dress form in my art journal. I decided I wanted to use my vintage fabric and incorporate my sketch with it so voila. 

A log cabin-ish block with my dress form appliqued on. After quilting it I stared at it for awhile as I usually do with random projects, thinking of where to go next.

 

A pillow was born shortly after.

I used some vintage buttons in random places along with this cute key button I had from my scrapbook stash.

It wasn't time to pack up my sewing party yet though. After the pillow I thought I would  make the pincushion caddy by Anna Maria Horner. I really wanted her Seams to Me book but since so much of it was geared toward a beginner sewer I have held back. Much to my delight the one project I really wanted to make from that book has appeared online. YAY! You can find it here if you don't have the book either but love the pincushion project.

 

I used up some Japanese fabric scraps and although it was fiddly I really liked how it came out. Plus it holds the little things I always reach for on my sewing desk.

 

All I need to do now is finish the handles on my "house bag" so I can give it to a certain birthday girl next week.

🙂

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Sick + Online Fabric Shopping = A Log Cabin Block

 

 

 

Fabrics from here and here.

 

I have been sick and unable to take time off work so it's put me back on things I was going to do this week. I am behind on shipping out multiple fabric/items to people so I really apologize if you are expecting something from me. I'll be making a Post Office run tomorrow though so you all should be receiving your items soon. 

I was supposed to be working on one of the 3 halfway done quilts laying around, but instead decided to begin a new one tonight.

I think I have quilt A.D.D. or something. I start a new quilt project excited and motivated, but after the top is 80% finished I take a break, then start a working on a new one a few weeks later.

The new quilt is going to be log cabin blocks out of Japanese fabric. I have one block done and hopefully can work on some more next week.

Here are a couple close ups of these adorable prints

Heidi fabric I purchased from Kitty Craft.

I am not sure what happened to Kitty Craft. They have been on vacation for months now.

I keep checking back hoping they have re-opened but no luck.  😦

It was such an awesome fabric website too.

I also used some of my coveted Shinzi Katoh deer/mushroom fabric.

 

I have been hoarding this fabric since Christian was only a few months old.

I enjoy log cabin patchwork because it's such a great way show off different prints. I have been thinking of actually turning it into a pillow just so it will be complete and not laying around my WIP pile for months.

We are headed to DollyWood this weekend even though I feel awful. I just hope I make it back in one piece. Listening to Dolly Parton sing in a hot park all day with a headache makes me feel even more nauseous. We have had the tickets though since May so I am going to try to make the best of this trip.

Be back next weekend.

 

{ New zipper pulls 🙂 }

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Gathered Patchwork Bag

So now that classes are basically over I have started back up on my sewing projects.

I have plenty of things halfway completed that I should be finishing right now. Instead though I am cutting up all my birthday fabric and starting new ones. Wouldn't you be? I have been staring at that fabric since the beginning of May and haven't had time to even think about what I will make out of them.

 

Last night was the first chance I had to actually take time to skim my idea book and contemplate on what I wanted to work on first.

I cut out little 3 inch squares and made some strips out of really cute Japanese fabric.

 

The squares are for a secret project and I can't post photos in case the recipient happens upon here.

 

I can show you the final product from the strips though. A gathered patchwork bag!!

No matter how many times I check something over before photographing it there is always a stray piece of thread that ends up on my photo. Do you see it? It really annoys me when that happens. 😦

 

Anyways, here is an action shot….meaning all my junk is inside. I tried to cut back on things I carry around in my bag but it still seems to look like the bottom is about to fall out.

 

Still everything fits inside and that is really all that matters.

I actually did this at my moms house on the old Kenmore machine I keep there. The Kenmore is a pretty decent sewing machine even though it's many years old. The downfall of this bag was that I didn't have a seam ripper or hand-sewing needle. I really prefer gathering by hand and not by machine. I think that was the worst part. I will definitely be making this style bag again perhaps next weekend. I am going home tomorrow night but doubt I'll have time to sew. We haven't been there all week so I am sure there will be cleaning and other uncreative chores to do.

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Sunday Stash (Birthday Edition)

I should be working on one of my 3 reports due Monday now instead of blogging. However, I felt a blog post to thank all the wonderful people that sent me birthday goods was necessary.

So THANK YOU!!! 🙂

Even though it's Saturday I figured I could use this for a Sunday Stash too since most of it is fabric….a rather long Sunday Stash that is. Anyway above is what Trish sent me for my birthday and a swap we did. I sent her some Chocolate Lollipop and I received the most cutest Japanese fabric ever. Plus this adorable fairytale notepad and mushroom deco tape.

Here are some of the Japanese prints. She said she got them all from Etsy sellers.

Aren't they wonderful. I am envisioning many patchwork projects out of them. Trish (pinkpaisley on Flickr) is a wonderful swap partner. I know she is extremely busy right now but once she starts swapping again should you get the chance, take it!! You will not be disappointed. 

Even though I have been away from blogging and sewing these past few weeks, I still managed to squeeze in some fabric shopping of my own.

Here are a couple prints from Waechter's fabric shop which has moved right down the road from my work!! As exciting as it seems I am a bit scared because I could do some serious damage to my bank account by shopping in that store.
They have Japanese prints, Amy Butler, and Tina Givens which are so hard to find. Not to mention a million patterns and buttons.

I also did some shopping at  Equilter & Mary Jos.

Other non fabric shopping include:

Vintage buttons from Screen Door

I wish they would update their website and actually let you purchase products on there. They sell some really awesome stuff for your home and office.

Star Lamps from Chevron Beads in downtown Asheville.

These were just the display in the window of the store. They are made of hand punched paper and are sold in these little triangle boxes. I haven't even put mine together yet because I am waiting until we move. Mine are all different shades of blue.

Photo of birthday/swap loot for the past month. Loads of fabric, buttons, Artful Blogging Summer 2009 edition from JB. Plus Patchwork Style, the Japanese craft book translated in English!! I also got Pretty Little Cozies from Eryn which was on my wish list for awhile.

I haven't had time to read any of my new magazines and books yet, but skimming through they look wonderful. I'll do some reviews when I come back in a few weeks.

I hope all you mom's out there have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow. I got my mom some lovely stationary from Ginko Papers and hopefully I can figure out this kit I bought from U-Handbag and include that with it. I am not using the fabric that was included in it though. I am thinking of using My Folklore instead since the colors of the fabric it came with are not her style.

Be back soon!  🙂

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Lizzy Dish Mini Quilt

Sometimes my projects take a path of their own. Today was one of those instances with my Lizzy Dish coaster project. 

I had started this morning out with my tiny squares ready to make my patchwork coasters.

Things were going great until I had all squares sewn and ready for the backing.

 

I stared at them and the thought of making them into coasters just didn't seem right. It needed to be something bigger and better. Not something small that would be dropped under tables and have coffee spilled  on.

So this mini quilt was born.

Sadly my batting is at my mom's house so I couldn't finish it but hopefully I'll be able to complete it next weekend.  Or it could sit around with all my other quilt tops that I have until the day I get over my fear of batting  & binding.
🙂

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Good Folks Quilt WIP

Just a couple photos to see what's been going on with my disappearing 9 patch quilt. Not really much to look at right now, but some people thought I had given up on sewing. I still have to sew the new blocks together and then all the other not so fun quilting stuff…like the actual quilting part. That's just my personal opinion. I love piecing the tops of quilts but I hate dealing with batting. It's all lumpy and fiddly. Of course with this quilt I am going to use the thinnest batting I can find. It will be summer by the time it's finished and I want to use it.

This is an idea of what the top will look like. I need to figure out my border still.

If I can get the top done before I go to Florida at the end of the month I can use Dawns long arm machine to quilt it so I am thinking it may not be so bad then.

Anyway I am working today so I won't get to mess around with my quilt. I may be able to scrounge up some fabric though for Sunday Stash tomorrow. 🙂

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The Lonely Coaster

This weekend just flew by. I only could accomplish one coaster. Not one set but…one, single, coaster. 

I have the pieces cut out for two sets I just need time to quilt them. One set is going to my mom and I am keeping the other set for me. I wish I had more of this fabric because it's the perfect size for coasters and they make great gifts. For this tutorial and other coaster links click here.

Sadly most of this weekend was spent cleaning out the sewing room. There has simply got to be a better way to store all this fabric. The problem is when I am searching for the perfect matching print and must dig through the stacks to retrieve it. Most likely the fabric piece I want is on the bottom of a stack therefore leaving piles of fabric all over the floor from me digging it out.

I thought maybe if I move the fat quarters from the little cubby shelves to the big cabinet maybe it will be better. I guess time will tell.

🙂

     

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Patchwork Patterns

Some photos from the Japanese Quilt Block book I purchased for your viewing pleasure…or not….whatever you decide. 🙂

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