July 2016 OMG Goal Met

This month has given me a chance to get a lot more done than I ever anticipated. I was able to sew together the scrappy granny square blocks, quilt them, and get the binding on. I even had 2 weeks to spare! It's now a table topper for my desk at work.


Paul took the kids to the races two nights this month, so I was able to get 3-4 hours each night of un-interrupted sewing time! I was able to finish this professional tote sample for the store.

While we were on our staycation I was able to sew the top of the Cowgirl Coins quilt together. We went out to my dad's in the middle of the week and I got to quilt 4 quilts, including this one. I put the binding on this week and this scrap quilt is done!

I'm teaching a Bendy Bag class in November, so I made up a couple samples from scraps I had left over from other bags.

I've been busy keeping up with the Farm Girl Vintage sew along. These are my first 15 blocks, 1 3rd of the way done!

While we were camping I attempted to start working on my Twist and Turn quilt. I was so confused! I spread it out on my aunt's island and got the centers for 4 blocks made. Once I realized how to make the blocks, I realized one of the pieces was cut incorrect x80! So I had to improvise. I still don't have the first four blocks made, but I have all 20 blocks made into block kits. Slowly but surely I'll get this quilt done or it will become something totally different.

At my dad's I quilted the Good Night Irene quilt.  I still need to get the binding on it... maybe tonight. I'd really like to count the finish in my totals for the month.

One night I finished 5 of these sweetpea pods. They are leftovers from bendy bags I made last year.

On Tuesday night while we were at Hart Ranch, we went and sewed with the Quilts of Valor quilters. I was able to cut out and get about 1/3 of the blocks made. It felt good to do this charity quilting.

We had so much fun during our week at Hart Ranch. We did play mini-golf and swim a lot as well as drive around in the golf cart with my aunt. A very relaxing week of vacation!

Happy New Year Sewing!

Happy New Year! Thanks for stopping by to visit this year. I really appreciate all the friends and followers I have made through blogging and hope you'll join me for another year of my sewing and quilting adventures. This year is sure to be amazing! I appreciate all your comments and sharing ideas with everyone.

This year thanks to my Accounting and Finance for Managers class, I really looked at the classes I was teaching and decided to revamp what classes I was offering. This included choosing some new classes to teach and shortening the time of some classes. One of the best classes I teach is the Professional Tote class, so I decided to offer the mini professional tote as a class. The only problem with new classes? I have to make new samples and I forgot how time consuming it is to make a PT. This one is no different. I probably spent close to 15 hours working on it. It is made a bit differently, so I had to do some un-stitching and really read the directions. I used fabric I have on hand and love, so when it is done as a sample I will want to use it. Maybe by then I won't be carrying a diaper bag anymore.

The inside of the bag has a gathered pocket. I used light fabric for the lining, so it is easier to see.

There are more zippers in this version, in different spots. I love the zipper facings, but boy I can see how my students could be confused.

I decided to try the D rings on this one and really like how they turned out.

After spending most of yesterday afternoon finishing the MPT, I got to work on a table runner UFO. It's one of moms and I am so glad to have it done. It wasn't hard, I just hadn't taken the time to check out what needed to be done to it.

I am not really liking the gold on the tree with the silver on the table runner, but that is how she cut it out, so I went with it. It's going to be a gift for an exchange this weekend. Would you consider it to be worth $15 or should I add something extra to it? The person receiving it knew mom, so it will have special significance.

I also finished this snow flake one. These are both quilt as you go with applique on them.

My SIL to be, lost a close family member, so I wanted to make her something. I didn't have time to make a quilt and the ones I have made, just do not suit her, so I decided to make a fleece blanket and embroider her name. She loves frogs, so I asked my little bro if she would like it. He said yeah. I plan to give it to her at the funeral tomorrow.

I'm linking up with Kelly from My Quilting Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday

Professional Tote Class

The last couple Wed. nights I've taught a Professional Tote class. With 13 students in the class I was hopping all night long, which I love! It's so fun to see different bags come together.

The students were very busy working on their bags.

Emily got to the stand back and admire it section!

As did Dorothy.

All the bags looked great and each was unique in color and fabric choice.







I really enjoy teaching, especially when I have such great students and they make it fun to teach!

October Quilting Accomplishments

My Goals for October included:
Crown Royal Quilt - 4 1/2 rows done, 1/2 blocks done
Professional Tote - Done
Purse/Wallet/Checkbook Cover - Done
Gobble Gobble Wall Hanging & Tablerunner - Tops done
One Block Wonder - 1/2 done

I feel like I accomplished a lot, because I worked on each of my goals and was able to make significant progress on each goal.
In addition:
I quilted and bound Hannah's quilt, Carter's quilt, and Jacob's quilt. I just have to put labels on this month.
I made the Baby Sign Language quilt blocks.
I revealed the Super Secret Project and new book the pattern is in.
I had an awesome sewing night with Jenn.
The Quilt Corral Too closed in Rapid City.
I started working at The Sewing Center on Saturdays and teaching classes.
I went to Walt Disney World for a week! It was awesome and I have lots of great memories.

My goals this month are:
Crown Royal Quilt - Finish Top
One Block Wonder - Finish Top
Gobble Gobble Wall hanging and Tablerunner - Quilt
QuiltPink - Quilt
Label Baby Quilts

Since I have several commission quilts before Christmas to do, I'm keeping my own goals to a minimum. I'm hoping to finish several Christmas projects for family too, but we'll see.




100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 221 Blocks/ Day 53

Professional Tote Done!

Last night I was determined to finish my professional tote. I had the outside part done and just had to make the lining pockets and put it all together. It took me close to 3 hours, but it's done! I left out the center pocket and so far I really like it without that center pocket. The first time I made the bag it was something like 20+ hours. Jen's took around 16 hours. I spent about 12 hours on it this time. Leaving out the center pocket probably saved me a good 2 hours, a yard of fabric and a half yard of decor bond.
The outside:

The inside:

The other side:

The finished bag!



Tonight I cleaned out the fabric closet a bit. I cut out a baby quilt and would like to get it pieced this week so I can quilt it. I will have to pick up some thread to quilt it, but I need to get busy making baby quilts. I'm already two behind and I have two other friends having babies in the new year.


100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 110 Blocks/ Day 24

It's Official...

This week we found out the quilt shop that mom and I work at, Quilt Corral Too, will be closing October 11. It was made official during Strip Club on Sat. at the shop. It was so hard to say good-bye to all the amazing and wonderful customers I have met over the past year and a half I've worked there. The shop will be moving back to Mistletoe Ranch, but because of the 60+ mile drive, it's not feesible to drive there to work. I don't know what the future holds, but I've enjoyed working in the quilting industry and I'll find another niche to fill somewhere. I absolutely love teaching classes and helping beginners get into quilting. It has been my dream part-time job.
I have been getting behind on my quilting projects, so I should have plenty of stash stocked up to keep me busy while I decide if I want another part time job. I have two projects I know of that I hadn't bought fabric for, so on Sat. I got the fabric for both. When I decided to do the One Block Wonder I was too chicken to try it with full priced fabric, so I used sale fabric. Since I have the blocks done, I saw how easy it was to do, and I want to do it with the fabric I originally wanted to use. When we first got the cowgirls in, I fell in love with them. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but with all the colors I figured they would make an awesome One Block Wonder. I picked up 5 yards on Sat, so I should be able to get a nice sized quilt out of it.

I'm also planning to make a wedding quilt for a very special cousin. She's getting married next year and I know what I want to do, but just hadn't gotten the fabric. I picked up this cool spiral fabric that I'll use as it's in colors I know she loves.

This weekend I have been busy making a professional tote for my trip to Disney World. I am using the purple/teal/navy batik that I used for my star quilt. The contrast is teal and the lining is purple. I have the front, back, and sides done. I was ready to sew it together tonight when our electricity went out. The whole neighborhood was out for almost 2 hours. I hope to be able to finish the professional tote this week. So far I haven't had any problems with it.
Front:

Back:





100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 110 Blocks/ Day 21

Jen's Professional Tote Done!

This past week I didn't get much done in the way of finishes. I didn't really get much quilting of any sort done. It was a busy week at my day job and I taught at the quilt shop on Tues. night. Yesterday I worked at the store and we moved it all around, so my body is feeling it! We had a bad storm last night, so I didn't want my machine plugged in. I took out all my scraps and packed them up in a couple boxes. I was all for cleaning out my stash too. Then I cut out a baby quilt. It's going to be super cute with the new flannel we got in. I also added the baby's name. Then I finished getting another baby quilt together. Jenn brought in her new baby Wyatt for me to meet him on Sat. He's 10 days old and so tiny! She put me in baby quilt making mood.
Tonight after work I finished up Jen's professional tote. It turned out so well and I can't wait for her to see it! I also worked on a purse that has the same fabrics. I'm hoping to get it done this weekend, but decided I didn't like the straps, so I'm going to do something different to finish it up.

Professional Tote Half Done

If you've ever taught a class, you know the best way to learn something is to teach it yourself. Mom and I have been teaching a class for the past two weeks on making the Professional Tote. We had 10 in the class and last week everyone got to where the outer part of the bag is made, so Wed. night I whipped this one up and didn't have to read the directions and had it ready to show at class last night. Then I showed everyone how to make their sides, and linings, and while they were busy, I finished up the outer part of the bag in half the time, no directions for me, and got the center pocket done. I still have the side pockets and lining to do, but I'm so pleased with how far I got. I think it's so much easier to do something after you've shown several people how to do it. They didn't get quite done, but far enough along to "admire" their outer bag. So here's a picture to admire of the outer part of the tote I'm making for Jen.

Mom and I are going to enjoy some of the quilt show festivities tonight and then if it's not too late I hope to get this finished up tonight and show it tomorrow at strip club. The girls in the class loved the colors and I know Jen will too, since she's only made 3 or 4 items out of the fabrics.
The Black Hills Quilt Show is this weekend at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The shop has a booth there, so it's going to be a busy weekend and we're all going to the banquet together Sat. night.

Professional Tote

A couple weeks ago I was sewing with my chicas from work and one of the ladies Kathy is going on a trip this week to Germany. She had taken a class and made the Professional Tote to take on her trip. She offered to teach us all how to make them, but I wanted mine before I left on my trip. I loved hers and really wanted to make one for myself. I got the pattern and thought I'd just "whip it up". This is not a quick pattern!! I started a week ago on Tues. I did 3 hours of cutting that night, another hour of cutting interfacing on Wed. night and 2 hours of pressing interfacing to the pieces. Saturday night I spent 3 hours putting the front and back pieces together. Sunday I spent 6 hours sewing the lining, all the pockets and getting it together. I had bought the wrong cord and it was just too flimsy, so last night I bought new cord, took the top apart, re-did the cords on the sides, put it back together and then finished the top casing with the zipper. Two more hours! I have between 15-20 hours of time in this bag, but it was so worth it! It's awesome.
This is the front:

The back with travel strap: There is a pocket on the back with a magnetic snap, two side pockets with insulbrite in them (my own add on) to keep water bottles cold, and two pockets on the front, the zippered one, and the one above it.

This is the inside, key holder, 6 pockets, one with zipper. I also added a board to the bottom for support and the center pocket is thus not attached to the bottom seam like it is supposed to be.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I can't wait to pack it tonight with lots of surprises for my peeps and fun things to do along the way. I'm off to retreat tomorrow morning!

Quilt Retreat week!

I thought it would NEVER get here. Back in October when Jen, Jill, and I started talking about the retreat I didn't think it would be possible for me to go, but in Jan. when we talked about it, it became a little more feesible when the airline ticket went down considerably. By Feb. I had decided I was definately going to be going to OH to the St. Jude's Quilt Retreat. I figured I had plenty of time to get ready. Then April 1st came around and like a bad April Fools Joke I realized I was no where near being ready for retreat! I had planned to send a package of supplies/kits to work on at retreat and I wanted it send so it had plenty of time to arrive. It arrived last Thurs. at Jill's.
This past week I have been working on bags/purses to take on my trip. I made a sassy bag, didn't like it, so it went to the store as a sample. Then I made another one that was a sassy/runaround combo. I went to upload photos last night that I had taken and realized I didn't have my camera. It sent me into a bit of a shock, since i thought I had lost it. Mom checked and it was still at work, so I'll pick it up tonight. It's a purple horse themed purse and while I'm not 100% sold, I still love it and it will work great for my trip. I just need to finish making a wonder wallet and checkbook cover to go with it. The ones I have aren't the most functional.
I also have been working on a Professional Tote, It's made out of the same purple horse fabric... and yes this will be the final project out of it. I have made 2 Mirandas, a smaller purse, a sassy, three wallets, 1 checkbook cover, and now the Professional Tote. I'm finally to the end of most of the fabric. The one purple I have 2 yards of, but it is going into my thangles quilt, so it has a purpose now too.
I packed my suitcase last night and I just have to finish my Professional Tote and I'll be set to head to the airport at 4:30 Wed morning. I'm so excited to meet all my peeps for the first time!