Seam Ripper, My New Friend

My seam ripper and I are becoming better acquainted.  I am experimenting with some more modern/freestyle patchwork, and mini quilts.  I have TONS of scraps and it seems a shame to let them just sit idle when they could be something cute...

My new friend

I began by sewing a few pieces together, cutting so edges were even and I could add more.  then surrounded the patched piece with white Kona cotton.  I am falling in love with solids, slowly.  They have always seemed so plain, but, when you add the quilting lines it suddenly has dimension and texture.  Rather a fun exercise.

After taking off the first binding...

Really loved the quilting process

I got all the way to the binding...which is where the problems began.  I did not want to hand sew the binding.   I was trying to be smart and sew the binding on the back bring it around front and sew down with the machine.  Reading some tutorials I thought I would do a half (1/2) inch seam, which meant there was not really enough binding to bring around to the front.  Well,  my bright idea was to cut off a quarter of an inch and then there would be more to bring around...HELLO WHERE IS YOUR BRAIN????  This meant that I also cut the corners, rendering them useless...

The finished product

The squiggly line of quilting was another bright idea that I decided not to follow through on, but did not take it out

My inclination at that point was to throw the whole thing away.  But, after I calmed down I decided to take the binding off and start over.  This time I read carefully this tutorial on Red Pepper Quilts.  Luckily I had enough of the scraps to make a binding, this time using a quarter inch seam and sewing onto the front and then sewing with the machine.  It WORKED!!!!

The bits of binding I had left from what I had removed I sewed together with some added bits and I have another small quilt, or mug rug.

still needs a binding...will do it right the first time!!!!

Despite the issues it was a fun exercise.  I think I will list these in my Etsy Shop if you are interested.

Have a whole dryer full of fabric to fold.  Won't be ironing today...93 degrees.  Nice in my bedroom with the AC on!!!!  I suppose I could bring in the ironing board...hmmm

Have a great weekend!!

Cindy

Linked up at:



Canoe Ridge Creations

Not much sewing going on here

It seems ages since I have sewed.  We have traveled so much since the end of April, I  repainted the guest bathroom, am training for a Triathlon, taking care of a house, cooking...you know the list...

Progress is being made in the bathroom.  Going from this: the blue and green picked, years ago, by a middle-school aged daughter who shall remain nameless...

To this:  still a ways to go, light fixtures still to be hung, they can go either up or down and hubby was not sure what I wanted, and I was not home.

The color is a light gray that looks gray on some walls, and pinkish gray on the other walls...That is the way of paint and light I guess.

We celebrated Alissa's 25th birthday last Saturday!  My baby is a quarter of a century old, how did that happen??  I am not that old...

Today I made banana bread from a recipe that Sarah, my oldest daughter adapted, you can find the full recipe at her blog, Run Far Girl.  Turned out yummy.

I am headed to my sewing room to do some fun sewing!!  You should check out the Etsy shop if you have not lately.  I lowered some prices... and am thinking of having a sale...stay tuned.

I am also seriously considering moving this blog to Word Press.  I have my other blog, Trigrandmatry there and really like the format...so stay tuned.   I will let you know.

Have a fantastic weekend!
Cindy

Sewing Machine Covers

I have made quite a few Sewing machine covers lately.  Mostly custom orders.  I have had fun coming up with some new designs.  Can I make one for you?  Here is the  link to my Etsy shop.

The latest one I made for a friend.

My new label!!  CUTE!!  These came from Jennifer's Jewels

One customer sent me her fabric 

Customer fabric

Made from some scraps, with pin cushion and mug rug

This one is in my Etsy Shop

This was fun with the print with the giraffes



Have a great day!
Cindy

Busy But Quiet

Whew, where did May go...I have been traveling more in the last month than I have in a few years combined...

I am limping along here on the business side, with an always increasing To Do List and finding my way in the computer end of the business.... I will just keep plugging along.

On the sewing side, I have been busy.  I had some dresses that I cut out last summer and never sewed.  They were quick and I think they turned out very cute!!

They will be listed in my Etsy shop tomorrow.

I have also branched out a bit.  My daughter Rachel has a play mat/quilt that she uses for her daughter Cora.  Very good idea.  Here is my first attempt at a play mat.

folds up and is held together with velcro

 I sewed the three layers together and turned them right side out (birthed) turned out a bit wrinkled, next one will have a binding.   This will be in my Etsy Shop tomorrow as well.

There is more but I think I will save them for another post next week.
Have a great weekend.

Cindy

Rainy Day

Making the best of a rainy day!!

More to come soon!!  Lots of projects to share.

Cindy

A Life Well Lived

Many of you know that my brother has been battling cancer.  Yesterday he lost that battle.  I am back in Colorado for a few days,  The Memorial Service is Tuesday.

My brother was a great husband, dad, son, brother!!  Truly a Life Well Lived!  We will all miss him so much.

Mike at the end of April

Mike loved golf, this is the flag at the 8th hole, behind his house

 

Cindy

Remember me?

It has been a long time since I have posted...  I spent a week out in Colorado with my brother and various members of our families.  Being together was an awesome time, but a very sad reason to get together...I hate Cancer!!!!!!!

Our families together

Back in New Hampshire, I have been busy getting ready for a Bazaar at a fundraiser for a local language school.  I will set up a table and see what happens.

My daughter Sarah (the blond in the photo above) is in Singapore with my son and daughter-in-law.  I made Danielle a diaper bag and changing pad, and some burp cloths.

The fabric is from the Parson Gray collection Curious Nature.  I love the more masculine prints, great for a boy with out being too cutesie.

The pattern is from Favorite Things Sewing,  The Mama Mia Diaper Bag, a fairly easy pattern to use.  I might change some things if I make it again.

I have made some other items for the Bazaar I will share these later in the week.

Have a great week.
Cindy