Wednesday, May 30, 2012

WIP Wednesday

I thought I'd go ahead and join in this week with a WIP Wednesday.

Yesterday I read this post from Rachel at Stitched In Color and was inspired to make my own stacked coins quilt.

I've had some Tula Pink Prince Charming that I bought at the beginning of last summer sitting around.  I bought it with the idea of making myself an easy quilt and when I saw the stacked coin quilt pattern I knew that I had found a winner.

So I cut and cut and cut.  And then sewed and sewed and sewed.

And this morning I had this:

Stacked coins quilt top

The thing that was difficult about making this quilt top was that I couldn't find anywhere online that told me how much fabric I would need.  I guess that's just because it depends on how many prints you're using and what size you want your quilt to be.

I used 0.5 yard each of 7 different prints, and my quilt top came to 65"x 65".  I cut my "coins" 8.5" wide with varying heights.  I used almost all of my coins.  I made a strip with a bunch of them to go on the backing when I get around to making the backing.  I don't know when I'll finish it.  I hope to use a sheet on the back so I guess it will get finished some time after I find a sheet to use.

folded stacked coins quilt top

And this one isn't a WIP but it's something small I finished up this week that I haven't blogged about.  This past weekend my husband came to me with a sewing request and of course I couldn't say no.  He asked for a pouch to go in his book bag to hold all of his computer accessories.

My husband is an academic and presents at a lot of conferences, so his computer accessories consist of all different connector cords and remotes that he needs.  I let him pick out his fabric and of course he went for Melody Miller Viewfinder in Aqua (that boy has taste). 

This is what I came up with:

computer accessories pouch

computer accessories pouch

Computer accessories pouch

He's happy with how it came out and so of course I'm thrilled.

Happy sewing everyone!

-Stephanie

Monday, May 28, 2012

New Winner for Giveaway Day

Unfortunately, I didn't hear back from the original winner of my giveaway for a custom made doll in the allowed time, so I've drawn a new winner.

Congratulations Beth, you're my new winner!


I've emailed you. Please contact me before Thursday May 31st, 5PM PST and we'll get started talking about what kind of doll you'd like!

BQF- Voting is on!

Good morning and Happy Memorial Day!!!

I have plans to spend my day barbequing and laying in the sun reading my book, but I wanted to pop in to let you all know that voting is currently going on for the Bloggers Quilt Festival and my quilt made it to the final round!


So please hop on over and vote for my little leaves quilt in the hand quilted category!  Vote Here.

Thanks and hope everyone has a terrific day!

And don't forget about the Follower Giveaway I'll be doing soon.  If you don't follow me publicly through Google Friend Connect but follow me some other way please go to this post and comment so I can enter you in the drawing.

Thanks again!
-Stephanie

Friday, May 25, 2012

We've Got Winners! + Follower Giveaway

Some of you might call me a nerd for doing this but I was so excited for the giveaway that I sat at my computer and at 5PM on the dot closed comments on my giveaway posts and selected the winners!

So without further ado (or any ado at all really):

Out of 262 entries the winner of my first giveaway of one custom doll from my shop was:
#214, Appie (since I didn't hear back from Appie in the required time I drew a new winner)

#92, Beth


Congratulations Beth!!!! I've emailed you.

And out of 676 entries the winner of my second giveaway of a gift certificate worth $25 to Fresh Modern Fabric was
#65
Who is:

Congratulations Jessica!!!! I've emailed you.

To all who didn't win: I'm so sorry!!! Better luck next time!

And about next time... I've been so overwhelmed by the number of new followers I've gained in the last week so as a big "thank you" for following I'm going to do a follower giveaway sometime in the next week.  If you follow me through Google Friend Connect you're already entered.  If you follow me through any other way comment on this post telling me and I'll be sure to enter you into the draw.  And thanks for following!!!!!

Don't forget that you can still use the coupon GIVEAWAYDAY for 15% off anything in the shop now through June 1st!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Seeing Stars+ Pinterest Challenge

With all the fun going on between Bloggers Quilt Festival and Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day it's hard to concentrate on getting sewing projects done, but I did sit down at the machine a little this week to get a few things done.

First off is a zip bag I made myself using Elizabeth Hartman's Perfect Zip Bags pattern in view C.

Star Zip Bag

I've had this bag pinned for a while on my "bags to make" board on pinterest and after going through all the giveaway posts and seeing everyone's awesome pouches they were giving away I figured it was time to go ahead and make myself one.

I pulled some natural linen from my stash and a pile of Cape Ann charm squares I have left over from making Anna's quilt and started planning.



The pattern allows for a variation in the bag where you include a 6" square patchwork panel on the bag front-- I wanted to switch it up and include a sawtooth star instead.  Somewhere in my quick calculations I made an error and my star was bigger than I had intended it to be.  I have no idea why I thought that 2" points plus a 4" center would make a 6" star.  It would if the star only had points on one side, but stars have points on BOTH sides, so after I sewed it together I realized that my star was 8" square and not 6" square as the pattern had allowed for.  I added a simple patchwork strip to the back and made the same mistake.  It's also 8 inches wide, but I made it work.

Oh well, you live and you learn.  I also had to make do with a 7" zip instead of the 9" one it called for.  Since this was a "spur of the moment" kind of a thing I wasn't willing to go out to the store to find a new zip.

When I made the bag I omitted a step that I later regretted and then even later went back and fixed.  The pattern says to use a layer of duck canvas between the front and the lining and I suggest you do.  Otherwise your bag looks all frumpy and gross like this:
I went back the next day and took the bag apart and added in the canvas.  It was a really easy step that had great results.  I really shouldn't have omitted it.

Star Zip bag

Star Zip Bag back

After fixing the frumpy problem I'm super happy with how it turned out.  I'm planning on using this bag to carry sewing tools with me when I go to friends' houses to sew.


edit: I'm using this project as my entry for the Pinterest Challenge going on over at Michelle Patterns.  The Challenge is great motivation to go and finally make a project that you've had pinned for awhile.  I might just go and try some tutorials I have pinned as well!

The second thing I got done this week was my May block for Stash Bee.  I'm in hive #2 and this month we made wonky stars.  Once I had the colors and fabrics picked out it was super quick to sew.

May block for Stash Bee Hive #2

I'm sending it and the signature block I made off to its new owner today.  I also included some DS scraps since the block will be late in getting to her since it has to travel all the way to the UK to get to her.

In addition to these two stars I'm also working on some dolls.  One is a custom doll that's for an order in the shop.  The other is just a doll I'm making for fun.  When she's done shell be listed in the shop as a "ready made" doll.

That's it for now!  Good luck for everyone entering the giveaways and for those with submissions in the BQF.  I can't wait to choose the winners for my giveaways on Friday night!

-Stephanie

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Bloggers Quilt Festival: Nominate me please!

Hello followers (new and old)!

I've been stunned by the response to my giveaways for Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day this year, and how many of your have chosen to follow my blog.  I hope you decide to stick around even after all the giveaways are over.
Amy's Creative Side

As many of you know in addition to it being giveaway week at Sew Mama Sew the Bloggers Quilt Festival is also in full swing and I have a quilt entered in it this year.  Nominations started today and I would be honored if you remembered my quilt #174 when thinking about nominations for best hand quilted quilt.


I spent close to 7 months finishing the hand quilting on my little leaves quilt I made my sister and would be honored to be included in the nominations for the hand quilting category.


To nominate my quilt please use Amy's Blogger Quilt Festival nomination form and be sure to nominate my quilt #174 in the "Favorite hand quilted quilt" category.

For the story behind my quilt please read my entry post to the festival here and my original post here.


Thanks so much!

And good luck with the giveaways!  I'm looking forward to choosing winners this weekend!

-Stephanie

Monday, May 21, 2012

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway #2

Giveaway is now CLOSED!!!!

I have a giveaway for Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day for a custom doll going on here but I thought since I'm primarily a quilter that I'd host a giveaway for something a quilter wants (and NEEDS!).

For this giveaway I'm giving away a $25 gift card to Fresh Modern Fabric

 Who can't use some more fabric in their lives?

Here are a few things they have in their shop:



To enter just leave me a comment.  If you want you can tell me about your favorite sewing pattern (garment, quilt, bag, or other).

For an additional entry become a follower of my blog (or tell me that you already do)
And for a 3rd entry leave me a comment telling me you went to my Etsy shop and "favorite-ed" it

That's it!  Giveaway closes May 25 at 5 p.m. PST closed! and I'll announce the winner chosen by random draw the next day.

International entries welcome!

p.s. If you're following the Bloggers Quilt Festival please feel free to nominate my Little Leaves quilt #174 in the hand quilting category!

Congratulations to our winner #65, Jessica!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway!


Giveaway is now CLOSED!!!!

Welcome to my giveaway for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!  I've participated in Giveaway Day twice and won lots of things, but this is my first time hosting a giveaway and I'm really excited!

giveaway day logo

Here's what one lucky winner will win:
three dolls
doll

dolls

dolls

Doll face detail

Doll face detail

Doll face detail

One custom made doll made by me!!!!  That's a $45 value! I make all my custom dolls to your exact specifications, so that means that you get to pick either flannel or linen for the body, skin tone, eye color, extra features (pink cheeks, eyelashes, eyebrows, freckles), hair color, texture and style, as well as clothing type!  I'll make it however you want it!

My friend Rebeckah and I just opened an Etsy shop called Clothesline Designs RS where we sell my dolls among other things for kids and moms, so this giveaway is sort of doubling as a "grand opening" giveaway for the shop.

You have three chances to win (and please leave a separate comment for EACH):
-Leave a comment telling me about your favorite childhood toy
-Leave a comment telling me that you're a follower or that you became a follower of my blog
-And leave me a comment telling me you went to my Etsy shop and "favorite-ed" it

That's it!  Giveaway closes May 25 at 5 p.m. PST closed! and I'll announce the winner chosen by random draw the next day.

International entries welcome!

Also, as a thank you for visiting, use the coupon GIVEAWAYDAY for 15% off anything in the shop now through June 1st!

Happy entering and thanks for visiting!

clothesline logo

p.s. If you're following the Bloggers Quilt Festival please feel free to nominate my Little Leaves quilt #174 in the hand quilting category!

Congratulations to our winner #214, Appie!

Unfortunately the first person I contacted whose name I drew never got back to me, so I've drawn a new winner.

Congratulations to our winner #92, Beth!
Please contact me ASAP Beth!



Friday, May 18, 2012

Etsy Shop Now Open!

I had grand plans for my 50th blog post, but this is pretty awesome too!  I'd just like to announce that mine and Rebeckah's Etsy Shop is now OPEN!


Please stop by and "favorite" us.  And be sure to come back on Monday for Sew Mama Sew's giveaway day.  I'll be giving away a custom doll from the new shop!

Eeek!  So Excited!!!  Don't forget to visit the shop!

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

Amy's Creative Side

This is my favorite quilt I've made this year, so even though I already posted about it just a few weeks ago I want to feature it as my entry for the Bloggers' Quilt Festival

She's called Little Leaves.

Pattern: Little Leaves by Elizabeth Hartman
Time to complete: 7 Months
Fabrics: Kona white and various blues and green prints, many from Amy Butler Soul Blossoms
Quilting Style:  Hand quilted using 4 colors of perle cotton
Recipient: My sister Jen

For the story behind the making of this quilt please check after the pictures!

Little Leaves Quilt finished!
Little Leaves Quilt
Hand quilting detail
Back of Little Leaves quilt
Back of Little Leaves quilt detail
Little Leaves quilt detail

The Story:
I love my sister Jen.  She's five years older than me but we've always been really close.  This is the first quilt I've ever made for her since I'm relatively new to quilting, and I knew I wanted it to be spectacular.  The first time I cracked the spine of my copy of The Practical Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman I knew I had found the perfect quilt pattern to make for my sister.  Something fun and truly worthy of her.

I said above that the quilt took 7 months to complete but that's not entirely true.  That's how long it took once I had the fabrics and actually got started.  It takes me a while to be satisfied that I've gathered the right fabrics-- my husband calls me a "fabric snob".  They have to be right.  There needs to be a balance of tones and print sizes, it just has to be perfect.  I probably gathered fabrics for this one for 6 months before I was content that I liked what I had, and the 16 different prints I used were edited down from probably more than 30 that I had gathered.

The process I came up with for making each block was relatively simple.  After enlarging the template to the correct size I made a layout block that had marking where each of the 12 large and 12 small leaves would go in each block.  I then laid my square of Kona white on top of that and since I could see through to the layout block I was able to lay out the leaves following the design.

After carefully tweaking the placement of fabric of each of the leaves I fused the design down and then started on the next block.  16 blocks later I machine appliqued each leaf down on the blocks, a process that took approximately a half hour for each block.

Once I had all the leaves on the blocks appliqued I pieced them all together and then made my quilt sandwich, using Kona white again for backing.  I'm not 100% sure but I think I used Warm & Natural cotton batting for the batting.  I basted the quilt for hand quilting using orange thread.  I don't know why but I always seem to have an abundance of orange thread, so I always use it when basting quilts together.

And then came the hand quilting.  Quite possibly the best part of the quilt.  This is the part that took me so long.  I hand quilted around each leaf with one of four shades of blue perle cotton.  Quilting each block took upwards of 7 hours.  I worked madly to get the quilt done before Christmas (I had started in October) but it wasn't meant to be.  I had to take a break and get all the other gifts I had planned made.  My sister flew in from Hawaii for Christmas so I gave her the quilt as it was and she loved it (at the time I was about half way done with the quilting).

After she left I worked on it occasionally, until I ran out of two colors of the blue.  It probably took me 2 months to remember to take scraps of the threads with me when I went to the store so I could get replacements, but I finally did.  After that I think it only took me another two weeks to finally complete this quilt, and once it was fully quilted putting the binding on was easy-peasy.  There's something about putting on binding that I love.  Maybe it's the feeling of accomplishment, but every time I sit down to hand sew binding I just feel so good about what I've made.

When it was done I washed and dried it and then went outside for its photo shoot.  Let me tell you it's kind of hard to take a photo of bright colors on white that accurately show each color.  So yeah, the photos don't do justice to the quilt, but I remember how beautiful it truly was so I'm okay with that.  And It's already arrived at my sisters house in Hawaii and she's in love with it, and that's really all I could ask for.

I hope you like it!

-Stephanie

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Floating Stars Quilt for Olive

I made this awesome star quilt about a month ago for my godson Joe's first baby girl, Olive.

When I found out he was having a girl I knew that my Timeless Treasures Going Places Pink Vespas fabric would be the perfect as a focus fabric.  At the time I really wanted to try out some floating stars, so I made a sketch and then turned it in to a plan.

Since I decided on having five floating stars I added two additional star fabrics: an orange heidi grace fabric with yellow bursts on it that I picked up at Joanns and a light pink with white polka dots that I also got at Joanns.  For the background I went with my go-to background fabric, Kona white.

DSC_0114e DSC_0116e

It took me some time to get around to adding the white all around each star to make them "float", but once it was all together it was well worth it.

The fun part (and the long part) was the quilting.  I echo quilted around each star 1/2 inch apart from each other.  Quilting time probably took around 6 hours.  The back wasn't perfect, but for me it never is.

IMG_0196e IMG_0198e IMG_0202e

I gave Joe Olive's quilt at Pascha, the Eastern Orthodox Easter celebration.  It's traditional for families to share Easter baskets, and at our church you'll see baskets for kids full of bunnies and chocolate right there next to baskets for their parents full of wine and cheese.  We made Joe's family a basket this year that had beer for Joe, the quilt for Olive, reversible capes I made for Olive's two older brothers, some easter candy, and a children's book about Orthodox monks.

capes

Olive's older brother Paul loved his cape and promptly put it on and ran around.  His other son Henry didn't come to the celebration since it's from 11PM to 5AM, and he's a little young to be out that late.  Joe loved the quilt, and I'm sure Olive loves it too.  So all in all the evening (and the quilt) was a huge success!


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