Bits of this n' that

Since I'm STILL waiting on the darning foot for my machine (they couldn't find it and re-ordered it, should be here this Thursday) I'm working on small projects.

I think I mentioned at some point of my intention to take my bedroom from its present color of gold and green to a new pallet of greens and purples.    I had purchased some candy bars of Moda's Dragonfly Summer when my LQS got them in as a samples but I must admit I was at a bit of a loss on how to use them. 
Then I saw a pattern that I could simplify down and make as a doll quilt.  I felt it would give me an idea of how the fabrics would work together and let me see it as an actual quilt so I could decide whether or not it would work for what I envision for my room. 
It's not done mind you, This is just the center panel so it still needs borders, backing and binding (I may have to wait until March for the fabric line to actually come out to do all that.) but it's given me a good idea.  What do you think? 

 

Two candy bars and only three usable dragonflies.   That being said can you find my favorite blocks?

I love the deep green, purple and the lighter green, so will probably purchase yardage, the others while lovely will stay at the fabric store. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is a mug rug I finished using a variation of Kim's block.  This one using a 9 patch and being much smaller in size.  I included a wee pocket for a package or two of tea.  I think this may end up in a gift box.  

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, a mug rug in process.  This was a practice block for foundation piecing and it truly tested my patience because it's was just so fiddly with half seams and what not.  It's a good thing I'm  not starting off with my mariner's compass blocks.  Don't look too hard or you'll find my flubs.  This one will also have a wee pocket. 

 

 This was made with a Bliss charm pack

  

So nothing grand, mostly just busy work while I wait for my darning foot.   I like little bits though, I've always been rather fond of instant gratification.

 

Regatta in Blue

I've been working hard at creating more blue scraps for my Blue & Bugs Blocks Quilt, see...

There's a strange wind a blowing...they can't make up their mind which way they're sailing.  The blocks are finishing out at a wonky size, 11 3/4' rather than 12" but I can work with it.  I'm going to add another column then I think I found the perfect Mariner's Compass blocks for the corners but I need to work on my foundation piecing skills before I tackle that.
(I got smart on this one, there's no chance that I'll run out of fabric because each block is made with a different fabric combination.) 

Can You Guess...

What I'm making?
I'm sure you can.
I can see the wheels in your mind turning.
And the light turning on...(even though this last picture I threw in just to throw you off.)
It's block 1 from the Block-a-palooza. I used all fabrics from my stash and feel it turned out really well. Very springy don't you think? (I made it in a late night bout of insomnia so didn't catch the directional fabric glitch.)

Oh and if you're wondering about those little HST's, I added an extra seam when making the flying geese units and those are the trimmed corners. How's that for frugal sewing?

Fruit and Nut Cake Quilt

Yesterday was not a good day so with the philosophy that tomorrow is always better I am starting my day off with this!
You can't possibly have a bad day when you start it off with chocolate!
As part of a balanced breakfast of course.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My extra Fruitcake charm pack arrived so I've been working on this.
My original vision was inspired by Carol's lovely quilt but somewhere along the line I got a little off plan with some HST's and hourglass (not sure of the official name) blocks.
I blame my Orange Winged Amazon Parrot named Jasper with whom share my sewing room for scrambling my brain and setting me off course. He's always very very vocal unless he's covered at night and the boyfriend and daughter can't stand it so he and I shack up.
Here we see him hurling obscenities at kids as they walk home from school. He's been putting up quite the fuss for the last few days, more so than usual and is even getting on my nerves. I tried bribing him into silence with pistachios but that only worked for a short while before I got worried that he'd fill up on them and not eat his regular food. He ended up in the bathroom on a curtain rod over the tub. Ahhh, peace at last. And look!
I still need to do the borders (Hey guess who ran out of fabric again), but the hard part is done! It's not quite as per inspiration but I like it. Hopefully I won't get in trouble for admitting to the creation of a UFO but it won't be finished any time soon since I don't have batting or backing. Did batting get really expensive in the last few years or am I just smart enough now to look at only the quality stuff?!? Good thing it's a holiday quilt, I've got a whole year until I need it.

On Sewing Machines and Presser Feet....and Hearts.

For my 16th birthday I received my first sewing machine. Up to that point I'd been using my mothers old Singer machine that was older than I was (and at last knowledge is still going strong I might add). It was a Bernette, made by Bernina but without the hefty price tag that the Bernina carried. It was a very basic model with only a handful of stitches but it did have a buttonhole foot.

Really I shouldn't be speaking of in in the past tense, I still have it, but about three years ago I decided to reward myself for all the 10 and 12 hour days I'd been working and upgrade to something a bit flashier. With the memory of my mothers old Singer machine still fresh in mind I decided that was the machine for me. I wanted something that could carry me through apparel sewing as well as quilting and still be up for a bit of fun....and work with my single income bank account too.
Enter the Singer Confidence...only to sit unused for 2+ years while I work more 10 and 12 hour days. So sad really but I'm rectifying the problem and it's been pulled out and is being put through it's paces now. So far it has done nothing but impress. I've yet to use all of it's 174 stitches (which includes a block style alphabet) but I'm enjoying trying.

One thing I realized was that it's missing a most important accessory as far as quilting goes. It had no darning foot so I can work on some FMQ. I went to the JoAnn's where I bought it and ordered one three weeks ago and was told it would be there in a week. I've yet to get a call on it and went in yesterday to inquire about it and it was nowhere to be found. :( A pity since I have these pretty things that I'd love to finish up.
You will recognize them from the Be Mine Blog Tour. These are a modification of Kim's Big Quilting Adventure Heart Struck Runner. Since my table is always covered in random things I decided that I'm going to turn these into a door hangers. One for my front door and the other as a gift...if the first one works out that is. I'll keep you posted.

Rainbow Challenge Sew in Saturday

I know there is an official Sew in Friday but Friday's are our family nights so I'm going with the Sew in Saturday.

I've only got a few little things to report. I've been doing a mad dash with my enrollment and financial paperwork for going back to school. I actually begin classes this coming Tuesday! EEK! But enough on that. Let me show you what I've put together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is another bowl rug I made for my daughter. This time I used a log cabin block as my base and obviously a few extra colors other than blue.
So... I have something to admit here. This was the first time I've ever used black in any of my quilting.
Ok, when you take into consideration that I've only made about three quilts to completion in my life (tied quilts, not quilted quilts) and have not many more that that in UFO status that doesn't seem like a lot...but I'm wondering what took me so long. I love how it adds a dramatic punch to the look. Prepare to see more black!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here I am playing with some foundation piecing. I really like it!!! I think this might make either a pretty pillow or a nice hot pad.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok, I see this and all I can think of is Sting singing I Saw Three Ships. (Love Sting!) You will remember how I mentioned that I need to make more blue "scraps" for my Blue & Bugs Block quilt. Well this is helping me get them. I found an adorable pattern for a quilt using these ships. I'm going to make a few and then hopefully find a Mariners' Compass pattern the same size to use for the corner blocks.

Finally I've gotten a couple more rows done in my Blue & Bugs Blocks Quilt. I didn't get pictures this time though. Next time. I better get to it through, January is almost over!

So I now have two very boyish quilts in the works. Hopefully February's color is a bit more girlie. :) Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time have a lovely one!

I've Gone Done and Lost my Mind!

Not sure what I was thinking, but I went and... enrolled in an online college...and I start next Tuesday!!! EEP!!
I've been considering it for some time but certainly didn't think it would happen this quickly. I usually take months to make decisions like this.
I'm going for an Associates in Organizational Management. This means more time in front of my computer...less in front of a sewing machine. :( It's for a good cause though.

And just so this isn't an entirely craftless entry, I've been working on some more blue for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge...Here's a little peek.