Fireworks: Finished Quilt Top!!

I am so, so, so pleased to finally have this quilt top done!!  It's been a real trial for me to finish all those blocks.  In the beginning I thought, "big deal, it's sixteen blocks". But then I learned that piecing a block is an all day event.  I'm not very big on things that take me all day.  I like to plan my day so that there is plenty to do, but I don't have to rush down to wash the dishes minutes before Jake gets home from work.  But anyways, I worked through it, and here it is: My Fireworks quilt top!!



The whole top is made from Lizzy House's Constellations line.  That white, that may appear to be solid, is the actually the print with stars all over.  I agonized over the placement of these blocks.  Seriously.  The evening after I finished all the blocks Jake and I sat down on our formal room floor and laid them out.  We switched them around and talked and then got them to a pretty good arrangement.  The next morning I spent another hour rearranging.  I made some concessions on how I wanted the arrangement to be, but I changed the things that I knew it would definitely bother me.  So, this is what I landed on.



I wouldn't say it's completely perfect, but I do love it and I am excited to quilt and get it finished up!



Well, happy Friday!  It is sure a great day for a finish!

Currently Listening to: Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi, MGMT, and Ratatat

Fireworks: In Progress

I feel like I have been working on this quilt for forever!!  I think this is the most intricate quilt I have ever made.  I guess that is why I am so surprised that I have been working on it for weeks!  Anyways, today I have a bit more progress on my Fireworks quilt.



I have been trying really hard to stay focused and sew these blocks together.  Sometimes when patterns reach a point that they're monotonous, I end up finding other things to do... But I have been reigning myself in on this one and I'm aiming for a finished quilt top by Friday!



I do quite enjoy the finished block, though, don't get me wrong.  It's just that putting these blocks together turns out to be an all day event!

Currently Listening to: People Say by Portugal The Man

Virtual Quilting Bee Block #2 Auditions

On Friday, the second block for the Virtual Quilting Bee was revealed.  Since then, I've been trying to decide on what fabrics I wanted to use.  See, I don't have a very large fabric stash, so that can make it difficult when I try to make something just out of what I have on hand.

Today, I spent some time trying to put together some fabrics for this second bee block that I can ponder over for the next couple of days as I work on my Fireworks quilt.  Here are three little bundles that I came up with.



I believe that the top two fabrics are by AdornIt, but neither of them have selvages.  The little stars are from Lizzy House's constellation collection.  The solid is Kona Steel



The top fabric is Constellations, followed by Tula Pink's Parisville, and then the stars are Happy H"owl"-o-ween with Kona Steel.



For this last combination, I chose In My Room by Jenean Morrison, Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry, and Notting Hill by Joel Dewberry with the Kona Steel.

Now, I'm not really sold on any of them, but I think I like the first one the most.  Which do you prefer?

For the first block, I was looking at completely different fabrics, but then on the day I sewed it together, I changed my mind and I absolutely love the outcome.  So, we'll see what happens.  I'd like to get this sewn up this week!

Currently Listening to: Into the Wild by LP

Quilted Tote Bag: Finished!!

I mentioned my excitement for Sewing Summit last week and since then I have been thinking a lot about travel handmade.  The first project that came to mind was a tote bag.  I've been wanting to make a tote bag for awhile now, but I just never got around to it.  Tote bags are my favorite because you can use them for basically anything.  Every time I travel, I try to buy a new tote bag that will remind me of the trip.  So, I have quite a collection.  However, I did not have a quilted tote bag.  So I had to work on that...

I searched online and found this tutorial found on the Sew Mama Sew blog.  I used the tutorial more as a basic guideline for constructing the bag, so mine is not exactly like the tutorial.

One change I made is in the way that the patchwork panel is constructed.  I didn't want to make it out of two pieces and then sew it together because I didn't want the strong line across the bag.  So, I made one big piece and then quilted it.  Also, the handles are shorter.  Which I am so glad for because they are still plenty long.

Instead of making two patchwork panels, I used just one fat quarter for the back.  This is Parisville by Tula Pink and I've had this fabric for forever.  It's been hard for me to use it because the print is so large.  But I knew this would be perfect for the back of this bag!

I used this herringbone print from Madrona Road for the lining.

I also added a pocket!  It's nothing fancy, but it'll hold my keys or something else that's small.  This little pocket was left over from the Neighborhood Quilt I made with Modern Domestic.  I auditioned a lot of fabrics, but this one seemed just perfect to me!

So, this is a happy finish for Friday!  I think I'll take it to the library today for a test drive!

Currently Listening to: Warrior by Kimbra

Virtual Quilting Bee: Block One

Even though I debate in my head a short while before I decide to join anything, I seem to always have the same conclusion - join!  Actually, I've been looking for a quilt along or something similar for a little while now.  I've been watching the Bee in My Bonnet Row Along, since it started in August, but once it got going, I thought it was neat, but not my style...  So, I have been patiently waiting... until I stumbled across Amy Smart's Virtual Quilting Bee!  I found it on the day that it officially started with the first block, so it was a quick read-through of the previous posts on fabric and all that and then I was ready!

One thing that I really like about the way that Amy has set up this virtual bee is that the blocks are released every other Friday.  That gives me plenty of time to sew up the block before the next one, and I always know when to expect another without looking at a calendar.

The first block is a star block.  When I saw that I thought, oh my goodness, I've been sewing a lot of stars lately!!  It's similar to the Fireworks quilt blocks that I've been working on and also the same concept as the Mini Quilt I made last week.  The similarities didn't make me think twice about participating in the bee, they just made me drag my heels a bit.

Anyways, enough chatter.  Here's my block!



After a lot of fabric consideration, I decided that I am just going to sew with whatever fabrics I want to sew with on the day that I sew the block and use some shade of gray for the background.  I'm hoping that will add some continuity.  For this block I used Kona Iron for the background and Sarah Watt's Cushion and Dust for the star and accent corners.  I actually really love it.

(Also, WHY did it snow this morning?! Dear Weather, it's SPRING!!!)

I am super PUMPED for the next block to be released tomorrow!

Currently Listening to: Stubborn Love by The Lumineers

Works in Progress for Wednesday

Well, I was hoping that I was going to have more accomplished by now than I actually have, but this Fireworks quilt has kind of been hard on me!  I am happy that I now have 10 finished blocks... 6 more to go!



Even though this has been a rough quilt for me, I am pleased with how it's turning out.  It's going to be beautiful when it's all done.



My mom and I are having a sewing Saturday this weekend and I am really hoping that I can at the very least finish up the blocks, if not the entire quilt top!



Well, I hope you have a great Wednesday!!  I'm linking up with Lee today!  Check out what everyone is up to!



Currently Listening to: About Face by Grizzly Bear

Recents

Surprisingly, I purchased some fabric this past week!

I went to Pine Needles with my mom on Saturday and I saw this amazing minky.



Since it was a bit pricey and I did not have my coupon on me, I went back and purchased it yesterday!  I don't have a quilt in mind for it, but I'll be using it as the backing to some future baby quilt... it is just too adorable and I couldn't pass it up!



These fat quarters also made their way home with me!



The top and bottom fat quarters are Les Amis and I unfortunately don't know the one in the middle... that one was sort of "grab now, ask questions later"...

I have still been working on the Fireworks quilt, but the progress has been a bit slower.  It's hard for me to stay focused when I know the blocks are such a huge time commitment.  I will show my progress on it tomorrow, though.

I did start the Fresh Mini Quilt for March, but I also finished it last week!  So, that means that I'm still only at two current works in progress!  That's happy.

Well, I hope I'm able to make some real progress on that Fireworks quilt this week.  I would love to have that hanging over the back of my couch by the middle of April!

Currently Listening to: Fluorescent Adolescent by The Arctic Monkeys

Upcoming Changes...

It has been a great Monday, friends!

On Friday after Jake got home from work, he took me to the Apple store and bought me a MacBook Pro!  I had to leave it there for them to transfer all my data and fun stuff, but I finally got it back today!  My previous computer was a Dell and it was getting so old that some things were just plain painful to do...

So, now that I have a brand new computer with a ton of processing power, I will finally get to give my blog and photos the over haul I've been wanting.  So!  Stay tuned for some changes!

That's all today, I have a ton of things to do!  Happy Monday!

Currently Listening: In For the Kill (Skrillex Remix) by La Roux

March's Fresh Mini Quilt: Finished!

As I mentioned on Tuesday, I joined the Fresh Mini Quilt Club because I simply could not resist!!  All the photos that were popping up on Instagram were just irresistible! After I joined and received the first pattern, it took me awhile to decide what fabrics I wanted to use.  I thought of using some grey prints that I have been hoarding, but ultimately, my desire for Spring won out.

It feels a bit like by making this mini quilt in such light spring colors, I have actually encouraged Spring to come.  The days have become gorgeous.  The heater has been off for days.  I am even writing this post outside.

The fabrics for this mini are Flea Market Fancy, Pearl Bracelets, Apple of My Eye, and Avignon with Kona white as the background.  

I used Little Folks for the back and Constellations for the binding.  I really love this mini!  I just have no idea where I am going to put it!  I'm excited for next month's pattern!

Currently Listening to: Moth's Wings by Passion Pit

Sewing Summit Excitement

I have desperately been looking forward to Sewing Summit this year.  I wanted to go last year, but I didn't watch ticket sales like I should have and they were all sold out in a day.  I wanted to go the year before that, but Jake and I were just married and he would have had to make some big sacrifices for me to go, and I couldn't let him do that.  This year. I. am. going. I've been watching the Sewing Summit website since January waiting for the announcement of dates.  When they were finally announced I marked my calendar.  As soon as the ticket sale date and price was announced, I told Jake so that he could be prepared.  And we are prepared.  I could not be more excited!

I think I've convinced my mom to go, too, which would be super fun!

So, here's the info:

September 19-21

Tickets go on sale April 16th

Ticket price is $325

There's more detailed information on their blog.

One of the best parts about being pumped for Sewing Summit is the Travel Handmade series that usually goes along with it.  Since I am perhaps more excited than a normal person would be, I have made a goal that I want to create something to "travel handmade" every month until Sewing Summit.  I know I don't have far to travel... the trip downtown will perhaps take half an hour, but the point is that it's going to be fun!  So, this is to say that I will be on the hunt for great tutorials for anything having to do with travel or even wearables.  I have already found some tutorials that I can't wait to try!

Are you planning on going to Sewing Summit?  Do you know of any great tutorials or patterns?  Can we all be excited together?!

Currently Listening to: Let Your Love Grow Tall by Passion Pit

WIP Wednesday!

Today is a beautiful day!  The girls and I are really enjoying the sun pouring through the windows!   Today, I'm linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced.

I mentioned yesterday that I have been working pretty diligently on the Fireworks quilt, but for me, it's slow going... I have five completed blocks.

I love looking at them when I first piece them together, but seeing these five together just blows me away!  I am going to seriously love this quilt!  All the fabric is Constellations by Lizzy House.

I think my favorite block so far is the one in the upper right corner.  

I am so glad that I decided to use the starry print on white for the background.  It just adds something special for me.

I have two more blocks in the works to be finished today.  I am so excited!

Also, while I was photographing, these two sunbathers intently watched me...

And then they came to attack when I started photographing them!  

Even though this is a blurry/dark photo, I still think it's cute. :]

What are you working on?

Currently Listening to: Seaweed Song by Passion Pit

What Day Is It?

When I woke up this morning, my first thought was, "What day is it?".  Jake decided to go into work later that usual, so that added to my confusion.  I had such a busy weekend and yesterday was so crazy that I feel like it should at least be Thursday!  But, Tuesday it is!  Which is good, because I have lots to do this week.

I have still been hard at work on the Fireworks quilt, but I started two other little projects.  One is a needle book, just like the one I posted on Friday, but with different colors for my mom and the other is a mini quilt! I debated for a short while on whether I should join Megan's Fresh Mini Quilt Club, but I obviously decided in the affirmative!  The photos on Instagram were just so appealing that I couldn't resist.  Since I intend on finishing it this week and sharing it on Friday, I have just a peek for you!

I'm actually pretty in love with it.  I could not be more pleased that I decided to join this little club! The only thing I'm sad about is that it's only for six months!

The progress on the Fireworks quilt is slow, but it's coming.  This is most definitely not a quick quilt, but it is so rewarding!  I'll post more pictures of the progress tomorrow!



I have also embarked on a little sewing room organization.  I've been trying to think of a cute way to keep a to-do list on my wall without using a thousand cute post its.  I settled on this:



Paint chips!  When I was in college, working on my senior art show, I collected hundreds of paint chips.  And then, I didn't use them in my show!  So I still have hundreds!  They are a good size, sturdy, cute, and the best part - free!  Win!

When I was writing out my to-do list, I noticed how much I do for my mom!  Two of those quilts are quilts she's giving away and the one at the end is one that I'm making for her to keep.  And she certainly has a way of bribing me too... She may have bribed me to cut the fabric for her two quilts by buying me this...



This thing is perfect for my patterns!  It even rotates!  The storage on this thing is great, too!  I haven't even filled it up yet.

Well, that's enough random for one day.  I'll be back tomorrow to post pictures of my Fireworks quilt progress!  Happy Tuesday!

Currently Listening to:  The Magician by Jose Vanders

Friday Finishes!!

Although this week has been busy with a bunch of other stuff going on and I've been wanting to spend every available minute on the Fireworks quilt, I did manage to finish up a couple of things.

First, despite my desire to not finish March's Woodland Sampler before the last week of this month, it just stitched up way too fast!

I think I finished it in like two nights.  I like them to last awhile because this is what I do when Jake wants to watch tv.  I really don't like to just sit there!

The only edit I made to this little mushroom is that I did not add the eyes and mouth.  I never really understood the desire to put faces on things that don't have faces... But, I still love this little mushroom!  So much that I actually used him in my next little project!

A needle book!

This little needle book was inspired by the Woodland Sampler.  I used this amazing tutorial from Amy.  

I tried to use all my favorite yellow and green fabrics on the back.  We have some Lizzy House, Jenean Morrison, and that Quilted Fish yellow chevron that I seemed to use in all my projects when I first found it...

It's so cute and adorable!  I am pretty pleased with how it turned out.  Just to illustrate how badly I needed this little needle book... Here is my previous method of storing needles...

Seriously?  Ridiculous.  This needle book was totally called for.

I hope you have a happy Friday and a great weekend!

Currently Listening to: On My Way by Passion Pit

WIP Wednesday

Today I am linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for the first time!



I wanted to have done a ton more on my Fireworks quilt, but it just hasn't happened.  I am grateful for the time I have had to work on it, though!

I finally got all the fabric cut!



I am only using Lizzy House's Constellations collection for this quilt.  I super love this line.





I am very happy to have finished one block though!



This is the first pattern that I've tried that has this much complexity... and I was pretty shocked at how long it took me just to make one block!  It's totally worth it, though, because it's gorgeous!

Anyways, that's all I have today!  I hope you're having a great week!

Currently Listening to: Little Secrets by Passion Pit

I Can't Believe it's Tuesday

The weekend and already this week is just flying by.  Yesterday was so busy that I forgot to post! Oh well...

Today is a fun day! It's my anniversary!  Two years ago, I married my best friend.  We have been so happy!

This afternoon and evening Jake has all sorts of fun things planned!  I think I'm most looking forward to the fancy dinner, though!

Anyways, last week I (surprisingly) didn't buy any fabric again!  Maybe I'm better at not impulse buying than I thought... BUT some fabric did fall into my possession.  And no, I didn't steal it!

I've mentioned before that I'm helping my mom with a couple of quilts.  Well, she has a way of convincing me to cut her fabric for her... She's sneaky like that.  So, all her lovely fabric came home with me!

She is making this quilt as a charity quilt for Relay for Life and she decided to make it using Sweetwater's Noteworthy line!



She picked these prints for the quilt top, backing, and binding.  I think it's going to look really great!

She also picked out the sashing, binding, and backing for the Lillian + Oliver quilt she wants to make.



This is also Noteworthy and Kona White.  Here is a picture with the fabric bundle she purchased for the top:



And all that lovely fabric came home with me!  The best part is that I get to keep the scraps!  There's nothing better!

Anyways, I'm still working on my Fireworks quilt and while I haven't started anything new... I did join the Fresh Mini Quilt club put on by Megan!!  I've been thinking of the fabrics I want to use for this month's mini, but I haven't pulled anything just yet.  I am excited to start it though!

Anyways, we've got lots going on today!

Currently Listening to: I've Got Your Number by Passion Pit