Pages

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Fabric Obsession

Well, hello Friends!

Check out this lovely stack of fabric that I have recently acquired!

Recents 4.27.13

On the bottom is the pebble print from Sweetwater's Mama Said Sew line that I fell in love with when I sewed together Lillian + Oliver 3.  The one on top of that is Lizzy House's Outfoxed and Jeanean Morrison's In My Room, both of which are for the Triangle baby quilt that I'm working on.  Then there is V&Co's Simply Color and then a range of white on whites and some other green fabrics that my mother purchased for an upcoming class...



My mom and I are taking a class at Pine Needles to make this pillow!!  She wants two pillows for her couch, so she purchased all the fabric and I agreed to help!

The fabric at the very top of that pile is a fat quarter of Honey Honey, that I decided that I couldn't live without!

Our class is on May 10th and I already have the fabric cut, pressed, and ready to go!

I am so excited to finish up the little Triangle quilt and get started on the other quilts that need to be done by June!

I hope you all have a great day, my friends!

Currently Listening to: Is There Any Love by Kid Cudi, Wale

Friday, April 26, 2013

April Fresh Mini Quilt

As I mentioned yesterday, I really like to keep up with the clubs and bees that I decide to join.  So, just a few days before the end of April, I finally sewed together the Fresh Mini quilt for April!

Fresh Mini Quilt for April

The moment that I laid out the blocks to sew the top together, I knew it was love.

Fresh Mini Quilt for April

The flying geese are Center City by Jay McCarroll with Kona Iron and Kona Pale Flesh - it might initially look white, but it's not.  I love that subtlety.

Fresh Mini Quilt for April

I did not finish this mini quilt, however, because I think it's destined to become a great quilt.  I'm even considering making it big enough to go on our bed.  This little mini is going to be so much more than mini!  I'm sad that I currently have too many other quilty commitments to just work on this straight away!  But, I will make it.  It's begging to be grand.

Currently Listening to: S.O.S in Bel Air by Phoenix

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Recents >>

Spring is slow in coming to Salt Lake City this year.  This has been the longest winter I've ever experienced.  (Seeing as I'm a Texan girl, briefly misplaced in Utah - that doesn't mean much.)

Despite the pile of quilts I confessed to not have finished, I have, at least, finished the Woodland Sampler for April!

April Woodland Sampler

This little jackalope was so fun to stitch together!  I usually stitch while Jake and I are watching tv, but this time I mostly stitched in bed while Jake was doing homework (the boy has to get a Masters degree!).  I think I much preferred sitting in bed with my babies near and stitching in the evenings.  It was so serene.

April Woodland Sampler

I am glad to have finished this before the end of April.  I can be so determined when I'm working towards a deadline, but once the deadline has passed... good luck getting me to do it!  Just like with the Virtual Quilting Bee and the Fresh Mini Quilt Club, I really like to keep up!

Anyways, the weather has finally started to warm up, and the babies are loving the weather.

Spring 2013

The grass is also loving the weather... seeing as it is shamefully tall!

We also have this tree that is blooming beautifully.

Spring 2013

Since we bought the house just last fall, we're not sure what kind of tree it is, but my Dad thinks it's an apricot tree... I love fresh apricots!!

No spring or blooming tree is complete without baby birds...

Spring 2013

I found this nest just last Sunday and I was so pleased that mama was present when I snapped a couple of photos!

More Recents >>
loving > Sunshine!
sewing > April's Fresh Mini Quilt... and I think I'm in love!
fabric lusting > Indian Summer.  I think I'll die if I don't get my hands on some
Reading > Dare to be Square Quilting by Boo Davis
drinking > vanilla coke
eating > gyros.  definitely a favorite right now
current temperature > 57°

Currently Listening to: Oblique City by Phoenix

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Works in Progress

Today, I'm linking up with Lee to offer myself some accountability!  Unfortunately, just as I predicted in January, the unfinished quilts are piling up!

Works in Progress

On the bottom is the Boardwalk quilt, which is quilted and ready to be bound.  Next up is the Fireworks quilt that hasn't gotten as far... I'm still deciding on what to back this quilt with... and by deciding, I mean that I put it away and started working on other things!  The quilt on top of the Fireworks quilt is my own little Triangle quilt.  This quilt top isn't yet finished, but I hope to finish it soon.  The quilt on top is the oldest work in progress! I don't have a back for the Pow Wow quilt, either!  Ugh.

And then, today, I have started working on the April Fresh Mini Quilt!

Dear self, this is getting out of hand!!

Currently Listening to: Don't by Phoenix

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Inspiration: Triangle Quilts

I have been seriously in love with triangle quilts.  I know, they're quite the rage currently and I'm not ashamed to say that I am no exception.  There have been many beautiful triangle quilts that have caught my eye... here are just a few of them that I have pinned on my "Quilts to Make" Pinterest board.

A Quilt for Baby Owen

This baby quilt by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations


This is a gorgeous crib quilt by See Kate Sew

Triangle baby quilt

This darling quilt by Lee of Freshly Pieced

There are so many great triangle quilts out there!  I finally decided to try my hand at making a triangle quilt.  I haven't worked with triangles much and I'm looking forward to learning how to make those point perfect triangles!  ...even if my first attempt does not yield absolutely perfect results...

Triangles for Triangle Baby Quilt

Currently Listening to: Mirrored Sea by Passion Pit

Monday, April 22, 2013

Happy Monday!

It sure has been awhile since I've posted on a Monday, huh?

Well, I've been so excited about the changes to my little blog that I just had to post today!  At the moment, I am pretty sure that all my internal links are updated to the new address and should be leading to the intended pages.  If you come across a link that's not working properly, please let me know and I will fix it stat!  Thank you for your patience as I iron out the kinks!

So, I guess I should say... Welcome to Bauer Handcrafted!

I had been searching for sort of a "brand" that I could put on labels and business cards and such, but I had such a difficult time.  "Scraps for Omi" was sort of just a place holder and I knew I was going to change it.  After some in put from friends and family, I decided on Bauer Handcrafted.  I am super excited for this little change!

Anyways, I hope you enjoy the new look and new little features.  I'll be adding some more little things throughout the week.

For now, I wish you all a great Monday, my friends!

Currently Listening to: Constant Conversations by Passion Pit

Friday, April 19, 2013

Lillian + Oliver 3: Finished!

As I mentioned before, this is the third time I have used the Lillian + Oliver pattern.  It's a great pattern that is fairly quick and satisfying.  I think, though, that this version of the quilt is, by far, my favorite.  I made this one for my mom because she has a co-worker that will be having a baby girl in June.  I was sad when I gave this quilt to my mom.  I really enjoyed hanging it in my sewing room and admiring it.

I apologize in advance, if there is a photo over load...

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

It was a very windy photo shoot.

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

This is my favorite photo, simply because of the movement.  I think it's gorgeous.

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

At the request of my mother, I added this "handmade" charm.

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

Inspired by Karen, I added this little heart in the quilting.  I find it endearingly messy, so I left it, rather than trying again.  I think I'll draw it first next time, though.  I didn't truly plan on quilting it in!

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

I bound it in just a couple of evenings, far faster than I intended to, and now, it is gone!  I could make another, but I like preserving the integrity of a true one of a kind.

As I have been mentioning, I will be making some blog changes this weekend and I'm excited for the new look!

Have a great weekend, friends!

Currently Listening to: Don't Hold the Wall by Justin Timberlake


Thursday, April 18, 2013

Virtual Quilting Bee Block #3

Just as I had with the first two blocks, I procrastinated making this third block until today.  My reason for putting this block off wasn't because I wasn't sure of what fabric to use, it was because it just looked intimidating to make.

But, I took the plunge and I sewed it together in just about an hour - start to finish - because I chose to sew slowly.  Now that it's finished, I am very pleased with the block and disappointed with my hesitation!

Virtual Quilting Bee Block 3

Unfortunately, it was too windy outside to just let the block lay on the brick.  For this block I used Flea Market Fancy, Architextures and Kona Steel.

Virtual Quilting Bee Blocks 1-3

I really love the look of all three blocks together and I am so excited for the next block tomorrow!!

Have a great day, friends!

Currently Listening to: Take a Walk by Passion Pit

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Boardwalk: In Progress

I have been a BAD blogger lately.  There has been a lot going on in this little head of mine... but I have been working hard on the Boardwalk quilt!

On Monday, I tried Holly's table basting method.

Boardwalk Quilt

I don't have a huge table, but I think that it worked pretty well.  It was WAY more comfortable than pin basting on the floor.

Boardwalk Quilt

I will probably do it again.

I started quilting Monday night, but since basting took me FOREVER and I had to run out to get more pins, it was late and I didn't get much done.  Yesterday, however, I did finish quilting half of the quilt.

Boardwalk Quilt

Even though this photo is dark, I love the way it looks with the light shining on the quilt...

Boardwalk Quilt

Well, I hope to finish up the quilting today!

I also want to announce that there are going to be some fairly big changes coming to my blog this weekend, including a new address.  I feel like it's time to take "Scraps for Omi" to the next level... stay tuned!

I'm also linking up with Lee today!

Currently Listening to: The Swan Thieves (audiobook) by Elizabeth Kostova

Friday, April 12, 2013

Boardwalk Quilt Top: Finished!

I am very pleased that I was able to get this quilt top finished up!  As I have mentioned previously, this Boardwalk quilt will be auctioned off as part of a fund raiser for Relay For Life.  The auction isn't until June, but with 4 other quilts needing to be done by June, it's a relief to have this quilt top finished!

Boardwalk Quilt Top

I tried, as best as I could, to arrange the blocks in this quilt top randomly.  Of course there were a few blocks that I switched around after they were all first laid out, but I tried not to be so particular on the whole.  All of the fabric on the quilt top is Noteworthy by Sweetwater.

Boardwalk Quilt Top

I regret that I didn't take any photos of a portion of the quilt up close!  I usually do that.  The fabric that appears white is actually the white on white loop print in the Noteworthy line.  I'll try to remember to get a close up of that the next time I photograph this quilt!

Boardwalk Quilt Top

It was so gorgeous outside yesterday when I took these photos.  The girls just love roaming their fairly new yard!  And the grass is getting so tall!  Since we came from apartment living, we have yet to buy a lawn mower... we should probably do that soon!

Happy Friday to you all, my friends!  I hope y'all have a great weekend!

Currently Listening to: Not That Bad by Matt & Kim

Thursday, April 11, 2013

A Bench Cushion

One of my friends from the apartments where we used to live asked me if I could make  cover for some foam she bought for the top of a toy chest.  I had never made a cushion cover before, but I thought I could figure it out.  I read through a TON of online tutorials, but in the end I just decided to do my own thing.

Custom Cushion Cover

Since I don't have a bench, I used two chairs to stand in for some of these photos... [Also, yes, I keep three mannequins in my front window...]

Custom Cushion Cover

My friend picked out this Alexander Henry ombre dot and she was very specific on how she wanted this to look... I was initially planning on chopping up the fabric and adding grey piping, but she wanted the front to be wrapped around seamlessly.  It took awhile for me to wrap my brain around it seamlessly.

Custom Cushion Cover

I sewed the sides together, just like one would wrap a gift.

Custom Cushion Cover

She wanted button closures.  So I thought this would be cute.  Since the toy chest she has is made with a hinge all along the back, I added this little strap to help keep the cushion on top.  She could also put velcro on the strap and the top of the chest to keep it in place.

Custom Cushion Cover

I used buttons to keep the strap on.  And now that I see this photo, I see that I need to clip some threads! Seriously!

It was a fun little challenge, but  can say that I like making quilts more!

Currently Listening to: It's Alright by Matt & Kim

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Boardwalk: A Work in Progress

As I mentioned yesterday, I have been working on the Boardwalk quilt for the Relay for Life charity.  It was actually going to be a quilt that my mom was going to make, but she bribed asked me to do it for her.

My mom picked the pattern and all the fabric.  She bought this stack of Noteworthy by Sweetwater.

Noteworthy

I'm chain piecing a lot of the process, which will of course make things go a bit faster.

Boardwalk Quilt

This quilt is actually pretty simple to make.  I think it would make for a very fast baby quilt, but I'm making the throw size.

Boardwalk Quilt

I just about have all the blocks finished and I hope to have another quilt top to share on Friday!

Boardwalk Quilt

I'm linking up with Lee this week.  She sure runs a great show!

Currently Listening to: Top of the World by the Cataracts

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

A WIP Inventory...

Last night I was thinking about the five quilts that need to be finished by June and I started to get that "I'm in over my head" feeling.  I'm the type of person that doesn't really like to leave things unfinished. I get too anxious about losing pieces or any harm coming to the quilt top before it becomes a quilt.  Since I'm generally an anxious person, I wanted to do a little work in progress inventory.

My oldest work in progress is the Pow Wow quilt.

Pow Wow Quilt Top

This quilt is going to go on our spare bed.  It's twin sized and the reason it hasn't gotten any more finished than the top is because I don't have a back for it!  Now that I have a heavy to-do list, I'm not sure when I'm going to finish this...

My next work in progress is the Fireworks quilt.

Fireworks Quilt Top

I have everything to finish this quilt, but I simply couldn't decide on how to quilt it.  Sometimes, that's such a difficult decision.

Next, we have my the latest Lillian + Oliver.  I just shared this quilt top last Friday and I am happy to report that it is already being quilted.

Mom's Lillian+Oliver 2

This quilt is one of the five that need to be completed by June and I'm not worried about finishing it up.

Then we have the newest work in progress, the Boardwalk quilt.

Boardwalk Chain Piecing

This one is still in the very early stages.  This one also needs to be done by June because it is a charity quilt for Relay for Life.  I am working very hard to have this quilt top finished by Friday.  I'll post more on this quilt tomorrow.

Since I have already talked about two of the quilts that need to be done by June, I'll briefly cover the other three... Thankfully, all three will use the same pattern!  It might get dull, but they're all gifts.  Jake's dad told me that he'd like a quilt and he picked out the Houndstooth pattern from my repertoire. Then, one of my neighbors from the apartments where we used to live found out that she was pregnant with twins!  She's very sleek and modern, and she also fell in love with the pattern!  So, why June?  Well, that's when father's day is and when the babies are due!  I'm actually quite looking forward to working on these three quilts.

Anyways, I feel better now that I have all my WIPs on the figurative table!  It is now time to get to work!

Currently Listening to: It's Time (Passion Pit Remix) by Imagine Dragons


Friday, April 5, 2013

Lillian + Oliver 3: Finished Quilt Top!

I'm calling this the third Lillian + Oliver because I first used this pattern to help my mom make her first quilt and then I later used the pattern again to make a quilt for my best friend.  At any rate, this is a great pattern.  It's simple and fast, yet satisfying.  Anyways, here's the latest quilt top!

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

This quilt is going to be for one of my mom's coworkers.  Apparently she wanted it to compliment the first quilt top she made because she used pretty much the same fabric, just in different color ways.

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

I think I like this quilt more, though.  I guess it just doesn't feel as busy.

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

My favorite part of this quilt is the sashing.  I am totally in love with this little pebble like print from Sweetwater's Noteworthy line.  We're using this same print for the binding too and I can't wait to see how it looks!  I was so happy to use a scrap of this fabric on my little tote bag since I love it so much.

Mom's Lillian + Oliver 2

I am pretty excited to get this little thing all quilted up and bound.  Including this one, I have five quilts that need to be finished by June.  I've recently realized that the thought of that makes me feel overwhelmed... it'll be great to push myself, though, and I'm looking forward to the rush!!

Well, happy Friday my friends!  I hope you have an excellent Spring weekend!

Currently Listening to: Make Light by Passion Pit

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Virtual Quilting Bee Block Two

For some reason, I had a really hard time settling on fabric for this block.  I even spent a good amount of time auditioning prints.  I wasn't quite sold on any of the combinations I had made.  I thought that once I had gotten my new fabrics, I  would be inspired by a combination for the block.  I was partially right.

Virtual Quilting Bee Block Two

I was immediately in love with the peach crosshatch from the Architextures collection.  I had also previously wanted to use the floral print from Cushion and Dust by Sarah Watts, but held back because I had used it in green for the first block.  Obviously, I chose to disregard my initial thoughts.  The final print is by Lizzy House and the solid is Kona Steel.

Virtual Quilting Bee Blocks One and Two

I am really happy with the way that this second block turned out and I love the two blocks together!  I am really glad I decided to participate in this little bee!  It's been a lot of fun so far!

Currently Listening to : The Historian (audiobook) by Elizabeth Kostova