I actually finished something!

 Linking up with Quilt Story: Fabric Tuesday

 It's about time that I finally finished something substantial.  I started this over a year ago and put it aside.  The top was completely pieced at that point, so all I needed to do was to put it all together.  My guild is having a WIP challenge so the timing was perfect.   (However, the timing was not perfect for picture taking.)  It was a gray, rainy morning, but since I knew it would be dark before I got home from work, I made the best of it.

The fabric (Flurry, I think) is Kate Spain. I downloaded the pattern from her website last year.

The piecing was pretty easy.  I have some leftover fabric that I'm saving to make a couple of matching pillow covers. With any luck, they'll be ready for next year.

The backing fabric is some Robert Kaufman that I've had for a while.  The green dots are from my stash. The binding is Vintage Modern.

I really love the way it crinkled after it was washed and dried.

I still have a bunch of gifts to finish making.  No rest for the weary.

Almost forgot - I also finished this cowl.

The pattern is the Honey Cowl from Ravelry.  It was my first time using circular needles.  It was very easy and I've already made plans to start another.

jane

Two little finishes

In between the cleaning and cooking for Thanksgiving, I managed to squeeze in a little enjoyment.
First, I made this cute mug rug.

This design comes from Pretty in Patchwork.  There are some really cute ideas in this book.  The only problem is that the templates are not full size, so you have to plan ahead and get the ones you'll need enlarged.  This can be an issue for me since I usually don't plan ahead.  However, this one was easy enough to make without templates by looking at the picture and reading the directions.  I was happy with the way it turned out.

My other finish is this infinity scarf.

I bought this pretty flannel last year and never got around to using it.  In less than an hour, from start to finish. I had this warm and comfy scarf. It took 1 yard of  44" flannel and was simple to stitch.   I plan on making more.  If you're looking for a quick and easy gift, this is it.
 
jane

100 Day Hustle - Half Way Point

We're halfway through the 100 Day Hustle with Kelsey Sews.   It's time to see how much progress was made with the items on my original post.
The items on my "Need to finish" list are the ones that have actual deadlines.

Need to finish:
Bungle Jungle quilt for baby Will - Done and Delivered

 
Fandago star quilt for Pat -Nothing done.
Joe's T-shirt quilt - Nothing done.
Ghastly project (undecided) - Maybe next year.
Halloween pot holders (3 sets)  Yes, all 3 sets done plus a mug rug for me!

Holiday quilt from last year- Nothing done.
Holiday table mat - Nothing done.


Would like to finish:
Great Granny quilt - Did 6 more blocks. I need to set this aside until after the holidays, but I love making the blocks.

Tote bag for work - Nothing yet.
Summersville quilt - Nothing yet.

Some major changes happening my sewing room (as well as some other parts of the house) have taken up much of my valuable sewing time. But that's for another post.  It's all good.
jane

Fresh Sewing Day

Linking up with Lily's Quilts today.

 Managed to finish a few more things in October.

Another Rose Star and two more Great Granny blocks.
I finished three sets of Halloween potholders as well as an ipad sleeve.
However, the biggest finish of all was the Bungle Jungle baby quilt.

(Pardon the bad photos, but it was late and I still had to wash and dry the quilt by morning.)

 I purchased a layer cake of this fabric back in August to make a quilt for my boss's new grandson. I happened to stumble upon this design using a jelly roll, but since I already had the layer cake, I adapted it a bit.  It was a very easy pattern to follow and the directions were very clear.

 I used some yardage of the green swirly fabric for the binding.  Instead of strip piecing the back, I kept it fairly simple.

 

 I was really pleased with how this one came out.

On another note, I have started my cowl.  I'm finding that the round needles are really very easy to use.  It's going slow and there are a few small mistakes which I corrected in a subsequent row, but I'm happy with it.  The yarn is really soft.  I can't wait to finish it.

jane

I'm also linking up with Small Blog Meet.

An unplanned finish

(Be prepared for some really random stuff.)

Random thing 1:

I made this pretty ipad cover yesterday morning.

It was not something I had planned, but my daughter was flying out of town for work and couldn't find her ipad case.  Mom to the rescue.  This took me about 35 minutes from start to finish.  I've made 100's (literally) of bags and pouches in my day and this is about as simple as it gets.

The fabric is Anthology.  If I had more time to play with this, I would have done some nice piecing on the front.

Random thing 2:
The BMQG recently held a sew-in at Gather Here.  Not only do they have some really great modern fabric, but they have beautiful yarns as well.  I picked up this really pretty yarn.

I found a pattern on Ravelry for a cowl.
This pattern is knit in the round, which I've never done before. I just purchased my first set of circular needles.  Hopefully, it won't be as big a failure as my attempt at knitting socks on double pointed needles.

Random thing 3:
My neighborhood had a very important visitor last week.  The Dalai Lama was speaking at the Tibetan Buddhist Center down the street.  He speaks a lot about inner happiness and I figured I could use some good karma, so I took the day off work.

Tickets were sold out for the event, but we got to listen to him speak outside the tent on a big screen.

I should have take pictures of all the security....lots of good looking young guys in dark suits and sunglasses:)

Hoping to finish something substantial by the weekend (and I not talking about the giant bag of Halloween candy sitting in my dining room).

jane

Linking up to Manic Monday Linky Party.

I actually finished what I started

I bought this Halloween fabric at a quilt show this past August. 

I usually attend these shows with two of my sisters and my daughter.  We always tease each other about what we bought and the fact the most times those items are still unused by the time we attend the next show. (We may have a slight hoarding issue.) This time we challenged each other to finish an item with at least one of the products we purchased or we would be forbidden from buying at the next show.   

My plan was to make three sets of potholders.  Believe it or not, I actually finished all three sets with time to spare.

All sets have the same two designs on the front.  I had to piece the back of one set since I didn't have enough of the cute pumpkin fabric.  I added a loop of twill tape for hanging.

I used one layer of cotton batting and one layer of insulated batting (Insul-Fleece).  I've made potholders with this product before and it works great.

I also managed to finish a mug rug with some of the leftover scraps.  This will be sitting on my desk at work.

Our challenge worked.  Both of my sisters and my daughter have completed their necessary projects.  The next quilt show is Nov. 2 in Manchester NH.  We will definitely be shopping.

Say hello to my spooky little friend...

jane

Fresh Sewing Day

My production for September was dismal. Hopefully, October will be a banner month.  I have only one complete item.  The rest are all just blocks for some of my countless WIPs.

I finished 7 of my Great Granny blocks.  They are a simple, but rewarding block.  I look forward to completing this quilt.  I also finished 4 of my EPP blocks. I am loving my Rose Star blocks inspired by Clare at Selfsewn.  My plan is to make this quilt totally by hand.  

My only complete finish is my Faux Cathedral Window table mat, complete with red wine stains. (Note to self: stick to white wines while adding bindings.)

My first project for October is to make some absolutely adorable potholders using this cute fabric...

 Today I'm linking with  both Fresh Sewing Day and Small Blog Meet courtesy of Lily's Quilts.

WIP Wednesday

Not much progress on any of my WIPs.
I started on a baby quilt for my boss's new grandson.  The blocks are all cut and I managed to piece 5 of them last night.

 I really like the fabric.  It's Bungle Jungle from Moda.  The colors are really bright and the animal designs are so cute.  It looks like we're in for a rainy weekend, so hopefully I'll complete the top.

I made no progress on my Great Granny quilt.  I cut all the blocks some time ago.  I usually store cut pieces in small zippy bags but ran out while cutting these blocks.  I had a box of blank CD envelopes and used them instead.  I think they work better than a sandwich bag. The little see-through window makes it easy to see what's inside.

Two more EPP blocks were finished.  

I'll be eligible for the senior discounts by the time I finish the EPP quilt:)
jane

The 100 Day Hustle

I'm linking up with Kelsey's 100 Day Hustle.  As of Saturday, the 22nd, there are only 100 days left in 2012.  Yikes!  Her linky should help motivate me to finish my rather ambitious list of projects to be finished.

 Here's my list...

Need to finish:
Bungle Jungle quilt for baby Will
Fandago star quilt for Pat
Joe's T-shirt quilt
Ghastly project (undecided)
Halloween pot holders (3 sets)
Holiday quilt from last year
Holiday table mat


Would like to finish:
Great Granny quilt
Tote bag for work
Summersville quilt

Based on the amount of sewing I've completed in the last 10 days, I'm probably a bit delusional.  I haven't used my machine at all. I managed to accomplish two measly EPP blocks.

 
I did buy this great Ghastly fabric.

I looked quick at this one and though she was giving me the finger:) 

 Time to get busy.
jane