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

Cathedral Windows, but not really

I spent the better part of last Friday night and Saturday afternoon working on this little beauty...

 

I used a pattern/method which I refer to as "fake" Cathedral Windows.  It resembles the old fashioned, hand-pieced Cathedral Window, but it's all done by machine.  I'm not sure if I would make something with this many blocks again. Maybe I'll stick to coasters.  This table mat measures 16" square and contains 132 pieces. Yes, 132.  I used mostly leftover charm squares cut into 2 1/2" squares.

It's not hard, just time consuming and a bit tedious.  There are lots of tutorials on the web.

 I will offer one bit of advice.  Don't put your almost finished piece (I just needed to hand stitch the binding) on the same table as your glass of red wine.

Either that, or switch to white wine.  Oh well, its not too noticeable.

Thinking ahead towards the holidays.

Maybe a wall hanging?

jane

WIP Wednesday - Great Granny

Not much progress this week.  Between the holiday activities and an ill-timed trip to IKEA (It was brilliant of me to choose the one weekend that every college student in the Boston area is moving into the area and needs dorm/apt. stuff.)

Part of the weekend was taken up with this...

Yeah, we went on a whale watch.  The pictures don't do justice to the size and awesomeness (is that a word?) of these animals.  We sailed out of Gloucester and went out to Stellwagen bank which is a feeding ground for the whales at this time of year.  Lots of fun.


However, I did manage to complete 4 more Great Granny blocks.  I'm way behind on this. Actually, I think the quilt along is over but it doesn't matter.  I'm enjoying the process and look forward to completing the quilt.

I now have 8 blocks.  I need another 12 to make it a good size.  The squares are all cut so it should not take me too long.

I'll be starting another project with this cute layer cake...

Like I really need another project.

jane

Linking up to