Just gave it away......

the third out of 4 graduation quilts that I made this year!  And I think it's a winner in Hayley's book!!

I called this one "It's All There In Black and White".   The story behind this one is "if you don't know where you're headed at this point in your life, it's sometimes right in front of you in Black and White."

Again, this was made entirely from my stash.  I will have to start working on my scraps next.  I have 4 bags and counting to tackle.  Ouch!!!

 Gary was nice enough to hold the quilts while I took the pics. 

I quilted a stenciled pattern in the middle of each block and the rest of the quilting is free motion.  I really like how it came out on the back.

I'm a little sad to see the quilts go, but I know they are appreciated and will be loved!

Sew til next time......

Latest Finished Project

I can't believe it!!  I'm back already with a finished project.  I haven't given this one yet, but decided that it was safe to "put it out there"!
This is my "go to" bag pattern when I need a gift in a hurry.  I can usually have it done in about 3 days. The prep seems to take longer than actual sewing!  Isn't that always the case.

The pattern is called "Bethany's Bag" from Sweet Treasures.  This tote measures 13" x 17" x 5".

 I found this fabric online and fell in love with it.  I hope the "graduate" that I am giving it to, feels the same way!!  She is a bright, bubbly person, so I think it is a good match.

Front and back are different looks since the fabric was a large scale print. 

I pre-quilted my sections with invisible thread.  I wanted it to be "loose" like the fabric, so I intentionally didn't follow some of the lines.

I love this zippered pocket in the inside.  It connects to each side of the bag, and goes all the way to the bottom of the bag, but doesn't connect.  And the side pockets are HUGE!!!!

 This makes a good "book" bag, overnight bag, carry all bag or if you like a REALLY BIG purse, this is the bag for you!!!

 My little tag.  If you haven't seen these yet, be sure to check out this site  for the tute!  http://www.seamstobeyouandme.com/wordpress/2011/04/quilt-care-label-tutorial/

In case you're wondering, I "scratched" out my name in Photoshop!  I'm learning something new everyday.  NOW I just have to retain what I learn!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sew til next time...........

I'm on a roll...

so let's enjoy this while it lasts!!! 
I still have one more quilt to show you, but I want to wait until I give it before I post about it.
So today I will show you something else that I made recently for a graduation gift.
I found this fabric at JoAnn's about a year ago.  I just fell in love with it and thought whatever I made with it, I could always add some decorative stitching, which is what I did.

         I love making these bags and matching pillowcases.  I think it's something that every college student can use when they are away from home.  Here's a closeup of the quilting I did before assembling the bag. (oops, didn't realize it was so blurry)  I'm also working on my picture taking skills!!!

         And here it is unzipped to show the inside.

All in all, it's a simple gift, but one made from the heart!

Sew until next time.........

Another one done and given.....

Here is next finished graduation quilt that I wanted to show you.  I named it "I Know Where I am Going".  I explained to H. that even if she knows what she wants to do in life, sometimes life takes a turn, but you just get back on the path, hence the zig-zag in the quilt.

It's another "stash" quilt.

 I got the original block idea from Quilter Cache.  It is a 9" block called "Attic Window".

 I had no idea how to quilt it, so I just went with Stippling.

Here it is ready to put in a bag.  I have so much ribbon left over from when I used to make hair bows, so now I always tie up the quilts with them.  I always try to wrap them up so the label will be read first!
Let me know what you think of this one!

Sew til next time.....

It's Graduation Time....

And I have been busy making quilts and other projects.  (That's why you haven't "seen" me in awhile!)
The one I'm going to show you today is for one of the students that works with me.  I still can't believe 4 of our students will be off to college soon. 
       I've called this one "Life is a Jewel, Treasure it"

I used the jewel toned batiks that I had in my stash and the white is Kona.

 
 The backing is batik also. (I had to buy that, since I didn't want to piece the back)

 Did you notice the little tag?  Isn't it CUTE!!!  I found a tutorial on how to make it here at Seams to be you and me.. They were so easy and fast to do. 
I have 2 more quilts to show you, so I'll be back soon!

Sew til next time...............

I DIDN'T NEED ANOTHER PROJECT!

But you know how that goes.  You see something on the internet that catches your eye and you just can't resist!  Or is it just ME that does that?  (I think not!)  ANYWAY, I have been eyeing THIS and can no longer resist.  It looks like such a fun project.
 I ordered all the Kona solids that I needed last night from Ginger's.  And I got FREE shipping!  Love that part.  Actually, I refuse to buy anything online unless I get free shipping!

I am still working on the Graduation quilts (4)  and will start quilting those when we come back from the Lake.  I am bringing a couple of other projects to work on while I am just sitting there looking at the wonderful scenery.  Can't wait.

I promise to have lots of pics next time.

Sew till next time...............

I WON!!

I just checked my email and found out I won this from Lena Karen.  She had been a guest poster on Stash Manicure and gave a great tutorial on this little bag.  Plus everyone that knows me know how much I love, love, love Butterflies and this bag has one on it!!  I can't wait to see it in person!  Thanks again, Lena!

ITS READY TO QUILT!

 I've had the blue border put on for a couple of days, but just didn't have the time to post til now.  It won't be quilted for another few months because I use the Sharon Schamber technique and I usually try to get a few quilts basted while I have the tables set up!!  Nothing like having 2 extra 6 foot tables in the middle of the living room. LOL!  I plan on making 2 more tops before I set up the tables.

I even have the binding all ready to go!  I had read some time ago,

that it's best to go ahead and make the binding as soon as you finish the top. 

THAT'S a VERY good idea!!  That way you (or I, in this case) won't use the fabric for anything else!  Ask me how I know! LOL!  Anyhoo, I made the binding with all the leftover batiks, just cut them to different sizes and sewed.  I can't wait to see this one finished!

Sew, til next time.....

IT'S ALMOST A QUILT TOP!

 This was a very fast quilt top to make. I added a 1" white border after I took this pic.   Now I have to decide what color to make the 3" border.   I'm thinking of making the binding from all of the fabrics used.   I shopped my stash for this one ising  batiks and Kona Snow.  Don't know what I'll use for the backing yet.  I found this pattern on Robert Kaufman's site and drew it up in EQ-7.  I really like how it turned out.  It's one of 4 graduation quilts I need to make for this year.

I am  working on 3 "rememberance" quilts also.  I will save those pics for later.  I still haven't had a chance to sew on "Peachy" yet.  She is still a kitchen table "decoration" LOL!
Til next time.....

SHE'S FINALLY HERE!!!

I have been wanting a "featherweight" for a long time, and I finally got one!!! I belong to the Quilting Board forum. It's a great community of quilters willing to share thoughts, experiences, lessons and pictures! There is even a classified section and that is where I found this!! I could resist no longer. I was finally going to get my featherweight! I was so excited because it had the same birth date as Gary, so I was going to name it Gary J (as in Gary Jr!) Ordinarily, they are given female names because they are so small and dainty!!! WELL, to make a long story short, HER name is not going to be Gary J. When I took her out of the box, the first thing out of my mouth was "She is so CUTE"!!! So from now, on her name will be Peachy, named after our much beloved tiny toy poodle named Peaches!! I can't wait to have a day off and play! For a 60 year old, she is still a beauty!

DIANNE'S JEWELED LEAVES

It's finally finished! Well, almost! I still have to make the label. My first finish of 2011 is called "Dianne's Jeweled Leaves". I started it as a "plane" project this past summer when we flew to Portland, OR and Vancouver and Victoria, BC.
I used different "beige" fabrics for the 12" blocks and was excited to use scraps of fabric for the leaves. Of, course, it didn't even make a dent in my scrap bin. LOL! I am very happy with the way it turned out. I even made my own quilting template design! The original pattern is called "Noel" from Mc Call's Quilting Magazine (Dec. 2001)
The quilt is going to a special person in our DD's life (and ours!). Dianne has been a "second" mother and good friend to our DD. She has also opened up her home and heart to us when we are in "her neck of the woods!" This is a big "THANK YOU! to you, Dianne. It will be in the mail soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I really wanted to start this year off right, so here I am, the second day of the year and I am writing a post!! Let's hope this trend continues!!

I'm not making any resolutions, who keeps those anyway? I do have lots of goals that I hope to accomplish. Along with getting lots of quilting projects done, I would like to really focus on taking pics of EVERYTHING I make. I just can't believe all of the things I have made in the last few years, that I have no records of :-( Seems like I get so excited to give things away, that they're gone before I document them!!!

I almost have my 1st finish of 2011! I am finishing the binding and still have to make the label. I will post the story of this quilt and pics soon! And then it will be sent to it's new home!