WIP Wed. - 4/24/13

​I am happy to report that I actually got my butt to the studio EVERY day last weekend - and my definition of weekend here is Thursday through Sunday. Yay me! So that also means that I have a few things to share from this past week :-)

New:​

There's a new Pillow Talk Swap under way on Flickr, and I've decided to throw my hat in the ring for this round.​ I've only participated in one other round of this swap, maybe 2 years ago, and received one of the best swap items that have come my way, pictured here. And on a sweet little turn, though this is an international swap, my pillow-fairy was a local quilter whom I have since gotten to be friends with thanks to the Portland Modern Quilt Guild (I still love this pillow, Brittany!)

It looks like you've seen this before, but really you haven't (unless you were at the PMQG meeting last week). In the neon challenge we were given the option to either do a block to go into a group quilt (or quilts), OR to make an item that we could keep. I chose to make that iPad cover, but was asked if I could make a similar block for the quilt, too. I have trouble saying "no" sometimes. I wish I would have had more of the polka dot to work with, but other than that I was happy to oblige. 

In Progress:​

Made a couple more samples for next month's Simply Solids - Falu block, blogged about in my previous post here.​ I can already tell I'm gonna be happy with this one!

Got this quilt top finished. I'm hoping to quilt it around the same time as my "By Air, Land or Sea" quilt. Now that I've begun organizing my strip scraps I had fun using selective colors for the piano key rows!​

And speaking of strip scraps... I started putting together strip sets and testing out some triangle units for this wedding quilt commission. I've got a long way to go here, but it will be an inspiring journey I have no doubt!​

​Quilting by Jolene Knight of Good Knight Quilts.

And last Thursday night I received this quilt back from Jolene Knight, a fellow PMQG member and longarm quilter (click the photo above to see her website). This is the first quilt I've had someone else quilt for me in several years, and I couldn't be happier with the results! (There will be a dedicated post about this in the next couple of weeks, I promise). I managed to get this 72" x 90" quilt trimmed and just bought fabric for the binding yesterday.​

AND I am ticking more quilt tops off my list of needing quilting... revisited a classic quilting stitch that I haven't used in a long, long time – the good, ol' meander.​ That said, let's move on to the last category...

Completed:​

Phew! It's in the washing machine as I type this post. I actually marked the quilting lines on this one! (another thing I haven't done in ages)​

and two more sets of pot holders.​

No Progress:​

navy/beige HST

Design Camp 2 Improv quilt

By Air, Land or Sea

Dollhouse quilt

and there are probably others I just can't think of right now...​​

Thanks for taking the time to visit, and please be sure to pop over to Lee's blog Freshly Pieced to see a whole lot more inspiring and motivating posts linked up!​

Another Bee, Another Block

May is my month to host the Falu circle of the Simply Solids Modern Bee.​

When I first signed up for the bee I was intrigued, but unsure what I would want to request for my own quilt. Then I saw this quilt in progress, by ​{thriftomancer} on Flickr. (she has since finished the quilt top which can be found in her blog, I Like String. I've actually included both shots in my inspiration mosaic for next month.)

​sample photos of quilts and blocks made by other quilters. Click this photo to see the link in my Flickr photostream with the source links attached.

There is no question that I am a fan of the quarter log cabin block. I've made several from a more limited palette, using a pattern in Judy Hopkins' book Big 'n Easy: Supersized Quilts for Queen Beds.​

But this one already has a totally different feel to it!​ And I am excited to see what the other bee-mates add to the mix!

This bee offers a couple of different approaches the "Queen Bee" may use on her month. One may send out fabric to the other people in the circle, thus keeping a cohesive palette in one's quilt; OR one may ask the other bee mates to work from their own stashes, in which case ​you have no control over color selection, and the block size is limited to 12 1/2" square.

And I am so behind door #2! Only one of the many online bees that I have participated in over the last few years has NOT been a stash-based bee.​ And it's not that I have a problem investing in the fabrics for my quilts (as many can attest!) but part of my enjoyment from these online bees is getting a taste of the other folks' tastes.

So to the members of Simply Solids Falu, bring on your quarter log cabin blocks! As scrappy wild or sedate as suits you. They'll all be beautiful and find a place in this quilt-to-be!

A neon anachronism

Is it wrong to be channeling my '80s pre-teen and teen years while making an iPad cover?​ Back in a time when Atari and Apple II were the height of consumer electronics and Cyndi Lauper, Boy George and George Clinton all had hair in these colors? (Okay, so George Clinton's hair doesn't narrow down the decade, but you all get my drift, right?)

Michael Miller Fabrics is joining with Portland Modern Quilt Guild to do another challenge, akin to the Cotton Couture block challenge from last year.​ This year it's to introduce their new (or upcoming?) neon fabric line. And WOW! These guys are true to their word... especially that yellow, just seems like it could be bottled up and set in a window to attract visitors!

​the initial swag

​Each of the due-paying members of PMQG who wished was generously given a stack of 10 fat eighths with which to work, combining both the new neons and a few neutral solids from MM's cotton couture line. We were asked to either make a quilt block to be judged and potentially included in a group quilt for future display as a Michael Miller promo, or we could opt to make an accessory or item, as long as it incorporates both patchwork/piecing and some quilting.

I thought about what I might make for just a couple of days. For some reason making a quilt block just didn't appeal to me - I knew I wanted to come up with a thing to make.​ But what? I don't know why the iPad cover hit me, but it seemed like a good way to use these fun fabrics in a self-contained project that I might actually USE.

I started by mapping out general ​dimensions and thankfully was able to put this together without buying ANY extra supplies... well, that's not quite true, unless I want to use ugly beige velcro as the closure I do need to buy a cute button and some round elastic or something. Details, details. I had just about 1/3 yard of Timtex on hand, and as I was going through the process I would probably have preferred Craft-Fuse, but this worked just fine with a little basting around the edges along with the "back" and the fleece or batting all sandwiched.

As for the design, I knew I wanted to go more or less improv style with the bolder fabrics slashing across the grey polka dots. I had to mix it up a little bit to make sure the fat eighths would last. I'm glad I was working within that constraint, because I am really happy with what came out of it!​

And on the "inside" I went simpler, since 1/3 of it would be covered by the device anyhow, but still had fun playing around. And I actually think I'll be glad I chose to use the orange for behind the iPad... it's not blinding, nor is it such a contrast to mess with the light or reflections near the screen.​

One of the biggest challenges was doing the outside edge joining all of the layers, plus the elastic strips and then flipping it right side out with that long piece of Timtex inside. I had to just bite my lip, smoosh it up and force it through the opening in the hopes that I didn't mess up its stabilizing effect.​

As you can see, it definitely got a little distorted in the process, but not to fear! Once I flattened out those outside seams and top stitched around the edges it was apparent that with the addition of the quilting I'd have a flat, secure cover. At least I was keeping my fingers crossed that that would be the case! My test run...

So on with the quilting!​

I knew I wanted to try something geometric and graphic that would not necessarily follow the improv piecing but emulate some of the shapes and designs from that decade of my youth. Hope I did justice to that idea.​

And all together...​

I have to admit, I am actually much happier with the outcome than I ever thought I would be. I may actually carry this thing around with me and be proud! How could I have just skimmed this trend back in the day only to be pulled into it at this age?!? I'm craving my earth tones now, let me tell you!

FAL Q2

Let's do this! Finish-A-Long, Q2 is just about to get underway at She Can Quilt, and what's the worst that can happen? That I maybe don't finish something? Unheard of! I'm sure that's never happened to any of us, right?​

I mean, that's never scared us off from trying. That's what I meant to say... So as we enter into the second quarter of 2013 how will it differ from the first quarter? Let's see...​ Well, for one I'm not starting out with any pot holders in progress. You'll thank me later ;-)

1.​ & 2.

​By air, land or sea.

​A modern crib quilt (I believe)

I'm going to sandwich, quilt and bind a couple of different kids quilts whose tops are already pieced.​

3.​

I WILL finish this little guy! As I think I've mentioned before, I got hung up on the quilting since I decided to quilt in circles, but I just need to persevere and get it done.​

4.​

​The tea cozy that ate the PNW

​I've unsewn the binding and corner seams as documented here, but it's long past time to cut this thing down to size and finish it up again so it can go live in the home for which it was intended. LONG past time, so this is a must-do for me!

5.​

​Michael Miller neon solids, dots and some Cotton Couture.

​The details are in the details...

These are for a guild challenge in conjunction with Michael Miller Fabrics. Check out those neons! I don't know if this is technically considered a current WIP as I have prewashed the fabrics and have a sketch done but haven't begun any cutting or sewing. 

And if I'm really, really ahead of the game:​

6.​

​Encapsulated, from a class with Lee Fowler over 6 years ago now.

One of these days I will quilt and finish this piece. And when better to do it than in the next 3 months? At the very least I just bought enough batting to tick this one off along with the others mentioned earlier in the post, so that's something, right?​

I think that should cover me for a while. Now, don't be surprised if you see other projects hopping in from time to time. That's just the nature of the game and I don't know how to play any other way. But perhaps when June rolls around I'll be able to post each and every one of these projects in a mosaic saying, "Look what I finished!!!​" So to start that out I'm going to link up on Leanne's blog with the rest of the self-challengers for Finish-A-Long, Quarter 2!

WIP Wed - 4/10/13

It's been a week. And things were made. Ideas were gleaned with a few finishes, a couple of new projects and quite a bit of stepping back and taking stock. So here's my stock:

​New:

Both the little iPod Nano and the cozy for it are new this week. Splurge, I know, but I have no doubt that both will get plenty of use in the very, very near future. Talked a bit more about it here.​

Lately I've been looking for projects to diversify into, and I keep looking at these little pillows I have in my sewing studio which I made a couple of years ago, and you can see here.​ It seems a great way to use some of these coveted fabrics that I've had trouble making into quilts or placemats or other stuff. I definitely need to practice my FMQ (free-motion quilting), but I'm excited to do more of these little guys.

This combines both an "in progress" and a new project... the new part being a commission for a wedding gift. This was simply the initial all-in fabric pull – there will be edits going on before any cutting happens.​

In Progress:​

Trying to get a handle on organizing my scraps and making them more accessible for future use.​

​What? More pot holders? Unbelievable! Actually, these were two sets of blocks I already had pieced and just finally got around to quilting and getting the binding strips sewn on.​

Completed:​

BOM blocks for PMQG. I've decided to stick with the B/W with a hint of pinks, peach or orange for the ones I keep, and so far I've been cycling through the 3 colorway options (B/W/Pop; scrappy; ROYGBIV) for the donation blocks. I hope it's obvious which one this falls under.

​So, all in all not a bad start to the month. I made the mistake of going back to see how many finished quilt tops I have that need to be quilted... it's kind of horrifying. So those little gems will be popping up from time to time without warning. But hopefully each one will seem new and exciting by the time it hits the list!

​Gonna link up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wed. Thanks for stopping by!

A Fun Little Pouch for my New Gadget

Yesterday I finally made a trade-in / trade-up. Still not part of the "smart phone" world... trust me, my cell phone is dumb, dumb, dumb, but I'm okay with that.​

That is what my old iPod looked like,  just a few more scrapes and smudges. I had thought it was a first or second generation, but as I was looking for a photo online I learned that I had a THIRD generation iPod, released back in 2003. Yep, I had an Apple product working for me for 10 years! ​Until the battery just went kaput. Well, not entirely, only when it had been unplugged from a power source for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Even while turned off. No juice. 

So on an errand-running mission yesterday J and I were passing by The MAC Store (not the makeup one) by the Lloyd Center and I asked if he minded swinging in there.​ I go straight for the iPod display and though I am briefly tempted by the iPod Touch, I knew that my goal was to get an iPod Nano. I just don't have that much music stored up and only use the thing for doing yard work, bike rides or the occasional trip to the gym. And let me tell you, they are NANO! I mean tiny! Just trying to test it out and put in the headphones it kept slipping from my hands. I knew right then it would need a little cozy sooner rather than later to keep it safe (and visible).

On days that I work at the quilt shop I like to have some hand sewing, knitting or crochet with me to stay busy during quiet times. As I was gathering things to bring with me this morning I went looking for scraps of batting and whatever fabric I had at home to play around with a prototype for the nano-cozy. I came across a deserted QAYG (quilt as you go) block that I did a couple of years ago, but didn't like much so it never became anything.​

It has now sacrificed its left ​log to live a new life...

...as my first ever iPod nano accessory.​

At this point I think it's only missing some velcro and a strap to go through the "belt" loop that can be adjusted as either an arm band or to fasten to a backpack strap or something.... Just don't look too closely at the terrible hand stitching! Not a skill I'm practiced at.​

Making sense of the mess

How many of you all have scrap bins that look something like this??​

And this is just a small fraction of the scraps I have hanging around my studio. Not that I figured any fellow quilter would need an illustration of how I reached my name here, but if so, this should do the trick! (And I didn't even take a photo of the floor around this basket where strips had edged their way through the wire grid or over the overflowing top.)​

I spent much of my Sunday in front of the ironing board taking out handfuls of these strips – did I mention that this basket contains only my scraps in strip form? – pressing them flat and sorting them by tonal warmth and lengths. Thankfully I had some Netflix streaming to keep me entertained. Making my way through season 5 of Eureka, which JUST showed up last week, thank you very much!

​Sorry, got distracted... Soooo, THIS happened:

And these had actually already been removed BEFORE that first photo was taken of the overflowing basket. Now I bet you can really imagine how messy the floor around it must have been!​

You might also notice a pointed lack of the jewel tone greens and blues. I'm about to get to work on a commission for which I am just beginning to pull fabrics, so in addition to this lovely dowel display there's also THIS:​

There is definitely quite a bit more work to do before I can claim perfect organization (yeah right, like THAT will ever actually happen!), but I feel good about where this is going. It will be much easier to work from the hanging strips, which will hopefully encourage me to actually use up those guys before cutting into more yardage. Or at least in conjunction with... who am I kidding I'll always want to play with the fun new stuff!​

The sew day that almost wasn't

Friends are fabulous. And when your friends actually like each other, it's ten times better. Do you all have any friends with whom you can spend an afternoon sewing, gabbing, snacking and just enjoying one another with sewing machine and irons in the room?​

For the most part I have yet to break out of my shell among the quilters I've gotten to know out here. There are certainly a few I call friends at this stage, but the people I socialize with most frequently are not part of the quilting community.

In time I've learned that most of my close girl friends DO, however, sew. But not as often as they'd like. ​In comes Linda with a centrally-located sewing studio space, multiple sewing machines, a mini-fridge (courtesy of last year's birthday present from my awesome boyfriend), and a desire to share it all (except awesome boyfriend). So 4 of us coordinated a sewing day weeks in advance, with one member traveling close to 150 miles and 2 pre-toddlers expected. And they are all people I met at various stages in time, through various venues, who happen to really like one another. Lucky me.

BUT... it was not meant to be as planned. Flu, school projects, doctor's appointments stepped in so we postponed.

Instead, Lady J and I had a mini-sew day. And we both got some s&%# done! I should have taken a pic of her wearing her brand new skirt which she stitched up from each individual piece to finished hem this afternoon. Dang! But I did get photos of the pillow covers I finished up. Something I've been wanting to branch out into and finally am making that move.​

​The pillow forms are the wrong size, but hopefully you get the idea.

​Envelope back may get a button or two on it, just to make sure...

I also had a brainstorm about what to do with "scraps" from the Insul-Bright batting roll I have. When I cut pieces for pot holders, I end up with bits that are about 5" wide at the end of each row.​ And of course I've kept them hanging around even though I didn't know if I'd ever actually find a use for them. But being in my sewing room with Lady J it hit me. She was with me when I found my 10" cast iron pan at an antique mall in Sellwood and we've discussed the usefulness of a handle cozy for such pans, but I never got around to trying to make one. That is now changed.

Not having the measurements I wasn't sure if it would fit. Turns out, I could probably get two cozies from one 9" length if I'm aiming for the cast iron pans. But if we work with my Calphalon...​

... looks like an almost perfect fit. Crazy. Glad to have the inspiration of my girl friend to lead me in this direction! And also felt good to get some things done in the company of another. No streaming TV, not too much spacing out staring at the design wall daunted by the number of impending projects, just DOING. And chatting. Hopefully next time we'll have the full guest list in attendance, though.​

​But until then, my studio welcomes the curious, the motivated, any company that wishes to drop by.