Showing posts with label scrapdown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scrapdown. Show all posts

Friday, May 8

Hello

More potholders. This string quilt block method is so fun. It uses lots of scraps too.

Well, it would if I didn't use denim from my old jeans too. I'm going to start on a mat for my entry way this weekend.

And got my order from The Fairy Tale Shop. Yippeeee!



Happy Friday!

Wednesday, April 29

SCRAPDOWN Kitchen Project

4 potholders done. I truly enjoyed making these. I love the freedom of not measuring, pinning and being exact. In fact I didn't use my rotary cutter once. Yup, used scissors. So liberating. The problem with these is that they don't use up very many scraps ~ didn't make a dent in my scrap bags. Maybe a little mat for our entry way will eat up some more.

I made these using my potholder tutorial. The only difference is that I quilted the top to the insul-bright batting and then sewed that sandwich to the back. Speaking of the back, I used some old jeans as backing fabric. I'm happy with the way the patchwork looks with the denim. Has a kinda Gees Bend-y look to it.

More Scrappy Kitchen Goodness:

Inspired by the green of spring, Stacey made this darling tea cozy for her kitchen project. Tutorial here.

Bridget made a peg bag (clothes pins to us Americans.) There are directions on her blog.

More charm quilts to share too~

This is E.L's quilt top. She made it for her daughter.

Leanne finished hers right in time for her newborn son. Congrats Leanne!

What about you? Any new sewing projects to share?

Wednesday, April 15

SCRAPDOWN Project #3

Okay, ready for the next SCRAPDOWN project? I am. Although truthfully there are a few more bags inside me waiting to be made. How are your scraps? Are you using them up? Um, I haven't made any significant progress on the bags and bags of little scraps I have. But I have used up some fabric from my stash so that's good. For these next set of projects I PROMISE to use bag scraps. Exclusively.

So, with a renewed resolve ~ here is the next SCRAPDOWN project:

Things for the KITCHEN

I'm quite excited about the collection of tutorials I've rounded up for us.

Patchwork Kitchen Mat

Recipe Card Cozy

Apron

Quilted Tea Cozy

Grocery Bag Dispenser

Craft Apron

Quilted Hot Pads

Patchwork Kitchen Towels

Patchwork Placemats

Slack Arse Oven Mitts

Please send in other great kitchen tutorials!

There are two more finished Charm Quilts! (Mine is still waiting to be quilted. Blush.)

This is Stacey's

This is Bridget's

Gorgeous!

We're off on a weekend trip. Nose to the grind stone when I get back . . . I swear. Scraps be damned.

Sunday, March 29

Tangled up in Blue Bags

Made out of quilt blocks that never became a quilt. They are lined with 100% cotton khaki fabric from my stash. They finished at 8 inches square. So fun. I can't believe you haven't made one yet.

Or have you? Hmmm.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 25

Added Baggage

Thanks to Audrey, Jennifer and my mom for helping me get the cinching thing right. I'm happy to report all of my bags, including my most recent 2, are cinchers! Here are the 2 new ones I made. This light pink one is for Eva. I used the rest of the sparkly butterfly fabric in the bag. I kept the bag in pastel pinks to keep with her current princess, fairy, ballerina, all 3 at the same time, magical, fairy tale phase. It's an entertaining phase, that much is for sure. Last week she looked at me seriously and asked, "Mom, do you think I'm graceful?" Where do they come up with this stuff?

Audrey's is a bit wilder and more eclectic. Hers does contain my favorite cat fabric of all time. You all do know I used to collect cat fabric? I made Eva an I Spy quilt using my cat fabrics. Tried to turn her into a cat person before she was even born. It worked. Only one piece left of this darling print. Audrey loved her bag ~ squealing and saying fank you mommy over and over. Ah, feels so good. There is no better compliment than when your kids like something you've made them. Don't you agree?

Pink Penguin has a flickr group for projects made from her tutorials. Take a look through it. There are some inspiring pieces in there. I also found another flickr group called, Nothing but Scraps. Good ideas to be found there too.

I'm still really into making bags. Have you made one yet? This one is really tempting me. Wouldn't it be a cute Easter Basket?

Tuesday, March 17

Pretty in Pink

It sure is. Another reversible patchwork bag, 2 more almost done. These are fun to make, people. Give it a try. I used 4 inch blocks for this one. It finished at 13.5 inches square. It's a nice size. This one is going to one of Eva's friends who is turning 5 at the end of the month. I'm going to put a few books inside. For the inside of this bag I used a piece of poly-cotton my mom gave me. I think it's from the 1980s. Isn't it sweet? It feels so soft, like a comfy nightie or PJs. I am having a slight problem, though. I can't get my bag to cinch. When I pull the cords it does nothing. Anyone know how to make the cords cinch the bag shut?

Monday, March 16

DeFunked

This weekend was the perfect cure to my winter blahs. Sunshine, fresh air, and pretties.

On Saturday morning we went to the farmers' market. It is full of beautiful spring flowers, produce, meats and cheeses. There was also an antique market going on. I could have wandered through that all day. I can never resist the first primroses of spring, so we each chose one to put in the planter by our front door. Can you figure out whose is whose?

On Sunday it was nice enough for me to hang out the laundry on our clothes line. To me this is a great pleasure. I love the smell of the clothes and the look of the items blowing in the breeze. I also like the process of it, hanging, checking, clothes pins, baskets, Audrey running under the sheets - all good! Bryce got out the mower and we all spent some time in the back yard. It was extremely pleasant.

I also crawled out of my sewing funk, by making my first reversible patchwork bag. This is a wonderful and very forgiving pattern therefore, the bag turns out great! So cute. It was fun to make and not too time consuming at all. For this first one I used some squares I had left from the Charm Quilt Scrap Exchange. One side of the bag is in blues the other in reds. I have squares cut out for 3 more. I increased the square size from 2.5 inches to 4 in order to make a bigger bag. Have you tried this pattern yet? It is addicting. You won't be disappointed with the results. More pictures here.

How was your weekend?

Monday, March 9

SCRAPDOWN Project #2


BAGS

Let's use up more of our scraps and make some cute bags all at the same time. I've collected a few bag tutorials for you to look through, but there are millions more out there in cyberspace. This project does not involve a fabric exchange - use what you have, I know we all have *lots* of scraps left. Post pictures your WIPs and finished bags in the flickr group. If you find a great bag tutorial to share leave it in the comments or on the flickr group.

The beautiful patchwork bag pictured was made by Kayce. She used some squares leftover from our Charm Quilt Scrap Exchange. Maybe if we harass her enough she'll post directions for this bag.

As for our Charm Quilts, most of us are still grinding away but a few ambitious peeps have finished! See for yourself:

Carrie's

Jennifer's

Bag Tutorials


Quilted Patchwork Bag

Reversible Patchwork Bag

Patchwork Messenger Bag - tutorial is on page 2, scroll down

Apple Picking Tote

Patterned Jewelry Pouch

Molly's Little Purses

Jaipur Tote Bag


Monk's Bag

Craftster List of Bags

I'm going to start with the Reversible Patchwork Bag from Pink Penguin. How about you?

Friday, February 20

The winner is . . .

RED! It really did make the quilt pop. I'm super happy with the results. A few more pictures here.

However, Carolyn's* comment did make me pause and think for a moment. She wrote:

I like the blue one. One big reason is that it reminds you of yourself. The other one is that it's peaceful and I like that it brings the rainbow in that unexpected but welcome direction.

I've been getting better at noticing when something speaks to me - like the cat fabric - and honoring what I truly like versus what I think I should like. So for that very reason alone, I was tempted by the cat fabric. However, the red was just too bright and cheery and those types of things are also very important to notice and honor. How is that for over analyzing a silly piece of fabric. sheesh. I should really get a life.

Here are a few more exciting bits from the SCRAPDOWN flickr group:

Laura is using a Water Wheel pattern for her quilt. Laura, I sent you a package today. Actually it's for your bun (that's in the oven) and Ava.

Bridget is hand quilting hers. And kicking ass, I might add.

Jennifer made some pillow shams to go with her quilt. She has some super quilting tutorials on her blog.

Leanne's random piecing is taking on a very cool retro look.

I hope to make a label for my charm quilt before we go on holiday on Wednesday. I'll share a label making tutorial as well. We'll see if I can pull that off.

I'm thinking the first week of March would be a good time to start a new SCRAPDOWN project. I don't know about the rest of you, but I've still got a TON of scraps. There won't be a swap with this next project - but we can work our projects together in cyberspace space and share on the flickr group. Whaddya say?

*Are you Minnesota Carolyn from Quilt Club?

Friday, February 13

Charming Quilts

Have you checked the Scrapdown flickr group lately? Quilts are happening. And they are gorgeous. These must be shown off - LOOK!


Bridget

Audrey

Kayce

Stacey

Jo

Jennifer

Mine - no quilt yet, but I've got pairs now!


I've added a permanent link to the SCRAPDOWN flickr group. It's on my side bar. See it?

Wednesday, February 11

The Sweetest Square

Look at the gift I received in the mail from Lou Ellen! Along with the 10 squares for the Charm Quilt Scrap Exchange she included this darling piece of Holly Hobbie fabric. Lou Ellen used this fabric to patch her daughter's blankie as it became worn.

Let me fill in the holes - Lou Ellen's daughter, Stacy, is my good friend, we were roommates in college. As roommates Stacy and I discovered that we both still slept with our childhood blankies. Both of our blankies had been repaired numerous time. My mom had sewn several new sheets of flannel over the patchwork side of mine. And Stacy's Grandma and Mom were responsible for keeping her blankie in working order.

Over the years, Stacy and I have talked about our blankies and their continued presence in our lives. Security, love, comfort - those are good things. For some of us they still come in blanket form. Nothing wrong with that.

Thank you Lou Ellen! You (and your daughter) make the world a brighter place!

Friday, January 30

Charm Quilt Design Ideas

Ah, so many squares so many choices. Here are some quilt patterns that would work nicely for a charm quilt.

This is a 4 patch with sashing and a wide border.

E.L. mentioned that she wanted to use a Chinese Coin pattern. A great idea with charm fabric.

Found this in the book, Fat Quarter Quilts by M'liss Hawley. The pattern is called Triangles and Confetti. If you're interested in this one, email me and I'll send you the directions.

Audrey found this trapezoid pattern along with some other possibilities at this site.

This baby size quilt is made with 135, 3 inch squares. It is 9 squares by 15 squares. The border is 3 inches wide, finished. Since we're getting 250 squares, it is nearly possible to make 2 of these quilts. This is what I'm going to do. I'm thinking 1 with pastels and 1 with brights.

Kayce is making hers by alternating her charm squares with a neutral beige square.

Carrie is putting white sashing around each charm square.

Be sure to check the SCRAPDOWN flickr group often to see our quilting progress.
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