Busyness

I know that I totally suck. I have been so busy lately, that I haven’t even really thought about this blog. I’ve heard that as you get older and as you advance in the workforce, time just starts getting away from you. Well, I think I’m beginning to see that. If that sounded negative at all, I totally don’t mean it that way. I’m 100% in love with my job and my life right now. I don’t feel overwhelmed (most of the time) and I still have plenty of time for the gym, myself, and sewing, but the time I used to have outside of that (that I used for this blog) has definitely gone away. So I’ve been sewing, but mostly on things I can’t talk about yet. Still I have some things and events to show off, so here’s my lengthy catch up in no particular order. 🙂

I crocheted a Yoshi for Andrew. This was by far the lengthiest crochet project I’ve ever done. It was probably also the hardest, but I think I’m at the point where nothing is really hard when it comes to crochet. He had a ton of parts. One head, one nose, three patches, one eye piece, three spikes, one shell, one tail, two arms, eight fingers, two legs/boots, one body, and a chest piece. I used a pattern I found on Ravelry. It was a really great pattern. I won’t be making another crocheted item like this for a long time, but I am super proud of it.

I think I showed a picture of the top of this before it was quilted. Anyway, I quilted it and bound it and now it sits on our dresser. I love the Peppered Cottons. They feel so nice. I catch myself running my finger across it as I walk past the dresser. I also love the tiny pebble quilting. That was fun.

I think the same goes for this one. I showed a pic, but not a completed one. So that’s it. 🙂 This hangs on my quilting room wall.

So I didn’t make this, but my mom did and it’s so pretty that I wanted to show you. She pieced the quilt top, Jessica Toye quilted it, and my mom just recently finished the shams. I think she’s also planning to make some decorative pillows out of the leftover scraps. Also, she has a wall hanging that matches to quilt as well. I think it’s super pretty.

And here’s the finished baby quilt for my second cousin’s new son, Colt. This Yellow Brick Road pattern goes together so quickly. I just stippled it.

I think I mentioned before that I am trying my hand at knitting. This is my second project. Well, it was actually my first but I completed it after my second one. It was supposed to be a scarf, but I got so freakin tired of that pattern. Knitting takes forever! I completed Yoshi faster than this. Like 10 times faster. I used the Wheat Scarf pattern by Tin Can Knits. I’m going to take a knitting break for awhile.

Ok. So those are all pictures of the One Hour Basket. I made the first two and Debbie made the last one. These are super easy and fast and very very useful. They fit fat quarters perfectly. I plan on making a bunch more for an upcoming event. They call for canvas and I would agree with that unless you add interfacing (like SF101) to quilting cotton.

So I bought a featherweight. 🙂 It’s a 221 and was made in 1952. It’s in excellent condition and I’m totally in love with it. I haven’t sewn on my regular machine since getting it. I highly recommend getting one if you ever have the chance. It’s so portable and so fun and just has the perfect stitch. I love how simple it is. It’s basically the same as my treadle except with a motor. It even winds a bobbin similarly. Not only is it in great condition, but the case is, too. The case has a special Singer cover that has really kept it pristine.

So that’s a lot of Pleated Purses from the School of Sewing Book. I made the top one in the tote version. That’s my third one because they are awesome. Then Debbie made one at a retreat I hosted along with two other bags. It was a bag day for her. She also started the One Hour Basket, but finished it at home. Then I taught a class with three wonderful students who all finished their bags! They all turned out perfectly! It was only a four hour class and we finished a little early. That includes cutting. It’s a very fast project. I have another Pleated Purse in my mind to create using laminated cotton. I’m sure you’ll see that at some point.

This is also from the retreat I hosted. Kim is making her first quilt and she’s killing it!

I made this pillow for the Handmade Birthday Club. Denise likes V&Co. fabrics and so do I. I’ve wanted to try an easier version of cathedral windows and these are definitely it. I used Johanna Masko’s technique. My friend took her class at Quilt Con and helped me understand it. Unfortunately, Johanna only teaches her technique, she doesn’t have it published. I’m glad I was able to figure it out, but it would be nice to have a tutorial or pattern.

I also made matching coasters since I had some charm pack squares left over. I found this tutorial on Pinterest.

So there you go. That’s what I’ve been up to. I have a fun announcement to make soon so look forward to that. Also, May just wrapped up so I have a Me Made May recap to post soon. Hopefully my neglect of this blog is over.