The Abbey Bag - Jen's way

You all know that I'm taking part in a pin cushion swap.  A "fancy" pin cushion swap to be exact.   The whole "fancy" part stressed me out for a long time as I don't know how to do beading, my hand embroidery skills are lacking and I had no clue what to do - but I signed up anyway!  HA!

Then I thought about it.  I had a pattern in my stash that I wanted to try so that's what I made.  The Abbey Bag.  I figured the whole thing in itself was "fancy".

See the pin cushion "flower" top? 

This....

Okay, that part STRESSED ME OUT something terrible!  I had the hardest time with the darn thing.  The way the pin cushion is constructed, the 8 petal fabric top piece is just that; a top or cover for the inner lining piece that actually holds the stuffing or walnut shells or whatever you're going to use for the pin cushion.  The first one I made... I couldn't get it around the lining all the way no matter what I did.  So I left it alone and kept going with the bag.  Got all the rest of the bits done and had to go back to the dreaded pin cushion.  Then I thought, maybe if I made the piece a bit bigger, I'll be okay. So again, I made the 8 petal fabric top just a bit bigger than the first.  Oh, I could get it around the inner lining piece no problem.  I couldn't get the fabric top smooth!!  It puckered and folded over itself and looked just AWFUL.  What am I going to do??!?!!  I really have no time to start all over with a new pin cushion project since the deadline to get into the mail is 8/31.  AND I had most of everything else constructed.  It would be such a waste with all this pretty fabric I'm using.

Nothing like being Last Minute Nelly.

I thought about it and I came up with my own solution. 
Do I love it?  No. 
Do I like it?  Yes. 
Does it do the job intended?  Sure does.

What do you think?  It was the only thing I could think of doing that didn't look half bad.  I tried to stuff the pin cushion as much as I could with the ground walnut shells so that the circle was nice and full looking.  I'm thinking now I could have made the circle pin cushion just a bit bigger.  Oh well.  It's done.  Now to pick up a few little extras and get it into the mail. 

I will make one for myself.  As frustrated as I was with this one, I really want one.  Maybe even 2.  LOL!

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

Pin Cushion Swap Received

I'm participating in a pin cushion swap and I received mine from Melinda over the weekend.  I just love everything she created for me.  She even included a jumper pattern so that I can make one for Amelia.

And a close up of the pin cushion

Thank you Melinda!  I know I've told you a bunch of times, but I'm working on yours!  I'm #1 procrastinator extraordinaire!  But I DID post some sneak peeks out on the Flickr group so that you can see I am working on it!

One more thing - I'm swapped out.  I'm going to take a major swap break here as soon as this is done.  I have a bunch of other WIPs that I've put aside and I really want to get back to them!

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

What do you give someone...

who has everything already?!?!  My ceramics teacher's birthday was at the beginning of August and we are doing an August birthday celebration at Thursday's class since there are 4 people in the class who have August birthdays.

I decided to make her some embroidered towels.  She likes to decorate her bathroom for the holidays and I thought I would help her out.  I wanted to do a towel for every month in the year and I had really good intentions.  I had the idea in January for crying out loud!  It's now mid-August and sigh.  I ran out of time!  So I did only the "major" holidays for her birthday.  I will do the rest for her for Christmas.

And of course I added a "Happy Birthday" towel since I think everyone's birthday should be a holiday and celebrated!

I got all the embroidery patterns from here.  I love that site!

Well, I hope she likes them!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

I'm Almost Getting Tired of Making These Things

My niece's 3rd birthday was this past weekend and I thought I would make her a pillow to go with her pink and green bedding.

I like how it came out but I need to work on my spacing.  It looks like her name is Abi Gail.  There is too much white space between the I and G for my liking but it's hard to tell if you're going to run into the previous letter when you re-hoop your project.  I've come to learn that the machine is more than generous when you check your spacing and layout.  I'll have to remember that for next time.  I have about 6 more of these to make!!

I hope she likes it!  We missed the party since we were traveling back from our New Hampshire weekend away.  I have plans to stop at her house on Saturday but if I don't make it, I'll see them at Punkie's birthday party.

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

Summer Tote Swap - What I got!

My summer tote was created by Synnove from Norway and she did a beautiful job!  I just love it!  I took it on vacation with me.  I love the red and blue/aqua; just what I requested!

Here's a close up of the band and handles.  I just love the fabrics that she used.

And the extra goodies she included.  The ribbon and fabrics are from a Norwegian designer named Tilda and they are just beautiful.  They are an awesome addition to my stash!

Thank you Synnove!!

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

The Last Three

Before leaving on our last summer vacation hurrah to New Hampshire, I finished the last three blocks for my Jelly Roll Sampler.  I like how they came out.

Block 10

Block 11

Block 12

Now I need to find some border fabric and get more white for the block sashing.  I already got my backing fabric.  I have plans to get the top together and quilted for Amelia for Christmas.  Now that this sew along is done, I will work on my Fat Quarter Shop BOM and go back to the quilt that I started cutting months ago but never finished.  And maybe go back to my pinwheel quilt.  :)

Enjoy your day!
Jen

To Do List Recap

I thought I would show my progress from my post about a week ago.

So here was my list.  Let's see how much of it I got done while Punkie was at my Mom's for a week.

Put final borders on Amelia's big quilt and get it off to be quilted. I REALLY want to give it to her for her birthday. So that's on the top of my list. Hopefully my quilter can fit me into her schedule! ;) DONE!  And in the mail to be quilted!  WOOHOO!

Finish potholders for Stacy for our mini swap. I'm almost there. They need to be quilted and bound. DONE!  And swap received by Stacy yesterday.  I have to take a picture of my pretty scarf.  Maybe Punkie will model it for me today.

Pin cushion swap! That deadline is coming up FAST! I started my pin cushion. That's all I can say about that right now.

Attach binding to butterfly wallhanging so that I can take it to NH with me to work on. Just have to find that jelly roll that I used! It's around here somewhere. - 1/2 done.  Binding strip created.  Just need to machine it on.

Start tote for SIL birthday gift. Her birthday is on Friday. I doubt I will be done by then but I can at least get everything cut. - Started.  Ran out of fusible fleece.  Need to go to Joann's and grab more.

Personalized pillow for my niece for birthday gift. - DONE!  Need to take its picture!

Messenger bag that I was asked to make

Personalized pillow for my BFF's husband's niece. She LOVED the one that I made for Julia and wanted one for herself. I just met the girl over the weekend and she is the sweetest so I told her I would make her one. Her name is short so it will be quick to do. LOL!

I'm 2 blocks behind on the Jelly Roll Sampler quilt along. Need to get those done - block 11 pieced.  Just need to get it all into one block.

Block 2 of the FQS Mystery quilt is here and I need to get that one done as well.
 
Not bad.  Not bad at all.  I got more done than I thought I would get done.  Plus the three sets of pillowcases that I worked on as well.  I'm impressed. 
 
I have to snap a few pictures today.  I received my Summer tote swap and I love it!
 
Enjoy your day!
Jen :)