Duo Postage Stamp Quilt Along

Rachel of p.s. i quilt fame hosted a Postage Stamp quilt along at the start of January and I wanted to make one but didn't really have the time to do so.  Rachel expressed interest in making one too so we decided to have our own mini quilt along.   And from the looks of Rachel's new banner on her blog, her strips are made and I love how she color-coordinated each set.  Now why didn't I think of that?!

For my Postage Stamp quilt, I am using Giddy by Sandy Gervais with Snow Moda Bella solid.  I REALLY wanted to use Sunkissed as a lot of people in Rachel's quilt along did as well as I really wanted to use Sugar and Spice but Giddy was handy at home and I that's what I used. 

Here are my strips, all made and ready for the next step.  I hope to have them cut by Friday this week.  Wait.  I WILL have them cut by Friday this week.  What else do I have going on that's so pressing?!  LOL!

If I stay on target, I'll be making Postage Stamp blocks during the Friday Night Sew In.

Enjoy your day!
Jen  :)

Friday Night Sew In

Tax day is the day!  April 15th.  Hop on over to Heidi's blog and sign up!

Some (early) Christmas fun

I found this swap through Sandy's blog.  As she said, I thought it looked like fun and I'm posting here if anyone else would be interested.  It's a 6 month commitment but the rules sound totally do-able.

Check it out!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Goodies Received

Hello again.  Happy Friday!!  Is it a happy Friday for you?  It kind of is for me.  Today, I'm going to be officially laid off from my company.  The last two weeks, I have been "on the bench" - meaning I got paid for 2 weeks for hanging around at home, sewing and cleaning while they looked for another assignment for me.  I could have taken a 4 week extension to this time but it is unpaid.  I opted not to and requested to be laid off.  I can now start with a clean slate and find work elsewhere.  Now that my work fate has been determined, I'm in better spirits.

Enough work talk.  I would like to show you what goodies I've received in the mail this week.  Thelma was hosting an Eventide quilt along.  I didn't participate in the quilt along but she was giving away prizes to people who commented along the way.  I happen to be one of the lucky winners!

I won a fat 1/8 bundle of Charlevoix!  How cool is that??  Thank you Thelma!!

Next up, there was a book tour for Pat Sloan's "Tour Ireland with Pat Sloan" book and I was one of the lucky winners from AmandaJean's post.  Super cool!  I haven't read it yet but I'm planning to this weekend.  Thank you AJ!

Well, my husband needs the computer and I have errands to run.

Enjoy your day!
Jen  :)

Three in a row!

I think this is a record for me.  It's been a while since I've posted so often in one week.  I guess I have lots to say.  Thanks for all the ideas on keeping my boredom at bay.

I made a tote out of from Darla squares that I've had hanging around here.  I'm not crazy about it.  For one, I made the handles way too long for my comfort.  I like longer handles on totes but these are WAY long.  The pattern is from the 2009 BHG publication "Bags, Totes and Pin Cushions" (or something like that.  The book is upstairs right now).  I also tried to do an inset zipper for an inside pocket following this tutorial.  I messed it up and cut my initial opening too big and I had a hard time sewing the zipper.  THEN I thought I centered it on my lining; I measured twice.  When I put the lining in the bag, my pocket is off-center and to the left.  So yes, not my favorite tote.

side one

side two

inside

I won't be making this pattern again.  Or if I do, it won't be with super long handles!

It still needs binding but I made a table runner for Easter.  I bought this kit from Connecting Threads a couple of years ago and put it away as soon as I got it because it was applique and I wasn't comfortable with the process.  And then I forgot about it.  When I cleaned and organized my sewing room last week, I found it and got it together.  It's cute.  I did outline quilting around the big squares and the HSTs.  Nothing fancy.

I have a few more things to talk about, but I'll do that tomorrow.

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

Birdie Stitches - March Block

I told you I would be back.  I may even post tomorrow! 

First off, I would like to say how BORED I am right now.  This not working is the pits.  I have been trying to keep busy here at home.  You know - laundry, dishes, vacuuming... general picking up the house.  But you can only do that for so long.  I've been wanting to go to the library and drop off the books that I've collected from Amelia's room and from around the house to donate to their book sale but I've been too lazy to get in the car and drive.  I've been wanting to go to my LQS to spend the gift certificate that my team gifted me before I left but I feel guilty spending the money.  So here I sit.  Sewing projects have been worked on but again, I feel guilty staying in my sewing room all day while my husband works.  I'm waiting for the weather to warm up so that I can at least get outside.  The sun is actually shining today but it's COLD. I don't want to work in the garden with a heavy winter coat on.

Okay, enough whining out of me.  Here's what I've finished....

I added that little pot of gold.  The block just needed it

January - March blocks

I'm getting better with my stitch length.  Just a tad.  I tend to get off-kilter when I'm tired but the blocks are coming along.  I'll be starting the April block this week sometime.  I have my border fabrics picked out.  Should be a cute block once I'm done.

I'll be back tomorrow to show some more progress being made here.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

What I've been up to

Hello friends!  Feels like forever since I've posted and it's only been a week.  I've been getting lots done around here.  And lots of sewing has been happening.  I have a bunch to show you but I'll do it in different posts.  :)

Allison from Cluck Cluck Sew did a great tutorial on a Sprocket Pillow and I HAD to make one.  I just HAD to.  So I pushed everything else that was getting my attention here and made one.  I made the larger one.  Can I say it is CUTE??  I love it.  I dug through my stash and used some cherry fabric that's been hanging around here.  It matches nothing in my house but it looks cute on Punk's bed so it is now hers.  She hasn't seen it yet since I just finished it this afternoon.

makes a great bear cushion too

I have a feeling I'll be making at least a couple more of these.  I would like to make a few out of my Darla scraps for my bed for this Summer. 

Thank you Allison!  Super easy to do and it's totally cute.

I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff I have completed. 

Enjoy your day!
Jen  :)