Back To School Birdie Give Away...

School is starting. Daily routines are being carved out. There's a hint in the air of the cooler weather to come. I think it's time for a give away. Don't you?
I'm calling this little birdie quilt "Mending". The fabrics are the warmer and autumnesque (is that a word?) Flea Market Fancy prints. Mending reminds me of getting things together and falling back in line and repairing or recuperating from summer.

I've also decided to reopen my etsy shop (in the near future) and list my birdie quilts. I have a really hard time parting with handmade items for money. I much prefer swapping or giving them away. But with that being said, there is a time and place for everything and I'm going to take a chance and see what comes from it.

Also on my mind is a swap. A charm swap. I'm thinking of something like "Something Vintage, Something Modern". More details on that later, when I actually have some details on it :)

Still working on  tutorials for the paper pieced Kitchen Aid mixer block and the wonky sashing Little Apples Quilt, which will now be called the Topsy Turvy Little Apples Quilt thanks to my friend Leslie! I think that is more fitting than wonky, don't you?!

Alright, so enough gibba jabba. Do you want the "Mending" little birdie quilt? Leave a comment by midnight Tuesday September 6th and I'll announce the winner Wednesday morning September 7th. Which is perfect because Wednesday is mending day!!! That's for all you Little House lovers out there :)

For Miss Jacque!!!

Another Paper Pieced Mixer and Waiting on Irene...

As we are preparing and waiting for Hurricane Irene I am trying to get in some last minute sewing before we lose electric. I made another paper pieced Kitchen Aid mixer for Lauree for the cocorico bee. I love this one so much. I want to make another and then take pictures and notes so that I can post the pattern and how to for those of you who are interested.

There is only a breeze now but it is expected to get worse as Irene moves closer. Stay safe!

W.I.P. Wednesday

Still working on the Little Apples quilt.  4 rows down, 3 to go!

Loving it!

I have also been working on the tutorial for the off center or wonky sashing. I am aiming for that to be the next post.

I also finished up some bee blocks.I love these prints. They are for the {Sew Bee It} bee for Isabella the Cat.

I am also working on (binding)  a very special doll quilt for a swap with Jacque! She sent me this beautiful quilt.
I love it so.  Her craftsmanship is excellent. every little stitch is perfect:) Thank you so much, friend!
I'll post a picture of the quilt I made for her when she receives it.

So slowly (very) but surely I am making a dent in my W.I.P. list.

Playing with Apples...Little Ones

After cleaning my machine  ( I am happy I could amuse some of you with that one, sorry for the few of you I horrified) ! I finished up some bee blocks and swap things (that's swap things not swamp things). Organized scraps (YIKES). Then I pulled out my Little Apples fabric.

I took some of the blocks apart that were already sewn because I found Kona solids for the borders that I liked much better.

I also took the time and drafted a quilt, instead of just winging it, which is how this quilt began. I wanted to make sure the color was well balanced and that the sashings were all going in the directions I wanted because they are wonky. I cut all of the borders and cut all of the white fabric for the wonky sashing. Now all I have to do is sew. I have 3 rows finished and I love each block more than the next. It's kind of nice to have a plan. I actually feel semi-organized.

I'm working on a pattern for the paper pieced Kitchen Aid mixer I made. Something that someone other than myself can understand :) I also want to do a tutorial on the above Little Apples quilt with the wonky sashing because it's layer cake friendly. I made my blocks like I did because I just couldn't cut into these sweet illustrations. So I'll be working on that too.

My sewing has been nil lately and it was great to get caught up this weekend. How about you? What are you working on?

What Is and What Should Never Be....

Bad me...(hangs head in shame)....

First Quilt ...10 years ago

 Randi posted about her first quilts. I love seeing peoples first quilts. I thought I might post mine. Be warned. It is BAD!

I always wanted to make a quilt. Living where I do, I see many beautiful Amish made quilts. I knew I would never pay for one though. I have ALWAYS been a do-it-yourselfer. I bought a book from Walmart, some fabric and got started. I had no idea what I was doing. I paid no attention to seam allowance, I had to use templates, which I cut carelessly, I had no rotary cutter. I used scissors, cut the sashing that way too. Interestingly though, i mitered the corners and border. Weird. I think It is the only quilt I've ever done that way. It has no binding as I used the birthing method instead.  I started to machine quilt it and then stopped. My machine had horrible tension and I didn't know how to adjust anything. Oh how we learn :)
I really can't believe I'm posting this funky thang!!!!