One more quilty finish of 2012

I have one more quilty finish of 2012 to sneak in before 2013 is upon us!  This quilt has actually been finished for a week or two, but had to keep it under wraps, as it was a Christmas gift for my sister in law.  Needless to say she loved it, so it was worth keeping a secret!

I put together this quilt top back in October as part of Sara's Tula Pink Sew Along.  The pattern I selected was Tula's Snow Globes pattern.  I had purchased a fat quarter bundle of Birds and the Bees, and thought it to be the perfect match for this quilt, as the block centers measure about 10" square, so they show off large scale prints perfectly. 

I do apologize for the completely uncreative photo shoot of this quilt, you see for the past two or three weeks, winter has decided to hunker down in our neck of the woods, and this kept happening...

and then this would happen....

So after about 20 minutes of this, the hubs started complaining that his arms hurt from being my quilt holder, so we called it a day.

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy new years, see you in 2013!

Quilt Stats

Quilt Name:  Birds and the Bees Snow Globes

Quilt Pattern:  Tula Pink Snow Globes

Quilt Size:  64" x 84"

Fabrics used:  Tula Pink Birds and the Bees, Timeless Treasures Crosshatch Sketch in Cream

Binding:  Timeless Treasures Crosshatch Sketch in Lipstick

Quilting:  Allover meandering stipple done by me on my home machine

handmade holidays

Happy Holidays!  Its getting down to the wire, and of course I just keep thinking of "one more thing" that I want to buy, make or send, but I suppose this is how it always is, and magically everything comes  together and is finished just in time.

I've been doing a good bit of sewing for a few handmade gifts, after I promised myself I'd go easy this year on the handmade stuff...3 pouches, 2 quilts and a slew of potholders (yet to be made)...that's going easy, right??

I purchased a few of these antique brass purse frames from bits and purses on Etsy, and had a few friends a family members who I think will adore these little clutches.  They really are quite simple to put together, I found Rebecca Lynn's tutorial for drafting a purse frame template incredibly helpful.  I chose to line the outer fabrics with fusible fleece, to help them hold their shape when filled with goodies and give them a nice body.

I used Joel Dewberry's Notting Hill in Primrose in Poppy, I just adore those large scale mod flowers!  I was sure to grab this print in every color way.

This one might be my favorite, and is going to my sister-in-law who I think will love the mustaches.  Fabric is Moustaches in black from Timeless Treasures.  I'm thinking a duplicate of this little pouch is in order for yours truly.

For this last pouch I dug into my Bloomsbury Gardens stash and used this Virginia Print in the blue color way.

I have two remaining purse frames, and I think I'll save those for a rainy day...or for two little clutches just for me :-)



In other little projects, my mom had commissioned me to make a few e-reader sleeves for friends of hers.  This sleeve is actually for the Nook Simple touch which is a good bit smaller than the standard Nook or Kindle.  I doctored my tutorial for the difference in size, and also have updated the tutorial to include measurements for this smaller e-reader size (appx 6.5" x 5").

In case I don't get back to post again this weekend, I hope everyone has a great holiday, and enjoys time spent with family, friends and loved ones!

Tutorial Guest Post: Holiday Herringbone Floor Mat

Happy Monday everyone!  I'm sure everyone is hard at work stitching up holiday goodies, and I have one more to throw into the mix!

I am guest posting as part of Sew Lux's Design Challenge with this easy holiday floor mat tutorial to spruce up any kitchen, or space in your home that needs a little more holiday cheer.   

Chrissy and Linda sent me this awesome bundle of Kate Spain's Joy fat quarters, to play with, which you can also pick up here.



Head on over and check out the tutorial, and don't forget to pick up the bundle to make your very own!

Lucky Square quilt top

I've been plugging right along on my "pre-holiday sewing  to-do list" and got to check finishing up this quilt top off the list this weekend.  I started working on this pattern a few months back, after seeing this geometric print on a lamp shade somewhere, and it feels great to see it come to life in fabric.

I cut into my fat quarter bundle of Chicopee for this quilt, and really can't think of a better quilt to have used it for.  Those pretty saturated jewel tones of the line really pop against the white and, I think, work so well in a geometric patchwork design like this.  I had initially planned on using the left overs from the quilt top for the back, but am now thinking I want to hoard some of that fabric for a second quilt! 

As this is the first pattern I've ever written up with the intention of selling, I am looking for a few pattern testers I am completely amazed at the number of offers to help out and to double check my work!  I have this pattern written up in 4 sizes, baby, lap (as pictured), twin and queen.  Thanks again to everyone who offered to pattern test!!