~the sewing room swap~

In my last post I just showed you all the amazing Goodies I received from Angela in ~the Sewing room swap~ & now I'd like to show you what I made & sent off to my partner!

I was a bit unsure at first, since it seemed like my partners style was so different from what I'd usually sew, but she was also pretty open to anything. I decided she could use a sewing machine cover & something to hang on her wall for tool organization. I was very happy with how the machine cover ended up & kind of wished I could have kept it! I started out with a fabric pull that would fit her style/sewing area & was very happy with the positive response I got right away! It makes sewing for someone in a swap so much easier when they are involved & I want to thank her for that!! I also knew right away that I wanted to do some paper pieced letters on the front & of course what word is more perfect than this for a machine cover? =) I thought the mushroom would add a fun whimsical touch as well.

 I opted to just make this a one panel cover, binding it like a quilt & adding twill measuring tape ties to the side for closure. I really waffled on the binding color but am very happy with how the bright blue ties the whole piece together & I think it will be a perfect match in my partners space.

Its also fully reversible so she can switch it to this side if she gets tired of the other! Had to sneak in a tag to make it look more professional. =) The quilting is easier to see on these photos, just a simple organic line to mimic the pattern in the main background print. (Which is "Bye Bye Birdy for Windham Fabrics in case your wondering.) I love the structure the quilting gives this project & you cant beat it for speed either.

This is the second time I've made one of these organizer pocket hoops & I still love them! They are a fairly quick project yet so, so helpful in the sewing room! I use mine every day, for my cutters & small scissors. I had to add a bit of HR doggies since I know my partner will be thrilled with it.=) Some of you have mentioned wanting a tutorial on the hoop pocket, any more interest in that? If so I may be able to do one of those for you in the week or so.  

Here is the whole package right before I packed it up & sent it out on its long journey home. It includes, the machine cover, hanging hoop pocket, spool mug rug, (because who doesn't have drink setting next to them when their sewing?!) a key fob, baby charm pack & a roll of washi tape. 

I enjoyed this swap immensely & am already looking forward to the second round!!!  Thanks again Linda for organizing it! xx

 

Happy sewing & swapping! xKaren

Pillow Talk Swap

I took the plunge at some encouragement from friends & joined in the newest round of the Pillow Talk swap! I was nervous at first, but when I got my partner information I realized she liked very much the same things I did so it would be easier to make her something. ;-)


This was my first fabric pull & idea. Low volumes with color plus's. After a bit of feedback I pulled the mustard & green & replaced them with brighter shades.

 

 

Here is it is all pieced & getting quilted. I really enjoyed the process of the hand quilting, even taking it along on our drive north one day.

 

My blocks ended up being a bit bigger than I had anticipated & so therefore I only got four on the pillow & that ended up being a large 22"! Good thing my partner liked big! lol

 

 

 

 I seriously love this pillow & am very happy to report that my partner loved it as well!! It looks great on her sofa & plays well with her other beauties.

I added this pretty AMH print for backing & sewed in an invisible zipper. I love the neatness they add.

 

Now the waiting! I am anxiously stalking my mailbox for the beauty that is coming to me! I really have no idea which one it could be so I'm thinking I'm in for a surprise!! ;-)

plus quilt

I'm finally sharing my finished Christmas plus quilt with you all! I got it back from the long armer 2 weeks before Christmas & got the binding all sewn on sitting under it one chilly afternoon. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. The biggest quilt I've made so far, it's nice & long perfect for naps, festive & oh so, cuddly!! :)

  

                                     

 

I used 5+ charm packs in the top & just arranged them in a pleasing plus design.

I pieced the back with coordinating yardage & a strip of extra charm squares.

 Here's a close up shot where you can really see the snowflake quilting.

Before I go I need to share with you this little tree quilt made up for Christmas as well. I had to 

hang something in place of the modern maples mini. :)

And remember that little penguin mug rug I sent off in the mug rug swap? Well here is the gorgeous beauty I received in return!!! It's more of a mini quilt really & I've been enjoying on my wall. No mug will set on this!;)  

Happy sewing!! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Wow. My last post was a fall inspired quilt & now it's all about Christmas! This is definitely my favorite season & time to decorate. :) I'll just let the photos do most of the talking today & maybe inspire you to create your own bit of Christmas cheer!

 A try at a christmas wonky star.

 I finally pieced the backing to my Christmas plus quilt & sent it off to the long arm quilter. Can't wait to get it back & use it this Christmas.

 Here's the chubby little penguin mug rug I sewed up for my partner in the holiday scrappy mug rug swap! How cute is he? I love how cheerful it is to sew with red & green!

 Obviously my partner was a penguin lover, so I used this fun print for the back.

 A black friday special online & this is what fell into my car! lol I'm planning a new holiday table runner.

 Using the leftover charms from my plus quilt I stitched up these two coordinating  pillows for the sofa. I love the new black yarn dyed essex linen! And I finally went out & bought myself a walking foot! What fun it was to quilt this, so quick!!

 I am so glad I took the extra few minutes to add invisible zipper closures. It keeps the back's looking so neat.

 Here it is next to the dresden I made last Christmas.

 I'll leave you with a photo of my baby having fun with a snowy day pompom craft we made! Don't they look so pretty all together? Ah, I love this season!!

Happy December to you all & Merry Christmas!!!

modern maples mini

I've been seeing a few modern maple blocks popping up over on flickr & just had to try my own! This one, this one & this one are just gorgeous, aren't they? 

Feeling the need to sew something pretty, I sat down one saturday & whipped up four blocks to make a mini. This was the first block. I used essex linen as the background & red dotty leaves from the Flea Market Fancy Legacy line.

A yellow Sandy Garvis print, LH brown pearl bracelets, & one my favorites, Elle by Micheal Miller, completed my mini.

I sat down with the quilt & a movie the other night & got it all quilted up! I love the added texture that the hand quilting brings to it.

All it needs is the binding & it's officially done. Here's one more close up peek of the quilting!

I'm linking up with Megan & Sew modern monday!

To fabric tuesday over at Quilt Story.

And to Jenna at Sew Happy Geek &