WIP: Charity Stitching

This week has been all about wrapping up some of my "unselfish" sewing.

Finishes:

 NEEDLEPOINT

Two needlepoint ornaments for my son's school auction.

The swan was finished just last night!

WEATHERVANE BLOCK

December's do.good stitches bee blocks were VERY late.  I just have been trying to gather myself after some unexpected news and trips.

Definitely gave me some trouble picking fabrics for some reason.  When I see "pink" in a stack, iI want to run in the opposite direction because my stash is sadly lacking.

They are a Weathervane block from  Don't Call Me Betsy.

 

SQUARE IN A SQUARE

Yes, it seems simple now, but I know that Toni has some tricks up her sleeves for January's do.good stitches quilt block.

She plans on slicing and dicing.  Can't wait to see the results with her gorgeous color pallette.

In Progress:

STARSTRIP QUILT

I finally recieved one of the stragglers for November's do.good stitches quilt.....the holidays were tough in our bee group this past season. Big moves.  Babies.  You name it!

I finally came to a conclusion for a border.  Rainbow colors, here we come.

But first, I need to stitch my Starstrip blocks together.  Can't get too ahead of myself!

 When I get this top pieced, I think I will get back to work on little Button's quilt.  He is patiently waiting, bless his little heart!

Grand Traveler

I have to take an unexpected trip this coming weekend and I am getting pretty anxious about it.  To keep myself busy while I anxiously wait, I decided to put down the quilts for a bit and start making bags.

I skipped the madness that I call the "Weekender Woes" and just bought the Vera Bradley Grand Traveler.

Forgive me, oh quilting gods, for my sin.

To compensate, I decided to make all the things I need to FILL it.

A Manicure Set.  

I actually made one in November for my .do good stitches swap and have been meaning to make one for myself.

The only difference is that I added a small flap because my cuticle clippers would not stop falling out.

Love this Anna Marie Horner Garden Line!

A Tissue Holder

Again, I had a free pattern from about 5 years ago I never used.   I guess that five years ago the tissue packs were smaller because mine did not fit, so I had to make a second one with larger dimensions.  

I also added the snap.  I like my tissues contained!

A Make-up Roll

I have been DYING to make one for about twenty trips ago!  This one was a blast.   I did not use any particular tutorial, I just scrounged the internet images to see what shapes I liked.

I based the layers on the sharpie roll I did a few years back and went with it.

I added a flap and intentionally made sure it was captured in on the sides.  

And my vision worked!  I can flip it entirely to the outside to access all my brushes and tubes.

The only thing I'm on the fence with is the green ties.  

I was trying to give it a little jazz and intentionally used the pink thread to make it pop.   Not sure if I nailed it!  I can always change it...but it might be growing on me.

The Cosmetic Bag

Yup. This is my WORK IN PROGRESS.  It has changed, transformed and has sat here like this the last three days.  I CANNOT decide what I want to do.

I DO know that I like the fabric choices and the leftover EPP star I had hanging on my design wall.

I don't have a picture, but I am also making a snack bag for my everyday bag with more of this lovely Anna Marie Horner fabric (Garden).  It just seems to want to be in all my other Vera Bradely totes for daily use.  Button has ripped a few ziplocks the last few weeks!

So I might actually look like a grand traveler.....but I promise, I'm just pretending to be one.

Any bags or little projects that you have had on your "bucket list" that you just haven't gotten to?

 

Dear Santa,

Hey there big guy!  

Happy Holidays from me!  Hope you are not as stressed as I am this year!  I have to admit, I missed the tranquility last year after my surgery.  Not having to worry about deadlines or pressure of finishing a project was awfully nice.

I did finish three projects for my family and they made it out to the post office yesterday, so I do feel a bit of relief.  I know you "see" what I am doing everyday and probably caught the post about Gramm's Garden Party Quilt.

And I am editing the pictures of Pops Crossing quilt so everyone can see it by the end of the week.

And on Instagram I was busy posting pictures of my brother's coasters

and the quick notecards I made for my parents

 explaining the background of their quilts

 and what inspired me to make them.

But here's the real deal Santa.

I need a little bit of a push to finish my in-laws quilt that I have partially started.

 If you could possibly send the elves down my way, that would be great?  I don't mind if they want to come hang out with me since I keep late hours.  Buddy has just been too busy entertaining the boys to help me out.

 As for the boys quilts?  I am waiting on Teenboy #1's background fabric from Intrepid Thread, so I can applique all the hexies that I finished.

I just have to do the handsewing for the binding for Teenboy#2.  

His quilt label is already attached.

If the elves are too busy helping all the ladies that made the request for them to clean their homes on my Giveaway post, maybe Mrs. Clause is available?  I haven't even started the little boys quilts yet.  If she is can handle an iron or a rotary cutter, I would be happy to make her my Prime Rib Christmas dinner.

And maybe my Winter's Lane quilt could magically be under the tree all finished!??!

If not?

The microhandles for Ole Betsy would do very well.

Anyone else hoping for something under their tree!?!??!

Cruising Along {WIP Wednesday}

I have been working hard on my Christmas Countdown List!  I have ALL of Son #1's diamonds done.  Making significant progress on the side hexie rows!

I also quilted my mom's quilt this past week.

Even with a major tension problem. 

Nothing more frustrating than unpicking quilting that looks pretty good on top, but railroad tracks on the back.  I didn't notice a problem until I started working on that bottom right corner section.

But I muscled on, and nine hours later, the binding was on!  It just needs to be finished handsewn on. As most of my quilty friends know, this is my favorite part.  But because of time constraints, I need to get some more quilts done before I sit down!

I set aside my mom's and immediately tackled my dad's.  After a pattern change and a new direction, I am on my way.  

An entire top is piece...sorry, no photo yet, I was too busy to stop and take one.  Quilting needs to be finished by Wednesday late morning before he shows up for Thanksgiving.  Can't be good to be caught in the act like this guy was the other day.

Signing off...have to go quilt and have been sprucing up some of my home decorations, including new window treatments for the dining room!  I predict a lot of FINISHED posts this month!

I will have to work on hand projects (non-binding ones, that is) while the family is in town!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!

Secret Swaps and more {WIP Wednesday}

I love secret swaps, but I hate that I can't share very much until the big reveal.  

It seems like it is a great big tease for those around me!

I have been having fun designing this idea for my swap partner.  My only worry is that it just won't work out!  It has been fun seeing what the other gals are doing in our Imagine Circle @ Do. Good Stitches!  I would be happy with ANY of the items I have seen so far.  I'm also glad I stayed strong through most of the year and waited for the perfect swap event, since I only allotted one swap to myself this year!

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My Christmas countdown list hasn't been getting any smaller than the day I announced my long list.  I have been going back and striking them out and everytime I view it, I don't feel any better!

I blame my kids.  Seriously?  How dare they need me to take them to basketball tryouts, practices, and games!

Lucky for them, they had nothing Tuesday, so I was able to make some progress on one of my Christmas gifts. I still feel like I am just biding my time so I can panic and rush it all in December!

I just realized that I have a lot of handsewing in my near future....

What is everyone else doing?  

Are you a busy bee or are you just hanging out...waiting for the holiday rush?