Tuesday with the Girls

It has been some time since I posted, but it doesn't mean I have not been busy sewing. Life takes time. I had a birthday in there too! I hit a milestone this year and I'm very glad I did. The alternative doesn't sound like any fun. Haven't I heard somewhere 60 is the new 40? It will be a great year, so won't you tag along and celebrate it with me?

I have been to numerous Tuesday with the Girls and one 3 day sew-in. Here is some of what has been produced in the past 20 days.

Vinyl bags August 2012

Joyce had no idea what she started when she gave me a vinyl bag she made! Here are some of the ones I have finished. The small ones on the right are 12" squares and others are 15" square. I love them! Carolyn commissioned a 20" one so that is made and gone. They can be used for projects, cosmetics, kids cars, doll clothes and the list goes on. I have some in progress for the many short people in my life. I could go on about these forever because they are so fun to make but I must move on.

Credit card size purse. August 2012

This is a Valori Wells pattern called Little Wallet that I was shown how to do on Sunday. It is so small and so cute. Credit cards fit in the sections to give you an idea of just how small it is. A true instant gratification project.

Valori Wells Little Wallet pattern.

There are three sections to this little purse. You would never know it because the circles match up so well, but that really is two different fabrics. It was an accident, trust me! Great pattern and fun to make.

My project bag!

Now lets talk about what I accomplished yesterday. Here is the only thing I worked on for 10 hours. I didn't finish up any of the vinyl bags I took in, or start any new ones with the fabrics I took in. I always want to be ready in case I want to change what project I'm working on. Hauling all those bags into the store and out again keeps me strong! Back to the 10 hours...

Two for One  August 2013

For lack of a better name I will call this Two for One. I started the on point quilt out of the off set large squares and will use the pieces I cut off from underneath for a zigzag mini quilt. Cutting and trimming every piece took the whole day and you feel like you haven't made any progress. It's no where near ready to sew together. This will be one of those ongoing projects that will get put down and picked up again and again. 

I get such a thrill out of the bags I make because I can finish them in what feels like record time compared to the work for ten hours and take home only a hand full of ready to sew pieces. Not complaining mind you, but I think I will start something with BIG pieces! 

I will be off to California to babysit my dads cat Sammy for awhile with no way to do a post. I will have lots to show when I return because guess what I will be doing while away, you've got it! 

Until next time, have a happy...

Tuesday With the Girls

I worked for the last three days but today I had fun sewing with the Tuesday Girls, plus one! Yes, my niece is back with me as her cousin has to work. I finished and delivered a play mat to a friend for her grand babies. I quilted it myself on my Juki with red thread and lots of lines. She loves it.

Play Mat August 2013

Back of play mat

My niece wanted to make a boxy bag for herself and a friend. Hers are the ones on the left and mine is the turquoise one. Surprised? The tiny one is there just to show size. That one is mine too!

Boxy Bags  August 2013

We arrived at the store this morning later than usual because we had a hard time getting ourselves going, the car loaded, drinks together etc. I found this wonderful project bag laying on my table with my thread inside. I absolutely LOVE it! All I did was loan a friend some thread. The colors are me and I heard Vic had something to do with the fabric choice. You are such a good fabric picker outer! Thank you Joyce. What a treasure. Is there anything else you want to borrow?!!!

Project bag from Joyce

What a fun day... until next time, have a happy! 

Niece Visit

I have a guest on my blog today that is very special to me. She has been coming to visit me every year for four years. She made a quilt out of fabrics from my stash when she was 12. I cut the blocks for her, given her age, she organized them where she wanted them and proceeded to sew them in rows herself. After she picked the border I put it on, quilted and bound it in time for her to take it home. This girl's got talent!

Ella's 1st quilt  2009

The next year she learned to make yo-yo's which have never been brought up again! The last two years she has come alone without her mom. Boy, do we have fun!

Ella and her journal  2012

Ella 2013

Hi! I am excited to be a "guest blogger" for my aunt today! My name is Ella and I visit my aunt and other family in Las Vegas every summer from San Diego. Every year when I come to visit, my aunt helps me with a project that I work on during my stay. My first project was my quilt (as seen above), I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it come together in about one week! I still get lots of use from that quilt. This year I have already finished 11 earbud cases for my friends and I also plan on making two boxy bags before I leave! 

Earbud cases  July 2013

Hope you're having a great week, I am!

Picture Frames

This was fun to make. I finished it last week and I will be quilting it soon, I hope. My niece from the San Diego area will be at my house during the week and her cousins house on weekends for the next two weeks. She will go to work with me and be able to sew in the classroom if she wants. I work Sunday, Monday and Friday this week so we have to figure out a project tomorrow! 

Picture Frames  July 2013

Sparky is always at my feet and today was no exception. He's my darling and he knows it!

Check out my quilt that Zany Quilter quilted this week. Scroll down to find mine. She is pretty busy these days. I can't wait to see it on Tuesday. I have some binding to do on a number of quilts so new photos of completely finished projects coming soon. That's new for me! 

Have a happy!

More bags... and Yo-Yo's!

These zippy bags aren't really instant gratification, so I don't know what my deal is! They do give me a feeling of accomplishment though. The yo yo's are definitely instant gratification. Making these for a friend that needs them to go on a Christmas quilt. Continuing to make knit dishcloths too. Last night I spent a lot of time ripping out the quilting I did on my Reading with Rover donation quilt. The top looked great but the bottom had eyelashes and bird nests everywhere! I will never quilt three quarters of a quilt without looking at the underside again. So instead of finishing with the ripping I finished some more bags!

detail - Zippy bags

Zippy bags & yo yo's  July 2013

more Zippy bags  July 2013

Zippy bag with Sparky walking by

I was looking for these photos and came across my Mini duffle bag pictures. You know I do have some Mini fabric left. I will see what I can come up with.

Until next time... have happy days!

Bags, Bags and More Bags

Yes, I love to make zipper bags. Here is what I have been working on for the past week. Watching C and M do this at our sew in was educational and motivating. They are multiplying before my eyes! 

Zippy Bags July 2013

Seems like each one I finish is my favorite! They have a long zipper so when it is unzipped you can see everything you have inside. I love mine that I received in early 2013. The black and red plaid is my man bag version of this bag. I have since found some lime trim. I couldn't wait to make the gray and lime bag! No trim on this one. I have about 6 more cut out to assemble. 

 

My favorite Zippy bag.

The black and white stripe is part of the fabric. I didn't add trim as it would interfere with the design. They are supposed to be flowers with leaves but stem and the leaves ended up on the bottom. A friend has already claimed this one so I will be making another one for me. 

The back of my favorite.

Alan and Tiffany's peonies in bloom in Fort Collins. They have these lining both sides of his house. I don't remember these flowers as a child. I wonder if they grow in North Carolina? Why didn't we have some?

These are the ones I wanted to see bloom while I was there. They opened the week after I left. I think these are the ones he told me were no longer available for sale. I guess they are like roses, they keep coming out with new ones every year.

Happy Quilting!

Since Last Week

Between Tuesday with the girls and my sew in weekend there are lots of pictures. This scrappy is the only one that is mine.

Scrappy Trip for Sierra June 2013

This last one is the left overs from a quilt a few posts back. Now you know what my friends and I are up to. Lots of finishing going on.

If anyone knows where I can purchase the pineapple paper piecing papers for the 12" block I would appreciate the info. 

Off to my Tuesday group. Happy Sewing!