Watching the Calendar...

It's been a whirlwind of sewing 'round here!  I actually have several posts worth to talk about, as I mentioned last time.  This project wasn't even on the list when I said that.  Do you ever have a date in your head, and  even though it is swiftly approaching, you somehow think it's farther away than it is?  Yeah, that was this project.  My husband's niece is expecting, and the baby shower was last Saturday.  In my head it was coming up this next week.  Last Friday, my husband chatted with his/my Sister-in-Law and they chatted about the shower...that was Sunday.  Yup, 2 days away.  He mentioned it to me Saturday morning.  And we already had a full schedule until late afternoon.  Oops!  

When we got home from all our activities, I looked through magazines of quick quilts. I messaged the Mom-to-be's sister and asked about colors.  Lavender and Aqua! In a magazine of Kids Quilts, I saw one that would be graphic, and straight forward. I did have some Warm n' Natural that would just fit the finished dimensions.    I didn't have a lot of lavender, so off to the quilt store I went.  At 4:20 pm, I arrived at the quilt store closest to my house.  They had closed at 4:00pm.  I took off for the next closest shop that was 30-ish minutes away.  While driving (I was at a light) I looked up their hours, to see that they closed at 5:00pm.  I got partway down the hill and realized there was no way I would make it. 

I turned around, and landed at JoAnn's Fabric at 4:45pm.  I had some coupons on the phone.  I went in and looked for lavender and aqua in the nursery fabrics.  I found some cottons, and some flannels.  I eventually made a set of cotton, and a set of flannels.  They each had a bit of gray tucked in.  I decided on the cottons and off to the cutting counter I went.  35 minutes later, I was on my way up to the checkout stands.   30 minutes later, I was out the door.  I got home about 6:45ish.  I ate something quickly, and started the quilt. 

Round about 1am, I hand wrote the label, and was tossing the finished gem into the washer. Of course, I had to be at church su-u-u-u-u-u-per early (choir was singing at 1st service).  Before I left the house, I tossed the quilt into the dryer.  When we got home, we bagged it up into a gift bag with some super cute baby tissue that was on hand, and out the door we went to the shower and hour and a half away. 

The Mom and Dad liked it!  I always sort of hold my breath when folks open a gift quilt.  They are such personal gifts - what if they didn't like it?  Of course, who is going to say they don't like it, right?  But they seemed to be pleased. 

 Josh and Rachael - your Gabriella Jo will be much loved!  We are so happy for you, and the new family you are making. 

May you all feel as blessed this coming week! (And make sure you actually check your calendar when you get the announcements & invitations in the mail!)

Summer's Been Good, but now It's Back to School!

September is always bittersweet...I'm always excited to be back at school and all that teenager energy is powerful. But summer is relaxing (mostly!) and I miss being able to quilt as I please.

 

I haven't posted for a while, but there are several completed projects. Tonight, I'll show the Sweet Pea Pods. Little zipper pouches, with a single loop of zipper. So easy to make and super fast and darling! This is a Lazy Girl design and, as always, the directions are crystal clear and thorough, with lots of pictures.  You can check it out here.

 

Got a bunch of zippers and extra pulls from Zipper Island. So many choices, and quick service. She included a few goodies - an extra decorative pull and adorably packaged. So inexpensive too! I'll be ordering again  for the next zippers I need. 

  

Mine came out pretty cute I think. I made 4 and just made two more last night for an exchange gift at my TacMQG meeting tonight.  They are a lovely soft green. We are doing birthday baskets - if it's your birthday, you bring a small gift, and folks buy tickets for each basket for $1 a piece.  If yours is drawn, then what's inside is yours.  I'm hoping that my two little sweet green pea pods are popular!

You know, as I look back at these pictures, I see that these were made while my Brother (Oh, my goodness, I LOVE my Brother!) was down for repairs.  I was using my Great Grandmother's 1938 Featherweight.  And it is amazing.  I need to wax it - I got post-it stickum on it, and tried to use water and soap to get it off.  Rookie mistake!  The lovely sheen just disappeared in front of my eyes.  Making a teeny tiny problem much larger! I need to go buy the wax, and polish it.  I'm hoping it's as easy to fix as the on-line references make it sound.  I got this from my Grandmother, who purchased it from her mother.  I will not mention my oops to her - she'd just laugh and shake her head.  I bet she never made that mistake...

 

Do you name your machines?  I've never done it, but I'm starting to feel like they deserve it!  I'm happy to take suggestions for names.  The Brother is an Innov-is Dream Weaver (can't remember the model number) and she(?) works really well.  It's got a massive throat - truly you can quilt a king without killing yourself. Of course, since it's entirely electronic, something gets a little out of whack, and it has problems.  I'm blessed that I purchased it at Quality Sewing and Vacuum and they have provided me EXCEPTIONAL customer service.   If I ever have questions or a problem, they make it right.

 

I hope your summer was fantastic!

 

"Any day with fabric is a good day..."