Finally some sewing...

this mini-quilt is still in progress... but here are some pumpkins I finally sort of finished up (x took them to play with, so there are no stems or leaves, maybe next year):

A little of this and a little of that...

that's the way my weekend felt. I worked on several projects but only did a little on each. Some days are like that I guess. I was working on a class sample, but I forgot to flip the pattern over and so now I need to make another trip to the fabric store tomorrow. (seriously, that's when I put that project aside. I think some projects are only meant to work out on certain days). The class sample in progress:

Then I started working on a the quilt for my introduction to quilting class. Here's where I am at right now:

I have 2 of the 4 types of blocks finished and am super glad with the progress that I have made on it. I can't wait to see it finished up. 

*sorry I can't get the photo to upload the right way...

I also picked up this book and the first project I decided to try out is the Zombie Kitty. (I love this book and the goal is to make one of every zombie for a complete set). I did trace the pattern out of the book and enlarged it 175%. I think that they are kind of tiny (but would be super cute that way, I just don't have the patience for that) and wanted them a little bigger for what I was doing.

Some of my spare time was used filling up some more pages in my sketchbook in preparation for a few new tutorials for the month (mainly gluing magazine cutouts to the pages). Here is a peak at what the new tutorial for this week will be featuring:

I did manage to take a little break and make a little "mug rug" using a bunch of scraps from my scrap bin and I just need to get the binding finished up then I will show you the whole thing. The main reason I wanted to make one of these was to practice some free motion quilting on my new machine. It looks like I am going to need some more practice.

Along with sketching out some rough illustrations for one of the patterns I need for this weekend's upcoming Market Tote Bag Class. Plus, I am trying to squeeze in several personal projects, so I can cross them off the list! This week already looks to be insanely busy.

Waiting for spring to get here and stay...

I woke up to snow this morning, luckily, it melted quite awhile ago. I am really hoping to get up in the studio to finish my dress tonight. Here is a peak of how it is turning out so far:

Today, Xavier and I made my mom a little surprise Mother's Day gift from this tutorial via Holidash by not martha; 

I really loved this tutorial and found these flowers a lot of fun to make. The only thing I changed was during the final parts of assembly, I used some hot glue to make it go a little faster. I am hoping to make one, not quite as big to add to a hair band or head band. These could be quite addicting and really help me work through some of my felt stash. 

Happy Easter!

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend, mine was tons of fun and I finally was able to see X enjoy his new toys...

 Here was his basket. The lamb was a last minute addition; the tutorial was found at the purl bee. The only things I changed were that I just used regular felt, machine stitched the ears on (since x is super tough on things), and it only took about 20 minutes for me to whip up the other night.

and here was the finished bunny bowling (tutorial from the long thread). X loves them and has played with them quite a lot already. I am planning on making a little mat  (like a bowling lane) so it is easier for him to play.

I really loved how these turned out and the tutorial was really good. I did change a few things: first I ran a zig-zag stitch in the seam allowance (to reinforce it) and then instead of just pouring the rice in loose, I put the rice in a plastic bag and then stuffed it into the base. Both of these were precautions against the hard wear that they are probably going to go through, since x is super hard on toys, I could just picture loose rice all over the living room. The only other change that I would make (if I made them ever again) would be to make them slightly larger. 

Today, I also made a little progress on a few more projects that I am hoping to get done this week. What do you have planned?

 

A Simple No-Sew Felt Valentine Wreath

Xavier and I worked on this project together (he was so funny handing me pins and grabbing the felt)

Materials Needed:

1 Foam wreath form (I got mine at the dollar store)

measure around the wreath to get the length of the felt pieces (mine was 5") and add 1/2"; make the width of the pieces 2"and you may need more pieces to make it all the way around depending on the size of your wreath

8 white pieces of felt  (mine were 5 1/2" x 2")

8 light pink pieces of felt (mine were 5 1/2" x 2")
8 red pieces of felt (mine were 5 1/2" x 2")

1 piece of felt 5" x 3/4" for the hanger (I chose red)

1- 15" x 1", 1- 13" x 1", 1- 2 1/2" x 1" of felt for the bow (I chose light pink)

stick pins

scissors

Start wrapping your wreath with your felt strips (I went white, light pink, red, repeat; but change the order to what ever floats your boat.

1.) Start by flipping your wreath over to the back and wrap your first piece around the wreath making sure the seams are on the back of the wreath and pin.

2.) Take your next piece and place on the back covering your first piece about halfway. Wrap all the way around.

3.) Pin using one pin as shown. Repeat until you make it all the way around the wreath with one piece left to fully cover it.

 

4.) Take out the pin from your first piece (in this case the white) and fold back.

5.) Insert last piece, wrap and pin.

 6.) Fold down first piece over your last piece and re-pin.

7.) Decide where the top of your wreath will be and grab the piece of felt for your hanger. Fold as shown and secure with 2-3 pins along the back.

8.) Your wreath will look something like this now. The super fun part begins now: embellishing. I chose to do a simple felt bow but I thought these Felt Roses from The Purl Bee would also look really cute. (I may still add them!)

 9.) Take your longest piece of felt (15" in length), fold in half and dove tail edges and spread out like the last photo.

10.) Secure using 1 pin in desired location.

11.) Take your next longest piece (13" in length) and fold so ends meet in the center. Take your short piece and fold around the center, making sure ends overlap along the back.

12.) Insert a single pin through the front of the bow (under the center piece and through the seams) and pin to the wreath covering your pin from the bow tails.

Hang and enjoy!

Valentine Pillows

I made these fun pillows for a valentine photo shoot with X! I thought I would share them with you: Valentine's Pillows

and I am busy working on two more fun tutorials: a wall hanging and a wreath that I am hoping to have up sometime this week, but as always there is more on my to-do list that isn't getting done has other things are piling up on top of it! Anyways, enjoy!