using more leftovers

In my effort to finish up and clear up leftovers, I pulled out some left over blocks from finished quilts. You know there are always a couple, or the triangle trimmings of the ends of strip sets. I never throw them out, but they tend to just fill up space....so...

I sewed together the strip trimmings from "The Ugly Quilt" to make a few more blocks.

I also sewed together some leftover minky from some previous baby quilts.  Normally I wouldn't sew smaller bits of this together, but why not? It is still soft and cuddly! And it is a leftover quilt afterall !!

So I tried the same with the leftover bits from the "Impossible Quill" quilt.  There really wasn't much left over from that, but it is about 30"x36"  , so will be a small stroller quilt, or maybe a car seat canopy. At least it is together and out of the leftover bin!! Win- win!

Unfortunately, I still have a lot more to use up! I might have to get a bit more creative with some of these....I am not sure these colours lend themselves as well to baby quilts! We will see.

using leftovers.. no paper-string blocks

After making a couple of large quilts, it is fun and relaxing to just play with the leftovers!

I love the look of string quilts, and when I have nothing in particular on the go I like to add a few to the pile. I know some people use paper to size the blocks, but then you have to tear the paper off....seems like a whole lot of extra work to me!! (have I mentioned that I am lazy?)  Anyway, I find an easy way to do these is just use my trusty 6-1/2 " ruler to size the strips.

I have been using a yellow strip for the centre of each block.  It is 1-1/4" wide.

Then I just dig around in the scrap bin and pull out a strip of whatever is the right length. Just remember that you need to account for the seam so leave the strip a bit longer. I have had to rip a few off when I have tried to squeeze it a bit to close !

These are really random....and yes, in this case, I can do random!!
I keep the strips no less than an inch (although I have done a few smaller!) and usually not larger than 2", or you loose the strip effect.
I just keep adding bits on, sewing and pressing as I go.

I find that this is a great way to use up those triangle bits. I seem to have a lot of from trimming ends of blocks.

They don't look like much while you are working on them...

I use the ruler to trim them down to size..

and then they really look great!

And it doesn't take long to make a few of them..

And put them all together....I love the look!!
Not sure how big this one will get yet.

And don't worry...all those little scraps and trimmings don't go to waste..

I still have my "batting bears" to fill!

And I just found another great way to use up scraps and strips! Check out "Sonja's windows" over at Stitchin Therapy!  Thank you Debbie!! Love this quilt, and just might have to divert a few of my scraps to this one! 

finishing 2014

As 2014 draws to a close, I am intent on finishing things.
I did get my quilts finished for Christmas, one for my daughter, and one for my DIL.

The first one, for my daughter was made from "Elementary" by Moda.  It is a jelly roll quilt, and goes together nicely. I love the colours in this, and fortunately , so does she!

Elementary has lots of print, and formulas in the patterns, it is pretty cool.

The bigger quilt (and now I remember why I dont make them this big very often!!) was a very simple summer quilt for my son and DIL.  It is mostly white, with a feature of bricks of "Field Guide" across the foot.

Sorry the picture here is not very good, I had to  take it quickly before I gave it away, it is very large  and it was so cold I couldn't go outside for a photo shoot!

The other gifts I posted about were all well received as well.  We had a wonderful Christmas time, I hosted Christmas dinner for 24 people.....lots of family, lots of food, lots of noise!   And now we have a few days of quiet up at our lake cabin....lots of snow!

It was -32 C. yesterday, but today is warmer, so I might even venture out for some playtime in the snow!

Happy New Year everyone! I have the champagne chilling now :)

Friday Christmas Gift finishes

I am busy trying to get some homemade Christmas gifts ready. I fly home to Canada in a week, so wanted to take some of these back  with me.

Firstly....my daughter wanted a "retro" apron, so here is what I made..

and the best part...it is reversible!!! How cool is that!

It is from this pattern that I found in a little quilt shop here in Arizona.  I don't normally use patterns (and am usually not very good about following them !!) but this one just fit the bill perfectly.

I also bought some Insul Bright, to make some Christmas oven mitts. These cute little mini microwave oven mitts are quick to make.

There is a tutorial here.  I made a couple of changes though.  The Insul Bright instructions state that you should add a layer of batting to absorb moisture, so I added that to the larger pad part.(between the Insul Bright and the lining)  For the little pocket pieces I only used batting, and not the Insul Bright to keep the bulk down a bit. I have to say, though, that turning these little suckers through that small hole is a real challenge....possible , but just barely!! But all is well that ends well, my mom used to say :)

My youngest daughter likes full oven mitts, so I made a pair of those too.  (instructions are on the Insul Bright web page)

I saw the cutest table runner in pinterest!  So I made one of those too. I take no credit for this design, it was from Sea Salt Quilts, she has them in her Etsy store.  It is about 48" long and 12" wide.

And finally I whipped up a couple of my "go to" tote bags for neighbours down here in Fountain Hills.

And in my ongoing effort to use up scraps as I go, I used the leftover bits to sew some matching pouches!

Now I just have to see if I can fit all this stuff (except the tote bags) into my suitcase!!  I also have a couple of quilts at home that I want to try to finish when I get there. We will see how that goes!

Linking up to TGIFF ....today over at Persimon Dreams.

Such a fun week....Blogathon Canada!
                                               
Thank you to all the great bloggers that are hosting this event, and a big thank you to Sew Sisters for organizing this again.
                                               
Today is "Saskatchewan Day" , hosted by Heather over at  Peace Love Quilt.   She has some very creative stuff going on over there!

If you are visiting from the blogathon, welcome to my blog!  Stay awhile and have a look around.
I have a pretty varied interest, from baby quilts

to queen size,

with lots of odds and ends thrown in, like tote bags,

 purses,

 and some little gifts (Christmas tree skirt, toothbrush carrier etc)

Be sure to say hello....I love comments :)  And also check out some of the other blogs..lots of great talent here in the prairies!!  Enjoy the Blogathon Canada!

Friday finishes- Chateau Rouge

I am trying to finish up things that have been lying around my sewing room for awhile! That should keep me busy for a year or two LOL

Anyway I did finish up two quilts this week...

I just had to try out this pattern...  I have had it on my to do list for a long time.

it really is a lot quicker and easier than it looks.  I used a jelly roll  (Chateau Rouge) but this would be a great way to use up scraps as well....and I love how it turned out.

I tried quilting each square ..

and then did a continuous loop along the stripe sections.. I need a bit more practice here..but it did get better!! 

I used  up the leftovers on the back ! I love doing this..it gets them used up and also adds a bit of interest to the back of the quilt..

And...I finished Silver... another quick disappearing 9-patch..

This was just a quick little quilt ...just because I liked the colours!

'

So that is my finishes ...linking up to TGIFF- this week hosted by M-R over at Quilt Matters

A journey into duffle bags

I have always admired those of you who have tackled the famous Weekender Bag.  I am not sure I am that brave...or that patient!

But when my daughter asked if I could make some kind of tote bag for her for weekend trips because she was just using a Lululemon bag, I thought I would try something simpler but useful.  I found several patterns and tutorials, but of course had to tweek them and come up with my own! (Why cant I just learn to follow a pattern!!??)

I used home deco weight fabric from the discount wall.  Really you can get some great stuff there...60" wide ..for $5 / metre!  Great choice for trying out something new. (Some how I didn't get pictures of the first one I made...but this is the one for younger daughter, who wanted one too! )

I added a zipper pocket inside.  There is a great tutorial on how to do these here...surprisingly...they are really easy!

I also added a slip pocket on the outside ...

I used quilt batting and quilted it to the lining before putting it together. I added a cardboard insert into the bottom, covered with an envelope style pocket, to give it some structure. The bag is about 22" x 12" x  9".  It is actually quite big, and holds a lot!

Of course when I told my DIL about it, she laughed...because my son has been using a grocery tote!! (what is wrong with my kids???)  So I had to make one for him too!!

linking up to TNTN today!