Did I get carried away???

I found this great little project, the cutest little handbag....and best of all it is a free pattern by Rae, on her blog Made by Rae.  She calls it a "Buttercup Bag" It is a perfect size, and easy to make, and quick.

Of course, I always have problems making things just the way they are, so I modified the pattern just a bit !  I added batting to give it a bit more body, and quilted it to the lining:

I also added a zipper instead of the magnetic snap. I am always afraid that things will fall out:

Then, of course, I got a bit carried away .... and made a few more.....OK a lot more!

My daughters seemed quite happy to take a few off my hands though!!

They are such a quick, easy project, and uses fat quarters, so you can really mix and match from your stash -well, from my stash anyway ;-)

First Rate Version

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.

                                                                                                           Judy Garland

I think I should apply this to my quilting!!  It is sometimes intimidating looking at all the beautiful, creative, amazing quilts that people make.  I dont have that kind of imagination! not to mention skill !! But, I do have fun, and when I do finish something, I do feel good about it.  And surprisingly enough, when I give something away, they do seem impressed!! So....I guess that I will just continue to do what I can do, and of course aspire to someday be better!

 

thank you to all the bloggers who share their work...what an inspiration for us beginners.

Things I have learned about quilting

My blogging friend over at My Sweet Prairie is starting a Tips on Tuesdays: (I am not sure how to make the button a link....##**#...sorry, but check out her blog)

She is a very talented fabric artist and "sewist" and makes amazing things. I love checking out her blog, and cant wait till I pick up a few tips from her. 

I am just a beginner, so dont have any of her experience or wisdom..but  I thought I would share some of what I have learned:

1) quilters use 1/4 in seams so they can make 1/8 inch mistakes.

2) there is a difference between pressing and ironing.....maybe that is where the trend for "wonky" blocks started???

3) A little steam can be a good thing- there isn't much that cant be fixed with a hot iron and a little steam!

4) a good seam ripper is essential....and "unsewing" can be fun too.....(just keep saying that quietly over and over again)

5) Sometimes pinning is really a good idea.....if you dont agree - please see #4.

6) Nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes.  Most of the time nobody but you will see them, and if they are noticable......that is what applique is for, right ??

7) Stashing material is normal.....dont listen to those little voices in your head that say it is not!

8) Reading blogs about quilting is almost as much fun as actually sewing......sometimes more fun!!

Hope you have a good day !

Need some thicker skin ??

Well the New Year is starting off cold this year. It has been a lot colder other years I am sure, but I think that I am not tolerating the cold as well as I used to!!! Perhaps I am in hibernation mode....it is hard to convince myself to go outside when it is warm and cozy in my sewing room. LOL

I am making  progress on some things...others not so much. I spent today doing revisions for a journal article that was submitted for publication. The journal editors tells me they are very interested .....but I need to do significant revisions. ! I think some of their comments are irrelevant!...... there I said that ! My advisor tells me that you need very thick skin when doing this. Guess I had better go put on a thicker sweater or something. Maybe that is why I am not tolerating the cold.....my skin is not thick enough???  Anybody else have the publication blues ???

Ok I am finished whining now!  I did go out today and buy some material for the borders and backing for my "Java" quilt(imaginatively named for the Cup-0-Joe line of fabric from Moda)

That gives me something exciting to think about !

Thanks for dropping by

I am amazed and excited to see how many people are dropping by for a peek at this blog !! And from so many places in the world...Thanks so much for coming in for a visit!. Please leave a comment and let me know where you are from and what you are interested in, what you are working on, or just say Hi .

Today is my baby's birthday...she is 23! Where do the years go? She is home from University for the Christmas holidays, but leaves again soon. I had better get baking her birthday cake...special order!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

New Years is my favourite time of the year....a new beginning ! The year always holds such promise of things to accomplish, places to go and people to see. Hoping that 2011 bring lots of love and laughter.

I am reading through other blogs and see all the amazing things that people are doing...Wow! I am so impressed with the talent and imagination out there. I also thought that I had lots of unfinished projects until I saw the list of others, some with up to finished 50 tops needing to be quilted as well as unfinished projects. There, I feel so much better now.

But I will still resolve to get a few things finished soon;
My first up list is a table runner I started awhile back...maybe an early start for next Christmas??

and three finished quilt tops that have been sitting around my sewing room for too long:

as well as the "Cup 0 Joe" jelly roll quilt that I started after Christmas:

That doesn't even sound like very much when I put it into print!! Of course I do tend to get distracted and start a few new things along the way. Isn't that the way it is supposed to be ??

Here's to an amazing 2011 !! (and I might even get my PhD finished... or not!)

Like Christmas all over again!

I received an amazing box this week from Green Fairy Quilts. 

I am so excited! It is like having a Christmas present all over again....even though I did order it myself.  I had never ordered fabric online before, so was a bit cautious, but it was so easy, and there were lots of pictures and lots  of specials too. Cant wait to order more...but guess I had better get busy and finish a few things..........and maybe start a few new ones that I have lined up in my head !
 
And the best thing is there is a BIG giveaway over there!! It is a Dilly Dally layer cake and Dilly Dally jelly roll, so check it out !! Although I am sure that I will win at least one of them LOL. I love those clean bright colours, and I already have plans for it !!! mmmm or maybe....I could order some and get it in the mail. :)