Handmade Holidays wrap-up

I got all of my Christmas projects finished up without too much stress, so I consider that a win!

Here's what I made.

I think this was my oldest WIP, and I finished it up for my mother-in-law. I started this with the postage stamp quilt-along with Rachel of P.S. I Quilt back in *cough* January 2011.


I was able to finish this quilt thanks to a destash from Kaye/Miss Print. The fabric is Hello Betty, and I love the way it turned out! I am anti-snow, but it does make for a pretty photo!


Also for my mother-in-law (she's on the nice list), stockings for her grandkids.


I used the Merry pattern from Thimbleblossoms and some leftover Christmas fabric I had on hand.

I made a wall-hanging for my mom using the Spools pattern and Mama Said Sew fabric from Sweetwater.

I finished up this Spiderman quilt, but I don't have a photo of the finished product.


I sewed up nine pouches for my coworkers and my son's teachers using the Ruched Happy Bag pattern from During Quiet Time.


Finally, in the non-fabric realm, I made my son a Lego table using a Lack table and Vessla storage bin from Ikea and glued some Lego base plates to the top. Easy and cheap!

I'm enjoying a little break from my sewing machine before I think about my 2013 plans. First up: Finishing some longstanding WIPs!

Two-fer

My blog has been quiet, but my sewing machine has not! I finished up 2 quilts this week.
 #1 Pattern is Dilly Dally by Camille/Thimbleblossom.


Fabric is Kumari Garden by Dena Designs.

 
 #2 Pattern is Cartwheels by Lee/Freshly Pieced. Paper-pieced but not scary (promise!). There's a row hanging over the railing, so it's a little longer than it looks.

 
Fabric is Willow by Riley Blake.

 Short and sweet! Back to my elf duties.

WIP Wednesday (T-20 days and counting)

I was at the library last night, and they had a big countdown clock that said "21 Days Until Christmas!" I got a little sick feeling, so I figured a WIP post was in order. Will this make me feel better or worse? Hard to say. I do have some un-blog-ables this time of year, so this list is only a partial representation.


Finished:
Okay, these were finished two weeks ago, but I'm including them to make myself feel better!

Block for Tracey


Block for Lee

 
Modern Maples table runner

In progress

Bind Cartwheels and Dilly Dally

Big progress here on my biggest pre-Christmas project! Two quilts, just waiting for binding.

Christmas stockings

Just need to make the cuffs for these. Should be quick.

Spiderman quilt

I'll begin this project as soon as my Spidey sense starts tingling.

Assorted other teacher/co-worker gifts
I'm thinking maybe something in the pouch family? I'd love suggestions.

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
(I'd LOVE to finish this before Christmas. Maybe??)
Arcadia Quilt

To do:
Half Moon Modern quilt borders
Swoon
Tracey's French Kisses


Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!

Happy Little Pouch Hop: Feeling Foxy!

Welcome to my stop on the Happy Little Pouch Hop! My circle of do. Good Stitches held a little swap recently, and I made this little guy for my partner. I figured he'd be perfect to share for the hop!
I used the Open Wide Zippered Pouch tutorial from Noodlehead. I love the design of this pouch, and Anna gives several size options. My favorite part? Because of the way the pouch is designed, you don't have to worry about the pesky zipper ends.

 
 I figured the large size of the pouch would be great for showcasing some fun paper-piecing. I used the Lil' Fox pattern from Artisania. I don't have much paper-piecing experience so I was worried I wouldn't be able to pull it off, but it wasn't difficult at all and turned out really cute!

 
My swap partner is a Lizzie House fan, so I used some of her pearl bracelets for the lining and included some of my Lizzie fabric scraps.

 I loved making this pouch! The pattern comes together quickly, and I definitely see more of them in my future. (Maybe teacher gifts? Hmm.)

 Here are the details on the hop!

Here are our Happy Little Pouch Blog Hoppers!

Monday 11/26: Emily from Mommy's Naptime and Elaine from Dashasel Sews

Tuesday, 11/27: Courtney from Mon Petit Lyons and Lucy from Charm About You

Wednesday, 11/28: Hollie from Undercover Crafter and Katie from Katie's Korner

Thursday, 11/29: Lindsay from Lindsay Sews and Michelle from I Like Orange

Friday, 11/30: Sara from Sew Sweetness, Cindy from Adventures of the Singing Quilter, and Jennifer from Ellison Lane Quilts

Monday, 12/3: Holly from Bijou Lovely and Heidi from Fabric Mutt

Tuedsay, 12/4: Elizabeth from Don't Call Me Bets and Emily from Mle BB

Wednesday, 12/5: Shruti from 13 Woodhouse Road and Liz from Dandelion Daydreams

Thursday, 12/6: Beth from Plum and June and Kaelin from The Plaid Scottie
Friday, 12/7: Emily from Mommy's Naptime and Elaine from Dashasel Sews

Please join us in the fun and share your pouchy makes in our Flickr group. The Flickr group is also where you can upload your pouchy makes, and at the end of each week we will have some great prizes to award!

Prizes have generously been donated by:

Modern Maples on the table.

Yes. I have other things that should be occupying my time. But suddenly, making a Modern Maples table runner became priority #1.

And I'm very happy I made it!

 
 When I unearthed this acorn fabric from my stash, it was clear that the runner must be made. It's from The Woodlands by Khristian A. Howell.

 
I quilted it in a simple crosshatch. The Modern Maples pattern is from Pretty in Patchwork Holidays. I think the book is definitely worth buying, but I noticed today that the Modern Maples pattern is available for free from the Lark Books website. 

  I'm linking up to Tuesday at the Table with Debbie!

WIP Wednesday!

I'm having a crafty angel on one shoulder/crafty devil on the other shoulder debate with myself. I have lots of things I should be working on, but the crafty devil is insisting I make myself a Modern Maples table runner, like, now. Any guesses on who will win?



Finished:
Nada.


In progress

Cartwheels Quilt


I'm a remedial paper-piecer at best, so these are slow-going. I've finished 6 and am halfway done with 4 more. Then I have to make 10 more. (Can that be right? Note to self: Check math!) I'm using Lee's Cartwheels block for this one.


Christmas stockings

Hooray! These are almost finished! I just need to see if my mom and her embroidery machine can help me with the cuffs. (Hi, mom!)

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Arcadia Quilt

To do:
Half Moon Modern quilt borders
Swoon
Tracey's French Kisses
Christmas stockings
Dilly Dally quilt
Sew Beautiful block for Lee
Block for Tracey

Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!

And thanks so much to anyone who voted for my Rainbow Stars quilt in the Blogger's Quilt Festival! I was thrilled to find out I won. Now I really want to make one for myself!

WIP Wednesday! Time to get back on track.

I was not productive on the sewing front last week because I was busy doing this:
And it was awesome. My husband ran the US Half Marathon, and we went along with him. Our friends and their little boy went too. Other than my son getting a stomach bug, it was just about perfect. But, now we're home, and it's 47 days until Christmas. I don't think it's quite time to start freaking out, but it's definitely time to get moving!



Finished:
Central Park Baby quilt



do. Good Stitches blocks for November

I'm the quilter for November, and I picked this Date Night tutorial from Moda Bake Shop. Hope this is a quick and easy one for my circle! (Ignore the colors in this photo! It's prettier in real life.)


In progress

Cartwheels Quilt

I'm using Lee's Cartwheels block for this one. Very fun!

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Arcadia Quilt

To do:
Half Moon Modern quilt borders
Swoon
Tracey's French Kisses
Christmas stockings
Dilly Dally quilt
Sew Beautiful block for Lee
Block for Tracey

Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!

There's still a little more time to vote for the Blogger's Quilt Festival! You can find all of the nominees (including my Rainbow Stars quilt under Group or Bee Quilt) here!

Time to vote!

The nominations are posted for the Blogger's Quilt Festival, and my Rainbow Stars was nominated for favorite Group or Bee Quilt. Please head over and cast your vote! It would be swell if you voted for me, but all of the nominees are excellent!

Central Park baby

My friend had a baby last week. She didn't find out the gender ahead of time, so I waited until she had the baby to make the quilt (quilter's conundrum, I know).
I made her older kids these quilts, so I knew I'd go with Central Park. Still love this line.
She had a girl, so I went with the pinks/purples/blues. I chose the green binding because I like it.
I had enough of this zoo print for the backing.
My friend lives across the country, so it was especially sweet to give this to her in person!

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Rainbow Bright

I'm getting this posted just under the wire, so I'll keep it brief! I don't have anything new to share for the Blogger's Quilt Festival, so I figured I'd show you my favorite recent finish. This quilt is the work of the Peace Circle of do. Good Stitches, and it's off to its new home with help from the folks at My Very Own Blanket, an organization that provides quilts for children in foster care. I LOVE this quilt and really need to make one for myself!

To make the star blocks, we used this tutorial from Diary of a Flutter Kat. It makes 17.5-inch blocks, so the quilt came together really quickly.






Be sure to stop by the Blogger's Quilt Festival for endless inspiration! Voting starts soon!

*Quilt Measurements: About 51x68
*Special Techniques used, if any
*Quilted by…Me!
*Best categories: Favorite Group/Bee Quilt, Favorite Throw Quilt, Favorite ROYGBIV Quilt