Happy Friday

Yeah, so sure, I did think this was a good idea. And spent quite a bit of time on it.  Unlike the dogs, Binnie just can't be reasoned with, or motivated by food. 

 

Resigned, she just waited for it to be over.

 

She is pretty cute though, in a mean sort of way. Anyway, it's Easter weekend and that means lots of chocolate eggs for us.  Us humans that is. Baby carrots for Binnie. Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Thursday

Good morning!  I got some sewing in, and some errand running yesterday.. regular day I guess.  How were things with you? I've had this little apron on my to-do pile for a while.  A few years ago I found a vintage apron that was made from this pattern, and I really loved it. That swishy inset in front was so different.  It was a home sewn apron, and I always had visions of taking it apart and recreating it. 

 

But no surprise to me, or probably you, I'm just too lazy for that.  I happened to spy this vintage pattern on ebay one day, and snapped it up.  Of course instructions and sewing techniques have improved a lot over the years. I've been sewing garments since I was in elementary school, so I know my way around a pattern, old and new.  I thought I'd just go the easy way, and dig out my mom's old pinking shears and follow the instructions.  FYI, cutting things with old pinking shears, no matter how sharp, take some real hand strength.

 

Getting that inset in, even imperfectly took a little more time than I expected.  Those daises should cover slight imperfections.  Next up is making the tiny hems on the ties, and I hate that, so I probably won't finish this today.  I love the edge finishing though, just turn the edges over and stitch on some rick rack.  Hardest thing about that is choosing a color.

 

Hope you are having a good week!

Wednesday

Good morning!  Hope you're all doing well!  Busy weeks here, days  at the studio, days trying to score props for the booth.. all exciting and fun.  Today is a catch up day, trip to Target, that sort of thing. Then back to work.  But I'm definitely not complaining! 

 

I did manage to treat myself to some magazines the other day.  Nothing I love more than a British Country Living.  And to spice it up I found the Love Quilting and Patchwork with the Marcelle Medallion on the front.  The medallion quilt is super popular right now, designed by Alexia Abegg. It's a great magazine and there's a lot of people we know inside the covers. Mollie Home is a new magazine to me, and I love taking a peek into other people's homes.  I'm just nosey like that. 

 

My border fabric arrived so I can get going on my border for my row-along quilt! I'm so excited to get that done!  What are you up to?

Monday Madness

How was your weekend?  Mine was great, I got a lot done. Those are words you don't normally hear from me!  I have to say all the sunshine and the longer days really agree with me.  I got a lot of sewing done! I'm really happy about how this quilt turned out.  It's so bright and cheerful. The pattern is from Elizabeth's book The ABC's of Words on Quilts.

I love blanket stitching on my machine.  I could sit for hours just humming along with some good crime tv going on in the background. You can see we had a nice sunny weekend here.  Spring in California.  I'm enjoying it because soon enough it will be scorching and I'll be complaining.

 

Yesterday while I was out back this crow would not stop his yelling at me.  THE WHOLE TIME. He's quite far away in the top of my neighbors gigantic oak tree but O. M. G. was he loud.  And pretty annoying.

 

What's not annoying is my sweet little hummingbird.  She let me come quite close and take a million pictures.  I think by now there must be eggs in there, she's on the nest quite a bit.  I was looking back on last year, and its so much earlier. 

 

It's March Madness time! No, not the basketball, the Fabric!  If you are so inclined, a vote for PKM would so nice and very appreciated!  There's so many great fabrics to choose from.  If you'd like to check it out, here's the link!  It's exciting just to be nominated!

 

Ok, off to the studio! I'm super excited about what we're working on! Quilt Market is right around the corner!!!

Happy Friday

So yesterday was Miracle Thursday, my rows are all put together and the top so far measures what it's supposed to. Hopefully any visual imperfections along the edges with all the seams  will be hidden when it's quilted.  OR we'll just all have to over look them, and by we I mean me. Because when I look at it all I see is the jiggedey jaggededy little bits we added to the end of each row, and how some of mine aren't even on both sides, or straight. I am my own worst critic for sure.  I love how it turned out though and I thank Lori for providing us with such a cute pattern. I've ordered some of my green strawberry fabric  for the border. My thinking is that it will remind me of an old fashioned tablecloth, with it's scalloped borders.

And yes by the way,  jiggedey jaggededy is a technical term.

I'm off already working on another project that was also in progress. I think you might remember all the hearts from this post and all the triangles from this post.  They're all going into a a project called Hugs and Kisses from Elizabeth's book the ABC's of Words on Quilts.

 

It's an adorable quilt, I left the words off and threw in some extra hearts because I'm a pill that way. And I did some fussy cutting. Because that kitten is so adorable.

 

So phew, it's been a long week. I'm off to the studio this morning! Lots of work to do.  I hope you guys have a great weekend! Any big plans? Tell me all about it! xo

Wayback Machine

Back about a million years ago, or actually November 2009, I was lucky enough to be included in the First Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine!   I was pretty excited then, and even now, after being in all the subsequent magazines, I'm still excited about it. 

What was super exciting about it was my next door neighbor, Monica.  Look at us, both using the same line of fabrics and making blocks that looked like they were pals.  Turns out those blocks are pals!  Hop on over to Monica's blog to read about it.  And remember you can order the reprint of that illusive first edition here!

Wednesday

Good morning! What's going on with you?  I've been working away on my row-along. I didn't add the ends onto my rows, nor the sashing, and it's taking me longer than I'd hoped to get that done.  My rows are all over the place, so clearly I've not been very accurate with my piecing. Normally my piecing ends up on the smallish side, so having some longer rows is weird. Luckily I can make whatever adjustments are needed and move along. Just slower than I was hoping.

In between I've finished up all the half square triangles for my other project, which hopefully I can get back to soon.  It's so cute, I can't wait.  Also, I have been working on a little photoshop project that I think might be cute, so I really can't wait to start on that. Plus of course, market is fast approaching!

Rain will wash away the petals on my tree, so sad. This is the last of the little pink buds, the rest are all bloomed out.

 

More signs of spring! The longer days, the lovely weather, all so nice.  How about with you? Tell me everything!

Monday

Did you have a good quilting weekend?  I always have good intentions but then can't quite meet my goals. Last Friday I had a totally out of control day! How did I not realize it was homework day?  I hope you had a change to see that second post with my homework! 

I think the blocks look pretty cheerful together and we're over halfway done now! I'm going to start thinking about sashing this coming month, so I can let you know what I'm doing.

 

I think  I'm likely to chose red posts that can be cut from a mix of reds.  That's my thought right now. I want to get as much out of my fat quarters for this project as possible! Be sure and check out how cute Debbie and Kimberly's blocks are.

 

I didn't get my row along blocks sewn together this weekend, but it's high on the priority list.  I did get a bunch of triangles cut for another project, and got started on stitching those together, lots of pretty half square triangles.  I like having something to just sit and sew without thinking about.  This week the weather is going to be cloudy and maybe we'll have some rain.  I hope so. Doesn't a rainy day seem perfect for sewing?

 

Lots of stuff on the agenda today. First off, heading downtown to get more coffee at Peet's.  Holy cow I might have one day left but I CAN'T TAKE THAT CHANCE! Happy day people!

My Dog totally Ate My Homework!

Off to a rocky start today so I'm writing this from Detention Hall! My homework is late and I have to face the music! 

 

Yup, it's time for Back to School!  Is YOUR homework done?  Here are my blocks, and they're so cheerful, they really bring a smile to my face!

First up, Tennasee.

Calico Puzzle.

 

Tea Leaf

 

 

Ohio Star

Lincoln's Platform

 

And here they all are together. I've had to move furniture in the living room to accommodate them now! Now you know who didn't end up in detention today? Debbie and Kimberly. They've both received extra credit for being on time!   So hop on over to the Jolly Jabber to check out their blocks! And for even more fun check out the Back to School flickr group!

 

Now, someone pull the fire alarm and break me out of here!

The Good with the Bad

I can't believe the difference a day makes, you can see here on this first picture of my little tree, the flowers are almost all open, compared to yesterday.  Soon the breeze will blow them all away and they'll be gone for this year.  I need to make a point of heading downtown to that pretty row of trees to see them before it's too late. 

 

 

 

More exciting news, activity at the old nest from last year. It seems early, but I've seen the hummingbirds around the yard more frequently.They're still friendly and come quite close to me.  I get the goosebumps just thinking about it.

 

You can see already someone is sitting on the nest. It's only been a day, so I'm not going to get up there and check for eggs and possibly run them off.  But you know I won't be able to resist for long.

 

So on the list of the bad things you have to take along with the good, I'm sure by now you've all seen Google Reader is going away.  I'm trying not to let it get me down. I managed after Bloglines went away, and I'm sure I'll figure it out. Don't get me wrong though, I still intend to complain about it a bit more.  People seem to like Feedly and Bloglovin. What about you? Already moved?  I have a PKM facebook page that updates with my blog, in case some of you are going that direction.

 

So, for now I think I'll take the Scarlett O' Hara approach and think about it tomorrow.  Happy weekending people!!! xo

 

HEY!  P. S. It's almost time to get your homework in! Yikes, I almost forgot!

And finally, yes, my email was hacked, so ignore that weird email from me if you got one!

La la la...

It's an easy week!  The weather has been wonderful and I'm feeling happy!  I hope the same goes for you!   I finished up my basket row, and even sewed them all together, and now I'm on to the tulips.  Super cute right?  Lori has it all set up for easy piecing.  My only problem is those angles and my brain.  For some reason making sure those easy corners are going the right way has been a bit of a challenge.  I've spent some time with my seam ripper, I won't lie.  Still, could they be any cuter? I THINK NOT! But it will be a bit before they're done.  It's one seam forward and two seams back for me!

 

Also, it's blooming tree time.

 

I'll try to keep it under control. What I can't keep under control is my love of Kristyne's blog post.  Go and see what I mean.

 

Ok, happy day my friends! xo

Wednesday

So how are things progressing this week? This time change has had an energizing effect on me, I am busy busy and then suddenly Bret is home and it's dinner time! I hope this lasts, I'm enjoying it!  Yesterday there was some coffee and some row along sewing.  Finally.  I spent some quality time in the sewing room and it was fantastic. 

I had  some super mail as well. Melissa sent me the darling clutch she made along with the adorable little pincushion. The clutch is made with burlap, and it's not the scratchy stuff we've all seen, it's nice and smooth, it almost has a slight sheen to it!

 

The pincushion is totally cute. 

 

I love the little heart detail on the back, meant to be, right?

 

And we're lucky, today Melissa has the pattern for the pincushion available on her blog! Hop on over and print it out and make your own cute pincushion! While you're there, be sure and catch up with what she's up to, and check out all her cute free patterns!

 

Ok peoples! Have a great day! xo



Monday

So how did the weekend work out? Are you feeling that hour? Well I know you aren't Arizona peeps. Try not to rub our faces in it ok?  It was a great weekend here though! I didn't sew a stitch, but I did cut out the last two rows of the row along, the baskets and the tulips.  Here's proof of tulips!

 

We had a fun day Saturday. Elizabeth had some  coveted-by-me treasures she was parting with, so Bret and I took the pick-up over to her dad's  and loaded them up.  We had a bit of a Beverly Hillbillies trip home , but I'm pleased to say all the goods are here and safe! Once here, I got out the jaws of life and some Pam Spray and wedged it all into the house.  PERFECTION. 

 

Among the things I brought back was a bag of goodies from CHRISTMAS. Yes, I'm embarrassed to say my Christmas present was sitting at her dad's house and I FORGOT ABOUT IT.  I'm a lame friend.  No excuseS, even though I have some prepared.  Anyway, how adorable are these?  That glasses case has a hidden magnet and I'm just dying over how nice and firm it is.  I have no idea how it's made but GENIUS.

 

 

Of course I love the darling notebook cover and the cute measuring spoons.  There were other treats in the bag that all were color coordinated but these fit so nicely on the little table. It was a very happy package and it was a fun treat out of the blue. I'm lucky to have such a clever friend in Elizabeth!

 

Best of all it was sunny and nice, very springy. My car decided to taunt me and yesterday when I headed to the market around 4pm it said it was ONE HUNDRED DEGREES! I guess it was my cars way of saying count my blessings for the lovely spring weather. AND I WILL! 

 

Have a wonderful week my friends! Tell me what you're up to! xo

 

 

Hello Thursday

Hi there! How was Wednesday?  I had a busy stay at home day, there's always jobs around the house when you've been out for a few days.  I did manage to get in some cutting on my row-along quilt.

 

Have you seen that Lori has posted the latest row? It's a cute row of tulips.  And to top that off, it's THE LAST ROW.  I can't wait to see how it goes together.  As you might remember, I haven't added the top and bottom strips on my rows, so I'm thinking, depending on how it goes, that I might add my yellow on white love birds to those rows. I'm afraid I'm going to have to hoard the last of my yellow on white dot.. in fact next before I do anything I'm going to check my status, the piece I was cutting from only has about 5 inches left.  I'M PANICKING.

 

Ok, I checked, I have more. Phew. I also haven't added the ends to my rows.  It could have been a catastrophe.   Anyway, I have my background pieces cut for my tulips row, next up all the leaves and tulips. It's a cheerful end to the project isn't it? 

 

Ok, today is another day over at the studio, so I'll wish you all a happy weekend now!  Any big plans?  Sewing? projects?  Did you see that Melissa made me a darling pincushion? I can't wait for it to come in the mail! She appliqued a cute patch on the back, so clever.  Ok, happy weekend peeps! See you next week. xo

Wednesday, right?

Good morning!  I guess we all know when the blog is heavy with coffee cup pictures it's that time of year again!  QUILT MARKET PREP!  I've been spending a lot of time over with Holly at the LakeHouse Studio  and consequently there's very little to show.

 

Yesterday morning was really sunny, but today it's gloomy and overcast here.  I'm taking a day to work on some stuff around here, then it's back at it over in San Rafael.  I can't wait till I can share with you my fantastic bloggy friends!

 

Ok, better make the most of my day at home! Tell me what I'm missing!  xo

Monday

Good morning! How was your weekend?  We had a great time here, capping it all off with a little party with the three of us and my mom, celebrating her birthday with a bbq!  The weather cooperated and it was a nice and sunny. 

 

I don't think I stepped into my sewing room at all! And if I did it wasn't to sew.  I have that little heart quilt ready for some blanket stitching, I can't wait to sit down and get with it. Wow I just looked back and I haven't even shared a picture of how that's turning out.  And here I thought I had nothing to share today.  Lame. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Thanks for all your comments on the shoes.  Haven't done another thing on those, but maybe later this week. I know less is more  but then MORE IS MORE so I am not sure what I'll do.  I'm in that stage where I'm a little afraid I'll ruin them.  But you can rest assured I'll show them off good or bad though! 

 

Ok, off to the LakeHouse studio again today!  It's MARCH!!!! and you know that means Quilt Market is right around the corner.. egads! 

 

Happy Monday friends! xo

 

 

PamKittyCustom

Hi there!  Totally happy day here, what about with you? I'm super excited about today's post.  A couple of weeks ago, Elizabeth and I were talking about the new Shabby Chic Toms that just became available. She loves that style and was crazy about the shoes.   Inside I was thinking OMG! I want some PamKittyToms. I mean seriously!!!

 

Hmm, maybe I could make my own version of a custom shoe, but Toms are pretty pricey to start experimenting with.  I headed over to Payless and found these plain black canvas shoes and they were $19.99. 

 

Hardest part, deciding which black fabric to use to fussy cut the motifs. The shoes are a nice dark black, so the black fabric kind of recedes  into the background.

 

Choosing the motifs, also hard.  I thought starting small might be the way to go.  I cut my selection out with a generous margin, then I blanket stitched around the edge for a faux patch look.  After stitching, I fused a piece of Steam-a-Seam onto the back of the fabric and cut about 1/8th an inch away from the stitching. The Steam-a-Seam is pretty sticky, so I could just press it by hand onto the shoe, to decide where to put it.

 

Once it's where you like it, stuff a towel into the front of the shoe, and then use the tip of your iron to fuse it permanently.  Of course as soon as I took the photo, I notice that little partial leaf bit up there. DANG IT. Haste makes.. well a less than perfect project.  But I think a Sharpie will take care of that. I just got too excited to be finished so I could share it with you. 

 

I am going to play around with this some more, work on a little something for the back where the funky label is.  I'll keep you posted.  I just couldn't wait to share this with you.  Think of what you could do for little kids shoes, or old worn out shoes!

 

Ok, happy weekending people! xo

 

p.s. I will work on the other shoe as well, I left it blank for before and after purposes!