Snap Happy fever and yo-yo's

Finally, success with the Snap Happy pattern and more bags.  The blue flowered one on the end has my sunglasses in it.  They are oversized to fit over my eyeglasses, so it was hard to find a case they truly fit in. 

I modified the pattern a bit for the smaller bags by adding a seam to box the ends so that they stand up on their own.  I am going to try to get a few more made for Valentine's Day.  I am sending these to my granddaughters filled with goodies.  I have also started making yo-yo's using the Clover yo-yo makers

I am hooked on these too, I might even get over my phobia of hand-sewing. I have a little collection started and a little tin set up with scraps and all I need to sew a few whenever I have a few minutes.

Last night Pueblo West Quilters met and the program was about the internet and all the great patterns, blogs, and inspiration that can be found for quilters.  I have their blog listed on my sidebar, so if you are interested in a quilt show, click over to the guild's site and from there a link will take you to the pictures of all the quilts shown at each meeting.  It is pretty neat.  Our block of the month this year is going to be the same block repeated in different colors each month.  This was our February block.

The pattern for this block is also listed in the pictures section.  I am hoping to go the the quilt retreat this year if I haven't waited too long to sign up.  The weather is still cold and it snowed all day, nothing compared to what other parts of the country are getting, but I sure don't like having to go out in it.  Of course, it didn't keep me away from the guild meeting - LOL.   I should finish my Halloween quilt just in time for Valentine's Day, just one more area to quilt.  Then I really have to find the flannel for my youngest daughter's t-shirt quilt so I can start putting it together.  Also, there are baby quilts I want to get started on.  I moved a small table into the spare bedroom with hopes of sewing a bit each evening, but so far that hasn't happened.   Well, that is all I have for today.  Adios Bernie

Snap Happy Bags & Single Digit winter

Had a little trouble getting into blogger to update, had the thought that everyone is on their computers because of the bitter cold weather we are having across the country.  February 1st - today is my oldest DGD birthday.  Happy Birthday Arianna! My little sweetie! and Valentines Day is this month. My DS was born on Valentines Day and he is a real sweetheart.  My favorite cousin's birthday is the 4th.  This particular February 1st is one of the coldest I can remember.  It is frigid. The high today was 5 degrees and tomorrow more of the same.  Brrrrr. So I made a  nice cuppa Earl Gray tea and sit here to share a few pics. 
Lets talk about Snap Happy bags.  They have made the rounds on several blogs I have read and so of course when I saw the pattern at a local quilt shop I purchased it.  I  tried to sew one without the pattern and it turned out okay, but thought with the pattern I would get better results. 

  The white one with red circles was my own attempt without a pattern.  Then came the blue/red red/blue.  Last is the larger green/brown combo.  These are very cute bags, all kinds of ideas come to mind for different sizes, sunglasses case, cell phone, make-up, etc.  You can't tell from the pictures, but two of the bags have the measuring tape inserted the wrong way.  Don't ask me how I managed that, honestly I must have checked it ten times before sewing it down.  The tabs are oversized and I still managed to not get them in the seam tight enough to hold when used to pull the bag apart.  Also, my bags are not "sealing" as closely as I want them to.  I am going to try to cut the tape shorter and maybe inserting the lining separately to eliminate the inner seam.  Maybe the problem is the quality of the measuring tape which I purchased at the dollar store.  I examined my husband's measuring tape and it is obviously made of a better quality metal, a bit thicker which would give a better "snap".   But I think he would notice if I cut up his good measuring tape so I will have to invest in a good one at the hardware store to try that theory.  Both of my DD's thought they were pretty neat and requested I make them one in more "fashionable" fabric. LOL.   I have been working on the tshirt band quilt and now have 20 tops, cut, squared and fused.  I have been taking pictures and hope to put a tutorial up when it is complete.  Stay warm people.  adios, Bernie

Mixing, matching, I love the weekends

I missed the Friday night sew-in, just too unmotivated to do more than read and relax.  Saturday mornings are for QVC AM Style while I tidy up my bedroom and drink my coffee.  Then 2 sewing shows on the local PBS channel, today is Fons and Porter and Sewing with Nancy, both excellent programs.  I was hoping to get into the sewing room this morning, but my glasses are broken and I need to get to the eye doctor and get them fixed before noon when the office closes or I will be near blind all weekend.  I have an old backup pair, but they are not quite the same prescription.  Remember the fun day I had with friends awhile back? Well, we did some quilt shop shopping and this was what I purchased.  I really fell in love with the blue and white on the far left in this picture. 

and

I love big florals - and the check/plaid? fabric just went with it.  This might turn into another apron, but I am also thinking pillowcases so we will see. 
I added the top purchase to fabric I already had on hand

Ummm - no, I think I will pull out the blue and white piece and add a dark green.  The mottled red is not really working either.  I don't often buy yardage for quilting unless I am looking for backing fabric or a pattern specifically needs it.  Again, I am thinking if it doesn't turn into a quilt it might turn into placemats and napkins.  I need to get busy now so I can have some fun later today in the sewing room. Adios - Bernie

A new apron and project progress

This was a good weekend.  I finished one apron and worked on the Christmas applique blocks AND started cutting and fusing  the t-shirt quilt.  There was no model available so here is the apron as best as could be arranged on the back of my sewing chair

The buttons will be added to the top to put a little "tuck" in the bib area, which is too big.  but luv the big pink pocket and ruffles.  I made the pattern XL which would be perfect for a man (without the ruffles maybe) LOL, so I will make it again for the "guys" in the family to give next year for Christmas.  They are all pretty good cooks.  
Now this Christmas applique quilt is part of a block of the month I purchased a couple of  years ago and just got burnt out on. 

I don't know if these pictures will allow you to enlarge them or not, but the pieces are all appliqued by machine using decorative stitches and threads.  I am especially proud of my snowflakes. 

I completed two rows and quit.  I worked on two blocks this weekend and got to the point where I am ready to stitch the applique down, but I think I will work on the entire row and then applique as that requires changing thread fairly often.  Below are the two blocks ready to be appliqued.

This little angel and tree are facing the wrong direction, I forgot to reverse it when I traced it, but it is okay, I will use a darker thread to outline her so her little feet don't get lost in the snow. :)

Next was my youngest daughter's T-shirt quilt which will be a "band" quilt.  Her collection of concert t-shirts.  I will need to figure out a layout after getting them all cut and stabilized, because I realized today that I cannot cut them down to one size.  Pictures of those will come later, not much to look at now. This is her graduation quilt so I have until spring to get it completed, my plan is to back it with flannel and skip the batting, but now I am not so sure because it is hard to find the flannels I want.  Right now I just want to get them all cut out. 

I also spent a little bit of time reorganizing fabrics.  I usually purchase fabrics with an idea or pattern in mind.  It might start out with just a particular color combination or a pattern I want to try out.  So, my fabric is organized by project rather than by color.  This seems to be working for me except that I really need to label my containers so that I know what is in them.  Time is wasted opening them up to look for a certain pattern/project.  Hope everyone got some sewing time in this weekend.  I'll be checking your blogs. Adios, Bernie