As some of you know I made a Lego sewing machine last week, you can read the post and see where I go the idea from HERE.

Since then, it's just been getting shuffled around on my sewing table from here to there and back to here again.  It's been lost in scraps and found again, dusted and repositioned.  Still admired, but not very useful.  I like useful things.

While I'm sewing my handbags, I am often switching presser feet from one to another, mostly back and forth between my 1/4" foot, 1 cm foot, and my zipper foot.   I just chuck these to the side and then can't find them again when I need them (creativity is messy business).  I tried putting them away every time, but that's just not working for me.  I need to switch often; I need them handy!  I was just thinking that I needed a little tray for them, and it occurred to make my sewing machine useful!!!

Complete with a thread guide, bobbin winder and turning wheel!

Jace kept putting bits of fabric in my machine and was pretending to sew, so I carried on with the idea and added a bit of stitched fabric and the thread leads up to the spool.  There is a thread guide and the wheel on the right really turns.   I can't thread the needle, but oh well, I will tie it on there somehow.  Jace was pretty impressed with Mom's creation too, and now he plays with it when he comes in to check on my project progress.  We both love our toys.


Always play!
 

My WIP Wednesday, proved to be a work in progress of it's own.   I've been working on this all day, and just getting it in under the wire.

A) Finished this week:  Um.... almost but not quite anything!

B) Working on this week: 

1)  Hex on the Beach, a hexagon quilt made from Tula Pink's Saltwater fabrics, as mentioned on the blog yesterday.  I was very excited to get these precut hexagons jumped right in following Jacquie's tutorial.  She mentions that you should try piecing them one by one and move to sewing column to column as you get the hang of it.  Well I am(was) pretty darn impressed with my sewing skills and went straight to sewing column of hexagons to column of hexagons.  Okay, it didn't go so well.  When working with 2 1/4" hexagons, an 1/8th or a 1/16th of an inch really puts things out of whack.  These little things are so fiddly!  I cursed a bit at my non-perfection, and toyed with the idea of ripping it all out and changing to hand sewing.... then tried stitching them on one at a time.  That's going quite well!  This is going to take a long time.  Stopping and starting at each point/seam and doing a tie-off and a scissor snip of threads, it's tedious work, but I'm in for the long haul.  I pieced 58 blocks in the last few days, but that nonsense can't go on, I have other sewing to do so... with 1008 blocks in total, 950 left - if I do 5 per day, I will be done in 190 days!  That's not too bad.  It's a labour of love.
Here is what I've done so far.  Keep in mind please, they are not pressed!

Hex on the Beach Quilt

 2) My latest handbag pattern, will be a bowling bag style bag.  I don't have a name for it yet and I'm not sure I even want to show pictures of it because I haven't finished them yet, obviously, but here is a sneak peek.  They will have piped handles and a detachable shoulder strap.  I love the shape of this bag.  I love the wool plaid the best, and I've cut a very bright and fun Alexander Henry print with roses and funky skulls for the lining.  My daughter, Steph, saw it tonight and already claimed it for her own so it looks like I'll be making another.  The red bag is also an Alexander Henry print, and it's interfaced with byAnnies Soft and Stable which makes it very soft and sturdy.  This bag stands up straight and tall, with no stuffing inside for the photo.  Okay, I'm loving this bag so far and I think it would be great in a larger, travel bag size.

The Bowls Club Bags?

3)  I've done some straight-line quilting on a Christmas table runner that will have to be for next Christmas ;)  I just need to pick up some binding for it.  I made it up from a charm pack I got while living in Australia, and I believe it's called Holly Jolly.  I used linen on the back side and some remaining charm squares.  I hope to buy some binding for it soon!  Or maybe before next Christmas.

A Straight-Line Quilted, Reversible Table Runner

Other Stuff:
January BOM's Done
Hemming all the curtains in the house - not started!

I thought I'd share some Northern Alberta vistas with you.  The weather today is dreary, the wind is bitter and cruel!


My devoted companion in the sewing room, Toohey won't stay out from under the sewing table.  This is him with hurt feelings because I made him move for the 10th time.


Thank you so much for reading, here is some sewing advice:  Don't sew with your presser foot on backwards, it's not awesome.
 

Amongst all the handbag pattern making this year, I'm taking on some seriously fun and challenging quilting projects. I've been away from quilting for awhile and it feels so good to get back into it.

I've already shown you the two "Block of the Month(s)" I'm doing this year, but I also indulged in a precut hexagon kit out of my most favorite fabric at the moment.  I am absolutely gushing over Free Spirit's "Saltwater" by the very talented designer, Tula Pink.  I just fell in love with her hexagon quilt done in a chevron pattern and had to order it.  Isn't this beautiful?  Sunset on the sea.

Source: Tula Pink

My kit arrived today, and I have to admit - I am big time scared.  What have I gotten myself into?  I am planning on machine piecing, using THIS awesome tutorial by Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio.  I actually didn't think the hexagons would be so small.  YOINKS!!  They are 2 1/4" cut and will finish at 1 3/4" wide.  I hope to do 1 row per day.... maybe?


I purchased my precut kit from Pink Chalk Fabrics, but now I see they are out of stock.  No worries, if you are interested, Hawthorne Threads, as well as quite a few other shops, have them.  The best part - no cutting!!  Wish me luck.
 
 

I have always wanted to participate in some Block of the Month clubs hosted by quilting blogs, but have always remembered about mid year.  Too late!  This time January came around and I didn't waste any time signing up.  I'm doing two this year and I'll have two great quilts to show for it around December.

The first BOM is hosted by Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy, a wonderful quilting blog.  Hers is a paper pieced star quilt that will roughly be about lap quilt size.  I'm using my latest favorite quilting fabric, Saltwater by Tula Pink, and I've added some Flea Market Fancy, and random reds.  I've also ordered some blues to coordinate.

Here is the January star, Funky Star:



The second BOM is hosted by Gen X Quilters and is called the Sisters' Ten quilt.  You make two blocks per month, for a total of 10 blocks and spend the last two months of the year putting it together.   I love the traditional blocks set in a modern layout.  I think my very bright and happy Amy Butler fabrics, from her Lark range, are a perfect choice for me.   Set against the white background, they really pop and make a nice fresh look.  Those fabrics are quite daring for me, but do make me smile every time I see them together.

Here are the January blocks, called Grandmother's Frame:



I am doing the larger version of the quilt, which is an oversize twin, but I will probably add a white border around the whole thing to make it much larger.

To see the finished layout of either quilt top, click the link buttons that are found on my right side bar.  I can't wait to get started on February.  Now enough fooling around, I am trying to make handbag patterns, but I keep getting distracted by this gorgeous quilting fabric! 


Thanks for looking!
Janelle