Fields of Opportunities...

Please hope over to my new blog, Free State Quilt Studio, where I have just posted this:

Iowa is full of "fields of opportunities"

Well, I'm back from my trip to Iowa.  It was a great, albeit short, mini vacation.  I attended my sister's graduation from nursing school.  The ceremony was nice and her speech (she was selected as the student speaker) was very inspirational.  It was also funny.  She used humor in her speech as she was probably the oldest of the graduates!

Nursing will be my sister's third career.  About ten years ago, she got her Master's in education and has been teaching English to middle school kids since.  Now, she's a nurse!  I'm thinking she is actually a career student!  

We look like complete opposites; she is blonde and blue and I'm brown and brown.  She'd be mortified if I told you she is older than me...but, she is 10 months older!   Seriously, I'm super proud of her and I know she's going to be a great nurse!  

She loved the quilted wall hanging I gave her except she thought the back was the front.  I assured her she could hang it either way she wanted.  She really loved that it matched the quilt I gave her for her ahem 39th birthday... 

One last tidbit...I'm super excited about the vintage quilt I found a few weeks ago at Good JuJu KC.  I think the pattern is called, Around the World.  It is so awesome.  It was hand quilted!  I've put on my daughter's bed just for the photo.  I'm actually working on the Breezes quilt I started for her last February....this will the subject of a future post!   

Have a great week everyone!  Chat with you again soon!

Angela

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Summer Start

The following is my latest post at my new blog, Free State Quilt Studio:

So, it's day three of summer vacation and my kid is already B-O-R-E-D!  Sad huh?  I wish I had 100 days off for the summer!  I'd love to be bored for a few days!  I bet you'd love just a few boring days, too!    

Call me boring, but since my last posting, I've finished up a couple sewing projects and started a few more.  First, I finished my Love Knots quilt.  I haven't quilted yet, however.  I'm not sure I will, actually.  I'm not that happy with it.

Don't get me wrong...I love the concept of this quilt top.  I'm not sure I executed it that nicely, however.  I will definitely try again, but this time I will make sure the fabric triangles I use to flip and stitch are bigger.  That way, I think the end shapes will be more distinct.  Have a look at some of the quilts my Craftsy classmates' quilts completed for the Stitch and Flip class.

I skipped ahead in the class and finished another quilt using Jacqie Gering's Slice and Insert Technique.  I actually signed up the the Craftsy Course because of Gering's Crosscut Quilt.  This is one of my all time favorite quilts ever!

Isn't is AWESOME?!  I love the colors, the architecture of it, and the quilting is amazing!  Now, here is my version:

Not so awesome, but, still, I liked it.  I used browns, rust, and mustard yellow.  These colors, as well as the architectural lines, remind me of the Brady house in The Brady Bunch.  I liked this quilt...until I quilted it.

YUK.  Not happy.

So, ever heard of a mulligan?  It's a "do over" if you flub up a golf stroke.  Here is my Do Over Quilt (top):

I used leftover batiks from my Ocean Waves quilt.  I also scaled back this top.  Each block is half the size of the original.  I also put a little rectangle in the top corner.  Fingers crossed I don't mess up on the quilting!   

So, I've messed up on a few things, but I've learned a lot, too!  I'm having a great time learning these new techniques and I feel like a have a few more weapons in my creative quilt arsenal now.  There are two more quilts to do for the class:  To The Point and Swirling Stars.  I can't wait to get started!  I've also learned that my sewing machine has one of the automatic thread cutter thingies on it!  I've been using my machine since 2007 and never knew it before this past weekend!  

I hope you all are enjoying your summer so far!  It's just the beginning!

Until next time!

Angela

P.S. The top photo is of a gorgeous peony in my back garden.

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A String Quilt and a Reminder

Just a reminder that I've started a new blog called, Free State Quilt Studio.  I sure hope you will jump over and join me there.  For now, I'm re-posting my latest post here at Sew Loquacious:

One Quilt Done; One in Progress

Just a quick post to show my finished Strings Attached quilt.  I decided to free motion meandering quilting on the solid parts of the quilt and I did straight line quilting along the "strings."

I attached purchased binding my machine.  It was pretty easy and quick!  I like that!  I'm giving this quilt to my aunt this weekend for a Mother's Day present.  I hope she likes it!

Here is a quick look at my current Craftsy project for Improvisational Piecing, Modern Design.  It's called, Love Knots.  I've used deconstructed neckties for the top knot (for my hubby) and some of my favorite fabrics for the bottom knot (for me).  I can't wait to get this finished!  It's been a lot of fun and I'm excited to move on to the next lesson!  

Have a great weekend!  Until next time!

Angela


Hope to see you at my new blog soon!
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Cabin Fever Crafts

Have you heard about the Snowmageddon that hit the Midwest?  Well, the big city (KC), has been hit twice in the last week.  Heavy snow is actually pretty rare here, but to be hit twice, with soooo much snow is really unusual.  Today is the fourth snowday!  I'm feeling a little cabin feverish, although I have been able to work on a few handy projects. First, I finished a crocheted scarf I started a few weeks ago.

Notice my dress form?  I got her for Christmas.  I named her, Maude!  The scarf is basically just like the Sea Pennies throw I made.  It's just double crochet throughout.  I used half double crochet for the washcloth I made to match the Breezes Pinwheel Quilt I'm working on.  The trim around the edge is double crocheted. 

It's a bit lopsided, but hey, it's a washcloth!  I really like crocheting with kitchen cotton.  I think it's easier than the fluffier stuff, like the organic cotton I used for the headband I made.    

I found the Knotted Headband Tutorial on Pinterest.  It was pretty easy to follow for the beginner crocheter like me!

So, besides crafting, what else is there to do during a snowday?  How about a SNOWBALL FIGHT?!

Stay warm everyone!

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Sea Breezes

If you were to look at my Pinterest boards, you would notice a few things about me...I love bird art, ridiculously decadent dessert recipes, and that I'm still redecorating my bedroom.  I finished my Ocean Waves Quilt in July and I still haven't been able to hang it in my "new" room!  It's been taking a lot longer to redo, but it's going to look awesome when it's finished!  I have finished another ocean themed project for my room....my first crocheted afghan!  

 

How is an afghan beachy?  Well, it's turquoise and I sewed crocheted "sea pennies" onto the front!  It's a pretty simple blanket; I'm just a newbie at crochet!  I double crocheted the whole thing.  My plan is to use the afghan as a bed runner, atop a white comforter.  

I've got beach on the brain!  I finally started working on Charlotte's quilt.  I am using a pattern I bought last summer in Minnesota.  It's called, Breezes.  Sharon Huse, the owner of the Old Alley Quilt Shop, told me the inspiration for this pattern was all the huge windmills in the area.  If you look closely at the quilt on the cover, you'll notice large and small pinwheels.  I'm using beach themed fabrics I bought online.  Aren't the flip flops adorable?!  

     

A lot of cutting later....

Finally, one finished block:

I love pinwheels and the beach!  How cool is it to mix the two?!  I can't wait until it's finished!

Bye for now!

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A Confession

Hi.  My name is Angela and I am a horrible blogger.  It's been nearly four months since my last post.  It's been about that long since I commented on others'.  I'm so sorry.  Just know the guilt I feel is punishment enough.  I have no excuses for my absence.  I guess the holidays...and life (mostly work) got in the way.  I even let my Etsy listings expire!  No worries; my listings are back and so am I!

So, what have I been up to (besides work)?  Here's a look at a few of the projects I have been working on the past few months:

Zig Zag Quilt

Zig Zag Quilt

"Matching" Pillow

Batik Pillow

Christmas Mini Quilts

I've also been trying to teach myself to crochet.  I'm working on an afghan.  Here is a little circle I learned the other night:

I think I'm finally getting the hang of it!  Tootles for now!

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A Shirt Dress Success

McCall's M4769

Hooray!  I've finished the shirt dress  McCall's M4769!  I'm so happy with how it turned out!  It wasn't all sunshine and roses, however.  All was going well until I reached the collar!  At that point, I nearly threw in the towel!  Honestly, I could not figure it out.  I searched and searched until I found a tutorial for this exact sewing pattern...specifically the lapel collar,  at Pleasant View Schoolhouse blog.  I could NOT have finished the collar without this post!

The picture isn't great, but I'm having major issues with my camera/memory card/computer.  I'm not sure which is the actual problem.  I took the above photo with my iPad.  Later, I took photos using my "real" camera when my daughter was actually wearing the dress.  When I tried downloading the photos from the memory card, it wouldn't work.  Now, the dress and my daughter are gone (back to her house) and I have no way to get those photos again until she visits again and wears the dress!  Trust me, it does look good!  I would recommend this pattern, however the collar is a bit of a bugger.  If you've sewn a notched lapel collar, however, you shouldn't have a problem with this one.  There are darts in the front of the bodice as well as the back, which makes the dress a lot more fitted than it appears in this picture.    There are pockets in the skirt and the sleeve bands are a bit flared.  When I make this pattern again, I will use contrasting fabric for the sleeve bands and maybe the skirt or the bodice since they are separate pieces that are sewn together!

I've also finished my latest quilt top.  I used  Little Black Dress.  I bought a jelly roll and used strips from it as well as strips I cut from plain black fabric yardage.  Again, this picture was taken with my iPad.  I will post more once I sort out my computer problem.

I based this pattern after I saw a similar quilt in a Keepsake Quilting catalog.  I think it turned out great!  Now, I just need to figure out the fabric for the back, the binding, and then get quilting it!  Shh, this one is for my oldest daughter's upcoming birthday.  Hope she likes it!

Tootles!     

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Lessons in Dressmaking

So, I here is what I have learned from my most recent fashion sewing project:

1. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!
2. EXPERIMENT ON SCRAP FABRIC WHEN MAKING BUTTON HOLES!
3. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!
4. SEW THE GARMENT USING CHEAP FABRIC; IF IT TURNS OUT, USE YOUR FASHION FABRIC!
5. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!

Did I mention NOT TO CUT THE PATTERN?  I made this mistake when I began cutting out the pattern pieces for See and Sew B5634.  I decided cutting the pattern to the size I thought would fit my oldest daughter would be easier than trying to fold the pieces along the appropriate lines.  Well, it was easier, but in the end, the dress did not fit her!  Too small!  Fortunately, it fit my friend and she modeled it for the photos.

 

You can see in the photo where I violated lesson #2.  The second button is clearly misaligned.  Oops.  What's also obvious is that I paid no heed to lesson #4.  I should have made the dress using cheap fabric first! 

   

I actually learned a lot from this project that helped me make the next dress.  I had never made a collar before!  It was much easier than I expected!  Setting in the sleeves was a bit tricky, but I managed, and I carried this experience into the next dress project.

My daughter's favorite kinds of dresses are shirt dresses and wrap dresses.  I messed up the shirt dress, but I scored with this blue wrap dress.  Actually, I did not intend to use this blue fabric for the actual dress.  This is cheap fabric I used to "practice" the pattern.  My daughter saw the dress, tried it on, and decided she liked the fabric!  Hit!  She wore the dress to work!  If you are interested, this wrap dress pattern is from Sew Simple.  I picked it up at Walmart.  Easy!

So, with all these lessons learned, I'm now ready to attempt the shirt dress again.  This time, I'm going to use McCall's M4769.  I think the fuller skirt will fit my daughter better than the See and Sew pattern.    

I'm using this retro looking fabric for this dress.  I bought this at Quilts and Quilts, my favorite quilt shop  in  Branson, MO.

  

I also bought some "self-ruffling" yarn called, Flounce.  I had never knitted with this sort of yarn before so it was a little weird to get used to, but I managed to follow the directions and make this adorable little scarf!

I'm thinking these little scarves would make great teacher gifts this year!  They are very fast and the stitches are very forgiving!  If anyone is interested in a quick knitting lesson, let me know!  I'll post an easy tutorial!

I also bought a few Jelly Rolls at the quilt shop!  I've already begun work on a quilt using one of them!  I can't wait to show you!  Stay tuned!

Tootles!

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