Quilter's Butt and a New Resolve

It's cliche but one of my resolutions this year was to get rid of what I am not so fondly calling "Quilter's butt". I'm blaming it on bad weather, facebook, all those handmade pay it forward projects I committed myself to in 2011, and the fact that everyone was having babies and needed quilts. In reality, I'm just getting old and lazy and decided it was time to get in shape. I made it through my second hellish workout and am starting to think I really don't mind getting fat.

I also resolved that I would not buy anymore fabric quilting fabric this year. I am going to make a dent in my mounds of scraps and use up my stash.

 My first scrap project of the year was this super cute pincushion from Anna Maria Horner's book, Seams to Me.

This is my first project from the book and it was a pain in the quilter's butt. It's a bit wonky even after a near catastrophic attempt at putting it in the microwave to reshape the fusible interfacing (Note to self-take out the pins first) but I kind of love it. I was super frustrated by some aspects of the project so I did a little research and discovered there are errors in the pattern. Now that I know the tricks, guess what everyone is getting for gifts this year? Smile.

I also used up some stash by creating this customized ereader pouch for a friend. It was my first time trying to adjust patterns for size and only my second attempt at zippers.

 The pouch was way to small for her reader but is just the right size to hold my new rotary cutter and blades! I'm liking the zips though and I now want to put them on EVERYTHING.  My kids might be rocking some 80's style Jackson pants this year. =)

The Dead Blog

Well, I need to either kill this blog off or start posting again. I first started this blog as practice because I had planned on blogging with my students. We went Wiki instead. =)  So, I 'm trying to figure out what the purpose of this blog will be this year and I think I have it figured out. The reality is, there are so many GREAT blogs out there that the likely hood of anyone really taking time to read this (for any reason other than to be polite) is slim. My writing skills are mediocre and my photography even worse but I think my kids, pets,  husband and town are an eclectic mix of odd and wonderful (and certainly funny).

My focus this year will be to use this blog as a record of the silly-weird mix of our family life and to document my various sewing projects. Really, just a project journal for myself but if it inspires someone to take up sewing or quilting, great! Besides, I think my facebook friends are getting rather bored of reading about and seeing pictures of all my funny little sewing projects. So happy new year to myself (and anyone else that might be listening). I hope 2012 inspires you.

How Do I get Any Sewing Done?

People have asked me recently how I manage to get any sewing done. I have two full time jobs (mom and teacher) and three little boys to entertain. Most of the time they entertain themselves with really hip and enriching projects I spend hours designing for them.  I jokes. Most often I put in a movie, let them play Wii for a bit, or boot them outside to play. But, I wanted to sound like a cool hip mamma for just a second. However, once in a while I do have moments of "mommy genius" and put together a simple project for them to do. I keep all of my fabric scraps in a bag and when I want some sew time, I give the boys the bag of fabric and let them go to town. Today they spent an hour covering cardboard cutouts with fabric scraps. It was simple and great fun for them. I got some uninterupted sewing time and they felt included.

From this...

I let my kids use "real scissors". I've taught them to use them correctly and it is so frustrating to try to create something with bad tools! No finger cuts yet!

Chase, Lucas, and Motorcycle Man

 It doesn't always go as planned. For example, today Chase finished first and then decided he wanted to really sew something. How could I say no to that request? So, I put my project aside and let him have a go at using my sewing machine. He created a pair of "Baby Leg Socks" of his own design, for his little cousin we call "Harry" who will be making his debut soon.

In all honesty, I get sewing done because it's always possible to find time to do things you like to do (maybe just not as much) and I am blessed with little boys who are content to play and entertain themselves most of the time. And when they can't, well, that's where Dad comes into the picture. Have I mentioned they have a GREAT dad? Without him, I really would not have the time.

Giving Back

 

Heather of http://alamodefabric.blogspot.com/ is organizing an online quilt raffle. The date of the raffle and more details will be announced in the near future. I look forward to joining this cause and donating a quilt to be raffled off. All proceeds benefit relief efforts  in Japan. I'll post more info later but if any of my quilty friends want to join this effort, head over to her blog and sign up to donate a finished quilt. Others can help just by purchasing a raffle ticket when they become available. There are some amazing quilt makers out there that will be part of this. Most of the quilts will be in a modern style and you're sure to find something you like!

Here's another awesome opportunity to help quake victims in Japan and get a chance at winning this quilt from one of my favorite modern quilters, Elizabeth Hartman of Oh Franson! Check out her awesome Tokyo Subway Map quilt. I want to win this! To be entered in the drawing, all you have to do is donate any amount to the American Red Cross and then post a comment with your donation tracking number in it. http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2011/03/fundraiser-for-japan.html . The drawing is open until March 23. 

Anyway, there are tons of wonderful charities out there that are helping with recovery efforts in Japan so if one of these great opportunities doesn't motivate you, just donate to any charity of your choice. Every little bit helps. Happy giving!

Fabric Give Away

While spring cleaning my sewing room closet I realized I have a problem. I'm a fabric horder. Just ask my friend Lynn. She's the only one I have let see my stash. So, I am forcing myself to give some away.  All were loved at one point but it's time to give them a new home.  Except for the blue fleece, these are quilting weight, 100% cotton. If you can use any of these bundles, let me know. I'll get them to you. Just leave a comment telling me which one you want.

These are mostly fat quarters but possibly half a yard of the bottom fabrics.

Fat quarters, except the last two fabrics. The pink swirly fabric is about 2 1/2 yards and the green and pink paisley is about     1 1/2 yards.

Gone! Enjoy it Lynn.

Random bundle. Some are fat quarters others are more. The bottom two fabrics have some funky glitter thing going on. Not my style but maybe yours?

Taken- They'll be great for those table cloths!

Make This!

Every once in a while I need the instant gratification of a quick project to get me back in my sewing groove. This is one of those projects.  It really does take less than an hour if you have all the supplies on hand. I used some of my "Modern Meadow"  stash and whipped this puppy up for Michael. Now, all the boys (even my 9 year old) have requested one of these coloring wallets. They'll be great for keeping them occupied at church!  This is a simple, strait forward pattern and you could probably wing this if you have some skills. But, if you are like me and need a little extra help, you can find a tutorial for this project online at JChandmade.typepad.com. I modified the pattern a bit and used fusible fleece instead of the wool felt or heavy stabilizer that was called for. So what are you waiting for? If you have little people in your life, go stitch up a a few of these!

The wallet holds 8 crayons, a 5X7 memo book, and has a center pocket for finished artwork.

 

My kids have nightly homework-read for 30 minutes each night and work on math for 30 minutes. It's a regular routine around here, and being a teacher, of course I know the value of this practice BUT we've been enjoying sunshine and 20 degree (above zero) temperatures around here and that is something to celebrate. It feels like spring. We've lived here long enough to know that this is a cruel trick of nature and there is PLENTY of winter left in these parts, so  we threw the routine and the homework to the side, hit the banks and enjoyed the sun tonight. We are up to 10 hours and 44 minutes of sunlight. We spent some time laying in the snow and soaking up some of that Vitamin D but these boys can't stay still for long! So here they are, hard at play work on their homework for the evening.                                                                                                    

Lucas plays the music while "M" does his sun dance.

King of the Hill

He really is having fun. =)