Finished it Friday

It's a cold, rainy Friday here - too cold. I'm a summer girl at heart and I'm already longing for warmer temps. It's going to be a long, hard winter. *sigh*

I have two "reportable" finishes this week.  The first - and most impactful - is baseball. 




Both boys had their final games last night, and I for one am glad to see the season end.  Don't get me wrong - we love it.   We love our league, our friends, our coaches.  This season, though, we averaged four nights a week at the fields.  That's four week-nights.  Plus Saturday mornings.  It was getting to be too much.  It's the price you pay when you have two playing, and it's just the luck of the draw to get schedules like that.  Maybe the spring will be easier.

Two sewing finishes - but only one to share.  The first is my Misfit Quilter's Hoop Swap.  It goes in the mail today.  The only thing I don't like about it is that I won't be there to see my partner's face when she opens it.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall!  Don't worry - once it's received I'll have plenty of pictures to share.  :)

The finish I can share is my iPad case.... I finally got it right (by my standards, at least).




Once I finished it the first time, I found out (1) it was too big and my iPad slid around in it and (2) the zipper opening was too small.  The teeth of the zipper would rub against the iPad as it was taken in and out and even though I have screen protector on it, I just didn't like that.  So, it was back to the drawing board.  I ended up taking it completely apart.  I added batting to the back, which I had left out the first time, trimmed it up to be more snug, and tried a different zipper technique.




Now, it's perfect.  Nice and snug, but the zipper opens larger than the pouch, so no scratching.  Love, love, love.

I'd thought about doing a tutorial on this but, truthfully, there are so many case tutorials out there that I'm not sure I'd be adding to the collective wealth.  I scoped out quite a few for measurements and found that Fresh Lemons' worked best for me.  I also frequently referenced Flossie Teacakes for the initial zipper insertion, but having the extended part outside is all my work.  I just went with trial and error on that one without looking up anything.  Maybe I'll do a tut on that with a little pouch or something.  I really like the extra zipper space and it comes in handy for things like this.

And, again, the design is Lee's Kansas Dust Storm block, which I love!  Fabric is Joel Dewberry's Heirloom and a sand-colored linen (forgot the name, sorry!). 

So, there you have it - my two big finishes.  Feels nice to have them done.

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Now it's your turn... but I do have one little request, first.

If you are linking up here, please link back to me on your post or in your sidebar.  About half of the linkups last week didn't have my button or a text link back here.  I don't want to be mean and start deleting links, but it's a little quite disheartening to see when I'm helping others spread the word about their blog, but they don't do the same.  Including a button/link lets others know to come here, which in turn will build up the party and send even more traffic out to future links.  I want this party to grow, but I need your help!

The HTML is always at the top of my blog, but I've added it here also to make it easy.  If you're not sure how to insert the HTML, shoot me an e-mail and I'll be glad to help.  :)



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So, with that said....tell me, what did you finish??

WIP Wednesday

I think things are *finally* starting to settle down a bit, as I've been able to get a good bit of sewing time in this week. Classes are ramping up, but I feel like I'm in a routine at this point, which makes all the difference in the world. I have a couple of things to share with y'all later - like my finished iPad case - but I want to wait for some good pics. One of the disadvantages of going to work at o'dark-thirty is, well...it's dark. No snapping pictures on my way out the door like I could in the summer.

Completed:  iPad Case; Misfit Quilters Hoop Swap

That's right, I finished my hoop last night.  I can't wait to show y'all....I'm so tickled with it.  Thanks to my wonderful twitter friend Carolyn at Just One More Stitch I was able to add some Pips scraps to add to my hoop.   Can't reveal just yet as it's not sent, but here's little sneak peek:





Ongoing:  TwitterB October Block

I came close to finishing this one last night, but really needed sleep.  The most-awesome Belinda sent us some Loulouthi fabric for inspiration, with specific instructions to not use it in the block, only use it for color choosing.  I think I'm happy with my fabric, but will have to wait and see when it comes together - hopefully tonight.  :)






Ongoing, No Progress:  Same as last week - Black-and-White Quilt and Sierra's Quilt.  *sigh*

And, for once... no new projects.  Though I do have to get busy on my post-Summit swap.  It's due out next week.  Eek!




Don't forget to link up with Lee! 

Happy Wednesday!!

Finished it Friday

Seriously? Another week? My word.  Where does the time go?

This Friday is a big one for me - well, in my own little sewing world, that is.  Tonight and tomorrow, I'll be helping out Karen Gray at her Flaunt event here in Winston.  I. Can't. Wait.






I've been wanting to meet her for months and now I get the chance to actually work with her.  (And she mentioned me by name when asking a friend of mine for help!)  <--eeek!

If you are local, be sure to check out the event.  If you're not, you can head on over to Karen's Blog and drool over all the luscious fabric yumminess that I'll be surrounded by this weekend. 

I did manage one finish this week - a clutch bag that my friend Michelle started as part of an impromptu class at Sewing Summit.  (And, yes, once again - please excuse the phone pic...)

Don't worry - my car was not in motion when I snapped the pic.  :)

This little bag has become an absolute favorite of mine.  Hubby and I have had nearly two weeks without the kids, so we've been eating out a lot (I *swear* it's cheaper to eat out than cook for two!).  This has been my go-to bag each night, as I'm tired of lugging around my clunky handbag.  :)  You really should try one of these....easy and fabulous!

So now - it's your turn!  What did you make??  We had some wonderful entries last week...can't wait to see what you've got in store today.

Happy Friday!!

WIP Wednesday

Here we are once again with another WIP report... finally!!!  I must say, I've really missed being able to post progress...mostly because of my lack of progress...LOL!

No finishes this week - yet.  But I am working on a couple of things. Feels good to get some sewing done.

Completed:  None.  :(

Ongoing/Progress Made:

My Misfit Quilters swap is moving along quite steadily.  Probably because it's mostly embroidery.  I only have pedals to add on my little bicycle.  Hope my partner likes bikes....   (**wink**)





The swap is for 9" hoops, so I'll be adding some fabric to this.  And, well... a hoop.  *note to self - buy hoop.*

Next up is the beginnings of an iPad case.  Technically, this one is finished - I'm using it as we speak - but I want to make several adjustments, so I'm not quite ready for a full reveal.  I hope to have time this weekend.





I used Lee's Kansas Dust Storm block and then off-set it a bit for a little different look.  You could really do this with any block and I've thought about a little tutorial for the case part.  What do you think....is that something you'd like to see?  (Oh - the fabric is from Joel Dewberry's Heirloom, btw.)

Ongoing/No Progress:

Bethlehem Star - haven't touched it in weeks.  :(
Jane's Black and White Quilt - I really need to get moving on this one, it's done except for the binding!


New Projects:
Despite swearing I was at my limit, I've joined two new swaps.  One is for a post-Sewing Summit group and the other is through the Triad MQG.  I'll be making a zipper pouch for the former and potholder for the latter.  I'm thinking of using up my leftover Central Park scraps for both as I have plenty and both partners have stated they like bright colors.  Hopefully will have some pics next week.  :)


So that's it for me.... enjoy your week, everyone!!

Finished it Friday #11

Good morning, everyone!  It's Friday!!!!

After a long hiatus from my sewing machine, I finally had the chance to sew last night.  Oh, it felt so good!!  I have a couple of finishes to share with you.  First is my first-ever zipper pouch.

My new friend Claudia taught an impromtu class at Sewing Summit and showed us just how easy these little pouches can be.  To say the least I'm hooked... and to prove it, look at what I got yesterday...



Fifty ... that's right ... FIFTY zippers.  And some darling little zipper pulls.  Can't wait to dig into them.

I also finished up my 3x6 blocks last night.

These blocks were a lot of fun, and I'm glad I joined the group.  If you're looking for a good swap to join, now is the time.  Signups for the fourth quarter are active right now.  :)

So - now it's your turn..... what did you finish??

catching up

Sweet mercy! October has been one crazy month so far.  I feel like my head is spinning.

Summit was Ah-maz-ing.  To say the least, I'm still processing it all.  I have a few pictures and need to take a couple more before I post.  Maybe later this week, ok?  In the meantime, you can head over to the Sewing Summit flickr group and check out what others are posting.  So. Much. Fun.  You really need to start saving your pennies now so you can join us next year.  :)

On another note - I was a complete slacker and forgot to tell y'all that my Central Park quilt was featured on Quilt Story last week.  Love that website, and I'm so honored that they chose another of my quilts to share.  :)






And last, but certainly not least, I'm guest blogging today over at my friend Sha's place.



She asked for a couple of people to talk about Kate Spain, and I jumped at the chance.  Take a peek when you get a minute so you can see all of my Kate Spain projects in one place.

Enjoy your week!  I'm hoping to get to sew tonight....yay!!!!

Summit!!!

 

   I leave tomorrow.   

 

In about 24 hours, I'll be there.   I... Can't... Wait. 

 

Are you going??? Let me know - and be sure to stop and say hello if you see me!

 

I'll try to post updates, but the best way to keep up will be on Twitter.  

Eeek!!

Giveaway Winners

Hi everyone.

My apologies for not getting these up individually, but time is at a premium these days.  My first mid-term in Biostatistics is tomorrow and, to say the least I'm a little freaked out.  Couldn't even sleep last night...which means tonight will be fun.  Benadryl, anyone??

On to the winners!!

The winner from Giveaway #8 (with Darci from Stitches and Scissors) is.... Amorette!!

The winner from Giveaway #9 (with Lee from Freshly Pieced) is....  Jill!!

The winner from Giveaway #10 (with Rita from Red Pepper Quilts) is... Kristen!!

Congrats to all three - look for an e-mail from me, soon.

Thanks to everyone for playing along.  I had a great time getting to know the other bloggers, and I hope you did too.