sew on and sew forth

The 25th was National Thread your Needle day, so I've been celebrating. I think I've decided that we should celebrate all week! Hope you get to thread your needle this week!
Here's what I've been working on:


for Vintage Lovers Swap

Elvis Purse for my landlady





Pineapple pouch- was supposed to be a pencil
pouch but it needed a another row

bee scissor holder for goody goody bag

This week I am working on
Quasar Blocks for We Bee With it
FTFYA quilt blocks
Art Bag for Miah
Gnome Mug Rug Swap
Placemats for Swap
C5 envelope Swap





Round n round n round the turntable goes

I have this song from Deanna Durbin (click link to hear it) stuck in my head inspired by the pillow I'm working on for my Poofy Pillow Swap partner.  She likes orange and circles. I took it as a challenge to try curved piecing.  I found loads of tutorials to "cheat"  and applique the circles. Which I *did* do for the smaller circles in the center. I want to quilt in a circle and didn't want to stitch around the appliques and I definitely didn't want to do raw edge - it's a pillow and the idea of unraveling stitches didn't appeal to me. I do like the look of raw edge, but not this time.  I used this tutorial and did Ok- a little bit ripply in a couple spots.  I learned to use the shorter pins on the ends instead of my favorite long ones.  I will be making this block again for my FTFYA quilt. 
I used some precuts that arrived in a ziploc from one of CA Mom's eBay excursions. There are 2 sizes:  6.5 inches and  close to 5 inches.  I don't know what the fabric line is.  I've used bits here and there - Lissys owl bag,  my beach house block etc.  They are fun prints! The orange swirly circles, are actually a Halloween print I bought to go with a cute Fox print but I will have to get more for that project.  :)
I hope to have the pillow ready to mail Monday as well as some other swap projects.
I have so many going on right now I'm having trouble keeping track so I made a wipe off project frame from an old picture frame.  I just used one that was in the closet but I need a larger one. 
My swaps:
Poofy pillows WIP
Getting to know you envelope WIP
#magicalforestmugrugswap- ideas forming
We Bee With it - not assigned yet
Placemat swap - not assigned yet
Tote bag swap - needs tweaking
Other WIPs
FTFYA quilt - 2 blocks started
Wild and wonderful - slowly but surely
Cozy Afternoon BOM - block 1 complete, block 2 this week
Christmas cozy afternoon - still thinking about it
Bruce's quilt - I had fabric and used it for another project
Snapshots - still collecting fabric
Disappearing hourglass - it's for me so going slow

Obviously I won't run out of things to sew!  But this morning's project is not sewing. I have Put on my plumbing hat. I am putting a new Rookiesnythuter in the toilet.  (the flusher contraption) and then I will be cleaning up the mess. 
Hope your Saturday is fabulous!

Undeserved and unexpected

"An undeserved and unexpected gift is the most pleasant to give and to receive " this quote was on my calendar  and this morning I received a most pleasant gift from my swap angel! I love it!  There fabric is fabulous - there's a placemat (quilted AND  embroidered)  a coffee Cozy - with rick rack, heart head pins and the cutest fabric!  I am swooning!  Valentine's is my favorite.  The Embroidery reminds me of a picture of my sister when she was little  - I love embroidery but don't want to do it! I've been working on a project for my mom  since 1998. But I sure love it when some one else does it!  Thank you thank you thank you! (if you walk by my window you may see someone dancing around with a placemat)
Today I am making a list of all the projects I am working on and need to do.   I probably should make a list of blog posts too. I decided I need a white board in my studio so I can cross things off and remember others.  I started my list and got distracted by my squishy package.  I had to go to the door tho get the mail because I am painting my mail box and it's lying in the grass.  I should have videoed the look of confusion when the mail lady realized the mailbox was gone.  :) I will post a "from this to that" picture as soon as I have a "to that"
Have a great Monday 

Update! Today must be angel day!  Remember the person dancing around the room with a placemat?  Well now she's dancing around with a fat  quarter bundle and a mini quilt! I couldn't believe my eyes when the DHL truck stopped next door (no one lives there, it's under construction)  and proceeded to my house!  This package came all the way from Malaysia!   The lovely fat  quarters are  Zoey in lemon chiffon -  gorgeous!  And a mini quilt  that even matches my studio. I'm astounded at the generosity of our angels!  Quilters are good folk! 

Swaps and stuff

I am a part of a swap group on Facebook  and I have had a blast with the last few swaps. I have sent a Pincushion to Dubai. I thought it fitting to send a snowman to the desert.  I received a BEAUTIFUL Pincushion from Australia.  I sent a Valentine coin purse (using Madame Samm's tutorial) to Scotland   and Spring Fling  fabric to Mississippi. 
Right now I am working on 2 tote bags - one is going to Texas and one to Michigan.  
I am smooshing 2 different tutorials together and tweaking them a bit.  I really like what's in my head and can't wait to get it out.  I have parts cut out of the fabric but have some place to be this evening so can't start on it.  :(
It is an open house tonight so I won't be staying long...  :)
  "I must get back to Sherman, I can't leave him alone to long "
"Sherman? I thought you lived alone "
" Sherman is Um,  my  um,  Brother "
"I thought your brothers were in Pennsylvania? It's nice that they came to visit." 
Ta Ta now. Good bye.  :D
LOL,  of course most of my friends know who Sherman is and this open house is at the church so it's like 1 minute from my house.  :)

I will post more as I get things done. Have a great evening 

Great Big Stitiched Postcard Swap

Thanks to Shelia, I have discovered the fun of making quilted postcards, so when I saw this swap I knew I had to be in!











Here are a few of the ones I've made recently!

 



Nothing like a Swap to get motivated! Sherman ( btw have you seen the previews for Sherman's Movie? I can't wait to see it!) has been feeling neglected lately with all the wedding prep, hopefully I can do some stitching on Monday in between wedding centerpieces :)
Have a great dayhttp://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/postcardswap550b.jpg

Postcard swap

I received my fabulous postcard ages ago but haven't posted anything about it, shame on me!
Shelia from shelia's quilting world hosted the swap. Joanne was my partner and made me this snowman postcard. I love the way he is quilted in circles! Joanne also used real sticks for his arms. The card is in a clear envelope but she cut a hole so his scarf could go through. I just love him!
I'll show you the one I made later. It was the first one i've done, but it won't be the last!

Postcards

Wow! I am finished ahead of schedule! I just finished my first fabric postcard and its ready to mail! I think everything I signed up for this month is due on the 15th. So being ahead of schedule is good! Here's a sneak peek of my postcard and some wreaths for the bazaar.

Covert Robin = SO MUCH FUN!!!

COVERT ROBIN

I can finally show off my tote that I made for my swap partner, Mary of Mary Moon Designs. I used her logo to design her bag.


I did add eyes to the turtle after the pix were taken.


The tote was alot of fun to make! I FMQd a bit and am pleased with the final product.

backside of the quilting

                         I also made a little bag for cards- I should have put a closure on it but it was late Sunday when  I started and didn't have any velcro.

 I was late getting to the post office on Saturday and had to mail it on monday, but Mary received it on Wednesday so it didnt take very long!

I scheduled myself off work on Thursday and forgot that I had scheduled a breakfast outing Thursday morning. OOPS! I went in at 7:30 took the residents to breakfast and left work at 10:30am. When I arrived home there was a brown paper package in my mail box!  When I opened it- there was another brown paper package and it was tied up with string (truly one of my favorite things) Inside was a personalized canvas- made just for me! With my name on it even! (Growing up with a "boy's name" sometimes makes it difficult to find it spelled correctly) Thank you sew sew much Amanda- I love it! be sure to check out Amanda's Etsy shop - lotsa cool stuff over there!

isn't it Great?!

Thanks to all the coordinators of this swap! They did a fab job!