Birthday Backpack

As you may be aware, I took my sewing machine into the shop for annual service, so I was without it for a couple of weeks.  The timing was good, because I had a week where I seemed to have something every afternoon or evening, and then I had some family company for a few days (ok, a week).

The great nieces and nephews are always getting some of my items - usually the samples that I make when testing a new item, but something something they have asked for.

Several years ago I made one of my nieces a backpack, and they were using it when they came here.  It was a little worse for wear. So her daughter told me 'I need a new one'!

I had her pick fabric - she picked a pink paisley on pink and a purple floral on purple.  Hmmmm,

How am I going to make those work together?

On my shopping trip last weekend, I found this really adorable pony print.  Pink and purple.

Can't wait to get started on it this weekend!

Happy Sewing!
Susan

Unfinished Projects

You may recall (or maybe not!) that back in June I went to the quilt show here in Columbus, and came home all motivated to make a quilt.  So I started one.

I found a set of twelve fat quarters in my stash (imagine that!) and decided that they would make a pretty quilt.

I got 12 blocks made, drew out a plan for the rest of the layout, bought a couple more fabrics to be able to finish up, then got busy making items for my summer craft shows.

I think it's time to finish this one up!

So that's my plan for today - along with some boring laundry....

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Push for Pink

For some reason when I picked fabrics to work with the other day - everything was pink!  I'm not a huge pink fan, but I do have to say, I've sold a lot of pink items, so someone out there really likes it!

So I had pink houndstooth - all I made were box pouches - 3 in each size.

I had pink with cat faces and flowers - I made cell cases, zipper wallets, wristlets and hipsters.

And I had pink and brown peace signs - same fabric but different colors than I've used before.

This photo is after the cutting and gathering stage - I have all the items, fleece and linings cut, along with all the hardware and price tags gathered.

I guess I'm a one-person assembly line!

I should be working on curtains.

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Quilt Show - Inspriation or Intimidation?

The National Quilt Association (NQA) holds their annual quilt show here in Columbus, Ohio each year.  I don't know how long it's been here - I can remember going at least 7 or 8 years ago for the first time. 

I love seeing the quilts - it's amazing to me the variety of both skill level and types, sizes of quilts all in one place.

I'm not really a quilter although I have made some quilts.  I made a quilt for my niece when she graduated from high school - that might have been the first one.  I can't remember now if it was a queen or king size - but it was big and I machine pieced and quilted it myself. 

One year for Christmas, I made all the little boys in the family at that time, a small quilt.  There were four of them at that time, and no girls.  I've made several other quilts since,  but it's not something that I do a lot of.

So, going to the quilt show - is it inspiration or intimidation?  I guess it must be a little bit more inspiration since today I've been cutting out and piecing - well - something....I'm not sure yet what it's going to be.

I picked a pretty pink, green and white fat quarter bundle from my stash - I'm not sure how long I've had this fabric - the selvage says it's a Michael Miller collection. 

So far I've made 6 blocks - they are 10" finished size blocks.  I think they would look great with some white sashing - so how many blocks will I make and what will it become?

 Happy Sewing!

Susan