Finished Clamshell Bag

All done and in the mail to my swap partner.  I hope she likes it!!    

Super challenging as the clasp came with a very basic pattern and no instructions.  I really wanted the clamshells to line up on the ends so it was a bit wider than the pattern and the boxed corners didn't match up to what I had planned so I added more circles to the bottom so it all lined up.  I really, really liked the end result and want to make one for myself now. I used Essex linen and a charm pack of 30's prints that I picked up at "The Road To Ca Quilt Show".

There may be another swap around the corner, you can check it out on Flickr.

Happy sewing, K

EPP Progress and Clamshell How To

I joined a cool little pouch swap and one of the requirements was in had to be 50% EPP.   This is great because I love EPP!  

So I peruse the interweb for ideas, look over my partners mosaic and decide I want to do clamshells.   I find a lovely picture of some and am instantly inspired.  Molly Flanders Pinterest.  see her tutorial here.    

First off I need some papers. I want 1 inch.

 Nope... not found on the web unless I want to get them from down under.  Too long of a wait.  

 Ok how to make my own??  Searching......ok her we go. 

 Grid paper?  Check

 Compas?  Check.   Uh oh this sucks!

 Ok what next? Paper punch?  Go dig it out....oops don't have one....run to store!  Ok got it!!  

 Punch on 1/2 grid lines, snip off corners.    

 PERFECT paper clamshells.  Well..... not exactly perfect but they are working quite well!

Basting went fairly quick as I used a Gluestick and stylus to tuck in the seam allowances.  

Here is one layout style.

Sewing them is a bit of a challenge.   There are lots of blogs and Vidieos to help you along.  This is what I chose.....

First you line up a row and whip stitch the side corners together.  I did this for all the rows.  Then I laid them on top of each other and used Roxanne's glue baste to stick them all together into 1 piece.  Then I used an appliqué stitch to sew them all together, pulling out the papers as they got in my way.  

At this point I prepped my fabric for the bag using my new Bohin 3 in 1 chalk pencil to draw my pattern onto my fabric.  I then position my patch of clams onto this once again using glue baste to adhere for sewing.  I did an unusual pattern with full circles for the bottom of the bag as you can see in the picture so that all the clams are going up when the bag is complete.   

This is as far as I got with late night sewing.  Changed the color order, I like this better.   Just about done with the appliqué process.....Gotta go figure out how to make the sides go together.   Hopefully it's going to wrap around and line up!!  Because I said so 😀

Happy Sunday Sewing, K

Linking up this week with WIP Wednesday  and Ellas Cottage

EPP Progress and Clamshell How To

I joined a cool little pouch swap and one of the requirements was in had to be 50% EPP.   This is great because I love EPP!  

So I peruse the interweb for ideas, look over my partners mosaic and decide I want to do clamshells.   I find a lovely picture of some and am instantly inspired.  Molly Flanders Pinterest.  see her tutorial here.    

First off I need some papers. I want 1 inch.

 Nope... not found on the web unless I want to get them from down under.  Too long of a wait.  

 Ok how to make my own??  Searching......ok her we go. 

 Grid paper?  Check

 Compas?  Check.   Uh oh this sucks!

 Ok what next? Paper punch?  Go dig it out....oops don't have one....run to store!  Ok got it!!  

 Punch on 1/2 grid lines, snip off corners.    

 PERFECT paper clamshells.  Well..... not exactly perfect but they are working quite well!

Basting went fairly quick as I used a Gluestick and stylus to tuck in the seam allowances.  

Here is one layout style.

Sewing them is a bit of a challenge.   There are lots of blogs and Vidieos to help you along.  This is what I chose.....

First you line up a row and whip stitch the side corners together.  I did this for all the rows.  Then I laid them on top of each other and used Roxanne's glue baste to stick them all together into 1 piece.  Then I used an appliqué stitch to sew them all together, pulling out the papers as they got in my way.  

At this point I prepped my fabric for the bag using my new Bohin 3 in 1 chalk pencil to draw my pattern onto my fabric.  I then position my patch of clams onto this once again using glue baste to adhere for sewing.  I did an unusual pattern with full circles for the bottom of the bag as you can see in the picture so that all the clams are going up when the bag is complete.   

This is as far as I got with late night sewing.  Changed the color order, I like this better.   Just about done with the appliqué process.....Gotta go figure out how to make the sides go together.   Hopefully it's going to wrap around and line up!!  Because I said so 😀

Happy Sunday Sewing, K

Week of Wonderful

I have had a lovely week relaxing and catching up on all my blog reading, WIP's and some cleaning(ugh).

Let's get this list of WIP's on the table....

• Lunch bag, ordered extra fabric for the lining. Ready to sew.
• Hexie quilt- made a few more blocks.  I'm happy I got some done. Still my largest WIP.

Things to get started on

•  Sunnyside chevron quilt for Michelle.
• Pouch swap- bought a circle punch to make some 1" clamshells.  If you missed this round there is a wait list for the next one.  Super fun!
• Rag rugs, I am in desperate need of new floor rugs in the kitchen and this has been on my want list for quite a while.

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Oh and I started a rag rug with this cool tool I picked up at the Quilt Show.  Here is the beginning picture.  I love how I can use up some fabric that I am never going to use again.  It is a juvenile print but when sewed up all you get is a nice color story.  Love it so far.  

Here is some of the stuff I picked up at the quilt show....patterns

Fabric

And some tools...

That's it for now....happy sewing, K

I Have Survived!!!!

OMG, I'm done with inventory!!!!  So, so glad it's over.  Now I have a week to catch up on my rest, sewing, housework, gardening,  TV watching etc.  I may even get to it all.  Gonna have to make a list.  Oh yeah and start making my New Years resolutions.....

So I had a bit of sewing time yesterday and worked on my EPP.   I need to get a bunch prepped so I can start taking them to work again since I will have time to take a whole hour lunch instead of eating at my desk.  May need to be one of those resolutions.  

I am also working on a 1" postage stamp lunch bag made with Chez Moi, Mimi.  Love, love these colors! I ran out of fabric for the inside and straps, have some on order....  I have some laminate that you iron on for the inside to keep it clean, has anyone ever tried that?   Hoping it works out.  One more of my resolutions is to take lunch a couple times a week.  I never take lunch, always eat out.  Always make dinner and rarley go out.  

Then I need to start another chevron Sunnyside quilt for my younger daughter, gonna be a busy week.  

I also joined a EPP pouch swap, you can find info on flicker...

Oh and one last thing!!!  Super important, it's The Road to California Quilt Show this week and I will go Friday/ Saturday to check it out.  Anyone else going to be there??

Happy Sewing, K

My New Year and Resolutions

They just can't start yet!   My life revolves around the fiscal calander at work.  I have worked in retail for 27 years and the new year starts in February.  

Several years ago my niece asked what my new year resolution was?  I said I don't know the year is not over, I still have to get through January, inventory, get spring started, have a little vacation then I can think about it.   A bit mind boggling but she gets it now.

 Well I'm fully into inventory right now.....super stressful, intense and never enough time to be prepared as much as I want them to be.  I have survived at least 50 of them so I'm sure it will be fine but in the thick of things not much time for resolutions or sewing. Oh yeah as an operations manager I'm in charge of 3, $45 million dollar stores.  That all take inventory on the same day! 

I have been reading lots of other peoples resolutions so I'm going to have lots of inspiration to make my own on February 1st.  

I did finish 1 major project this year which was the Sunnyside quilt my daughter wanted for Christmas.  

My youngest was going to make a pillow to go with it from the scraps, well that turned into a king sized pillow sham!!  Super cute but we missed getting to the post office that day to get it it the mail.  

It is well loved already!! Two happy boys are shaing right now on the bed.  

That's it for now, happy sewing, K

Christmas is Coming

And I'm not ready.  Yikes where has my time gone??  I'm working on a couple of quilty items for my girls, but need ideas for the rest of the family.  Free time is going to be limited as things heat up at work, so they have to be quick and easy.

Last year I made cute kitchen towels, a small floor rug, mini tote bags for lunch boxes and a lap quilt.  Oh and a couple tripple zip bags.  Maybe I can whip up a few more of those, they were quite the hit and so easy to make. 

What are you working on?  I would love to hear your ideas.....K

"In Hand" EPP Party 2

Well this seems like a fun little party to join over at Splish, Splash, Stash!!  I love my EPP and sharing it on my blog, but for some it can be a bit boring seeing the same thing over and over again, when really I am so excited about sharing the 1 block that I worked on for hours!!   I am always drawn to the complex, I don't know why, things may start simple but I just like adding more.   I have been slowly working on my EPP quilt that is a version of Broderie's Candied Hexagons that I found on flicker.  Here are some pictures.... They started out simple like this...

Then started to get more complex....

And  this pink and grey one has been getting pinned like crazy on Pinterest even one  pin by Lori Holt. This is her fabric line that I am using.  Really weird because I am just a small time blogger doing this to amuse myself and keep focused on my art while working a very demanding job in retail.  My therapy as it were. 

 This one has a bit of bleeding from the printed lines on the template but it will wash out on the final quilt.  

This is the current WIP.....I started using glue stick to fold over the edges but that not be good for long term projects.  We will see.  

You can see all my blocks on my Flickr page. Here.

Off to go work on my Christmas present list, happy sewing, K

Sunday WIP

Just some photos today......

My  Sunnyside zigzag in progress.  Lots of bias and wonky spots.  We'll see how this quilts up....

The back is a full set of layer cake layed out in a graduated light th dark.  It's not the right sizzle so I have to add some sashing to right size it.  Love these colors so much!!  

Happy sewing, K

It's Halloween time!

I am entering this into the Quilters Blog Festival over at Amyscrestiveside.com in the appliqué category and the wall hanging catagory.  You should hop over and see all the wonderful quilts on display.  Tons of nice prizes too!!

So here is it.....an all original design by Me!!  I made this for my daughter to hang on her front door.  My favorite part is the cauldron of eyeballs....the story behind the dress you ask?  When my girls were little the oldest hand sewed the witch dress for her baby sister with stars and moons. (My kids are 10 years apart).   She made the entire dress herself, cutting all the pieces and completing when I was at work.  Makes a mom so proud, so of course a witch dress is not complete without moons and stars.  

Vintage photos, my baby is 19 now, no more trick or treating 😫

FMQ with some pumpkin and vines that I saw on Leah Day's site.

A little raw edge appliqué , fussy cut to get some spooky eyes, and some hand stitching.

Spider in Huntersville NC, luckily I don't see them that big here in Southern , CA.

So go check out the Quilters Blog Festival voting starts on Monday.