Liebster Award - Take 2

I owe a HUGE apology to Isisjem as she had also awarded me with the Liebster Award and I totally spaced it off.  I admit I am a bad blogger and promise to pay more attention.  We were swap partners in the Goodie Bag Swap on Flickr and I really do enjoy her blog. 

I was able to finish one more of my 4x5 blocks but didn't get it trimmed down so I'll show it to ya'll later this weekend when I finish the remaining 2.  Just a few more projects left before I can concentrate on my Granny Square quilt.  I'm getting anxious to start it but know that I have so many projects on my list right now I have to finish the commitments first.

For the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild Pillow Swap I'm thinking about using a paper pieced pattern from Patchwork 318.  The patterns are small at 4 1/2 inches so I'm thinking about enlarging it and then adding some extras.  I can't say too much about it here because it's a small group that is swapping and I'm pretty sure she will be able to guess if I say too much more.

For the Pretty {little} Pouch Swap  I have decided on the pattern and the design.  I'm going to use some of my Heather Ross fabric as the main focus since it's for a pouch.  This is #2 on my list after the 4x5 blocks to complete.

Well, I have a dinner party on Saturday night to plan and some yard work to do (it's going to be a gorgeous weekend here in the 70's and 80's) but I do hope to be able to finish the 4x5 blocks at least this weekend. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jill

Liebster Award

Liebster Award

I was shocked when Jenn from Sewlandia awarded me with the Liebster Blog Award.  I didn't know that many people were following me, you should really go and take a look at her blog and show her a little Blog Love

So, what is the Liebster Blog Award?

               The Liebster award (German for favourite) is for bloggers with 200 followers or less.

As a recipient of the award, you have the chance to thank and link back to the

blogger who gave it to you as well as pass it along to five other deserving blogs.

I started my blog last year and really enjoy writting about my creations and the creative process.  I also enjoy getting involved with other bloggers.

Sew Festive Handmade

Madebyabrunnette

the cute life

This Crafty Fox

Bijoux Baby

Liebster Conventions:1. Thank your award presenter on your blog and link back to him/her.
2. Copy and paste the award to your blog.
3. Present the Liebster Award to 5 blogs that you think deserve to be recognized.
4. Let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Have faith that your followers will spread the love too!

Make It Monday

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I was able to work on my March to-do list.

I haven't been able to work on the Jamie Dress because I chose to purchase a voile from Fabric.com and it's REALLY sheer.  I think it will have to be for a different project.  I'm having fun working on bee blocks right now so I will go with the flow for a little while.  The Circle of Geese blocks are turning out well but they sure do take a lot of time.  I thought I would be getting more efficient but it doesn't appear that way.

March Goals

• 2 Pillowcases (birthday gift) - goal date 3/12
• Jamie Dress - delayed due to choice of fabric
• Bind the Dinosaur quilt
• Quilt & Bind the Duck quilt - not sure how to quilt
• Messenger Bag for a gift - goal date 3/15
• Granny Square Quilt
• Circle of Geese blocks for 4x5 bee - due 4/15 - finished 2

Grellow Circle of Geese Block for mpfox223

Yellow, Aqua and Grey Circle of Geese Block for Mama Missa

• Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild Pillow Swap (have an idea already) - due 4/19
• Birthday gift for my MIL - due April 10th
• Pretty {little} Pouch Swap - due April 20th, thinking about making an inset zip pouch from Keyka Lou as I have the pattern and love the professional look of it.  Not sure if my partner would like the pouch or clutch size.

I'm linking up to Sew Modern Monday

Friday Fun Day!

Actually it's not a very fun day here.  I've been on vacation for a week and today is my first day back at work.  At least it's Friday so I have 2 more days off to keep me sane.

For Spring Break we took the boys to Sunny AZ to visit their Aunt Amy, Uncle Todd and Grandma Jane.  A good time was had by all.

We got to watch the Cubs/A's game on St. Patty's Day.

Dinner for 2 at the Brick Oven Table at Quiessence

Stopped by a quilting store in Chandler and picked up a few fabrics that I can't find locally.  I also stopped by Ikea and bought some home dec fabrics that I had been looking at online.  I'll show you those in a few days (when they are unpacked)

 Had Dinner at our favorite restaurant in Phoenix,  Pizzeria Bianco with some good friends.

I hope to finish 2 more of the Geese in a Circle blocks for the 4x5 modern quilt bee this weekend.  They are due on April 15th.  

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Jill

New Bag

I had a creative spurt yesterday and got busy on my March goals list.  I purchased The Bag Making Bible a few months ago and just kept looking at the photos.  I decided to try the Messenger Bag as a gift for someone who probably doesn't read my blog but I'm not going to mention their name just in case.  It is HUGE on the interior and fits my laptop plus at least 2 other books.  I didn't do the zipper pocket but did put in a pencil pocket and an elastic topped pocket.  There is plenty of room for storage but next time I make this pattern I think I will add a pocket to the back of the bag.  You could also easily put a zipper pocket under the flap.  I only installed 1 closure but it works well to keep the bag closed. 

From ironing the fabrics and cutting out the pattern to final assembly it took about 3 hours.  Still gave me time to complete my taxes in the evening.  A very productive day overall.

I think I'm going to sign up for another swap.  The signups for the Pretty Little Pouch swap on Flickr start tomorrow in case anyone else is interested.

Linked up to Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday

Enjoy your week!

Jill

Sunday Check-in

Hi Friends,

I've accomplished several things this week and since it's a lazy Sunday around here I hope to accomplish a few items today.

I finished the pillowcases that are going to be a birthday gift.  I made them "housewife style" which just means that they have an envelope closure on the back rather than an opening on the end.  I like the way they fit the pillows and I hope the recipient likes them.  They use Anna Maria Horner fabrics and should coordinate nicely with the Swoon Quilt.

I got this lovely pillow from Sewingmomx4, you should really check out her Flickr stream because she has some serious sewing talent.  She has even sewn the Amy Butler Weekender Bag.  Yes, that is a pillow pet that it is lucky enough to share a chair with.

Off to iron some work clothes for the week and then I get to sew for a bit.

Jill

March Goals

I can't believe it's March already!  This year has been flying by. 

I was able to finish my Pillow Talk Swap pillow this weekend.  I embroidered a little camper pattern from Sublime Stitching but I don't know what I was thinking and cut it wrong when I was cutting it down for the pillow.  I would have started crying except my husband and MIL were in the room with me.  I'll chalk it up to stress.  Well I wasn't about to start embroidering that over again and I have been interested in the granny square quilts on Flickr.  I started fussy cutting some Flea Market Fancy and Heather Ross as the centers and went from there.  I will be mailing it to my partner tonight. 

I have some pretty lofty goals for March and hopefully by putting them in writing I will accomplish more of them.

• 2 Pillowcases (birthday gift) - goal date 3/12
• Jamie Dress - goal date 3/15
• Bind the Dinosaur quilt
• Quilt & Bind the Duck quilt
• Messenger Bag for a gift - goal date 3/15
• Granny Square Quilt from this tutorial

If I have any extra time here are some goal I already have for April

• Circle of Geese blocks for 4x5 bee - due 4/15
• Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild Pillow Swap (have an idea already) - due 4/19
• Birthday gift for my MIL

That should keep me fairly busy.

Linking up to Lilys Quilts Fresh Sewing Day and Small Blog Meet

Have a great week!

Jill