Working on a WIP

I pulled out an old project I stopped for some reason (I think it was last January when we were packing to move), in the hopes of finishing it.  Here's what I'd done before storing it: 

I sewed the strips together with sashing, and added some borders.  Even though I don't like the process of aplique, I love the finished result; and decided this would be nice with some flowers and vines apliqued around the larger border. Any advice or better ideas??

Then I'm thinking of scalloped edges.... they always look so nice and are worth the effort.  Right now, tho, it's ready for quilting and then hand-applique to the top later.

I seem to be good at making quilts and then keeping too many of them, hence quilts that aren't getting used.  So, this one I decided would be great hanging in the living room or dining room, as it matches the colors nicely. Always nice to finish up something that's been sitting around!  I've been busy on lots of things, actually, but this is what I have photos of.  How many WIPs do you have? I'm very excited about my goal this year of not spending.... it's encouraging me to finish things up!  I can't seem to find anything that will be suitable for binding, tho, so it may get to that step and have to wait till next January.  This was a scrap quilt, measuring about 48" square, I'm guessing.

More fun with cards

**Note: I had a hard time with lighting for the photos, since I was trying to do it at night and there were also camera shadows.  Sorry!

Today I tried some more cards, these aren't quite finished. I cut a piece of computer paper into quarters, then sew the fabric scraps onto that with a zig-zag stitch. I tried some with a straight stitch and overlapping seams, but like the look of this better.  Once this is done, you glue this with a glue-stick to a piece of cardstock that will be what you write in. I plan to embelish with buttons, ribbons, ric-rac, and such; but this is what I have so far.

A kite!  This was the kids' favorite, and mine too!

This was my first try at it, but I like the yellow/red better.

Cupcake Birthday card.

And another.

In pink.

Cars and Trucks for the boys.

More stripes.

Some brights, not sure about this one.

Girly.

Some Cherries.  It's obvious now I should have used red thread for this one!  =)

These all look distorted because the edges are curled a bit, the glue-stick should help that.  If you've ever tried paper-pieced quilts, this reminded me of that but without the seams.  You just lay the scraps next to each other and sew. You should at least try one- they are so fun- but now I'm thinking I'll never be able to throw ANYTHING away!!!

Since there's only one leap-pad in the house, the kids have to share.  I found them making this joint effort today.  Nice how they already inclue Andy!  =D

Pink and Purple for Anelise is Complete!

Wow, I actually got it done before the day it was needed.... that's new for me!  =D  Here it is on the quilting table.

Draped over the edge, after the binding was finished.

And the back, not too exciting, but it coordinates with the front, and the binding contrasts it well.

All folded up for a closer view.

A pretty variegated thread.

And after a washing for that wonderful crinkly texture.

BTW, this one really shrunk in washing, good thing I made it a little big!  The biginning measurements were 67.5in. x 95in., but after washing it was down to 63in. x 89.5in.!!

And, of course, one of the kids. Whenever I try to take a picture of Andy, there are two others that instantly appear!  =D  I'm so glad they are such good friends.

Happy 6th Birthday, Anelise!

Almost ready for Monday.....

I've just about finished the top for the pink and purple scrap quilt, and I pieced together a backing from two purples and one pink in yardage from my stash.  My goal on Friday is to get it onto the machine and quilted, so I can bind it when I get a chance.  The birthday party for my daughter's friend is on Monday, so I don't have very long to finish!

In case you're wondering why such a huge gift for a friend; her mother has given me both girl & boy hand-me-down clothes for years now, for my kids. I've been planning on doing this as a thank you for some time, and it's also clearing out some of my scrap buckets!  =)

I'm liking how it's turning out, much brighter than the photos show, and there are a lot of memories in those leftover pieces from other projects! I was reminded, though, that scrap quilts sure take a lot more time.

For the past few days the baby has been sucking on his lip, drooling almost constantly, and somewhat fussy/won't sleep well, etc.  Tonight I felt in his mouth, and there are two teeth coming in on the bottom!  They haven't broken the skin yet, but this explains what's been going on.  He's been pretty happy in spite of it, though!

Yesterday when I made the kids PBJ's for lunch, they were elated at how I cut them into triangles. What caught me funny, though, was that they referred to them as "Trusses", since their daddy spends all day designing trusses at work!  =D

The little things

Since my friend Amy showed me the cards she'd been making with tiny leftover scraps of fabric, I've been anxious to try! So when I had a couple spare minutes I whipped these out.... and let me tell you.... they are a blast! 

I used to think card-making was kindof boring..... but not this way!

I told my husband I want to cut a 1/2 inch strip off every piece of fabric I own just to make more.... would that be crazy?  =D  Originally I'd saved lots of "stringy" scraps to crochet into tiny rugs such as this one on our table that's been well-loved.....

Or this one that's never been finished....

But I really do prefer these cards.  When finished, they'll be glued onto card-stock. Can you tell what my favorite color is?  Actually I had pink scraps out from two recent quilts, so they were handy to use.

And the sweetest little thing around here.....

...will be 5mos. this week! Oh how the time flies.

New Year, New Direction

This week when I went to pay our credit card bill, I just about hit the roof. Between renovating our home, paying off the quilting machine, and living expenses; we've gone into what I consider rediculous debt and it has to stop. So we've come up with a bare-bones-only spending goal, which means absolutely no extras.

I've been amazed at how good it feels to buy nothing except the bare necessities, and we're taking charge of our debt so we can get rid of it!  I am usually quite frugal, but I definately have a large enough stash from the last 10yrs. or so that I should be able to finish quite a few projects at no cost.  I also bought a 40yd. roll of batting on extreme sale a week ago, and I have quite a bit of quilting thread, so I should be set. 

My goal this year, is to finish up projects and make new projects; without spending a penny.  I went through my photos of quilts and found quite a few that were made from scraps or leftovers, and think it will be a very fun challenge; and very possible.  Here are some of them:

This fun & bright quilt is baby size and went to Leilyn when she was born.

This queen-sized spiderweb quilt in blues and yellows won third place at the state fair.

This table-runner with cherries went to my friend Trisha.

This cheerful lap-size quilt went to my friend Katie.

This sweet quilt was baby-size and went to Samantha when she was born.

This Americana quilt with Teddy Bears is still here, and is very-large lap size; I'm planning on hanging it in the kids room.

This doll-size quilt with dolls on it, went to Isabella for her birthday.

This quilt of reds is still here also, it is lap size.

This doll quilt went to my niece, Orianna, on her first birthday.

A couple of the recent quilts I've blogged about are from scraps also, and I'm excited to see what the new year brings. I need to take inventory on my WIP's, they are usually very fun because they don't need much to be finished!

Pink for Anne

The purple and pink scrap quilt got put on hold last week.  My friend Anne has breast cancer, and I decided she needed a pink quilt. This is the other pattern that uses the same size pieces, but I used some pink scraps with white background. I've always liked quilts with lots of white, but they aren't very practical around here.

I also did the small 2-1/2" border of squares with the smaller scraps.

I put minkie on the back, it's soooo soft.  It's also much warmer and heavier. I hand-stitched the binding to the back, and enjoyed sitting under it's warmth for the process.

My sweet little model. She really likes this quilt!

And I noticed it matches my slippers perfect...

Draped on the quilting table.

Tied up with a bow.

Now we're off to deliver!