Neutral or Not Bee

Last year I was part of the Neutral or Not Bee.   When all of the granny square quilts were popping up all over the web, I knew that would be the perfect block for my bee pals to make.  When it came time for my month, I shipped out assorted Denyse Schmidt fabric for all of them to make me the Granny Square block.

Thank you to my Neutral or Not Bee group and my mom who so kindly made the additional blocks to get me to 25 blocks.

 

 



I haven't kept a quilt that I've made in a few years, so this quilt is staying home!

Happy Quilting!

Our Youngest on Vacation

Our youngest flew to Ireland with her best friend for vacation.  Her dad and I sent her a care package a couple of weeks ago so that she'd have it before she left the country.

I made her this little coin purse using the "Coin Purse UR Priceless" pattern on Craftsy.com.  Her dad and I had some Euro from a previous trip and decided to fill this little coin purse with Euro coins and bills.  We couldn't have her arrive in a foreign country with out the current currency could we?

The next item in her package was this Dirty Drawers Travel Laundry Bag.

The above pouch turns into this bag once you unzip it and pull the inside out.

I tested the pattern for my new friend Trina whom I met at the Sew South Retreat.  The instructions are very well written and she has pictures for most of the steps.  You should know how to install a zipper.  Please go to Craftsy.com to buy this pattern.  I'll be making more of these bags for my friends and family who travel.

Have a great day!

Post Sew South Swap

My swap package arrived today to Kim at Windsor & Main.

 

 

A made Kim this really large bag called the "mondo" bag.  I use mine on vacation, the beach, the pool, shopping for fabric, etc. 

 

The pattern is from Quilts Mart.  The first time you buy the pattern, it comes with the printed interfacing for one bag.  If you want to make additional bags like I have, you then just need to buy additional printed interfacing.    If your LQS sells the pattern, they most likely sell the extra panels separately.

 

I used one Sew Stitchy charm pack by Aneela Hoey for the outside fabric (plus some additional coordinating solid 2 1/2" squares) and the blue pin fabric from Sew Stitchy for the lining.

 

Last week I was noticing these cute adorable thread catchers on IG and knew I just had to make them.  I downloaded the pattern from Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts.  I think it took me all of 15 minutes to make this cutie. 

When I received an email earlier in the month from Di who coordinated our swap, I was so excited to get Kim's name as she had my name at the Sew South Retreat.  Throughout the entire weekend at the retreat, it seemed like every time I left my machine, there was something waiting for me when I got back.  She spoiled me with gifts!

Kim and I at the end of the retreat when she revealed herself!

Thanks again Kim for all my lovely goodies at the retreat!  I'm so glad you liked your gift you received from me!

Happy Quilting!

Covert Robin

       

I participated again this year in the Covert Robin & Mystery Gift Exchange.   We all made something special for another blogger, and we also receive our very own handmade present from a different blogger.   

 

I received from Kerry at Penny Dog Patchwork from the UK a really cute personal organizer.  It works great for when I'm grocery shopping, storing all my coupons and such.  Thank you Kelly, you did a great job and I really like it.

 

 

My secret gift went to Ella at Throw a Wrench in the Works from Atlanta, GA.   I had met Ella at the Atlanta Modern Quilt Guild over a year ago and then had dinner with her and a bunch of blogger/sewers at the Sewing Summit last fall. 

 

Ella is getting married soon and I wanted to make her a clutch for the big day.  I also know that she loves Tula Pink fabric so I bought her some of the Saltwater collection.

 

 

 

Have a great day!

 



 



PS.......I'm linking up over at Imagine Gnats for the Covert Robin post link up.

 

I'm back

I can't believe I haven't posted since the end of February! 

March was a fun month of traveling to Arizona with my husband and some friends for a 2 day mini vacation in Sedona and then off to a work conference for my husband for 4 days in Phoenix. 

Once we arrived back from Arizona, immediately the next morning I was off to Charlotte, NC for the Sew South Retreat.  This retreat was so much fun.  Everyone was so nice and Jennifer from Ellison Lane Quilts did such a great job putting this fun retreat together. 

Once home from the retreat and after all my sewing stuff stuff was put away I dove right into yard work as the yard was calling my name.  You see, while away at the retreat, my husband picked up 100 bails of pine straw so I had my work cut out for me.

 

Now to trim around the sidewalk and get some additional bails of pine straw for the backyard and down by the pool and the yard will be looking good.

This past weekend my husband went turkey hunting and I sewed the entire time he was gone. 
I finished piecing the scrappy orange/pink quilt that I started on in January.  The pattern is Basket Case by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew.

I then put all of the granny square blocks together that I received from the bee "Neutral or Not" and from my mom.  Dana at Old Red Barn early last year started a quilt along and immediately decided that the granny square was what I'd have my bee mates make me for my month. 

I'm happy how it turned out especially using scraps for the inner border.  I used an assortment of Denyse Schmidt fabric that I've collected throughout the years.

Until next time, happy quilting!

End of the Month Progress

I can't believe we are already at the end of February.   I'm so looking forward to March.....I love spring time, tulips, daffodils, daylight savings, I can go on and on.

Here is a recap of what I finished in February:

Stash Bee - February
Pippy Longstocking for Tanya

Liberty & Justice - February
20.5" block for Vickie

Stash Bee - March
Churn Block for Emily (thanks to Emily who posted earlier today what she wanted for March)

Sew South Retreat - House Block



When I was at a retreat a month ago, I worked hard into the night on the #scrappytripalong that went viral on Instagram around the first of January.  This past weekend I finished sewing together the top and it is ready to be quilted.  I've never FMQ such a large quilt (72 x 84) before and I'm planning on sewing straight lines 1/4" from the seams.  This will be on my to do list for April while my husband is away turkey hunting.

Finally, I have a quilt done for 2013.  I'm always amazed at all the blogs that I read and how many quilts each blogger has already finished in 2013.  I guess I need to step it up a bit.

Quilt Stats
Name:  Sparkle Plenty
Size: 48" square
Fabric:  Polka dot charms from many charm square swaps I've participated in
Backing:  Bear Country Dots Blue by Moda

See you in March!!

I'm linking up to Lily's Quilts for her Fresh Sewing Day.

Sew South Retreat - 4 week countdown

I'm so excited, yet so overwhelmed with what I need to get ready for the Sew South Retreat in Charlotte, NC.  The retreat is in exactly four weeks from today! 

To Do:
Purchase fabric for four different sewing projects that we will be making in class
Purchase heavy duty zippers for duffel bag
Purchase FQ's for FQ swap
Cut out the PDF patterns that I've received
Quilt sandwich the featured fabric, batting and lining fabric for the Duffel Bag
Order Gutermann's glue
Make four alike items for the sample swap (this I really need help with ideas!!)
Spy on my secret sisters Blog, Instagram, Flickr, Pinterest, etc. to come up with gifts for her
Make something for my secret sister
Purchase fun little items for my secret sister
Pack up my sewing room - sewing machine, serger, notions, etc.
Drive 4 1/2 hours to Charlotte, NC

I hope I haven't left anything off.  If your going to Sew South and you see that I've left something off my list, please let me know. 

Next Thursday I hope to have quite a few of these items crossed off. 

Now I'm off to go shopping for fabric!