everything but the kitchen sink

I hope you don't mind me doing only little-ish sewing projects lately.  I've had a serious craving for a few months now to make a nice big quilt.  Nothing complicated.  Just a bunch of squares or triangles or something.  But I don't dare start because of our impending move (late-July ... ?). 

The last time we moved it was just me and him and a few pieces of secondhand furniture.  Seventeen years adds a lot of weight - two kids, more stuff, (too much fabric ... if there is such a thing).  We're only moving 2 kms (1.2 miles) away.  It will take longer to actually LOAD the moving van than it will to DRIVE to the new house.  I've been slowly packing a box here and a box there for months.  I even tempted fate and packed all the winter stuff last weekend.  I feel rather unsettled - almost displaced. 

So when it comes to starting a big quilting project, I'm afraid that it won't get finished.  And then it will get all disorganized and messed up and then I will shove it all into a bag and toss it into the box marked Sewing UFOs and then mayhem will ensue and life as I know it will turn into an endless state of chaos and then I will die and my tombstone will read, "Here lies a quilter who couldn't land her UFOs" or "She got carried away by her UFOs" or "May she rest in pieces" or "She snipped her last connecting thread" or ... I dunno ... something ridiculous.

So.  My point is that today's offering is yet another little thing.  I played around with pretty fabric, lace, a label, patchwork, fussy cutting, machine applique, felt, ribbons, novelty trim, sequins and beads ... and they all went into this diminutive 3.5" x 4" sewing case.  I guess you could say I used nearly everything but the kitchen sink for this project.  But the best thing was that it went together quickly.

Now.  If only moving a house was that quick.

(Strawberry fabric available here.)

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Congratulations to Estee C. who says she is a "labeller wannabe"!  You won a copy of Lori Holt's Great Granny Squared book.  Thank you to all of you for playing along.  It seems I'm in good company when it comes to not quite getting around to labeling my quilts. :)

if at first you do not succeed ...

I made this music bag a little while ago for my daughter, but it was too small because I didn't use an actual music book to measure the size (I know ... sometimes I do the silliest things).

This time, I did use a music book. 

HOWEVER, apparently she also takes a 3-ring binder to her lessons, which - of course - does NOT fit.

Sooo, I guess the third time is the charm ... or at least I hope it will be.  Thank goodness this bag is really quick and easy.

(Floral fabric available here, and it's on sale too!)

great granny sew along & giveaway

Hello and Happy Monday! 

Welcome to the final installment of the Great Granny Squared Sew Along with Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet and Fat Quarter Shop.  If you've been sewing along, you know the drill - I've got photos of this week's project, which is a ton of fun to make by the way - and a link to your homework PDF, as well as a copy of Lori's new book to give away to one of you. :)

The last thing you need to make for this quilt - but certainly not the least - is the Label Block. 

It's a whimsical change from the traditionally little label we so often associate with quilts - and it has a blank square in the middle of the block for you to customize with whatever embroidery design you like. 

Lori's book has lovely label ideas and embroidery templates.  I started my stitched square with Lori's floral motif and then did a little designing of my own.

Since I don't need a quilt label at present I took another idea from Lori's book - adding a border to my block - and turned it into a zippered cushion cover.

Not surprisingly, one of my girls requested it for her room in our new house.  So what about the other girl?  Well, this block is so quick and easy that I didn't need any arm-twisting whatsoever to whip up another one ...

For those of you who don't embroider - I know you're out there ;) - try adding a little ribbon to the center square as an alternative to stitching.

(A few extra details on the back of a cushion is never a bad thing.)

For more inspiration, check out my labelling partners over at Pink Penguin and Lily's Quilts.  And remember to add your photos to the Great Granny Squared Flickr Page to be entered for the weekly prize.

Without further ado, I'd like to give away a copy of this beautiful book, which is page after page of gorgeous photography, inspiring designs and easy-to-follow patterns.  If you'd like a chance to win, leave a comment on this post (not an email) telling me if you are a labeller, a non-labeller, or - like me - a labeller with good intentions who doesn't always get around to it. 

This giveaway is open to all and closes Sunday May 26th.  I'll announce the winner soon after.   Good luck to you!

it all started with tiny pink flowers

I'm referring to this sweet new Tilda print that just so happens to be the perfect scale for 1/2" hexagons ...

... which just so happen to be the perfect size for a little hexagon pincushion.  (I made this one last year and finally got around to making another one ... for me this time.)

I added some linen, a hint of pink gingham & embroidery, and a mother-of-pearl button and then called it a day.

I filled it with ground walnut shells - as I do with all my pincushions because I love the weightiness and form you get with them - very different from toy stuffing.  (I get my shells in the reptile bedding department at a local pet supply shop.)

I even have the perfect pintoppers.  (You can find them here.)

Happy Monday, y'all!

these things are like popcorn ...

Bet you can't make just one.  I couldn't.  I think this is my ... ... 6th or 7th?  It is so my "go-to-quick-handmade" gift these days.  I hope you're not annoyed with me for making/showing too many of them.  I know they say variety is the spice of life, but sometimes life requires quick and easy - hold the cayenne please!

When I was told the birthday girl's favourite color is blue, I surveyed my stash for a few minutes.  Nothing really jumped out at me until I spied my PamKittyPicnic bundle. :)  She makes the best coordinates.  And I thought I'd see what my "ruler" cotton ribbon would look like as the handle this time.  Kinda fun, no?  Love how it pairs up with the "handmade" label.

Happy weekend!  (No snow in the forecast for us this time, thank goodness.)

when life gives you snow in may ...

Make a little drawstring bag and watch a movie that's been on your list for a while.  That's what I did this weekend. 

My daughter does NOT like the little bee/wasp tag.  I didn't like bugs at her age either.  But I thought it would be fun to have a bee buzzing around the cherry and strawberry blossoms on the print.

I also added a little lace trim and a fine taupe gingham ribbon for the string ... and then I watched this on Netflix. 

Thank you for all your snow empathy, by the way ... it turned out to be not so very bad after all.  The temperature was only just below freezing and there was no wind.  And it was pretty.  I saw a neighbour shoveling his sidewalk while wearing a winter jacket, shorts and flip flops.  That was funny.

rendered speechless

What would you say?  I've run out of ways to express my feelings about this winter that just won't quit.

"heeeey, macaron-a"

Sorry, couldn't resist ... every time I say macaron that song starts playing in my head.

This is my third little zippered macarona (#1 here and #2 with tutorial here).  Gosh are they ever fun to make.  And cute as a button too.  Kits are available here.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF MAY!!!