clasp hardware love

For YEARS I wanted to make a little pouch with a hardware clasp.  And for YEARS I was kinda terrified of them.  I'd see so many cute ideas on Pinterest, but the assembly was mysterious and scary to me.  I didn't understand how it worked, or if I could do it.

Turns out it's easy as pie!  Really.

I made this one ~ yet another last.minute birthday gift for my daughter's friend ~ in less than 2 hours.  And I wasn't rushing either. 

The birthday girl's favourite colour is pastel green.  I was impressed that my daughter picked this lovely stripe from Scrumptious by Bonnie & Camille a few years ago.  I didn't tell her it was aqua. ;)

I was pretty happy when I found that lace in my ribbons/lace drawer.  And I was even more surprised that my daughter let me use it!  I thought for sure she'd dismiss it as "too old lady", as she's most apt to say with everything I like.  But because the kit cover photo has lace, she was good with it.  I found that lace many years ago on eBay and only use it for special projects.  I was glad I only needed to sacrifice a few inches for this purse.  I always wince just a bit when I cut it.  But it's always for a good cause.  And I believe that beautiful things such ought to be enjoyed.

I sometimes wonder about who made it, when, where, why ... like was it a young Miss making it for a hope chest?  Or a mother making it to pretty up her pillowcases?  Or a Grandma with fading eyes but who could still crochet by memory because she'd been doing it for decades and had made miles of it?  Was it made on the other side of the globe or just a stone's throw away?  What was she thinking about as she made it.  (Is it sexist of me to assume that it was made by a woman?)  And what would they think about how it came to be in my sewing room via the internet and all that?  LOL!  I'll never know, but it's fun to imagine. 

Now, these projects do require attention to detail.  But there are templates with seam lines and matching up points to help you cut all the fabric pieces accurately, and sew them together accurately to ensure a perfect fit.  And the instructions are very easy to follow.  This one ~ the Bauble Clasp Purse ~ even has a nice gusset to make the pouch roomy, and also pretty. ;)

I get mine from ZakkaWorkshop.  They have a great selection of sizes and styles. 

And now apparently I need to make another one for someone in this house.  Santa sewing is more fun, and less stressful, than stunt sewing! :) xo k

quilt petite blog hop

One of my favourite things about being part of this amazing, creative, online community of ours is having the opportunity to celebrate the successes of so many talented people that I'm honoured to call friend.  Sedef from Down Grapevine Lane is one such lady who has published her first book!  Adorable.  Sweet.  MAJOR eye-candy!  These are just a few words that come to mind as I marinate in the pages filled with fun projects and beautiful fabrics.

I chose the mini quilt called "Nine Patch" as my project for this hop.  I had so.much.fun pulling all my favourite fabrics in my favourite colours!  And it went together so quickly.  Super fun for any skill level. :)

I made a few little changes to my verison.  Mine only has 9 blocks instead of the 16 shown in the book because when I made the block with the fussy cut chocolate, I knew it would look best in the center of the quilt - bull's eye style ;).  And I was inspired by Sedef's embroidered running stitches to add little colonial knots around my blocks. 

Congratulations Sedef!

quilters candy box ~ A-mazing!

I love great people and smart ideas.  And when the two things come together?  Read all about their story here.

So the girls over at Quilters Candy Box started up a fun business idea six months ago and I think it's just so awesome.  Here's the deal.  It's a subscription to a monthly box of goodies, curated to appeal to us quilters.  They hook up with other fantastic and creative entrepreneurs to bring you useful (fabric), fun (notions), pretty (all of it), & also delicious (every box includes some kind of treat to satisfy your sweet tooth) things that will brighten your day, improve your stash, bring you the best kind of happy mail EVER, and delight your love of all things cute.

Wouldn't this be the best gift idea for a friend?  Birthday?  Christmas?  Thank-you?  Just because?  A much needed Pick-Me-Up?

Here's what I found in my October box.  My 15 year old daughter is in LOVE with EVERYTHING!!  LOL!  She's even going to let me make her a quilt ... 'cause somehow I managed to give birth to a human  who doesn't like pink.  Sigh.  I blame it on her father. 

These scissors are next-level amazing for blogger me!

So check them out here!  You can also find then on InstaGram @quilterscandybox .  Christmas is coming, you know ...

PS: They just started a new InstaGram account @qcbshop where you can snag some of their leftovers from previous boxes.

auction #52 ~ pink rococo & sweet tote

This is the last of 5 identical totes (except for colour) that I made for the Lecien quilt market booth last year to promote the Rococo & Sweet collection.  I love how they turned out!

Size:  14" x 10"

I've never shown this before.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Friday November 18th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #51 ~ lavender rococo & sweet tote

Fourth of 5 identical totes (except for colour) that I made for the Lecien quilt market booth last year to promote the Rococo & Sweet collection.  I love how they turned out!

Size:  14" x 10"

I've never shown this before.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Friday November 18th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #50 ~ blue rococo & sweet tote

Here's the third of 5 identical totes (except for colour) that I made for the Lecien quilt market booth last year to promote the Rococo & Sweet collection.  I love how they turned out!

Size:  14" x 10"

I've never shown this before.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Friday November 18th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #49 ~ claret rococo & sweet tote

This is the second of 5 identical totes (except for colour) that I made for the Lecien quilt market booth last year to promote the Rococo & Sweet collection.  I love how they turned out!

Size:  14" x 10"

I've never shown this before.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Friday November 18th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #48 ~ red rococo & sweet tote

This is one of 5 identical totes (except for colour) that I made for the Lecien quilt market booth last year to promote the Rococo & Sweet collection.  I love how they turned out!

Size:  14" x 10"

I've never shown this before.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Friday November 18th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #47 ~ paperie epp project folder (pink)

Another English-paper pieced project that was published in Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine.  It's a project folder with a clear vinyl front and magnetic clasp.  Please note that these folders are listed separately.  This listing is for the large pink folder only.

Size:  12.5" x 10.5"

I didn't blog about this, I only showed it on Instagram.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #46 ~ paperie epp project folder (mint)

Another English-paper pieced project that was published in Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine.  It's a project folder with a clear vinyl front and magnetic clasp.  Please note that these folders are listed separately.  This listing is for the small mint green folder only.

Size:  10" x 7.5"

I didn't blog about this, I only showed it on Instagram.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #45 ~ flower sugar sewing project holder

This is such a sweet little caddy that I made from "A Spoonful of Sugar" by Lisa Cox.

Size:  12.5" x 9" (closed) and 12.5" x 18" open

Click here to see original posts and more photos.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #44 ~ strawberry lunch box

I made this ... I think maybe 3 years ago.  I was playing around with a pattern idea.  It's a really cute little lunch box that I wish I'd made for my girls when they were small.

Size:  7.5" x 5.5" x 3.5"

I've never shown this before.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #43 ~ eyeglass case

I made this a few years ago, thinking I'd use it to keep my "spare pair" handy on my bedside table.  Turns out I'd rather keep them in the original case in a drawer ... because I NEVER use them!  LOL!

Size:  7" x 3" x 1.75"

I've never shown this before.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #42 ~ pink liberty epp cushion cover

I made this cushion for Today's Quilter magazine and it made the cover!  I wanted to do a modern twist on the traditional hexagon so I came up with this orientation of hexies and half-hexies with darks & lights.  All the fabrics are lawns, and most are Liberty, with a few Japanese thrown in.  I am including the magazine it was featured in!  Please note this auction is for the cover only, the filler is not included.

Size:  14" x 13"

I didn't blog about this cushion, I only showed it on Instagram.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #41 ~ plus sign mini

Yet another Project Simplify mini from 2011.  Fabric is Moda Fig Tree's Buttercup.  It's really sweet.

Size:  15.5" x 17.5"

Click here to read the original post.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #40 ~ bow ties mini quilt

Here's another Project Simplify mini from 2011.  Fabric is Moda ... forget the collection.  I think this turned out so well!  The large one is still used almost daily by my family as it lives on the big sofa in the tv room.  THis little one is still one of my favourites.  But it needs a new home. :)

Size:  16" x 18.5"

Click here to read the original post.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #39 ~ sweet yellow & red mini

This is the first of 3 mini quilts today.  This one was just a fun little project I made with leftover scraps from a larger quilt that I did long before I started blogging.  It used to hang in my old house, but it doesn't go in my new house.  It's mostly Moda 3 Sisters Gingham Rose and a Little Paris Flea Market with a few others tossed in.  I'm going to remake it in differenct colours ... some day ... ;)

Size:  13" x 13"

To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #38 ~ lavender hoop embroidery

I was asked by Lecien COSMO to stitch up a little design to help promote their new painted hoops that double as a frame.  I almost hung this one in my powder room.  But it's a little too small.   Maybe you have a little spot for it in your home.

Size:  4.25" x 4.25"

Click here to read the original post.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Wednesday November 16th.

Click here for auction rules.

That's it for today.  Still more tomorrow ... xo

auction #37 ~ "hide the silver" drawstring bag

During the same shopping trip that included the veggie ribbon, I was seduced by this delightful silverware ribbon.  I was on the same embroidery kick, and was inspired by my Downton-Abbey-binge-watching and the hilarious Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley.  Oh does that character ever crack me up!

Size:  4.75" x 9"

I never blogged about this one.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Thursday November 17th.

Click here for auction rules.

auction #36 ~ "eat your veggies" drawstring bag

Here's a little embroidered bag that I made ... I think 3 years ago?  I bought the cute ribbon on impulse and then when I got home, I decided to replicate the veggies with embroidery, as one does. ;)  It makes me chuckle.  I've just never found the right recipient for it. 

Size:  5.5" x 7"

I never blogged about this one.  To bid, leave your amount in a comment on THIS post.  You can bid multiple times.

This auction ends 8:00 PM MST on Wednesday November 16th.

Click here for auction rules.

Good luck! (And eat your veggies LOL!) xo k