Sewing, Sewing, and a Baby!

It has been a very exciting week for me. First and foremost, my godson was born. I’m not entirely sure if it was Friday or Saturday but I received the news on Saturday during Open Sew. His name is James and he is perfect. I feel so bad for my friend because James weighed 10 pounds 9 ounces. That’s big right? I’m super excited that my friend, Ciara, picked me to be a part of his life. I haven’t shipped his quilt yet because I’m trying to fill the box with goodies for the entire family.

I met Ciara back in 2008 when we were graduate students in England. During our dissertation period, she left to Korea and it was one of the most crazy, worth wild thing she ever did! Later on, I went to visit her in Korea to meet her fiancé, Mark. Then, I went to their wedding in Ireland. I’ve gone to visit them twice since the wedding and we are able to pick up were we left off. It’s very rare for me to feel this way with people. I’m very grateful for Facebook as we keep in touch on a weekly basis.

I mentioned before that I have finished my first year as a graduate student. I have one more year plus the teaching credential. As a fun gift, my boyfriend bought me treats from England. Monster Munch and Worcester-sauce Crisps were often found in my studio flat when I lived in England. I wish they were sold in the USA. I really can’t wait to eat them.

Last week I began my ethnic quilt for the guild’s summer challenge. I’m quite happy how it’s turning out. I chose a pattern called Sparkling Snowflake but I can’t remember who designed it. Once I find the pattern again, I’ll give credit where it’s due. During, the spring, I began gathering material for it. If you remember, when I won the Shop Hop award, I was able to complete the materials for it. My nine-patches are complete and I’m working on the solid blocks. For the solid blocks, I’m interchanging two types of skulls. First, I have the regular sugar skull. I bought the Crafty Chica Sugar Skull from Sizzix. I’ll also be making a papel picado type of skull for the other blocks. I hope I can finish by the end of next month.

Sometimes I don’t get much of a change to actually sew. I have back up projects to work on in the mean time. I recently came across these Russian nesting dolls in my fabric stash. I bought the panel last year while traveling to Solvang. The shop is called The Creation Station Fabric and Quilt Shop. It’s such a fun place to stop at. I wish I lived closer.

I was able to stuff three of the dolls with all the itty, bitty scraps that I have left over from fat quarters, or squaring off blocks. I’ve been saving those pieces for over three months and I finally found something to do with them!

Tip #6: Even the smallest scrap is worth saving!

Another project that I was able to complete is the ear bud case that I started. I’m not too happy with the results. I like that it’s small but I had a difficult time with the zipper. I asked my mom for help because I did not know what I was doing wrong. She ended up fixing the zipper. The ear bud case will be attached to the library tote back when it comes back from the exhibition.

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to stop by M & L Fabrics. I bought a lot of fun fabric for a few projects that I have in mind. First, I want to design my own drawstring bags. I bought Finding Dory fabric and a few batiks for the drawstring bags. I also bought some fabric for a skull skull quilt that I have in mind. It’s going to be a simple Carpenter Star quilt. I received the pattern as a gift so I’m happy I found something to use it on. Lastly, I purchased 1/8 yard of the white and black Nightmare before Christmas fabric. I’m slowly trying to gather neutrals for the next Bonnie Hunter mystery. It doesn’t start until Black Friday but I’m getting ready!

Can’t wait to see what I finish this week!

Mistakes

Don’t you hate it when you are making your blocks and you finally finish and you spot your mistake? I know I do. This is exactly what happened two weeks ago during Open Sew. It didn’t happen to just me. It happened to five other guild members! Everyone was using their mighty seam ripper. Except me. I embraced my mistakes and kept working along. The only reason I didn’t redo any of my blocks is because they were ALL wrong. I made the decision to take a liberal interpretation of the pattern. I didn’t huff or puff. I just realized that the baby wouldn’t know it was wrong and neither would the mother.

Can you spot my mistakes?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about my next quilt. I already have a list of wannabees but it just keeps growing! Bonnie K Hunter has a free quilt pattern called Jacob Takes a Wife. I’ve been wanting to make this quilt for one of Andrew’s friends, Ash, who is getting married. Their wedding colors are silver and maroon/burgundy. I’m not a big fan of the colors. It just screams 1990s Quinceañera. However, it is not my wedding and therefore I have to work with what I was given. I started combining other colors to see if I can make it less 1990s. I tried a dust rose and an olive green. Ick!! Reminds me of my grandmother’s old bedspread. I’m going to keep working on it, but so far I have nothing. Despite not knowing what color scheme I end up with, I save everything to my Quilter’s Planner. What colors would you recommend?

This weekend, I didn’t get a chance to sew. I had to take the Graduate Writing Exam for my university. However, after the test, I did get a chance to go on the Bunny Hop, a shop hop, featuring: Quilter’s Cocoon, Sewn Together, Orange Quilt Bee, The Quilt Cupboard, and The Sew’N’Sew. Each quilt shop gave out free table runner patterns and a fat quarter. The fat quarters were not from coordinating fabrics so I went for the white/neutral fabrics. I’m starting my stash for the next mystery quilt.

While on the run, I bought the following items, a doxies pattern and two yards of fabric, from Quilter’s Cocoon. The fabric was in the sale section ($6 a yard). It matches fabric I have for a carpenter’s star quilt. I truly take my time when I’m purchasing fabric. I try to create kits and so far I’ve been doing an amazing job at gathering fabric for kits. NO NEW FABRIC WITHOUT A PURPOSE!

At Sewn Together, I bought a scrappy patterns book by Moda All-Stars. I’m working on getting my scraps in order so I can make a scrappy quilt. I just think they are so interesting to look at. Scrappy quilts are great for little kids. Imagine playing I Spy with a scrappy quilt.

Mini soap box rant: Please, please! Purchase from your local quilt stores! I cannot emphasize this enough. My boyfriend found the scraps book for only $16 on Amazon. I paid $26. Yes. I know it’s cheaper. But Amazon cannot help me read the pattern if I get stuck. Amazon will not help me pick fabric or tell me which tools work the best. Amazon does not create shop hops where quilters meet new people.

What do you have lined up for your wannabees? This is my list for the year:

1. UFO En Provence Mystery Quilt – being quilted and needs to be bound
2. Yellow Brick Road Jurassic Jamboree- needs to be pieced, basted, quilted, and bound
3. UFO Flogging Molly – needs to be quilted and bound
4. Tutorial – needs to be pieced
5. UFO Parrot Applique – needs to be pieced, basted, quilted, and bound
6. Receiving Blanket Jurassic Jamboree – needs to be pieced
7. UFO Watermelon – needs to be pieced, basted, quilted, and bound
8. Mini ironing cover – needs to be pieced, basted, quilted, and bound
9. UFO Traditional Hawaiian Appliqued Sea Turtles – needs to be appliqued, basted, quilted and bound
10. Dixie Jurassic Jamboree Puppy – needs to be pieced and stuffed
11. Dixie Michael Miller’s Viking Puppy – needs to be pieced and stuffed
12. UFO Purple Hexies – needs to be basted, quilted, and bound

Quilt Shops and Wannabees

I have gone a little over two weeks without sewing, but for good reasons!

If you remember, I went on the Riverside County Shop Hop, Spring Fling. I had a blast! Well, the day after, I went with my mom to San Diego for the Cruisin’ Quilter’s Shop Hop. This shop hop did not give out fabric BUT we did receive patterns to make a tropical quilt. For copyright reasons I cannot share the patterns, however, I can share some of the photos that I took. I am really excited about the tropical theme because I’m currently suffering from a slight obsession with Hawaii. I’ve been under a lot of pressure with grad school so I feel like I need a mini vacation. Hawaii is my favorite place to relax so this is perfect. I need to bring Hawaii to me. Anyway, look at how amazing these quilts are!

Did you get a chance to look at my feature picture? It’s the wall from Inspirations Quilt Shop in Valley Center, CA. Such a cute and wonderful idea! We all have fabric we can’t imagine cutting or using up. I say, use it, cut it, make a quilt, but save a little piece for yourself so you can make yourself a cute wall design. I’m already thinking of one for my room. I’m sure I can find the embroidery hoops at Goodwill or Salvation Army. I’ll try and make one over the summer. I’ll paint the hoops to coordinate my room and boom! Wall design.

FYI, Shout out to the Inspiration Quilt Shop! The owner’s daughter helped me out during their busy day. I love this shop but it’s definitely not a local quilt shop. It takes me two hours to get there so I waited over six months to go back. But anyway, I bought a kit from the store back in July 2016 and I was confused on how to cut the fabric. After a quick mini tutorial, I’m ready to tackle the kit.

On Tuesday, I received a phone call from the owner from Quilter’s Cocoon. I won the 21 yards of fabric, the grand prize! I get to go back to every shop in Riverside County and pick three yards for free.. I have already started.

From Quilter’s Cocoon, I picked fabric to complete the Dance of the Dragonflies Bronson quilt. I have decided to gift this quilt to a friend’s daughter. I’ve known my friend since I was 15! That’s approximately 18 years of my life. Her daughter is now turning 11 so I thought she might like a quilt.

From Sewn Together, I picked out neutral background fabric for my Day of the Dead Quilt. I also chose the light color fabric needed for my Llama Walk About quilt.

From Becky’s Busy Bee, I “bought” the backing for my future godson’s quilt. His quilt will be a Yellow Brick Road using Jurassic Jamboree from Moda. His older brother received a Yellow Brick Road using Viking fabric. Here is a photo:

Before I mention what I “bought” from Cherry Berry, I must retract what I said about not liking their fabric choices. Because I was “forced” to shop here, I looked around more closely. I found the Hoffman batiks. Such bright and beautiful colors. So YES! This shop is awesome. I picked out fabric for the Day of the Dead Quilt that I mentioned above. I also picked out fabric for a Day of the Dead Carpenter Star quilt.

From Painted Lady, I chose a nice flannel that matches the backing for my godson’s quilt. I’ll be using it for his receiving blanket. I also picked out another fabric needed for the Llama Walk About quilt.

I still need to go “shopping” at the last two quilt shops. So I have a total of 6 more yards. I need ½ yard for my first Day of the Dead Quilt, ½ yard for my first tutorial (it’s a surprise!), 2 yards for my Day of the Dead Carpenter Star, and then… well I have to figure out what to do with the other 3 yards.

2017 Spring Fling Quilt Shop Hop

Last Friday was a beautiful day in Southern California’s Inland Empire. The winds had finally died down and there was not a cloud in sight. It was the perfect day to go on the Spring Fling Quilt Shop Hop. With a total of seven shops, my mom and I left our house at 8:30AM. We wanted to be the first to arrive at Sewn Together. We knew we’d be gone for a while so we invited our little furry companion, Porkchop.

Sewn Together in located in Norco, inside a cute Western style strip mall. It has plenty of parking so that is always a plus. The entire store is contained in a 1 ½ room that’s full of various fabric. The owner does a lot with the limited space. It’s amazing. I enjoy this shop because it’s close to home and sells tools needed to make clutch bags, scrappy project planners, and books on mini block quilts. What makes this shop truly unique is that it shares the other ½ room with an embroidery business, Gloria’s Sewing Basket. Gloria (I assume that is who I was talking to) plans to offer a beginners class. I am so excited about this class because I have an X-Files quilt by Fandom Stitches waiting to be made and it requires embroidery!

We went on to our second shop in Riverside, Quilter’s Cocoon. It’s not that far away from Sewn Together, maybe seven to ten miles away. This is one of my favorite shops because of how bright it is. Located in a strip mall, the giant windows allow natural sunlight to shine in. Brings me such joy because I suffer from depression so bright, cheerful, colorful places can really help my mood. The shop has started selling aboriginal inspired fabric and oils. The owner also offers courses on free motion quilting using the Handi Quilter. At this shop, I bought yet another pattern! And I have my eye on another one. I plan on participating on the Quilter’s Run so I’ll get it next time. But the pattern I bought is a stuffed dachshund. It’s so cute! The creator is Funky Friends Factory.

I have the perfect project for it. It’s been my dream to create stuffed animals for the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital and the Northern California Chapter of Turner Syndrome in memory of my sister Laura, and my daughter, Anya. When I saw the puppy pattern I knew that I was one step closer to making that dream happen. I need to create a game plan in order to get this going.

*Also, that puppy pattern and Quilter’s Cocoon oils made me think of making my own microwavable heating pad. I have to see what oils are being sold and how to create a heating pad but once I figure it out I’ll add a montage to my website.

After Quilter’s Cocoon, my mom, my dog, and I were off to Palm Desert. 75 miles away! It was so amazing to see how green the IE is at the moment. I love driving to the desert but this time, I was blown away from how much we were lacking water. The San Jacinto Mountains had snow! I hear it’s fun going up the San Jacinto Mountains. I have tickets to go on the Sky Tram so hopefully I can see for myself very soon.

I was too busy taking a photo of the mountain that I missed the opportunity to take a photo of the latest and greatest tourist trap, the Elvis Honeymoon Tour. It happens daily. I love Elvis’ music but not enough to want to take that kind of tour. *I secretly want to go on the tour* As I was talking about Elvis, I noticed a semi-truck whose company name was Pitufos Transport. I love the Latin-ness about that. Ever heard of Tacos Beyoncé or Tacos Estarbucks? Yeah, they exist.

Does anyone remember the Cabazon Dinosaurs made famous by PeeWee Herman’s Adventures? The dinosaurs are still there but there has been so much development around them that, they aren’t as majestic as they once were. Also updated is Hadley’s Fruit Orchards.

 

We finally reached Monica’s Quilt and Bead Creations in Palm Desert. Another favorite store of mine. It’s the furthest store in my area but totally worth the visit. When I go visit my brother in Phoenix, I have to add an hour to my travel because I’ll stop here and shop.  Monica has a fun collection of patterns and fabric. Monica has a lot of these cute patterns by Villa Rosa Designs. The patterns are definitely for beginners but at $3 a pattern worth having. I believe each pattern is the size of 4×6 so I’m planning to buy a cheap photo album in order to keep my Villa Rosa Designs patterns in order.

The store has a desert and Latino flare. Monica’s favorite holiday is Halloween and her staff make the best Halloween quilts I’ve ever seen. There were two fabric collections sold at Monica’s that I really want (not that I need more fabric):

1. Spirit of the Buffalo by Western Denim & Dirt for Blank Textiles
2. Kaffe Fassett Cabbages

I have the White Buffalo pattern by Laura Heine and I’ve already eyeing those purple cabbages. Buffalo/Bison happen to be my favorite animal. If I knew how to make patterns I’d make a pattern for a stuffed bison.

The fourth store we stopped at was The Quilter’s Faire. This shop is only 5 miles away from Monica’s. It’s a cute shop in a semi-industrial area. I stop at this shop coming back from Arizona because I can always find something to buy here. It’s a little hard to find but worth visiting. My mom tends to buy a lot here and they have a loyalty card. They are known for their apron patterns and casserole holders. I bought Finding Dory fabric here for one of my own purse designs. There is a distillery and tasting room next to the shop. Might be fun to take a look at next time I’m in the area.

After hitting these shops, we were on our way back to our neck of the woods. The fifth shop was Cherry Berry  Quilts. I want to love this shop but I don’t and I feel guilty about it. It has a semi-large room full of machines that they sell. It doesn’t have a lot parking which is a bummer. They do have cute fabric but the selection (1930s, cute flowery prints) is not for me. Which is okay. We all have different tastes and it happens. I do always keep this shop in mind when I need accessories for my machines.

Busy Bee is just down the street (1/2 to ¾ miles) from Cherry Berry. It’s located in a European style strip mall. It’s closing which is unfortunately because it has have a huge customer base (it’s always crowded!). What I love about this store is that it has party packs (coordinating Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters) for patterns sold at this shop. The owner took the stress out of finding a full line of fabric. Quilters just need to find a complementary background fabric and BAM you can start on a quilt.

The last shop was The Painted Lady in Redlands. All three of us were tired by the time we got here. The shop sells 1800s reproduction and children’s fabric. When I was making Andrew’s Civil War quilt, I was visiting this shop a lot because I kept messing up. Measure twice and cut once was not working for me. Also, anytime any of my friends are having children, I come here to see what is new and exciting.

At each shop, mom and I received a free fat quarter and a pattern. The fabric for this Spring Fling Shop Hop was Dance of the Dragonfly by The Kanvas Studio. I love this fabric. I already knew I was going to receive seven fat quarters but I decided to buy a fat quarter at the last store so that I had enough fabric for a carpenter’s star. Instead, I decided that I will be making a quilt using a pattern by Busy Bee titled Bronson.