Finish it up Friday: the one with lots of rain

I'm not going to complain about the rain. I love it.

Gene Kelly and I are crazy like that. He's crazier than I am though. He's out dancing in it. I'm just inside making awesome soup and rolls.

Rain makes me think of Christmas. I spent my childhood on the Southern Oregon coast, so it was always raining at Christmas. Well, it was always raining, but that's not the point. Rain = Christmas.

So I made myself a couple little Christmas, er, late birthday gifts.

I didn't need a new bag. I certainly didn't need two. But need vs. want are two different things. And this Now We're Goin' Places print and I were MFEO (movie reference - do you know it?). My first car, the one I bought for myself, was a 1973 VW Superbeetle. Orange.

Yeah, I love this fabric.
And my poor little smartphone (did I have a dumb phone before?) needed a protective covering. So she got one too. Tutorial/pattern found here, although you should measure your phone first and adjust accordingly. I didn't and now my daughter has version 1.0.


And I'm loving this pattern - the Bow Tucks Tote. Might be my new favorite. And it has pockets. Glorious pockets. For keys and gum and phones and pens and fishy crackers and, well, you get the idea.

I like it so much I made another in some of my favorite Pam Kitty Morning prints. A matching cell phone sleeve is forthcoming because, well, it HAS to match. Silly.

There may or may not be another one in the works. Okay, there is, in more PKM (blues and yellows). It's darling and almost done. These bags are super fast. The instructions are very clear with good illustrations so you don't get lost. And one will be designated my playdate project bag so I can take some embroidery or crochet along to playdates to keep my hands busy while we chat - win win for me. I can't stand just sitting. Can't do it.

I'm up to 50 Dresdens now. No end in sight, but I can get 10 done in one day and wipe my weekly goal off the list. This stack makes me a little lightheaded, they're so pretty.
And I'm up to 30 Sew Cherry granny squares. I think I need something like 56 or a hundred. Can't remember. But these are fun and the challenge of mixing up the colors and not making the same block twice is good for my brain.
Tomorrow is a cutting day - listening to General Conference (see previous post for explanation if you need one) and cutting out a whole bunch o' fabric for several different projects.

Linking up with crazy mom quilts again (love her log cabin pillow - my couch needs some pillow goodness like these), and Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Sarah has some lovely feedsack blocks and a quilt top up for auction (proceeds to benefit her quilt ministry). If that's your schtick, check it out!

Have a lovely weekend. If you have sunshine, be sure to be grateful for it and think of my soggy self (who might get sick of it if I don't see the sun soon).

Make-A-List Monday Week One!

So I'm a big dork. Seriously.

I've been wanting to do a regular Monday post that incorporates all that I've got planned for the week. Sort of a blogging accountability program.

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict does a weekly Make-A-List Monday post that is perfect - she recaps her list from the past week (with pictures to prove how productive she is) and then she lists what she's going to do for the coming week. Check out her blog for some serious inspiration, especially her quilt ministry work.

How does this make me a dork?

Because I wanted to do the same thing and was too much of a chicken to ask her. Until this morning. And she said I could use her idea and even sent me the image you see above. See how cool the blogging community can be!

I don't have pictures this week. But I will next week of what I've accomplished. Here is my list:

• Sew 10 Sew Cherry granny squares
• Sew 10 PKM Dresden plates
• Finish my new bag
• Finish my cell phone sleeve
• Press color wheel swap fabric, cut and ship
• Prep fabric for weekend cutting (explanation on this later)

How's that? As for the weekend cutting, it's General Conference this weekend. For those who are not LDS, it happens twice a year. Our church leadership speaks to us in five different sessions, one of which is Saturday night and is for the men and young men only. The women and young women also have their separate meetings - young women in the spring and women in the fall. It is broadcast over the internet (which is how we watch it at home), satellite and cable. You can go to the church to watch it, but wrestling with my five kids for two hours is a bit impossible for me. But staying home to watch it presents another risk: falling asleep. The leaders of my church have such soothing voices that if you're not careful, you'll conk right out and then miss something important.

So I set up a cutting station and prep quilts. I can listen and stay awake (always a good thing when using a rotary cutter!). My husband listens in his garage while tinkering with his motorcycle. He falls asleep faster than anyone I know if he's not doing something else. My dad's been known to weed his garden.

There, that's my list. Wish me luck - I gotta get cranking on those Dresdens and grannies!

Finish it up Friday: the one without an official finish

But 14 Granny squares all done is something to celebrate, no?

I'm liking these old girls. They are just sweet, not only to look at but to sew as well. My husband has already been warned that this quilt will go on our bed. He's cool with it. Doesn't care much so long as he's warm.

And I did find my motivation. Turns out sleep helps - who knew?

I started a bag. I will finish the blasted thing by next Friday if it kills me (and it just might, so my husband might have to blog it for me which might be interesting). And my little cell phone sleeping bag turned out to be too small. So I'm remaking that as well.

Not a bad week, all things considered.

Linking up with crazy mom quilts, who has a fun quilt top done this week!

"Just" a recipe

I'm not going to go super deep into the Pinterest kerfuffle. I've consulted with my (soon-to-be) lawyer endlessly about it, analyzing every angle of it. Here's my slice of opinion:

I'm not deleting my boards.

There. If you want to know why, I'd be happy to 'splain it.

But I read some comments on another blog that got me thinking. Some of the blogging community have chosen to delete an pins they consider "art" such as quilts and tutorials, things that people have worked hard to develop and make original.

One person said she's keeping her recipes though. Because they are "just" recipes. (That's not a direct quote, but I took the implication as such.)

And this has been pecking away at my brain. Because I trained as a pastry chef. I still work on developing my recipes, tweaking them and making them just so. Hours of thought and practice go in to this. They are not "just" recipes to me. They are the product of a lot of work on my part.

I'm only asking for fairness here. If you consider a quilt design or interpretation art, then so is that particular carrot cake recipe that is new and amazing (and I'm not sharing my carrot cake recipe here).

Don't really know where I'm going with this, since I'm not asking anyone to stop using Pinterest or delete some of their boards. Just asking for no hypocrisy. If you feel you shouldn't pin a quilt because it isn't yours to pin, then you shouldn't pin a recipe unless it is yours.

But I'm not deleting any of it. I'm not a malicious pinner. I give credit to original sources.

There's a lot more to be said about this in the coming weeks, and I hope some more lawyers can weigh in on it. But let's be reasonable and stop clutching our pearls over all this.

It's around here somewhere . . .

My motivation is gone. Bye-bye, see-ya.

Yeah, can't find it anywhere. It's been replaced by a cold. And a five-month-old with a cold. We're hunkering down.

Oh I've got projects to work on. Just don't feel like working on them right now. I'm bugged at my mom's serger - I really wanted to get clothes for my girls done. A big ol' grrrr for that.

This might be all I get done this week:

Source: duringquiettime.blogspot.com via Jennie on Pinterest

I got a new phone for my birthday. Well, that's not entirely true. My husband got a new-new phone and I got his old phone. So it's new to me. But it needs it's own little sleeping bag. And a cute one at that. So I'm diving through my stash this afternoon.

While I sit and snuggle the sick baby, watching the snow/rain fall outside, I'm making a list o' things to prep in the coming weeks. Wanna see?

Even if you don't, it's my blog, so I'm writing them here to keep myself accountable:

1. Piece back for strawberry pinwheel quilt
2. Finish cutting fabric for Richard Scarry quilts (these are going to be SO cute!)
3. Cut PKM fat quarters for pinwheel quilt
4. Cut Ruby flannel FQ for quilt
5. Sew at least 20 Sew Cherry granny squares
6. Sew at least 20 Dresden plates

How's that for ambitious? And fix the *$%@ serger so I can get those spring dresses sewn for my girls.

Have a lovely Spring Equinox!

I'm beginning to think a lot about Christmas . . .

(sung to the tune of "It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas")

Just me?

Crazy, you say?

Here's crazy for you:

My baby girl turns one in mid-October this year.

My oldest wants to be a macaw for Halloween. Yeah, won't be finding that costume at Walmart this year. She was Abigail Adams last year.

My three oldest have birthdays within four days of each other in the first week of November. My oldest shares her birthday with one of my nephews.

My niece's birthday is two days before Christmas. Her brother's birthday is the first week of January.

So I like to get a head start, because it's a slippery slope once October hits. I'm determined to enjoy my holidays this year, not stress over sewing. And there are so many fun projects to make!

I want to make one of these for my kids to play with so they'll leave my tree alone. Wishful thinking, I know. But it might work!

Source: johnnyinadress.com via Jennie on Pinterest

It's been love at first sight with this tree skirt. I must have one. I don't have a tree skirt. We've been putting the tree on top of this red plaid tablecloth for the last couple of years. It's awful. I WILL have a tree skirt this year, and it will be this one!

Source: prudentbaby.com via Jennie on Pinterest

My kids love animals. My oldest girl is not a dolly kinda girl, but she does love whales. Now, if this were an orca, she'd be the happiest girl. But a regular whale will do in a pinch. I won't be able to make just one, either. We'll need a whole slew of them.

Source: etsy.com via Jennie on Pinterest

My littlest guy loves Superman. His favorite toy is a little Superman action figure that came with a Happy Meal a year ago. LOVES that little toy. So I thought he might like a cape of his own this year.

Source: allfortheboys.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Some of the awesome ladies in my life might get these - it's a vintage roll holder. I think it's a pretty unique way to keep rolls warm.

Source: gingercake.typepad.com via Jennie on Pinterest

My niece might like this pillow for her room.

Source: sew4home.com via Jennie on Pinterest

I want one of these! It's a travel case for your curling iron/flat iron. It's insulated, so you can fix your hair, pack up and go. Because let's face it, you're probably doing your hair last minute and your curling iron is hot.

Source: sew4home.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Might make one of these for my baby girl. Who wouldn't want a giraffe?

Source: womansday.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Great for all the little school kids to keep pencils in.

Source: sewmamasew.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Ruffly kitchen towels. Love them.

Source: craftaholicsanonymous.net via Jennie on Pinterest

A tortilla warmer/keeper. For my taco loving family.

Source: allfreesewing.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Macaron coin purse. I've got a few on my list who would love these.

Source: howaboutorange.blogspot.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Library bag. With a pocket on the strap for your library card. Genius.

Source: sewmamasew.com via Jennie on Pinterest

My youngest nephew is totally getting one of these dinosaur tails for Christmas. I made four of them for my kids last Christmas and they are awesome!

Source: projectsbyjess.blogspot.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Because every bottle of dish soap deserves an apron . . .

Source: camilleroskelley.typepad.com via Jennie on Pinterest

And stuffed animals need their own sleeping bags.

Source: fatquartershop.com via Jennie on Pinterest

I might even have a Christmas crafting playlist on my computer. Might. You never know.

So, are you thinking about Christmas gifts already?

Finish it up Friday: the one with the cute model

Two little finishes today. Why is it I get less done with my husband home to "help?"

I know, just me, right?

So, first little finish does not have the cute model. Just a thumb tack. But I love this oven mitt tutorial. And a funny story. Read on if you want to laugh at me.

We went to a potluck dinner a couple weeks ago. Since my kids are the world's pickiest eaters, I made homemade mac and cheese (super complicated - pasta and tons of sharp cheddar!) to take. I had to take it straight from the oven to the car to the church. And I only had two grungy pot holders to use.

So very embarrassing.

I came home, did some searching and pinning (love my Pinterest) and pilfered the scrap pile. Fortunately, I had this gorgeous print left over from my Victory Garden quilt back.

So I cut out a few. Or nine. But who's counting, right? I even cut out some Christmas ones so I'm prepared! Phew. No more embarrassing oven mitt incidents for me!

Little finish number two is modeled by the lovely Caroline, who has become a drool monster (she's got to cutting her first teeth, which is why I'm not modeling it with my dark circles and such). I found this tutorial via a friend and cut out a couple.

These are going to be a go-to baby gift from now on. Super duper easy peasy.
She's a cute model, no? I like her. Her brothers and big sister like her too. Oh, and her papa. We're going to keep her.

So those are my little finishes.

My fabric godmother sent me some JoAnn's love for my birthday, so I get to get more batting and knock some more quilts off that top shelf o' mine. Just need to get my law student out of my hair so I can get something done!

Have a lovely weekend!

Linking up at crazy mom quilts - hoping to get her book for my birthday. Just sayin'.

WIP Wednesday: spring break with granny

Just playing with grannies this week. My law student is on his spring break (although there is snow on the ground!), so I'm trying to get as much done with him home as possible.

And it's my birthday on Sunday! Wish I could be more excited about it, but I have to make my cake and my birthday dinner, so it's really just another day. Except I'll be able to say I'm 35. Thirty-five. Five and thirty. Seems like a lot o' years to me. Not complaining. Birthdays just seem to get more boring and uneventful the older I get. I guess I'll decide how much fun it's going to be.

Have a great week - we'll see if I have a finish for Friday - I've got some potholders in the works (funny story about those!).

Linking up:

Finish it up Friday: all quilted out

I almost did two posts last Friday, because this beauty got finished Friday night. But I didn't want any icky inside pictures - my pictures are amateur as it is - didn't want to add bad lighting to the mix.

So my Indian Summer quilt is finished. I used this pattern from the Moda Bake Shop and I loved how it turned out. I didn't love it when I was in the middle of it, but I love it now.

And look Mom - I pieced the back with the leftovers. I was sorely tempted to cut them into 2.5" squares for a granny square baby quilt but I resisted. I'm already neck deep in granny square stuff. Don't need to add to the problem.

And I'm all quilted out. I did this one in wonky flowers and they were fun. But I'm out of batting and I can't buy more for a bit. I'm sewing together granny squares, but after today, I'm in clothes sewing mode. More on that in a minute.

I finished these two bags this week. They were both supposed to be for me - the big one is my church bag. What with a lesson manual and crayons and snacks and baby toys and diapers and such, I needed a big springy bag. The smaller one was a scripture bag, also for me. But my 8-year-old saw it and loved it so much I said she could have it.

And now on to clothes sewing. My mom is visiting me this weekend (dad too!) and she's loaning me her serger for a bit. I've got jammies to make for my husband, a robe and jammies for my oldest girl, dresses for both my girls, summer skirts for my oldest - a whole bunch, basically. So the quilts are going to the back burner while I whip out these sewing projects and cross them off my list.

Oh, another finish! I almost forgot! Last Saturday was my husband's birthday. He's been wanting me to make this for him for a really long time. He fashioned one himself many years ago, but it wasn't really working out. So I bought some obnoxious yellow duck cloth and measured his old one. We sorta worked on it together to get it just right.
But now he has a place for his wrenches. At the last minute, he asked me to stitch on his NRA Life Member patch. As he's just been asked to be in Cub Scouts at church, I think I'd better polish my patch sewing skills.

So, happy Friday. Linking up with crazy mom quilts again, because she's awesome and her book is coming out soon. Next week is spring break for my law student, so we'll see how much sewing time I get out of the deal.

Have a lovely weekend!

Finish it up Friday: V is for Victory!

As in Victory Garden quilt. Isn't she gorgeous?

Love this quilt. Finished it earlier this week and am in the process of quilting my Indian Summer quilt, so that one will be ready for next week's Friday Finish post.

As for the rest of my Friday (and hopefully not Saturday), I'm still working on my husband's birthday gifts. Sigh. It's just that quilt is calling to me, wanting to be finished. Still, his birthday is tomorrow, so I have to get them done today.

Oh, and do you want to laugh at me? I momentarily considered turning my robot detector on. I got the filthiest piece of spam in my comments. Really R-rated sort of stuff. Quickly deleted it and all is well now.

On another topic - what are your thoughts on patterns by major designers? Like Simplicity and Butterick and such? I buy their clothes patterns and Halloween costumes and the like. Never thought to buy a quilt pattern.

Well, Butterick patterns are 99 cents this weekend at JoAnn's. I had a skirt pattern for my oldest girl all picked out and I decided to browse the "Accessories" and "Home Decor." Here's the two I found:

Source: butterick.mccall.com via Jennie on Pinterest

I really like those bins - I like the size, I like the handles. I was tired of searching through blogland and Pinterest for just what I wanted. And I can still play with the size. And it only cost me 99 cents!

Source: butterick.mccall.com via Jennie on Pinterest

And now more bags to make. I've wanted to make these as gifts, but bag pattern prices are ridiculously high and I don't always want to spend $12 on a pattern. This one has those awesome produce bags, plus several versions of grocery bags. I know what the ladies in my family are getting for Christmas this year! 99 cents. Can't beat it.

Have a great weekend - I'll be making flannel jammies for the awesome man in my life. And sneaking in quilting time. I have to get it finished soon so I can finish my modern mini quilt before Monday night - eek!

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and crazy mom quilts - if you've got time this weekend, check out the linky parties. So many inspirational ideas - I might be guilty of adding to my ever growing bucket list!

Bring on the Grannies!

Hee hee. That title makes me giggle.

In honor of the start of the granny square quilt-a-long (time to cut yer fabric, ladies), I thought I'd share some laughs with you.

Beauty Queen Grannies

Source: izismile.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Grannies on Broadway with walkers

Source: jkstheatrescene.blogspot.com via Jennie on Pinterest

Grannies with guns - my kind o' grannies

Source: ascrivenerslament.blogspot.com via Jennie on Pinterest

A four generation shot - from l to r: my oldest daughter (youngest wasn't born yet), me, my gran and my mom

I lost my Gran 9 months ago. She was a fiesty little Southern lady who made the world's greatest biscuits and taught me how to make coconut cake and lemon meringue pie. She was a quilter herself and I miss her every day.

So my granny squares quilt will be a little tribute to her. My second tribute. My first was this little lady:

Miss Caroline Mae, named after her Great-Gran. They missed each other by a few months, although I have a sneaking suspicion that my Gran was filling her in on our crazy family during that overlap.

Hope you join the quilt-a-long. It's gonna be a fun one!