March Along Progress

We are a little over halfway through the month, and since weekly check-ins for March Along have not happened, a halfway point check-in seemed like a good idea.

I did very well for the first 2 weeks, but week 3 I got very busy with life. Between kids events, job interview, church stuff, school volunteering, doctor appointments, dance lessons and then getting sick with the Flu (I think), I was just tired out! Sewing did not appeal.

I am still sick, so I think today I will just read my newest Block magazine for my 15 minutes.

Here are some of my efforts this month.

Pieces cut for making a "Farm Girl Vintage" quilt block.

First round of fabric choices for the quilt pattern test.

Squares cut for quilt pattern test. The light where I sew is not good for photographs. See the photo below for truer colors.

Scraps from the quilt pattern test. They look very different in this light. It is pretty true to the real colors.

Diaper clutch made for a neighbor of my mom's.

Shirt appliqued with a little shamrock for St. Patrick's Day.

St. Patrick's Day outfit with a  rosette on the headband  and an appliqued shamrock on the shirt.

2 of 6 rosettes made for St. Patrick's Day. These went to teachers to pin on their shirts.

Drawstring bag made to carry a camping sleep-mat. Later it will house my yoga mat.

Throwback - when I was a kid, I took clogging lessons. I have recently started taking them again with my sister. It is quite fun and funny. We laugh a lot!

 

Hello!

Hello and welcome back to me! Haha!
 Blogging is not on my radar at the moment. Instagram (follow me) and Facebook are my connections to family and friends these days.
But, March is here TOMORROW! How did that happen?
In March, I join in with the Scientific Quilter to "March Along" and sew for 15 minutes every day. Which means the blog is going to get a little bit of action for weekly check-ins.

I have a couple of goals for this March.
 1- Learn to load my mom's quilting frame so I can get going on finishing some tops I have.
 2- Work sashing and cornerstone blocks for my Thangles Buck a Block quilt.

Not much but it should be enough to fill my 15 minutes a day.

Feel free to March Along too!

March Along: Week 4 Summary

I did a little better this week. I was pretty much focused on the commission bag, searching for fabric and hardware, sketching, and testing. I also finally started making my kids' Easter Baskets. I made one, thought it was too small so made another, but then decided to keep the original size. I need to get fabric for the boys. Seems I don't tend to buy fabric that appeals to them. :)

Day 22 Fabric search
Day 23 Nada
Day 24 Fabric Search
Day 25 Cleaned up sewing space
Day 26 Made test Easter baskets (tutorial here), read quilting book (Simply Retro with Camille Roskelley: Fresh Quilts from Classic Blocks)

Day 27 Fabric search, bag sketch
Day 28 Zipper pocket test (sort of worked, but I need to keep tweaking it)

Day 29 Bag notes
Day 30 Bag notes 

Linking up at Scientific Quilter's March Along.

 

March Along: Week 3 Summary

http://scientificquilter.com/2014/03/23/34-7-march-a-long-2014-week-3-report-in/

 I am reporting in for my 3rd week of the Scientific Quilter's March Along (craft every day for 15 minutes). Not such a great week for crafting. It was just a really busy week and when I was not busy I was exhausted. The 2 things I completed have been on my to-do list for a while.  The first were 8-10 more fabric Personal Progress folders for the incoming Beehives at church (which I forgot to photograph before I delivered them today). I have been working on them since December I think. January at the latest. I had them about halfway done a while ago and kept putting off finishing them. I had to finish the majority of them before April because that was when they are going to be presented.

The towels I had purchased in February to applique as Valentine gifts for the ladies I Visit Teach. Well, that didn't happen, so I found some other fabric in my stash and did a Monogram instead. They turned out cute. I just wish I had thought to get one to make for myself! :)

Week 3 
Day 15 No craft time
Day 16 Read the Sewing with Oilcloth book
Day 17 No craft time
Day 18 No craft time
Day 19 Made appliqué Kitchen Towels

Day 20 Seriously No craft time
Day 21 Finished the PP Fabric folders (tutorial from ohbabyredding.com)

March Along: Week 2 summary

http://scientificquilter.com/2014/03/16/34-6-march-a-long-2014-week-2-report-in/

Week 2 of the March Along is done. I am finding it much harder to find 15 minutes where I have enough quiet to gather my thoughts enough to accomplish anything. But I am trying.

 Most of my crafting time was taken up working on the mini messenger bag.

Week 2

Day 8 Created Scripture and rewards cards for Young Women

Day 9 Wrote March Along post, worked on bag.
Day 10 Worked on the mini messenger bag.
Day 11 Worked on the mini messenger bag, completed the bag.
Day 12 Bag photo shoot
Day 13 Bag photo edit and post
Day 14 Research laptop bag features, drafted and sent features questions to recipient

Come join us and see what others are working on at ScientificQuilter.com week 2 link up!

 

Marching Along: Week 1 summary

http://scientificquilter.com/2014/03/09/34-5-march-a-long-2014-week-1-report-in/

This week went fairly well, as you can see below. I can't for the life of me remember if I did anything on Friday.

March Along 2014 
Week 1
Day 1 Made a list
Day 2 Blogged and set up sewing space
Day 3 Shopped for bag, cut fabric (see photos above)
Day 4 Started reading Shape Workshop book, planned coloring book appliqué project with Miss K.
Day 5 Got sick
Day 6 Searched online for fabrics for a commission project, made Strawberry Jam with Miss K

Day 7 ?

 And that's my week 1! Not too shabby. :)

 I'm of course linking up at Scientific Quilter's March Along.

 

Marching Along!

http://scientificquilter.com/2014/02/26/34-3-announcing-the-march-a-long-for-2014/

It's that time again! Time to dedicate myself to spending at least 15 minutes a day crafting during the month of March. Hosted once again by the lovely Darla at Scientific Quilter.

Day 1: I made my list of things I want to work on this month.
Day 2: Blogged about March Along (this actual post) * UPDATE I also set up my temporarily permanent sewing station in my bedroom and prepped for a project as well as put away some fabric and batting that was laying around.

I will probably blog once a week or so about March along, as I have limited time that I allow myself to use the computer right now.

Will you join in?

 

March Along: Week 3

This week was hit and miss more than last week. And I have done 0-nada-zilch work on UFOs. I technically made my minutes goal, but did not sew or do something sewing related every day. It was  a busy week. Friday was my only appointment free day.

Sunday 17th - No sewing time
Monday 18th - 45 min Sketching quilt blocks, 2 hours testing quilt blocks

One of my testers. It is very pretty in person. Phone photo coloring is not fabulous!

Tuesday 19th - Made Easter Basket

http://sewlux.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-basket-tutorial.html

Wednesday 20th - No sewing time. Time? What time?

Thursday 21st - No sewing time.

Friday 22nd - Toddler Tea Towel Apron gift for a party Saturday morning. I would have liked to fancy it up a little but I was stumped. No fabric I had on hand went with it. I did have a brainstorm after I gave it to her, to use the top that gets cut off for a pocket. Next time!

http://harriethomemakerstrikesagain.blogspot.com/2013/03/toddler-tea-towel-apron-tutorial.html

 
Saturday 23rd - Cleaned and organized sewing area. Ahhhh. So much better!


March Along Podcast link: http://scientificquilter.com/2013/03/23/30-3-sneak-attack-marching-in-the-march-a-long/

March Along: Week 1

 

 Darla at The Scientific Quilter is doing her March A-long again this year. I missed it last year, but decided to join in this year. I think it will help with my UFO goals. Basically you commit to sew or do something sewing related for 15 minutes every day. Pretty awesome!

The first week went well. I only missed Saturday, but I kind of made up for it I think, since I got in a couple of hour+ blocks of time during the week.
One thing specifically it has helped with was un-sewing the baby quilt. I started quilting it, got 2/3 finished and checked the back and found pleats. I couldn't leave it and the whole thing would have to be picked out. That was a daunting and discouraging task, but I am a fan of the theory that one can accomplish hard things if  you just do it in15 minute increments. Since the baby is here already, that deadline is past. Now I would just like to get it done before he moves from bassinet to crib.

I made a calendar to keep track of my sewing.

Projects worked on this week:

St. Patrick's Day Stay Put Kitchen Towel

Stay Put Kitchen Towel Tutorial

I made towels for my friend and the ladies I visit teach. I have a couple more to make. Better hurry  up!

Diaper Clutch

Diaper Clutch Tutorial

Diaper clutch and matching burp cloth

 I made the clutch and burp cloth with a dishtowel from Target that was on clearance and a fat quarter. I was hoarding the towel to make an apron. I got home from fabric buying and then I didn't care for the other fat quarter I chose to go with the pink check. Looking through my stash I spotted the towel and it looked so nice with the liner fabric that I went with it. The clutch turned out quite large. I am not sure why. I have made these before and never had any size issues. Maybe my seam allowance was smaller. She will be able to get lots of diapers in there! :)