A little of this and that...

One of the alternate activities to sewing in the last week.

I have had a little bit of sewing time that wasn't brain frying and although I missed the deadline to enter for a prize, I did get my 2 blocks done for the Beginner's Quilt along yesterday.

Block 9 BQA

Block 9B BQA

 Also, the other night, while I was showing my husband the iterations of the crayon folder, he mentioned that it was similar to how he would like his Kindle case to be, sans the fastener. So, since I was in folder mode, I had him choose a fabric (I have no clue how I got this fabric, by the way) and while he was delivering his brother to the airport, I made him a Kindle cover. I added some test blocks from the Hot Wheels quilt that didn't make the cut to add some pizazz.  The pocket is just a hair too snug, (it was fine until I did the top-stitching) but at least we know it won't fall out. ;)

And I finally finished 30  Polaroid blocks to swap in Debbie's Picture Perfect Polaroid block swap. Well, 35 got sent, but I am only swapping 30.
Here is a sampling. I adore the little cowboy.

 

Work in Progress Wednesday: 07-18-12

I still haven't been able to bring myself to look at the Hot Wheels Quilt to rip out seams, so it remains a W.I.P.

 

I believe the one about the Hot Wheels Quilt top being done was the last WIP Wed. report I gave. So I have a little catching up to do.

I was at scout camp all last week from 8am until 3 pm, except for Wednesday, with my son,  which was awesome but exhausting. I was only signed up for 2 days but there were several people who dropped out of volunteer staff at the last minute and I was fairly free so I helped out 2 extra days.
Because of that, and the birthday the last few weeks have been more or less just working on the blocks for the Beginner’s Quilt Along.

I have made 3 blocks since the last WIP post making 6 total.














This is last week's block. I am going to do it again without the yellow. For one thing, I had some stretching issues with the center block after I sewed both the top and bottom rows upside down and had to take out the seams. The point on my HSTs are sloppy, and while I love the yellow in this block, there is no other yellow in any other block.

 


 I have also been cutting fussy cut pieces for the Picture Perfect Polaroid block swap hosted by Debbie of A Quilter's Table. I am still unsure about how many blocks I will be sending but, it looks like at least 20.



Tuesday I got some good solid sewing time in and finished the promised scripture tote for my son. His scripture bag broke a few weeks ago and since he has the large print version of the scriptures I needed to make him a "custom" bag.  He has the large print because when he was first learning to read, he would get easily lost in the tiny print when it was his turn to read during family scripture study. So we got him the large print version and he had a much easier time of it after that. When he turns 8 and is baptized he will get to choose new scriptures and a case, but in the meantime he needed a bag to carry his scriptures to church.

 

I found some fabric that I liked and he liked it too. I also got some nylon webbing for the handles. I used the basic instructions from the Poochie Bag to make it, just changing the dimensions. The webbing is a little bulky at the bottom but, oh well. It will be sturdy!  :)


 Visit Lee at Freshly Pieced to see other Works In Progress on this fine Wednesday!

Cool swap in the works!

Heidi at Handmade by Heidi is hosting a Quilter's Day Swap where anything goes. You can make anything you like for your partner.
I am thinking about joining. I haven't swapped for ages. But I am not too sure I should. I have so many projects waiting to be finished. I will have to think on this.

But in the meantime, you can check it out!

http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-swap-time.html

Polka Dotty Swap!

I used to hate polka dots but they have grown on me. And now I have the chance to get lots and lots of charms of different polka dots.
If you want to join in the swap, it is being hosted by Wendy, at Sewing in the Wendy City.
But you gotta get cuttin' fast cause she needs them by June 6th!

The Zippy Purse Swap project

In March, I joined the Zippy Purse Swap. I made a little clutch for my partner using my friend Erin's pattern that I tested for her back in November.

This was my test clutch (way back when) and it was my first zipper. I do not have a zipper foot, but that ended up being only a minor inconvenience. She had great instructions and I loved how my purse turned out (Except for the flower which I made incorrectly and sewed on poorly and too far down.) I don't care for that fabric any more (just call me Fickle Freddie) but I still use the clutch for my ladies items and other things that need to be in my purse.

Since I liked the pattern so much, and was familiar with it, it was a no brainer to repeat it for the swap.
My partner said she LOVES Yellow and Gray.
Easy! My daughter had just bought some pretty yellow and gray fabric, called Eclipse by Exclusively Quilters at The Quilt Asylum to make a skirt for her American girl doll.  I went and got some more and made this:

The flower I made was a new technique for me, found HERE. I just covered it with a button instead of doing the swirly stitching in the center. (Cute pillow and quilt set right!?!)
And there is my Zippy Purse swap clutch.
I filled it with travel size items, like Bandaids, tiny disposable toothbrushes (whose name escapes me), Shout wipes, things like that. I hope she likes it!

Zippy Purse swap came!

My Zippy Purse Swap from Aleks (link no longer valid) came yesterday. It was her first zipper project. I think it is pretty darn good! The fabrics are so cute and I love the little pearls in the flower. And who doesn't' love a ruffly accessory! Thanks Aleks!

A New Swap

I joined my second ever swap yesterday, at Cookies and Cream Craft, which I think is going to be a fun one. We are making little zippy purses. I already know exactly which pattern I will use. :) Now I just need a partner so I can pick some cute fabric!
Click the pic to come join in!