Turning 50......Help me Celebrate

So Turning 50 has been a bit of a struggle for me...

I know just a number, but it's a big number, lol...

So I decided to flip my frown upside down :),  embrace it, and make it fun...

So I've called on "some of my favourite shops"
 and asked them to help me celebrate...
 by giving you presents

So come back on February 2nd

Don't worry about your shadow...

Join in... 

have some fun...

Wish me a Happy Birthday... 

And maybe take home a present!!

If you click on any of the Logos above you will be taken right to their online stores!! 

Don't forget to show them all some love and let them know I sent you over!! ;)

(Full Disclosure: I don't have any sponsorships or affiliations with any of these companies...I literally shop at them and asked if they would sponsor gifts for you, and they all said yes!!! How cool is that)

Sew Sweet Simplicity Block 4 and Bonus Block 2 & Give Away

I can hardly believe the Sew Along is almost over!!!

My quilting is still relevant.... here in Canada we are still covered in snow. More snow than we had Christmas day, lol.

Block 4

Bonus Block 2

Sneak Peak: on how my blocks came together........

For those of you who were unable to sew along with us on January 10th, here's what I made (hopefully I will have it quilted and bound before the end of the sew along, so I can share)

I upsized the block again to 32" square and added the flower applique.

I love how this turned out!! The fabric is Shapes of Spring by Eloise Renouf for Cloud9 Fabrics. Just love this line!!

And now for the Give Away....

That wool runner is so cute....

The Give Away

Make sure you go to Jacquelynne's Blog because she has a special give away over there too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check out what everyone else has done with their blocks...it will increase your chances of winning the pattern bundle too.

UpstairsHobbyRoom (you are here)
Jacquelynne Steves

LilyPad Quilting
Quiltscapes
Crazy 'Bout Quilts
A Quilt and a Prayer
Bejeweled Quilts
Wedding Dress Blue
Mountain Quiltworks
Garden Path Quilts

Oh I Just Couldn't Help Myself.....

Quick little post...a confession

I vowed I would do no new sewing projects, except for a few commitments until my WIP list was completed......Right ......I got sucked in by its cuteness....and in my defensive it is a Sew Along so it's not a year long commitment....that makes a difference, right?
I may have to quit social media if I truly want to stop new sewing projects, because there are just so many good options out there. I keep stopping myself from signing up for a mini swap, and I am not even looking at any BOM, because they are my weakness....lol....but I am committed to this. Fabric is cut, pattern is printed....and what is the cuteness I couldn't resist you maybe asking......

The "Elephant Parade" over at Sew Fresh Quilts

Can you understand how I couldn't resist this!!!

Head over  to Sew Fresh Quilts and check it out,  and if you can't resist either, grab the widget for your blog's sidebar and all the fabric requirements and cutting instructions. Lets all have fun making this adorable quilt.

On the plus side, I am using 100% of my stash so far for the top and sashing!! So I am doing great for my other commitment to Sew My Stash 2015!!!

And I finished my #SewMyStashChallenge1 Hearts

#76

I have been slacking off on posting to my blog again....

Sew Kitchy BOM 2014 at Quiet Play. Kristy is doing another Paper Pieced BOM this year with a Zoo Animal theme....so cute

I have found it hard to get back into the swing of things since Christmas and the New Year happened. As some of you know, I have learned in the last year, after being sick for years, I have a lot of food intolerances. As much as I try to avoid eating the food that ultimately hurts me, it isn't always easy. Sometimes the ingredients are hidden and sometimes I'm just too tired, and all of this is just too new and still seems to  require so much energy, eek. So needless to say, if you understand allergies, I haven't been at full energy or wellness this month. 

It's really hard when gluten, wheat, eggs, all dairy ( the protein) and a few other foods are the things that are hurting you. So much of our diets revolve around these staples. So, I have pledged to make learning and educating myself on my food issues a priority this year, especially the finding of recipes... like bread and pizza dough (I can handle the no cheese  but the gluten free crust at the pizza shop...not great).  It's been really hard adjusting and still is some days, but I do feel so much better when I behave, and silver lining, I have dropped 2-3 sizes (not sure how much weight, I don't weigh myself) :) 

I would love your help too... If any of you have or know someone who has some of the same dietary restrictions and have a great recipe... I would love for you to share it with me!!  I am also thinking of starting a new blog just to keep track of websites and information, I'm horrible at remembering all this new information. So if you share a recipe, add if I can post it or not (if the blog happens, thanks). You can email me at upstairshobbyroom at gmail dot com. 

Hope you don't mind the sharing, for now back to Quilting!!

What I've Been Up To:

I have 21 bibs made to send to Noah's Ark in the Philippines...I just need to bind them:
Girls version: (Velcro will be added when they arrive so they can get the right placement)

 Boys Version:

Finished all the BOM for 2014 (blocks only, still need to assemble tops):

 Classic Meets Modern:

Update, I'll be posting more pictures in another post next week!!

 Sugar Block 2014 at Stitchery Dickory Dock

Aurifil Designer of the Month 2014

Assembled the Globe Trotting BOM top:

Got the bindings on 2 of the 3 quilts I had finished:

Made the 4 mini Sew Together Bags from OPQuilt.com worksheet in her Tutorials tab (you need the Sew Together Pattern from Sew Demented) and used only my stash #sewmystash2015. I have joined in on the challenge, widget link on right side of blog page.

Had a great Sew Along Day on January 10th, with Jacquelynne Steves for the Sew Sweet Simplicity BOM:
#sewmystash2015 (used my stash for this beauty too)

 I upsized the pattern to a 32" block for my coffee table...

And started on the Companion Carpet Bag by Samantha of At Home With Mrs. H , January bag from the Bag of the Month Club from Sew Sweetness: (used my stash other than the exterior...don't collect heavier fabrics, #sewmystash2015)

This is my first real structured bag pattern...I joined the club last year but only manage to sew the Poolside Tote by Noodlehead (awesome pattern) So I am over the moon with how well it has turned out so far. Waiting on the handles and frame to finish. My goal is to make the remaining 5 patterns from last year and the 6 new ones from this year....insert, hopeful smiley face, lol.

 my handy new sewing awl, for when my handles arrive

And my list that will follow me this year to keep me on track, hopefully....

To Complete List

Blocks to Piece (blocks not finished)

• (3)Triple Star Blocks
• Playing Cards (Bee Blocks)
• (?) Scrappy Trip Around the World Blocks 
• Fusion Quilt
• Flower Patch Quilt
• Lattice Bones Quilt
• Colouring Box Quilt
• Sew Kitchy Paper Pieced BOM (one more block, Miss Betty)
• Craftsy BOM 2013

Quilt Tops to Sew Together (blocks are complete)

• Sugar Block Club 2013
• Sugar Block Club 2014
• Block Rock'n
• Classic Meets Modern
• Aurifil Designer of the Month 2014
• Globe Trotting BOM
• Layer Cake Challenge
• Come Together (Bee Blocks)
• Playing Cards (Bee Blocks)

Quilt Tops: to Quilt

• City Sampler
• Churn Dash QAL
• Nested Churn Dash
• Parade (tester pattern)
• Square Deal
• Trifle Dish Moda QAL
• Modern Blocks QAL
• Virtual Quilting Bee
• Triangle QAL
• *Globe Trotting BOM
• *Classic Meets Modern
• *Sugar Block Club 2013

Quilts to Bind (that's all I have to do, you would think I would just get it done)

• Bloom Bloom Pow
• Craftsy BOM 2012
• Mystery Quilt

New Projects to Do this Year:

1. 15-30 adult size bibs for special needs children at an orphanage in the Philippines (church missions trip in April) (the number turned out to be 21-just need to bind them!!)
2. Design 2 original projects and write up the patterns ( I am excited about this challenge) more info on this in the future
3. 2 quilts (one niece/one nephew )
4. Set of Placemats (12)
5. 4 mini Sew Together Bags
6. 4 Regular Sew Together Bags
7. 6 Duffle Bags
8. 6-11 purses, yup not kidding, I join the Bag of the Month again this year over at Sew Sweetness and last year of the six I only made one of the bags. This year I am determined to complete them all.
9. New Christmas Stockings (8)
10. Christmas Tree Skirt
11. Misc sewing of pouches, because there is always a need for a simple pouch or 10, lol.
12. *Elephant Parade, because it was so cute I couldn't resist!! Which makes an even dozen new projects. One per month....that's doable.......

*updates

#75 Challenges and New Years Plans and Lists

Saying Good-bye to 2014

It is so hard to believe that another year has flown by! I was thinking I should do a recap of what happened this year, but decided to skip that and just look forward, and scatter the post with pictures of my favourite finishes of 2014 instead.
 We finished 2014 with our youngest son turning 20. It's hard to believe I was his age when I got married. I can't imagine him getting married right now, lol. So now we are officially a home with no teenagers. Not to be out done, 2015 will bring some great celebrations too. In a month I will celebrate my 50th and in July my husband and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, so here's to a great year!!

Playing Cards from Modern Bee-a Christmas gift for my nephew

Onto the UpStairs HobbyRoom Challenges....

My First Challenge for this year:

I decided to cut back on my fabric purchases and "sew my stash", not sure if I will do any better on a fabric diet then I do on any other diet, but time will tell, lol

I have joined in with "Sew My Stash 2015" being lead by ProjectLease.com and challenge myself to 50-100% of my sewing this year will be from my stash. There are a few projects where I know right now I will need to purchase fabric because I don't seem to hoard home dec weight and canvas fabrics like I do quilting fabric!! (being flexible in this challenge is a good thing, right?!! lol)

RJR Fabric Cotton Supreme Challenge - Pick Up Stixz

My Second Challenge:

is to complete all of my WIPs/UFOs. I need to clean up all the now old projects before I can start any new shiny and enticing projects that are just calling out my name........this is not going to be easy because the list is long and I'm a sucker for a good BOM.....

Craftsy BOM 2012, total cheat to add this picture, it still needs to be bond

To Complete List

Blocks to Piece (blocks not finished)

• (3)Triple Star Blocks
• Playing Cards (Bee Blocks)
• (?) Scrappy Trip Around the World Blocks 
• Fusion Quilt
• Flower Patch Quilt
• Lattice Bones Quilt
• Colouring Box Quilt
• Sew Kitchy Paper Pieced BOM (one more block, Miss Betty)
• Craftsy BOM 2013

Quilt Tops to Sew Together (blocks are complete)

• Sugar Block Club 2013
• Sugar Block Club 2014
• Block Rock'n
• Classic Meets Modern
• Aurifil Designer of the Month 2014
• Globe Trotting BOM
• Layer Cake Challenge
• Come Together (Bee Blocks)

Quilt Tops to Quilt

• City Sampler
• Churn Dash QAL
• Nested Churn Dash
• Parade (tester pattern)
• Square Deal
• Trifle Dish Moda QAL
• Modern Blocks QAL
• Virtual Quilting Bee
• Triangle QAL
• Globe Trotting BOM

Quilts to Bind (that's all I have to do, you would think I would just get it done)

• Bloom Bloom Pow
• Craftsy BOM 2012
• Mystery Quilt

Noodle Head's Divided Basket - The original size is the center one

My husbands 50th birthday quilt

New Projects to Do this Year:

1. 15-30 adult size bibs for special needs children at an orphanage in the Philippines (church missions trip in April) (the number turned out to be 21-just need to bind them!!)
2. Design 2 original projects and write up the patterns ( I am excited about this challenge) more info on this in the future
3. 2 quilts (one niece/one nephew )
4. Set of Placemats (12)
5. 4 mini Sew Together Bags
6. 4 Regular Sew Together Bags
7. 6 Duffle Bags
8. 6-11 purses, yup not kidding, I join the Bag of the Month again this year over at Sew Sweetness and last year of the six I only made one of the bags. This year I am determined to complete them all.
9. New Christmas Stockings (8)
10. Christmas Tree Skirt
11. Misc sewing of pouches, because there is always a need for a simple pouch or 10, lol.

Diamond Tread - and Churn Dash on the flip side  For my daughter and son-in-law for Christmas 2014

That's it, and I'm exhasuted!! ;)

Wishing you all the Best in 2015!!!