One Block Wonder BOM ~December~

Well December is upon us and everyone will be getting busy with  shopping, decorating and food preparations, not to mention gift making and extra family and friends dropping in. So this month's block  is super easy, and all about paper piecing.....but don't throw your hands up in the air or click off if you really don't care for paper piecing......because it can be pieced traditionally too with a slightly different look. If you have never paper piece before this is a great one to start with, even with the angles you can cut all the pieces ahead to approximate sizes removing the guess work.

Before we start though, lets reveal last months prize winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate from 

Congratulations

Julie Town

December's Block

Shattered

in Color Weave by PB Textiles

This months block is being sponsored by 

For those of you who have never paper pieced before, or are new to it, or just want to refresh yourself follow this Paper Piecing Tutorial link for instructions.

In Color Weave by P&B Textiles

Shattered

The pattern can now be found in my Craftsy Pattern Shop

 Just follow the Paper Pieced pattern......

 I like to remove the paper before sewing the sections together, but being as this is on the bias, I removed the sewing line area and left the rest to remove after joining A to B.

Press Seam open:

Can Be Done Traditional Cutting too.....not quilt the same look...but if you really don't like paper piecing, its an option

And this is what I did with the 6 blocks I made:

 Added a hanging fob with a swivel hook for keys

D Rings:

I followed the tutorials over at Emmaline Bags for the handles and the D Ring loops as well as the hanging loop for the Hand Made Medallion!! Super easy to follow and they all turned out fantastic!!

When I get a minute, I'll write out some simple instructions for this tote!!

And if that wasn't enough inspiration......

I made a mini paper pieced version of my pattern!! Perfect to make some "mug rugs" or I used it for the  free Retreat bag pattern from Emmaline Bags .

Don't forget to get your frames for the top edge of the bag and make sure you glue the little black tips on the day before you sew.

And whats a bag or pouch without a little bling!! More reasons to check out Emmaline Bags!!

And if you are looking for even more organization in your retreat bag Clover & Violet added a modification.....I didn't add it to this bag but I added it to a previous retreat bag I made (see last picture) follow this link to the free PDF pattern.

A divider in the centre, great variation and perfect for additional organizing!!

Well I hope I haven't over loaded you......have fun....I can't wait to see what you create!!!

Don't forget about

And use the #OneBlockWonders2015
on social media so I can find your creations and if you are part of the FB group post your pictures there too!!

#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