#85 Exciting News..... "Twists & Churns"

Remember all the hints of what I was secretly sewing.....Well, I'm so excited to finally be able to share...... I designed a cute mini quilt, Twists & Churns and it's being published in the next issue of The Art of Home free eMagazine by Jacquelynne Steves.
I hope you will all pop over and sign up, and let me know what you think!! If  you decide to make a Twists & Churns mini I hope you will tag it with #twistsandchurns on social media (especially Instagram)  so I can see what you come up with!!
If my pattern isn't enough to grab you, Jacquelynne also has an interview with Pat Sloan in this issue!!

What I've Been Up To:

I finished my Elephant Parade Quilt pattern by Sew Fresh Quilts. I used Lorna's scrappy bits border technique and it looks so cute.

Used my new label (don't forget, upstairshobbyroom,  is the coupon code to save you 5% if you are looking for labels, link is in the sidebar)

 I put a 5" square folded in half in the top corner for a hanging hook and maybe an extra label (if I am blessed to someday give this beauty to a grandbaby, just say'n)

I still need to add the embroidery details....working up to it...it's been awhile and I'm rusty.

I tested the Geometric Butterfly for Kristy at Quiet Play. Oh my goodness it turned out so fantastic. I love rainbows, and wanting spring to come sooner, I am playing with lots of colour right now!!! It just makes me smile.....happy colours......

Which turned into making an Easter Basket, pattern by Amy Smart

Which turned into a rainbow table runner......which I love.......smiling big this week, even with the freezing weather we are having......

I thought I would share the pattern/ measurements I made for my runner, incase anyone else is inspired to create their own rainbow.

Rainbow Table Runner Quilt as You Go

Measure your table to get the size you want for width and length. I will give you my measurement, but you insert your own in its place.

I made my table runner approximately 14" wide by 94" long. You will need to add about a 1/2 " to an 1" to your width for trimming later.

You will need a piece of backing fabric and batting a couple of inches bigger than your finished runners length and width.

Cut: (40) 2.5" strips 14.5" long in various colours (I chose 27 colours from Kona jelly roll strips) 

        (39) 1" strips 14.5" long in Kona White

Binding strips: (6) 2.25" X WOF strips Kona White

I spray basted the backing and batting together and starting in the center with a coloured strip right side up and a white strip wrong side up and right side to the coloured strip 14.5" raw edges lined up stitch a 1/4" seam through all layers. Press the white fabric back and add the next coloured strip. Continue sewing on alternating white and coloured strips until you cover to the end. Tip: Sew the white strips top to bottom and the coloured strips bottom to top to even out the pull on the fabric, or your will have a very misshaped runner. Then repeat for the other side.

*If you are unfamiliar with quilt as you go check out this tutorial I did or another one here

When you're done, trim up the sides and ends and bind your runner!!

Good luck and happy sewing!!!!

#80 Finishes and Goals for March!!!

February was a fun month...

1. I turned 50, had a party, gave away some awesome gifts (thanks to some great shops)

2. Received a Go Big fabric cutter for my birthday, and now have 5 die cutters!! (awesome hubby)

3. Designed a Valentine's table topper (pattern is coming, because it's always a good time for love)

4. Did some secret sewing (I'll talk about that in a few months!! so excited)

5. Started designing some quilt blocks and quilt patterns (so much fun!!)

6. Started a new project (even though I wasn't going to do anything new...till all of my WIP list was done....) I did get some WIPs done too!!

7. I won 3 FQs of Black and White!!!
8. Have been doing really well with the Sew My Stash  2015 Challenge!! I have purchased, but 3/4 of all my sewing at this point is all stash!!! yippy!!

Finishes:

the new project, I wasn't going to start.....too cute it sucked me in!!

Elephant Parade: free sew along over at Sew Fresh Quilts

 Needs eyes and bird's legs added, quilting will have to wait on my list.....

January Bag of the Month:

Valentine's Day:

Secret Sewing: All I can show you for now is the backs of the minis!! 2 samples of the pattern. One made with Kate Spain's Sunnyside and the other Shot Cotton and Cotton and Steel.

And finally got the binding on my Craftsy BOM 2012!! I was so excited that I found fabric to match the front...I forgot about the backing fabric. EEK!! not a perfect fit, but I don't plan on every laying it backside up on the bed, so it's ok!

Goals for March

1. Finish sewing the bindings on the last 6 bibs for the Philippines
2. Sew March Bag of the Month and a pattern from last year that I missed.
3. Put together the Block Rock'n Quilt and backing. My Goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes

4. Sew my Come Together Quilt blocks into a top

A very aggressive list, but I think I can get it done!! ;)
 Love having the list to check off, it is really helping me stay focused to get all the WIPs done!! Feels great to cross through the text!!!

To Complete This Year 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
• *Elephant Parade

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!!)*6 left to sew
2. Design 2 original projects and write up the patterns ( I am excited about this challenge) more info on this in the future  (I did one and may still try for another, but done for now)
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. (1/6 done)
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

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