#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!!!!

#45 Give Away Coming

 I will be back on the 12th of February to post my projects for the Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop!! I also rounded up two great prizes for a give away, so come back, don't miss out!!!

 Ikaprint is donating 90 labels!!  I love my labels!! I have 2 different ones. You will love this prize! Don't forget to use the coupon code upstairshobbyroom if you decide to order on your own to save 5%.

Zipit is donating a $25.00 gift certificate. 

Love her zippers and zipper pulls! You can also use upstairshobbyroom here for 15% savings.

The coupon codes for these online stores are always active, they do not have an expiry date.

What I've Been Up to:

Parisian Star, from Modern Block QAL

2nd Block in the Sew Kitschy,  Sew Retro Kitchen over at Quiet Play

 January Block (Polar) Bear Paw for Classic Meets Modern QAL over at Sew as Home Mummy:

February Block Amethyst (why seams!! WHY?????) This may need some work to get it flat!!

 February Block for Pat Sloan's Mystery BOM Globtrotting:

I'm behind so I went for the easier of the two. January still to come!!

 Joined Modern InstaBee 2014:

 First Block up Stacked Windmills and why make just one, so I made 2. Really I made 3 this one gave me some problems, my first block turned out 16" instead of 15.5!!

 And a cute little label to mail with the block!!

 Coming Soon:

I will be participating in the Safari Moon Launch Blog Hop Event my post date is March 7 unless there are unforeseen changes. Will keep you posted!! Here's a sneak peak of some of what I have been up to.......

 Enjoy your weekend!! See you all back here on the 12th!!

#33 A Coupon Code

When I started quilting and sewing again I knew I would want to come up with someway to label everything. If not for now the future. I found a label company while reading another quilters blog and with her help and Freyza the owner, I received the most lovely labels to sew into my projects. I have since ordered labels for my mother-in-law is navy with silver print with a graphic, and they were just as fantastic, and my mother-in-law was thrilled! When I started getting inquiries about where I purchased my labels, I contacted ikaprint and Frezya has made a 5% off coupon code for you to use if you wish to order labels of your own. Just type upstairshobbyroom in the coupon code area before you finish your order!

 This is the an example of the proof email, you check to make sure everything is the way you envision and than you ok the labels! It will also help give you a reference point for label sizing. Then the next step after receiving them is start to add them to your projects!! Lol, unless you are like me and keep forgetting and have to get out my stitch ripper and remove a few stitches to add the label!! It's crazy I even have them in their clear plastic bag thumb tacked to the cork board where I am sewing! and I still forget!

What I've Been Up To: 

I finished the Count Down to Christmas Advent Calendar!!

When I showed the calendar to a friend, she wondered if I needed to add something in the center so that when I  hung it up it doesn't sag. Something I hadn't thought about, especially since I added borders and made mine larger than the original pattern, which gave me the opportunity to add a label, because surprise, I forgot!! lol

I quilted the Modern Trees QAL

I'm really happy with the way this one is turning out, even though I chose the easier layout and very simple quilting!! All that is left now is choosing the binding and sewing it on!! (oh and adding a label!!!)

I completed the November block for The Sugar Block Club. One more block to go. I was so happy with this blocks turn out, wasn't sure about the plaid fussy cut, but I love it!!

 I knit the Gap-tastic Cowl so pretty! I didn't have any chunky yarn so I just doubled up worsted weight, and it turned out great!

and as always 3 more City Sampler Blocks:
I had fun with these (73) I just did very simply (74) I used 4 fabrics instead of the 2 the pattern asked for, partly because I thought it would look interesting and partly because I want to use up some of the scraps making these blocks creates. (75) I flipped the pattern and solids, and I used a different fabric for every little square! and it turned out awesome!!!