It's a "Dog's World" Fun and Games Quilt

I was super excited to get to work with "Dog's World" fabric from Red Rooster Fabrics...

The prints are so much fun and the colours are so bright and cheery...also being a dog person...they just make me smile! 

 I mean how can you not love these doggie selfies???

You can't possibly look at these and not smile....no way....

I knew right away what I wanted to make........
Soon after I started quilting I bought a very simple design software and made a checker board quilt for my nephew. I have since added a version of that checker board pattern to the back of a friends quilt, so her boys could use it as a game board, and I've always meant to make one for my home too!
It was the first thing I thought of when I saw this fun collection of prints....so off to EQ7 and this is what I came up with......I'm calling this one "Fun & Games" Quilt

 Checkers on one side....
(Did you notice the doggie selfies? One set of three faces, face each player......they are so cute)

and on the other side....Tic Tac Toe....4 different boards.....

again with the cute dogs at either end....just couldn't help myself....still makes me smile!

 And what does every games quilt need....a cute pouch to hold the game pieces of course!

I didn't have a pattern...the checkers are 3" wide, (thank you Cracker Barrel! My Mother-in-law picked them up for me a few years ago, on a trip south of the border) so I knew I had to make the pouch a good size to hold them all.
I came up with a cross between a pouch, clutch and the Sew Together Bag....and I'm happy to say it turned out.

Yes, there were a few false starts, some stitch ripping and even some lost fabric.....and....

I promised a story about the cute little white paw label...

Let's just say it was messy, a needle's life was lost and fabric was hurt.....yikes

So I fussy cut a paw, folded fabric bias tape style and put a "bandage" on it!! 👍🏻👍🏻

and how cute is that? 

and you won't give away my secret will you.... 😉

I was hoping to share the patterns with you, but they all need further tweaking and testing so keep your eyes open for them in the near future. If you don't want to miss anything, think about following along via email or BlogLovin, both can be found in my sidebar. Also all my patterns to date can be found in my Craftsy Pattern Shop and that link is also in my sidebar. (enough self promoting)

How about a giveaway.....

Red Rooster has generously donated a FQ Bundle of their  Dog's World fabric line for one of you to win and make your own cute project with!!

Let's make this a simple one...

a Rafflecopter giveaway




*sorry open to Canada and US only this time

#67 Summer Winding Down (Part 2)

So last time I was catching up on all my summertime sewing activities that I just did't get around to blogging about, so today is part 2, but read or skim ;) right to the end because I have new news too!!

What I've Been Up To:

I made a Noodlehead Divided Basket pattern!! Loved it! You can find it here . I have also made her Pool Side Tote and loved it as well. See post here

 If you follow me at all you will know that I love to make things smaller or larger than original patterns, just for fun!! because I can!!!! This time is no different, I used my printer and printed the pattern at 75% and another one at 150%  The following pictures show the results of that!! (insert big smiley face here!!!)

 The middle basket is the original size pattern

I also made a couple of cute pouches with the leftover fabric from my RJR Batiks project. Love how this turned out!! I am trying to get a tutorial ready for my Oct 10 post for the RJR Fabrics What's your Shade Blog Hop. So don't forget to come back, or better yet sign up to follow my posts so you never miss anything!! :)

Click on IkaPrint picture in sidebar if your are interested in your own labels!! Don't forget to use "upstairshobbyroom" in the coupon code area before you finish your order to save 5%. (I love my labels!)

 And lastly I've been tweaking a great pattern I found online here to make it just the way I want. Will be posting my tweaks and measurements soon!!

 And here is the new News!!!!

My friend Jacquelynne Steves, from the Art of Home, is hosting a Free Block of the Month (BOM)/Blog Hop  starting October 1st!! I am so excited to be a part of this! I will be making my blocks and posting at the beginning of the month along with some other bloggers to help show different fabric options and finished project ideas and hopefully to just to inspire, along with surprises and prizes!!! If you are interested follow this link to all the information!! Hope you join the fun!!

#56 Finally Summer has Arrived!!

I am so glad that the good weather has finally arrived!! This week, along with sewing, I hope to get out in my flower bed. They are looking sad and neglected. We have had so much rain and cold damp weather, it is nice to see the sun!!

Had a blast today, enjoying that sun. Went for a walk and then had an adventure driving the new side by side. If you listen closely you can hear me scream, lol, before my daughter screams for me!! 

And then are son-in-law and daughter followed on the 4 Wheeler!!

What I've Been up to:

Finished a few more pouches

Finished all the Tiny Mini Pouches!Original pattern can be found here, at So Sew Easy. There were 3 sizes, 3 about the size of an eraser,  working zipper and all! And another group about 2"x 2" and the ones pictured below.

Completed one of 25 Diamond EPP Hexi:

 Started on the June blocks for Modern InstaBee: Different layout options for the Triple Star

 and have finally started piecing my Churn Dash Sew Along together!! Greens and Whites!! Excited about this one!!

HERE'S MY "To Do" LIST FOR THE WEEK:

(Hopefully will be starting a new list soon, and this one will be history!!)

1.. Scrappy Trip Around the R4 (still waiting for 3 1 blocks from this round!)i've heard it is on the way!!

2. Modern Insta Bee (Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan)

3. Diamond Tread Quilt (sew sides to tread pattern to complete the top)

4. Part 2 of Mini Medallion

5. Cut the Churn Dash Sew Along pieces, (starting to piece blocks)(4/48)

6. Quilt the Michael Miller fabric challenge wall hanging

7. 4-6 Scrappy Trip Around the World Blocks (2 for a friend)

#55 Having Fun With Batiks

You may or may not have noticed my absence from my blog. Not that I post a lot, but I've had a rough few weeks! First I gave myself a minor concussion, getting better. Then I went right into a bad flu bug which I mentioned. It's has been a  rough go and it has slowed down all the fun sewing stuff!!
This week however I have managed to get back some of my sewing mojo, which makes me extremely happy, but I am so behind!! Oh well letting go of the things I can't control......

I mentioned previously that I was offered an opportunity to work with Jinny Beyer Batiks from 

And let me just say, I have been having so much fun!!

There are 3 colour ways within the Jinny Beyer Batiks, Lagoon, Java,  and Sumatra. So far I've only used the Sumatra line. Here's what I've made.....

Review: first I made an  8x10" flag, for a Jog for Cancer event in Stratford Ont.

This week I made a Sunglass pouch (find the pattern here), with the scraps left over from the flag, which is going to look great in the tote I just finished today!!( I know you can't see me, but seriously have the biggest smile on my face for this one!!) Love how the fabrics look together, it turned out amazing!!!! (find the pattern here) I tweaked mine a 

bit!! First I pieced the top section of the bag, then I enlarged the inside pocket and added a swivel clip for my keys.

Here's my List for the Week:

(Hopefully will be starting a new list soon, and this one will be history!!)

1. Sugar Block Club 2014

2. Sew Kitschy BOM

3. Classic Meets Modern BOM

4. Modern Blocks BOM Top Complete!!

5. Globe Trotting BOM

6. Layer Cake Sampler QAL (Only 2 more blocks to go) (all blocks completed)

7. Triangle QAL Top Complete!!

8. Scrappy Trip Around the World Bee (still waiting for 3 1 blocks from this round!)

9. Modern Insta Bee (Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan)

10. Diamond Tread (quilt )

11. Batik Quilt (just moved from UFO to WIP!!) Top Complete!!

12. Part 2 of Mini Medallion

13. Cut the Churn Dash Sew Along pieces, (partly done)

14. Finish all my mini pouches (buy clips)

15. Catch up on all Modern InstaBee blocks (priority)

16. Tester pattern for Kristy at Quiet Play (Dble Decker Bus!!)

What I've Been Up To:

Sugar Block Club May Block

Globe Trotting May Block

Sew Kitschy May Block

Modern InstaBee May Block (my month!!)

Aurifil Designer of the Month May Block

Catch up Block for Modern InstaBee 

and one for the quilt I'm building

WIP Hexi progress

and I managed to sew some extra pouches for sunglasses and reading glasses, even 2 in camo (for my husband and son!!) This lovely fabric came from one of my InstaBee mates!!! Thanks again Karen!!