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!!

Double Duty Day

Double Duty Items

I was struggling the other week when I was trying to follow a pattern while I was sewing. The book kept following over and shutting, it was driving me nuts. I was trying to think of a way to have the book sit and be readable, when I remembered something I had purchased on sale and put in my gift closet. (Yes, I have a gift closet. Just part of my cloths closet, but I buy things when I find a sale to keep for baby showers, and bridal showers....and some of the things I sew end up in there till I gift them :)

Anyway I had bought a cookbook holder, thinking it would make a great shower gift and forgotten all about it....but Double Duty.....It works great behind my sewing machine to keep my pattern books open and visible. I can also put my iPad or iPhone on it too.

Looks like I'll need to keep my eyes open for another one for the gift closet, this ones mine! lol

CookBook Holder

ScrapBooking Paper Holder

 I use these to sort and hold my WIPs. I work on more than one project at a time, so these are amazing at keeping me organized!!

What I've Been Up To:

I shared on Monday about the Emmaline Bags Retreat Bag pattern, and was contacted by Vicki about the variation that Clover&Violet came up with adding a divider to the original pattern!! I love how the quilting community shares and gives!!! So of course I had to check it out, and try this version!!

This is before the frame went in! I love it just like this too! The size is great and the shape is lovely!!

 But adding the wire frame just makes it so much easier to get things in and out!! It gives the top of the bag a firm shape, holding the top open.
Don't forget there is a discount code for the Internal Wire Frames from Emmaline Bags in the pages tabs above, if you want to try this amazing pouch yourself.

 Some Emmaline Bling!!! love these pulls!! What can I say, I'm a Canadian girl!!

 An addition to the Poolside Tote I made a little while ago!!

One Christmas Present completed!!

And a little more progress on my Diamond Grid (working name)

I have another question for you too!! 

Well a repeat of the previous question: How many would be interested in a series of One Block patterns for minis/quilts? Starting in October? I have heard from a few and all positive so far, 

thank you!!! 

The set up: The pattern above would be included in the series, but because of the size I made it (10") and the way I grouped the paper pieced areas, this prints on 2 legal sized pages per block and needs to be taped together. 

The Question:Would you prefer a smaller block and/or change the grouping if I can so there would be no taping of pattern pieces, but you would have to sew more units together.?? The above is three units per block.