#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

#4 Safari Moon Blog Hop

I have virtually met so many wonderful people since starting to quilt a few years ago. One of those special people is Frances Newcombe. We have never met in person, but have chatted online, with texts and on the phone a few times!! She has such a passion for design and wants to create fabrics that will inspire!! And wow what a line she created !!!

I was so excited when Frances asked me to be a part of her Safari Moon Blog Hop.

To be given free rain to just have fun and make some projects to show off her great fabric was freeing and just a little frightening...lol

Thanks Frances and all the other ladies in the Blog Hop, it is a privileged to be in such great company!!! I am having a blast!

For everyone stopping by to hopefully be inspired, read to the end of the post, because I was able to find another great give away!! 

Also don't forget to leave a comment at Frances Blog everyday telling her what you enjoyed the most from that days post, to be entered into the Blog Hops grand prize draw for a
 Safari Moon FQ Bundle.
 Draw to be held at the end of the Hop.

Host Frances Newcombe Designer with Art Gallery Fabrics  Belly Buttons Boutique http://bellybuttonsboutique.blogspot.com

Monday February 24  Faith Jones  Fresh Lemons Quilts  http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com

Tuesday February 25    Lindsay Conner    Lindsaysews/ Craft buds  http://www.craftbuds.com

Wednesday February 26   Sarah Lawson  Sew Sweetness  http://www.sewsweetness.com

Thursday February 27  Cristy Fincher   Cristy Creates  http://www.cristycreates.blogspot.com

Friday February 28   Amy Smart  Diary of a Quilter  http://www.diaryofaquilter.com

Monday March  Lee Heinrich Freshly Pieced http://www.freshlypieced.com

Tuesday March  4  Teri Harlan Sew Fantastic http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com

Wednesday March  5  Jane Davidson Quilt Jane http://quiltjane.blogspot.com

Thursday March  6  Lynne Goldsworthy Lily's Quilts  http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com

Friday March  7  Sandy Whitelaw  Upstairs Hobby Room http://upstairshobbyroom.blogspot.com (me)

Monday March 10  Katy Jones  Imagingermonkey http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com

Tuesday March 11  Victoria Findlay Wolfe  Victoria Findlay Wolfe  Quilts  http://bumblebeansinc.com

Wednesday March 12  Megan Bohr Canoeridgecreations  http://www.canoeridgecreations.com

  Here's what I came up with:

Cup Cozy

Pattern can be found here. There are 3 different options, all cute!!

Purse Pouch: 

Original pattern designed by Terry Atkinson.  Pattern can be found here.

Super Sized Shoo Fly 

Super Size pattern designed by Malka Dubrawsky of A Stitch in Dye. 

You can find a tutorial for this quilt at Sew Mama Sew!
These are 3' blocks!!! I made my quilt with 9 blocks and it measures approximately 102" square!! (which makes it tricky to get good pics, especially when the weather won't cooperate!!)

A mini with
And the Sew Together Bag

The Sew Together Bag designed by Sew Demented

I was so excited when I saw an IG friend post the picture of her Sew Together Bag. I had been looking for a multiple pouched bag!! I immediately found and purchased the pattern, and was not disappointed!! Fantastic!! And doesn't it look fantastic with the Safari Moon fabrics!!

So here's the fantastic give away!! So excited....Michelle of SewDemented is sponoring a free 

Sew Together Bag pattern

 for one lucky winner!!!!! 

So follow the directions below to enter here for the pattern give away, but don't forget to leave a comment over on France's Blog for the grand prize give away.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop in and check out how I used my selection of the Safari Moon line!! I really appreciate everyone's feed back and support (I read every comment!!) but because of the  volume of comments I receive during blog hops, I can't always reply to everyone, but will answer any questions that may be asked.

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