#66 Summer is Winding down (Part 1)

So I have been pretty quiet over the summer. Partly because the main project I am working on is secret till I post on the RJR Fabrics Blog Hop, What's Your Shade, October 10. Partly because its summer, and mainly because I have been very lazy!! lol!! It's allowed, right?

I have been sewing, just at a really leisurely pace! I hope everyone had  their version of a great summer too!! 

So here's my plan for the fall:

1. Continue with my BOMs

2. Continue with the Modern InstaBee (this has been a great bee, some hiccups, but great)

3. Finish my secret project for post Oct 10

4. Participate in a friends BOM, more info on that to come!! (excited)

5. Master the Long Arm (at least understand the computer!! lol) and quilt all waiting quilt tops!! (10       or 11, crazy)

6. Keep my hobby room tidy and organized (I work better that way, why don't I remember that??lol)

Now on to the fun stuff!!

What I've Been Up To:

BOMs

Sugar Block Club 2014

Classic Meets Modern

Aurifil Designer of the Month

Globe Trotting

Quilted my Craftsy BOM 2012 Finally!!! I learned so much and Amy Gibson of Stitchery Dickory Dock is a great instructor

And also quilted my Bloom Bloom Pow from Freshly Pieced. These were some of the first quilt projects I found online when I started quilting about 3yrs ago!! Now I just need to bind them.

I also quilted the Mystery BOM "That Chain Reaction"  from the Gourmet Quilter

More in the next post!!!

#37 I Had So Much Fun This Week

I participated in my first Blog Hop as a contributor and what a blast I had!! It was so much fun coming up with a project to share, and all the new people stopping by, was amazing! You all left such great and encouraging comments, and I loved reading about your favorite parts of Christmas. While some made my heart hurt, it was very uplifting to hear most was about family and sharing all the special things about Christmas....church, lights, music, decorating, etc. with the ones we love.

The Winners Are: 

Quilty Box has been claimed...Congratulations to QuiltingGranny

And Teresa Nance wins the Mystery Prize

Winners have been contacted and prizes will be mailed ASAP

Next Blog Hop for me and what is keeping me busy, getting ready for the Wake Up to Kona Blog Hop in January. So check back in regularly to get updates!

What I've Been Up To:

As promised a pictorial of the Chalkboard Table Runner:

The Chalkboard fabric I purchased was approximately 47.5" wide. I used that as the length for the table runners I have made. Cut the width keeping in mind the final size you can accommodate or want to achieve remembering to add your borders into the calculation.

Once you have cut your chalkboard fabric to size you will know your measurements for the borders. For this one I cut 2" x 4" pieces to do a scrappy border at the small ends. I folded the chalkboard and fabric  in half and pinched to find the centers and trimmed the ends.

 Press and measure for the long side borders. I sewed (3) 2" x 4" pieces together and added a 2" wide by ? on each end to make a border a bit longer than you need for each side. Then repeat to find center of both fabrics and sew in place, trimming extra off both ends. Measure for backing fabric.

Now I have finished with and without adding batting. When I added batting I stitched it to the backing fabric to make sure it stays in place and the batting won't bunch up eventually if it comes loose from the seams.

I flip the fabric so I sew left to right and then right to left, in case I pull or my machine pulls.

You can make a quilt sandwich and bind, but I put the backing and chalkboard right sides together and stitch around 1/4" seam, leaving a generous opening for turning. Trim corners, and turn. Chalkboard fabric is very stiff, and if you try to scrunch it up to much to turn you can damage it. 

Using a press cloth press border. Press a 1/4" under to create seam where the opening is and topstitch all around the border at 1/8".

I also stitch in the ditch on the chalkboard by the border.

City Sampler:

Final Sugar Block Club Block:

And I bought a panel to make new Christmas stocking, and buttons to embellish. (had to sharpie the eyes and mouth of the creepy snowmen!! lol)

#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!!!