Monday Randomness

The randomness is piling up, so I figured I might as well share it while I've got it. First off, I noticed someone mentioned 'Explore' on one of my flickr photos over the weekend, and it was only then that I thought to look at my current 'explored' status. Lo and behold, I found several I hadn't known about. Here's my current Scout poster:

1. finished Mod Pop top, 2. Weekenders waiting for the flight home, 3. Stargazing block - August, 4. Triple-Zip Pouch, 5. Just Passing Through, 6. The Stars of Summer, 7. Orchard Path Tweed Pouch, 8. Logo Card Holder, 9. FTLOS2 large project done!, 10. Quilting Indeed, 11. A Sneaky Peek, 12. 5 little x and + blocks now . . ., 13. Another Solstice Star, 14. Japanese x and + block, 15. Scrappy Modern Halves quilt complete, 16. Modern Halves top complete, 17. "Tangerisk" for Tangerine Tango Challenge, 18. sneak peek, 19. Scrappy Super Swoon, 20. Completed Swoon Quilt!, 21. Dead Simple Quilt, 22. Kaleidoscope complete!, 23. Kaleidoscope complete!, 24. Mini-Swoon II, 25. Mini Swoon, 26. Supernova!, 27. Supernova top complete!

To make your own, go to Big Huge Labs, and scroll down till you see 'Scout' on the right-hand side. Click there and all you have to do is enter your Flickr ID. You can also go to flicker-explorer.com and enter your ID, though the two don't always give the same info. I find Scout more all-encompassing. Anyway . . . interesting.

I also saw that Giveaway Day has been announced! More info will be coming, but it's a great day to interact with other bloggers by giving away something handmade or sewing/craft supplies on your blog. If you can join in at all, do!

Jennifer has finished a few of the Hurricane Sandy Help! quilts! So far this is my fav!

 

And lastly, though I had intended to have some Mod Pop quilting to show off today, unfortunately I can only show you the backing I've chosen (V and Co. Simply Color Ikat Diamonds in Eggplant) . . .

because I spent most of my free-sewing time this weekend organizing my stash closet.

But since it now looks like this, I'm ok with the slow-go on the quilting.

Though I really need to get over the dreaded piecing-the-backing and basting steps . . . then I'll be on my way again!

W.i.P. Wednesday

So it's W.i.P. Wednesday, and I've got two thoughts about today's post. One, that if you're a regular follower, you've seen most of this before, and two, seriously, how slow can one person piece three quilt tops? Pretty slow, as I've proven. That's just how life's been in the sewing room lately - slow and steady, with mostly little finishes. But these W.i.P. Wednesday posts seem to be my sewing journal of sorts, so I'll post it as it as. OK?

Finished projects
Hurricane Sandy Help! blocks - I managed to get 4 more blocks + 2 bindings done and shipped off to Jennifer, who already has a couple of quilt tops pieced!!

 

UR Priceless Blog Hop - It was fun making these little(3"!) frame purses with a variety of fabrics and techniques.

Ruby Star's Chinese Takeout Box - This little box was the first project in the Ruby Star Wrap-Along - an easy, quick, and practical project that I can see me repeating for a variety of occasions.

Cute Bot Skirt - This little toddler skirt was a birthday gift for grandgirl and was an easy foray back into the realm of making kid clothes. Very fun.

 

Lined Drawstring Bag - My go-to bag pattern by In Color Order came out again this week, which always makes a lovely finish. This one's "The Project Bag", made from Kate Spain's Good Fortune. The lining, which you can't really see, is a perfectly coordinating Free Spirit Designer Solids in Ice.

Ongoing projects

Mod Pop Quilt-along - So I'm piecing these two columns row by row, and then will add the edges. I'm in the home stretch, but taking my time.

Christmas lap quilt - This has been the view of the strips for the remaining blocks for the last week. I hope to get to them soon.

Modern Crosses quilt - Lots of strip piecing going on with this one. Once these strips are trimmed and pieced, I should have another dozen blocks done at least.

Upcoming projects
* October & November bee blocks
* scrappy Metrolink
* more frame purses
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* Christmas!
* Dresden project - back on the 'sometime' list, and probably no time soon

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

It's been a real treat having my sewing machine back in the house! And note to self - and you - if you have a local shop that services your machine, do take advantage of the knowledgeable staff there. When I picked up my machine, I asked my favorite salesperson to sit with me a bit. And in addition to confirming that a few issues with my machine had been taken care of, she also cleared up some confusion I've had with tension while quilting, as well as introducing me to a few stitches I'd never tested out. Very fun. So it's been a good sewing week, and I've got plenty to share this W.i.P. Wednesday.

Finished projects
Sew Lux Design Challenge project - This tutorial wasn't live yet when I posted last week, so do check out my Mod Angles Cushion over at Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts.

Modern Baby Quilt block - This pattern is by Malka Dubrawsky, and is a mass of y-seams. It went together really nicely though, and I love the finished block. Marci of Marci Girl Designs chose this for her month in the Always Bee Learning bee.

 

Scrappy Charity block - This is actually a super-sized x and + block that finishes at 17.5" I used this tutorial  from badskirt, just increasing the size. I've been asked for the dimensions of each piece, so they are listed below.

center cross: 2 - 4" squares, 1 - 4" x 11" rectangle

cross edges: 4 - 4" squares

background: 8 - 4" squares

corners: 1 each of 4 different 7.5" squares

Ongoing projects
Hurricane Sandy Help! blocks - In less than a week, Jennifer of knotted thread "collected" 350 quilt blocks to make quilts for those affected by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. How awesome! I signed up for two scrappy blocks and six black/gray, and I have half my blocks done so far.

Mod Pop Quilt-along - So excited I have FOUR blocks done! That's all the complete blocks I need for the baby size quilt. Now it's on to the rows to fill in around them.

Christmas lap quilt - The two side panels have been added to the center. Now to make the blocks for the top and bottom. The strips are all cut, and I need to piece them to make 20 blocks.

Modern Crosses quilt - I've done quite a bit of piecing on this, but nothing more picture-worthy quite yet.

UR Priceless Blog Hop project - My little frame pouches are done! Come back tomorrow to see how sweet they are!

Upcoming projects
* October & November bee blocks
* scrappy Metrolink
* more frame purses
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* Christmas!
* Dresden project - back on the 'sometime' list, and probably no time soon

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday, which is being hosted by my friend Svetlana from s.o.t.a.k handmade! I hope she has as much fun as I did!

A Chance to Help

If you're anything like me, you're listening to all the news about Hurricane Sandy's devastation in shock. One of my friends, Jennifer of knotted thread, is doing something about it. Her family and friends in New Jersey have been deeply affected, and she has a quilt effort in mind to encourage them a bit. You can read all about it here, and go to the Hurricane Sandy Help flickr group to sign up. The quilt block Jennifer is using is by So Sarah Sews, and will be quick and easy - you can sign up to make one or as many as you want. Please consider joining us!