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.

Another Look and A Giveaway

I can't resist giving you another peek at the skirt I made grandgirl. This time, she is actually wearing it!

SO cute on her!

As for the giveaway, Jennifer of knotted thread has generously offered a fat-quarter bundle(!) of Joel Dewberry's Notting Hill  in one of the colorways! That's 12 FQ's! I'll choose a random winner from the Tuesday at the Table link-ups for November, and the winner can choose the colorway of their choice -  poppy, teal, or magenta.

Pretty cool, huh? So join in and link up here by midnight PST on November 30 - a recipe, an experience in the kitchen, a project for your table or kitchen - you name it! And be sure and check out Jennifer's knotted thread etsy shop to see these fabrics in more detail, as well as her other offerings. Thanks, Jennifer!!

Linking up with Owen's Olivia.

A Look or Two Back

A "first" this week was making an item of clothing for grandgirl. I was known to make clothes for my kids when they were small, my finest probably being matching Easter coats one year. And remember dissolving cross-stitch canvas? I used to use that to embroider sweet designs on daughter dears overalls and dresses. Anyway, it had been a looooong time since I had made clothing for anyone.

So I started with a little skirt pattern by make it & love it.

Source: makeit-loveit.com via Debbie on Pinterest

I really wanted to use the I Heart Cute Bots by Rashida Coleman-Hale that I had in my stash, but unfortunately didn't have quite enough for all three tiers.

So I made each tier of the skirt different, pairing the robots with some Kona School Bus and Bright Pink.

It's not quite what I had in mind when I came up with the idea, but it was fun, and the robots are super cute. I'll try again one of these days.

Another thing that took me back in time was making 'Honeybees' for grandgirl's 2nd birthday party today. These were one of her mama's very favorites when she was a child, so it was extra fun making them for my girl's little girl. I'll share the recipe in case you have a little one who might enjoy them too . . .

Honeybees

1/2 C peanut butter

1 Tb. honey

1/3 C nonfat dry milk powder

2 Tb. sesame seed

2 Tb. toasted wheat germ

unsweetened cocoa powder

sliced almonds

In mixing bowl, use wooden spoon to mix the peanut better and honey. Stir in dry milk powder, sesame seed, and wheat germ till well mixed.

Lay waxed paper on a baking sheet. Using a teaspoon at a time, shape the peanut butter mixture into ovals to look like bees. Put on the baking sheet. Dip a toothpick in cocoa powder, then press gently across top of bees to make stripes. Stick in almonds for wings. Chill in the refrigerator 30 minutes. Makes 28.

Fun times.

Linking up with {sew} Modern Monday.