Barbie bag & Holiday pillow

It seems I'm back in the sewing mania. First I finished two easy appliqué. The skull is my UFO since spring. It's Monster High logo if you not familiar with such thing and it was requested by MiniMe herself.

I was also able to finish Barbie bag. It's my entry to Purse Palooza. It's quite simple pattern. Front panel with appliqué, back panel and side panel. Inside the bag there is small pocket and zipper pocket on the other side. It can be worn as purse on the shoulder or as a messenger bag across the body. I haven't followed any particular pattern but if you would like to give it a try I would recommend this one - click.

As I was in the sewing mode last night I decided to join Holiday Memories Quilt competition over at Celtic Thistle stitches. I had no idea what to make when I first read about it but it just clicked in my head last night. It usually does on the last day. I do like such challenges and my piece represents sun, sea, sand. That's a combination we are usually looking for when it comes to holiday. We were on our first family vacation in Turkey this summer and it fulfilled our expectations for sure. There was plenty of sun, plenty of sand and beautiful sea as well. Since I'm not very keen on yellow the sun is represented by the quilting spiral and the bright zipper on the back. I used Essex linen in ivory shade for the sand and lt. blue and dusty blue for the sea part.

I was making mini at first that's why it has that funky print on the back side but today I changed my mind and turned it into pillow instead. Size: 12.5 x 12.5"

I'm quite happy with the curves.

Perfectly hidden yellow zipper, lol.

Quilted with yellow thread.

Since it's Friday I'm also linking up with TGIFF and Crazy mom quilts.

Blogosphere temptations

Have you noticed there is so much happening this month around the blogosphere? I'm feeling lazy and there is one temptation after another. I read some posts last night with the glass of wine instead of sitting behind my sewing machine. How do you choose if you going to participate or not? Do you make things just to be in the draw for prizes? Do you participate in link ups to get new readers? I'm a bit impulsive so I don't have a pattern or a clue what I'm doing. Most of the time I'll do it due to those people involved.

First I read about BlogtoberFest 2013. Sounds interesting. I do enjoy blogging but don't feel like doing it every day. Means pass for me.

Than I read about OctoberQuest 2. If I'll be able to finish any quilts this month I sure link up. It's like a upgraded TGIFF. So yeah who wouldn't like finished quilt.

I'm sure you heard about Purse Pallooza 2013. My goal is to finish at least one bag and join in. I like Sara's blog and I promised to make some Barbie bag to my girls anyway. I already started. Here's the front panel.

How about One Block Wonder SAL which already started. I would like to take part in that one since I bought the book while ago and still didn't touch it. So it means motivation!

October Across The Pond SAL has a cute skinny pincushion as a theme. So cute and seems doable. I do love those ladies involved so yeah it's on my list.

There are other linkies that I really like but decided I won't participate this month. Le Challenge with the theme Thriller really doesn't sparkle anything beside Michael Jackson. I took few pictures for the Quilt Photography workshop over @ Plum & June but they are no good so I'll pass on that one as well. 

A Lovely year of Finishes sounds good to me but I failed twice already. My goal for last month was to finish Ballerina quilt top. There is still hope I'll do it one day. I have few of those ballerinas left so I'm making an appliqué on my girl's T-shirt. Blanket stitch to be added. Count that as a WiP.

If I use any block of the And Sew On BoM and have finished product I'll be able to link up with the final linky this month. Doable? Who knows.

Plus I'm in Wicked Blog Hop. My day is on 23rd. No project yet but I have an idea which is always good.

I'm still working on Broken Herringbone quilt. It's part of MSBHQAL and I have already showed this picture so sorry for repeat. I decided that finished quilt top will be my goal for October (A Lovely year of Finishes). Thanks Melissa and others for encouragement. I'll give it a go. There is nothing to loose.

Linking up with

and WiP Wednesday. I do appreciate every encouraging comment. That's what I like about blogging the most! No matter how many followers I get there are few ladies and their support that keeps me going. Thank you!

September round up

As usual the month just flew by. Instead of getting my act together after the summer holidays I'm a bit lazy. The weather got colder and it just slowed me down. All I want to do is to get warm and do nothing. That's pretty all right. Do not worry. I usually take breaks. Different excuse each time I do it. I'm not persistent and I don't have a constant speed. I either sew like crazy or do nothing. So let's have a look on the round out, shall we.

I started with fabric baskets.

Christmas approaching fast. Better be prepared.

Testing out the Broken Herringbone pattern ended up as two pretty pillows.

I was part of Pin it blog hop. I enjoyed it very much.

I had some fun and giggle with you during the Le Challenge - Heroes theme.

I made another version of the Hexagon trivet and I love the outcome.

I finished fun House pouch and it was well received.

I finished and old knitting UFO as part of Crazy about wool blog hop.

I played with fabrics. I started the Broken Herringbone quilt as part of MSBHQAL. I got stuck for few days. I have to leave my original plan and I'm still working on a new one. It keeps changing or I better say evolving to make it more interesting, he he. This is where I'm at right now. Time for some purples and pinks. That might increase my speed.

Not so bad after all. I had fun for sure and that's what counts. No obligation but fun.

Linking up with

I'm stuck

Last week I precut all the stripes for Broken Herringbone quilt. The idea was that I sew pairs together and then I'll make large stripes instead of squares. When I started I wanted to see the pairs that go next to each other and my matchy side got into it. No more sewing pairs but planning ahead.

Since I couldn't just leave it on the floor I even set up "designer wall". I hung piece of batting on my bookshelf. It works.

I was playing with the fabrics and I didn't notice that is going off center. I had to adjust the width.

Then see what happened. My precut stripes were not wide enough. Ooops. So I ended the main stripe and I'm stuck. Not sure what I'll do next. Add one block to make the length I originally planned? Keep making stripes in this length and than add some kind of border to the bottom? Truly I don't know.

Linking up WiP

Crazy about wool blog hop

Welcome to my stop of Crazy about wool organized by Denise from Pieced Brain.

At first I wanted to share about felting wool but on Thursday I had my aha moment and thought about knitting project. I used to knit a lot. Since I was kid I tent to handcrafts rather than sports. My aunt taught me how to knit and crochet. These days I only knit socks from time to time. Those are not intended for regular use but I call them sleeping socks. I have cold feet and I wear those to bed. When my feet get warm they slide off quite easily. When making socks the first one goes well and quick but then there is a trouble to finish the second one to the pair. This time around I tried to make both at once. Good idea right? Well I had those unfinished in the box for almost a year so this was great opportunity to finish my UFO.

Bunch of needles. These are more than 20 years old.

It used to be scarf. So they kind of upcycled. Only tiny bit left.

With other recently finished pair. You can see how thick they are :-) Extra thick.

I planned to make project out of these pretty pinks. I have started but it's not finished.

Early stage of felted ball. I use felting needles.

Some previously made jewelry using felted balls.

Paired with wooden beads.

Have a look what others created:

Monday, September 23

CJ Stitching and Blooms

Negligent Style

Sweet P

Reluctant Quilter

Racie Baby

Patchouli Moon Studio

The Raspberry Rabbits