SBAMQG Zipper Pouch Swap

Swapping in person is my favorite, especially when it's done on a large scale with a lot of participation.   I've joined in every single one of our local MQG chapter swaps including the most recent Zipper Pouch exchange.

Swap Given and Received 

Despite having had months to create the project I waited until the last minute to sew mine up just a couple of days before the meeting.  I'm choosing to see this fact as a sign of confidence rather than procrastination.  We need all the positive spin we can get these days, right?

SBAMQG Tote/Pouch Swap Group Photo

I snagged the picture above from the guild Instagram account - isn't it great?!  You can spot mine balanced on the hooks on the left and Tina's on the right.  It was fun to see the "same but different" creations with hers in the light background and arching upward the opposite of mine.

2014 Pin cushion Swap from partner Meridyth

My partner was my freind Meridyth which worked out well because I have a good grasp on her taste and she was once my secret parter for a pin cushion swap so it made things feel full circle. Flickr is pretty much obsolete but I do love it for making it easy to find this 4 year old picture of us!

Swap Given

zipper pouch Swap

What better time to pull out my precious stash and use a panel from Allison Glass. So instead I just used basic pouch construction principals that we had used for a similar one for Quilt Retreat Swag.

Fabric Pull

Because I wanted to feature it as much as possible I knew a custom cut would be necessary and using a pattern that didn't take into account the proportions didn't make sense.   Fussy cutting the pink  to center the dots was fun.

On the Design Wall

 For the bottom portion I used Kraftex for both durability and looks since the Indigo is such a pretty color and would support the cooler end of the spectrum.

True up, Trim up

Have I mentioned how much I love my big Creative Grid ruler?   It's not a coincidence that often the width of my blocks and projects happen to be this size.   Originally the zipper was to be high contrast to add a pop but I decided it distracted from the pink dot strips that I was so fond of.  A quick trip to the LQS was worth the pause and luckily they had the perfect match.

Notions 

It truly has two "fronts" but looking through my photos it's undeniable that I am drawn to the warm side.  Fusible interfacing gave it a nice structure and I like the way the lining isn't loose inside. 

Embroidery floss color pull

My granddaughter enjoyed pulling the Embroidery floss colors that she thought would look best for the zipper pull and liked watching me do the braiding.  One day soon, I'd like to have the two of us play around with this type of crafting.

Despite the last minute finish, I was able to stop by the beach for a proper photo shoot before the guild meeting and the weather cooperated nicely.

Glamour Shot 

Normally in a bind swap your partner isn't revealed until the exchange but mine knew she wasn't going to be able to attend for the exchange and let me know ahead that I'd be getting my pouch the following month.  It worked out great.

Swap Received 

Open Out Box Pouch made by Jessica

The card that accompanied my pouch was the inspiration palette that Jessica used.  It was such a special touch to get an insight in the making and I love artist Tom Killion's work.  

With an image that depicts the coast, I knew just where I wanted to stage the photo shoot to show off what I had been gifted.   She did an amazing job.  The pattern is Open-Out Box Pouch by Aneela Hoey and is the perfect size and shape for sewing supplies.  

MQG mini swap

MQG mini swap 

I've been in several secret swaps both virtual via Flickr, IG and Facebook group based and also with my local MQG.  They are one of my favorite things to do because despite the nerve-wracking-ness of wondering if they will like it or if they will flake and drop out just when you've tailored it specifically to their interest,  the mystery and suspense if pretty darn fun. 

Thanks to Ginny who mailed me some scraps left from a project, I had just the right background to use.  I wasn't sure if I should reveal it in fear of giving away the fact that my partner was a Star Wars fan.  But it was really hard to share progress on IG without doing so (another aspect that I find entertaining).

I figured that there are a ton of fans out there and it would hopefully only narrow the field.   More choices to be made - the quilting on such an eye full.  The aurifil 40wt in a variety of colors seemed like a good choice to carry the color out a bit into the neutral.  

Combining intentional echoing with periodic bits of shapes and freeform wavy lines is the direction I ended up with using just four of the spools, purple orange, green and blue.  I also made sure that in some areas the thread was high contrast and in other areas it blended and served as texture.

Experimenting with a heavily pieced top layer to see if I could pull it off.  Up until now I'd been avoiding that due to bulk but now that I know it can bee done it opens a whole new freedom for designing.

The orange fabric for the backing I picked up while at a weekend sew-in with friends during our field trip to the store.  Sewing in the sleeve means one less whip stitch by hand and I think it looks nice too.  Yes, there are WAY more wonder clips than necessary.  I get easily carried away.

Because I've been so spoiled with the use of my friend Pat's longarm lately, quilting on my domestic felt kind of foreign at first.  Since there was so much going on visually within the quilt itself I wanted the binding to play a supporting role.  I did audition rainbow stripe and colorful prints but didn't care for it.

There was a piece of left over Ink & Arrow Fabrics Pixie Square Dot binding from my Dare to Fly quilt so I positioned it to match up with one curves and wrapped it around the upper corner.  I'm really pleased with the end result and will find out a week from today at the meet up if my partner agrees.  If it's a little too unique, let's hope they have a decent poker face so I won't be crushed. 

We've had a ridiculous amount of rain.  There was a break in the storm and I headed to my usual Depot Hill spot overlooking Capitola Village.  A mini is a breeze to shoot solo.  Sunset however created lighting challenges as you can see from my first attempt pictured above.

The really harsh lighting in the picture above shows an unflattering cast of shadows - let's just say that if the quilt was a person, they'd be squinting.  The one below has a nice setting and I did a slight dodge/burn to try and even out the exposure.

I walked around to the side street to capture the shot at the top of the post and then hung out long enough to snap this one below just for fun.

Considering we are half way through Q1 FAL and this is my first of six goals you'd think I'd be bummed.  Nope.  Pleased as can be to be checking one off the list.  I'm also using the same goals like for our local guild WIPitgood challenge.  

I've also made progress on the other To Do list of 7 items on my radar described in this post .  Only two are outstanding, which is outstanding!

1) My January beesewcial Resolution block was mailed and received.  

2) QuiltCon quilts hang sleeve, labels, shipping done with confirmation the package arrival.

3) Not only prepped for but attended the Open Wide workshop, finished and gifted the pouch - boom! 4) "Get a Grip" for our local show is finished and delivered to the person who will be dropping it off - (sadly the same weekend as QC)

5) Handmade to wear to QC - not so far but there's still a few hours left before I depart.

6) bi-monthly BOM isn't due until March, so plenty of hope for that.

7) Cinderella dress and mermaid doll fully mended. 

Happy Stitching.
I won't be posting on the blog until after I return from my trip but if you're on Instagram, follow me there as I intend to share a lot.  A LOT.

Karen

Bite Size: BeeSewcial Swap

BeeSewcial Swap

During our meet up at QuiltCon in Pasadena in February,  my BeeSewcial mates decided that having a swap would be fun.  We tossed around ideas like secret partners, a small item swap but then agreed to send everyone participating,  a bite size block and let the individuals determine what to make with the parts.

the process

To help unify the look, we chose a low volume background and a single pop of color.

initial pull

Ironically I went with purple thinking that it would be a stand out odd ball choice but instead it's the most common so far.  Stash scraps feel great to use and I really should do it more often - check out all scrappy goodness at Oh Scrap! linky party.

fussy for Debbie

Grape Popsicles are a shopping staple and with the onset of summer seemed like the perfect flavor of "bite" to send.  Personalizing the piece that I sent was especially fun.

So many seams 

The blocks are starting to roll in - here's the ones so far on the design wall.  I'm not exactly sure what I will make with them but have several thoughts.

Blocks for ME

Subconsciously purple was also on my mind from having taken an old quilt on the retreat and sharing this photo on IG.  I've been enjoying the iPhone app Snapseed for moody effects.

purple on my mind

The REALLY funny thing about this quilt is that I recently registered to attend an Empty Spools workshop taught by Cheryl Malkowski next year and did a google search on her name to familiarize myself with her work and her patterns - well guess what popped up - check it out!

First 2016 Finish and PillowtalkSwapIGstyle

Redwood Grove Shams

Officially done with one WIP as the New Year began and finally getting around to blogging about it, yeah!  Most of the progress was done with the cheering of #fridaynightsewalong on IG.    Two pillow shams to match the wedding quilt Redwood Grove gifted to my niece and her husband.  Here they are on my bed testing out the fit.

Redwood Grove Shams

The disadvantage of putting off a companion project is having to find all (or most) of the coordinating fabric and trying to remember the thread color and style to quilt it in.  With the help of some pictures(below) I think I pulled it off.   The shams photographed dominantly green for some reason but there's blue in them too.

Original quilt and WIP

PillowtalkSwapIGstyle

Now that my partner Amanda has received and acknowledged the pillow and goodies I can share it here.  She requested a red and white Christmas as the theme. The high contrast 40wt Aurifil was kinda scary especially on the white because I typically try and blend in.  I think it adds so much with the loft of the batting that it was worth taking a chance and holding my breathe. 

PillowTalkSwapIGstyle

The 16x24" pillow is an original design using a modified Alison Glass Glamp block and fussy cut reindeers from the Postcards for Santa fabric line and stash.   I made a fob and table runner for extras and mailed to be sure it arrived early December for the holidays.  I challenged myself by installing an invisible zipper and lined it with beach themed fabric because around these parts Surfing Santa is a tradition.

My adorable helper

Little M was independantly playing with her Duplo's and said to me "Your sewing is my favorite Nana".  She wanted to read to me so I pulled a chair up next to my machine but out of reach of the needle!  When it was time to bind I invited her to help not realizing Wonder clips are harder to pinch than I thought.  She was happy to be in charge of handing them to me.  

Kelly @scrapstudio coordinator of the swap has been great and is working to lineup an angel pillow for me to receive.    As gratifying as social swapping events like #getyourquiltywishgranted can be, there is the risk of frustration and disappointment as well.  While it is fun to discover new quilters and be inspired by their makes, I'm not sure if I'll participate again anytime soon but am glad I did. 

QuiltCon Prep- Bags

The sewing drought is over and when it rains it pours.   I jumped off the sidelines of the Travel Handmade QuiltCon prep - take a look! 

S&S Sewed like butter - I'm totally hooked

Soft and Stable and Wonder Clips - yes please.  I modified the pattern to omit the cargo pockets because I could not stand to cover up those awesome dots.  To compensate, I added a side pocket which helps tie in the bright pink. 

A quick spray baste and a few pins along the oversized panel was really helpful to keep it all in place while channel quilting.   Because I fussy cut the bee without calculating the trim it was a little tricky but worked out. 

Front Panel partially quilted

Not only did I finish the February ALYOF goal Slouchy Bags Taylor Made for myself (below) but I am in the home stretch of a Cargo Duffle (above).  After seeing that Debbie and Rachel pulled off making theirs in a weekend I decide it was not too late for me!   

MQG Newsletter

Pressures on now that a pic of the back panel was featured in the MQG newsletter - I'd better get finished and be toting it around in Austin if I wanna hang my head high :)  Honestly, the cheering on via IG has been fabulous, thanks guys.

Finish It Up Friday

progress 

Love these ladies

Linking up with Amanda Jean at Finish it Up Friday and TGIFF at Quilt Matters.

Here's a Sneak Peaks at a couple of secret gift items that I also started and have finished since my last post.  My mojo has officially returned - at least for pockets, zippers and bags in general.  Not a stitch of quilt making but that's OK. 

You'll just have to wait and see.

After conquering my fear of zippers with one bag I managed to sew in a second and then install a by the yard double pull.  Grant it that last one I goofed on and pre-quilted the gussets so it took most the night to figure a plan B, a minor set back.  Let's just say there was fusible web involved and leave it at that.

Pocket Lining 

Choosing what fabric goes where is super exciting.  Dottie on the other hand was not too thrilled that I took #fridaynightsewalong all the way to Saturday morning and was underfoot hinting it was bedtime.

Add caption

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday.

Alive and Blooming

Last but not least I'll share a photo of the beautiful flower from the bulb I received as a Christmas gift that blossomed this week.  I'm pretty proud of that accomplishment too.

Countdown to QuiltCon

QuiltConButtonSwap -one of two designs

I've been in a sewing and blogging drought all year - I know it's only January but it feels like a big deal.  QuiltCon is on the horizon and to be honest, instead of being excited I was stressing out.  All my big plans to make travel handmade and arrange meet ups have not materialized.  I haven't even printed my class supply list or thought about what to pack!

Yesterday I fine tuned my Super Volunteer hours, chatted with my sis about hanging out there and ordered some buttons/moo mini cards and the tide shifted - things are looking up.  

Add caption

Now I need to clear off the 4,000 photos from my phone so I can make space to download the app and really get in the loop!  If you'll be there PLEASE track me down!  I'm the worst with name/faces/places - but it turns out I'll have lots of free time and would love to chat, go to a lecture together or grab a coffee.

Tiny Bit of Sewing

Needle-turn appliqué  (mine is on the bottom)

A few weekends ago I took a really inspiring class from Tonye Belinda Phillips  and enjoyed the trunk show lecture that she gave the next night at our local guild.  Attending Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show has been on my bucket list and I hope to make it someday.  Her book recently re-released in paperback.  I like my friend Lori's block better (upper right) than mine but think they look awesome together!

QDAD (Quilt Design A Day)

QDAD 01.29.2015

One thing that I am thrilled about is getting to meet some of my fellow QDADers in person at QuiltCon.  Although there's been a major dry spell in actual quilting, I've kept up with my virtual creations pretty well.  This one was inspired by Rossie's quilt Emily's Nonsense  and my exploration of this block from a quilt my sister has that I took a photo of last Spring.

Antique Block

I'm also taking a workshop with Rossie and get to go all fan-girl - yeah!  BTW: If you recognize the block design would you let me know the name?

It's great to sneak in a second post for 2015 - Thanks for stopping by!  Karen