WIP Wha?!

Am I actually blogging a WIP Wednesday post? It's been forever, hasn't it? My blogging has fallen a bit to the wayside lately, mostly because of lack of actually being productive. I really just haven't had anything to show until recently. But things have really picked up, partly due to me finally having my own room for sewing (that's right, I've got a ROOM now!) and partly because my little etsy store has had a little bit of traffic the past couple of weeks.

When I get busy I tend to get a bit discombobulated and can't quite figure out what I have to do and in what order, so it always helps to make a list and keep accountable. The last list I made, for the Finish A Long, was an abysmal failure. I think I only completed one thing on that actual list. That's ok though, we'll move right along and keep on trucking.

I shared this picture on Instagram the other night. My Aunt commissioned me to make her a queen sized Mind the Gap quilt. I've been a bit slower than I'd like getting it done though. I had all the blocks made and gave myself a goal to have them turned into a completed top by the end of the weekend. This is what 2 am Sunday night looked like. With that done I'm in the homestretch now! I need to pick up some batting and make a plan for the back and then finish her up.

Recently, I made a quick little simple patchwork baby quilt to put in the etsy shop. I used a couple of charm packs of Simply Color and some super fuzzy fleece and had the softest little cuddle quilt ever. I decided that it was so quick and fun to make that I'm going to do more. So I spent some time these past couple of days on a new one made completely of I Spy fabrics from the various swaps I participated in. I birthed the last quilt and will do the same with this one. I need to choose a cuddly backing for it and then it will be listed in the shop. 

I've also got some embroidery orders to do. I have 7 Christmas banners to make. So far I almost have all of the trees done, just need three more white ones. Then I have to make some stockings. I will most likely have this listed in the shop once I have a completed one to show.

I have some finger puppets to make too. I have a couple of nativity sets to make, but don't have pictures to share yet because I haven't started. So here's a random pic of some other puppets I've done. I just added the superhero set to the shop last night!

And then there is this. I don't think I've shared this on the blog yet, although it's been on Instagram a couple of times. I made this to enter into the Double Wedding Ring Quilt Challenge. It's small, roughly about 40" square. I used the ombre jelly roll from Simply Color along with a Yoshiko Jinjenzi print, and a couple of random gray fabrics, to complete it. I'm quite smitten with it. I have a plan for the quilting and just need to get it done. I'm going to attempt hand quilting, even though I've never done it before. I have a feeling I'll end up doing it on the machine though. We'll see what happens I guess!

I will openly admit that this is the most challenging quilt pattern I have ever worked on. I still have the Central Park version in the works, just set aside for now since it has no deadline. I will be making another one like this one, using a cream colored solid. My Aunt, the sister of the one who is getting the Mind the Gap quilt, has commissioned me to make a queen size for my cousin for her wedding. I have until March, which seems like a lot of time but these things are time consuming! So you'll see that pop up as in progress here soon most likely. 

And I still have the tutorial for the hip pouch in the works. I'm hoping to get back to it soon before I completely forget how I made it! 

Ok, off to work, I have lots to get done!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Scrap Happy Pattern Giveaway Winner!

I apologize for the delay in posting a winner, we woke up yesterday morning to my son wheezing and needing some medical attention which turned into a doctor trip and a trip to the medical supply store for a new nebulizer and then a pharmacy visit and so on and so forth. In other words, the day got away from me! He's fine by the way, he just has a really hard time with his asthma this time of year.

Ok, onto the winner!

Via Random.org

Our winner is #17, Sue! Which is funny because I've won a giveaway from her before!

Ok Sue, check your email. I'll be sending the pattern in just a few minutes ;)

Thanks so much for your entries and the nice things you all said about my bag!

Scrap Happy Purse Finish, Pattern Review and a Giveaway!

When Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts posted on Instagram that she needed testers for her newest pattern I jumped at the chance to help her out. Even though I was up to my eyeballs in other projects, both sewing and house projects, and didn't really have any business adding one more to the mix, I couldn't help but volunteer. I adore making bags and this one was just so dang happy looking!

I found out not too far into the process that I'm not a huge fan of scrappy sewing. I absolutely adore scrap projects but I tend to get a little bit bored with sewing tiny pieces of fabric together, as evidenced by the fact that the Maple Leaf Rag quilt I've been working on hasn't been touched in some months now!

The bag was really fun to make though and once I got past the scrappy sewing part it went together really fast. I mean super fast. 

The instructions are very easy to follow, they didn't leave me asking any questions, except for one teensy part which has been changed in the final copy.

The material requirements aren't much since it's made from scraps. I actually had everything on hand. Most people might have to pick up interfacing and a magnetic snap though. Since I make so many bags I tend to have that stuff already. 

You can easily make this bag in a couple of hours, probably less if you don't have 4 kids interrupting you every few minutes ;)

Overall, I really enjoyed making this bag and I really love the finished product. It's very roomy and so bright and cheerful!

Amanda Jean has generously allowed me to give a (PDF) copy of the pattern to one of my readers, so if you'd like a chance to win, just leave me a comment! I'll pick a winner Monday morning. Please make sure you are not a no reply blogger as I'll need your email address to send you the pattern. Thanks :)

Also, don't forget the Anniversary special is still running in my etsy shop through the weekend!