Where I sew

For fun pictures of people's sewing places go here.

Little Hands

Grasshopper is very observant and has learned basic quilting skills.

This is her handy work, something she can touch and carries around most days.  I am always amazed at what a 10 year old can learn when allowed to explore.  Unlike my childhood that was marked with lots of NOs, I encourage the love of learning and exploration, problem solving, and critical thinking, which are, by the way, the required markers of future success. 

Weekend Sewing

My quilts are finished.

Another pouch, this time using my strips of materials.

And another...

I like this weekend sewing I do.

Dog Nights

The Winter 2009 issue of Quilts and more magazine contains a segment on dog cushions.

I made one for Z, our cocker spaniel.


He is a happy canine. And the bed is machine-washable.

The letter sachels

Amanda Sole's book has the cutest letter sachels.

Because I have lived in many parts of the world, I have gathered letters since the age of 13.

I made some of my own sachels.

To be used to safe keep the letters from my family.

I heard an author once speaking about letter writing and since then I photocopy most letters I write. Should my daughters ever want to look into their family history, they shall have all sides of the relationships.

This book seems interesting too.

Wishy Washy

This is another finished project from the Saturday sewing marathon.

I made an apron with a dish towel attached to the front because a girl needs to wipe/dry the hands often as she works around the kitchen.

Yeah, it's a neat little thing I put togther for myself.

Another Messenger Bag

The brother in law was in need of one for his small computer.

He chose the fabric.

Computer inside.

Pocket on the outside.

Finishing up a few things

As I moved my sewing machine and all the other tools, containers, and books, I made a mental note to finish up a few projects.

These were squares from a blankie.  They are now pot holders in my kitchen.

Another quilt in the making.  The front is finished.

A sachel bag.  I finished three.  These were originally made to give to a church collecting them for kids going into foster care.  The idea was that having a bag like this was better than throwing some belongings into a plastic shopping bag.

Another quilt front finished.

And another.

I did a lot of sewing yesterday. And some cooking and baking.  My family and job responsibilities don't always leave enough time for sewing, so some Saturdays are made for refilling the feeling I get when I sew or crochet something.

Works in Progress

The Tree Quilt has seen some activity.

The trunk is attached.

The flowers on the tree are as well.

The crochet blankie, sort of lets use all the leftover yarn kind, is also in progress.

It is a little something to keep the fingers busy at night,

Tid bits

I have friends in the Northeast and at times we have weather conversations which are most likely the standard weather conversations between an Arizonan living in the valley and someone in a frigid elsewhere.

Yes, today we were bestowed with a lovely high of 70 degrees. Just look at the sky...  They, on the other hand, are recovering from massive snow storms and very, very cold weather.

Meanwhile, I am moving my sewing station to another part of the house but have managed to finish up some pouches...

And started a crochet blankie...  and have a book to read, one of those for women over 47 explaining what our bodies are doing differently.

And...

I won my first blog giveaway prize.  Can't wait to see the goodies.

Quilting a bag

At my 35th Avenue class I learned about a different kind of batting. It is sturdy and very easy to quilt.

i decided to make myself a bag, a sturdy bag, and this batting was perfect for that because it gives the piece a solid feel.

I used strips from my Fabric.com order for the outside.

And this bright green for the inside. The lining was quilted to the batting.

Two pockets to facilitate organization too and I used my new "Blue Carousel" tag.

I am learnig to be more patient with my sewing projects. I do fine with crochet, but I tend to want to sip through the sewing ones. This bag was done in stages, and now I will use it daily.

Strips and things

I purchased fabric rolls from Fabric.com with strip quilts in mind.

I layed out the strips in waives of color... greens going into blues, yellows into oranges.

You can't see the effect here, but I will post the finished quilts later.

I played around with using a different batting material and I am super happy about that choice. You see, I recently attended a quilting class at 35th Avenue store and I watched and listened and walked out of the place with some new goodies to try out. I also tried quilting with my Singer by using stitch number 16. Can you see the waviness above?

And on this Sunday afternoon, I had some coffee and cake. It reminds me of the afternoon tea experience lived my Europeans wherever in the world they find themselves. My Momma had it prepared for us on special occasions.

Soft all around

For a soon to be born son of a co-worker.

It traveled all the way to the East Coast.

Que bueno.

Soft and cozy

What is it I like sewing more than anything? Bags and pillows.

This white soft one was made from a remnant that I purchased , not knowing exactly how big it was and what I would make with it. I opened it up when I got home and decided its fate.. a pillow. It is a treat for someone who likes hugging soft things when sleeping ... me.

This one was a gift for Mary on her birthday.

Making it for everybody

My mother had a saying about how many of any one thing should or could be made. We were three girls and there had to three of everything... so we may or may not be able to get, make or want "it" if everybody wasn't going to have it.

When I crochet, sew, or do whatever I do, my subconscious is counting... Must make more...

For Grasshopper's birthday party gifts, I made 10 of these...
It is my contribution to being plastic free and encouraging creativity.

Just for the essentials

I explored a new technique recently.

The little metal rings are easy to use and give the bag a different look.

I chose bright colors for this one because I was thinking of children.

Little Carriers

I have made these before but recently realized I could change the look by doing that sewing thing at the ends that makes them look more 3D.

I love this particular pattern.

Make lots of what you do best!

Cozy pozy

The bed has a new cover.

It took me forever to pull it together. I collected fabric and added as I went along.

Manuel, my teddy, is as cozy as the quilt.

Camera Bag

This bag will be useful when I am using a smaller purse and I want my camera with me.

I love making them but I am not very fond of cloth purses.

I do know 2 little girls that will claim it in a flash... :-)

Works in Progress

My head is like a pipeline where some project is always coming up.

A quilt to be.

Boxes, a bag, and shoes in the making too.

The beginnings of a pillow made up of squares looking like this one.

These will be kept in the family.