Good bye 2013!

Hello Everyone!

Why do I start off like that I think there is only one person that reads my blog.  Hi Izzy!  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!  I was truly blessed!  I was gifted some wonderful things and I ate too much!  Loved spending time with my family.  Hope you all were blessed with family and friends this year.
I have been on a sewing hiatus for the past two weeks.  I had 18 lunch bags to make for my co workers and it was a mad dash at the end to finish them.  Here is a picture of one of the bags for a friends daughter that is a new teacher.

It was a lot of work to make all of them but I really enjoyed it and the look on their faces.  I already know what I am making for them next year and will buy the supplies this week and get them started.  I want them complete so I don't have to rush next year.

We have 3 big Christmas trees at work.  We have a new campus called the Farm.  The tree for that area had all farm related ornaments.  Animals and seed packets.  It is beautiful.  Talking with one of the decorators she asked me if I had a tree skirt for it or if a quilt would work.  I had just finished binding a quilt from my friend Charisma.  She used my scraps to make a lovely quilt!  So here is a picture of the tree with my quilt as the skirt.

It is much prettier in person.  I am so grateful to have been able to be a small part of the tree.

Do you make New Year's resolutions?  I have decided not to this year.  I am not going to challenge myself for a resolution but for me.  I have some goals that I would like to accomplish.  I am sticking with my goal from this year and not going to start anything new until I finish at least 3 things.  I hope to get to the point of no UFOs.  Then I will be able to just finish each project as I go. :)

I would like to make a Granny Squares quilt and design my own with some new fabric I received in October.

Tomorrow I will be working on the Merry Mayhem mystery quilt.  It is scrappy this year!  It is fat quarters but I have a ton that need to be used in something!  I am getting my fabric ready for sewing all day tomorrow.  The first quilt I ever made was the 2010 Mystery quilt.  Will you join me?

Thank you for a wonderful year!

Here's to 2014!  

Hope you all are as blessed as I am!

Amy

Progress?

I wish I could say I have been away from here because I have been a mad woman sewing 24/7.  That is not the case though.  I have sewn a few things but not like I did in the summer.  I hope to find my sewing mojo soon.  I have Christmas gifts to make for my co workers and less than two weeks to finish them.  I better get to the quilt store because I honestly have no fabric.  I have been using my scraps all summer and now I am struggling to find fabric to use for bigger projects.
This is not a bad thing.  I am so grateful to have used up so much of my fabric.  I can now actually buy some new fabric without the guilt.
I hope to make at least one more blog post before the end of the year.  If not, I will leave you with the blessings of the season!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I can't wait to see what 2014 brings!

We were asked to make or bring in a stocking for the fireplace one of the ladies had made at work.  I had some leftover scraps from my sister's table runner.  This stocking is from www.diaryofaquilter.com by Amy Smart.  It is so fast and easy that I think I will stock up on Christmas fabric at the end of the year and make a bunch for next Christmas.

I will hopefully be back soon to show you what I am making my co workers this year.

Blessings

Amy

Where did October go?

Boy this month went fast!  Tomorrow is the last day of the month.  When we were on vacation this summer we saw a band called Fun.  They are great in concert.  The band to open for them was Walk the Moon.  Well I told my son if Walk the Moon came near us we would go.  So, tomorrow night we are going to see them in Madison.  Tickets were cheap and even though it is a school night, I think it will be a fun time. :)

So what have I been working on?

I made this Midi bag for my friend for her birthday.  It's a very easy pattern and fun to do.

And I started a new scrappy project.  I am taking pictures as I go.  I hope this is a new pattern and is something I can do a tutorial on. :)  It will be all scraps.

I counted my quilt tops and I have 6 to finish.  Hope to find the time soon to get at least one done.

What are you working on?

Blessings

Amy

Finishes!

I was able to finish a couple things this past week. Yay me!!!  Finishing is so hard for me.  I get so easily distracted with new ideas and fabric.  But I am finding that the feeling I get from actually finishing something is so great that I want to continue to do it!  So look for more finishes soon!

Here is the 10 minute table runner that I made for my boss for her birthday.

And I have finally finished the runner, topper and coasters for my sister.  We picked out this fabric almost a year ago.

I have also discovered that I really suck at taking pictures of my finishes.  I have to find better lighting and maybe a newer camera. 

Going to work on my WIP list.  It seems to help me be accountable.  

What are you working on?

Have a blessed week!

Amy

How is my WIP list coming along?

I finished 5 things last night.  One item was not on my list as it is a gift for my boss.  I will post a picture of it after Thursday.

this is my list from earlier this year:

Here is my WIP list:

Ragged squares quilt- quilt and bind

Yellow Brick Road lap quilt-bind

Baby quilt-bind

10-Triple Zip bags (why 10?-I bought 30 zippers for these and want to finish them all)

Table topper for my sister-quilt and bind

set of coasters for my sister

Lap quilt for my friend-using up fabric from the rag quilt

 

 

Really!  I have finished a lot! I am going to do some searching and make an updated list.  The Ragged Squares quilt is high on my list to get done next, but before that I have to make a gift for a friend. 

The triple zip bags will be permanently taken off the list.  I made one and found I do not like it at all.  Now I will have to come up with some new things to make with all the zippers I bought! :)

 

What your you working on?  Do you make gifts for Christmas?

 

Blessings

Amy

My most favorite quilt to date

A few years ago my friend Charisma had a contest on her blog.  I won!  She sent me two fat quarter bundles.  The only thing she asked is that I use at least one set for charity.  I made this baby quilt 2 years ago.  She was very kind and quilted it for me.  It has a minky back.  The pattern is Yellow Brick Road.  I used a satin binding and zigzag stitched it on.  I love this quilt!  I think it is my favorite thing I have ever made.  I am not sure what I will do with it yet.  I have another bundle to use to make a charity quilt.  Do you struggle to rid yourself of your quilts?  I make quilts for fun not usually as gifts.

This is a finish!!!!  I am going to finish a table topper for my sister next.  I'm on a roll!!!!

Hope you have a blessed week!

Amy

The Midi Bag

Have you seen the Mondo bag?  It's a pattern by M.P "Mattie" Rhoades for Quiltsmart.  I have seen the Mondo bag and it's big!  It was appealing to me because it uses scraps.  When I first saw it I thought it was too big for my needs.  Then I found the Midi Bag!!!

This is just the right size!  My sister wanted a bag to put her knitting in so I made this for her.  I used all scraps!  The pattern comes with enough interfacing for two bags.  The interfacing is marked with a grid.  All you do is line up your 2 1/2 inch squares and press.  Then you sew them together.  I was a little confused when sewing the L shapes but if you take your time and really read the directions (I guess I should have done that first) it is easy.  The handles are supposed to be yardage but I thought the scrappy looked better.  It uses 108 squares.  Luckily no cutting for me.  I just grabbed my 2 1/2 in box and picked out 108 of them.  There are only a few of the same squares.

I like to take my finished projects in to work.  Well, today everyone wanted one of these bags.  I am going to make another one for a friend and then make some to sell.  I had to run to the local quilt store today and they had never heard of the Mondo bag.  I bet the next time I am in there they will have the pattern and the interfacing.

Hope you are having a blessed week.  It's amazing how I can write a blog about my failures in sewing and then find the urge and time to actually accomplish something.

Amy

*I am not a paid spokesperson.  The opinions are my own.

What happened to September?

Hello Friends~

First I have to tell you about my big FAIL!  So I had this great idea that I would sew for 15 minutes a day.  I think I would have done it if school hadn't started.  In the summer when my son is at my parent's house I usually come home from work and sew.  I might take a few minutes for eating but really I just sew for hours.  That is why I could make 6 quilt tops.  Then school starts and my son is home.  I love having him home don't get me wrong.  It's just now I am consumed with cooking and cleaning and being a mom.  I love being a mom it's the greatest gift I have ever received.  He is 16 now and really doesn't care if I am around him.  But I care and so I do not get my sewing done.  I have started a few things that were in my UFO box.

This was a lil' twister wreath that I bought last year.  I just have to quilt it and it will make a nice wall hanging.

This is an applique tree from a kit at Joanns.  I am learning how to applique.  So far I like it.

My friend Christina gave me this kit.  I just have to quilt it and it will be a nice table topper. 

And a Snoopy diaper cake.  A friend at work is going to be a grandma again and asked me to make a cake for her.  I love Snoopy!

So I did get a few things done but not nearly enough.  I have just decided to take it day by day and see how much I can get done.  I am currently working on a purse for my sister.  Any bets on how long that takes?

Hope you have a blessed month!

Amy

Happy National Sewing Month!

Well September is off to a great start!  I finished this project from start to finish in less than an hour.  Now time to cut  out other projects for the rest of the month.  You can follow my progress here or on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Turquoise-Button/575915242433330

 Hope you have a blessed month!
Amy

Good-bye Summer

Well today is the last day of August.  Where did the summer go?  I must say though that I did accomplish quite a bit this summer.  I finished 6 quilt tops.  Included in the count are my two rag quilts that I completely finished. :)  I have just learned how to free motion quilt on my machine and I LOVE IT!!!!  Of course the quilt I started on was the top I just finished-Cherry Jubilee.  It is big-72x72.  I may have to set it aside and do a smaller lap quilt first.  I was having trouble with the thread breaking but I think I have solved that problem.

So tomorrow starts September National Sewing Month.  I am going to do a ton of cutting fabric today.  My goal for the month is to sew for 15 minutes every day.  I can't wait to show you my finishes. :)  I have quite a few small projects that have just been waiting for this opportunity. :)  I hope to get at least 1 quilt completely finished.

How about you?  What are you working on?
Here's to a great September!

Blessings
Amy

Another quilt top finished

I was mistaken in my earlier post.  This new quilt top is from the Quilt Almanac 2012 magazine.  It is called Cherry Jubilee by Karen DuMont.  This quilt top is made from all scraps.  I love it!  I am going to make a scrappy back for it too.  Stay tuned for a complete finish.  I have 6 tops that need to be quilted.  I have never quilted my own so I am nervous.  I think I may have to make some hot pads so I can practice quilting.

Hope you are having a blessed week.

Amy

A few finishes and one more quilt top done

I have had this tote almost done for about two years.  On Saturday I decided to finish it.  I found the pattern in a magazine.  It's big-19 1/2 x 19 1/2 with 5 inch bottom and sides.

I also decided to sew my rows of the Yellow Brick Road Christmas quilt together.  Then I decided it needed borders.  The backing will be a red and green plaid.

This last picture is of another quilt that my dear friend Charisma had made with my scraps.  I finally finished the binding.  It is washed and ready for use.

Now I am working on a quilt called Cherry Blossom from another magazine.  It calls for 100 pairs of brights and 100 pairs of white 21/2 inch squares.  I  have all pairs sewn together now to match them up and sew them.  I will post pictures soon. The sweetest thing about all of this.  I am using up my stash!  I have not bought anything.  I do need to get some batting so I can actually finish the tops that are ready.

Hope you are having a blessed week!

Amy

Busy week and it's only Tuesday. Swoon top done!!!

Vacation is over.  I went back to work yesterday.  It was so nice to get back into a routine.  I really did enjoy my 2 weeks off.  I was able to organize my sewing area and clean the house from top to bottom.  My friend Marilyn came over last Tuesday and we sewed.  This is what I worked on and finally finished tonight.  A gentleman coworker and his wife are having a baby next month.  I received a free fat quarter bundle of flannel just in time to make this....

I had some diapers left over from a diaper cake I made for a friend so I thought I would make them a cake too...

It's not finished of course but I did get a good start on it.

I have also finished my Swoon 2013 top!

Now to find backing material.

I am also needing to finish three projects before I start anything new again.

Hope you all have a blessed week!

Amy

On Vacation! :)

I have been on vacation since July 21.  I will be off until August 5. :)  We have been doing day trips and some relaxing.  I was able to finish a quilt top. I have had this pack of fat 8ths of Cheep Talk from Connecting Threads forever.  What to do with fat 8ths???  I really had no idea until I came across a free pattern on Moda Bakeshop called Cobblestone Path Quilt by Pauline Francis.  She used a dessert roll but I just cut into my fat 8ths.  Here it is.  Very simple and fast.  Now to find backing....

Of course it loaded sideways.  Hope you can see it.  I will be using this pattern again for sure.

My friend Marilyn will be visiting on Tuesday for a sew day.  I can't wait.  I will hopefully have some finished projects to show then. 

Hope you all have a blessed week!

Amy

Swoon blocks done!

Yes!  I have finished all 9 blocks. Going to lay them all out and see if I like it.  Not sure how many I will use in a quilt top yet.  Stay tuned for further updates. :)

If you are experiencing the heat wave that we are here, try to stay cool!

Blessings

Amy

Swoon blocks 4, 5, and 6

I have finished 3 more blocks for Swoon 2013.  Only 3 more to go. :)  Hoping to finish all of them by next weekend.

On another note-I went to the new fabric launch party for Jeni Baker's-Nordika line.  I had so much fun meeting Jeni and seeing the new line.  I bought a bundle from the Frost line of Nordika.  I love the whole line.  Then this morning I received an email from the Sewcial Lounge that I had won a fat quarter bundle.  I had to run right down there and pick it up of course.  Thank you Sewcial Lounge and Jeni for a great evening.

And after I finish 3 unfinished projects I will cut into my new bundles. :)

Have a great weekend!

Blessings

Amy

Swoon blocks 2 and 3 in no particular order...

Here are two more Swoon blocks.  I worked 3 hours on Sunday and 3 hours yesterday.  I have gotten everything cut out and into bags.  I am just doing one block at a time.  They sure do take a while.  I really am enjoying the process though.  I am not sure about doing all 9 for a big quilt or if I will just do 6 for a good lap size.  I will know more when I finish all of them and see how they all look together.

I am getting better at squaring things up though.  I am really taking my time and pressing more.

Enjoy!

On another note.  Friday at the Sewcial Lounge in Madison Wi, Jeni Baker from her blog In Color Order will be having a new fabric line launch party.  Her new fabric is called Nordika and I just love it!  I cannot wait to meet her! 

Hope you are having a blessed week!

Amy

First Block for Swoon 2013 and a finish!

Here is my first Swoon block!

So it's not perfect. I still need to square it up but I don't think it's too bad for my first one. :)

Here is a finish.  This quilt was made with my scraps by a friend of Charisma's.  Charisma then quilted for me.  I finally got the binding done. :)  One more to bind.

The weather has been weird here lately.  I felt like we were living in London or Seattle with all the rain we were having.  It is a beautiful day today though.  I was able to finish my Swoon block this morning so I can get outside this afternoon.

Have a Blessed week!

Amy

Swoon 2013 and a finish

Here is the fabric I will be using for my Swoon blocks.  It's Lark by Amy Butler.

I have also finished a quilt from two years ago.  The pattern is Yellow Brick Road and my dear friend Charisma quilted it for me.  The fabric was my first purchase from my local quilt store-The Quilter's Compass.  It was actually from the owners stash so I don't know the designer.  So happy this is finished!

Because I have actually finished some things I get to start something new! Cannot wait to cut out my fabric for the Swoon quilt.  I just need to get the 4 1/2 yards of white and the backing.  

Stay tuned for more finishes.  I have two quilts that Charisma made with my scraps that I am almost done binding. :)

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday.  We will be going to Summerfest in Milwaukee on Thursday for my son's first concert.  We will be seeing the band Fun. I can't wait!  Hope to get some sewing in over the weekend.

Blessings!

Amy

Swoon!

I have wanted to do this pattern for a while now.  I am going to use my Amy Butler fabric.  Pictures to come.  Won't you play along???

Where did May go?

Busy is the term for the month.  Last month was my birthday and we did a little celebrating. :)  Since my birthday is on the 5th of May we decided to celebrate Cinco de mayo.  I love super hero movies.  We saw Ironman 3 then visited our favorite mexican restaurant.  Here are my son, sister and I.

I have been trying to finish some things and as promised I have a picture of my latest finish.  This is the lap size rag quilt that I made for my friend Penny.

I'm going to take a little break and do some closet cleaning.  But I am really excited to finish some other great things.

Thanks for stopping by.

Amy

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Diaper Cake

My friend Marilyn had a baby shower for our friend Violet.  It's a boy and she loves owls.  I was having a really hard time finding an owl for the top of the diaper cake.  Since I have so many scraps I decided to make my own.  I put taggies on the sides and used the ribbon as taggies on the feet.  It was a lot of fun to make and did not take too long. :) 

It's going to be warm here finally this weekend.  My son and I are going to get our bikes out and go for a ride. :)  Hoping to also get some sewing in.  Trying to make more of the Triple Zip Bag.  I will post pictures when I have a few more made.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings
Amy

Bags and purses

I make bags.  I have made about 50 of the Bow Tuck bag pattern.  It was so fast and easy for me.  They were great sellers too.  I am trying to write out my own bag pattern.  We shall see how that goes.  I did draw up a lap quilt pattern.  I hope to get started on that soon.  Hint: if you like 9 patch you may like this one.  I have never seen anything like my design but we will see. 

Do you find there are not enough hours in the day?  I was trying to sew the triple zip bag and sewed it wrong.  That's what I get for not labeling my fabric.  I usually have to label the fabric with any new pattern.  Sometimes it's so easy to mix the fabric up.  When I actually succeed and finish the bag I will post a picture.  

I have finished two more runners.  It is feeling great to have some finishes.  This is the year of finishes!

Here is my WIP list:

Ragged squares quilt- quilt and bind

Yellow Brick Road lap quilt-bind

Baby quilt-bind

10-Triple Zip bags (why 10?-I bought 30 zippers for these and want to finish them all)

Table topper for my sister-quilt and bind

set of coasters for my sister

Lap quilt for my friend-using up fabric from the rag quilt

  

Please check back to see if I actually get these things done.  I can not start anything new until I finish at least half of these.  And that is killing me because I just got some wonderful fabric that I want to play with!

Blessings

Amy

April 1st

Happy April!
Hope everyone enjoyed Easter.  I had some days off last week and spent them with my son.  It was a lot of fun.  I went to this newer quilt store called The Sewcial Lounge.  It was the owners birthday so she offered 30% off. :)  I was able to get 1/2 yard of Liberty fabric and a fat quarter bundle of Color Me Retro!  Can't wait to use it.  I'm going to work on cutting out some fabric this week so I can do some sewing this weekend. :)  I will post pictures of what I am working on.  Nothing new-still trying to finish some things.  Had a binding lesson this weekend and had a blast with a new friend.
Have a blessed week!
Amy

Is it March already?

For that one person that reads this blog.  Sorry I have been away so long.  I must say that I have not finished any quilt tops but I am almost to a finish on a few.  I have a new goal that I am working on and I am actually getting those things done.  I must complete some things before I start anything new.  I have 10 tablerunners that were quilted by my dear friend Charisma over two years ago.  I am in the process of binding them.  I have completed two so far. :)  I really don't know what I am doing when it comes to the binding.  I have watched many tutorials on it and just can't find what I need.  I get the whole sewing to the front part, it's the hand sewing to the back that is troubling me.  I have even been so frustrated that I have done the machine binding just to finish something.  I hope this process of finishing projects helps me to learn to enjoy the binding part. 
I have a few things that I really want to start so I am really working towards finishing.  I am even designing my own quilt pattern. :)  Pipe dream but one I know I will accomplish one day.
Thanks for reading
Blessings
Amy

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I have found my sewing groove again and I am busy piecing quilts.  I am currently working on a Yellow Brick Road pattern quilt using Christmas fabric.  It is so nice to use up my fabric.  My next project is the Scrappy Trip Around the World that everyone is doing.  Another great way to use up my stash.  I have a few things that need binding and will post pictures of those soon.

Take Care
Many Blessings
Amy