Back to Basics

I originally started this blog as a way to document what I made, what I was doing at the time and my thinking behind what I was making.  I've lost sight of that.  In an effort to be active, I turned it into a to-do list that is boring and offers no insight.  I don't even like to read my own entries, as opposed to my old entries that I look back on fondly and reflect on my life then.  So, this is to remind me of why I even started this blog and get off the production treadmill and focus more on the process.

2nd Quarter Finish-a-long

This is a more inclusive list than will be completed:

Quilting: I have 5 quilts in the queue.

Quilt Backs: Two quilt backs to make.

Bonnets: Make a smaller bonnet that will fit now rather than later, and some other colors for later in the summer.

Soft Books: One in progress, more waiting to be started.

Stars BoM: Learning to paper piece is looking embarrassing right now... but hopefully I will have actual good finished products in a couple more weeks. 

Bloom Bloom Pow

April Goals

This is a more inclusive list than will be completed in April:

Quilting: I have 5 quilts in the queue.

Quilt Backs: Two quilt backs to make.

Bonnets: Make a smaller bonnet that will fit now rather than later, and some other colors for later in the summer.

Soft Books: One in progress, more waiting to be started.

Stars BoM: Learning to paper piece is looking embarrassing right now... but hopefully I will have actual good finished products in a couple more weeks.

Finish along, 1st quarter 2013 Results

Goals:

1. Bibs: Complete

2. Boppy Covers: Complete

3. Soft Book(s): No progress

4. Baby Quilt: Top is complete

5. Join a quilt guild: No progress

Completed Instead:

1. Lotta Jansdotter Snuggler (blogged already)

2. Little Geranium Dress (blogged already)

3. Quick Change Trousers from Anna Marie Horner's "Handmade Beginnings" (blogged already)

4. Tag Blanket (blogged already)

5. Bonnet (blogged already)

6. Itty Bitty Baby Dress (blogged already)

WiP Wednesday/March Finishes: March 26, 2013

Life with a newborn is challenging and rewarding.  I usually get 2 naps a day before she demands to be held for 12 hours straight.  The first nap is full of basics like brushing my teeth and eating breakfast, but if I get a second nap it is my time (as long as there isn't laundry to fold or a house to clean!).

Finished: 

Bonnet. I used the design from Little Betty Designs to make a reversible bonnet for my baby girl.  I realized when I took her to the Arbor Day celebration at my husband's work that everyone wants to hold her, but not everyone is so good about keeping her face shaded, so hopefully this bonnet will help.  The first one I made went a little slow, but I think as I get practice I will be able to make a couple more fairly easily.  I plan to attach velcro to the straps and cut them down shorter to use as the fastener.  The velcro should come apart easily enough to avoid any choking hazards from the hat.  I can't wait to try this out on her!

Itty Bitty Baby Dress.  I used the pattern from Made By Rae to make this dress.  I found the pattern to be very small... and I even used the 0-3 month size instead of the newborn.  My 6 week old (admittedly she is on the larger size of the spectrum) barely fit into it, so she only wore it once to an Easter egg hunt.  The size issue is due to the construction because there is no opening in the back.  It was still cute the one time she was able to wear it and we got a lot of compliments.

In Progress: 

Quilt backs:

Plan C - I strip pieced one section of the back of the Plan C quilt, still need to iron.  I also decided on the fabric for the majority of the back.  The alphabet print from the new PB&J collection will be perfect - I just need to order it.

Out to sea baby quilt back - I was able to start on the wonky stars that will be a portion of the back.

Up Next: 

I still need to finish assembling my long arm.  My in-laws are coming this weekend, so hopefully while they are here I will get this done.

 

WiP Wednesday/March Goals: March 6, 2013

It's been awhile... life with a newborn is demanding.  She is good, but wants to be held approximately 23 hours a day.

Finished:
Absolutely nothing.  Emptying the dishwasher and eating meals at approximately their scheduled time is a victory for me right now.  

In Progress:
Quilt Backs.  The Out to Sea quilt is still the current priority.  I've started to pull fabric and have a couple ideas.  

Up Next:
I finally have the last parts for my longarm machine.  My mom is visiting this week, so I am hoping I can finish assembly while she is here to help with the baby.  Once that is complete, I need to get hot on the quilt backs so I can actually have something to quilt!

WiP Wednesday: February 13, 2013

I'm on a streak... two weeks in a row of actually keeping track of what I've done.  I also feel good doing something creative most days.  I am taking inspiration from a book -  Victoria Findlay Wolfe (aka V aka Bumblebeans), 15 Minutes of Play- a goal to create even if it is just for 15-30 minutes a day.  I am trying to do that, but some days it's harder than others.

Finished this week: 

Bibs.  These are a little big for a newborn, but cute and will be used soon enough.  I used the pattern from Chickpea Sewing Studio.  Most have flannel as the back and I used snaps for all of them.  

Tag Blanket.  These are my go to baby shower gifts, so I figured I should also make one for my own little girl.  I love the combination of flannel and minky.  The ribbons all have different textures, and will hopefully be well loved.  

Boppy Covers.  The first one I made is the top one.  I used the pattern and tutorial from Vanilla Joy.  My only changes were to take in the top outside curves a little and I didn't pre-wash my fabrics because I wanted it to shrink a little to fit better.  The second one I attempted to improve and do my own thing.  I hope to eventually make a version that I like better - for example I added a strip in the middle portion that stretches because I think it will hold up in the long run better than the seam in the tutorial and used an invisible zipper in the back seam portion so it won't hit my legs.  However, my design is still not where I want it to be and you can't beat the ease of the already ready to go one from Vanilla Joy.  

Vanilla Joy version

My attempt to improve... still needs more work.

Quick Change Trousers from Anna Marie Horner's "Handmade Beginnings".  Pants were next on my to do list as I teach myself how to make clothes.  The pattern was fairly easy although time consuming due to having to get up, sit down, pin, iron, read directions, repeat times both sides of the pants.  I can see doing them again, but assembly line style - it would be multiple pairs of these pants to make it go more quickly.  They are very nice because they are reversible and all the seams are enclosed.  Due to being reversible, they are a little heavy so hopefully they will be fine in warmer weather.  I made these from the DS Quilts fabric collection.  

Side 1

Side 2

Baby!  My sweet girl was born on Monday.  I'm fairly certain that is the end of productivity as I know it, yet totally worth it :)

In Progress:

Out to Sea Quilt back.  Does pulling fabrics count?

Quilt Backs for the rest of my quilt fronts.  I started sewing together strips for the back of my "Plan C" quilt.  Moving more toward the back burner temporarily, but it still needs to get done.

Up Next: 

Quilt Backs.  Moving more toward the back burner temporarily, but it still needs to get done. 

Headbands.  No change.  I have a horrible fear that my baby girl will have no hair, so I want at least a couple headbands ready to go. 

Charity quilts.  No change.  I have one ready to be quilted, and fabric set aside for three more.  I have baby on the brain though, so it is hard for me to concentrate on non-baby projects.