Pincushion Jar Tutorial

Today I have a pincushion tutorial over at the Riley Blake Cutting Corners College – go and check it out!





I was really in need of a new pincushion.  When I am working on hand sewing a quilt binding, I carry this mug around.  It holds everything I need:






The only problem is that it tends to tip over.  Often.  Plus…it’s a mug.  Mugs are for hot chocolate.  Not binding clips. 

This new pincushion jar is perfect.    Everything fits so nicely inside:  scissors, thread, binding clips, thimble.


 


Plus, it’s quick to make.  Gotta love that.

I happen to have an extra pincushion – would you like one?  I’m giving this one away:





It’s made with Riley Blake's Love Birds Dot Stripe on Blue and it has a cheery red grosgrain needle holder. 

To enter the giveaway just leave me a comment on this post.  Any ol’ comment will do!  I’ll randomly draw a winner on Monday at noon.  Sorry, but I’m afraid I’ll have to limit this giveaway to those in the US and Canada.

Thanks for stopping by!
--Andy

Lucky Nines

Remember my nameless WIP?  She’s done and she has a name:  Lucky Nines.  Thank you for all of the suggestions in your comments and emails! 





Like I mentioned before, I have had these 3.5” squares sitting on my table for months and when I had a few minutes I would sew them into nine patch blocks.  And when I say “a few minutes” I mean a FEW minutes.  I quickly figured out that each nine patch took me about 4 minutes to make.  That’s about how long it takes a toddler to use the potty.  And since he always needs his “pwrivacy,” I could use those few minutes to make a block.  How’s that for efficient! 


Once the blocks were done, I considered making two matching baby-size quilts.  Wouldn’t they be sweet for two twin boys?  I had just enough blocks to make two little quilts that would be about 45” x 45".  I chose instead to make one toddler bed-sized quilt.  The deciding factor was simply that I needed to get this project off my table so I could make room for the next few!  This is a great size though – the finished quilt measures 56” x 67”





For the backing I used this green print from the Hooty Hoot line.  I was hoping to be able to find the Blue Jacks print for the back and the blue and brown stripe for the binding, but the green is my second favorite and ended up working just as well. 





Lucky Nines is in the shop!



linking up

A Little Inspiration

I’ve decided that I need a new quilt for myself.  I have become a bit enamored with this fabric and *I think* I’ve decided to use this as the jump off point for my quilt.  A plus:  the mister just walked in, saw the above pic and proclaimed “wow! I love it!”

The fabric is from the Long Live Vintage line by Adornit.  Not sure of the name of this particular print.  I DO know that at my LQS there is only about  2 yards left on the bolt.  I’d better get down there and grab the rest of it tomorrow!

(original photo of fabric from here)

Currently Working On…

My current project (well, ONE of my current projects) is an advent calendar.  It was a custom order through etsy.  I really thought that it would be challenging to work on a Christmasy project right after Christmas.  Instead, I am finding it… fun. 





All 24 of the little felt ornaments are done, as well as all of the applique numbers. Honestly, those parts were the ones I was dreading.  Now that they’re done the rest will be a breeze.  I love getting the dreaded parts over with first, don’t you?

Crayon Commute

On my last trip to my local quilt shop I discovered this adorable fabric:





The bolt was wedged in with some other transportation themed fabric, but this one just jumped out at me.  It’s called (rather appropriately) Crayon Commute and it’s by Alexander Henry. 

It didn’t take me long to find some coordinating solids.  I found a blue Riley Blake blender fabric (color: Robin), the red is American Banner Rose from Moda and the yellow is from the Moda line Charlevoix.  That yellow fabric is the most beautiful yellow color, and it’s buttery-soft.  I’m not a yellow fan, but just the feel of that fabric makes me want to find an excuse to use it again. 


And speaking of using things again…

I’m still a huge fan of the Hometown line.





This quilt top is created with all of the leftovers from my Right Turn Only quilt.  This one is small – about 42” x 46” or so.  I’ll show more of it soon – once it is quilted and bound.


linking up:

On A Roll

This has been a great week for finishing things.  Feels good!

This was one of the things I completed.  The quilt top was finished back at the beginning of December.  I’m calling this one Stars Abound 2.  (The original Stars Abound can be seen here.)





The fabrics are from the Tidbits and Treasures line by Piece O’ Cake Designs (Robert Kaufman) and I used Kona White for the background.  I love the bright and happy colors!

It took me a little bit to decide what to do for the backing.  In the end I decided on a lovely yellow print that reads more as a solid.  It’s warm and buttery and just makes me long for the warm sunshine. 





The binding is done in (what else?) a cheerful red dot.  For my bindings, I use this tutorial.  I always machine stitch the binding to the front of the quilt, and about 90% of the time I hand stitch the back.  I love how the invisible stitching looks.  Such a clean look. 






Stars Abound 2 is currently looking for a new home.  She’s listed in the shop!  (sold)




I'm linking up to Finish It Up Friday

and

A Nameless WIP

Sometimes I know immediately what I’m going to name a quilt.  Sometimes I have no idea.  Why does a quilt need a name, anyway?  I feel they do.  Not sure why.  This quilt currently has no name.  I’m open for suggestions. 

This is a quilt that I’ve been working on here and there over the past few months.  The little stack of 3.5” squares stayed on my table and when I had a few spare minutes I would make a 9-patch block and add it to the pile.

 


I was able to finish up all of the blocks and get them pieced together over New Year’s weekend. 





The quilt top is done, and I already have the backing and the binding.  I’m just waiting (not so patiently) for an order of Warm & White to arrive in the mail  so I can finish this!