Wednesday, August 13, 2014

WIP Wednesday - Variable Star Block

Hello, all!

Today I have a simple work-in-progress that I hope will be a FINISH very soon! Maybe even in time to post this Friday?? That might be pushing it! :)

I created a variable star within a variable star using the instructions at SewCanShe. She gives you the instructions and measurements for the first two rounds. I used the BlockFab app on the iPad to find my final measurements. (Thanks, SewCanShe, for the link!)

I wasn't sure how much I would like the app but now that I am using it I love it! It is super helpful plus combined with SewCanShe's awesome instructions I feel ready to do all the blocks on the app!

Any way, here's my block in progress currently:
 
(c) Crafty Ashley B
Variable Star with no border

Friday, August 8, 2014

Hand Quilted Tote Bags

I am so excited to be sharing these two tote bags with you!

The first I gave a sneak peek  a week ago. Now that I've finished the other tote bag I'm ready to share!

Happy Animal Tote

So here's more photos of the first:
(c) Crafty Ashley B
Large scale view

(c) Crafty Ashley B
Close view of hand quilting

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ...hopeful that I will have another productive weekend of sewing and creating. My list of things to make keeps getting longer every day! Darn Pinterest! Those pins just keep building up! But at least Pinterest lets you keep things saved in one spot versus a gazillion and one bookmarks on your computer.

http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-164383-1.html

 ... trying to remember these words above. I tend to forget the "encourage someone" part of this message and I think it is just as important as being a blessing to others. But encouraging you also are a blessing. 

.... excited to be sharing a finished product in tomorrow's post. Early peek: it's a tote bag! And I've decided to actually keep it for me as I love all of the colors and the design. Happy girl here! 

... completely not ready for the fall term to start. I have not started planning my classes at all! Thankfully I am only teaching two sections but one starts week after next and the other after that. I do have at least one week to start prepping! I always seem to wait to the last minute to get my lesson plans together. Thankfully college students are a little more forgiving on missing plans! 

... really ready to get back in my sewing room and make some more things. I have some very pretty things to create! 



Wednesday, August 6, 2014

WIP Wednesday - Modern Coin Quilt

On Saturday I was in the mood to sew. You know just had to make something! So what's a girl to do? I pulled out all of my precuts to take a look at what I could make. Here's what I dug out:
(c) Crafty Ashley B
My stack of precuts and other pretties.

So using what I already had, I decided to make coin quilt similar to this one. However, I did not have quite as many pieces to work with. In fact I had 30 blocks at 6"x6" and nothing in my stash to make more squares up. These fabrics are definitely outside the norm of what I purchase but I got them last summer (!) at a good deal.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Time for Tasks Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! 

 I've gotten a couple of projects done this weekend. I was also successful in getting some new projects started and some others planned! I'm super happy about this development in my sewing room since I've been having some trouble getting the creative juices flowing.

I've also started to use my planners for both work and home planning. There are still some kinks but at least I've actually started to use them! I've actually filled in a number of spots for planning some future blog posts plus tracking link-ups and giveaways on others' sites! 

I have just about given up hope on getting a quilt made up using Amanda Jean's quilt along. I may eventually get around to making a quilt in the rail fence pattern. But I don't know if I'll get a chance to submit it to Margaret's Hope Chest.

Other than the projects that I have already started or planned, I am going to sew up a variable star as part of SewCanShe's classic block. I'm not sure what dimensions I'll make the block up. I think I'd like to turn it into a large throw quilt or a pretty quilted tote bag. I love the idea of the star within the star. I already have ideas on how to quilt it!

What plans do you have in the works?