Lots of Little Lovelies

I would like to start off by saying how rough the last couple of days have been for my family and me.  Just a couple of miles south of our home a tornado (which is being called the most destructive and possibly deadly of all time) took out numerous homes and businesses, including two elementary schools.  I haven't been able to turn the news off but when I watch it all I do is get upset.

There are some positives that can be seen from this tragedy.  If you are ever in need, Oklahoma really is the place you want to be.  The way that people here pull together and help each other out is just amazing!  I have seen so many heroic and awe inspiring acts that again I am brought to tears.  We were all very fortunate.  Hubby's cousin was at the hospital that was nearly leveled but walked out without a scratch (and I do literally mean walked, she had to walk several miles home due to the roads being closed because of debris) and one of my best friends since high school sustained damage to her home but had already left for safer ground.  

Our local guild is organizing a quilt drive if anyone is interested.

On to happier things...a lot of small projects finally got completed this weekend.  I have had these zippered pouches cut for quite awhile now.  Some of my favorite Spoonflower fabrics were finally put to use :)

Plus I was trying to use up some small pieces left over from other projects:

Small Curvy Clutch

Medium Curvy Clutch

 Large Curvy Clutch

 Large Curvy Clutch

And the final pictures of the Wonky Star Baby Shower Quilt.  I believe this has just become one of my favorite quilts to make.  Simple and easy!

I actually remembered (ok, that's a lie, my husband asked me about it) to put a little patch on the back saying who it is for and who it is from.

Lots more little items to come but I'm thinking I may have to finish up my Soda Pop bag that has been on hold since last week....I deserve it, right!?

Today it is off to the store for more fusible fleece (and probably some other stuff too) :P

A Bit of a Disappointment

My craft show Saturday wasn't all I had hoped for.  It was open from 9 to 6 and people just weren't buying.  It wasn't just me either, all of my neighboring booths were struggling to make sales as well.  I did get to try out my new booth set up though.  I typically don't get large booths but I am trying to clear out all of my large purses so that I don't have to store them any more (got to make room for more quilts!).

This is what I've come up with:

All of the gray crates, large and small, are new.  They add a surprising amount of extra display space. 

When I rented the tables I was told they were 6' long but when I got there they were 8' feet and my table clothes wouldn't fit so there was a little bit of improvisation with a quilt.

A couple more clothing racks and double hanging extenders placed behind the tables were the perfect place to display my larger bags. 

The hat boxes on the corner of the table are purely decorative but they add a bit of much needed color.  I have a couple of things I will definitely change next time but right now my focus is on building up my inventory.  I hadn't realized how depleted my stock had gotten until I was setting up.  I've pulled lots of new fabrics and will be putting aside the quilts for a little bit to concentrate on clutches, pouches, coffee sleeves and other small items.

A Week of Progress

No finishes to show, but lots of progress has been made on several different projects.  Wednesday I realized that I have a baby shower to attend on Sunday and not a thing to take...so baby quilt it was.

(Aren't my helpers the cutest?!)

 

One of our guild members showed a quilt using a very similar pattern at our meeting on Monday so I simply used it as inspiration and got to work.  It is now basted and ready to quilt.  I did buy a binding fabric, but I'm not 100% sold on it so there may be a trip to the store in order on my lunch break..

I also realized that this weekend is one of my shows.  I haven't had a lot of time to restock depleted inventory but I do have a couple of small pouches in progress.  I reserved a large booth this time so I will be taking EVERYTHING!  It will be my first time trying out my new set up.  Hubby will be finishing up painting the crates and decorative items for me this evening (I hope!) and I have printed new price signs that will hopefully make my booth more appealing.  Think there's any way I can finish up two pouches, quilt a baby size quilt and machine bind it, pack and load all of my items for the craft show, and make any last minute changes that need to be done?  Me neither, but I'm sure going to try!!

A couple of other random things:

I picked up this book at a great price on Wednesday and can't wait to try several of the patterns!

Squeak got his first haircut and he looks soooo much older :(

And I have finally finished week 4 of the Spring Sampler.  One more row to go!

QALs & BOMs

Thanks to all of the comments on my Giveaway Day post I have lots of different sites to share with you.  I did limit the list to current, online QALs, Sew Alongs, and BOMs only.  I'm afraid that there is no way I could ever include all of the swaps, round robins local "alongs".  So without any further ado, here they are (and if I've missed one, please let me know!):

1. Bestie QAL - a fun sew along between friends.  Make matching quilts with/for your best friend.
2. Forest QAL - 12 cute forest themed paper pieced blocks.
3. Super Penguin QAL - another series of paper pieced blocks.  It seems to be on hold since she is having a baby but has promised there will be more.
4. Dr. Who QAL - 20 Dr. Who inspired paper pieced blocks for the inner geek in all of us :).
5. Threadbias Pretty in Patchwork:  Holidays SAL - a different project from the book every month.
6. And Sew On BOM - sewing themed paper pieced blocks
7. Lucky Stars BOM - paper pieced star blocks
8. Sugar Club BOM - not only do you get a great block every month, but a recipe too!
9. Riley Blake Mystery BOM - complete with video tutorial.
10. Retro Rubies QAL - ends July 1st so there's still time.
11. Skill Builder BOM - a great way to try something new!
12. Modern BOM 2 - hosted by Sew Mama Sew so you know it will be good :)
13. Crazy Block Sew Along - almost over so hurry and take a look!
14. Designer of the Month - a different designer with a great block each month.
15. The Compass Collection - a monthly paper pieced block
16. Quilt Sampler 2013 QAL - focuses on free motion quilting
17. Modern Blocks QAL - started this month and runs through April 2014
18. Texas Teardrop QAL - an applique QAL
19. Hop, Skip, Jump BOM - consists of 12 12" blocks
20. Toes in the Sand BOM - using the Hex N More Ruler
21. The Quilty Barn Along - build a barn around your block
22. Great British Sewing Bee Sew Along - sew along with a great show (or so I've heard anyway :P)
23. My Castle is my Home BOM - 12 8" x 8" blocks
24. Gen X Quilters BOM - redoing traditional blocks in a modern way
25. Tula Pink City Sampler Sew Along - based off of her new book 100 Modern Quilt Blocks
26. Patchwork Please:  Zakka 2.0 Sew Along - starts in June so there's still time to get your book!
27. Easiest Sew Along Ever - hopefully it lives up to its name
28. Craftsy BOM 2013 - complete a sampler quilt and make new friends in the process
29. Farmer's Wife 2013 - based on the book The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt
30. Another Year of Schnibbles - schnibbles are patterns for small quilts and projects (you learn something new everyday!)
31. Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery BOM - I couldn't find a lot of information about this one...I don't think it's started yet so keep an eye out for more information.
32. Block Rock'n Block of the Week - a weekly paper pieced block named after musicians
33. Virtual Quilting Bee - a 70" x 70" finished quilt
34. Le Challenge - a monthly themed craft along is probably the most accurate way to describe this. 
35. Steam Punk BOM - not the QAL I was expecting, but I'll add it to the list
36. Steam Punk QAL - I could only find a Flickr group on this one.

There are a lot of great projects out there to take part in and nearly all of them have prizes (yay, prizes!).  Sorry I couldn't put up pictures of all of these but hopefully you'll think it's worth the time to follow the links and take a look.  You might be surprised with what you find!

Another Winner!

This time the random number generator (which I did take a picture of) chose #276 Margaret.

Congrats, I'll be e-mailing you shortly!  Thanks to all of those that entered and an even bigger thanks to those of you that decided you would like to follow me and see more in the future :)

My New Motivation

I have four new patterns from Sara at Sew Sweetness (one actually has three different versions though so there are actually six new items) that I am dying to try.  I've made a deal with myself that if I can finish up my Scrappy Swoon, Wedding Quilt, and a couple of small BOM blocks I can start on at least one of them.  Time to buckle down and get serious with the finishes!

Here is the Scrappy Swoon (with lots of toys in the background):

Backing and batting are bought and waiting.  I plan on basting this afternoon!

A suspicious package was waiting for me when I got home from work.  Inside:

 My items from the Modern She Made Swap.  I knew that I had put mine in the mail to my partner but I never even really thought about receiving something.  And didn't she pick the most perfect items for me?!  DO YOU SEE ALL OF THE OWLS AND BIRDS?!  (And do you see the little hand reaching in to snatch my goodies?)

He has claimed the pillow for his own :).  I have to admit that this pillow looks strangely out of place on my couch since all of the others are a muddy brown color (eeew!).  Maybe I'll have to work a little quicker on those pillow covers I have planned.

Wedding Quilt update:

I'm waiting on the last of the fabric for the top to arrive.  I have the backing and batting waiting in the wings though.  I have to admit that I am having a lot of trouble finding motivation for this quilt.  I had a totally different layout in mind.  It was originally supposed to be the Sea of Stars Quilt but due to time and fabric constraints I've had to change it up and just do not love the way it is shaping up.  There's no time to change it or make something else though, so I'll keep plugging away and just hope the recipients appreciate how much time and effort went into it.

I also want to say a huge thank you to all of the you who entered into my giveaway and decided to stick around and see more :)  I am working on compiling a list of all of the QALs and BOMs that are CURRENTLY taking place (with links of course :P).  There have been several that I've never heard of and more than a couple that have been tempting me.  Unfortunately I'm not up for the task of making a list of swaps and bees at the moment (sorry!)

I took the plunge and changed all of my shop/information to Sewing With Squeak.  Guess that means I need to order new business cards :/.  When I changed my e-mail address in Blogger, it deleted all of the blogs I follow so I guess I will be using only Bloglovin from now on.  I still have my old e-mail address since I don't want to lose the chance to be a tester for some of the wonderful pattern makers out there but won't be using it for anything else in the future.

Winner!

***Update--as someone was just kind enough to point out, I ended the giveaway a day early. I did not so this intentionally. All day I have thought it was Friday. Since I have already emailed the winner I have decided that there will be a second winner drawn at the correct time tomorrow. I haven't decided exactly what the prize will be yet, but I'll make sure it's something good :)*****

The winner of the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway is #471--Deb. I used the generator at Random.org but didn't get a photo before I went to check out who the winner was. When I went back to take the photo it had already reset itself :( so no picture. Congrats Deb, I will be emailing you shortly!