Wednesday, August 26, 2015

I'm still here

Oops, it has been awhile and after my last post you might think I was planning to stop blogging. Nope, I am still here but things are busy with family stuff. Once again, it involves a move but this time it is not me that is moving but my youngest son. He graduated with his Masters degree in May and is working in Virginia on a contract that ends Aug 31. He just got a job offer in Oklahoma for a more permanent job and starts Sept 8 so we are all frantically trying to figure out how to find an apartment and get him moved. All his stuff is here in Georgia so the logistics are pretty crazy, but hopefully this will be last move we are involved in for quite a while!!!

But I have had a chance to get some sewing in. When life seems crazy I want to work on happy projects and first up is this Aiming For Accuracy quilt. I finished the top a few years ago and finally made a back and quilted it last week. This is my first time free handing this swirl pattern. I had planned on a more elaborate custom design but just couldn't concentrate enough so swirls it is!

I decided to make it reversible with a more modern pieced back. I like how the swirls look on the solid white. A fun happy quilt for my kid friendly guest room.

And here are a few more blocks for the Antique Wedding Sampler.

This is coming along nicely and I am happy with how they are looking together. This limited color palette gets more challenging with each block. Such a lesson in value and scale. I know I will appreciate 2 color quilts more in the future.

This weekend I really just wanted to sew some quick and easy projects for the grandkids. My little grandson started preschool and I saw this tutorial on a Patchwork Posse for a shark pencil case. The zipper was pretty confusing to do, and I discovered that I could not use my pinking shears anymore, but overall it was a fun little project. Hope he likes it.

And I couldn't forget my granddaughter. Here is a little purse for her , a free tutorial on the blog Make it and Love It. It is sized for a toddler so it should be perfect for her - she does love a handbag!

Finally a little fun Halloween sewing. This pattern was in the 2010 Fall/Winter Quilt Sampler magazine. I loved the pattern at the time and set it aside for when I had grandchildren. Then later I saw that my LQS had a kit for another quilt in these fabrics at a clearance price, I scooped it up and put it with the pattern waiting for just the right time. Well the grandkids are 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 so the time has come. This is just a 40" wall hanging and I hope to make lap quilts with the remaining fabrics.

I just love the bits of embroidery in the blocks and now that they are finished I will put them together today and hopefully get the border on and quilted by the end of the week. Here is a closer look.

It is fun having this silly project to work on during a busy time. Sewing is such great therapy!

 

16 comments:

sunny said...

Okay. that does it. when you're finished with the big move, I'm coming down to play in your sewing room and get personalized applique lessons. Beautiful!!!!

Nancy said...

Such great projects especially the blue Wedding Sampler. I find working
with two colors a challenge.
The little purse would be perfect for my Granddaughters.

Debra said...

Heather, your level of productivity always amazes me! LOVE those blue blocks! And the projects for your grandkids are adorable.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That's going to be the best pencil case in the entire school! :)

Frog Quilter said...

Your quilts are beautiful. You did well on the swirls quilting.

Kyle said...

Stitching is a wonderful therapy. All your projects are beautiful. The little Halloween diversion is super cute along with the pencil case and little purse. It's nice to work on some simpler things nice in awhile. Good luck with your son"s move. That's a huge job.

Karen said...

The blue & white blocks are spectacular!

Carla said...

Isn't it nice to be able to sew a bit here and there as time allows? I thought my summer might produce a lot of finishes, but not so. Family comes first, and ours grew ; )
Enjoy your big change. I'm sure he will settle in

Donna~~ said...

As always, all of your projects are wonderful! The swirls are a perfect quilting design. Your blue and white blocks are unbelievably lovely--like snowflakes. And I may have to find that purse pattern and try it for my granddaughters--at the rate I sew I better start now!

Janet said...

Your blue blocks are stunning. You get them done so fast. The machine quilting is gorgeous. I love Halloween and your blocks make me want to dive into some Halloween stitching whether it be hand or machine. The shark pencil holder and purse are soooooo cute. Thank you for sharing. I hope your son settles in for a while.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Wow--lots of fun projects! I especially love the antique wedding sampler blocks--beautiful!!

Radka said...

You are one busy lady :-)
I love your new quilt, great quilting.
And your blue and white blocks look gorgeous!
xx

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Heather, you are amazing and I so love all you make. The blue and white quilt will be spectacular!

Melinda said...

Love your swirls - it is one my my favorite go to patterns.

Flickenstichlerin said...

Dear Heather,
what a wonderful finish and your blocks for the antique wedding sampler are just stunning.
Love the little purse tool So cute.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Karen H said...

Your AWS blocks are so elegant. This is going to be stunning when it is done. That shark pencil case is too cute for words but it does look fussy. Me and zippers are not a good combination!