The Katydid Bag

This is my bag review for the AWESOME Purse Palooza event going on over at Sew Sweetness!  I was supposed to have this completed October 1st...did not happen.  Did not even come close to happening.  I was planing on making the Lilium Laptop Bag but in my mind I had envisioned that the compass I made was going to fit on the flap and I was WRONG!  I looked through all the other bags and then called Sara.  This happens every time I make a bag  since I am not a bag maker and she knows everything there is to know about bags.  I knew she would walk me through finding the "right" bag for my block and not make me feel like a complete idiot.

Unfortunately for me there was no other pattern that would work...sigh...so Sara said "I have an idea..." and The Katydid Bag was what came out of my inability to conform and my having the best friend in the world!

Now, if you know Sara, you know that she has been CRAZY busy with not only her business but other stuff too.  I sent her a message telling her NOT TO design a new bag and that I would make something else and this one can wait.  I woke up to an email saying " I know you told me not too but I love you too much".  GAH!  And she named it after her mini me Katy that LIVES with me so I could not be totally pissed.

Sara sent me the pattern with all the directions I needed.  There were limited photos which made me consider biting my nails again.  I am so very visual and need lots of actual photos, with Sara's instructions, I did not need the usual picture for every step.

The only adjustments I made to the original pattern were the handle holders were bias folded and I changed it to make holders that were flat on either side. I also needed to sew with a 1/4 in seam instead of the 1/2in suggested.  I wanted for my compass points to show.

I made the front panel using the pattern on Quilting on the Square .  I want to make them all. Really great patterns.  I made the block scrappy using many different designers including Kate Spain, Heather Ross and Joel Dewberry. The lining fabric is Alexander Henry Mirabelle, one of my all time favorite prints. I would do a happy dance if they would send me 20 yds of that print!  The background fabric is from Joann's.  It is not 100 percent cotton and is more like a microfiber.  Stretched a bit more than I would have liked but the fact that it is a perfect black made up for the slight difficulty in handling. For the interfacing I used the recommended Pellon sf-101 and Annie's Soft and Stable. The thread used was my trusty Aurifil.  I used 50wt for the topstitching and quilting and the 40wt for the bag assembly.


The features of this bag are what make me want to make another.   The recessed zipper is easy and creates a finished look.

SO MUCH ROOM!!!! If you have even been with me anywhere, you know I carry a ton of crap.  Still not sure what it all is but it is ALL in my bag.  This one will meet my needs for sure!

The pattern called for two zippered pockets.  I chose to do one.  I only had this one fab vintage pink zipper from Lindsay  to use and well, it is just perfection.  Do not be afraid to do zippers.  It is easy and the method Sara uses is one of the most simple.  If you are doing it for the first time, try it out on  a scrap first.  Get comfortable with it and you will be a pro in no tome!

Inside is a fun bit of Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt.  It looks so great with the Alexander Henry Mirabelle

I am not even sure when Sara plans to release this pattern but when she does...GET IT!!!  It is easy and AMAZING!!!! If you are going to Quilt Market please look for this bag, it will be there with me :)

Linked up to 

Finish It Up Friday

My Aurifil April Designer BOM

The Aurifil Designer BOM for April is designed by the fun and talented Katy Jones from Monkey Do. I had it completed a couple of weeks ago and completely forgot to post about it, must have been having a senior, blonde, mom, or just a gogomoment :o)

I am using Kate Spain's Serenade from Moda Fabrics for my entire quilt and am so happy with my choice.  I love this block, it is so easy and super sweet!

All the blocks together.  There are enough to be on their very own wall now.

Crazy season!

It went from cold to warm and back to COLD here with snow last night...Spring in VA is just CRAZY!!!!

I have been busy doing a lot of things and feel like I have done nothing at all! Don't you hate when that happens?


I did finally make something with my very first Viewmaster block.  This is the very very first one, the one in the tutorial came a few versions after this one, it is the original.  I have had it just sitting and doing nothing so I decided to make a little pillow with it. I think it is super cute other than the fact that sometimes when I see it out of the corner of my eye it looks a wee bit like a boob...maybe that is just me.

If you do make the Viewmaster block ( or any other project you make using one of my tutorials) please post it into my Flickr Group, I LOVE seeing your projects!!!!!

I was also able to finish the Aurifil Designer BOM by Jeni at In Color Order. It is call the Boxer and is very cool! I used Kate Spain Serenade and will be for the entire quilt.

Since it was snowing again, the kids were off from school so I dragged them to Downtown to walk around and get some energy out.

They were so thrilled :o)

We have a real old time pharmacy! The nicest people work there!!!!

that still makes rose water :o)

We saw this beautiful red door

Went to some antique shops and Adam found his favorite

and I found mine

Stopped into Hyperion for a coffee for me and hot chocolate and a muffin for the kids

some quick snuggles

and back to hoping winter will be a distant memory very soon!

Life passing me by...

WOW!  That was one busy week of no posting and where the heck did that time go?  I hate when that happens, even though I AM busy, it looks as I have nothing done and nothing to show for what little I did do...

This week I was able to finish the  2013 Aurifil Designer Block of the Month for February Heavy Crosses. This is untrimmed because I would like to wait until I have finished all the blocks before trimming.  The fabric is Kate Spain, I will be doing all my blocks from her line Serenade. I love the colors. I am piecing with Aurifil 50wt.

You can get the free pattern for this block at Aurifil 

This was a visually challenging block for me but with some amazing encouragement  and some step out instructions from Pat Sloan ( I LOVE HER), I was not as afraid to tackle it!

I also found it VERY helpful to pre-place all the pieces so I could really see what was going on.  I also made a couple of fabric changes before I started sewing since I did not want to finish and hate it,LOL! This block is not really difficult but it does take time. All things worthwhile do take time :o)

I also finished my pillow!

and here is the close up of the quilting...now to finish the second one...LOL!!!

But this is what is taking up the majority of my time...PAINTING!!!!!

The difference in before and one coat of after...

Hoping to soon get RID of the PINK carpet!!!!!

You can see WHY I needed to paint!!!!! The ceiling, crown molding and wall were all brown...

So if you do not hear from me in a few days you will know that I am STILL painting...

Holidays, snow and scheduling

I have a schedule in my head.  It usually works out fine until something or someone messes with it, then I have major issues getting caught up.  The kidlets were off school Monday and so my Tuesday turned in to Monday, which meant that Wednesday was Tuesday and I completely forgot to post to WIP Wednesday...Thursday brought SNOW and with that comes SNOW DAYS and then my days are really flubbed...so here is my attempt to get caught up with sewing and posting...

Wish me luck!!!!



I was so happy with the way this block turned out!!!! It is the  Aurifil 2013 January BOM. It is a free pattern!!!  It is really well done and goes together easily!

The fabric collection I chose to use is Kate Spain Serenade that I purchased at Fat Quarter Shop . I love the colors so much!  I am very excited to see the entire quilt all together in this line!!!!!




I tried to work on the Lucky Stars block but my printer decided otherwise so I went back to the idea of making pillows for my sofa. I was going to use the #scrappytripalong blocks for them but then it got all outta control and I made a quilt,LOL!!!!

Sara sent me this beautiful jelly roll of Valori Wells and I knew what I wanted to do!!!!! Lattice blocks for the HUGE pillows with black pindot background fabric...WOO HOO!!!!

I finished one and am working on the second! I am fighting the urge to make a whole quilt with this too!!!!   The only pic I could get was in the snow,LOL!

Here is what I woke up to yesterday morning...

So I had to make time to do this...I am finding that layers are not a good look on me so am considering a move to Florida,LOL!

The one good thing was this beautiful inspiration out the kitchen window...

So my progress this week...
The Lucky Stars...practice block DONE, need to do Jan block, printer needs to work
Aurifil BOM...DONE!!!!!
Gen X BOM...no progress
Skill Builder BOM ( starting Jan 17)
do. Good stitches Believe Blocks...DONE
Bee a {modern} swapper Jan blocks...no progress
#scrappytripalong quilt top...DONE...now to baste and quilt

and adding to the list...
Lattice sofa pillows because I am crazy!

Linked  

FINISH IT UP FRIDAY

Back in the saddle again!

I am so ready to SEW!!!! I decided the best way to tackle this would be to take small steps and have guidance.  I love paper piecing and it has lines to follow so I cannot mess it up...right?

I picked up the newest issue of American Patchwork &Quilting at Costco last week

I found my inspiration to make something! Small and manageable with no worries if I mess up since it will be staying with me! These are seriously SO DANG CUTE!!!!

I was VERY careful using the sharp scissors and managed to keep all my other digits safe from harm!!!! I had some Kate Spain 12 Days of Christmas still waiting to be loved and knew this was the perfect project for those lovely pieces of fabric!

My first attempt

My second attempt

I have learned that I cannot sew a straight line yet even when it is printed on the paper,LOL :o)  I also realized that my left index finger is very important to my sewing!!!! I will practice more so that I can hurry up and get my bee blocks completed.  Those require a little more perfection than I can manage at the moment.

Unexpected excitement

I have been getting some unusually good mail lately but I was very surprised at what arrived in my post box today...

Let me share what I had also received the past two days because they are also very cool :o)

First, Brooke at apriltwoeighty and I had another little swap and she sent me some to live for fabrics...drool!!! Thank you Brooke! And if you have not seen Brooke's new tat...it is a must see!!!!

I also received this sweet package from Sukie  and I already have plans for that cute little charm pack! Thank you so much,you are awesome!!!

Now, I knew Sara was going to be in the new publication Modern Quilting...

My copy came in the mail today and I was running back to the house to tear it open to see this...LOVE this bag Sara!!!! Congratulations :o)

Then I was reading the rest of the magazine while waiting in the parent pick up line at Katy's school and mentally planning out how to budget in fabric for the Amy Butler and Kate Spain ( I am in love with Good Fortune) quilts featured. Both are very good! I got to page 57 and...ummm...OMG!!!!!!  Right there, next to my sweetie Sara is MY GO-GO LIFE...WHAT!?!?!  I had no idea and I was GOBSMACKED !!!!  If you know me in person...you know that is HUGE!!!  I am very excited to be able to say that I will be in the magazine again with a super sweet pattern to share :o)

I am going to scrape myself off the ceiling and, make some more quilt steps and giggle a whole bunch :o)

100 Quilts for kids and a LOT of goodness

Katie from Swim, Bike, Quilt is organizing a great charity event that runs until Oct 15. I know I mentioned it before but I know I forgot to mention that there are also some awesome giveaways 

Katie gave me permission to copy and paste this incredible list of sponsored giveaways from her blog!!!! This is an absolute win/win situation :o) Thanks so much to Katie and to all the giveaway sponsors!

I will be adding a little something to the giveaway too! You all know how much I love a good giveaway. Two charm packs of Moda Punctuation.  

100 Quilts: The Sponsors

I have been so excited to announce all of the fabulous prizes associated with 100 Quilts for Kids, donated by shops, designers, sewing enthusiasts, and friends.  A giant thank you to everyone for your generosity!!! I hope this encourages a few more people to make and donate a quilt. Or 2 (Each quilt you make & donate will get you an additional entry to win one of these prizes ;).  And a very special thank you to Delray Fabrics, Jennifer Paganelli and Fat Quarter Shop for donating big boxes full of fabrics for DC Modern to use to make quilts for kids this weekend. 
[Note: Sponsors are listed alphabetically--I hope to be adding a few more sponsors before October 15, and will update the list as that happens. And a reminder, make sure to click on the links, not pictures!]

Without further ado...

 A Quilter's Table - 60 Spoonflower I-Spy Charms

American Jane- (6) Pezzy Print Patterns

 Cluck Cluck Sew - complete set of Cluck Cluck Sew patterns

Denyse Schmidt Quilts - FQ set (including voiles, not shown here) of Greenfield Hill & four patterns

 Del Ray Fabrics - Little Apples FQ Bundle

Diary of a Quilter - (3) patterns, winner's choice

 During Quiet Time - Ruched Happy Bag & Hexiecase pattern

 Easily Distracted Debra - Munki Munki Pjs and copy of Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross

Empty Bobbin Sewing Studio- Complete pattern set

 Fabric Shoppe 8 FQ set of Sew Cherry by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Fabrics


Fat Quarter Shop - (3) $50 Gift Certificates

Fresh Lemons Quilts (3) copies of Off Centered Squares pattern

 Fresh Squeezed Fabrics $35 Gift Certificate

Frozen Knickers (3) patterns--Modern Stripes, Dots n Boxes, & Off Sides


Green Bee Patterns - (3) patterns, winner's choice

 

 In Color Order - Vintage Wrapped Wreath kit

Kate Spain - 12 Days of Christmas FQ pack, Flurry Jellyroll, Fandango Jellyroll

 Lime Gardenias - Party Dress by Mo Bedell FQ set

Marmalade Fabrics $40 Gift Certificate & Zigzagged pattern

Monaluna - Monaco FQ set

Oh Fransson - autographed copy of the Practical Guide to Patchwork


Oliver + S - (2) Patterns, winner's choice

 Pink Castle Fabrics - $25 Gift Certificate


Quilt Story - (3) Patterns, winner's choice


Sew, Mama, Sew! - $20 Gift Certificate



Skye Reve Fabrics $20 Gift Certificate

Terrabyte Farm - pouch & 30 + packs of Singer needles for knits, wovens, & heavy weight fabrics

The Long Thread - A copy of her new book, 1, 2, 3 Sew

The Quilted Fish  (2) $25 Gift Certificates

 V and Co. (3) Patterns, winner's choice

Whipstitch - $30 Gift Certificate