A Great Sale

JoAnns has their Quilters Showcase fabrics on sale for $1.99/yd until the end of the month. So when you buy 1/2 yards that is only $1, can't beat that price. Of course I had to get a few while I was there. I may go back and get a few more. I really need to venture away from the brights I love and get something a little more subtle.

Cowboy Hat Applique

I found an free applique pattern here. My first real attempt at an applique. I have done a couple other very simple single letters appliqued. But nothing like this.

The hat looks a little flat like construction paper in this photo. You will just have to wait to see how it turned out.

Purina Almost Done

This is almost done.

I need to sew the two large patches on both sides of the jeans square. I don't think I will be able to machine quilt it, the embroidery on the tan is very puckered. Will probably just tie it. And it may take me a week or so to get the backing ready for it. Piecing together a checkerboard red and white flannel backing.

On The Fringe

I started and finished my swap for the Craft for a Craft on SwapBot.I have used this same print in the past. This tote is a little smaller and I used fringe from my Craigslist purchase. It sure feels good to have this one done. Not sure why I was just not really into this swap. Now just to find a box and send it on its way.

Homemade Flash Diffuser

Good lighting is key to good photos. I usually turn off my flash and try to shoot with natural light. Although that isn't always possible. The above photo is taken with the flash on and no diffuser. Notice the washed out white on the Purina patch.

Exact same lighting situation except I put the diffuser over the flash. I will have to do a couple sample photos of people to show you the real benefit of this. So far I am thrilled.

I Won

I would love to say I won the lottery but I didn't. I fought the blue jean square of the Purina quilt and won. It really is square, the angle makes it look out of wack.

The List

I need to stay focused to get a few things accomplished this weekend. Of course I need to work on the Purina quilt. I am actually having a little fun with it now now that the jeans are worked out. Mason walked through the room last night and saw all shirts cut in strips. He warned me I was going to be in trouble when Rex finds out what I did to his shirts. Why does everyone keep telling me that?

This is the short list of what I really should work on:
Purina Quilt
Craft for a Craft swap for Swapbot (thinking a tote and small matching bag)
Plaid Quilt
Zipper Critter

I have some ideas for bibs and appliques, I was trying to come up with simple shapes that even I could handle. Maybe I can find some time to play around with these ideas.
Monkey Duck Fish
Lion Bear Dog
Cat Pig Frog
Lady Bug Bee Rocket
Pirate Rabbit Butterfly
Cupcake Strawberry Monster

And last weekend I bought all the hardware to completely redo Mason's closet. He said he would help me this weekend. Tiny closet so we should be able to accomplish it in a couple of hours. Closetmaid has a great design tool on their website that will give you a complete parts list. I first used it when I redid the pantry last year.

Last but not least I want to make a flash diffuser. Odd little project, I will have to let you know how that one goes.

Working on the Fly

Working with blue jeans is not as easy as it may appear. The waist band on jeans is actually curved when you lay it out flat. Instead of fighting it any more I am going to work with it. Laying out the jeans on top of the fabric from one of the legs and sewing it down. Then I will cut the size and shape I need. Why didn't I think of this a week ago.

It is very important to have the zippered fly as of the pants so they can be opened to show a little but of the Purina checkerboard "boxers" on the inside. I can't take credit for the idea. My mother is totally responsible for it. I confess that now so when Rex sees it I am not to blame.

I do have a bit of concern about balancing the weight on this quilt. The Purina shirts are pretty thin after decades in the laundry. The denim is heavy, I am hoping I can put the denim more towards the center and bottom of the quilt so it lays better across his lap. We will see how that works out. Now that I think about it, I guess the fly part of the pants needs to be in the middle. I am going to get in so much trouble for this quilt.

Just A Little

Just a little shopping today. I am not sure if I like the middle ones that are half black, half white. They might not make the cut. I know I already have a black with white polka dota but this is a smaller dot. I steered clear of the florals, just wasn't what I was looking for. I think I need a couple more black with white

and then I can work on picking my color.

Work Has Resumed

Work on the Purina quilt has resumed. The plan in my head has changed a little bit from my initial design.

I am thinking more of a checkerboard stripe between the rows. Partly to add some length to the quilt. Rex is a tall guy.

I am loving the checkerboard fabric. Should get a little more sewn tonight after work. The blue jeans are trying to get the best of me so there is no photo of them yet.

I picked up some minky fabric in the remnant section yesterday. Almost a full yard of minky for $3. Not a bad find. The green was a nice cotton print, half yard for $1.

And then I splurged. I am back to collecting black with white prints. Not to be confused with white with black prints. I just love the look of black prints with a bright color. I have a project in my head but need to collect several more prints before I attempt that.

Now I just need to make a list to work on this weekend so I can be super productive. I think my attention deficit is kicking in again.