My Goodness, My Guinness Wall Hanging

My Goodness, My Guinness!

Finally! I have finally finished my tribute to the best beer on Earth - Guinness :)

This has been a work in progress since last year and I can't tell you how glad I am to have it complete. I wish I could say that I love how it turned out, but that's just not true. I'm proud of the fact that I pushed myself to try new techniques and to design something that relied on 'exact math', however, there are just too many flaws for me to be satisfied.

The biggest issue I have is with the quilting. The shamrock knot is good - much better than my first attempt. The pinwheel knots are atrocious (IMO). The hub says I'm being way too hard on myself. I say they could have been better. A lot better.

Close-up detail of the pinwheel quilting

Honestly, after unpicking them twice, I was just too frustrated to achieve perfection. I should have practiced more but I ran out of time (I was determined to post the tutorial before 3/17). I did spend an insane amount of hours drawing Celtic knots, but it's not the same as sewing them. My original plan was to create a Celtic knot border but after the pinwheels... Yeah, I settled for a basic geometric pattern.

My quilting also distorted the pint on the left side. It wasn't until I put it together that I noticed my pinwheels were sort of crooked too. I thought I could live with it but now I'm mad I didn't redo them. Again.

This is the original that I made last year (w/out border).
The sewing is a bit straighter but I like the background
of the new one much better. It's not as drab. 

The thing I'm most happy about is the background. The original used a solid grey fabric and I hated how drab and boring it looked. When I stumbled upon Daisy Janie's Dapple Dot print in my stash, I knew it would be perfect.

I left the back a bloody mess of threads because I only half-binded the quilt using this method from Melanie Dramatic. For a 'clean' back, you could fuse a piece of fabric the same dimensions of your quilt (trimmed). I use Pellon's Wonder Under for all my fusing needs. Then bind as you would normally.

You could also do the inside-out method. Put your quilt and your backing fabric right sides together and stitch all four sides. Carefully cut a small opening in the backing fabric then turn right side out. Fuse a piece of fabric over the slit and you're finished. With either method, you can attach a hanging sleeve too. For mine, I'm using clips so I didn't have to worry about a sleeve.

Oh, and if you aren't a fan of Guinness (shame on you!) you can always create the pint using the color of your favorite water beer ;)

You can find a link to the tutorial under the 'Tutorials' tab or go directly to the Scribd page where you can download the PDF. Please share if you decide to make one. I'd love to see it!

Slainte!

Getting Scrappy

I actually had my scraps organized by color ... once.

Like most, working in fabric leaves me with a lot of scraps. And I mean a lot. Part of the problem is that I hate to throw any fabric away so I'm left with some very small pieces. I can't help but think that it would be a great start to a bigger block... Still, eventually you have to use them or you're left with that mess over there. And that's only one basket!

Check out the Flickr Group too!

Awhile ago I started making scrappy blocks to be used in a quilt someday. They are fun to make and help me get back into sewing after a hiatus or when I need inspiration. Then I saw the Lancaster Diamond Quiltalong and couldn't resist. First of all, I love Daisy Janie fabric - it's absolutely wonderful to work with! I also really appreciate her blog. Not only is there crafty stuff to read about, but Jan also has a great series on growing organically, as well as other environmentally conscious topics. If you've ever been curious about organic fabric, start here. She also has numerous links you can check out. Anyway, I received my template yesterday from Ann Holte Quilting and made my first block last night! I fully intend to mix styles and colors. The only uniformity will be in the sashing and cornerstones.




Another scrappy project I just completed (yes, I actually finished something!!) was a journal for one of my favorite people. She's a great friend with a lot on her plate so I really wanted to make her a little something special. Unfortunately, she has one of everything I've ever made - mug rugs, quilts, totes... you get the picture. So I asked for some advice and my twin (Selina of My Little House) came to the rescue suggesting a journal . Ironically, I had been wanting to make one for quite some time plus I knew that my friend would love it! It was the perfect suggestion (then again, that's why we're cosmic twins).

None of the photos turned out that great which is a bummer because that might just be my best binding job ever! I found some great little notebooks with perforated pages that would be great for unleashing deep, dark secrets... err, fantasies... personal thoughts, as well as a regular notebook because you can tear out (or burn) the parts you don't want to keep. Seriously, I think it's a convenient little journal :) Most importantly, my friend loved it and that's what matters most!

The construction of the journal was done using scraps from projects where I used interfacing - Pellon 809, to be exact (I buy it by the bolt). The interior also has interfacing. Then I added a layer of batting and did some straight line quilting. I was very pleased with the construction and it lays flat when closed. I plan to make a few more now that I've found more scraps!









How about you? Do you have any scrappy projects in the works?

~Beth


Always in motion is the future
~Yoda

Welcome 2012



 As usual, I have neglected the blog.
Let's face it, I'm not exactly good at posting on a regular basis but that's the way it is. Sometimes I just don't have anything to say.

Today, I'm sharing some of the gifts I made for the holidays (yes, I know it's February!). My goal was to get as close to 100% handmade as possible. Not every present had to be handmade by me, but had to support the craft community. In the end I'd say I hit 80-90 percent. I guess that's not too bad considering I had to buy for my husband. It's not easy buying handmade for a cop!

But before I show the goods, check out the best Christmas tree in the galaxy...
Yes, that is a Star Wars tree. I have been collecting the Hallmark Star Wars ornaments since 1998 (maybe '96 - I can't remember). I've wanted to do this for years and finally went for it. Really, I didn't want to take it down!

I made a lot of mug rugs this year. Not only are they fun to make, but not many people know about them so they make a unique gift. The octagons were based on the Ananas Pillow tutorial from Leila Beasley in Issue 7 of Fat Quarterly (Love this e-zine - so worth the subscription!!).



 

These were 2 blocks left over from this project.
The link will take you to Sarah Fielke's site. While
you're there, check out her work!!

I also made a tea cozy for my mother-in-law. I was quite pleased, since it was the first time I ever made one.



  Of course no holiday would be complete without quilts. This year I made three.

This lap quilt and pillow (kitten not included) was for my cousin's son, Wyatt. I added a Maisy book too. While we played games Christmas night, Wyatt cuddled up under his quilt to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Mission Accomplished :-)

Original design by Heirloom Creations

This quilt was a combination house warming/ Christmas gift. I followed the Jelly Roll Race quilt pattern from 1 Choice 4 Quilting. I used Hometown by Sweetwater because I thought the color palette would be perfect for our friends' living room. My favorite part about this quilt is the movement even though the design was so random.

I made another quilt using this pattern. I don't have a photos of it yet because my husband refuses to give it up!



~Beth

Happy Weekend

Unfinished Quilt: 'Quilt me now, woman!'

I find myself enjoying some alone time this weekend. It's not often that my husband goes away so this is a real treat. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like having him around, I just enjoy quiet time by myself too.

I've spent the weekend... sewing. Can't help myself. It's become a real habit. At least it's healthier than smoking an whatnot. Notice I didn't say drinking. Not giving that up anytime soon (sorry, mom).

The quilt in that photo up there has been waiting patiently to be finished and quilted. Last night I finished the last bit of border and tonight I'm quilting it (just took a break to write this post). I LOVE to quilt and I have NO idea what I'm doing. I'm serious. I've read some stuff/ looked at some tutorials, but I'm pretty much using the 'wing it' method that I'm so fond of. So far, so good. But this method is very stressful which is why I tend to stare at my projects before actually doing anything.

Close-up of binding



On the learning front, I've finally learned how to bind correctly! YIPPEE!!! and I have the Mug Rug Madness Swap to thank for it. Seriously. I was getting so frustrated with how my binding was turning out that I forced myself to do it until it was correct. No easy task since I have the patience of a squirrel. But I did it!

Mug Rug Madness package I sent to my partner

I've mailed out all my swap items but I am still holding out on showing the other one because it's a surprise. I promise I will post photos as soon as I know she's received it. For the Mug Rug Madness Swap, I made a coffee cozy thingy. It didn't come out like I wanted it to. I tried to make the edges frayed but... yeah, not so good. I debated whether or not I should include it. I decided that I would use it in public so maybe my partner will enjoy it (I included a letter of apology, though - HaHa).

The other thing I did to enjoy this solitary weekend... I made my first quilt block all by me onesies (Favorite Jack Sparrow quote). This is the first time I haven't followed a tutorial as a starting point. I even MEASURED - I know, what is the world coming to?! I'm not kidding. I sketched and did some basic math and that's the result over there.




I will even prove it you. Check out that photo! All my ideas and finished block info. Now, I just have to figure out why the other two didn't come out the same...

One issue I had was that it was a bit too perfect. That irritates me. If one is perfect then they'd all have to be perfect. And let's be real, the odds of pure perfection are... (where's C-3PO when you need him?). The point: it's not going to happen so I made them a little crooked. However, it's only the border that's crooked, not the actual block - pretty sneaky, huh? If it turns out, I may even do a tutorial - imagine that. I will call it the Perfectionist's Quilt :)



Up Next:
More Swaps
#talknt
Contest

~Beth

"Who's more foolish: the Fool or the Fool that follows him?"

WIP It... real good





Scrap Pile

I've been putting off posting something new. However, it's not because I haven't been creating. Nope. It's because all of the projects I'm doing are for swaps and I can't really show too much - at least one of my partners reads the blog so I don't want to ruin the surprise. Instead, I thought I'd list my WIPs along with some links so you can read more about the swaps. Okay, and maybe a few pictures...

WIPs

QUILTS:
* Still working on that FreeBirdGiant Quilt - I needed to take a breather but I started working on the back design this week. One day it will get quilted and finished.

* I've almost completed another quilt top using Moda's Chrysalis fabric. I initially wanted to make it for Modern Relief: Japan, but that didn't work out so now it's just a 'whenever-it-gets-done' WIP



Scrappy block samples

*Just last night I decided to make a 100% scrap quilt. I have a huge stash of scraps. They are every size imaginable but mostly small 1"x5" or are cut very irregular. Anyway, I was trying to make something entirely different using scraps but as it turned out, I liked the result better as a quilt block. I had already played around with this idea but now I know exactly what I want to do. 

SWAPS:
* I just finished all of my items for my first swap - YAY! I just need to send out the goods. This was the HomeMade Swap sponsored by Katy of It's My World. You should check out her site - her scrapbook pages are amazing!

Some mug rugs in progress

*Mug Rugs! I've joined the Mug Rug Madness Swap too hosted by Brie at Little Creatable. Posting items is okay for this one because our partner is a secret. Check out the flicker group and while you're at it, search for other mug rug links - there are some great examples out there!

* And the most recent swap I signed up for is the  (are you ready for this?) 'I Heart the 80's: Modern Sewing Swap'. I am totally psyched for this and I already know what I'm making. Well, actually I already know what I want to make. I have to wait and see my partner's likes and dislikes before I start. This swap is still open. Sign-ups run through 4/22. Although I haven't started sewing anything for this, I did make something...

Inspiration Mosaic

It was suggested that we make an Inspiration Mosaic to give our partners better insight into what we'd like. For mine, I focused on the things that make me feel nostalgic. Things that when I see or hear them, I can remember a significant memory. Take, for example, The Smurfs and the Fisher Price record player. My best friend and I used to take our little Smurf figures, put them on the record player, then turn it on 45 speed and see who got the most air. Ahh yes, good times! 

That's all for now. If you decide to do the 80's swap, let me know. I'd love to see what you make. Next update will include what I looked like in the 80's. One word: HAIR! Remember, I grew up in South Jersey, need I say more?

\m/ Rock On,

~Beth

Substance

I was determined to post something of substance before Friday this week. I mean we are running a craft blog not a comedy club, right? Right. See, in a perfect world I would be a well-organized, 'got my you-know-what together' kinda gal and have blog posts sitting in a neat little folder on my desktop waiting to be uploaded. But the reality is that I've never been that person and probably never will be. Therefore, I am sitting here at 12:20a.m. rambling on about what a disorganized person I am instead of posting something of substance. Substance... hmm... how about this:

NEW QUILT!

So I finished my second quilt and the weather finally cooperated to let me take a few photos. The fabric I used was Frolic by Moda, as well as an upcycled flat sheet. I didn't follow any particular pattern since I used the panel as the focal point. 

I added basic squares for a border - I believe the first border's squares are 5"x5". Then I used the sheet for the strip in between. The smaller squares were a sort of an evolution of mistakes. I was going to just do another row of 5x5's but it looked too crowded and 'blah'. Then I tried to get fancy and complicated which didn't work out so well and resulted in the smaller squares for a final border. I'm happy with it but I think it needed a little something extra - next time.

DETAILS

The quilting process was a bit more involved than the one I made for Tricia. Then again, I also had a lot longer to complete this one. 

I decided to do most of the stitching on the panel. I followed the lines of the trees, flowers, etc., adding additional texture. Once the panel was completed, I knew I wanted something very basic and simple to offset the main design. I remembered seeing a tip for sewing straight lines. I really have no idea where I found it or I would post a link. The 'trick' was to use masking tape as a guide. I debated direction, width and every other variable before I decided on the final design. I think the simplicity of the lines works well with the detailed panel. Part of me still wanted to add a criss-cross but I'm controlling myself so I don't overdue it!



Well, that's all I've got for 'Substance' - not too shabby, in my opinion.

Until next time... With you, may the force be!

~ Beth

Fabric Dyeing

Prep Work

I should start out by saying that I have no specific formula and that I wing it every time. However, if you are more of a planner/ note taker, it would be really easy to keep track of recipes, dye times etc. – that’s just not me. I also need to mention that I followed this formula from Melody Johnson’s Fibermania blog (The Lazy Dyer). Based on her instructions, I made my own dyes and went from there. What I like about her method is that she doesn’t use any harsh chemicals (besides the dyes). In a perfect world - the one where I have a money tree planted out back – I would use plant-based dyes. But in this real world, I use Procion Dyes.

I think these would make a lovely quilt.

Dyeing

I have a small house and I’m excellent at making a mess. However, I am able to do the dyeing in my kitchen. I bought some cheap containers from Five Below (2 med and 2 lg) and some Glad plastic containers. This gives me plenty of options while I’m working. I can get about 1yard to fit in the Glad containers. Depending on how dark I want a color, I will leave the fabric soaking from 15 minutes to over an hour. While the kitchen works just fine, the downside is that it’s harder to experiment, or at least a lot messier.

Dye Supplies/ Tools

When I want to get some really fun colors or just have fun playing, I dye outside. On my deck, I set up a card table that I cover with a cheap shower curtain liner. I pour my mixed dyes into squirt bottles and go at it. I have gotten some really beautiful results doing this. Since I am terrible about taking notes, I will never be able to replicate them – but that’s okay with me.

This is my favorite experimental piece.
 I'm thinking about framing it.

I think what I love about dyeing fabric is that you never know what you’re going to get. Like pulling a ceramic piece from the kiln, pulling the finished fabric from the dryer is as fun as the actual making.

Oh yeah, the fabric I use is Economy Muslin from Dharma Trading Co.

RESOURCES

Fibermania’s The Lazy Dyer

Dharma Trading Co. (I find them to have the most reasonable prices for fabric and dyes)

~ Beth