Mommy's Nap Time

Monday, July 29, 2013

GeoCentric Bag Challenge for Sew Mama Sew!

I'm always amazed at just how much I love finishing a good tote bag. Tonight I had the chance to revel in that finish - coming in just under the wire for the Sew Mama Sew GeoCentric Bag Challenge!

I'm so excited to have the chance to work with Sew Mama Sew on this project - I've learned so much from them throughout the years and it's good to give a little back!

Cloud 9 graciously sent us fabric for this challenge - it's a great canvas weight fabric which was a lot of fun to use. I typically sew with quilting weight cottons, and it's always fun to throw in a sturdier fabric once in a while. I paired the canvas with a layer of duck canvas (instead of interfacing) and I really love how nicely this tote holds its shape!

This tote was made using a tutorial from The Long Thread. As mentioned before I substituted a layer of cotton duck canvas for the fusible fleece that the tutorial calls for. The tote came together really easily, and I'm surely going to make more of them in the future. This one is destined to become my MIL's birthday gift (don't tell her) - I hope she loves it as much as I do!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Chicago MQG Calendar Challenge

Remember that post from last week - the one about finishing my guild challenge quilt.

It didn't work out how I planned. It became Wednesday and I hadn't finished piecing the top. I knew at that point that I had to change gears if I wanted to finish in time - otherwise my quilting would be compromised and that's not what I wanted for that quilt. I didn't want to rush it.

So...

I grabbed the closest bit of unfinished patchwork on my table and went with it.

(ok, ok, in truth I had this one on the back burner for about a month... no time here).

So I pulled this bit of free-pieced patchwork - chopped the overwhelming white borders (which apparently I hand't snapped a picture of), and added a bit more.

I decided to do a bit of free motion quilted flowers, with lines radiating out from the flowers. It makes me remember how much I love free motion quilting! I have some quilt tops that are nearly ready - soon!

Anyway I really enjoyed making this little mini. In true Emily fashion I finished at about 1am late into the night, the night before it was due. It's a very "me" quilt - free and fun. I love it.

I have to say I'm a bit in love with it and sad to that I won't see it again for a year!

That's right, our guild challenge quilts have been accepted to travel in the quilt show with The Original Sewing & Quilt Expo for the next year! Stop by the show in your city to see them!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

CMQG Challenge Update

It's crunch time. I've had very little sewing time in the recent weeks - but I've had this quilt designed for months. It's for our Chicago MQG guild challenge. My assigned month is Summer - these fabrics are calling to me... I'm about 1/3 of the way through the piecing... and it's due Sunday!! Eek! I've got to get moving on this one!!

I'm not sure why I have procrastinated so much on this quilt!

Please excuse the grainy instagram pic!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Free Pieced Inspiration

My husband is a cemetery enthusiast (yes that's odd isn't it?). For the most part it's fun - running around cemeteries looking for ancient graves and such. Today we took a little family trip to a local mausoleum (my husband's great great grandparents are buried there), and I was shocked by the totally awesomely free stained glass windows! Insane! I need a minute of free time to make a mini inspired by this!

Have you guys found any great quilt inspiration in strange places this summer??

Friday, July 12, 2013

Did I mention...

That I won a door prize at my guild's Modern Meetup at the quilt show last month? (yes, I'm that far behind on my blogging topics!)

I won a cute little coordinating bundle of FQ's from the Needle Shop, a pattern from Lee, and some Aurifil!

Also new to my stash is this pile of beautiful fabrics - most of them are already cut and being put together for my guild's challenge quilt. My assigned month is Summer - so I'm going with a sherbet color palate!

And finally at the quilt show (last month) I snagged a couple yards of one of my favorite Tula Pink prints - and some Aurifil!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Did you remember the interfacing?

Just a quick PSA for you guys! Stop by your local Joann's and you might just see one of my projects! Two of the new Pellon products will feature pics of my projects on the packaging cover!

See? That's me, the bicycle keychain (bottom right). I'm way excited about this! My mom was in town when I went to see it for myself - and she was so adorable saying "I think I'll buy one just to show my co-workers!" lol Mom!

I haven't seen it in stores yet, but my Bubble Pillow graces the cover of another product package too!

And last but not least - these cute project sheets will be on the Pellon displays at Joann's soon (I really have no idea when, but they're coming!). I'm pretty sure I'll geek out and tell all the fabric cutters at my Joann's when I see those project cards! :)