20 minutes a day….

In November of 2014, I was diagnosed with lupus.  A few months later at the beginning of February, I was put on a medical leave.  Since then I have been trying to find what my new normal is.  I have an afternoon of energy and then weeks where I can hardly maintain a normal life.  (By that I mean daily hygiene, cooking meals, clean laundry and dishes, taking the dog for a walk, maintaining any sort of  outside communication with friends and family, etc.).  These are all things I used to take for granted.  The current task of my Mayo Clinic doctor is trying to mix the right cocktail of drugs to push my lupus towards remission.  My progress has been slower than expected or want – isn’t that always the case?

My sewing has been very sporadic, and blogging has fallen to the wayside.  If you aren’t sewing much, there really isn’t much to report.  I had even stopped looking at new fabric to purchase because I was feeling a bit mortal.  Why buy more, when I have more than enough in my stash to last my lifetime?!?  Can you tell I needed to make a modification for my mental health?

I have decided that I am going to try to spend 20 minutes a day sewing.  I still don’t feel the best, but at least I can be doing something I enjoy.  The hope is that I will get lost in the project and spend more time sewing.  I have a few too many WIPs happening and it is starting to bother me.  Can you tell I am trying to put my focus on other things than my health?  Sewing is very good therapy for me.  It definitely lifts my mood and makes me feel that I can accomplish something.

I started the cute little pattern that was included in the Bonnie and Camille Aurifil thread pack.   There are 7 matching spools of thread and a mini charm pack of Daysail.

A slight quilting fail…

 I have a start to putting the squares on the pinwheels.

I have also made some progress on my Holly’s Tree Farm Jellybean Quilt.  The blocks are pinned together in pairs.  I will need to sew those together and then put the blocks in foursomes.

I am getting tired of being sick and accepting my limitations.  I know I am getting better because I can actually think about the expectations of feeling more normal.  I think the goal of 20 minutes a day is do-able and is necessary therapy!

2015 Finish #12 – Craftsy Irish Chain

This quilt was so not my usual style!  I really liked the Craftsy kit and couldn’t resist the purchase.  I started this quilt in February.

I chose a quilting pattern with bubbles to distract from any lines that might not be straight, give it movement, and to reflect the circles on the backing.

I used a new fluffy batting making this even more cuddly.  The loft of the batting gives the circles a bit more dimension.

The binding is Lotta dots in gray.

A completed quilt done all in 2015!  Good to know that I can maintain enough focus to finish a project – almost like it was project monogamy!

Giveaway Day Winner

The winner of My Pieced Life’s Giveaway is Lauren aka Giddy99, #142!!

Lauren aka Giddy99 says:

May 7, 2015 at 12:40 pm (Edit)

I just started sewing about 2.5 years ago, and I’m addicted. My favorite designer has been Anna Maria Horner, but Alison Glass is a REALLY CLOSE second… 🙂

• My favorite print of all time is Coreposis (by AMH).

Please contact me with shipping information!  Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their favorite fabrics!

Gretchen

2015 Finish #11: Modern Illusion Blocks

This quilt came quite quickly!  I started the quilt in February 2015 and was able to bring it to the long-arm appointment in March.  My husband chose the backing, Raspberry Minky!  I was all about a grey backing, but he was a fan of the minky!

I chose a mod-century pattern for the blocks.  The name of the pattern is Mid-Century pattern by Urban Elementz.

There was a slight glitch with my long arm quilting.  I got a bit too cocky and moved a little fast.  Here is a moment on the blog that isn’t part of the highlight reel that sheds light on the truth!  The minky, fluffy batting, and the quilt top were a bit slippery.  My batting has a fold in it.  I noticed it after 2 rows.  I was too lazy to take out the 2 rows.  It would have only been 2 half rows, but I was tired.  So, the quilt is a bit wonky.

Lesson learned!  In hindsight, I should have taken out the 2 rows!  Julie was still quilting, and I had plenty of time!  What that did was throw the alignment off of the quilting pattern.  So I spent all this time piecing a quilt and then just called it in when it came to the quilting.  UGH!

My worrying and regret was for naught!  The good news is that when I took pictures, you can’t really tell!  You have to look for the error!  What a relief!!

 The scrappy binding is a new experience!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts’ Finish It Up Friday!  Thanks for hosting Amanda Jean!

Don’t forget to sign up for my Sew Mama Sew’s Giveaway Day Fat Quarter Bundle.  All you have to do is comment telling me your favorite fabric.  Contest is open until 7 p.m. CST Sunday, May 10th.

Giveaway Day!

Giveaway is now closed.

Today is Sew Mama Sew’s Giveaway Day.  I am  joining all of the fun!  Thank you for stopping by.  Welcome to my Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway.  I’m so glad you came by to sign up for the prize and maybe check out some of my projects. Quick Facts: 

• I’ve only been sewing for 5 years and blogging for 2 years.  I have enjoyed almost every minute of sewing.  I love being able to take the process from cut fabric, to creating a quilt top, and finishing the process on a long-arm quilting.  Plus quilty people are so supportive!

 I am taunting you with a sneak peek of my Friday finish!

• I started out with the Janome DC 4030 and recently purchased a Bernina 750 QE.  2 very different machines, but I love both of them!

• I mostly sew quilts because I struggle thinking in 3D i.e. bags and purses.

• I am a pinner!   If you pin, your points will match up better and you will do a lot less ripping of seams.  The time it takes to put a pin in is much less time than ripping out seams.

• Rule to live by:  I have a 3 rip rule.  If I have to rip 3 times, the 4th time I sew it is meant to be!

• My favorite fabric designers are:  Tula Pink, Bonnie and Camille, Kate Spain, Sweetwater Fabrics, and Alison Glass (my new favorite).

Check out the rest of my 2015 finishes!

To enter the giveaway:  What is your most favorite fabric ever designed? Share your comment on this blog post to win a few of my favorite sewing notions (Olfa Splash cutter and mini self-healing mat, Best Press, and glass head pins) and a fat quarter bundle of Alison Glass Sun Prints in warm. Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere!   Entries must be in by Sunday, May 10th @ 7 p.m. CST.   I will choose the winner using random.org.  Make sure that I have way to contact you! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!  I am looking forward to reading all of your favorite fabrics.  Don’t forget to go back to Sew Mama Sew to sign up for the other giveaways!  Thanks Sew Mama Sew for hosting Giveaway Day May 6, 2015.

WIP: Holly’s Tree Farm Quilt

I love Christmas fabric!  I am such a sucker for any holiday fabric really.  Holly’s Tree Farm by Sweetwater is finally available – 0r at least the pre-cuts!  Sweetwater’s last Christmas fabric was Countdown to Christmas in 2012.  It was about time for them to produce another winning holiday line! Holly’s Tree Farm is full of stripes, cars, trees, and dots.  How can you not love it? I am using a Thimble Blossoms’ pattern called Jellybean. This should go together quickly.  The only problem is that there is a print in the jelly roll that I am not a fan of.  It is a cream print on cream fabric.  You really can’t see it.  The print itself isn’t a problem.  It is that I will be using a creamy white for the squares and 1st border.  That particular print will throw the design off, in my opinion. I am adding another column and row to the quilt.  I have issues with quilts not big enough for a good cuddle.  That meant that I will be using the layer cake I purchased as well. I have 80 strip blocks done!  Whoo Hoo!  Now I need to cut 160 3.25 cream blocks to put on 2 of the corners.  The next step is grouping the blocks into 4 segments.  After that there are 2 borders to add.   I will have to wait for yardage to be available.   Fat Quarter Shop says May 2015… here’s to hoping for an early May date for selling!

Have to say that this has been a simple quilt to put together!  I like to balance a more difficult quilt with something a little less complicated.  Would definitely recommend this pattern!

Linking up with Lee’s Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesday!

Don’t forget to check out my giveaway from Sew Mama Sew’s Giveaway Day!  There are lots of great prizes!  Links will be updated when giveaway starts!

Sunday Stash – Massdrop’s Alison Glass

I am a fan of Massdrop!  If you haven’t checked it out, you should!  However, it is easy to get sucked in!  There have been a lot of fabric options as well as notions!

I purchased the Alison Glass Sun Print fat quarter bundle in cool and warm.  I just couldn’t resist!

No plans for these yet, but am on the look out for a great fat quarter bundle pattern!

This fat quarter bundle couldn’t be passed up either!  I am eagerly watching the post!

Alison Glass Handcrafted:

Other Massdrop purchases:

Schmetz Needles:                                                      Olfa Splash Rotary Cutter:

Be careful!  Massdrop is a slippery slope… you can’t stop at just one purchase!

Linking up with Molli Sparkles’ Sunday Stash.

2015 Finish #10: Scrumptious Fairground Banner

The Scrumptious Fairground Banner quilt has been a long time coming!  I started this quilt in January 2014 and finished the quilt top in March 2015.  I blame my crafty ADHD for getting me off task.  I really do like the fabric and pattern design.  I even had all of the minky fabric to finish the back.

Not surprisingly, the binding was done long long ago!

I was able to schedule a March long arm appointment.  I used a “wind” pattern to give the effect of a breeze blowing the banners.  I think that the long arm quilting pattern needs to give the quilt some movement

Julie was quite smart when she suggested I trim my quilt at the long-arm rental shop.  That meant that the minky debris was not in my home!  Don’t worry, we cleaned up after ourselves with duct tape and a vacuum!

I was all ready to do the binding and then I changed my mind.  The green bias stripe binding and the minky colors just didn’t work together.  So, off to search for the Scrumptious pink bias stripe fabric.  That is the most rare of the Scrumptious binding – lots of green and orange available.  However, I was successful and found the fabric.

 

 

I get questions all the time asking how I have such straight binding.  My trick is bunion pads.  I use them as a guide, so the sewing is straight.  I use a quarter-inch foot with a guide when sewing.  I don’t trust my ability to sew straight.  I fold the binding over as I sew.  This quilt was so fluffy, that I had to double up the bunion pads.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts’ Finish It Up Friday!  Thanks for hosting Amanda Jean!

Another 2015 APQ’s UFO Challenge Finish:  APQ’s UFO Challenge 2015 p. 1

Thanks APQ for helping keeping me on track and challenging me to finish up neglected projects!

 

2015 Finish #9: All Jacked Up, Honey!

Even though this quilt is not my favorite and there are some really noticeable errors, I decided to finish this project of torment.   I still like the fabric, and I can look at the back more than the front, right?

I used a honey bee long arm quilting pattern.  Lucy, the owner, was willing to purchase the pattern.  I know of another quilt that I have in progress that will use it as well.  Plus, the pattern just gets added to her library selection so others may use it.

Lucy put the quilt on the long-arm frame.  She noticed that it wasn’t my best work.  I explained the long saga to her.  ; )  A few customers came in and I tried not to draw any attention to myself so they didn’t come over to check out the horror!

Sometimes you want the quilting to blend into the pattern so the pattern is the main attraction.  Well, that was not the case for this quilt.  The thread is a golden orange color.  The backing thread is more golden to blend in a bit more.

The quilting was a bit of a nightmare.  The process was fine, the viewing of all of the mis-matched seams was on full display.  Of course, that is when people came into the long arm quilting shop.  People are very curious and check out what is on the machines.  I felt like I had to make excuses or employ some smoke and mirrors deception!

The backing is Kate Spain’s Honey Honey in Blush apiary.   The binding is also from the Honey Honey line, coral tonal flower.

The variegated thread is from the Tula Pink’s Aurifil thread box.

A finished quilt!  I don’t know if I have been more relieved to have a project off my to-do list!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts’ Finish It Up Friday!  Thanks for hosting Amanda Jean!

Another 2015 APQ’s UFO Challenge Finish: APQ’s UFO Challenge 2015 pg 2

There is a special little girl that has been kind enough to take in this quilt and give it the love it deserves!

2015 Finish #8 – Domestic Diva Cupcakes

I made this quilt at least 2 summers ago.  This is a really quick quilt to put together.  It is from the Modern Basics by Amy Ellis.

The block is really simple, you make the same block and turn it 90 degrees or 180 degrees to create the pattern.

The apron fabric print says “Don’t mess with my apron strings”

When I decided to bring a 2nd quilt to my long arm appointment on President’s Day, my options were limited by time and ambition.  In an effort to save time, I thought about using minkee instead of cotton yardage.  I thought it would be easier than matching up the patterns on the cotton fabric.  In the meantime, I dug out what was left of my Domestic Diva stash.  I found a surprise… it was the pieced backing that I had made years ago when I made the quilt top.  Dilemma solved – the lazy way!  I sewed the zippers on and called it good.   (After all that work… I realized the next morning, that the 2nd long arm machine doesn’t need zippers.)

Lucy, the owner of O2b Quilting, was kind enough to help get this quilt loaded and set up to quilt.  This was a tremendous help being I had a dr. appointment at 12:45.  I still struggle gauging how much time sewing and quilting takes.

Lucy purchased this cupcake pattern from digitech patterns to use on the quilt.  She already had a cupcake pattern, but it had daisies.  My quilt had roses on there.  Would have much rather had just the frosted cupcake.

Lucy also picked out a perfect thread color too!  She said I should grab Superior Thread’s 425 color.  It was a perfect brown for the top and had a matching medium brown for the backing.  I usually buy an extra bobbin of the same color to use when I put the binding on. I machine bind the binding so I use the same thread to blend it to the long arming

You can see the cupcake pattern on the quilt top!

I had to leave before the quilt was done, but Lucy helped a girl out!  I picked up the quilts a few days later.

Binding:  Had to go with the stripes!  I went straight grain binding versus bias binding.  I attempted to make bias binding, but the strips were going in alternate directions.  I folded them up and recut the binding.

Here is a quick shot of putting the binding on.

A completed quilt!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts’ Finish It Up Friday!  Thanks for hosting Amanda Jean!

Another 2015 APQ’s UFO Challenge Finish:  APQ’s UFO Challenge 2015 pg 2

Thanks APQ for helping keeping me on track and challenging me to finish up neglected projects!