WIP Wednesday - Plus Runner

I'm keeping this one short and sweet. I started this during the summer sometime. I followed a pattern (sort of) from Modern Quilting, my new favorite magazine. These shots were taken in Hutchinson at the Quilt Haven on Main. A few of us ladies spent a weekend sewing in their upstairs sewing haven. What an amazing space and hospitable owners! 

Shimmer

 Currently, this long beauty is sandwiched together and ready for quilting. I bought satiny thread which should look marvelous. Billy Crystal would think so anyway. Ha!

The squares are big, so the whole thing actually runs off my table.

Sewn Together - May

This was the month of

SARAH'S BAG MANIA!

Just look at these! She made them for everyone! And then she made more for people we don't even know! It went on for weeks!

Everyone loves their bag of-course and put them right into action!

 Pam knows how to whip up a top! Could this be any more gorgeous?!

And this red one!!? These are bigger than the usual blocks and there's so much detail. I think she said it was a block of the month club, but there's 16 blocks so I'm confused already. It's utter insanity. Or the work of a genius.

Gift tags by Sarah!

Had to stamp each color separately!

Barbara's holding Pam's Pineapple Block! Amazing!

 Tori's concentrating!

Chain piecing! The very beginnings of a Sailboat Quilt.

 Fussy cut and tiny squares with Boho Chic. Now...how to quilt this pillow?

 Sue is trying out the free motion on my machine! She's hooked.

And that a wrap for May!

Dancin' to the Beat of the 80's No Longer!

For nearly 25 years I've slumbered peacefully in what can only be described as an 80's Nightmare! I say peacefully, because I think I was hypnotized by the Waverly Floral that ran the upper perimeter of my chamber as seen below. I made this picture as big as possible so you yourself can see how lovely this print is! It's downright captivating. Can you even find the repeat? Of-course not! And that border - stopping those falling vines just above the line of decency. Perfection. Ahhhh, the 80's.

So now you have a little idea of what I was dealing with here. Thankfully, Pinterest came along and saved me from being a FWG (forever waverly girl, not female with guilt..LOL). This room is getting the whole treatment - new furniture, paint, headboard, bedding, carpet, drapes, and even closet knobs - all for the low low price of $200. Ha! At least that's what I thought. I've done it before - painting myself, sewing the necessary linens, etc etc. Yet, this redo added up in spite all those efforts. Oh well, it had been 25 years after all!
Here's a few pics of the new key components. I'm saving the finished look for a big reveal.

Indie by Pat Bravo with Quilters Linens
The Quilt.

I left the natural wood on top. New pulls.
Chalk Paint Powder from Next Act

Orange. My favorite color.

Some quilt blocks taking shape.

Floating headboard. Pinterest y'all!

Our Spring Break trip to the Dells

I can hardly remember this trip, but in the early Spring the girls and I spent a few days in the Dells. Not wanting to swim or do the usual things the Dells offers, we ventured off to Madison for a quick college tour for Laina. On the way home, I saw a sign for QUILTS! and found this charmer tucked into a lazy town. I can't remember the town or the name of the shop, but I do know I bought a pattern (yes, an actual pattern!) for a set of Christmas Mini Quilts - and I mean mini. These things are ornamental. We'll see if my man hands can get something so tiny under the presser foot. 

 

 Then before we hit town, the girls noticed an Antique Mall. They'd never been tempted by this before but we ended up having the time of our lives there. Many items were things 6+6 (that's code for G+G, Grandparents) had at the farm or things I remember from my childhood. Things like a rotary phone or egg beaters. LOL. Hidden away I uncovered these gems. Ten hand-sewn Grandmother's gardens in original feed sack cloth! I have a quilt design in mind already and am thinking February might be the month for that. I had to purchase some 30's repro's and some aqua yardage, but now I'm set.

 Late Spring, I got the urge to try slice and dice on this kitchen runner. You can't see it but the white backgrounds are all different prints.

Not sure why I wasted my favorite Boho Chic on the back!

I ended up quilting it with a 3-stitch zig-zag and binding it with the dark charcoal. We've had it in the kitchen all summer with those three vases. I like how the unquilted colors pop out of it.

The yellow butter crock goes nicely, too!

Has it really been 6 months?

All kinds of clichés are swimming around in my mind. 'Where'd the summer go?' 'I just blinked and it was fall!' and my new excuse 'I only blog in the winter'. So by that standard, I'm actually signing on a little early. See how I can rationalize anything?

Now let's get caught up. I've completed a few things, although not as many as one would expect. But in my defense, we've been doing just what you should do in the summer months. I turned my garage into a paint studio and chalked painted my bedroom furniture. I still have a few things on deck, but I've moved the studio back inside. Also, we traveled some, biked and hiked, entertained numerous relatives, and had a very interesting time transforming one 80s style bedroom into a Pinterest-worthy sleep haven! Oh, let's not forget that the adjoining bathroom got a make-over as well.

Now for some pics. The first thing I've very excited about is something that I started almost a year ago and ironically was featured in my last post in March (I should get a special award for the use of ironically as a pun - gotta be the first time ever!). It's my iron caddy - finally finished!

Original pattern, Notting Hill Fabric Collection by Joel Dewberry

Heat-resistant liner! No waiting for that iron to cool off!
And a zip pocket for the accessories.

Hmm, what else can I show...
Back in July, I sewed this casserole carrier for my nephew's bride to be. Ages ago - like 30 years - my sister-in-laws mother sewed me one of these for my bridal shower and I still use it today. It fits the most awkward shapes and will keep things hot or cold. So, in honor of a great lady, Leanna, I made one for the gal who is going to be the great-daughter-in-law to the same lady!
You start with two large quilted circles, then cut the middle circle out and a slit to the side. You'll want to use double-folded binding for the edges. Then sew it together and topstitch the outer edge to catch the seam inside. Easy!

 Oh, don't forget to make straps! The last step is to thread a string through the inner casing.

And maybe one more before the next post -
The silly chicken is a pot holder!

 It has heat-resistant batting inside for safety, of-course.

Get up lazy chicken and grab that pot!

Doesn't this chickie look great on that pot handle? This was gifted to my Mom for her July 4th birthday. Not telling what date the chick actually arrived.

"Cluck cluck".

Don't be fooled by the innocent look on this chick's face. These fowl are not for the meek at heart. Several times I put chick back in her cage for a much needed break. If only these adorable chicks hatched from an egg like the real deal!