WHOOMP There IT Is! #4

I went batting shopping last Saturday. I was glad I brought along my grandson & nephew.  I don't think I could've managed this giant roll of batting by myself. Together they carried it to the car. Neither could've carried it alone, but they each had to show the other and myself, just how strong they are.  If getting it to the car was challenging, getting it in the car was even more so! But we did it...and I'm happy to say I now have batting! Lots of it! I got this giant 30yd x 96" roll of Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting for $122 + tax at Mulqueen in Glendale, AZ.

Even though I now have batting, I still spent the week working on smaller projects.  I finished a project for the gift exchange at our annual Quilters Anonymous Christmas Party which will be on December 3rd.  If I remember, I'll show a picture after the party.

 I also made something that's been on my list for a long while...a quilters-helper apron. I had the idea to turn the butt-side of a pair of jeans into a half apron. I wish I could say it was an original idea...but after making mine, I looked on Pinterest and found that a bunch of peeps had already beat me to it! hahaha.

The 1st thing I did was cut out the entire front side of a pair shorts, salvaging the waistband...as this is what I'll use to fasten/tie the apron.

One could use the original pockets if they are big enough for one's needs. Mine weren't so I removed them and made plans to add larger ones. But first, I had to figure out what do do w/the butt-seam thingie.

I decided to lay it flat to one side and stitch it down.  I think I've seen it done like this on some denim skirts made from jeans.

Originally I thought about hemming the edges but quickly changed my mind and left them raw to fray instead.  I added trim to the bottom but didn't like how it would look on the sides, so I just did some straight stitching in red to add some color.  Like I said earlier, I wanted bigger pockets...though I've discovered a wider pocket is better than a deeper one. Anyway, I made generous pockets and decorated them before I sewed them on...again leaving the edges raw to fray.

I liked it so much I made a 2nd one. They will definitely come in handy when I work at kids camp next year!

And then I made simple Trick-or-Treat bags for the grands.

Oh, I almost forgot one more thing! I finally made something w/minky! I used it to back this simple strip quilt. I did not use batting and I did a very simple pull/roll over binding.

 I'm certain the little boy who gets it will love the cuddly softness of it.

That's about all I have for you this week.  Now it's your turn. Show me something good! =)

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Party Hearty!

An InLinkz Link-up

I'm linking up at:

Let's Bee Social
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

A Thread for Life  (This is something I'm totally struggling with, so please pray for me.)
“Wherever God has placed you, live that ordinary life faithfully for God.” - Pastor James MacDonald

WIPs

I'm officially on a fabric fast. I've taken a challenge not to buy fabric from Jan 1 -  Jun 30.  So far, so good.  I even went to Goodwill last weekend and looked at (and touched)  fabric and didn't buy any! There is a 2nd part to the challenge and that is to use up all the fabric I have on hand. My stash isn't as big as some...but I am proud of it.

I get so anxious when I think about the WIPs I have and all the works I want to have in progress...and I've got myself all stressed out. So, I'm going to try to do just 1 project at a time for awhile.  I'm supposed to be participating in 2 quilt-alongs:  a mystery quilt w/QA and a crazy quilt along...so I may allow myself to do these in addition to my 1-at-a-time projects...but I might not.



Currently I have 6 WIPs.  I'm really close to finishing 2 of them . I should have some pics posted this weekend.  Then I have 3 small quilt tops (2 pictured below) that need to be quilted and listed on Etsy...and lastly, I still have my Spring/Summer 1BW that I just really want to keep folded up at the top of my closet.

4-Step Flagstone

quilt top #1

                                     Cuttin' Corners

quilt top #2

I sold my Quilt Frame this past weekend to a Snowbird here from Iowa.  It was really just a catch-all in my sewing room and a dust collector. I'd only used it twice in the last 2 years, plus I'm raising money for my trip to Canada in May.   

I also have other WIPs besides quilting.  A few weeks ago I transplanted some Aloe Vera and Prickly Pear. Someone told me all you have to do is stick it in the ground and water it occasionally.  So far, so good.   I also planted 2 Mesquite trees in my backyard.  Thankfully the weather is mild enough to plant year round  here in AZ and everything seems to be doing well. 

Last week at Goodwill, I by-passed the fabric...like a good girl...but look at this treasure I found, that I couldn't resist! I paid $4 for it.  I sanded it, threw some ebony stain and a coat of poly on it and, voila! it's a lovely little side table! =)

Before

After

A Thread for Life

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

-Oceans by Hillsong 

Blogging vs Sewing

When I started this blog I planned on posting once a week but I haven't been living up to it.  Blogging isn't easy and it takes a lot of time. Writing, editing, editing/posting pics, links, labels, hashtags, sharing...aghhh!! When I get home from work it's shall I sew or shall I blog? It's not always an easy decision but sewing usually  wins. Blogging is great though and I'm excited to say I made a new friend! Meet +Greta Anderson from Material Detachment. A marvelous seamstress/quilter and a remarkable writer. I had the pleasure of talking w/ her on the phone yesterday. She's an admirable person w/a huge heart for kids and humanity! Make sure to stop by her blog.

As you can see, I've made quite a bit of progress on the Kaleido-Hex quilt, officially known as a One Block Wonder (I'll be referring to it as 1BW going forward). It still isn't the only thing I've been working on (see distractions below:  origami bag and applique).  Once I have all of strips sewn together it will measure approx 56 x 90.  I'm planning this for a king size bed so the side borders will have to be substantial.  I picked out border fabric yesterday. What do you think?

Border Fabric

1st Audition

This coming Saturday I'll be heading out for a week long quilting retreat to Colorado w/a couple of friends. I'm so excited! I'm also very ambitious and will be taking at least 4 projects to work on, one of which will be the 1st quilt I'm getting paid $$ to make (A Rag Quilt). I'll also be taking the 1BW, the applique wall hanging and a Quilts w/o Corners quilt that I'm turning into a tree skirt.


For the Rag quilt I bought some charm packs, but I have the backing and fleece already cut.

I whipped up another cute Origami bag over the weekend for a friend's birthday.

The wall hanging is ready to be appliqued which I plan on doing while I'm in Colorado.

This is the Quilts w/o Corners quilt that will become a tree skirt. You can't really tell from this pic...or maybe you can...but the edge of this quilt is all jacked up. I'm going to cut a slit in it, cut the middle circle out AND attempt to add a ruffle of Christmas fabric to the edge.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

A Thread for Life
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. 
1 Chron 16:34

I'm linking up on Val's Tuesday Archives.