Monday, April 30, 2012

Curbside Cleanup and Covered Buttons

     One thing you will learn about me is that cheap or free pretty much guides my project production.  I grew up going to garage sales and auctions, even the dump and loved it all.  I love to collect (some people call it hoarding) and my parents and I treat thrifty acquirement as a sport.
     Every April, Bloomington Minnesota offers a city wide curbside cleanup.  We take a truck and prowl the streets with other "pickers."  Most of the home owners are friendly about it but some really resent people picking through their discards. I think of reuse as the best kind of recycling.  All of the cabinets and the workbench in my garage were torn out of Bloomington houses.  In fact, my sewing machine was picked up last year.  It's a Europro 8260.  My mom checked that it worked and gifted it to me this January.  We downloaded the manual for free online and with it, I've learned to sew.
     This year, I found a doll cradle.  I actually walked away from it the first time but then I just didn't want to leave it, mostly because I could envision the tiny quilt I would be able to make for it.  So I used this tutorial from Punkin Patterns to sew the mattress (my first experience with covered buttons and piping) and I love the results.  Now I have to decide upon the fabrics for sheets and blanket!
Good as new.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Projects Little and Big.

 Today I put together this little lunch bag from Pink Penguin's tutorial.  I have admired it on Pinterest and on several blogs...so I knew I had to try it.  I've noticed I seem to put yellow into everything I sew now.
Since I talked my mom into joining the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild, I thought I better make a quilt fast so they don't know I'm such a poser.  These are granny square blocks from a tutorial here using a Moda charm pack of "Fairy Tale Friends" by American Jane. They are full of flaws but I love them more every day.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

"Sweet Child of Mine" for Fat Quarter Idol

     This is my entry for Sew,Mama,Sew!'s Fat quarter Idol contest.  From left to right, starting with the top row: Starcomb Stones, Lantern Stripe Orange, French Quarter Sand, Diamond Mine Citrus, Cocoons Smoke, Four Square New Day, Striped Natural, Medallion Red, Trade Blanket Oyster, Chicken Rings Country, Cactus Hearts Yellow, La Virgencita Tea.
The Striped Natural is made for customization, it can be colored with fabric crayons or paints.  I envision it with a line or two of script.

Christopher Robin's Room, Disney Studios
     La Virgencita (7.5" tall) and the Trade Blanket print were the main inspirations for this set.  As for the theme, "Sweet Child of Mine," I've never totally understood why people feel they must decorate rooms and items in a "baby" style.  I'm more an advocate for Christopher Robin's nursery...the kind one can not only grow into but maybe keep some of that stuff forever...sigh.