pucker up...

I've decided on a pattern for my Christmas bags.  I've been gathering fabric from my stash plus adding a few new ones and plan on starting to cut them out this afternoon.

Before I begin, I wanted to share one more sundress that I just finished using some beautiful fabric my mom gifted me with.

Isn't it beautiful?  The "pattern" was shared by Girl.Inspired here. (She has the most beautiful blog.)  It was a snap to sew together.  This was my first time using elastic thread to make the shirred puckers and it really was so simple.  I even pulled a couple of my tops out of the closet and added a few rows of puckers.

Of course,  I had to add a covered button yo-yo flower just because they are so fun to make!

I'll be back to share my fabric and pattern for the bags soon.

Hope you have some fun puckering up this week!

watermelon sundress...

My daughter and I took the grandbabies to the local farmers market last night.  The weather cooled just enough to make for a really enjoyable evening.  After a little fresh fruit sampling we headed home for bathtime and hot air popcorn.  It's become kind of ritual to finish off an evening at grandma's house.

I'm sure by the time I've finished adding salt and butter I wiped out any of the healthy benefits of air popped corn but they love to watch it pop and if you've ever tasted air popped corn you know it needs a little help in the taste department.

Once they were off to bed, I headed into my craft studio and finished the little sundress I've been working on for my local fabric store The SewNSew. 

This is the first time I've added fabric covered buttons and I love the little extra detail they add.  Since I know I will definitely be using these on a regular basis I hunted down an online source through Etsy called Cutiestuffs. 

The fabric is Lil Miss Cutie Patootie from Red Rooster Fabrics, (it's available at The SewNSew online) the pattern is a Kwik Sew pattern #3035. 

It really was quick and easy and one I will be using again and again.

Next up...I'm not sure.  Be back soon to share...

finished quilt top...

I finally had a chance to take my finished quilt top outside for some pictures.

Even outside this is one of the most difficult quilts to get a true picture of.

The colors are much more vibrant in real life.  Once it's backed, bound and quilted, this one will go on the sofa in the living room.

Fortunately I had enough 2 1/2 inch scraps to make a pillow for the recliner.  I love when that happens.

Next up is a sweet dress for the local quilt shop and then it's time to get busy on Christmas gifts.  I have some gorgeous Riley Blake fabric for purses that I can't wait to get started on.  I guess I better get back to my sewing machine now.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

a new block in the mail

I came home from work to a sweet package with a brand new Fat Quarter block of the month and I realized I never shared the first block with you.

Isn't the fabric amazing?  It's part of the Strawberry Fields line from Moda.

This first block is called "Sweet Pea" and it was designed by Bonnie Olaveson and Camille Roskelley.  The instructions were great and the block went together really easily.

I can't wait to start on the next block.  It looks more complicated and there are alot of different fabrics involved.  But I'm all in...

I finished the quilt top I showed you last time.  It just needs to be ironed and then I will take a few pictures to share with you.  I love the way it turned out.  I'm going to try and photograph it outside so that the colors will look truer to real life.

Be back soon.

quilt progress...

Take a look at the strips I've put together with the fabric I shared yesterday.  This is one of my all time favorite patterns.  It was super simple to cut using this technique from Cluck Cluck Sew and the squares are very easily chain pieced together.

It’s the same pattern I used to make last years Christmas quilt and I’m also using a smaller version to make my scrap quilt this year.

 It feels so good to be quilting again.  I’m in the groove and don’t see an end in sight…for a while anyways.  I know my crafting A.D.D. will kick in soon enough and some other craft will call my name but for now I feel the call of the fabric and I am loving it.

I’ll be sharing my first Fat Quarter block of the month very soon.  I finished it just in time as I think the next one will be in the mail any day now.

fresh fabric...

I had so much fun playing with my fabric over the long weekend.  I debated whether or not to finish up a project, use up some scraps or really indulge and pull out fresh fabric.

I bet you can tell what won out...

I picked this Heather Bailey fabric up in Houston this past spring during a visit to my sisters.  It was at the front of the store and I was immediately drawn to it.

I don't know how you shop for fabric but I have to walk the entire store before I pull a single bolt out.  It's funny how it's usually the first bit of fabric love of the day that I end up buying but I have to make sure I see it all first.

I was able to cut and piece an entire quilt over the weekend but I thought I'd tease you with some fabric love before I show you my progress.  Love, love, love this fabric.  It was a dream to work with.

More to come...

pretty little dress...

I finished this little girls sundress for my local fabric store, "The Sew and Sew".  It's a Simplicity pattern I've made many times before but I still love the finished product so I keep making it.

I actually intended to make a cute ladybug apron but I just wasn't feeling it and I knew this little summer dress would be adorable in these bright colors.

I brought home fabric for a couple more little girls dresses and a little boys romper and since it's a gazillion degrees outside I think I'll just sew my weekend a way.

I hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July celebration...

 and may God Bless America and those sacrificing to keep us free.