Category Archives: WIP

Swappin’ it up in 2012

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Alyson| Leave a comment

I’ve decided that I really need to connect with more quilters, like-minded or otherwise. I follow several blogs of friends, casual aquaintences, and people I don’t actually know – you can find that list over here on the right —>

But, I don’t really chat much with those folks. And I’ve been missing having a sewing buddy. To that end, I’ve opted to join some swaps! Years ago I used to participate in swaps through several lists on yahoogroups. I’m still on those lists but over the years they have become less and less and less active. I’ve done a few other swaps, in the mean and in between time, via the Quilt Art mailing list and some ladies on there. But I think I was missing the connection part, where you get to talk about what you are working on and show them pictures and, well, make friends.

Imagine my shock to discover a booming community of swappers on flickr? I mean, what a strange place to encounter this kind of activity. And yet, it’s strangely fitting. I feel a little like the last one to arrive at a party and they started the games without me. Inserting myself feels complicated and uncomfortable, but I think I’ve found a few groups where I feel less complicated and uncomfortable. But anyway…

The first swap I’m taking part is a group that swaps blocks monthly: Nubees. There’s a website and such coming soon. I’ve already chosen my fabrics and the block I’ll be making for each of my swap partners:

The block in the center is using my colors (purple, orange, teal & yellow) and the fabrics around the edges are the fabrics I’ve chosen for my partners in their selected color pallets. The block is “Envy” from Modern Blocks, which I received as a Christmas gift this year.

Next up, I’ll be participating in the Doll Quilt Swap cycle 12!. It’s a blind swap – you make and send a small “doll” quilt to someone who doesn’t know who you are and you receive the same in return. I received my name this morning, so now I have to start stalking my partner and find out what they like! I’m very excited about this one. My quilt wall could use some serious refreshing. That one is due to be sent on April 2ndish. Expect to see some blog posts about it. I have nothing to show for that one yet, but I’ll get there soon!

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Posted in Quilt, WIP

Tagged block, blocks, doll quilt swap, envy, exchange, friends, modern blocks, nubees, Quilt, quilters, Quilting, swap

Monster Work in Progress

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Alyson| 2 Comments

Another To-Do list project: Monster Baby Quilt! No, not an extra large baby quilt, a baby quilt with monsters! I bought these monster “patches” from Jennifer of the Cotton Monster at Crafty Bastards last year. I originally intended to make a new quilt for Caleb, but I can barely get that boy to sleep under a sheet these days, let alone a quilt. I have about a bazillion friends who are pregnant or who have had babies recently, so Monster Baby Quilts just made sense…especially since Crafty Bastards is coming up again soon (October 1st) and I can’t bring myself to shop if I haven’t used what I bought last year! (OK, that’s a lie, I absolutely COULD bring myself to shop, but it wouldn’t be very “responsible” or “adult” of me. *natch*)

The blocks have been randomly pieced around each monster patch – there will be enough for 2 baby quilts when I’m done. This kind of piecing goes quickly until the end when you start measuring & trimming. For me, it also produces a lot of waste, there are lots of little edges that need to be trimmed and they pile up. Still, I love the look.

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Posted in Quilt, WIP

Tagged baby, block print, blue, cotton, Cotton Monster, Crafty Bastards, green, monster, patch, Quilt, Quilting, white

To-do list!

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Alyson| 3 Comments

Here it is, the post you’ve been waiting for! The monumental to-do list of DOOM!

Word baby quilt
Rail fence baby quilt
Monster Baby quilt
Monster Baby quilt
Wonky zig-zag Baby quilt
Baby quilt (pattern undecided – for march)
Nautical quilt (etsy store)
Nautical flags quilt & pillows (gift): http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/06/how-to_nautical_flag_napkins.html
tap pants: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/07/how-to_make_a_custom_pair_of_t.html
Halloween costume (undecided! – Caleb)
dragon skirt Cancelled since I used the fabric on the tie project!
finishing touches on 2 bags (etsy store)
finishing touches on 2 other bags (gifts)
Men’s shirt pillows (etsy store)
Refashioning vintage Saks jacket
Adjustments to dress from goodwill
Touch painting art quilt series
hash out ideas for Christmas gift
screen printed rabbit quilt (etsy store)
jelly roll floor pillow: http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/07/jelly-roll-floor-pillows.html
Obi Belt: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/08/how-to_quilted_and_beaded_obi.html
Patchwork puzzle ball: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/07/how-to_patchwork_puzzle_ball.html
Simple kid’s tie (for Caleb, 8/20) Blogged
fabric containers/boxes for smaller project storage
reorganize the fabric stash
small kaleidoscope quilt (gift)
large kaleidoscope quilt
Winter robe set for Katrina
Summer robes for Angela
Program pouches (Valerie’s Wedding, 8/20) Blogged
Creative prompt cards, series of quilts
Renn Faire costume commission
Teach Jenna to use her sewing machine

That’s it for now, more laterz.

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Posted in Just Words, To-Do List, WIP

Where do I begin…

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Alyson| Leave a comment

Clearly, this blog isn’t working for me. I don’t know what it is. I’ve been sewing, not as much as I would like, but still…sewing. I have things I could post about, and I don’t. Maybe I got out of the habit. Maybe I’m just uninspired to write. I can’t put my finger on it. BUT, I’m not ready to give up yet!

I do think part of me is a little OVER-stimulated. There are a lot of ideas floating around in my head, things I want to make, things I want to write about… so one of the things I’ve been contemplating lately is a to-do list. I used to be the queen of to-do lists. I had these amazing lists in college filling up brightly colored paper with the smallest handwriting I could muster and sparkly stickers that I would reward myself with and magically, THINGS GOT DONE. So I think I will start a sewing to-do list here, just to keep track of the things I want to do. I’ll keep it going and strike of things that I done, and maybe even develop a little icon form myself so I can get stickers again. Because who doesn’t love stickers? (Well, I don’t really love stickers when Caleb insists on sticking them all over me, but that’s besides the point.)

So that’s that. I have a plan. To-do list to follow.

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Posted in Just Words, To-Do List, WIP

More WIPs

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Alyson| 2 Comments

You must all be wondering if I ever finish anything, considering that 2 out of my 3 most recent posts have been planned projects and works in progress. Well, I’m here to tell you that yes, I do finish things from time to time. And I’ll make this solemn vow, here and now, that this is the last Work In Progress (get it? WIP?) post that I’ll make until I have something finished to show you.

You see, I’m trying to get myself together to have a “Grand Opening/Re-Opening” of my Etsy store. I’m not the best at churning out several pieces that are all the same or even similar. I get bored with them easily and need to move on to something else. But I wanted to get together some stock that I could list in the shop all at one time and feel proud of the accomplishment. So, the kaleidoscope pieces that you saw a few posts ago are for some throw pillows that I hope to have ready to sell. And I’m working on some wonderous totes from a repurposed bedspread that I picked up on my Stash Enhancement eXpedition. I just received an order of emery sand to make pin cushions for sale and have started cutting out strips to make flower brooches and barrettes/fascinators. I’m working on writing up the pattern for my reversible crutch covers, and lastly, but not leastly, I even have a few small art quilts to list. There. It’s out there now, so I have to make it a reality, right?

Now on to the important part of this post. You see, I was working on those wonderous totes that I mentioned above and this happened:

I have said many times that sewing is a very dangerous activity. No one seems to believe me, despite the burn scars on my arms from reaching around the iron and the millions of pin pricks on my fingers. It’s a wonder that I have all of my limbs and the house hasn’t burned down yet. So I’m here with this public service announcement. Kids, do as I say, not as I do. Never pin your pieces on the back where you can’t see the pins. And don’t sew over your pins, even when they’re pinned on the front and you can see where they are relative to your stitching path. Just don’t do it. Also, don’t reach around a hot iron. And maybe wear a thimbles on each of your fingers when you are pinning.

Thank you and goodnight.

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Posted in Etsy, Stash, WIP

Tagged Etsy, pin, sale, Sewing, stash enhancement expedition, work in progress