I have a lot to say. Honest.

I keep writing posts in my head, or making notes of posts I want to write. It doesn't always happen, obviously. It's my month to plan the quilt in my do.Good Stitches circle again. I pinned this a few months ago, and thought it would make a great group quilt, so that's what we'll be doing. These blocks are such a good use of triangle scraps, which always seem to accumulate in my sewing room.

I've picked out some scraps in orange, yellow, blue and green, and I cut 5.5" squares in various neutral solid fabrics. I haven't decided if I'll use them as Amber did in that pinned photo, or if I'll lay them out like this instead:

I've got several other triangle-scrapped WIPs happening around here as well.
{Mental note: photograph those WIPs and share them}
I have shamefully not finished my last do.Good Stitches quilt yet, but it's basted and sitting by my machine, so....

Nordika and some bee blocks

Hiya! I hope this Monday is a good one for you. I spent the weekend with my extended family. Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a finished quilt, that I gifted to my grandmother over the weekend. Today, I wanted to show you two things. First, I'll soon be assembling these blocks:

These are for do.Good Stitches, Love circle. After I took this picture, I received the last four blocks. I hope to at least start working on this top before the weekend!

I also REALLY hope I get time to cut into this lovely stack soon. This is Nordika. by my good friend, Jeni Baker! It's her second line for Art Gallery Fabrics, and it will be available next month! She very kindly sent some for me to play with, and the colors are so good. There's no doubt I'll be purchasing a larger cut of one of those plaid prints for a dress or shirt. Way to go, Jeni! It is awesome.

See you tomorrow with a quilty finish!

Yay!

The rest of October is going to fly by! This week, a super fun friend is coming to visit! We've got plans to make metal clasp pouches, painted portrait blouses, and other fun things. There will also be a visit to the Lego store!

I'm washing this today for my Painted Portrait Blouse. It's Art Gallery, Indie!

I'm also finishing the flower star I showed you yesterday. My pieces are sewn together, so now it's all about ripping that paper!

Enabler alert: Brenda is having a huge sale to celebrate moving to a new space. As in, her house will be just a house, and not a fabric warehouse! You can get EVERYTHING in her shop for 25% off, with the code MOVING.

My to-do list is long, so I'm going to get back to it!

This week

I have something exciting to share with you! I'm part of a new little event that starts next week. It's the Holiday Craft Bash!

I've joined Meredith of Olivia Jane Handcrafted, Jessica of A Little Gray and Debbie of Esch House Quilts for this project.
Starting next week, we will each be sharing one tutorial a week for crafty holiday fun!

Also, I've been handsewing this morning. For do.Good Stitches this month, we are making hexagons using English paper-piecing.

I managed to finish my first of two hexagons. I LOVE these fabrics together! I used Lace in Mud from the Moda line Urban Cowgirl and Birch in Pink from Habitat.

I hope to start basting my second set of diamonds this week.

Goal #2 for the week is to finish another character on my current cross-stitch project.

Since I took this photo, I managed to finish the third little guy, so just two left! Nicke gifted me this pattern, but you can find it here.

I've also been hard at work in a major scrap organization. Since I previously just tossed all my scraps into one large bin, it was difficult to find particular scraps. I'm sorting them into similar shapes now. Long strips, shorter strips, charm squares, etc. And I have a plan for the shorter strips that I plan to start this week! I'll share more about that soon.

And look! Knitting! I cast on for the Orchid Thief Shawl, by Ysolda last week. Ysolda is hosting a KAL on ravelry to knit this shawl by November 15th.
I was well on my way, but if you notice, the center yarn overs (small open circles) are trailing to the left. I made a mistake several rows ago, and well, I just know it will bug me. So, I'm planning to frog and restart today.

Hopefully, I'll be able to keep that line straight the second time around! I do love the color, and am enjoying the yarn.

Geez, I'm wordy today. That's all I got. Have a great Monday, friends!

Scrappy blocks and a fabric observation

I was so glad Ara Jane picked the popular x & + blocks for this month in do.Good Stitches. Following a tutorial by badskirt amy, I feverishly went through my ginormous scrap bin, and had a great time pulling some favorite fabrics.

I've been wanting to try the block for ages, and a quilt full of these scrappy blocks is definitely high on my priority list.

I also received a few cuts of Anna Maria Horner's new Field Study last night from Stash Fabric, and noticed how well it works with some patchwork I started in Innocent Crush.

I think I may have to use the bits of Innocent Crush I've got left with the new cuts in a quilty project. Although, that reminds me of some WIP guilt I've got for my old Single Girl...

(nearly) Wordless Wednesday: Happy Stack of Fabrics

Lots of lovely fabrics and a partial Bella cat

Try, try again

I don't think I've mentioned that I signed up for Rachel's Handstitched class. I hemmed and hawed about it, partially because I have so many things to finish (and to start), and I wasn't sure if I "needed" a class like this. I talked to E about it, and he encouraged me to do it.
I realized there are many topics covered in the course that I have little or no experience with, and knew this would be a focused way to acquire those skills.
I knew I would learn these skills SOMEDAY, but Rachel's class will help me learn them NOW.
Signing up has already given me new tools and confidence when approaching a hand sewing project. I'm so glad I joined.
Not to mention, the Modern Medallion quilt. Ooh, such a beauty! Yes, out of all of the projects Rachel shared sneak peeks of, THIS project pushed me over the edge.
Fabrics have been selected for my MM version: I completed my center block this week, but I was not satisfied with my work. With little applique experience, I dove in, completing the block in one evening. Since this will be the centerpiece of the quilt, I decided that I would take the things I learned from the first to make an improved second block.

Block attempt #1

I used too much starch on the edges, my stitches are not very even, my inner corners are messy, there are puckers (I bet partially due to too much starch) and to top it off, I trimmed the block too much.

I'm not this picky about small mistakes typically, but as I said, this will be the centerpiece, and I knew I could make a better block based on the experience. I've already started it, and I'm much happier with it so far. There was not another large piece of that lovely HTF Amy Butler Coriander in the stash, so I'm using an Anna Maria Horner's Garden Party for the replacement.

Don't worry about the fate of this block; I see a pillow or mini in my future!

I plan to share other projects from Rachel's class throughout the summer.

In other quilting news, I'll have a fun finish to share very, very soon!

Thoughts on selecting fabric

Raise your hand if picking fabric (or yarn, for that matter) is your favorite part of the project process.

I'm pretty sure if we were in a room together, there would be lots of raised hands right now. I certainly love other aspects of creating a project, but raw fabric has so much potential. I'm sure this is why stashing can easily get out of hand. When I look at fabric online (or very rarely, in a LQS), I immediately think something along these lines:

"what could I use this for?"
this would be great for x or y."
"ooh, what about using this for binding a quilt?"

This week, I was working on pulling a stack of fabrics for a little quilt-along I'm doing with my good pals Amanda and Nicke.
I'd thought about several different fabric combinations, but Monday night, I started with a single Lecien print, from the Fabulous Blooming collection.

Less than an hour later, I was staring at a lovely little bundle.

This print was not purchased with any specific purpose, and I've had it for months. I purchased it here at Superbuzzy, if you're interested!
So, my first step was to pull prints that matched the various colors in the Lecien print. I went through my stashed grays, black/whites, greens, blues and reds. I held up individual prints next to the Lecien one, to make sure the shades matched well.

It's good to be broad in this search, and you might end up with something unexpected. I chose twenty additional prints. The pattern size I'm making requires seventeen prints, so I then eliminated my least favorites.


I will be using this stack to make Cluck, Cluck, Sew's pow-wow pattern found here. I'm not crazy about the name, so I'm going to call it, "which way?" instead!
Some things to keep in mind when choosing fabrics:

• Keep the pattern piece size(s) and shape(s) in mind as you select fabrics. Most of the prints I chose are small or medium in scale, since larger prints could get lost in this type of piecing. 
• When starting with an inspirational print like I did here, be sure you consider how each print works with the group, as well as that first print. 
• Don't be afraid to try combinations you may not have previously considered.
• Consider value of the prints. In my stack here, I tried to choose prints of similar value, since there are so many colors involved. When you have only a couple of colors involved, it's easier to be free with the values.
• Having a varied stash certainly helps with this sort of exercise. In fact, this is a helpful way to identify missing colors/prints. As you can see, the lime/chartreuse green color is highly represented in my stash!

I'm going to speak to this process again when planning future projects, because I think it's interesting. I hope you do, too! If you have any questions, please let me know!
The girls and I will be starting the quilt soon.
Feel free to join in with us if you like!

On finishing

I probably shouldn't be thinking about this with just a few days before the wedding, but I am. I was reading Nicke's post this morning about her 2nd quarter goals for finishing projects, and decided to make my own list.
When the dust settles, there are a few projects I really want to complete. I tried to keep my list reasonable, and am resisting the urge to add additional items.

So, I, Jacey, vow to finish the following before the end of June:

1)

Swoon.
Oh, yes. I want to finish this one. Blocks are done. I started sewing the top together, but it is incomplete, and a back has not been made.

2)

My ballband washcloth.
I'm about 60% done, so this one is a gimme. But hey, we all need an occasional easy win, right?

3)

The Echo postage stamp mini.
The top and back are done, but this has not been basted yet.

4)

The improv patchwork quilt.
The top is about halfway assembled, but I probably need a few more blocks to get it to the size I'd like. The back is not pieced.

5) Wonky Bee, BAGS and do.Good Stitches bee blocks (which by the end of June is a total of 10 blocks).

6) I'd really like to make two garments for myself. A pair of Iris shorts and a Wiksten tank.

7) Three clutches for my neighbor, who is getting married in June. I'll be using Noodlehead's Envelope Clutch Pattern.

8) Finally, I intend to participate in Kelly's My Precious QAL. I haven't decided what fabrics I'll use, but I definitely want to use some of my hoarded lovelies.

So, that's my list! I'm linking up with Rhonda's Finish Along!
There's a few days left. Join in!

Wedding chatter

I knew I wouldn't be one of "those" brides. For instance, I don't care what color the table linens are (actually, I'm not even sure there will be any).
But Elliott and I have managed to have a lot of fun with the planning so far. Mostly, it's me, but when I ask his opinion, I don't see a glazed look, and I do get a thoughtful opinionated response.
Really, it's working out well. I've only had a couple of freaked out moments, which quickly dissipated.

proof positive that I am rarely serious

Here's a few details of what our day will look like.

Colors: Yellow and gray, with navy and red accents.
I haven't picked out accessories yet for myself, except shoes, which are yellow and fun!
The bridesmaids are wearing gray dresses with red or blue shoes.

I haven't ordered flowers yet, but I'm loving something along these lines.

Our venue changed from the one I picked. Elliott never came with me to see it, but when we went to pay the deposit, he couldn't see us getting married there. We worked quickly to find another place, and ended up with a very fun venue that is cheaper than the first one. Plus, we didn't have to change our date, so all is well.

So, of course, there will be some handmade elements.
I saw this on etsy, and my sister punched me some hearts and stars, which I'm going to stitch to baker's twine.

I'm making each guest a cloth napkin party favor, with a little label that has our initials and the date. I'll share the napkins soon. I've only completely finished one, but I have a few in the works. I'm just using stash fabric for now, and hopefully, I can keep it that way!

My sister took our engagement photos, and we picked one to use on this save the date design. We printed the file ourselves, and they turned out great!

Invitations have been been ordered from Ruby Press, and Ruby was very helpful during the proof process. I can't wait to see them!

Jill and some good friends are throwing me a shower, which I imagine will be very fun. I've been promised there will be minimal games, yummy food and drinks, and good friends. Perfect!

We've picked an incredible honeymoon spot, Vancouver! I'm hoping we have the courage to travel across this, but we'll see.

So, what else would you like to hear about, if anything?

Thanks for letting me ramble about the wedding a bit.
Honestly, I'm just ready for it to be here already.

Overprepared

I'm curious, when you go on a trip, do you overpack projects? Do you bring more WIPs than you could possibly need?
I do. I like to be prepared for whatever crafting mood might strike me.

Case in point:

My pile of projects for the Sewing Summit.
And please keep in mind that I'm not checking any luggage. I travel pretty light, but I don't skimp on projects.

I'm actually sitting here, debating whether I should remove one (or, let's be honest, two) of these projects.

Pictured above, we have a new embroidery project, a Bottled Rainbows block (with a bag of scraps), some paper pieced hexagons in various green scraps, and the test knit-in-progress. I also may have cast on for a new knitting project which is not pictured.

So yes, I probably can safely remove at least one of these projects.

Dilemmas, dilemmas.

I will be sharing pictures over the weekend, and I hope you all have a great weekend, whatever your plans!
I promise to have a fun giveaway next week, okay?

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday: Eep!

I get to take a class from the amazing Ysolda next month in Austin! Woo!

FO: Apple Ishbel

Given that my last knitting FO of the year (which was also the first one of the year, so YIKES.) was finished in January, I'm proud to finally have some finished knitting to share.

This is my third time to knit Ysolda's Ishbel, and this time I used a fabulous alpaca/cashmere/silk blend of yarn. I loved knitting with it, and if it's possible, I think it got even softer after washing.

The resulting shawl is so snuggly. My only modification was to eliminate the last two rows, as I was dangerously close to running out of yarn. I knit the large stockinette and the small lace. It felt good to finish some knitting, since I've been spending so much of my free time on sewing and quilting. I have two other nearly-finished knitting projects that I'd like to get wrapped up soon.

Raveled here

I've also committed to participating in Lolly's awesome Project Spectrum again. I enjoyed the project back in 2009, and I'm looking forward to some inspiration each month to focus on one color. I doubt I will completely adhere to this, as I have some ongoing projects and things I want to accomplish, of course. I've started a pinboard to get me in the red state of mind.

I also created this mosaic on flickr (click through for photo credits). I painted my fingernails red yesterday, too. Sometimes, it's the little things.

If you'd like to play along, please join in!

In non-crafting news, I did some much needed house cleaning this weekend (okay, I know that doesn't really qualify as news, but it was mandatory!). I also recently joined a gym, and I've been trying to go at least twice a week. My yoga class yesterday left me really sore, but in a good way.

More groups!

So, I joined two more groups recently. Yep, and I'm not sorry.

I joined the embroider-bee. This is a 3x4 bee, where I have three months to make four blocks, one for each member of my group. There is a focus on incorporating embroidery, which I've been wanting to spend more time doing, so it works out pretty well. Here is the mosaic I created as inspiration for the blocks made for me:

Please click the photo to see photo sources!

I also joined the Wonky Bee, started by knottygnome. This bee has six members, and we each take a month to plan a quilt with a wonky theme. We send out fabric to the other members and blocks are mailed back to the quilter at the end of each month. I'm first up to plan a quilt and send out fabric, and I chose a spiraled log cabin. It's built just as a square log cabin, except that you begin with a pentagon piece instead of a square. A very cool spiral effect is created. Here are some examples found in flickr land: my very favorite bunny version, by Julie Frick

by Badskirt Amy

by Patchandi

Here are the fabrics I'll be sending to the bee members:

I love this pink/purple and orange combo. I started with a FQ set of the Sugar Pop fabric by Liz Scott for Moda. I found some stashed coordinating fabrics, like the Monaluna Mingle dots in orange, Heather Ross Mendocino (leftover from my skirt!), a piece of Innocent Crush fabric by AMH (from my Single Girl fabrics), herringbone print by Joel Dewberry, hexagons from Jay McCarroll, Kona Eggplant and Kona Tangerine.

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished blocks over the next month!

A spruce

First, thanks for all of your kind comments on my pillow! I really appreciate it.

So, my living/dining room just got tile, after having uneven concrete for two years. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to finally have a finished floor in this room.

Sunday, I got a little surge of spontaneity, and bought some paint. I then proceeded to paint this accent wall.

The color is Valspar Painted Glass, and is a bit more green-blue than this photos shows. It's a lovely hue, and it makes such a difference in the room. My next task in sprucing this space will involve making a wall quilt, and I'm leaning towards using this lovely stack:

Magnolia Lane, by Laura Gunn

I think the colors will work nicely in this large room, but I don't quite have a vision of the wall quilt. I'm going to press the fabrics and see what comes to mind. I picked up these half-yards at Hawthorne Threads.

Upcoming projects

I know I'm not alone in this, but planning for projects is just as fun, if not more fun, than the actual crafting process. I love browsing through patterns (sewing and knitting), finding inspiration through blogs and crafty sites, and selecting the ideal materials to make my project.

Knitting

-Audrey In Unst, in either Silky Wool

or Shine Sport

-Tempest, from Knitty
For this light cardigan, I'm thinking of using my gray Palette

with stripes in either pink Yarntini sock

, the Brooklyn Handspun I won from Girlwhoknits

or Wasabi Shibui Sock

Sewing

-I cut the pieces for Amy Butler's Barcelona skirt (the A-line version) in this Heather Ross fabic from the stash (man, I love her Underwater Sister's line):

-I also promised my sister some curtains and a couple of aprons (she just bought her first house!)

With these new projects in mind, I'd also really like to finish the following before the end of the year:

-finish Lila (I'm nearing the halfway point on this one!)

-finish my CPH (on the needles since July 25, 2008-that date is engrained on my brain until I can finish!)

-finish my quilt

Yeah, I think that will keep me busy until the end of the year. Damn, I had some Christmas presents planned, so I may have to re-prioritize. I guess having too much to craft is a good problem to have.