New quilt labels!

I know it's been ages since I shared anything here, but I'm hoping to do better, starting today!

First up, I finally have labels to sew into my quilts/clothes/bags/gifts, and it's all thanks to Dutch Label Shop.

They have many label options, with the ability to choose from some standard fonts and lots of colors, or you can upload your own logo. The labels are sturdy, and very easy to sew in, as they have a taffeta edging. I just baste or sew it on to the back and then hand sew the binding to finish (as usual!).

If you would like to get some labels for yourself, you can use the code jaceycraft15 for an amazing 15% discount at Dutch Label Shop, and I hope that you will! *code expires November 30, 2018*

It really feels like a level up in sewing. I even plan to sew labels onto previously finished quilts still in my possession (and maybe even some that I've gifted to family and friends).

12/52

Over the past week, several older projects got a little attention.

I started making Glitter blocks back in 2015, from Jen Kingwell's book.

I quickly made a very scrappy pile of blocks, but then put them away and kind of forgot about them. This week, I pulled out the blocks (and finished three that were partially pieced) and debated whether to continue. After some mulling, I pieced them together into three rows, and added a couple of borders. This is where I'm at currently, and it measures 45" x 54".

I am still trying to decide how to proceed, but I'd like it to be at least 60" square. My heart is telling me to add a little more scrappiness, so we will see!

I also worked on my spools quilt, which I don't think I have shared here. I made more spool blocks, and decided to include some economy blocks as well. I've got another pile cut to sew, and then I'll assess where I'm at. This one is a gift, and I expect to finish it before the end of May.

The spool pattern is from Liberty Love.

Finally, the three recipes we tried this month are all from Bon Appetit. Chicken Khao Soi, Miso Slaw (EPIC, we omitted the sugar and I would use less mayo next time) and a roasted chicken with lemon and garlic. Also, FYI, the current issue of Bon Appetit has a Houston feature, which I think is awesome (similarly, if you haven't watched Ugly Delicious on Netflix, do!-episode 4 is Houston/New Orleans based)! I'll be back shortly with an FO post.

8/52

Last week, I refocused on finishing a WIP, which I hope to gift next month.

I finished the quilt top and I'm nearly done with the scrappy back. I plan to baste and start quilting it this week. I always love sewing with strings!

I also focused on hand quilting my String Diamonds project over the weekend, and finally see some progress!

I decided to spend at least 15 minutes a day on the quilting. It is fun to see the texture start forming on the back!

This week, I tried three new recipes as well. Talk about down to the wire, but they were all winners. Two were from Good to the Grain, which I have owned for several years. I tried the Banana Walnut Cake (although I subbed pecans). This was a great cake/bread, made so much better by the ground nuts that you mix into to the batter. Also from this book, the focaccia. omg. It was incredible, and I'm grateful that we only baked part of it last night because it means there is more in my belly's immediate future.
We also tried this Smitten Kitchen recipe, and will be enjoying the leftovers tonight. The chickpeas and pistachios add so much!

I also finished a weaving project this week, although I need to figure out what to do with it. It was supposed to be a scarf, but it is woefully short! I'm either going to finish it as a cowl or some small pouches.
And finally, I traced a new garment pattern. More on that soon!

6/52 (a little late)

I intended to post before I left for another quick trip, but it didn't work out that way. I have more to share, since I waited, though. First off, I finished this scarf last month, but just gifted it this weekend.

Using about 900 yards of fingering weight yarn, held double I knit this lovely marled scarf for a friend.

It is made from leftovers and mini skeins on US 5 needles, and I just love how it turned out. I may make another in different colors someday.

Also, in Portland this weekend, I scored a few new fabrics, including this sweatshirt knit (so soft and squishy!).

It is always hard to show restraint on vacation, but I don't feel too bad about my new stash.

I have been working on my string diamond hand quilting, but it is slow. I am enjoying the process, and I am going to try to work on it a few times a week for the rest of the month.

Additionally, I've started a new project, working strictly from scraps (with the exception of the neutral squares).

They are cog blocks, and I am choosing fabrics for each one individually. This is a traditional block, and I am using the instructions in Make Your Own Medallion.

I'll be back later in the week!

FOs: Hearts and Pink Scrappy Leftovers

So, my original plan was to share this scrappy pillow (14" approx.) that I finished for my friend Amanda Jean. She loves pink, scrappy and tiny piecing, so it felt like a fun choice for her!
I really love the floating pink triangle. Also, binding on a pillow always makes me happy.

However, after trying to find the post about the original project that gave me these leftovers, I came up empty.

So, here you go, Hearts. This finish from last year was made from Cluck Cluck Sew's heart block in a couple of different sizes and lots of different pinks and purples.

And here's the back, scrappy as usual.

I really can't imagine how many other projects I have failed to share here.
Oh well. Baby steps!

FOs: Lots of pouches

When a dear friend (who is your sister in sarcasm) gives you some ice-dyed fabric, you must try to do it justice.

I decided to make two Petal Pouches (one for me and one for a birthday gift) using this amazing fabric. This was my second time to make the pattern, and it produces such a nice pouch. The shape is fun, and using a metal zipper just feels fancy.

I also recently made a pile of open wide pouches.

I can't believe this was my first time to make these pouches. Anna's tutorial is nearly five years old, but for some reason, I never got around to it. I used fusible fleece on a second set (I will share those later), which helped them keep their shape.

And most recently, I made two gifty pouches using Jeni's Triplizip pattern. Somehow, I still have a million zippers, so I suspect there will be some more pouches in my immediate future.

FO: Skinny Triangles

I love how I bragged in this post about how fast I finished the quilt top. And then it sat for over a year before I quilted it.
Whatever. It's done! And now it lives with my nephew!

I started with a happy pile of fabric, including Rain Walk prints and lots of other favorites in (mainly) primary colors. I added in a few improv elements, playing on the triangle theme.

When I started this quilt, my nephew didn't exist yet.

A post shared by Jacey (@jaceynotjc) on Jan 22, 2017 at 2:44pm PST

As I finished it up in January, it felt like the perfect choice for him, and my sister agrees.

FOs: Wholecloth pillows

I was looking through my unblogged projects, and I noticed a few wholecloth pillows from late last year.

Sometimes, a fabric is just too happy to cut up into patchwork. I made this pair of pillows from a yard of glorious Echino, and I loved quilting along the strong geometric lines of the fabric.

On the other side of the print scale, there was this cute pillow I made for Jeni. This penguin print was just so happy, and I knew Jeni would appreciate it!

Funnily enough, I quilted both projects with yellow Aurifil (one of my most used thread colors, for sure!).

I'm as big a fan of patchwork pillow as the next crafter, but sometimes it is nice to let the fabric take the lead.

FOs: Jane Market Bags

For the past few Christmases, I have tried to make a small handmade something for a group of family members. Last year, I made these potholders, which, honestly, feels hard to follow!

This year, I decided to make a small pile of Jane Market Bags.

It is one of my go-to patterns, when I need a fail-safe gift. I have a kept a few, which I use for groceries. It is always fun to come up with fabric combinations, and I used webbing for most of the bags, rather than making my own handles.

I think a good, sturdy tote is always a good gift idea (or wrapping for a gift, in some cases!).

FO: Baby Swoon

My mom asked for a quilt to be used at her house, for her new grandson. I think I have always wanted to make another version of Swoon, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity.

So, I made four blocks (they are a great size, at about 24" each!), using mints and maroons, with a light gray background. With my first swoon, it took me forever to finish the blocks, but I skated through this set.

I backed it in a variety of prints to coordinate (my favorite kind of backing, always!).

I love the dotty medium gray binding, too.

You can find the pattern here.

FO: Cabin for a Whale

Dude. This is cute.

Why are log cabin quilts so awesome? I think I love them because they are often scrappy, you can play with value for endless pattern possibilities, and the blocks are easy to chain piece without getting mixed up.
This quilt had an intended recipient, but I really found myself resisting when it was time to hand it over.

orange and blue is always a good combination and those whales are awfully cute.

This one has a scrappy back and binding, for extra scrappy goodness.

Because, scraps.

FO: a labor of love

Happy new year!

I've been wanting to share this set of gifts, but I just gave the last few away over the weekend, so now is the time!

I found this pin earlier in the year, and knew it would be a fun undertaking for my family. So, first, I chose two recipes (one for my side of the family, and one for E's).

I had them printed over at Spoonflower (I got one FQ of each, and managed to buy during a promotion). Then, I used a variety of kitchen-themed prints, including some of my favorites from Melody Miller's Picnic line, and some fun Spoonflower prints.

The majority of the sewing was done using this Nana and Company tutorial.

I modified the size to fit my Spoonflower panels, and I used the Insul-Brite I had on hand (I didn't buy more, so some of them have extra batting instead of Insul-Brite).

They were a big hit, and I have considered doing something similar for a future Christmas. Although, I might not make another pile of TEN potholders for a very long time.