quilted kindle case

I'm working on completing my August goals, and I was able to finish my quilt-as-you-go kindle case before we went on our mini vacation to Kansas City. I used this tutorial to make 2 quilted panels. This technique is so much fun. I love using scraps to create something fun and functional. Here's the first one I made.

Front of the bag.

Back of the bag.

I like how the "front" panel turned out--it's a better combination of colors and patterns. (And am I the only person who assigns "front" and "back" to projects that are really non-directional? I do the same thing with my quilts--they immediately get a "top" and "bottom" even though it could go either way.) I used Kona coal for the lining.

I left enough room to add a snap at the top. . .which I haven't done yet, of course.  It works well even without a closure.  I used this tutorial as a guide but ended up only using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  I don't know if my kindle is thicker or if the batting took up that much room but it was a tight fit with a 1/2 inch seam allowance!

And since you're dying to see some vacation photos, I'm happy to oblige. . .

Hubby and son before the LEGOLAND 3D movie.

LEGOLAND

A rare photo of me and my son (since I am always the photographer).

Hubby and son.

I love Kansas City.  I could walk around all day taking pictures in front of fountains!

wip Wednesday

In my web surfing this week I found a great tutorial for a quilt-as-you-go patchwork bag.  My scrap basket is overflowing and I need a little tote for my kindle fire so I figured this was the perfect opportunity to try something new and hopefully end up with something useful.  My first piece of patchwork which will be one side of the bag:

It's a little too big.

I've found something else that is completely addicting!  And now I'll have to start saving even smaller scraps because even a little one inch square can be the foundation for a block.

Last night I attended the inaugural meeting of the The Omaha Modern Quilt Guild.  I probably didn't make a great first impression as I arrived 15 minutes late--and I'm never late to anything!  I did something very uncharacteristic and signed up to be on the executive board/steering committee.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to help build this Guild.  Today I was perusing The Modern Quilt Guild's website and read about the QuiltCon Block Challenge.  I went through my stash and found some fabrics that I think go with the required color scheme.

I think I'll try some kind of variation on a disappearing nine patch using 2.5 inch squares.  And just the idea of Elizabeth Hartman seeing a quilt block I made makes me happy!

string quilt blocks

I'm sure you're all familiar with Pinterest.  I am addicted to Pinterest.  I could scroll through the pages forever just looking at all the beautiful photos and repinning more projects than I could ever possibly complete.  I love looking at my Pinterest and seeing beautifully-organized photo collages.  (My quilting board is my favorite.)  I have 28 boards and 337 pins and other than some recipes, I don't think I've made one thing I've pinned.  Until yesterday.  Yesterday I made 4 paper-pieced string quilt blocks using this tutorial from Film in the Fridge.  Here are my beautiful, scrappy 8.5 inch blocks:

(I really need to learn how to take better photos.)

This was my first time paper piecing and I enjoyed it.  Now only 26 more blocks to go before I have enough to make a baby quilt.  I really shouldn't be starting another project but I figure I'm using up my scraps and I can make a block or two at a time.  Hopefully I have enough scraps.  If there's anybody out there that has scraps you want to get rid of, let me know!

using up scraps

I really have a hard time throwing away any scrap of fabric no matter how small it is.  (And you can tell by looking at my craft room.)  I even save those long leftover strips of fabric that most people probably throw away.  Now what could one possibly do with these???

Why, sew them to a bag of course.

I made a morsbag out of my "chatham tan" shower curtain.  It was looking a little plain, so I jazzed it up with some strips of fabric.  I left the edges raw then rewashed the bag so it would fray a little. 

When I showed my husband, his response was something like "Why didn't you do that to the back?  Now you have to make sure the decorated side of the back is always facing out."  Typical husband response.

365 Cards Day #9--Just the Scraps

I never have a shortage of scraps and save every last bit of paper because I know it can be used for something. Here's my card for the scraps challenge--

This paper (maybe K & Company?) is what is leftover from a disasterous attempt at covering a cigar box at my last Omaha Etsy team meeting. At least this card turned out better than my box. :)