Project #2- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Towels

Have you ever worked on a project and ALMOST had it finished, but run out of steam?

That's how I felt this evening ... working to get my project for the week finished by the 11:30 p.m. deadline for submission.  This week's project was to make 3 towels -- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  The Dinner towel is finished and submitted to the Patchwork, Please! sew-along link page.

Whew!  I made the deadline!  One complete towel did the trick.  The other two towels are ready for the binding, which takes a bit of time to make and sew on.  I love the end product, though, and will finish them off soon!

 One of the things I enjoy about sew-alongs is that they give an opportunity to learn new skills, or perfect ones already learned.

 For me, it was to practice the skill of applique!  This is the first time I've appliqued letters and words, and I must say, it took some slow sewing, and careful turning of fabric!

It took a while, but I'm pleased with the results.  Hey-- is it time for dinner yet??  I'm getting hungry! :)

Patchwork Please! Sew-along #1

For several months I've been anticipating the start of a new sew-along.  Last year I participated in the Zakka sew-along, and this year Lindsey and Debbie and organized another one to sew along with Ayumi's book Patchwork, Please!  This book features 19 projects.  We are once again, completing one project each week.  I'll see how I do at keeping up!

The first project is called "Bell Pepper Coasters."  Here they are...

Since I used three different colors, and had to change the thread for each color, I decided to make several sets using the "assembly line" method.  Following is my journey through the peppers!

First thread -- white -- sew all center pieces.  I loved this "kitcheny" fabric so decided to use it for all the coasters. 

Next thread -- Red -- love those dots!

At this point I made a batting, backing, top "sandwich."  My fellow blogger, Amy,  suggested using freezer paper for her templates.  I tried this and it works great!  As she suggested I pressed the template to my fabric and then sewed right along the edge of the paper piece.  This was so much easier than tracing on the fabric. Thanks, Amy!

Three red peppers... waiting for their finish.

Next thread -- Green -- "Birdie", the pin cushion is checking them out!

3 red peppers + 3 green peppers = ???

Final thread -- Yellow -- Birdie is not too sure about these.  They look a bit pale!

3 red peppers + 3 green peppers + 3 pale yellow peppers  = a stir fry???

Here they are -- the final product.  I made a little bag to hold them in.  

I just realized I missed a step!  Oh, no... I'm not going to tell you what it is, though.  :)

I'm linking these at http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=280543.

"Cutie" clutch

Take a look at my new clutch endeavor.

This is my first one, and went to my Mom.  I'm sure there will be more to come.  The frame and pattern came from this shop.

"Sisters' Ten" May Block

It seems that May has been a month where I've needed to take a break from sewing.   I really wanted to accomplish sewing the quilt block for the sew-along I'm following, however, so this evening I started -- and finished -- the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month for May.  It is called "Aunt Eliza's Star.  I don't have an Aunt Eliza, but I do have many wonderful aunts from across the States, and world.  For my quilt, I'll call this "the Aunts' Star."

I did manage to get a Mother's Day (yes, it's late!) project finished over the weekend, but as it is in the mail to my Mom, I'll only give this peek at something purple.  Any guesses, Mom?? ;)

It's been too long!

It's time to get caught up with my sewing journal here!
I've finished two projects in the past week or so.  The first is a fun cafe apron, with a pocket featuring vintage embroidery.  Here it is...

I love using vintage features in my projects.  This piece was from what I believe was a dish towel.  It did have embroidery on both ends, so perhaps it was a small table topper??  

Whoever did this embroidery did fine work!

I'm calling it the "Pancakes for Breakfast" cafe apron.  I'm planning to sell this one.  

The other project I finished was part of a the Across the Pond Sew-along I am participating in.  The pattern was for a patchwork scarf.  At the time I just could not come up with a good combination.  This Saturday when shopping at a local fabric store I found three bins in the back with sample pieces of fabric.  The samples included different colors of each design, and I thought it would be perfect for the project.  So ... here is the "wild" patched scarf.

I'm not sure what the fabric line is, but it is a silky type fabric, and has a nice drape to it.
See why I call it "wild"? :)

A finished apron...

My 5th Cindy Apron is finished and ready to be mailed.  The special young lady this apron goes to is a fellow "apron wearer!"  I love it!!  To me, and maybe to her as well, an apron is a thing of practicality (for those of us who perhaps are not the neatest cooks in the world), a thing of comfort (it just feels so good to be wearing an apron!), and a thing of beauty.  Really -- wearing a pretty apron makes one feel like they can cook AND be somewhat organized!  Let's check that theory out ... I look down, and, yes,  I am wearing an apron even as I write this blog.  Hmmm...do I feel organized and as if I'm accomplishing something?  Well, yes, I think I do.  I could be "resting my eyes" in front of the TV after a long day, but...not yet.  Am I more inclined to wash the dinner dishes wearing this apron?  Probably, but that one does not always pan out.  ;) Did I cook tonight?  I'll have to answer half way on that one -- I did make something to go with baked chicken from the grocery deli.  The apron certainly came in handy when it was time to remove the chicken from the packaging and put it in the oven to keep warm, though!   Whatever the case may be, I'll always be an apron wearer at home -- enjoying the practicality, the comfort, and the beauty!

Sewing time ... where are you?

It's been a busy, busy few weeks -- with a little bit of sickness thrown in there.  Where, oh where, has my sewing time gone?  I'm hoping to find some this weekend!

The start of my Cindy Apron for Cara.  My goal is to finish it over the weekend.  It should be waiting for you, Cara, when you arrive in the States!  I'm not sure yet how and if all these pieces will end up on the apron.  It's the kind of designing that just happens as I go!