December Elm Street Quilts OMG Link Up: Four and More

Elm Street Quilts December OMG: Complete the remaining two bowl cozies from a previously purchased kit

It was a simple goal, finish two more bowl cozies from the kit for four that I purchased at Craft Warehouse.  All four are done and ready for soup, our favorite winter meal, plus the additional two can be added to the gift drawer for giving in the coming year.

This month's Elm Street's OMG was quick and easy because other projects needed finishing for the holidays.  There were two coordinating pillows that went to one of the DiLs.

Three reading/travel pillows for the grands:

And a Craftsy class project that was a test run so I could help my niece if she found some instructions confusing or difficult.  Of course I couldn't help putting my own spin on the apron by adding some design details of my own. 

My apron has a gathered skirt with rounded corners, a yoke, ric-rac, and a larger than suggested pocket using the pattern piece from my favorite apron pattern.  Since I don't like apron strings at the back of my neck, the tie loops and knots in front.  There are new design features and alterations I want to try on my next version of this apron.

The apron class was a gift to my niece so she could refer back to the instructions when needed.  It will probably be my last Craftsy class.  They are no longer supporting the ChromeBook operating system and the app for the Android phone did not perform well for me.  Sometimes it would not load and if it did, it might lock up while I was trying to watch a video.  Also, the phone app would not allow me to slide the progress bar forward to a section of the video I needed to review.  It only would go back to repeat segments with their rewind option or when I tried to slide the video's progress bar forward. 

With my background in ed tech, I know it is challenging to keep up with all the popular operating systems and deliver classes smoothly but ChromeBook is one the most affordable operating systems available and the devices are highly portable because they are lighter than a laptop and can be the size of a tablet while offering a keyboard.  The battery is very efficient and holds a charge for long periods.  I find myself preferring the ChromeBook over our laptop and would buy one again.   

Fifteen and Counting

Thanks to my dear neighbor #15 has joined the collection of nativity sets.  This one is a vintage Italian set.

A Seasonal Note

May the Eternal Light of Lights illuminate your heart and home!

December Elm Street Quilts OMG: More Please!

December Elm Street Quilts OMG:  Two More Bowl Cozies

Nearly two years ago, my neighbor gave me one bowl cozy to see if I liked using them.  Now, with a new chef in the kitchen we are eating more soup and we needed another bowl cozy. 

Yesterday, while roaming around Craft Warehouse with a 40% off coupon, I spotted kits for four bowl cozies.  The bright fall veggie print went so well with my near vintage set of Corelle Wild Flower dinnerware that I made that my discounted purchase and promptly came home and stitched up two along with three pillowcases that were kits on the clearance rack.

My Elm Street Quilts December OMG is to make up the other two bowl cozies from the kit and gift them for Christmas. 

Oh, BTW, my new chef, as of our 45th wedding anniversary on November 18th, is an Instant Pot Duo 8.  I thought I didn't need one but I am running the pot at least once if not 2 or 3 times a day.  We are vegan and cooking healthy soups with fresh ingredients is amazingly quick and easy and non-dairy yogurt is a cinch.  I don't know how I have survived without a pressure cooker of some sort all these years.  The fact that the Instant Pot series come with various programs, has made it the star over my other pots like the rice cooker and slow cooker.

Elm Street Quilts November OMG: Nothing Extraordinary

Elm Street Quilts OMG: Binding Done

There are more exciting completed projects but this is the one I committed to for Elm Street Quilts OMG.  The rest are in hiding until Christmas and there are no sneak peeks.  If you are interested in the binding technique, Jenny has a video:  Flange Binding (aka Two Color Binding)

Folding Crystal's Grocery Bag

I obsess about bags and collect more patterns than I will ever make.  One of my favorites for groceries is this one from Stitched by Crystal.

An oops that made this bag mine.  Careful with one way designs on the fabric.  😉  

This bag looks like this when stuffed full of groceries:

If you make one of Crystal's bag, consider using the continuous facing method for the handles.  They will look very professional.  Here are clear instructions for that method:  https://www.salmesewingpatterns.com/blogs/salme-blog/all-in-one-facing-method-2

Another thing I do differently is leave off the elastic and just fold the bag and wrap one of the handles around it to keep it neat and tidy in the side pocket of the car door.

1. Start with the bag flat.
   
2. Fold the bag in half and then again.  Note that the right half is folded under the left half so the handles remain on top.
   
   
   
   
3. The next fold is not quite in half again.  The handles extend above about an inch so there will be some ease to wrap around easily.  Note that the bottom half was folded under.  
   
4. Next make another fold.  The handles must remain on top.
   
5. Next insert your finger at the top and between the loop of the top handle.
   
6. Take the top section of the loop and flip it to the back of the folded bag to enclose it and expose your finger that stabilized the handle.
   
7. Now your folded bag should be in a tidy little packet.
   

That's it.  Use and enjoy!

November Elmstreet Quilts OMG: What's Up Next

My Elmstreet Quilts November OMG (one monthly goal) is to make some small bit of progress on the baby quilt that was on Patience, my HandiQuilter 16, last month.  Making the binding ought to be enough among getting a few gifts done and Thanksgiving.

The binding will be two fabrics with one making a narrow flange or the appearance of faux piping.  This type of binding is all sewn by machine and very sturdy for a baby quilt.  I am better at traditional binding and prefer it because handwork is a good reason to curl up in my favorite chair with a good book playing on my phone or a favorite movie from my DVD collection or Netflix.  However, I need practice sewing the two color binding for baby and charity quilts that will receive much wear and laundering.  

There are some great tutorials for the two color binding.  Here are a couple:
Flanged Binding Tutorial
Tuesday Tutorial: Susie's Magic Binding

October OMG: Up to the Finish Line

October Elm Street OMG Finish

Yes, I finished.  Quilting a baby quilt was a small goal but around producing two slide shows for my mother-in-laws memorial service, it was just enough.  Now to think about getting binding made and on along with making Christmas gifts.

October Elm Street Quilts OMG

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal October Linkup

Last Sunday, I made this baby quilt top and back.  The top is made quickly and easily, with 5 inch WOF strips and no tedious sewing of charm squares.  I used to layer and pin baste baby quilts like this on my dining room table and quilt them on my regular sewing machine.  I would do a narrow multi-stitch zigzag over the seams to quilt the layers because quilting over the seam lines is stronger than straight stitching in the ditch but my long-arm machine will do the honors, instead.  Meandering loops and flowers should work well with the fabrics and simple checkered blocks.

Linking Up: Elm Street Quilts September One Monthly Goal

Today, I mailed my mug mats to my exchange partners.  The official mailing date is October 1st but it's Sunday with no postal services nearby open and wanting to complete this September OMG off they went this morning.

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - September Finish Link-up

And some extra additions just because:

I had fun and am already enjoying Cheryl's creativity from an earlier exchange.  Maybe I will be exchange coordinator for a future event.

Just Wonderful!

Sewing and quilting related exchanges are sew much fun!  Cheryl of Cheryl's Teapots 2Quilting and I are on at least 2 sewing and sewing machine related Yahoo lists.  She is a talented quilter and she just shared her beautiful handiwork with me, two foundation pieced mug mats and a perfect sized project bag to keep my smaller projects organized.  Cheryl made her exchange gifts on vintage machines, including a 1939 Singer 221 Featherweight, a post WWII Japanese head in a treadle base, and 1927 Singer 15 handcrank.

You don't need the latest machine to sew wonderful and useful projects!

Cheryl will receive hers next week.  

September OMG: Complete Exchange Projects

This month's goal has to be simple.  I have too many other non-quilting/sewing related commitments cluttering up my time to distract me from starting a new quilt or trying to quilt one in the stack of tops waiting patiently for rainy weather.

October 1st is the day I have to mail out mug mats to my partners in the TreadleOn Yahoo list exchange.  My goal is to finish up and get the packages in the mail.  All sewing has to be done on a treadle or hand-crank sewing machine.  I have chosen Minnie, the Singer 99 hand-crank, to do the honors.  Only a sneak peek of the fabric is allowed until I reveal them at the end of the month.

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal September Linkup

And Cheryl of Cheryl's Teapots 2Quilting, if you are reading, yours are completely different.  😉  Cheryl was my exchange partner for a mug mat exchange on the QuiltAlong Yahoo list.  Those were due in the mail yesterday.

August OMG: George and Harriet

Elm Street Quilts OMG Link Up for August

George and Harriet have moved to Seattle to live with Callum and Helen.  Please forward all greetings to the Beacon Hill crew.  

August OMG: No Peeking!

With the due dates of two exchanges looming in the near future, I have 6 mug mats that have been in various stages of completion for several months.  The first set is due out at the end of the month but they have been ready to go since I offered to host the exchange.  The other 4 are waiting for finishing touches.  Since I can't reveal them until the end of September, I must commit to another goal that will be easy to accomplish in the busy days ahead and something that I can allow the blog peeps to view.

A recent family trip to the beach produced an acquisition that is a temptation, a kit for the quilt, Cascading Cubes, from Center Diamond quilt shop in Cannon Beach.  Cascading Cubes will become a baby quilt with the last 2 rows on the back for a smaller and more manageable size for both the new mother and baby.  I don't need to start it until after Christmas so what else is there?

I almost forgot, the other two grands saw the tooth monster pocket pillow I made for the youngest and now they need one as well.  How could I not make two more of this adorable creature?  The embroidery machine will not be idle this month.

Elm Street Quilts August OMG:  Two Requests to Fill

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal August Linkup

July OMG Link-up: A Table Runner Completed

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - July Finish 

With the garden and an extended weekend beach trip presenting distractions from my fiber passions, not much sewing has been done this month except for some progress on 4 table runners using the Fab Five wedge template.  Two are from one version in the Fab Five Table Snacks pattern.  One has been completed.

Except for the fact that the fabric was purchased before the produce in the garden became prolific and was fermenting on the kitchen counter, one might have concluded these pickled veggies were my inspiration for this month's project.

While I think I would prefer to have black strips framing each wedge with the 6 fat quarters I chose for the pair, I am satisfied with the appearance of the completed runner and would make up more using the same technique with or without framing strips.

Also, before I piece my wedges for my second pair of runners, I might reposition, omit, or exchange the bright lime batik.  It appears to have a phosphorescent glow and is a bit too bright amidst the others.

The runner is basically made like the reversible mitered napkins from the Alizida blog.  Since most of my table runners are layered with Pellon fleece, a very thin polyester batting, I thought I might not like just two layers of fabric for a runner but it is flat and smooth and looks attractive.  With the success of this runner, I might even try a Ten Minute Table Runner, a style I have avoided in the past, opting to make WOF versions instead.  

Tooth Monster Pocket Pillow

This little guy was originally my Elm Street July OMG.  He had to be done before July 1st because a week ago my DiL announced our youngest grandson had a loose tooth and she didn't expect him to let the tooth stay in until the end of the week.  Her prediction proved wrong but the pillow was done for our grandson's weekly visit on Friday.

This fun little tooth monster pillow is a freebie from Embroidery Garden's FaceBook page.  Get details from their YouTube video as well:  What's IN THE HOOP with Embroidery Garden / Monster Tooth Fairy Pillow

July OMG: Table Runner

We have busy times ahead.  I am not sure what will be a reasonable July OMG but I can try and see what progress I make with the table runners I promised my DiLs.  It is my intention to make a set of runners that they can use for holidays and year round.  One has most of the year covered except for general winter and fall season runners.  The other only has an all-seasons runner, Valentine's Day, and Halloween.

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal July Linkup

Since I missed getting a patriotic runner done for tomorrow, piecing a fall table runner is my goal.  Since a rather recent acquisition is a tumbler template that will work for tall and short tumblers, there are several runners I would like to try:

Tall Tumbler Runner

And another:

Tumbler Table Runner Pattern

Plus the pattern for the template I purchase:

Back of Fab 5 Table Runner Pattern

Jenny at MSQC has some great videos for tumbler projects and Nancy Zieman has one for a runner with a Dresden plate template.

Jenny's Tumbler Videos

Nancy Zieman's Sew Easy Topsy Turvy Table Runner

Now to decide and make one to accomplish my goal!

June OMG Link Up: Armrest Sewing Station

Before I went to 4-H quilt camp, my June OMG was completed and gifted.  Yes, I know, I said it was for me but the fabric with koala bears was sitting there begging me to be made up and I obliged.

June OMG

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - June Finish Link-up

The only regret I have with the project is that I didn't use more fabrics to make the project sparkle.  If I were to do it again, I would at least use the pincushion fabrics in reverse with the green print on top.

The one change I made was to dangle the thread spool like a bead on the strip that was supposed to hold it on top of the pincushion secured with straight pins.  When the spool was on top of the pincushion, it and the pincushion were very wobbly.  Eventually, the pins would work their way loose.  With a loose knot in the strip, it is easy to change thread colors.

I didn't add any dividers to the pockets.  They can easily hold a pair of small scissors or reading glasses.  The recipient loves it and it replaces an earlier armrest sewing station that I made a few years ago and was used so much it is worn out.  My friend does much hand stitching on the arts and crafts see sells in shows around the Northwest.

June's previous sewing station, known as the Venus Fly Trap

Long Time No See

I have been delinquent.  I have 3 years worth of 4-H quilt camp photos that deserve to be seen.  This entry will cover last week's camp that included 4 boys, a higher than average attendance from previous years.

This camp was comprised mainly with participants who had done little to no sewing on machines.  It is a joy to see them make significant and rewarding project in just 4 hours a day for a week.

Enjoy our show!

Two Little Gifts

Saying farewells are always difficult.  With DD leaving for four months in Europe, I had to find just the right gifts to send her off on her journey.  For her birthday at the end of March, I gave her a cross-body travel purse for her passport that had a wire cable running through the neck strap as a theft deterrent and additional protection for chip-enabled credit cards.  Her bon voyage party came and went and then the inspiration hit me.

Since I have allergies to laundry products, I never travel without a personal pillowcase.  It occurred to me that DD might not think to carry one so I dug through the stash for one of the horse themed fabrics I had purchased years ago.  It had to be the prettiest one I have, not just the usual brown Western versions.  Here is what was hiding in the bin, a beautiful print with horses grazing in flower filled fields, a scene dreams are made of.  Hmm, the folded pillowcase doesn't due the fabric justice.  I will have to add a photo of the remaining fabric.

A comment from the DiL my DD lived with until her departure on Friday confirmed the gift was perfect.  Many prayers will be said to calm my nerves and ask for travel blessings for her safety.  The Jewish Travelers' Prayer translated from the Hebrew, is perfect in so many ways.

"May it be Your will, Lord, our God and the God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, guide our footsteps toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace. May You rescue us from the hand of every foe, ambush along the way, and from all manner of punishments that assemble to come to earth. May You send blessing in our handiwork, and grant us grace, kindness, and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us. May You hear the sound of our humble request because You are God Who hears prayer requests. Blessed are You, Lord, Who hears prayer."

June OMG: Armrest Pincushion

I have had so many ideas for June bubbling in my head, it has been hard to set my OMG.  It's not that there aren't unfinished projects that need to completed, but there are also all the patterns I have purchased and never made up.  One recent acquisition is calling out my name.

This pattern was purchased on a whim thinking I would make it up immediately for a gift.  The birthday came and went and I made up another project, a special pillowcase from a kit that included fabrics from Timeless Treasures Knitting Chickens line.  My neighbor and I are knit chicks.

The pattern seeking my attention is an armrest sewing station.  It would be convenient to have one for my recliner, my favorite spot to do the final pass of hand stitching on quilt bindings and attach quilt labels.  Cindy Taylor Oates' pattern, Sit and Stitch Pincushion, is perfect for the job.

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal June Linkup

May OMG: Linking Up

With final two borders added to the quilt top from the 2006 quilt blocks lotto, I am happy to have another goal met.

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal - May Finish Link-up

A flat fold sale at our local craft store with a delightful quilting section, has provided a perfect fabric for the back of the quilt.  It was not my first choice, but the one on sale had a warm antique look that goes well with the classic block design and at $4.94 per yard for quality fabric, was a good buy for backing fabric.  I will reveal it in another post.