Sewing Studio OVERHAUL

The before pictures were so overwhelming I think that I deleted them.    I can't find any on my phone anywhere.   So forward motion!!!   right!??!?!

Guess what I finally used????

Progress on the Sewing Studio came to a halt over a week ago.  So on an impulse, I went to Home Depot....

Update on Projects

Today I spent some more time updating the "My Projects" tab of my Blog.   This is where I have started to catalog all of the WIP's (Works in Progress) UFO's (Unfinished Objects), PIB's (Projects in Bags).   I am determined to get more organized!

Here's a copy of what the tab looks like JUUUUst in case I screw something up and lose it!

Started June 2015 - Scrappy Log Cabins

Dec 2016 - Progress Note here












Started November 2016 - Scraps of Time - Winter

Nov 2016 - progress post here.
- needs birdhouse roof repaired, Sashing and Border















Started September 2016 - Technicolor Galaxy Skillbuilder 2015 BOM -

June 2016 - Progress Note: here
Sept 2016 - Progress post here















Started June 2016 - Thangles Mini Sampler

Progress Note added 7/25/16
June 2016 - Progress post here
August 2016 - Progress post here










Started May 2016 - Quilted Memories Hand Embroidery

Progress Note added May 2016
May 2016 - Progress post here















Started March 2016 - Let's Get Organized ByAnnie Class Series

Progress Note added July 2016
July 2016 - Progress post here















Joined together - April 2015 - Vicki Flower Blocks

Every month at the CCQ quild meeting - Kate picks a block out of "Around the Block" by Judy Hopkins.   People could participate, donate, or not.   We've been doing this for years.

In 2014 - Vicki chose a palette of fabrics for her monthly blocks.   Flowery, peaceful, pretty fabrics.  She completed 8 blocks before she passed away in January 2015.

In her memory - I decided to use the rest of the fabrics in the bag as a retreat project in her memory.   I pre-cut 1,500 squares and tucked stacks of 50 into little memory boxes. Each quilter at the May 2015 retreat received the box along with some gridelined fusible stabilizer.   The group project was appreciated and reminded everyone of her.

I joined her 8 blocks with one of the group blocks in the middle.

Started September 2013 - Halloween Frenzy - Scrap Quilt

Progress note added 2/12/16.

September 2013 - started cutting
February 2015 - progress post here.
February 2016 - Progress post here.

Needs to be Hand Basted, Quilted & Bound






Started December 5, 2014 - "Grand Illusion" - Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

Progress Note added - 12-23-14

Part 1 Post here
Part 2 Post here
Part 3 Post here
Part 4 Post here











Started sometime in 2012? - Judy Neimeyer Seasonal Table Runner

CCQ Quilt Guild decided to have Barb Miller from Mt Pleasant Quilt Company come and teach a small Judy Neimeyer class at the church.

I made a good amount of progress during the course of the class but really only took it to learn the "technique.    I had intended "some day" to finish it up.

Then I found a pattern called Misty Mountain Pond (also by Judy Neimeyer) that used the same units!   Well of course - go big or go home right??

Still haven't gotten back to it.




Started by Vicki Steffenhagen - Seasonal Table Runner - Judy Neimeyer

Vicki took this class with me.   As you can see - neither of us finished it.    Someday...someday...















Started December 2, 2012 - "Easy Street" - Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt

5 ladies in my Guild are doing it too!

Progress Note added - 12-12-12
Part Posted here

Progress 12-17-14  LOL - just realized I never updated this!
  The top is complete, still waiting for an AHA moment that gives me the drive to quilt it.   Last thought was to add hand embroidery - not sure if that will really happen...

Needs to be Quilted & Bound






Started June 2, 2011 - Affairs of the Heart - Designed by Aie Rossman

First Hand Applique Project Ever (Needle-Turn)
3 Friends of mine are doing this quilt too.  We meet twice a month to work on it, but usually end up laughing and eating instead.  (blushing)

Progress Note added - 12-12-12
Progress Note added - 12-17-14 Haven't worked on this in quite some time.   Still on one of the design walls though.









Started sometime in 2010? 2009? - Halloween Sampler - Machine Embroidery

Progress Updates posted 2/11/16
These embroidered blocks have been laying around for about 4-5 years..  Time to do something with them!

Part 1 Post here
Part 2 Post here
Part 3 Post here
Part 4 Post here
Part 5 Post here
Part 6 Post here
Part 7 Post here

Needs to be Quilted & Bound




Canal Country Quilt Guild (12" Challenge) - 2010 (sewing notion focus fabric)

Jan's Sewing Notion Focus Fabric

In 2010 - The Spencerport Quilt Guild did a "Round Robin" type challenge with it's members.

A yard of fabric went into a bag and passed from person to person for 12 months.   Every month, using the "focus fabric" in the bag - you had to make a block (or blocks) that finished at 12".   We showed the blocks at Show N Tell and passed the bag on.   At the end of the year - your bag was returned to you and the challenge was to find the appropriate setting for the blocks and finish the quilt!

January 2017 - I pulled out the bag of blocks for the 100th time and inspiration finally hit.   I put the blocks up on the design wall to remember what I envisioned!



Canal Country Quilt Guild (12" Challenge) - 2010   Sue Babe's Blocks

Sue Babe's Polka Dots & Buttons

"Round Robin" 12" challenge.  These were found in Sue Reynolds things after she passed away in October of 2013.  They were passed on to me to remember her.   Sue Babe, Vicki and I were the 3 amigas.   So many fun stories about the "button man" blocks, buttons and Sunbonnet Sue.







Canal Country Quilt Guild (12" Challenge) - 2010   Vicki's Blocks

Vicki's Crazy Swirl Flowers

"Round Robin" 12" challenge.  These blocks were given to me after Vicki Steffenhagen passed away in January of 2015.

Everyone in our guild stretched the boundaries with the challenge.   Vicki was in complete awe of what these blocks became.  The two of us together had a tendency to push people to try new things.   The blocks people made for her were a testament of how much she was respected as a friend, teacher and inspiration



Started 2009??  - Pine Tree Valley - Machine Embroidered BOM 2008?

Block of the Month Class taught by Vicki S and Jan Mercer at Betty's Quilting Etc in Spencerport

Never got around to finishing the quilt.   Must do something with these blocks!








Started 2010? - Retreat Sweatshirt - Machine Embroidery

A sweatshirt I started to show off some of my favorite Machine Embroidery designs.    Button fabric was from my Sue-Babe's stash to be used as a collar, bottom & Sleeves.   Sweatshirt had all ribbing cut off of it.

Some day need to pick some more designs and get this cool shirt finished.










Started November 2006 - Sally Collins Workshop - Precision Piecing

Most amazing workshop I've ever participated in. Was SO inspired by Sally Collins.   Sadly - the quilt I designed never got off the group.  I do still want to make it some day though!

Everything from class is still in a bin







Started by Vicki Steffenhagen - Birthstone Flowers

Vicki finished 4 out of 12 of the Birthstone flower blocks out of "Quilts With Style" magazine before she passed away.   There a BILLION little pieces in each block - all paper pieced.

This was a project we chose to do together.   She was 4 blocks ahead of my ZERO progress.











Started by Vicki Steffenhagen - Civil War Print Sampler

This was a project that Vicki was working on at various retreats with me.   She got 6 out of 12 parts finished before she passed away.














Started by Vicki Steffenhagen - Tulip Flower Garden Sampler

This was a project Vicki started.   At some point I'd like to spread it all out and see what's left to do.   It's really beautiful.










Started by Vicki Steffenhagen - Sometime in 2010 - Quilters Dozen Plus

Vicki made these class samples back when we worked together at Betty's Quilting Etc in Spencerport, NY.  She was given the option to "purchase them back" from the shop owner when the shop closed.    So she did.

I spent a Sew Weekend sometime in 2015 pin-basting a bunch of them with the intent to quilt them and hang them in my living Room.

I think these need to go on my Top 10 UFO's for 2017!








Started by Vicki Steffenhagen - Bloomin Flowers 2008?

Vicki and I both had a severe passion (addiction) for Machine Embroidery.    We taught classes all over Monroe County. Both "Embroidery Club" and some "Embroidered Block of the Month" classes.

Bloomin Flowers is a BOM class that I taught in 2010 while working at Betty's Quilting Etc in Spencerport.

I finished my quilt and it even won a few Blue ribbons around town!    This is as far as Vicki got with her blocks.

I'd like to sit down with these and come up with something. Machine Embroidery takes a LONG time and hefty investment with thread - we shall see.



Painstakenly HAND Stitched by Vicki Steffenhagen - Baltimore Beauties

About 20 years ago - before Vicki and I became besties - she worked at another quilt shop in Holley called "Apple Country".   There she taught many classes in Hand Applique

These "Baltimore Album" blocks are absolutely exquisite.  I'd like to get these into a wall hanging in her memory.

Inspiration just hasn't come for a setting yet.

Free Motion Block Party with Leah Day!

I blame Sabrina for this....

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/p/machine-quilting-block-party.html

Scrappy Log Cabin Blocks

So over a year ago, I think June 2015, the "Hamlin" girls started an exchange of these scrappy log cabin blocks.  It all started with an issue of Quiltmaker Magazine.

We modified the center of the Log Cabin Block to fit the measurements of one that Bonnie Hunter posted in her Addicted to Scraps Column in the July\August 2015 issue.   She had an HST in the middle - we liked the 4-patch idea.  But you can find her Log Cabin Love block on her website under her "Addicted to Scraps" tab.

We made 10 every month and exchanged them for each others blocks, so that it would get SUPER scrappy.   I decided that I had had enough of making them and was ready to put them together.   We had another Sew Weekend at the church and it was the project that I brought to work on!   Big bins of strip scraps, accuquilt cutter with 1 1/2" strip cutting die, 3 totes, 2 machines and a partridge in a pear tree.    I swear, every time I think I'm not going to haul as much into the car - the load gets bigger.

I laid out my blocks and we all oohed and aahed and got the itch to get them all out!

I ended up making 4 more log cabins and switching them around some more.   Right now - I have 16 squares of 4 blocks.   Must MUST get back to this one!!   It's going to be so cozy.   Sort of Lap size to Twin.

Here's some more layouts that some of the other girls picked!

Black Friday Project - Winter Scraps of Time

Usually I'm one of those Black Friday nut jobs that get up at 5:00 am (or never go to bed) to run around at Joann's to take advantage of the amazing deals.   This year - they changed their ad plan so that the UBER deals were on Wednesday instead of Friday.   Well - some of us have to work during the week, so....off to Sew Weekend with the girls instead!

Big Surprise - I started something new.    It's a mini - 12 1/2" finished I think.   Called Scraps of Time.   It was nice to grab a bin of scraps and just play for the weekend.    I needed that.   I have to finish ONE little tiny patchwork block, fix a birdhouse roof and pick\add sashing and border.   Shamefully - it gets a spot on My Projects page because it's not done.   But...   it will happen!   Right?!!?!?

Teeny Tiny Paper Piecing

Technicolor Galaxy Progress

After a MUCH needed retreat - I've made some progress on Technicolor Galaxy - not much... but some!

They thought it was hilarious that I brought a printer with me....but lo and behold, several people used it!!  I needed to print\cut petals and hexies on water soluble stabilizer.  And I also wanted to get out my colored pencils and color my center!   I wanted to add hot pink\magenta to the wheel, so I needed to figure out how to work it in there.

I had pulled a LAUNDRY basket of scraps and fat quarters of everything I thought might go into this quilt.  

 I played with color almost all weekend.

Using a portable design wall (small one) I started throwing colors down.   I kept looking at the cover for reference of how I wanted to the colors to blend.

Color Wheel!!!  Weeeee...

It felt so good to cut the first pieces and COMMIT to making this quilt.   Lots and lots of starch, careful cutting.   I made my first pass at the center....

First Pass

Then I started throwing down fabrics to move out into the quilt.   I struggled with this!  I couldn't figure out why the colors I kept trying to achieve and color wheels I was googling on my laptop were NOT meshing with what I was visualizing.

Working Outward

After doing this for most of the weekend - there was LOTS of ironing and starching going on too...trust me, I DID make progress....kind of...

THEN I finally figured out what was screwing me up!   The cover photo of the quilt was MIRRORED.   The colors were going the wrong way around the wheel!    Made some adjustments and settled with this rendition.

Final?   Maybe?

Then the weekend ended...and I had to pile it all back in the laundry basket.   I was so hoping I would get all the bags filled for all the months at least.    Going to have to unpack it all and spread it out at home.    Once all the pieces parts are in their bags - it will be easy peasy to carry along to sew days!

Bionic Gear Bag for Rose

Have I mentioned my dear friend Rosie Posie?   She's a hoot.   I gotta keep it brief though, because she gets very upset about being put "On the Internet without her permission" (giggle).   She's so cute.

Anyway.....MISS Rose... has that perfect puppy dog look along with a whine that will put the most enthusiastic 4 year old to shame.    Sometimes this works for Rose.... Guilt.  HAHAHA.   Trust me, I'm laughing here.    I brought some things to "Show and Tell" at guild over the past 6 months and each time I proudly showed my completed bags: (Retreat Bag posted here and Bionic Gear Bag posted here, and Toiletry bag posted here) I heard this little whimper from the back row....that got kinda screechy....   and while I thought I dodged them, smiled, and forgot about it...she was slowly whittling away at my armor...  

" Wherrrreee'sss Miiinnnnnneeee??? "

I'd smile....  laugh uncomfortably...    "You gotta make one if you want one Rose...."  and she would show the most dramatic look of shock she could muster....followed by a pout.   Now Rose is about 4 foot something, cute as a button, EIGHTY-ONE years old and has a tendency to come along on my Craig's List adventures, wearing her Eeyore pajamas,  pretending to be a pain-in-the-ass granny that can't make up her mind.   Sometimes, the seller will feel that guilty twinge that I thought (foolishly) that I was immune to.... and give us a good price just to get rid of us....

Mental Note #1 - Gotta make Rosie a retreat bag with Halloween fabrics, she would just love that.

Mental Note #2 - Gotta make Rosie a toiletries bag, she would just love that.

Mental Note #3 - Gotta make Rosie a Bionic Gear Bag, maybe with those purplish leftovers I have from another project, she would just love that.

So I would mention these mental notes to other friends, and thus committing in my mind that I'm going to do it....right??   WRONG.

I texted her one weekend when all these mental notes were flying around in my head and made it down on paper.    I was like.....what happened here???   How did she do that????

The text went something like this - "Let's talk bags for a minute missy..   You've asked me for a Toiletry Bag, a Chubby Charmer bad AND a Bionic Gear bag.    Guilt is weighing on me bad here...   can you pick a favorite or something? "

So I'm waiting for her response right.....   I'm waiting to be released from my guilt with something like "Oh my goodness...I was just kidding, you don't have to make me a bag...."   right?    WRONG.

She comes back with "Is the Bionic Bag the one u showed on Tues night?

.................. yes......... (as I'm hanging my guilt ridden head in my hands watching my phone)....

"I would love that one." she says.

Oh man......

So away I go to my stash and get cutting.    I want to get this thing done and OUT of my head!!!

Purplish HST's left over from another project

LITTLE purplish HST's too!

My handy Dandy Notecards for cutting

The inside structure - mirrored

Sized the piece I sewed together for the outside

Pieced together the inside

Viola!    a Purpley Bag for Rosie!

I like how the pieced outside turned out!

Little Dumpling dish in there to match

So I sneak up behind her at the next guild meeting and hand her the bag.    She squeels with delight! Gives me a hug and a kiss and I announce.....   "I love you Rosie...and I am NOW guilt free".

She proceeds to show off her bag as HER show and tell.....giggling the whole way.

While this post is dated Sept 13 - I'm actually writing it in January 2017 and back dating it.   I've been meaning to sit still for a night and post a bunch of different things that I've been doing.   I tell you this only because it is relevant to the story here.    EVERY single time I have seen Rose since.....there is that whimper, then whine, then shock, then pout about something.   Anything, you pick.    And I look at her, point my finger and tell her...  "Oh no you don't!!    I'm immune!!    You go find someone else to pick on!   I've got at least a year before that crap works on me again....".     And she smiles and laughs and crosses her arms and wanders away...      She knows I've got her number now.    bwahahahahahahaha....