.march bom.

Here’s the March BOM, which barely made it in March! I have been busy making these

for Melissa’s wedding, so my BOM was put on the back burner. I finally had time yesterday. This one looks complicated, but it’s not too hard. I love the colors!

 

I had a good day in the craft room yesterday – a great way to kick off Spring Break!

I made this changing pad and matching burp rags for Baby J…now that those are done, he’s welcome to make his arrival anytime! :)

Also, I’ve had this fabric cut out and on my counter since September when Janelle asked me to make her a bag for her birthday. I got freaked out by the pleats and set it aside…until Tara messaged the other day and said they were coming to our house. I decided I’d better hurry up and get the bag done!

This was a complicated pattern – definitely a one and done pattern. Not happening again! Take a look folks…this is the only time you’ll see this pattern on my blog!

    

It has lots of pockets and is big enough for a notebook to go inside, per Janelle’s request! It’s the Sunday Sling pattern by Amy Butler.

So – three things checked off my list yesterday! I’d call that a success!

.crafty weekend.

I decided last week that I wanted to learn how to crochet…thanks to my friend Shannah’s adorable pins on Pinterest! Last Sunday I read a few of the books I’d given my Mom last year when she decided she wanted to learn. I watched some YouTube and read some blogs. I got the chain down but couldn’t figure out how to turn. I took my yarn to school on Tuesday so Jessica could help me. I practiced and practiced and by Saturday night, I had a dishcloth! YES!

 

I finished piecing this quilt top on Sunday morning. I started it at the craft retreat a few weeks ago. The colors aren’t my favorite, but I’d had the fabric cut out for about two years now, so I’m glad to get it done!

 

I made the February BOM yesterday. It’s the most complicated looking one yet…and I realized there are only 3 more to go! So sad….

 

.baby blanket.

I made this baby blanket for Kortneigh Eppich Kelly’s baby girl. I hadn’t ever really sewn with minky because I was scared of it. I pinned the heck out of it and went to the sewing machine. It wasn’t soooo bad!

I like how it turned out – perfect for a baby girl!

.new projects.

Before the craft retreat, I had a few projects that I wanted to get done. I was so excited about how they turned out!

The first was this glittered Starbucks cup…Jennifer & I saw it on Pinterest and she gave me all the supplies for my birthday. I finally got it done and love the results!

I wanted to make a tool bag for all my sewing tools. I’d made zippered bags before, but they weren’t quite big enough for all my tools. I liked the idea of these boxed cosmetic bags. I LOVE how it turned out! This might be my go to gift!

 

It takes 2 fat quarters and a zipper. Wha la! :)

 

The last thing was a sewing machine cover to protect my sweet little Bernina from dust and nasty sage bugs.

I made it long so that I didn’t have to take off the sewing table every time, so it’s a little wonky on the left where there isn’t much structure to the machine.

 

     

Yay! All ready for the craft retreat!

.craft day.

All break I was looking forward to January 5 – because it was craft day with friends! Jessica, Amy, & Kate were planning to come over to craft and chat and eat and laugh – always a favorite day! Jessica didn’t end up getting to come – darn committed momma’s making sure their little girls get to birthday parties!

We had a fun day – lots of everything I’d hoped for: crafting, chatting, eating, and laughing! I think we all got a lot done – in all of those categories!

Mom got a lot of play time with Kamryn in!

I got a lot of “Marcie help you!”

 

 

Some iPad games – I think the 2 year old is teaching the 60 year old here. :)

 

I went out to Nick and Kate’s in the evening and we made dinner with a recipe I found on Pinterest! It was yummy and definitely a keeper. Kate & I agreed that adding pineapple would make it even better!

 

http://recipeschmessipe.blog.com/2012/07/30/kings-hawaiian-baked-ham-swiss-sandwiches/

I cannot wait for the next craft day – which WILL include Jessica – and I think it WILL be a whole weekend long. YES!

.crayon wallet.

I made this little crayon wallet for Kamryn for Christmas. I saw some of these on Etsy (where I did most of my Christmas shopping this year!) and bought a pattern.

I thought Kamryn would enjoy it and it’s the perfect size to throw in a purse or bag to have paper and crayons at the ready!

.chalkboard art.

I brought a project for Jennifer & I to do today during lunch! Another Pinterest find (http://indiecraftparade.com/blog/archives/2370), of course!

Jan had given us these chalkboards at the beginning of the year and I printed off the cute lettering/message. The tutorial is super easy – we just learned that you can’t rest your hand on the chalkboard! I love how it turned out and I can’t wait to change the message on my chalkboard regularly!

.sewing maniac.

I have been spending every single extra second in the craft room lately – thus the excuse for being behind on my blog!

I am preparing for the Mesa CPT Christmas Bazaar on December 8th – so I’ve sewn about 15 table runners, 7 or 8 quilts, 3 pillows, and have a few more things on my “want to do” list.

The other day, I needed a break from the insanity and decided to sew something for myself – the November BOM.

Six months down, six to go! I love how it’s looking!

 

So – I just have 2 1/2 more weeks before the bazaar…then I’ll have TONS of pictures and projects to share!

.two table runners.

I completed these two table runners over the weekend…finally got them washed and dried today!

This one is a pattern by Camille Roskelley (found here: http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/scrap-lab-table-runner-and-pumpkins_1.html). I used Autumn Bouquet by Denise Urban fabric that I found at Fat Quarter Shop.

I did straight line quilting the enhance the chevron pattern. It’s not very long or wide, but good for a kitchen table, which is exactly where it is going!

 

This pattern I found on Pinterest (link: https://sew4home.com/projects/table-linens/kitchen-confections-modas-vintage-modern-patchwork-table-runner) and I knew I had the exact Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille fabric in my stash! I did and it came together quickly!

 

I straight line quilted this every 1/2” or so. I love the effect it has!

This is a wedding gift for Mindy Gibbons and Mikel Terry. MindEE was a cheerleader the first couple seasons I coached with Jessica. I didn’t get to go to her reception because I was in Royal for the football game…which I guess was fitting. :)

.quilts!!.

I finally have some pictures of some of the quilts I’ve completed over the past few months!

This pattern is called “Tumbling Blocks” by It’s Sew Emma.

  

I love the orange and aqua!

 

I quilted straight lines around the squares – easy peasy!

 

This rag quilt was from a kit I purchased at a quilt store in Seattle over Spring Break. I have had my fill of rag quilts, but this kit had Bonnie & Camille fabric in it, so I had to pick it up! :)

  

It’s not too big, but a perfect for a baby!

  

.block of the month(s).

I am in one of those – I can’t get enough sewing projects done fast enough – moods! Amy asked me to have a booth with her at a Christmas bazaar so I would like to whip out a bunch of table runners, baby blankets, and zippered pouches to have on hand. My work schedule is not supporting this! :) haha

I tried a new table runner pattern last night and was able to cut, piece, baste, and quilt the whole thing in 2 1/2 hours! Yes! I’ll definitely be making a few more of those!

I wasn’t quite done in the craft room, even though it was 10pm, so I completed my October block of the month. I love this one – it looks complicated…but wasn’t!

 

This is last month’s that I forgot to share at the time.

 

Side by side…

5 months down…7 to go! I’m loving it!

.little containers.

I added two little fun containers to my craft area today and thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorites with you!

I picked up this mini strainer at Macy’s today. It’s my favorite shade of aqua and I knew it would be super cute in the craft room!

The strainer is from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy’s.

The pincushion I bought on Etsy from Happy Little Cottage. I’m thinking a pin cushion collection would be fun! :)

 

The cup and saucer that are holding my mini-charm pack were my Great-Grandma Heider’s. The little prep bowl is from Anthropologie! (I bought it last spring and can’t find the link on the website… sorry!)

 

This little berry basket from Anthropologie is holding some 2.5” fabric strips that are waiting to be made into binding. I LOVE this berry basket!!

 

I found this today at Macy’s too. It’s a recipe box, but I think it will take on a different function in the craft room. Just not sure what that is yet! It’s from the Martha Stewart Collection too.

Just a few things that make me smile when I’m in the craft room. Besides my Bernina, of course! We’re working on a bag for a birthday girl right now. Here’s a teaser….the fabric for the bag is in the picture with the recipe box!

.fall festival weekend.

Today was the big Fall Festival in Connell. I woke up with a headache, but managed to make it to the parade and drive my parents through the parade. Isn’t this a great picture of them?!

 

Good thing Dad had Mom along with him…she was Ms. Popular with all of her students yelling at her all the way down the street. “Mrs. Koch! Mrs. Koch! I want candy Mrs. Koch! Mrs. Koch, over here!” etc etc etc! If only they could vote! It was fun to see all the support Dad has in our community and to get to see lots of people along the parade route!

I entered three quilts into the Art show at the Community Center. Unfortunately, there were only 3 other entries, which was a big bummer! I *KNOW* there are lots of quilters around Connell!!

I thought this one would win, if any of them did, but it didn’t receive anything!

 

My t-shirt quilt – I haven’t shared any pictures of it yet because it’s too hard to hold up and take a picture! It won the People’s Choice Award which was really cool! Good choice, friends!

 

This one I made for Mom in honor of her heart…and I named it “A Precious Heart.” It received the Third Place ribbon!

 

Connie & Norma Jeanne came for the weekend so it was fun to spend time with them, as always! I didn’t make it to the street dance…I still was fighting a headache and didn’t think the loud music would help me any!

Next year, quilting friends…enter your quilts in the Art Show! It’s no fun to be the only one showing!!!!