Joel Dewberry True Colors Patchwork Tote

Yesterday I finished a tote bag I have been working on for a little while. This used Joel Dewberry fabric to create the patchwork look which is also quilted. It is a large tote that can hold quite a bit!

There are four large interior pockets.

As well as two side pockets on the outside as well.

Polka Dot Patch Quilt

Earlier this year I got word that another teammate from my AmeriCorps Team was expecting her first baby, gender to be reveled at birth. I then went looking for a gender neutral but adorable quilt pattern. I found this Polka Dot Patch Quilt on Craftsy and knew it was the one.

The back is a simple but colorful polka dot print. 

The front is bright and colorful, perfect for baby Charlotte who joined us just a few weeks ago.

Zig-Zag Baby Quilts

I have had a pattern from Moda Bake Shop for the Zig-Zag Baby Quilt for quite some time, waiting for the right opportunity to come along to make it. Earlier this year one of my coworkers announced she was pregnant with twin boys and this seemed like the right quilt to make x2. I used Moda solids for the front and binding. Katie picked out a cute whale print for the back.

The first quilt had a grey binding.

The second quilt had blue binding. It also has a small whale patch.

The boys are expected to arrive any day now and we are all waiting to meet them!

Wildflower Meadow Stacked Coins Baby Quilt

A coworker announced earlier this year she was pregnant so it was time to make another baby quilt. I went to my go to pattern Stacked Coins Baby Quilt. After much deliberation I chose Wildflower Meadow by Riley Blake Designs for the fabric. 

Here is the quilt.

A closer look at the front, I love all the little animals, especially the hedgehogs.

She was having a girl but did not want too much pink but I thought the pink binding really set the quilt nicely.

The back has the accent row and the animal print.

A closer look.

And here is the front and back.

Christmas Tree Skirt

Last year my Christmas tree skirt of many years fell apart. I had always wanted to make one so decided this was the time. I searched for a pattern and chose this Holly Jolly Christmas Tree Skirt on Craftsy. I used Moda's Merriment fabric and did a little more mixing of the fabrics than the pattern called for. It took most of the year but here it is finished.

A closer look at the print

I went with a plain green on the back and a variegated green thread for the quilting.

I cant wait to use this skirt this year!

Antelope Valley Fair

The Antelope Valley Fair wrapped up last weekend and it was a pretty good year. We didn't enter any vegetables (hardly anyone did) but did have a few other items entered.

Katie did her first ever fair entry with en Elsa themes case. She received Honorable Mention which is not bad at all.

My Kite quilt took first and my Ruby quilt took second. This was a complete surprise and the larger sized quilts are most competitive but I was very happy with it.

I entered my scrap purse and it received Honorable Mention.

I purchased a bunch of raspberries this year I made a blushing peach jam which had raspberries and raspberry peach. Very different tastes and entered in to two different categories. They both took Honorable Mention.

We made peach butter which took second place.

The corn relish was a hit with the judges and took first.

Quilt catch up

This blog has been very quiet...a lack of a garden has given a lot less to write about. The drought is in full force and most everything in the yard is dead other than my fruit trees and grapes. On the sewing front I have been working on a lot of projects at once and only just started finishing some up, just in time for the Fair!

The Ruby, Pearl and Opal quilt come from the Moda Bake Shop and uses the Moda fabric Ruby. When I first saw this quilt I loved it. I put the top together over a few days between Christmas and New Years last year, it then took me until this summer to bind and quilt it. I love the colors!

The top

The back

Quilted and finished

A closer look

A look at the binding and back

Next is the Kite Flight quilt which uses Kona solids. This quilt kit came from the web site Craftsy which is a newer one I am really enjoying. This quilt was a challenge because I cut the pieces wrong. I ended up having to buy a second kit and cut that onto make up for the cutting. I now have the pieces to make a second one of the quilt when I become motivated. For the back of the quilt I wanted to go with a solid, Katie picked the color if you could not tell.

Here is the top

Here is the completed quilt

A close up

And a look at the back

New Table Area

Just before Christmas I got a table from my Grandmothers house. We are still in the process of sorting out her belongings after her death in December. I got a bunch of cool old quilts that I have been cleaning and will post here eventually. The table held Katie's pink Christmas tree until a few days ago but then I needed to decide what to do with it. Here is what it looks like tonight!

Katie and I created this Pinterest art piece and finished it in early December. Simply search for toilet paper roll craft and you will be amazed at what people can create. Basically you collect then cut up toilet paper and paper towel rolls, hot glue them together and spray paint it. I dont know how long it will last but looks good on the wall.

Tonight I decided to make a table runner. I used fabric squares I had from an early quilt I made in 2008. It was super easy and I made it in about 30 minutes. 

The back is a red fabric, no batting was used and it was very basic construction. It fits perfect and will protect the table.

The table was in questionable condition when I brought it home. I thought I would need to refinish it but after a few coats of Old English it took on a whole new look and was in great shape. There is some staining and it will eventually will need to be refinished but work for now.

Here is another look at the table...

And another...

I am very pleased with how this area came together.

Mothers Day Bouquet Quilt

I cant believe I forgot to post this quilt! I finished this one early this summer and entered it in the AV Fair last August. The pattern was found in Sweet Celebrations with Moda and is the Mothers Day Bouquet Quilt. I used one of Moda's fabric lines but have to check on which one it was. The quilt looks like flowers.

The back is a blue floral and the binding is stripes.

Speaking of the Fair, here it is on display at the Fair.

Scrap Happy Purse

One of the blogs I follow is Crazy Mom Quilts and recently saw her post about making a Scrap Happy Purse. I loved the look of this bag and really wanted to try making it. Given my past lack of success in making any kind of bag I was hesitant but finally decided to go for it. I went though the basket of scraps that I keep for Katie to play with and found more than enough scraps at the right size. It is pretty awesome because I remember all of the quilts and projects that I used these fabrics for, this makes the bag that much more special. I began the bag and thought that I would finish it quickly, however my Grandmother encountered some health issues and passed away quickly which led to family coming to town. Things are beginning to return to normal and one of the first projects I wanted to get back to was this. Tonight I finished sewing on the last handle. Here is the finished purse.

Here is a close up, I quilted lines on every 1/4 inch which took some time but really looks good.

Inside there are two pockets and a snap.

This bag was a lot of fun to make and I am really happy with how it came out!