dqs6 swap - sent & recieved!

this post is long overdue, i know. but i just wanted to give a little update on the doll quilt swap. i finished my quilt a few weeks ago and i was very happy with the outcome! throughout this project i taught myself how to paper-piece, machine quilt and attach a cross grain binding. i referred to kaffe fassett's glorious patchwork quilt book for the paper-piecing and for the binding i used a tutorial on the crazy mom quilts blog. both were a big help and highly recommended.





i sent it off to megan (whoolly interlude) in louisville, kentucky. she has received it and had some very sweet things to say about it. i am so pleased that she likes it!

also, i received my package from nichole (partridgepeartree) a few nights ago. this swap was my first in a very long time, and i was overwhelmed with excitement while opening the package! i recognized the quilt immediately from the group pool and was so happy to have it in my hands! thank you so much nichole!!!



she also included some great fat quarters and note cards which i lovvvve!



i had such a wonderful time swapping with these great ladies and can't wait until the next round!

wait a minute...

did i really start a project finish it within a week?

yes!

within two days?

yesss!

i just can't even believe it. i feel like i overcame some kind of demon on this one.



i have been oddly obsessed with my sewing machine lately and decided it was about time i saw a project through from start to finish. i have also decided that i want to create a cute little spring/summer wardrobe for myself this year. tada - look at this lovely little top that i made! i can't wait to wear it with my favorite jean cut offs and my green jelly shoes.

i have also been diligently working on my mini quilt for the doll quilt swap. i am at a bit of a stand still - i can't decide if i like the moss and teal fabrics with the more delicate blue print. they feel heavy - but i kind of like the color play. decisions, decisions...






one last tidbit - i photographed seven bags today to put into my new (& empty) etsy shop. they will be appearing tomorrow - sometime after my tax appointment.

doll quilt swap and other projects.

i recently joined a flickr group called 'doll quilt swap' on a whim, and it just happened that a few days after i joined they announced their 6th group swap. what timing! i joined up and a few days later was given a secret partner who i will be making a doll quilt for. i found so much inspiration in my partners own pictures and favorited pictures, as well as their blog. as i started to wrap my brain around the prject - i found this image which has become my main source of inspiration.



i immediately started digging through my fabric looking for colors and print that would relate to this image but also would suit my partner. i ended up with two solid cottons in moss and teal as well as a raspberry pink print that looks like sprinkles and a new print from jay mccarroll's garden collection.

i have also had my nose buried in kaffe fassett's glorious patchwork and have taught myself how to paper piece. ATTENTION: if you have never tried this method but have the desire to - DO IT NOW! i can't believe how rewarding paper piecing is - and how quick and easy to boot!





flip it over and... tadaaaahhh!...



the above block was my first little test with paper piecing and below is my progress so far with the doll quilt. i hope the colors are right...



i am just a few seams away from finishing the last five blocks, then i will have a better sense of the color situation. i am nervous to rip the paper out, will someone come hold my hand for that step?

snow day, sew day.

i returned late last night from the american craft council show, which was held this past weekend in baltimore. i always love working this show and seeing all of the new and old faces that show up. yes, i should have many more pictures filling this post, but a few of the artists that i approached about taking photos of their work turned me down, so i got a bit discouraged.

tiffany ownbey, a friend, who does papier mache sculpture using sewing patterns and other found treasures :


nicole licht, aka astulabee, who was a part of the altcraft section of the show makes irresistible soft sculptures. nicole was as sweet as could be, i was very happy to meet her and see her work in person.


and hey, why not self promote. here is a shot of our booth. "our" being claudia mills studio, where i work as a production weaver.


now that february and the a.c.c. show are said and done, it is time for me to get back to work. i unfortunately did not meet my february goals, but i had not factored in the measly 28 days that are in february or the fact that my last week of the month would be spend prepping for the a.c.c. show. today i was home because of the snow, though. and i am just a few seams away from finishing my stack of tote bags which will be posted on etsy. for now i will leave you with some teaser pictures...

guess who?

why didn't i find these like two weeks ago - instead of one week after valentine's day! i'm obsessed. no time to talk now but i will update on my february progress very soon.

current goals and accomplishments :

february goals:
--post at least 15 items for sale on etsy by march 1st.
--start & complete baby quilt for cousin ruth's baby boy.
--write & follow weekly meal calendars.


my goal list, though it is quite slimmer in many ways, is inspired by my friend danne's blog : 12monthsoflent.com. i do plan to set monthly goals that are designed for me. i think i can handle february's work load although i am a slow worker in many ways (mostly due to my full time job and night time laziness) and have a problem completing all projects no matter the size or shape. i do currently have 7 tote bags at their half way points and a mess of hearts and clouds ready to be stuffed and made into pins.



it is my pleasure to announce that my darling pin-sets are on sale at mew gallery in south philadelphia. this is the first time i have ever sold at a retail shop so it is all very exciting. mew gallery is a small craft shop and gallery owned by my friends lauren and carolynne and hosts amazing work by many local artists!


look at these creepy dolls i got at renninger's antique market yesterday!



beth & i went on an exploration into pennsylvania (one thing i do not do enough of) yesterday for our valentine's day date. we had a blast digging through the antique market - and to my surprise i found a woman who had 6-8 booths crammed full of vintage linens, yardage, trims, buttons... boy was i overwhelmed. but i did bring home some goodies that will surely pop up in future projects!

hipster babies in training.

i am in the middle of doing some product research on etsy and i came across this little gem...



i dont know why, but it made me laugh so hard.



at the moment i am digging through a bunch of etsy shops that feature quilts - looking at the prices, sizes and quality of the quilts. then i am looking at the number of sales and frequency of the sales in different shops. so far i am shocked by what i have found - there are a bunch of people making a bunch of money in etsy! i'm inspired... time to drop the laptop and get sewing!!!