Feeling Cozy

I left a little tease before the holidays, and here is the big reveal.

These mystery items, were...



Tea cozies! My SIL asked for one for Christmas... and being a DIY-er, I figured why go buy one when I can make one myself. I started out with a simple one, using a colour palette similar to her Bento quilt.
Originally it was just going to be cotton, but the red white and blue came out a bit too "Americana" for this Canuck (and for my Brit SIL I'm guessing, though she might think it Jack related), so I had to think fast.... my solution, was a layered felt flower with a button center on each side.

Layer with insulated batting it's not only reversible, but also should really keep her orange pekoe warm.
However, one was not enough and I had an even more challenging creation floating around in my head...

With my West Coast roots, I embraced my natural surroundings and created a raw edge applique. I love how it turned out, I can't wait to stick it in the wash so that it's extra ruffly and wrinkly.

I made the two sides slightly different, one with a shiny sun, and the other with a dark bird, maybe my friend Tim's crow obsession love is rubbing off on me ;)

I again did the insulated batting, and made it double sided with this adorable grey and yellow print.

Filling in the missing pieces

The final few blocks are coming on for my Picnic quilt, so I started up a double hourglass factory (based on this tute) to make up the missing blocks.

I also played around with a few layout ideas ...

But I've got other ideas... once I get the last 2 blocks I'll be able to start sewing them all together.

He`s got a dirty face

I`ve been plugging away on my Christmas paper piecing blocks (2.5 more done, woo woo!). I say 2.5 because I was happily dry ironing away while working on a block when this happened...

Yeah... my penguin has a dirty face :(

I am pretty sure it is from the black fabric not the iron -- because silly ole me was too psyched about making more blocks lazy and impatient to bother pre-washing the new black fabric that I picked up last weekend.

I gave him a quick face wash, which seemed to get most of the black off, and finished him up, but now I don`t know what to do. Do I:

1. Chalk it it to experience and start again (with pre-washed black fabric!)

or do I

2. Throw caution to the wind and put him into the quilt and cross my fingers that the black won't bleed into his pretty white face?

Has anyone had any experience with this? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On a happier note, my little Christmas project is really starting to come together.

all patterns from Sewhooked excluding the 3 tree block

A Hexy Situation

I've been busy working away at Sara's block for MishMash Stash Bash. She's requested hexagons and sent us a piece of vintage fabric. I decided to keep with the vintage vibe by doing some paper piecing.

It's been a while since I did paper piecing, and I forgot how long it takes! But, it should keep me company while I'm sitting on the couch next week post knee surgery!

Inspiration fabric: Large floral by Waverly-- it also included a border of red and white used in some of the triangles

Beary nice

My first project for 2009 has been Bear tested (no dolls available in this house), and has passed. Now it can go to it's new little owner, I hope she likes it!

Getting Dolled Up

well, I figured it was about time I tried machine quilting on my new (old) machine. I thought a doll quilt for a colleague's daughter was perfect. so far I've pieced the top together -- I deffinately have to work on my speed... even something this small took me the majority of a post-work evening!!



I must admit I never understood the attraction that many quilters have for doll quilts, but now I've made on I have to admit the speed they come together is very satisfying.




And tonight I'm ordering the reds and blues for the Secret Quilt.... yay!!