The Hideaway

Prepare to be green with envy...

I was all excited for the KCMQG retreat that we had planned for November.  I saved all of my pennies & had enough put aside for it.  Thought November couldn't get here soon enough because I REALLY need some me time... And then our retreat got postponed & moved to a hotel in the spring.  A hotel isn't quite what I had in mind when I envisioned a retreat. Maybe in the spring it will sound fabulous, but right now, I feel a HUGE need to get away to a scenic & quiet place.  Needing time for renewal.  Time for quilting.  Time for me.

So...

I am taking two days and two nights THIS WEEKEND to get away to the cabin pictured above and I will quilt to my heart's delight.

Will be getting some Arthur Bryant's bbq, lots of chocolate and a couple bottles of wine along with some of my other favorite comfort food.

Will be bringing comfy quilts to snuggle in.

Will be catching up on my favorite podcasts & listening to music from back in the day.

Might stay up late and sleep in.  Might not sleep.

Will be bringing my sewing machine, design wall, my big ironing board, big cutting mat, a partial roll of batting, a bunch of sandwiched quilts and WIPs.

No boys allowed.

In my pj's.

All weekend.

And the cell phone reception there isn't good.  Isn't that great!?!

Jealous???

Quilts of Valor Workday

Such a fun & rewarding day of sewing!












































- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Eye Candy

Part of my Vintage Sheet Collection that's For Sale in my Etsy Shop, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

Hello, dear readers.

Wanna see what's been keeping me so busy lately?

Sadly, not sewing, so much... but I've been thrifting to find items to add to my vintage sheet stash. These (and about a dozen more) flat sheets are for sale in my Etsy Shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/nkiblueeyes?ref=si_shop) and could be yours. :)   I also have a nice selection of vintage pillowcases & some wool and batik fabric.

Aren't they pretty arranged in a rainbow? Makes me want to hoard them... but I'll resist. Lizzy House is coming out with a new line in October called, "Outfoxed" and I've pre-ordered a sampling of it plus a few other things. Needing to raise some funds pronto!

I've lowered the price on several of these items so that I can move my inventory out a bit. Swing by and give my shop a look. I also have vintage notions, yardage and some hand-made stuff. Even a hand pieced/quilted antique quilt!

Revisiting Hexagons

How do you like this aqua?



These little things are so portable & so addictive.

I'm starting to think about how many teacher gifts I'll need to make for Christmas this year. Perhaps I'll appliqué this to some linen & make it into a bag. Hexagons really spruce things up. :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Owen's Big Boy Quilt

Owen's Big Boy Quilt, a set on Flickr.

Did I blog about this finish? Probably. I can't be sure.

Even if I did, I'm going to do it again because I just learned how to add lots of photos at once onto my blog from Flickr... Here's how. Make a set. Then do the share thing at the top... and type away.

Love it.

Here are details on Owen's quilt...


Via Flickr:
Pattern by That Girl, That Quilt, Jennifer Jenkinson.

Pieced by me.

Quilted by Angela Walters.

Owned by my 3 year old, Owen.

Fabric is Wee Woodlands by Moda, the green is Kona Avocado and the brown, orange and black are Moda Bella Solids.

Scrappy Bow Tie Swap

Scrappy Bow Tie Swap, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

I admit it. I have a problem. It's very hard for me to resist swaps.

I've done pretty well this summer and tried to not over-commit. I did the Bento Block Swap (missed it last time) and now I'm finishing up the Scrappy Bow Tie Block Swap. I could've made more but ultimately I ran out of time. *sigh*. I'd like to make a couple quilts with these blocks for my kids and maybe one for me, too. I think someone in the group figured out that it'd take 244 to make a king sized quilt. That's what I'd need to cover my bed. Maybe a little more to get the drape I like... Let's call this a long-term project.

For now, I'm going to try very hard to resist swapping until maybe after Christmas. Need to focus on finishing some items for my Etsy shop & working on Christmas gifts. I have a few quilt tops that I want to quilt, as well. These will take some time and effort, but I feel like I've finally got the skills and the equipment to be able to attempt some quilting on my own. Fingers crossed!

Check This Out

I have a friend who is downsizing and I'm helping her out by selling some of her vintage goodies.

Take a look at THESE three vintage pillowcases!

A week ago I sold two in a red, white and blue color scheme.  They're hard to part with, for sure.  Wouldn't they make a cute skirt!?!

If you want them, visit my Etsy site. :)  Get them while they're hot!

August's Modern BOM Block

I'm on a roll.  Got to sew tonight!

I noticed that the Modern BOM (Block of the Month) pattern for August is online today, so I scurried up to the attic as soon as the kids fell asleep.

This month's block required some improvisation (which for me means no seam ripping).  Here's what I put together:

Here it is with the July block:

(sorry about the lighting)

I am looking forward to September's block but am glad to be a little ahead of the game by completing both July and August's blocks.  It's not like me to be so proactive!

Tomorrow night I'm going to finish up some mini bow ties for a swap on Flickr.  I really wish I'd been more diligent about working on these a month or so ago.  I would love to send in more but I'm thinking I'll just send in 10 for now.  A whole quilt of bow ties for me will be in the near future.  Don't you think every son should have a bow tie quilt?  Since I have two sons, I'd better get busy....

One other thing I've been doing is making two rainbow I Spy quilts for my boys.  My goal is to have these two quilts along with the Homespun quilt I'm making for my hubby finished by the time it starts to get cold.  I live in Kansas, so that's around Halloween.  They're going together quickly, but the part that will slow me down is the quilting.  Maybe if I make myself hurry and baste them... I might be able to talk myself into hurrying up and quilting them.  I have all the materials and the binding is made for 2 of the 3 quilts...  Am expecting a big 1/2 yard bundle of homespuns from my friend Charlie soon.  Will piece those for a backing and call it good.

Modern Block of the Month

I've had this bundle of Purple People Eater Kona fabric for a couple months now.  Have been trying to decide what the best use of it might be.  You see, my husband went to Kansas State University and they all bleed purple.  I figured I couldn't go wrong in buying a bundle of purple fabrics...  

After a little consideration, I decided to join in with the Modern BOM (Block of the Month).  Here's July's block:

I had to use my seam ripper THREE times on this.  It's late and I'm tired.  I'll use that as my excuse...  August's block should be up on the site anytime now, so hopefully I can find a little more time to sew this week.

My 3 year old starts preschool this week and next week, my 4 year old starts, too.  One goes in the morning and the other goes at night.  Things will be different around here, that's for sure.  I'm going to have to start going to bed in a timely fashion.  That might mean less sewing.  *sigh*  We shall see.  It's almost 11 pm now, so I'd better hit the sack.  I'll be quilting in my sleep, I think!

Thrifting

Friday night, I got away for a couple hours & I went to 4 local thrift shops.  I've been buying vintage sewing supplies & re-selling them in my Etsy shop.  Found some great perle cotton spools for cheap!  Not sure if I'll sell those or keep them.  Got some vintage sheet pillowcases and a couple flat sheets.  Also, I scored THIS find for myself...

I still need to figure out where I'll keep it.  My kids keep messing with it, calling it a treasure chest.  I think it's a treasure chest, too.  Might have to keep it out of harm's way in the attic.  I love it, though.  Inside, there are pockets for notions & such.  I am tickled.  Guess how much I paid...  $4.50!  Imagine!  So tickled.

Tonight's Sewing

I had just a little time tonight so I threw together 3 quick blocks for some of my friends.

The first two are for Paula in the KC Scrappy Bee.  She's using her Neptune fabric to make a broken dishes quilt.  It's going to be really pretty, I think.  Was a nice and easy block.  Very kind of her to not throw us some hard paper piecing or tiny triangles. :)

The other block I made is one for a friend of mine.  It's a secret.  Shh!  We're going to surprise her with a butterfly quilt...  I decided my contribution should be wonky.  And green.

Here's a picture of that one:

Homespun Quilt

Homespun Quilt in progress, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

When I was pregnant with Owen, my second born (who is 3 now), my husband and I went on a babymoon (a getaway before your new baby arrives... we left Wyatt with the in-laws) to a nearby city called "Excelsior Springs" in Missouri. Harry Truman hung out at the fancy hotel we stayed at back in the day. It was a nice place, but there were cobwebs in the shadows & it was a bit dated.

The town had a charming diner & more importantly, it had a quilt shop. :) We picked out a couple dozen homespuns and a pattern called "Crazy 8's" & when I got home, I chopped them all up.

As with any new project, at first, it went really quickly. I love the feel of homespuns. One side feels like flannel and the other side is soft, too. Very snuggly and warm. They don't fray too badly & are a little shifty, but not horrible.

But before long, Owen was born and this special quilt was put on the back burner. Once or twice since then, I've picked it up & worked on it. Turns out I'm not terribly far from finishing it. Who knew!?!

So my buddy, Charlie has some homespun 1/2 yards that he's trying to find a new home for. I've been thinking about them and decided that they'd make a great pieced backing for this quilt. They're grays and blues (one of my favorite color combinations) and by using them, I'll have a reversible quilt. Bonus!

I'm trying to get two quilts bound this week. One is my batik picnic quilt and the other is Owen's big boy quilt. It was a quilt along and I had Angela quilt it for me. I'm really happy with the geometric designs she added & will post about it very soon when it's finished. Hopefully that will be in a couple hours. I have about 6 more feet to go on the binding. NOT my favorite part...

Stay tuned!

We Have a Winner!

Terrain progress, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

I am so pleased with all of the activity on my blog and want to thank my new followers for joining in the fun of my Terrain Giveaway!

I did the random generator thing and my KCMQG buddy, Tammie is our winner! Hooray! Tammy has won the leftovers of my Terrain jelly roll. Tammie, I can either mail it to you or if you'll be at the meeting Thursday, I'll give it to you then!

Thanks for playing, everyone! Here's an updated picture of what I'm doing with the rest of my Terrain jelly roll.

I have the blocks sewn into rows. Just needing to sew the rows together. Maybe tonight?

Stay tuned!

Selling the Old to Buy Some New

Large Flat Rate VS Scrap Pack, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

As I've mentioned before, I've been selling my vintage sheets to buy an antique featherweight sewing machine, but lately I just keep spending my profits on new fabric. *sigh*

I decided to get serious and REALLY de-stash, so I put my scraps into 3 different sizes of boxes & listed them on my Etsy shop.

I'm wanting to buy some of Lizzy House's new Outfoxed line. I've pre-ordered some, but I know I'll want more... And also some Free Spirit Solids... and some Grinch Christmas fabric... and... and... and...

Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics and Tammy at Marmalade Fabrics have become my best friends.

For Cristina in the Lovely Linen Bee

For Cristina in the Lovely Linen Bee, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

These are the July block for the Lovely Linen Bee. I'm just a couple days behind, but they didn't take me long. Cristina sent lots of strips, many of which were pretty thin. I like the effect of so many strips. :)

Kate Spain's Terrain Give Away!

Terrain Give Away!, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

Today I was doing a little thinking and realized that perhaps I should give away the remainder of my Terrain jelly roll, since this fabric is SO hard to come by.  I got mine from Pink Castle Fabrics on Etsy.

I've been wanting to see some more traffic on this little blog of mine, so here's your chance.

*  For one entry into my Terrain drawing, become a follower & leave me a comment telling me that you're a new follower.

*  If you already follow me, leave me a comment telling me that!

*  For an extra entry, tell me what your favorite quilt pattern (or block pattern) is and why.

* And if you point people in my direction from your own blog, I'll give you a third entry! :)  Be sure to leave a comment telling me!

This contest ends Saturday, August 6th at bedtime.

Make sure to leave your email address in your comment if you're not on gmail.

Thanks for following! While you're here, snoop around into my archives and check out my Etsy shop. I'm de-stashing some vintage goodies!

Terrain and Cross Weaves Closeup

Terrain and Cross Weaves, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

These oranges and reds aren't as obnoxious as this in person. It's my Iphone's fault.

Terrain and Cross Weaves

Terrain and Cross Weaves, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

Check it out. I finished all the blocks last night. I'd love to be able to put this baby together tonight, but tomorrow morning is an early one. Blue Valley Quilters Guild is meeting and I'm on the board, so I have to go a little early for the board meeting. I have to pick up the babysitter at 7:45. Ouch!

Enough complaining! I'm loving working with these Moda Cross Weaves and the new Terrain by Kate Spain is so nice. Love the deep colors! Just scrumptious.

Hopefully I can get it together in time for next week's KCMQG meeting.

I'll have a couple fun show and tells if I play my cards right!