Mason makes me happy.

This week in my crafty projects.

I was hoping to have some finished projects to show you today, but that didn't happen. Instead let's look at the stuff I am working on.

a Halloween project

quilt ready for quilting

blue log cabin quilt blocks

pinwheel quilt blocks

One awesome thing I got this week though was a new ironing board!!!! I cannot tell you how awesome this was!!  As my b.f. said in response to my excitement, "it's party time", so true!

tiny ironing board :(

the new ironing board!!!

I cannot tell you how nice it is to not have to move my sewing machine off my craft desk everytime I wanted to iron something while sewing. Very frustrating and it would sometimes stop me from quilting.  Now, my new ironing board solves this and this makes me super happy!!!

Fabric shopping

I absolutely love finding a new fabric store, especially one I didn't even realize was right in front of me the whole time! If you were there with me you would have seen me jumping up and down with total joy! Ok, picture time!

such pretty blues

pretty, pretty

pink elephants!

Found treasure

My sister and I found an amazing fabric store right next to my favorite bubble tea place.

Here is a look at the beautiful linen I bought (well my sister bought for me, thanks Kp!).

Check back tomorrow and see all the pics. my sister took with her fancy phone. We both were oohing and ahhing and planning! This place was huge and very inconspicuous!

Amigurumi Brobee!

After watching many, many episodes of "Yo Gabba Gabba" over and over with the b.f.'s nephew I thought I would make a amigurumi version of Brobee, one of the newphew's favorites.

New blue quilt

I started a new blue log cabin block quilt today. I have all these scraps of fabric and thought I would try to make a quick quilt. Seems the other quilts I am working on lately are taking longer and I am hoping this will go faster.

just started block

Shop Hop!

Have you ever gone on a Shop Hop? I haven't, but I am tempted to try one coming up in November. The "Official Bay Area Holiday Shop Hop" is November 12, 13 and 14th.

I think what really made me say "yes!" to this is the final sentence in the "Free Quilt Block Kit" section of the brochure: "Collect all of the Quilter's Quest Quilt Block Kits and create a sampler quilt that will commemorate your 2010 Quilter's Quest journey.".  I guess you fill out your "passport" at each of the participating shops, get a quilt block and of course buy TONS of fabric!!
I think a Shop Hop means I am officially in deep with this quilting thing. Not a bad place to be after all!

Wordless Wednesday

Laundry, cleaning and organizing!

Something I have been meaning to do for awhile is organize all of my fabric into a huge container (rubbermaid or tupperware, whatever it's called). Finally, I achieved and it is such a nice change in my little sewing area.

iron and fabric tub

fabric contained!

Since today is laundry day I washed all the quilts we use around my house (along with all the other stuff I have been meaning to throw in the laundry of course).

clean lap quilts

Something I noticed awhile ago is that our dog, Mason, likes to chew on the binding of any quilt he can find. I laughed a little today when I saw the evidence!

Mason loves laundry day, I usually find him at some point sleeping in the pile of clean laundry. Today I found him in his favorite spot, with the b.f.'s socks.

cute stuff

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

New Pieces and new fabric!

After trying to find this amazing quilt store called New Pieces at their new location and failing a few weeks ago, today, success!!!! They are a fabulous quilt store in Berkeley, CA and I was so beyond thrilled I got to visit them!
I was very kindly greeted by the vivacious and kindhearted owner, Sharona Fischrup, who I met a few months ago at the East Bay Modern Quilt Group meetings. I cannot say enough about how rock star awesome my journey through the store was, so let's get to the purchases!!!

cute bag holding all the goodies

for my sister

the trees drew me to this fabric

landmark covered fabric

Now my favorite. I've seen this fabric online and almost cried in pure joy over seeing this fabric in real life. I wish I could buy the whole bolt, OH I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Alexander Henry Cotton Lawn Como Multi

I ended up getting 3/4's of a yard, which for me is ALOT, since I have a teeny, tiny craft budget. But here it is, in my home. I may just stare at it for awhile and when I can afford to buy more, I probably will. I wish I could make a quilt out of just this fabric. I just sighed at the though of that.

(p.s. all fabrics are Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection)


(p.p.s. I seriously would cover my whole house and have my whole wardrobe made out of the Alexander Henry Cotton Lawn Como Multi fabric, that's how much in love I am with it.)

Dressing up the pup.

Since I don't have children (yet) my puppy Mason is my child. He is turning a year old on September 21st and I have been working on his birthday outfit!

I am using McCall's Crafts pattern M5998.

I used the little suit pattern

I decided to make him a less "formal" version of the fake suit. Really it turns out to be a basic bib pattern.

I still have to add his bow tie, can't decide which color I want it to be.

He was a little squirmy, so not the best pic, but I think it turned out great! I am going to make a few more and then start making his winter outfits! This was a really fun and easy project!

Pillowcases for a good cause

Remember the pillowcases I made, along with my other fellow East Bay Modern Quilt Guild members for a good cause? Well now they are famous!!! (well kind of!) Check it out!

sites, posts and stuff

It's on ongoing love affair. Let's see what's going on with this affair today.

I recently found out on of my favorite Japanese fabric companies has an office in Emeryville, CA which is like five minutes away from my best friends house! Oh Lecien, I love you!

I called their Emeryville office a few days ago to see if they were open to the public. Turns out I can set up an appointment for a tour but can't buy anything since I don't have a resale license. Of course I can buy their fabric in one of the local quilt stores, so not a big loss!

I also found this great site selling all things japanese cutesy!

Finally, check out this amazing blog, trueup.net. A great way to see amazing fabrics coming out, already out and the different ways to use them. Great inspiration!