Saturday, January 31, 2015

Blue Pillow Tutorial

Sometimes I think I should keep a running list of the smaller projects I make just so I can remember to write about them.  This little blue pillow cover is a perfect example of one of those forgotten projects.


I have been trying to use up some of my old leftovers, so I decided on these strips from a quilt that I made years ago.  I auditioned a couple of fabrics from the stash, and the darker blue won out. 



In the end, I didn't use much of the strips because I wanted the pillow to have a modern feel to it.  Ignoring the seams, I fussy cut a couple of pieces to get pieces some of the pretty leaves in the picture.  After adding a wide strip in the center of the florals, I cut the block in half and added another wide strip.



It was easy enough to add a strip on the top and on the bottom, and then add one to the right and left.



The three layers created a quilt sandwich of the blue top, scrap batting and a pieced muslin bottom, also made from scraps.  

A couple of pins to hold everything together worked very well.



I wanted to experiment with some organic-looking, curvy lines across the pillow, so I started out just playing and ended up really have fun.  Most of the time I followed the pattern, but on occasion I mixed it up and went off-course.  I like variety, so I tossed in three strips of pebbles between the lines.  I think they work to help the curves stand out.  I think it took about 30 seconds...well, it felt like it because it was such fun.



Check out the backside of the pillow-top.  No one will ever see it, but I think it's kinda cool.

Most of the decorative pillows I make are 14 or 16 inches square since I have both size pillow forms.

I had decided on 16 in. early on, so the next step was to cut the quilt sandwich into a 16 1/2 inch square.


Then I prepared the back of the pillow cover: two pieces of the blue (16 1/2 X 10) hemmed along one long side so that I could overlap them to create one back the size of the front.




The easy way to make them fit is to put the pillow top on the work surface, right side facing up.  Then put one back piece down, right sides together (rst), with the hemmed edge in the center.  Now place the second back piece on top (rst) with the hemmed edge in the center.  Make sure all raw edges are even with the edges of the pillow front.  This will require that the back pieces are overlapped.  It doesn't matter which piece is on top.  Pin through all pieces,


I like to make two seams around the edges.  The first seam 1/4 inch from the edge and then another one just inside of the first.  After this it's just a matter of turning the cover right side out and pushing out the corners to shape them.



















Of course, these photos are taken with the pillow form in the cover. It's going to make a really nice pillow cover for someone, don't you think?  Perhaps I'll make a few more just for fun; I need to add to my gift inventory since I depleted it over the holidays.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Pin It Weekly #99

Any act of kindness no matter how big or small can make a difference--especially when done intentionally. Here are 100 acts of kindness for kids that you and your family can do together!We're almost there!  One more week and we'll hit 100!  That's almost two years of weekly pinning!  I'm impressed...it's rare that I manage to sustain anything this long!  Well, maybe not, but it seems that I'm a bit fickle and hopping from thing to thing with no rhyme or reason. I don't like repetition, so if you've been sticking with me on this, you should take note!  

Let's get ready to celebrate 100!

Cute T-shirt idea for 100th Day!

100 questions to ask your spouse...fun date for a long car ride together!

Looking for some skinny snacks?  Try out any of these that are under 100 calories!The best bucket list you'll ever read.

Throw These 116 Things Away (Just Don't Get rid of leftover change)

Vintage Wizard Of Oz Party! - Kara's Party Ideas - The Place for All Things Party   --- Some cute decorations - etc. for a Wizard of OZ party. (But how much cake can everyone eat?)

100 Amazing Books to Read in a Lifetime Great list! I've ready many, but many more to enjoy...100 Ways to Say Great! - encourage kids to expand their vocabulary so they'll make their texts more vibrant and interesting!














100 Baby Products you can't live without. some look like they would be a big help.

100 Best Workout Songs

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Of King Cake and Family

Last weekend we celebrated Sophie's fourth birthday on Saturday.  On Saturday night we babysat these two munchkins.  Then on Sunday we celebrated the fact that Will is home for a week. 



We're a pretty rowdy crew and any excuse is cause for celebration.  Will works off-shore, usually on a 14/14 schedule, but he pulled an extra week to help out a friend, so this month we barely get to see him.  That said, Adam decided to throw a po'boy party on Sunday afternoon.  Which means we were able to get together, eat and visit.  

It's what we do.

French bread cut in half, baked turkey breast, pork loin and sausage made the base of the sandwiches.  Mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickles made the dressings, and chips, tortillas and homemade salsa created sides. 

Google images

For dessert...King Cake.  Raspberry and cream cheese filled. Green, purple and gold sugar.  Sticky, gooey and delicious!

30 Things People From Louisiana Have To Explain To Out-Of-Towners
Flikr photo


One of the best Sunday afternoons a momma could hope for!

Monday, January 26, 2015

Modern Monday

Apologies to everyone for not posting yesterday's Sunday Inspiration.  Tonight I'll combine Sunday and Monday into a modern inspiration post and hope that this will suffice in begging forgiveness.

 
Simple modern quilt - Camille Roskelly.  This would look fabulous using 'Baby Jane' fabric line by Moda.

Simple and inspiring.  Try piecing instead of applique?















Great way to do a strip quilt to get rid of those extra strips I have lying around! Blocks of strips interspersed with large strips of a solid color.


raw edge applique tutorial

Off-centred squares quilt pattern | Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts
Oooh, I love this! Both the colour combo and the pattern!     Pinned from Fresh Lemons Modern Quilts (http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1886)    Originally from "Geared for Guys" http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/

HST multi colored plus one solid herringbone.love this- the stripes, the chevron placement, awesome - blueprint textiles



wonky, scrappy, strippy by ann-marie s., via Flickr

Denyse Schmidt flying geese

Technicolor Twist block by sewcraftyjess

Rainbow Transparency Skinny Quilt by Terry Aske Art Quilt StudioEasy Quilts Spring 2013  --- not sure if the attraction is the colour, pattern or quilting!
quilted placemats. I'm going to make these with my cute new bird fabric. :)

Stripped Rag Quilt Pattern

minimalista quilt pattern - if I ever decide to learn how to quilt this is what I'll make :)

        
Modern Quilt (Janome quilt project:  Intermediate skills required)Incredibly simple quilt featuring a range of solid colors on a large negative space. $325 on etsy
Kaffepause by ~BenteMalm~  Quilte-Design, via Flickr  So simple, yet elegant!

Baby Quilt that reminds us of Lemlem's Bezez Spring 2014 collection available now! http://www.lemlem.com/search?q=bezez