Random: SUMMER

It seems like I was blogging last night, but it was a few days ago already! I stepped away for a couple of days since I was taking finals, critiques, and also given students a final this week. The week went rather quick, but surely was busy! I also had an opportunity to exhibit my artworks last night and met many people who stopped by and talked to me about my artworks. We didn't make it home till 9p.m. last night which was late for Stella's bed time! She had rough time this morning getting ready for school.  Well, it is feel good to have my second year of grad school done as of today!  I am resting in my mind and preparing myself for the summer and the final year! It will go by so fast before I know it! The summer will be so busy with all the work that needs to be done before my second review in the fall and the final exhibition in the spring 2013, but I will enjoy a few days off from school now.  I never get to show you the lemon cake I made! It was so popular when I took it to school and share with my friends.

The lemon icing was so good! I used up all my Meyer Lemons for the icing. It has a very calm sweetness from the lemon. I would love to have some of Meyer Lemons if I could!

The Old New 30's fabric from Lecien! Very nice texture and the colors are so nice! If you are someone who enjoy retro colors/ theme you might like to consider this! The price is fair and I really highly recommend it! If you are making small patchwork this might be something for your small projects.

The little Poodles are so cute! I have been looking for Poodles for awhile now! I was able to found them when I was taking study break! The fat quarter bundle was just perfect for what I need in some smaller project. I would love to explore more paper piecing method during this summer! These would be perfect for some sewing! More patchwork totes?

I have been checking the ruler sitter at our local Joann's. It has always been high price to pay for! I used one of the wood scrap board that I have in school studio and cut it into the size that I need. I went to the table saw and ran through a couple of times. I was able to get this ruler sitter made! Cost $0 dollars and the labor was 10 minutes.

Again, thank you so much for the sweet comments about the { patchwork tote edition} I am just very thrilled to read your comments and emails that came in my mail box lately! I mentioned in my last post I will  write a few posts on how I work towards to the patchwork tote. I hope that will help you on making your own!

xxC 

Random: Capturing

Welcome to Monday! It is raining and cool here in northern land! Finally I enter the final week of semester. I should be busy and study for the final, but I am resting in my Final week's Monday! I ran around the town and {accidentally} ran into a local quilt shop and { accidentally} saw these two prints. I have been wanting to get some of graphic drawing prints lately. I am happy with today's incident. 

The basket full of vintage treasure that was given to me by a friend's mom. I have been keeping this basket with me for two years now and adding some new founds when I can. It is interesting that how I get attract to old things and so appreciated all the work that the people have put into. Do you collect these too?

The eggs are going away fast this past week. I have been making food from them. We have about 6 eggs left after I taken this photo.

 Lemon Cake, anyone? It is in the oven now and our apartment is smelling {amazing}.

I often wish that I have a professional kitchen to bake. You might not know that I have been writing to Santa about this mixer and I will keep write to him until he send it to me.  It will be awhile before I hear from him. According to Stella, Santa only responds to the children, so she is writing it on my behalf. 

 Getting some photo studio going on here! The lighting has been dim lately! Wish some sunshine soon!

 

Birthday quilt! It is so Modern and I am not used to that, but will try it! 

xxC 

Tutorial: { Patchwork Tote Edition}

 {Take One} fabric

{Take Two} scraps

{Take Three} production & quilting

{Take Four} assembling

{Take Five} materials & tools

Finally our home is quiet and I made myself a cup of tea at this quiet night! Editing some images. We sure had a busy day today! Changing the sheets in the bedroom and also get our summer quilts out and have many need to be wash and put away. A few quilts need to get started soon here! Lots planing and making are happening this weekend! The weather has bee perfect for us!  My new {patchwork tote} finished on Saturday! I am so pleased with the leather straps for the handles. I went to the local leather shop and was able to pick some up! It is new for me to use leather for sewing! Leather has a harder texture look, but it really gives nice contrast to the fabric well. As you might still remember my {scrappy patchwork post} I patched all the scraps together and additional some large scrap pieces. I really enjoy the patchwork process more than another other project. It is work as you go type of process! The patchwork come really random and it gives the simple look to it!

+I use Penny's quilt as you go method of the quilting part. The used the simple bag pattern for this tote. As you can see the smallest scrap is less than an 1".

When sewn the pieces into the tote shape and I realized the size is very long. I really debt if should keep it or I should  down size it.  I cut 3" from the top off { my heart was shocking!} I didn't wanted waste any of these cut of patchwork, so I took them apart again.
 

I patched them again then taken them apart again { I can't really tell you what I was thinking at that time, but I knew something didnot go right}.

Then used last patchwork and made it into a {patchwork zippered pouch}. I love it!!  It is a very good size and will be great for anything....

This is my newest {patchwork tote}. I used the bias binding for this tote and last {patchwork handbag}. The lining was iron on interfacing. It helps to stabilized the tote and added a little weight on it. I plan to take off my first { patchwork tote} and redo the lining part. The first one didn't have any inner pockets or inner zippered pocket. It was very simple, but I never able to find my keys when I use it.

My scraps bowels are down to two. I also got a request from Stella this weekend. She asked if she can have a new bag that looks like grown ups. Well! I have a new task now! I plan on posting the bag in the next couple of  posts, so you might be interesting on how I work with patchwork.

xxC

Randome: weekending

 { made an inner pocket for the new patchwork tote}

 {bound the quilt}

 { found the pin board on Friday then covered with unbleached muslin} 

 { hung the mini quilts up and the w.i.p. blocks} 

 {made those yummy strawberry pastry} 

 { enjoy the good weather} 

 { gift from her} 

 { a new home for the stuffed animal?} 

 { she made something} 

The daylight started around 5ish in the mornings. I woke up with a good night rest and ready to start the day. It was busy until few hours ago then I sat down and rest for the day!  Last night, I stayed up and made an inner zipper pocket for the new patchwork tote { I will share soon}. The quilt is bound and I decided not to wash it instead before I send out! I love how it turns out! Lots blue, but it is great for either a boy or a girl! I love the idea of quilts are for everyone!

I found a pin board to cover up the plywood wall! I covered it with unbleached muslin and stabled the fabric and the board with stable gun. I went to the hardware store and got hangers to hang on the wall.  The solution solved great projects. I pin up the mini quilts  and also some w.i.p. blocks. It is great that my w.i.p projects are not in piles, but pin up on the board! It really help me to see what I am working and pin up to get new ideas.

Are you attempting the strawberry pasties?? It is so delicious! I made 30 of these today and they are all gone now!! My friend came over this afternoon for a cup of tea and I served her these mini pasties!  I need to make more now. These are so small! Almost in the bit bite size! 

A good day spent with Stella! She found a new place for Her animals to rest{ I found it in the dumpster awhile ago. It is solid wood. I was thinking transfer it to a fabric container. She was busy making today! She made mini totes for her animals and they turn out very cute! Fabric scraps are also great for kids crafty projects!  It has been a busy day here! I have enjoy my day and hope you do, too.

xxC

Quilt making

Today is a busy day! I got some project done at school and was feeling so good when I got home. I began basted the quilt.  This quilt was pieced awhile ago and when I made it I wanted a very simple block look.  I used Deyse Schmidt's Fairground and Picnic line for Joann's. I tried the free motion quilting again and feel comfortable about it as I have been working more lately. This quilt  will be given away soon. I will not be able to show the whole quilt until I sent it out and the person receives this quilt. 

It was a quilt making night and I am off to hand-binding now. 

xxC

Sewing time

It has already reached the mid-week!! I went to Stella's school to have lunch with her today! It is always fun to join the lunchroom. Nothing special, but we get to share lunch time during the weekdays, which normally we don't get to do that. On the way home I stopped by the local leather store that my friend mentioned to my last week. I wanted to see if they have leather scraps for me to play, but prices are rather high for me. I got some leather scrap  and roll them into little bundles. 


The {scrappy patchwork} is finished and I am making a new handbag again! The larger pieces are from the stashes. I am pleased how they turn out! I have started a couple of new projects  and these will keep me busy for awhile! I plan to start a new quilt soon, but I haven't taken my time to order the fabric. I have spent much time watching movies late at night while I was sewing these patchwork. The weather keeps change its mind last few days. It was sunny then it went cold again! Finally this afternoon that the windows are open again and we were able to get some fresh air inside. The birds were chirping all day and it really made me feel like spring is officially arrived! I look forward a bit warmer weather and more bike time. Of course, a little more sewing time here as well!

xxC 

Happy MAY

May first!! My last teaching course of this semester! My heart is relaxing and prepared the lecture last night! It has been a very much busy and growth semester in the real side of my life. I am ready a summer to come and stay at home and be productive on my own artwork making. Also wish some good weather here!  If I haven't get back to you, please excuse me for that. If I missed your email or comments I must apologized not get back to you when I first read it! I often read emails when I saw them then respond emails before I head to bed, but sometimes I can't find the same email I  read. My  inbox is not well organized as I wish!  The table is pile up with patchworks, scraps, bowels, cups, books, rulers, books, sewing tools. I am a bit untidy lately.  Maybe a good clean up is needed when school is out..

Wish you have a great first day of May! I am singing the {doe,re,mi} in my head right now!

xxC