Random: news

Yesterday, we left the graduate meeting late and the wind started pick up the snow dust. We have had a winter blizzard and glad outside is all calm and sunny again, but cold!

I wondered if you have all crossed your fingers for me!!! Thank you if you have done so because I got the 2nd week of April for my MFA exhibition! No needed to draw numbers and see who goes up first, second.. last! That means I have 12 weeks to completed all the major works and exhibit my artwork professionally. If you ask, am I nervous? Actually, I am not! I am calm and glad to know the dates and can be prepared for everything.

Today has no crafty activities at {1/4" mark house}. S is working on her cursive writing and I am on the other hand working on another piece for the exhibition. Sometimes, it feels great that we have a little space for each other then we'll can work together again.

xxc

Radom: waiting

 {making a PURPLE quilt? can't believe it|}

 { another pinnie}

 { quarter ring #1 done cutting}

{ few more needle books to send out.. needed to add button for each one}

It seems impossible that I bough 7 different purple prints in fat quarters and working on a PURPLE quilt. It is a birthday quilt for a very dear friend of our family who turns 60 last December. I didn't get the chance to make the quilt to send for the birthday. I was totally surprised that he likes purples. That might be the reason I hesitated to purchase the fabric and waited on how to make the purple birthday quilt. I based on colors of purple, gray, and yellow. From the base colors I work with different tones. I plan to make a lap quilt, so  two different prints would needed to add to the top in order to enlarger the quilt size. 

This week, I got away with many errands in school and S decided to exercise her independence this week before she turns another year older next month.  Oh, yes.. There are many bickering moments at {1/4" mark house} this week which makes it a bit challenging. I hope it's ok to share with you that I am an impatience person this week. I am waiting impatiently to find out mfa exhibition date this Friday and I think it's the nerve bugs that are bugging me...


xxc 

Random: Quilter's table

Quilter has a table or maybe few tables around their sewing room. Each table has different purpose.
Quilter's table provides a sewing machine{s}, few rulers, a/box{es} of tools { you can name all of them}, stashes of fabric, trimmed off fabric, an iron... etc. 

what's your table looks like, quilter?

edit: I have update the tutorial that I used for making the {quilting frame post}. 

xxc

Random: on the list

the log cabin quilt is finally on the quilting frame.
goal of completion: end of January, 2013.

to be continue.....

edit: tutorial for {quilting frame found here}
xxc

Weekending

 { S, busy bee}

 { Anna Maria Horner}

 { Green and Blue}

 { collection}

 { Scarp Stamp Quilt}

 { fabric castle}

 { Single Girl}

 {Greeting card from Nishiki... she is well}

 { chop. chop. chop by S}

 { green}

 {chop, chop, chop by me}

{ veggie soup}

Thank you everyone for all so very sweet comments on {patchwork folder and zippered pouch}. The process of making it was fun and many {what if I do this would it be better to access questions, etc}. I would love to write up a tutorial when I start making the set for my sister, but it will be a little while. School starts tomorrow for me and first few weeks would be busy and many catch up paperwork with the department. Leaning new students also match their name and face together. 

S had an overnight flu last Friday and was up throwing and feeling stomach pain so hard, so she stayed home and fell back to sleep for the entire morning.While she was resting, I pull out all my fabric boxes and start pulling prints for {Single Girl Quilt}. All the templates are cut, but I haven't cut the fabric, since I am still rearrange the prints/ colors. It will be a so fun quilt to make! Lots curves! 

Over the weekend, S and I drove 78 miles south to the international market. We go down to the market once a semester and just load up the food we needed. We made over 200 dumplings today. Lots veggies for sure! S chopped all the cabbages to mixed with other ingredients while I was making the veggie tofu soup. It has been a lot of veggie eating here and it really helps me to keep myself in a healthier condition.  S on the other hand is loving the simple soup and rice. She has been enjoying cook with me each time and weekends. Learning each ingredient's name and asking question on every step. It feels really great that when we both can share together.

The stamp quilt is coming together slow, but surely a lot of fun! I made few patches each night. If you have check in {Flickr} you'll find some latest photos. I found some great Anna Maria Honer {here} and decided to get some. Mom and sister love their {scarves}so much and I though I'd make another scarf for them this Mother's Day.  As you can see the blue and green prints are for S' 9th birthday quilt. It has been a lot of veggie eating weekending here at {1/4" mark house}. How have your weekending been? 

xxc

Patchwork Folder & zippered pouch

You might have seen patchwork folder {w.i.p. photos} over the holiday break.  The patchwork folder and zippered pouch set just finished on Monday night as I was debating if I should add {something} to it. I made a belt for the folder and it turns out very satisfactory.

Every other two years, my family  purchase an electronic equipment for me. This year, I ask for a tablet. Since we travel often during the summer time and take long distance flights to visit family. The laptop has becoming a heavy belong for me and on top of that extra clothes and S' belongs.  It didn't feel like traveling when we get on our second flight, but felt like moving a load of truck with us. When the i-pad arrived, I set it by the Christmas tree for 2 hours. didn't wait till Christmas to open it.  I had to see what it looks like and how does it work. Many how questions still pops up and I am confused with new app. downloading and using i-tune..etc.

Then, my second action was start measuring the size of i-pad. I have to protect it, so it can really travel with me.  I used some small scraps from last few tote projects then patch them into small nine-patch blocks then play with block and white prints. Lately, black and white prints are speaking loudly to me. It seems catch my eye first before other colors.  It took a few days to decided on the closure design as I was hand-quilting. Originally, I plan use zipper, but when did the mock up look it didn't work as well as I like.  Something simple and easy access was what I after. Then I decided to make a simple patchwork style folder, so I can take the i-pad out as I need and insert it in when I put it away.

Then of course, a zippered pouch is needed for the charger and future ear phone { if there's one for i-pad}. Or other related products need to take along in the trip. The match set style is the first time I attempted. It is challenging and fun to come out different designs, but use similar fabric combo colors and consider how to give these scrap a new life.

 Metal zippers are my preference type of zipper!

The lining fabric was found at Jo-ann's. It is really cute! No interfacing for the lining or small pockets insert.  The roomy space is always nice!

 { i thought you might like to see the behind the scene photo.. this is how I photography}.

The belt! The patchwork folder was finished over the weekend and I take it with me from room to room, but knowing something is missing.  It feels like something needs to be added in order to secure the folder. So I measured around the folder and make a belt for it. Sewn Velcro for the nice closure.

 After I finished the belt. I saw {home} and though it is perfect as the gift was from home.

 { to prove the belt is sturdy}

Both patchwork pieces were hand-quilted. When I was hand-quilting these, I left out some other sewing project, so there are few packages still isn't completed to send out at this moment.  I felt eager to finish the patchwork folder and the zippered pouch, so I can take it with me when school starts. The laptop can stay home and my backpack will be lighter.

I think I've gone too far on this project, but it turns out very {Chase}.  I will be making another set, but in different patchwork style for my sister. I hope she will like them... {Sometimes, I can't read her mind :) }.

Lately, I have been sewing small patchwork pieces, but I have just start a new quilt. Have you read { Jolene aka Blue Elephant Stitches Post?} She starts her {Single Girl} and I decided to quilt along with her. There was a {quilt along group} a few years ago? I bought the pattern that time, but never make the quilt. It would be another great quilt to make and time for pulling fabric out and make a little mess.

Link up with {crazymomquilts: Finish up Friday}


xxc

Her Kin-cha-ku aka {drawstring bag}

 { Mr. Rocky paper piecing pattern}

 { S for Stella}

 { additional handle for s}

 { S kept telling me, the deer print is SO cute}

 { took longer time to make it}

 { she wants to take it window shopping}

{ her kin-cha-ku}

One of S' holiday present was {Mr. Rocky} kin-cha-ku aka {drawstring bag}. It took longer time to make, since she's in bed around 9a.m. Each night, I took about 30 minutes or longer for the hand-quilting then tuck it away.  It was hard to decided if I should personalized this bag for her, but I did! I used the her initial S in the back of the bag. When she open the box for few second she asked why not Stella, maybe next one, I replied.

After made four different kin-cha-ku, {here}, {here}, {here}, {here}. I knew I had to change something for S'.  She needs a handle to carry it! The only time she carries her purse is when she needs to buy something from the store. The messenger bag I made for her is getting smaller, but she still loves it.

With the new kin-cha-ku, I though she could put her wallet inside and maybe things that she needs.The closure is on the top, so that would leave extra room for her to use. Hand-quilting is perfect for it.

edit: thank you for email me about the large PDF files that you aren't able to access to.. I got both pattern resize and ready to go.. shouldn't have problem, but do let me know! Enjoy~

Another handmade holiday in 2012~

xxC